United Services Automobile Association (USAA) (San Antonio, TX)

What is a Patent for Smart lock box

Search Patent for Smart lock box

A smart lock box is described. One version of the lock box system has an locking mechanism that can secure a cover in the compartment. The system of locks comprises a receiver capable of receiving signals from devices used by users. The lock box also includes a processor configured to detect an access message from a signal received and a verification service that can verify that the access request was issued by an authorized entity and causes the locking mechanism to release after confirming that the access request was made by the authorized party. To identify which device that was used to gain access the property at a specific time, the open and closing events are recorded in a distributed ledger. In addition the smart lock box system utilizes the push notification feature that is based on the user’s GPS that informs property owners of the time to leave or return to their property.

A real-estate box is a padlock-shaped box that is placed at the entrance of a home that is up for sale. This box is used to store the keys for a residence and allows buyers and sellers to share it. It also helps keep the home secure.

The real estate lock boxes typically secured with an individual key, a security code, or an electronic swipe card. Some real estate locks boxes let owners know the time their home was entered.

Implementations of the present disclosure are generally directed to a smart lock box and methods for making use of it.

In general, the most innovative aspects of the subject discussed in this specification could be embodied in a lock box which has a locking mechanism that is designed to hold securely the cover over a compartment. The lock box is equipped with the capability to receive signals from devices used by users. A processor is also contained inside the lock box which can identify and verify the authenticity of an access message received from a device of a user.

The implementations may include one or more of the following features. Verifying that an authorized party provided the access message can include checking a digital signature within the access message. The access message is verified by comparing the time stamp to the current date. In a multi-party authentication process is used, the lock box could need two keys or more to be opened.

In general, the other inventive aspects of the subject matter described in this specification can be realized in methods that involve receiving a request to access the smart lock box via the user’s device. The methods also confirm that the user is authorized to gain access to the lockbox. The method consists of recording an entry in distributed ledger technology to indicate that the user has entered the box. The method also involves the process of sending the key to open the smart lockbox to the user.

In addition, the implementation could include any of the following options. Checking that the device has permission to access the lockbox may be done by verifying the appointment that has been made to view the home. The methods can include the decision to notify the owner of the lock box that the owner has the right to depart/return to a residence associated to the lock box and sending an email to the owner. The lock box can require keys that is a combination of two or more devices in order to be opened, as part of the quorum-based security technology.

Other applications of any of the above features include corresponding systems, apparatus and computer programs designed to execute the functions of the procedures, and stored on storage devices for computers. The present disclosure alsoprovides a computer-readable storage medium coupled to one or more processors, and having instructions stored therein that, when executed by the one or more processors trigger the processor to perform operations in accordance withimplementations of the methods provided herein. The present disclosure also offers an apparatus for implementing the techniques described herein. The system is comprised of one or more processors as well as an electronic medium that can be connected to one or more processors. The instructions, when executed by one processor or both processors, cause the processors to to perform operations in accordance with the implementations described in the present.

It is appreciated that aspects and features that are in accordance with the disclosed disclosure may include any combination of the aspects and features discussed herein. This means that features and aspects in conformity with the present disclosure do not limit themselves to combinations of features and aspects specifically described herein, but also comprise any combination of the features and aspects described herein.

The specifics of one or more implementations of the present disclosure are provided in the drawings accompanying them and the description below. Other features and advantages of the disclosed disclosure will be obvious from the description anddrawings, and from the claims.

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The government grants patents to protect an invention, patents give the inventor with the exclusive right to develop, utilize to sell, and market the invention?society is benefited when a brand innovative technology is introduced into the marketplace. The benefits may be the direct sense, since it can allow people to do previously impossible things. Or indirectly, due to the opportunities for economic growth (business expansion and job creation) which the invention provides.

Patent protection is demanded out by many universities and pharmaceutical companies for research and development. A patent can cover the physical or abstract nature of a product or process, or an approach or composition of material that are new to the area. Patent protection has to be granted to any invention that is valuable unique, innovative, and not yet known by other people in the same area.

Patents are a way to honor inventors who have commercially profitable inventions. They are an incentive to inventors to invent. Patents permit inventors and small businesses to know that there is the possibility that they’ll be paid back for their time, effort and money spent on technological development. It means that they can make a living by their work.

