Search

US-12620282-B2 - Key safe and key access systems

US12620282B2US 12620282 B2US12620282 B2US 12620282B2US-12620282-B2

Abstract

A method and apparatus for use in aiding provision of services requiring access through a physical key including the steps of providing a plurality of compartments with a digital lock for receiving the physical key and including the step of transmitting to a user providing the service with one or more of a digital keycode, time access key, and identity tag. The digital lock is activatable to open the identified compartment by receipt through a sensor of digital keycode and time access key and comparison of the time access key with the clock.

Inventors

  • Constantine MITRIS

Assignees

  • Cona International Pty Ltd

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20210924
Priority Date
20190326

Claims (9)

  1. 1 . A key access system for selectively providing access to first and second keys or sets of keys, the system comprising: a. a key safe including: i. a key safe door which when opened enables access into the safe; ii. a primary lock for locking or unlocking the key safe door; iii. at least first and second key compartments for containing the first and second keys or sets of keys, and wherein each of said at least first and second key compartments includes a lockable compartment closure for selectively providing access to the compartment, wherein the lockable compartment closures each include a closable internal door within the key safe; b. a remote communications module for sending and receiving data from remote locations by a telecommunication system including a starting access clock register for registering a defined starting time for access; c. a localised communications module for sending and receiving data to and from external nearby wireless communications devices; d. a request clock register for registering a time that access is requested to the localised communications module by the external nearby wireless communications devices; e. a determinator for assessing or receiving data that selectively determines fulfilment of one or more of the predetermined access criteria including of: i. selected compartment from the at least first and second key compartments; and ii. within the allowed timing of the request clock register from the starting access clock register; f. wherein the system provides first and second keys or sets of keys and provides separate controlled access to the first and second keys or sets of keys at sequential non-overlapping controlled times to different users using the same key access system and the request clock register wherein controlled access includes: i. the system supporting multiple users of a single apartment without the need for multiple keys; ii. schedule by controlling primary and secondary access; iii. a physical key is only accessible in a defined period and its return is identified and controlled, wherein the start of the access is defined and the end of the access is confirmed; wherein the controlled times are continuous non overlapping time periods; a. a plurality of compartment closures adapted to receive a digital key and a time access key from a service provider to allow opening of a predetermined one of the plurality of the multiple compartments for access to one of the first and second keys or sets of keys during the allowed time limited operation of a digital lock associated with the one of the plurality of the multiple compartments; and b. a generator adapted to create the digital lock each time it is in use so that access is available to multiple users; i. wherein the digital lock is operable by multiple requirements of a keycode and a timecode with reference to the request clock register from the starting access clock register; and ii. wherein operative receipt of the digital key and the time access key within the allowed time with reference to the request clock register allows for opening of the primary lock of the key safe door and the predetermined first and second key compartments for access to the first and second keys or sets of keys.
  2. 2 . The key access system of claim 1 wherein the nearby wireless communications devices includes a key fob.
  3. 3 . The key access system of claim 1 wherein the nearby wireless communications devices includes RFID.
  4. 4 . The key access system of claim 1 wherein the lockable compartment closure of the key safe further includes a secondary lock separate to the primary lock of the key safe door.
  5. 5 . The key access system of claim 4 wherein the secondary lock is related to an access code of the primary lock.
  6. 6 . The key access system of claim 4 wherein the primary lock includes a plurality of available access codes and the plurality of secondary locks are respectively related to only one of the access code of the primary lock, wherein the localised communications module for sending and receiving data to and from the external nearby wireless communications devices will open the primary lock and thereby the key safe door and one only of the secondary locks and thereby will open one only of the at least first and second key compartments.
  7. 7 . The key access system of claim 1 wherein the localised communications module includes a sensor for receiving data from the external nearby wireless communications devices of a first user whereby the predetermined access criteria determines it is a first user and provides access to the key safe and each of the at least first and second key compartments.
  8. 8 . The key access system of claim 1 wherein the localised communications module includes sensor for receiving data to and from the external nearby wireless communications devices of a secondary user whereby the predetermined access criteria determines it is a secondary user and if within the allowed time provides access to the key safe and one only of the at least first and second key compartments.
  9. 9 . The key access system of claim 1 wherein the telecommunication system includes the internet.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/AU2020/050289, filed Mar. 26, 2020, which claims priority from Australian Patent Applications Nos. 2019901013, filed Mar. 26, 2019 and 2019902864, filed Aug. 9, 2019, and these applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to key access systems and in particular to key safes and key access systems that include key safes. The invention has been developed primarily for use in/with multi-tenanted apartment blocks and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. The present invention relates to a method and system for providing a service to one or more individuals associated with an entity. The service may be any type of service. The entity may be a building corporation or body corporate. In an example, the service is a car washing and/or related car cleaning service. The individuals are tenants of an apartment block. The entity is therefore the owner of the apartment block or a body corporate representing the apartment block. The invention is not to be limited to use in this specific environment. BACKGROUND It is known to have key safes that include a mechanical or an electronic lock. However generally such safes are limited in use. Often this is overcome by use of master keys. However, this merely provides unlimited access to a greater number of people with no control over those people. The problems with this system can be seen by the problems incurred at hotels or motels where cleaning staff have unfettered access by use of master keys. Clearly in complex locations such as privately-owned apartments in a block of apartments such ready access to any one with a master key is not acceptable. The problem is that there is individual control required to the access even if the person being provided access is a maintenance person for the entire block of apartments. If the individuals were to have their individual control system, there is a resultant multitude of systems in the block of multiple apartments and a waste of space with the multitude of systems and confusion reigns in finding and accessing the right one with the right code or key. It can be seen that a particular range of problems occur with known systems including one or more of: a) Multiple safes are needed for multiple keys if there is to be control over access to one set only of the keysb) There is no mechanism for controlling multiple access by multiple people;c) There is no control of when access is allowed;d) Generally, the authorising user must physically attend to the safe to insert the keys and provide accesse) Generally, the authorising user must physically attend to the safe to withdraw the keys to stop access; andf) There is no manner of coordinating different users needing different keys without having different systems for each user and each set of keys. Thus, it would be advantageous to provide a system, device and/or process which reduces, limits, overcomes, or ameliorates one or some of the problems, drawbacks, or disadvantages associated with the prior art, or at least provides an effective alternative. Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosure and broad consistory statements herein. SUMMARY The invention provides in one embodiment a key access system for selectively providing access to first and second keys or sets of keys, the system comprising: a) a key safe including:b) a key safe door which when opened enables access into the safe;c) an electronic lock for locking or unlocking the key safe door;d) at least first and second key compartments for containing the first and second keys or sets of keys, and wherein each of said at least first and second key compartments includes a lockable compartment closure for selectively providing access to the compartment;e) a remote communications module for sending and receiving data from remote locations by a telecommunication system including a starting access clock register for registering a defined starting time for access;f) a localised communications module for sending and receiving data to and from external nearby wireless communications devices;g) a request clock register for registering a time that access is requested to the localised communications module by the external nearby wireless communications devices;h) a determinator for assessing or receiving data that selectively determines fulfilment of one or more of the predetermined access crit