Electronic lock box using a biometric identification device

A method for operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:

• providing an electronic lock box with a secure compartment therein, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, and a first processing circuit;
• providing a biometric identification device that determines first biometric identification data of a user;
• communicating said first biometric identification data to a central computer system;
• providing an electronic key, having a second processing circuit, a keypad, and a display;
• at said central computer system, determining if a sufficient correlation occurs between the first biometric identification data and second biometric identification data that has been stored in said central computer system;
• if said sufficient correlation occurs between the first biometric identification data and second biometric identification data, communicating a message to said electronic key so as to display a secure compartment access code data of the display of said electronic key;
• and
• entering said secure compartment access code data on the keypad of said electronic key, and commanding said electronic lock box to allow access to its secure compartment.

A method for operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:

• providing an electronic lock box with a secure compartment therein, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, and a first processing circuit;
• providing a biometric identification device that determines observed biometric identification data of a user;
• providing an electronic key, having a second processing circuit and a user-controlled input device;
• providing a central computer system having a memory circuit that stores enrollment biometric identification data of a plurality of users;
• transmitting observed biometric identification data to said central computer system;
• transmitting authorization data from said central computer system to said electronic key if a sufficient correlation occurs between the observed biometric identification data and enrollment biometric identification data that has been stored in the central computer system;
• and
• under the control of said user, commanding said electronic lock box to allow access to its secure compartment when said authorization data is received from said central computer system, using a message sent from said electronic key to said electronic lock box.

A method for operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:

• providing an electronic lock box with a secure compartment therein, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, and a first processing circuit;
• providing a biometric identification device that determines observed biometric identification data of a user;
• providing an electronic key, having a second processing circuit;
• providing a central computer system having a memory circuit that stores enrollment biometric identification data of a plurality of users;
• transmitting said observed biometric identification data to said electronic key;
• upon inquiry by said electronic key, transmitting enrollment biometric identification data from said central computer system to said electronic key;
• and
• at said electronic key, authorizing secure compartment access if a sufficient correlation occurs between said observed biometric identification data and said enrollment biometric identification data downloaded from the central computer system, by commanding said electronic lock box to allow access to its secure compartment, using a message sent from said electronic key to said electronic lock box.

A method for operating an electronic lock box system, said method comprising:

• providing an electronic lock box with a secure compartment therein, a shackle for attachment to a fixed object, and a first processing circuit;
• providing a biometric identification device that determines observed biometric identification data of a user;
• providing a central computer, having a second processing circuit, a first communications port, and a central database that is accessible using said second processing circuit, said central database containing enrollment biometric identification data for a plurality of human users;
• providing an external portable computer that is in communication with said biometric identification device, said external portable computer having a second communications port and a third processing circuit;
• providing a portable memory device, which contains read/write memory elements for storing data, said portable memory device being communicable with at least one of:
• (a) said first processing circuit of the electronic lock box, and (b) said third processing circuit of the external portable computer;
• providing a first communications link between said first communications port and said second communications port;
• scanning a biometric characteristic of said user, using said biometric identification device, and determining said observed biometric identification data;
• transferring said observed biometric identification data from said biometric identification device to said external portable computer;
• transferring said observed biometric identification data from said external portable computer to said central computer, over said first communications link;
• comparing, at said central computer;
• said observed biometric identification data to said enrollment biometric identification data stored in said central database, and if there is a sufficient correlation between said enrollment biometric identification data and said observed biometric identification data, transmitting an authorization message from said central computer to said external portable computer over said first communications link;
• writing authorization code data on said portable memory device, under control of said external portable computer;
• placing said portable memory device in communication with the first processing circuit of said electronic lock box;
• and
• determining if said portable memory device contains correct authorization data to access said secure compartment of the electronic lock box, and if so authorizing access to said secure compartment.