Companies that are able to:

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Patents transform the knowledge of inventors into an asset that can be sold, that opens new avenues for job creation through licensing and joint ventures.

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Patenting may lead to new ideas and new inventions. The information you create may be eligible for protection under patents.

Patents are a way to stop untrustworthy third parties from making money through the work of inventions.

Commercially successful patent-protected technology revenues can be used to fund technological research and development (R&D) that will improve the chances of developing better technology in the coming years.

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It is vital to protect an invention before applying for patent protection. The public disclosure of an invention could frequently devalue its originality and invalidate it. Therefore, pre-filing disclosures (e.g. for test-marketing investors, test-marketing, or any other business partners) should only be made following the signing of a confidentiality agreement.

There are a variety of patents, and understanding them is essential to protecting your invention. Patents for utility cover techniques and machines. Design patents cover ornamental designs. Patents for utility are the best option and shield the owner from copycats and other competitors. Frequently the utility patent is issued to improve or modify existing inventions. Utility patents also cover improvements and changes in existing inventions. A process patent could describe the methods or actions of performing a particular act. But, a chemical composition could be the combination of components.

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How to Search for Patents

The first step to get your patent is to conduct the patent search. You can do a google patent search or do a USPTO search. Patent-pending refers to the product covered by the patent application. You can use the public pair to find the patent application. When the patent office has endorsed the application, you will be able to do a patent number search to locate the patent that was issued which means that your product will now be patented. You can also use the USPTO search engine. Read on for more details. You can get help from a patent attorney or patent attorney. Patents granted in the United States are granted by the US trademark and patent office, also known as the United States patent office and trademark office. The office also examines trademark applications.

Are you interested in finding other similar patents? Here are the steps to follow:

1. Think of terms to describe your invention, based on its purpose, composition, and use.

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Use the questions below to help you identify the keywords or concepts.

  • What is the objective of the invention Is it a utilitarian device or an ornamental design?
  • Is the invention a way of creating something or performing an action? Does it constitute an item?
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  • What is the goal of this invention?
  • What are the technical words and terms that describe the essence of an invention? A technical dictionary can assist you to identify the correct terms.

2. These terms will allow you to find pertinent Cooperative Patent Classifications using the Classification Search Tool. If you’re not able to locate the appropriate classification for your invention, look through the classification’s class Schemas (class schedules) and then try again. If you do not get results from the Classification Text Search, you might want to think about substituting the words that describe your invention using synonyms.

3. Check 3. Check the CPC Classification Definition for confirmation of the CPC classification you have found. The hyperlink to a CPC classification definition will be given if the chosen classification title has a blue box that includes “D” on its left. CPC classification definitions will help determine the relevant classification’s scope, so you are sure to select the one you consider to be the most appropriate. The definitions could also contain research tips or other suggestions which could prove useful in further study.

4. Get patent documents using the CPC classification from the Patents Full-Text and Image Database. By focusing on abstracts and drawings that are representative you can narrow your search to find the relevant patent documents.

5. This list of patent publications is the most appropriate to look at for any connections to your invention. Pay attention to the specification and claims. You may find additional patents by referring to the patent examiner and the applicant.

6. You can retrieve patent applications published in the public domain that meet the CPC classification that you chose in Step 3. You may also employ the same search strategy that you employed in Step 4 to narrow down your search results down to just the most relevant patents by reading the abstracts and drawings for every page. After that, you must review every patent application that has been published with care with particular attention paid to the claims and other drawings.

7. You can search for other US patent publications by keywords in the AppFT and PatFT databases, as well as search for patents classified as not from the United States in the following table. Also, you can utilize web search engines to find non-patent patent disclosures in literature about inventions. Here are some examples:

  • Add keywords to your search. Keyword searches may turn up documents that are not well-categorized or have missed classifications during Step 2. For example, US patent examiners often supplement their classification searches with keyword searches. Think about the use of technical engineering terminology rather than everyday words.
  • Search for foreign patents using the CPC classification. Then, re-run the search using international patent office search engines such as Espacenet, the European Patent Office’s worldwide patent publication database of over 130 million patent publications. Other national databases include:
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To review your search, you can hire a registered patent attorney to assist. A preliminary search will help one better prepare to talk about their invention and other related inventions with a professional patent attorney. In addition, the attorney will not spend too much time or money on patenting basics.