Automated entry
A system provides automated entry to properties. The system includes a lock box or an automated door lock placed at or near a property. The lock box or automated door lock includes circuitry that enables one-time entry to the property through the lockbox or automated door lock by limiting a time an entry code or signal is valid. The circuitry includes a memory that stores a hash table or a databased table that enables one-time entry and an automated lock mechanism that enables a locking and unlocking of the lock box or automated door lock. A network interface controller allows and facilitates wireless connection to a remote server.
1. A system for providing automated entry to properties, the system comprising:
a lock box or an automated door lock placed at or near a property, the lock box or automated door lock including:
circuitry that enables one-time entry to the property through the lockbox or automated door lock by limiting a time an entry code or signal is valid, the circuitry including:
a memory that stores a hash table or a databased table that enables one-time entry, and
an automated lock mechanism that enables a locking and unlocking of the lock box or automated door lock, and
a network interface controller that allows and facilitates wireless connection to a remote server; and
an application interface of an application running on a computing system to a property manager, the property manager being a manager or an owner of the property, the application interface prompting the property manager to enter a visitor name and contact information for a visitor, wherein upon receipt of the visitor name and contact information, the application provides the visitor with an invitation to receive automated entry information including code information that is valid during a specified period of time so that the visitor can enter the property by themselves, the invitation being delivered to the visitor electronically, the invitation being applicable only to the property and the invitation requesting identification from the visitor;
wherein upon the application receiving and confirming identification information from the visitor, providing, by the application, automated entry information to the visitor allows the visitor to enter the property, the automated entry information including code information that is valid during the specified period of time;
wherein upon the visitor providing the code information to the lock box or automated door lock within the specified period of time, the lock box or automated door lock opens to facilitate automated entry to the property; and
wherein the lock box or automated door lock provides notification to the remote server when the visitor enters the property.
2. A system as in claim 1 wherein the network interface controller provides an interface to a local area network.
3. A system as in claim 1 wherein the network interface controller provides an interface to a WiFi local area network.
4. A system as in claim 1 wherein the network interface controller provides an interface to a cell phone network.
5. A system as in claim 1 wherein the application provides the visitor with opportunities to enter other properties.
6. A system as in claim 1 wherein the lock box or automated door lock additionally comprises:
a wireless interface that allows receipt of a signal from a smartphone of the visitor, the wireless interface receiving from the smartphone of the visitor the code information that is valid during the specified period of time.
7. A system as in claim 1 wherein the lock box or automated door lock additionally comprises:
an optical reader that allows optical reading of a display of a smartphone of the visitor, the optical reader receiving from the smartphone of the visitor the code information that is valid during the specified period of time.
8. A system as in claim 1 wherein the automated lock mechanism includes a servo-motor.
9. A system that provides automated entry to properties, comprising:
a lock box or an automated door lock placed at or near a property, the lock box or automated door lock including:
circuitry that enables one-time entry to the property through the lockbox or automated door lock by limiting a time an entry code or signal is valid, the circuitry including:
a memory that stores a hash table or a databased table that enables one-time entry, and
an automated lock mechanism that enables a locking and unlocking of the lock box or automated door lock, and
a network interface controller that allows and facilitates wireless connection to a remote server; and
an application interface of an application running on a computing system to a property manager, the property manager being a manager or an owner of the property, the application interface prompting the property manager to enter a visitor name and contact information for a visitor, wherein upon receipt of the visitor name and contact information, the application provides the visitor with an invitation to receive automated entry information including code information that is valid during a specified period of time so that the visitor can enter the property by themselves, the invitation being delivered to the visitor electronically, the invitation being applicable only to the property and the invitation requesting identification from the visitor;
wherein upon the application receiving and confirming identification information from the visitor, providing, by the application, automated entry information to the visitor allows the visitor to enter the property, the automated entry information including code information that is valid during the specified period of time;
wherein upon the visitor providing the code information to the lock box or automated door lock within the specified period of time, the lock box or automated door lock opens to facilitate automated entry to the property; and
wherein the application provides the visitor with opportunities to enter other properties.
10. A system as in claim 9 wherein the network interface controller provides an interface to a local area network.
11. A system as in claim 9 wherein the network interface controller provides an interface to a WiFi local area network.
12. A system as in claim 9 wherein the network interface controller provides an interface to a cell phone network.
13. A system as in claim 9 wherein the lock box or automated door lock additionally comprises:
a wireless interface that allows receipt of a signal from a smartphone of the visitor, the wireless interface receiving from the smartphone of the visitor the code information that is valid during the specified period of time.
14. A system as in claim 9 wherein the lock box or automated door lock additionally comprises:
an optical reader that allows optical reading of a display of a smartphone of the visitor, the optical reader receiving from the smartphone of the visitor the code information that is valid during the specified period of time.
15. A system as in claim 9 wherein the automated lock mechanism includes a servo-motor.
16. A system as in claim 9 , additionally comprising:
allowing an administrator to select which types of communications about a property are forwarded to an agent assigned to the property.
17. A system for providing automated entry to properties, the system comprising:
a lock box or an automated door lock placed at or near a property, the lock box or automated door lock including:
circuitry that enables one-time entry to the property through the lockbox or automated door lock by limiting a time an entry code or signal is valid, the circuitry including:
a memory that stores a hash table or a databased table that enables one-time entry;
an automated lock mechanism that enables a locking and unlocking of the lock box or automated door lock;
a network interface controller that allows and facilitates wireless connection to a remote server;
an application interface of an application running on a computing system to a property manager, the property manager being a manager or an owner of the property, the application interface prompting the property manager to enter a visitor name and contact information for a visitor, wherein upon receipt of the visitor name and contact information, the application provides the visitor with an invitation to receive automated entry information including code information that is valid during a specified period of time so that the visitor can enter the property by themselves, the invitation being delivered to the visitor electronically, the invitation being applicable only to the property and the invitation requesting identification from the visitor;
an application interface running on a smartphone of the visitor;
wherein upon the application receiving and confirming identification information from the visitor, providing, by the application, automated entry information to the application interface running on the smartphone allows, the automated entry information including code information that is valid during the specified period of time;
wherein upon the smartphone providing the code information to the lock box or automated door lock within the specified period of time, the lock box or automated door lock opens to facilitate automated entry to the property; and,
wherein the lock box or automated door lock provides notification to the remote server when the visitor enters the property.
18. A system as in claim 17 wherein the lock box or automated door lock additionally comprises:
a wireless interface that allows receipt of a signal from the smartphone of the visitor, the wireless interface receiving from the smartphone of the visitor the code information that is valid during the specified period of time.
19. A system as in claim 17 wherein the lock box or automated door lock additionally comprises:
an optical reader that allows optical reading of a display of the smartphone of the visitor, the optical reader receiving from the smartphone of the visitor the code information that is valid during the specified period of time.
20. A system as in claim 17 wherein the network interface controller provides an interface to a WiFi local area network or to a cell phone network.