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 to 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 vehicle, maintaining security, and gathering data for the vehicle, the device comprising: a housing having a mounting apparatus to mount the device; a releasable key compartment; and a conductive container configured to fit within the releasable key compartment and further configured to receive at least one vehicle key; wherein said conductive container is capable of attenuating a wireless signal emitted from said 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 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: at least a portion of said conductive container is detachable from, and attachable to, said device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising: at least one information reader by which event information can be input into the device; and a storage device operably connected to the information reader for receipt and storage of the event information. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein: the event information includes at least one of, identification information, access information, key information, customer information, location information, sales information, and intrusion information. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , further comprising: a wireless transmitter by which the event information and reference information can be transmitted to a central computer for storage and analysis. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: the conductive container is a Faraday cage. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: the conductive container is a cylindrical shape with an opening for the at least one key. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: the conductive container is a shielded enclosure. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , further comprising: a connector, by which the conductive container may be coupled to a ground reference. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein: the at least one information reader is selected from the group consisting of: a magnetic card reader, a RFID reader, a keypad, a biometric reader, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein: the information relating to an individual accessing the at least one key is selected from the group consisting of: a PIN number, an access number, an employee number, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein: the storage device further comprises reference information relating to the event information for verification or authorization of the event information. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein: the reference information comprises at least one of, identification information, access information, key information, and customer information. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising: an event action mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein: the event action mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a release mechanism for the releasable key compartment, (b) an intrusion alarm, (c) an LED display, (d) a digital display, and (e) a data transfer mechanism capable of transmitting information to the computer via the wireless transmitter. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein: upon verification of the reference information with corresponding event information, a corresponding event action mechanism is activated. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein: said device includes a locking mechanism that prevents unauthorized access to said at least one vehicle key. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) said at least one vehicle key comprises a smart key, and said vehicle includes a radio transmitter/receiver that attempts to communicate with said smart key;   (b) said conductive container, if closed, effectively prevents communication between said vehicle radio transmitter/receiver and said smart key; and   (c) said conductive container, if opened, does not effectively prevent communication between said vehicle radio transmitter/receiver and said smart key.   
     
     
         20 . A device for storing at least one key proximate a vehicle, maintaining security, and gathering data for the vehicle, the device comprising: a housing having a mounting apparatus to mount the device; a releasable key compartment; and a conductive container configured to fit within the releasable key compartment and further configured to receive at least one vehicle key; wherein said conductive container is capable of attenuating a wireless signal emitted from a location external to said conductive container so as to prevent a substantial portion of said wireless signal from reaching said at least one key that is disposed within the conductive container. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein: said conductive container is integral to the device. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein: at least a portion of said conductive container is detachable from, and attachable to, said device. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 20 , further comprising: at least one information reader by which event information can be input into the device; and a storage device operably connected to the information reader for receipt and storage of the event information. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein: the event information includes at least one of, identification information, access information, key information, customer information, location information, sales information, and intrusion information. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 24 , further comprising: a wireless transmitter by which the event information and reference information can be transmitted to a central computer for storage and analysis. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein: the conductive container is a Faraday cage. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein: the conductive container is a cylindrical shape with an opening for the at least one key. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein: the conductive container is a shielded enclosure. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein: said device includes a locking mechanism that prevents unauthorized access to said at least one vehicle key. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein:
 (a) said at least one vehicle key comprises a smart key, and said vehicle includes a radio transmitter/receiver that attempts to communicate with said smart key;   (b) said conductive container, if closed, effectively prevents communication between said vehicle radio transmitter/receiver and said smart key; and   (c) said conductive container, if opened, does not effectively prevent communication between said vehicle radio transmitter/receiver and said smart key.   
     
     
         31 . A lockbox for storing at least one key proximate a remote site, maintaining security, and gathering data for the site, the lockbox comprising:
 (a) a housing having a mounting apparatus to mount the lockbox;   (b) a control circuit; and   (c) a releasable key compartment that includes:
 (i) a space for receiving a conductive container that is configured to act as a key chamber; 
 (ii) a key chamber position element that is configured to open to allow access to said space, and to close to deny access to said space; 
 (iii) a locking mechanism to control said key chamber position element; and 
 (iv) a key identifier sensing device. 
   
     
     
         32 . The lockbox of  claim 31 , wherein: said key identifier sensing device is configured to detect a presence of a key identification device that is associated with at least one key, if said key identification device is positioned within said key chamber. 
     
     
         33 . The lockbox of  claim 31 , further comprising: a key chamber position element sensing circuit that detects whether said key chamber position element is in one of: (a) an open state, and (b) a closed state. 
     
     
         34 . The lockbox of  claim 33 , wherein: a combination of said key chamber position element sensing circuit and said control circuit are configured to trigger an alarm if said key chamber position element is opened by an unauthorized event action. 
     
     
         35 . The lockbox of  claim 33 , wherein:
 (a) said key identifier sensing device is configured to detect a presence of a key identification device that is associated with at least one key, if said key identification device is positioned within said key chamber; and   (b) a combination of said key chamber position element sensing circuit, said control circuit, and said key identifier sensing device are configured to trigger an alarm if said key chamber position element is moved to a closed state at a time when said key identification device is not positioned within said key chamber.   
     
     
         36 . The lockbox of  claim 31 , wherein: said conductive container comprises at least one of: (a) a shielded enclosure; (b) a Faraday cage; (c) a metal container; (d) a mesh material container;
 and (e) a cylindrical shape with an opening to receive at least one key.