Vehicle Activity Module

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for maintaining security and data gathering for a number of vehicles. The systems include a vehicle activity module for each of the vehicles. The vehicle activity module has a wireless transmitter, a storage device, at least one sensor for receiving event information from identification devices, such as RFID cards, keypads, magnetic ID cards, and the like, a releasable key container, and a processor for accessing and analyzing information. The VAMs are wirelessly connected to a computer system. The VAMs control access to the keys, monitor information relating to access, and store and transmit information relating to sales events, non-sales events, and intrusion events. The VAMs are capable of autonomous operation, without the need to access the computer system to verify event information. The VAMs further include signal attenuating mechanisms to facilitate use of “smart keys.”

1 . A device for storing at least one key proximate a remote location, maintaining security, and gathering data for the remote location, the device comprising:
 a housing having a releasable key compartment; and   a conductive container configured to fit within the releasable key compartment and further configured to receive at least one remote location key;   the conductive container being capable of attenuating a wireless signal emitted from the at least one key when disposed within the conductive container.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said conductive container is integral to the device. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the identification tag is an RFID tag. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  further comprising:
 a wireless transmitter by which the event information and reference information can be transmitted to a computer for storage and analysis. 
 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with the computer through a cellular communications facility. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the conductive container is a Faraday cage. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the conductive container comprises metal. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising a connector by which the conductive container may be coupled to a ground reference. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the keypad is integral to the device. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the keypad is removably connected to the device. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A system for maintaining security and gathering data involving a plurality of remote locations comprising:
 a plurality of activity modules, each of which may be assigned to one of a plurality of remote locations, at least one of the plurality of activity modules including a storage device capable of receiving and storing data, a wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, a releasable key container configured to receive at least one key, and a processor operably coupled to one or more of the wireless transmitter, at least one sensor, or releasable key container;   a computer having a database for storage of data, the computer being in wireless communication with the at least one activity module;   at least one key identification device for attachment to the at least one key of at least one of the plurality of remote locations; and   at least one identification card containing information relating to an individual authorized to access the at least one activity module;   wherein the processor is capable of receiving and transmitting event information to the storage device or the computer from at least one of the sensors; and   wherein the processor is programmed to access and analyze the event information and compare the event information to reference information stored in the storage device for initiation of an event action within the at least one activity module.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the at least one sensor senses the presence of absence of the at least one key identification device within the releasable key container and wherein the at least one activity module transmits information relating to the presence or absence of a key identification device. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the event action is selected from the group consisting of: triggering an alarm, releasing the releasable key container, and transmitting the event information to the computer, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled) 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the at least one sensor is an intrusion sensor. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the at least one sensor comprises an RFID reader. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the at least one sensor comprises a programmable key pad. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the at least one sensor comprises a biometric reader. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with the computer through a cellular communications facility. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the wireless transmitter is configured to communicate with the computer through a Zigbee wireless network protocol. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the at least one activity module further comprises a clock and the at least one activity module transmits information related to the clock. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 24  wherein the event information is transmitted to the computer for storage in the database and for generation of reports relating to the event information. 
     
     
         42 . (canceled) 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the computer generates reports relating to the presence or absence of at least one of the keys based on the event information. 
     
     
         44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 41  wherein the computer generates reports relating to attempts to access at least one of the plurality of key compartments. 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 . (canceled) 
     
     
         49 . (canceled) 
     
     
         50 . A system for maintaining security, comprising:
 an electronic lock box apparatus having a control circuit, a memory circuit, an identifier sensing device, and a releasable key chamber with a key chamber position element, wherein said control circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said identifier sensing device; and   a key identification device;   wherein: said identifier sensing device detects a presence of the key identification device, if said key identification device is positioned within said releasable key chamber.   
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 50 , wherein said key chamber position element comprises a latch. 
     
     
         52 . An electronic lock box, comprising:
 an electronic lock box apparatus having a control circuit, a memory circuit, and a releasable key chamber with a key chamber position element; and   a key chamber position element sensing circuit that detects whether said releasable key chamber is in one of: (a) an open state; and (b) a closed state;   wherein said control circuit is configured to exchange data signals with said key chamber position element sensing circuit.   
     
     
         53 . The electronic lock box of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 an identifier sensing device;   wherein said control circuit is further configured to exchange data signals with said identifier sensing device.   
     
     
         54 . The electronic lock box of  claim 53 , wherein said identifier sensing device comprises one of:
 (a) a wireless transceiver; and   (b) a bar code reader.   
     
     
         55 . The electronic lock box of  claim 52 , wherein said key chamber position element comprises a latch. 
     
     
         56 . A method for operating a system for maintaining security, said method comprising:
 providing an electronic lock box apparatus having a control circuit, a memory circuit, an identifier sensing device, and a releasable key chamber with a key chamber position element;   providing a key with a key identification device; and   using said identifier sensing device, detecting a presence of the key identification device, if said key identification device is positioned within said releasable key chamber.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 56 , further comprising the step of:
 determining an absence of the key identification device, if said identifier sensing device does not detect its presence.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 56 , further comprising the steps of:
 allowing access to said releasable key chamber, by way of said key chamber position element, and allowing said key with the key identification device to be removed from said releasable key chamber; and   thereafter, sensing an absence of the key identification device, in response to said key with the key identification device being removed from said releasable key chamber.   
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 56 , wherein said key identification device comprises one of:
 (a) a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip, (b) an RFID transceiver, and (c) a bar code.   
     
     
         60 . A method for operating a system for maintaining security, said method comprising:
 providing an electronic lock box apparatus having a control circuit, a memory circuit, an identifier sensing device, a releasable key chamber with a key chamber position element, and a key chamber position element status detection device;   installing a key within said releasable key chamber, said key having a key identification device attached thereto;   detecting an access attempt of said releasable key chamber by an authorized user; and   before opening said key chamber position element, detecting, by use of said identifier sensing device, a presence of said key identification device, if said key identification device is positioned within said releasable key chamber.   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising the step of storing in said memory circuit a “presence status” event message of said key identification device, if said key identification device was positioned within said releasable key chamber before said access member was opened. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60 , further comprising the steps of:
 allowing access to said releasable key chamber, by way of said key chamber position element, and allowing said key with the key identification device to be removed from said releasable key chamber; and   thereafter, sensing an absence of the key identification device, in response to said key with the key identification device being removed from said releasable key chamber.