Agent safety apparatus and method
A lockbox security system includes a lockbox that has a lockable compartment. The lockbox includes a wireless communications device and a stored program configured to provide access to the lockable compartment in response to a wireless signal. A security device includes a wireless security communication device and a stored distress program configured to activate an alert upon receipt of a distress signal.
1. A lockbox security system comprising:
a lockbox having a lockable compartment, wherein the lockbox includes a wireless communications device and a stored program configured to provide access to the lockable compartment in response to a wireless signal; and
a security device including a wireless security communication device and a stored distress program configured to activate an alert comprising at least one visual indicator and/or at least one audible indicator upon receipt of a distress signal, wherein the security device is located at or on a premises associated with the lockbox and the at least one visual indicator and/or at least one audible indicator is issued at or on the premises.
2. The lockbox security system of claim 1 , wherein the wireless communications device includes at least one of a cellular communicator or a Bluetooth communicator.
3. The lockbox security system of claim 2 , wherein the wireless security communication device includes at least one of a cellular communicator or a Bluetooth communicator.
4. A lockbox security system comprising:
a lockbox having a lockable compartment, wherein the lockbox includes a wireless communications device and a stored program configured to provide access to the lockable compartment in response to a wireless signal; and
a security device including a wireless security communication device and a stored distress program configured to activate an alert upon receipt of a distress signal, wherein the security device is configured to interface with a vehicle.
5. The lockbox security system of claim 4 , wherein the security device includes an on-board diagnostic (OBD) port compatible connector.
6. The lockbox security system of claim 4 , wherein the security device is configured to activate at least one of a vehicle horn or a vehicle light.
7. The lockbox security system of claim 1 , wherein the security device is remote from the lockbox.
8. The lockbox security system of claim 7 , wherein the security device includes at least one of an audible alarm or a visual alarm.
9. The lockbox security system of claim 8 , wherein the security device includes a lockable attachment for securing the security device.
10. The lockbox security system of claim 1 , further comprising a mobile device configured to wirelessly communicate with the lockbox and the security device, and wherein the distress signal is generated and the at least one visual indicator and/or the at least one audible indicator are triggered by at least one of:
a user input to a user interface of an application associated with the mobile device;
rapid movement of the mobile device measured by at least one accelerometer in the mobile device exceeding a predetermined limit; or
a user failing to check in with the application within a predetermined length of time;
the mobile device using voice recognition to recognize a presence or absence of predetermined words or phrases.
11. A method of operating a lockbox security system comprising the steps of:
wirelessly communicating access to a lockbox from a mobile device;
locating a security device at or on a premises associated with the lockbox;
activating the security device upon granting access to the lockbox; and
communicating a distress signal from the mobile device wirelessly to the security device, wherein the security device activates an alarm comprising at least one visual indicator and/or at least one audible indicator upon receipt of the distress signal, and wherein the alarm is issued at or on the premises.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein wirelessly communicating access to the lockbox from the mobile device is performed through at least one of a cellular connection or a a Bluetooth connection.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the distress signal is sent from the mobile device to the security device through at least one of a cellular connection or a Bluetooth connection, and wherein the distress signal is generated and the at least one visual indicator and/or the at least one audible indicator are triggered by at least one of:
a user input to a user interface of an application associated with the mobile device;
rapid movement of the mobile device measured by at least one accelerometer in the mobile device exceeding a predetermined limit; or
a user failing to check in with the application within a predetermined length of time; or
the mobile device using voice recognition to recognize a presence or absence of predetermined words or phrases.
14. The method of claim 11 , wherein the security device is remote from the lockbox.
15. A method of operating a lockbox security system comprising the steps of:
wirelessly communicating access to a lockbox from a mobile device;
activating a security device upon granting access to the lockbox, wherein the security device is remote from the lockbox; and
communicating a distress signal from the mobile device wirelessly to the security device, wherein the security device activates an alarm upon receipt of the distress signal, wherein the security device is in direct electrical communication with a vehicle.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the alarm includes at least one of a vehicle a horn or a vehicle light.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mobile device sends the distress signal in response to one of a predetermined movement of the mobile device or a predetermined audio input recognized by the mobile device.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the predetermined movement of the mobile device is identified through accelerometer data from the mobile device and the predetermined a audio input is identified through audio data from the mobile device.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the mobile device sends the distress signal in response to a user sending a distress signal from the mobile device.
20. The method of claim 11 , including attaching the security device to an object on the premises.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the object includes the at least a one visual indicator and/or at least one audible indicator.
22. The lockbox security system of claim 1 , wherein the security a device is attached to an object on the premises with at least one locking mechanism.
23. The lockbox security system of claim 22 , wherein the object includes the at least one visual indicator and/or at least one audible indicator.
24. The method of claim 20 , wherein the object comprises a car.
25. The lockbox security system of claim 22 , wherein the object comprises a car.