Automated entry

Abstract

Automated entry to properties is provided. A user selects a property for automated entry. It is confirmed whether the property is available for automated entry by the user. Automated entry to the user is enabled when automated entry is available for the user and when the user is within a predetermined distance from the property.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer implemented method for providing automated entry to properties, comprising:
 receiving, by a portable computing device, a user selection of a property;   confirming, by the portable computing device, the property is available for automated entry by the user;   using, by the portable computing device, a positioning system to determine when automated entry is enabled to the user, the positioning system using a triangulation technique to determine a geographic location of the portable device and distance of the portable computing system relative to the property, including receiving signals from the positioning system; and,   enabling automated entry to the user when automated entry is available for the user and then immediately upon the geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the property as determined by the positioning system using the triangulation technique being within a predetermined distance from the property, the automated entry not being enabled until the geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the property as determined by the positioning system using the triangulation technique is within the predetermined distance from the property.   
     
     
         2 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1  wherein, receiving the user selection of the property includes the user selecting a property from search results of a list of properties on a server. 
     
     
         3 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1  wherein confirming property is available for automated entry by the user includes:
 confirming the user has successfully registered to be provided with automated entry; and, 
 confirming the user has paid a fee for automated entry to the property. 
 
     
     
         4 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1  wherein confirming property is available for automated entry by the user includes:
 requesting the user to pay a fee for automated entry to the property; and, 
 confirming the user has paid the fee for automated entry to the property. 
 
     
     
         5 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1  wherein enabling automated entry includes one of the following:
 providing the user with a code to open a lock box; 
 providing a portable device with a signal to open the lock box; 
 providing the portable device with a pattern readable by the lock box; 
 providing the user with a code to open a door of the property; 
 providing the portable device with a signal to open the door of the property; 
 providing the portable device with a pattern readable by a door locking device. 
 
     
     
         6 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1  wherein confirming the property is available for automated entry by the user includes consulting a list within a database that indicates automated entry status for the property. 
     
     
         7 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1 , wherein the positioning system is a global positioning system. 
     
     
         8 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1 , wherein the positioning system is a triangulation positioning system. 
     
     
         9 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1  additionally comprising:
 collecting data and statistics about automated entry of the user to the property. 
 
     
     
         10 . A computer implemented method as in  claim 1  wherein a user selection of a property is received by inputting an identifier from a sign located on the property. 
     
     
         11 . A portable computing device, the portable computing device including:
 a display interface that displays properties available for automated entry;   a communication interface to a positioning system that allows the portable computing device to interact with the positioning system to determine when automated entry is enabled to the user, the positioning system using a triangulation technique to determine a geographical location of the portable computing device, the communication interface being able to receive signals originating from the positioning system; and,   an automated entry module that, in response to a user selection of a selection of a property to view, confirms the property is available for automated entry by the user and enables automated entry to the user when automated entry is available for the user and then immediately upon the geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the property as determined by the positioning system using the triangulation technique being within a predetermined distance from the property, the automated entry not being enabled until the geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the property as determined by the positioning system using the triangulation technique is within the predetermined distance from the property.   
     
     
         12 . A portable computing device as in  claim 11  wherein the automated entry module receives from the user authorization of payment of a fee for automated entry to the property. 
     
     
         13 . A portable computing device as in  claim 11  wherein the automated entry module enables automated entry in one of the following ways:
 providing the user with a code to open a lock box; 
 providing a signal to open the lock box; 
 providing through the display interface a pattern readable by the lock box; 
 providing the user with a code to open a door of the property; 
 providing a signal to open the door of the property; 
 providing through the display interface a pattern readable by a door locking device. 
 
     
     
         14 . A portable computing device as in  claim 11  wherein the automated entry module consults a list within a database that indicates automated entry status for the property. 
     
     
         15 . A portable computing device as in  claim 11 , wherein the position system is a global positioning system (GPS). 
     
     
         16 . A portable computing device as in  claim 11  wherein the automated entry module collects data about automated entry of the user to the property. 
     
     
         17 . A system that provides a user with automated entry to properties, comprising:
 a list of properties, the list including properties available for automated entry;   a portable computing device that includes a communication interface to a positioning system that allows the portable computing device to interact with the positioning system to determine when automated entry is enabled to the user, the positioning system using a triangulation technique to determine a geographical location of the portable computing device, the communication interface being able to receive signals originating from the positioning system; and,   a server in which the list of properties is stored, the server confirming to the portable device when a user selected property is available for automated entry by the user and the server providing to the portable computer information that enables the portable device to provide automated entry to the user when automated entry is available for the user and then immediately upon the geographical location of the portable computing device relative to the property as determined by the positioning system using the triangulation technique being within a predetermined distance from the property, the automated entry not being enabled until the geographic location of the portable computing device relative to the property as determined by the positioning system using the triangulation technique is within the predetermined distance from the property.   
     
     
         18 . A system as in  claim 17  additionally comprising:
 registration information for the user, the registration information indicating the user is registered to be provided with automated entry to properties. 
 
     
     
         19 . A system as in  claim 17  wherein the server confirms the user has paid a fee for automated entry to the property before the server provides to the portable computer information that enables the portable device to provide automated entry to the user. 
     
     
         20 . A system as in  claim 17  wherein the server additionally collects data pertaining automated entry of the user to the property.