Contextual Data Delivery via Wireless Lockbox
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic lockbox systems lack the ability to deliver real-time contextual data to users about properties they visit, and there is no efficient method for matching sales agents with prospects or tracking property visits, which hampers the efficiency of real estate transactions and communication between agents and clients.
Innovation Solution
An electronic lockbox system that uses a portable communications device with low power radio and wide area network capabilities to communicate with a central computer, allowing for real-time data delivery, agent-prospect matching, and visit history tracking through GPS location data, enabling authorized users to access contextual information and control lock operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If electronic lockbox systems use traditional communication methods, then system simplicity is maintained, but real-time contextual data delivery capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication capabilities (low power radio for proximity authentication and wide area network radio for data delivery) into a single integrated portable communications device. This merging allows the system to achieve real-time contextual data delivery while maintaining reasonable complexity by using established communication technologies in an integrated manner.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable communications device is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both an authentication credential (via low power radio communication with the lockbox) and a data reception terminal (via wide area network radio). This universal device eliminates the need for separate systems for authentication and information delivery, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system complexity.
2Loss of information
If electronic lockbox systems implement real-time data delivery, then information availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic or event-triggered communication rather than continuous data transmission. The wide area network radio is activated only when needed (e.g., when contextual data needs to be delivered), while the low power radio handles continuous proximity authentication. This periodic action pattern reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining real-time information availability when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable communications device acts as an intermediary that manages energy consumption by handling authentication through low power radio and only activating the higher power wide area network radio when actual data delivery is needed. This intermediary role allows the system to balance information availability with energy efficiency by separating authentication functions from data transfer functions.
3Use of energy by stationary object
If electronic lockbox systems use only low power radio communication, then energy efficiency is maintained, but remote data delivery capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct layers: a low power radio layer for local proximity authentication between the lockbox and portable device, and a wide area network radio layer for remote data delivery between the portable device and external servers. This segmentation allows each component to operate at appropriate power levels, with the energy-constrained lockbox handling only local authentication while remote data delivery is managed through the portable device's higher power network connection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates real-time delivery of relevant property information, automates agent-prospect matching, and tracks property visits, enhancing the efficiency of real estate transactions and communication between agents and clients.
Implementation Method 1
communicates with an electronic lockbox using a low power radio
Implementation Method 2
communicates to a central clearinghouse computer using a wide area network radio
Implementation Method 3
optionally includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver to determine approximate physical location of the lockbox
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic wireless controller remote locking system allows both sales agents and sales prospects to communicate either with the wireless controller, or with a central clearinghouse computer. Contextual data then is provided to the sales prospect while the prospect is visiting a specific property that is the site of a wireless controller and lock installation. Both the agent and the prospect use smart devices, such as smart phones, that have both wide area network capability and low power radio capability. In other situations, contextual data can be sent to a user having a smart device, in which that contextual data pertains to at least one human occupant of the specific property where that wireless controller and lock have been installed, which can be useful where a medical caregiver arrives to visit a human occupant of a specific property that is protected by the wireless controller and lock.