Integrated real estate showing scheduling and key management system

摘要

A system and method for dispensing a key from a key kiosk disposed at a realtor's office near a real property based on a showing appointment scheduled with a showing scheduling system. The appointment, including a date and time, as well as an authorized user is communicated from the showing scheduling system to the key kiosk. The user then authenticates herself or himself to the kiosk at the appropriate time, and the key is dispensed. The kiosk authenticates the user by scanning a QR code or using the physical location of the user. The kiosk will not dispense the key if the user has a different key that is checked out, but not returned yet. The key can be returned to the kiosk where it is dispensed, or a different key kiosk. The kiosk also dispenses a single common key when the user shows multiple properties.

主权项

1. A method of dispensing a key from a key kiosk comprising:
scheduling a first appointment for showing a first real property using a showing scheduling system, said first appointment including a date, time, and user identifier; said showing scheduling system determining a first key kiosk containing a first set of keys associated with said first real property; said showing scheduling system determining whether there is a first key within said first set of keys that is available for said first appointment date and time; where said first key is available for said first appointment date and time, a server within said showing scheduling system automatically communicating said first appointment to said first key kiosk over the Internet, wherein said first key kiosk is adapted to:
dispense a plurality of keys corresponding to a plurality of real properties and including said first set of keys;receive said first appointment from said showing scheduling system;authorize a first user based on said first appointment;where said first user is authorized, dispense said first key; andcommunicate to said showing scheduling system a first status of said first key as dispensed to said authorized first user from said first key kiosk; said showing scheduling system receiving said first status of said first key; said showing scheduling system receiving a request for nearby key kiosks from a mobile device associated with said first user; said showing scheduling system receiving a physical location of said mobile device over the Internet; said showing scheduling system selecting a set of key kiosks that are within a predetermined range from said physical location; and said showing scheduling system sending said set of key kiosks to said mobile device, said mobile device receiving said set of key kiosk and displaying said set of key kiosks on a screen of said mobile device.