Electronic real estate lockbox system

An electronic real estate lockbox system comprising a lockbox and a key, the lockbox including:

• communications means for relaying data between the lockbox and the key;
• key receiving means for facilitating the relative positioning of the lockbox and the key so that the communications means can relay data between the lockbox and the key;
• key compartment means for releasably containing a house key;
• key compartment lock means for controllably securing the key compartment means in a locked state;
• key compartment control means for unlocking the key compartment lock means upon receipt of proper data from the key via the communications means;
• shackle means for releasably fastening the lockbox to a fixed object;
• shackle retention means having released and retained states for controllably securing the shackle means in a locked position;
• and
• shackle control means for releasing the retention means upon receipt of proper data from the key via the communications means;
• the key including:
• communications means for relaying data between the key and the lockbox;
• circuit means for controlling operation of the key;
• battery means for supplying power to the circuit means;
• first switch means for controlling the application of power to the circuit means so as to activate said circuit means;
• second switch means for causing the circuit means and the key communication means to cooperate so as to send data to the lockbox for causing the lockbox key compartment control means to unlock the key compartment lock means;
• third switch means for causing the circuit means and the communication means to cooperate so as to send data to the lockbox for causing the lockbox shackle control means to release the shackle retention means;
• keypad means comprising a plurality of switches for permitting a user to enter data into the key;
• and
• indicator means for providing feedback to the user on the operational status of the key.

An electronic real estate lockbox system comprising:

• a key;
• a lockbox;
• means for communicating between the key and lockbox;
• a keypad on the key and having a plurality of switches for entering sequences of switch closures;
• a locked compartment in the lockbox that can be opened by the entry of a proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad;
• memory means in the lockbox for storing data indicating whether access to the lockbox compartment is to be especially restricted;
• means requiring a first proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad in order for the key to open the lockbox compartment if the data in the lockbox memory means indicates that access to the compartment is not to be especially restricted;
• and
• means further requiring a second proper sequence of switch closures on the keypad in order to open the lockbox compartment if the data in the lockbox memory means indicates that access to the compartment is to be especially restricted.

An electronic real estate lockbox system comprising:

• a key;
• a lockbox;
• means for communicating between the key and lockbox;
• a locked compartment in the lockbox that can be opened by operation of the key;
• memory means in the lockbox for storing lockout list data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from opening the lockbox compartment, and date data indicative of the timeliness of said lockout list data;
• memory means in the key for storing key identifying data;
• means for comparing the key identifying data with the lockout list data and for denying access to the lockbox compartment if the key identifying data corresponds to any of the lockout list data stored in the lockbox memory means;
• memory means in the key for storing lockout list data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be denied access to the lockbox compartment, and date data indicative of the timeliness of said lockout list data stored in said key memory means;
• means for comparing the date data stored in the lockbox memory means and in the key memory means in order to determine which of said lockout list data is the most timely;
• and
• means for transferring the most timely lockout list data and its associated date data into the memory means having the least timely lockout list data.

An electronic authorization system for controlling entry into a secure area comprising:

• an electronic lock;
• an electronic key including a keypad;
• means for communicating between the lock and key when said units are coupled together;
• means for determining from said communication whether to authorize entry into the secure area;
• means requiring a certain sequence of switch closures on the keypad in order for the key to cause the lock to authorize entry into the secure area;
• means for allowing said sequence of switch closures to be effected on the keypad prior to the key being coupled to the lock;
• and
• means for automatically sending signals to the lock corresponding to said sequence of switch closures when the key is subsequently coupled to the lock.

An electronic lockbox system comprising:

• an electronic lockbox having a secure compartment;
• an electronic key;
• means for communicating between the lockbox and key;
• means for determining from said communications whether to authorize entry into the secure compartment of the lockbox;
• memory means in the lockbox for storing data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from authorizing entry into the secure compartment;
• memory means in the key for storing data corresponding to the identities of preselected keys that are to be prevented from authorizing entry into the secure compartment;
• and
• update means for determining electronically whether the memory means in the lockbox should be updated from the data stored in the key and, if so, for transferring said data from the key memory means to the lockbox memory means.

An electronic lockbox system comprising:

• an electronic lockbox having a secure compartment;
• an electronic key;
• means for communicating between the lockbox and key;
• means for determining from said communications whether to authorize entry into the secure compartment of the lockbox;
• memory means in the lockbox for storing data entries relating to operations of the lockbox over a previous period of time;
• interrogation means in the key for obtaining data from the lockbox indicating the number of such data entries in the lockbox memory means;
• and
• display means on the key for indicating to a key user said number of data entries.