System and method for retrieving an unlock code via electronic messaging

#The present invention relates generally to the field of over-lock and release systems for rentable facilities. More particularly, the invention is a distributed management system for self-storage facilities that allow for vacant units to be secured with over-locks, and which allow the over-locks to be removed by customers without human or manual intervention from the self-storage facility.

#Self-storage units are typically rented on a monthly basis. If a customer is delinquent, and does not pay their rent to the self-storage facility owner by an agreed-upon due date, the owner (i.e., landlord) has a right to prevent the customer from accessing the storage unit. Self-storage facility owners typically place an over-lock over the storage unit door, such as through a hasp that prevents opening of the door. The over-lock is utilized until the customer pays the delinquent past due balance on their account.

#The process of placing, and removing over-locks, can be quite burdensome on a self-storage facility owner, especially with large facilities with hundreds of storage units, the majority of which may be rented to month-to-month customers. After an over-lock is placed on a storage unit, the over-lock must ultimately be removed once the customer account becomes non-delinquent. Removing over-locks is time-consuming and costly because it requires personnel from the self-storage facility to physically go to the storage unit and remove the over-lock.

#These and other embodiments of the disclosure will be discussed with reference to the following exemplary and non-limiting illustrations, in which like elements are numbered similarly, and where:

#FIG. 1 is a network architecture diagram of a distributed encrypted combination over-lock and release system;

#FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of encrypting an unlock code for a combination over-lock;

#It should be understood that aspects of the invention are described herein with reference to the figures, which show illustrative embodiments. The illustrative embodiments herein are not necessarily intended to show all embodiments in accordance with the invention, but rather are used to describe a few illustrative embodiments. Thus, aspects of the invention are not intended to be construed narrowly in view of the illustrative embodiments. In addition, the present invention is an over-lock and release system. Although the system is described with respect to its application for self-storage facilities, it is understood that the system could be implemented in any setting where an over-lock system may be useful.

#FIG. 1 is a network architecture diagram of a distributed encrypted combination over-lock and release system. In an embodiment, the system can be implemented within a self-storage environment. The system includes a self-storage facility 102 coupled to a management site 118 via a network 116. The management site 118 can be remote from the self-storage facility 102, and the management site 118 can serve multiple distributed self-storage facilities, such as in a central management site. The management site 118 can further be located overseas, such as in a foreign call center.

#In an embodiment, the management site 118 includes computing hardware and software 119, consisting of a processing unit 120, a database 122, and a transceiver 124. The computing hardware and software 119 can include a server coupled to the network 116. In another embodiment, the processing unit 120 and database 122 can be cloud-based, and located on a server remote from the management site 118, such as on a server provided by Amazon Web Services® or the like. In an embodiment, the processor 120 and/or database 122 can be distributed systems, such as that multiple distributed/cloud based units, structures, devices, or servers are utilized. In yet another embodiment, the database 122 is a database in which operational data is spread across different physical or virtual locations, and comprises more than one cloud based databases and/or data processing systems.