Biased open key lockbox system, and method of use thereof
OwnerStacy Joan STEVENSinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Devices, methods, and systems for providing physical retention of a key or keys within a receptacle, such as one or more vehicle keys or keys to a safe, and for providing an input feature, such as a breath or blood analysis device, and other features to prevent access to the keys until a suitable input is provided. For example, each key may be physically retained within the receptacle and prevented from being used until a breath, blood, or other sample input has been received that indicates a blood alcohol level is below a pre-determined limit, such as a legal limit for driving a vehicle. Various features then allow access to the key upon the legal limit being met.
Claims17
A device for retaining and selectively releasing a key, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- a key retaining receptacle within the housing forming a cavity, the key retaining receptacle being configured to receive the key;
- a cover positionable with regard to the key retaining receptacle in a first position to allow access to the cavity of the key retaining receptacle and in a second position to prevent access to the cavity, the cover having a pin receiving opening;
- a pin engageable with the pin receiving opening so as to prevent access to the cavity when engaged with the cover;
- a pin engaging device configured to selectively engage the pin with the pin receiving opening of the cover;
- a sample sensor configured to sample and analyze a received sample and to output data relating to the analyzed sample;
- and
- a control mechanism configured to:
- receive the data output from the sample sensor;
- and
- upon the received data output meeting a predetermined condition, cause the pin engaging device to disengage the pin from the pin receiving opening of the cover so as to allow access to the cavity.
The device of claim 11, wherein the processor is coupled to a data repository.
A system for retaining and selectively releasing a plurality of keys, the system comprising:
- a key retaining bank, including:
- a housing;
- and
- a plurality of key retaining mechanisms, each of the plurality of key retaining mechanisms having a receptacle to receive one of the plurality of keys, to place the received key in a retained condition, and being selectively placeable in a key accessing condition;
- a sample sensor configured to sample and analyze a received sample and to output data relating to the analyzed sample;
- and
- a control mechanism configured to:
- receive the data output from the sample sensor;
- match the received data to one of the plurality of key retaining mechanisms;
- and
- upon the received data output meeting a predetermined condition, place the matched one of the plurality of key retaining mechanisms in the key accessing condition.
A method for retaining and selectively retaining and releasing a key via a device for retaining and releasing the key, the device comprising:
- a housing;
- a key retaining mechanism;
- a sample sensor;
- and a control mechanism, the method comprising:
- receiving the key in the key retaining receptacle;
- placing the key in a retained condition within the receptacle;
- receiving a sample;
- the sample sensor sensing the sample and producing a sensor output;
- the control mechanism receiving the sensor output;
- and
- if the sensor output meets a predetermined condition, the control mechanism causing the key retaining mechanism to be placed in a key releasing condition.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.