US 12,223,783 B2
System and method for digitally providing access to an article
Michael Burns, Margate, NJ (US); Adam Phillip Treiser, Washington, DC (US); Adam Green, Margate, NJ (US); and Eric Goldberg, Linwood, NJ (US)
Assigned to Skeleton Key Systems, LLC
Filed by Skeleton Key Systems, LLC, Northfield, NJ (US)
Filed on Sep. 27, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/373,312.
Application 18/373,312 is a continuation of application No. 16/229,652, filed on Dec. 21, 2018, granted, now 11,783,647.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/608,683, filed on Dec. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2024/0021032 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G07C 9/00 (2020.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); G06Q 20/40 (2012.01); G06Q 30/0601 (2023.01); G07F 17/12 (2006.01)
CPC G07C 9/00182 (2013.01) [G06Q 10/087 (2013.01); G06Q 20/4037 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0635 (2013.01); G07C 9/00309 (2013.01); G07C 9/00571 (2013.01); G07F 17/12 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for digitally providing access to an article comprising:
a locking unit configured to secure the article in a locked state, the locking unit being alterable between the locked state and an unlocked state; and
a server configured to:
generate a digital key associated with the article or the locking unit, the digital key being configured such that, when the digital key is provided to a portable electronic device of a user, the digital key enables the portable electronic device to alter the locking unit between the locked state and the unlocked state without the user paying for the article or authorizing payment for the article;
upon a first event, assign the digital key to the user and cause the assigned digital key to be provided to the portable electronic device of the user to enable the portable electronic device to alter the locking unit between the locked state and the unlocked state;
wherein the first event comprises the user initiating a request for access to the article or the digital key, and verification that the user satisfies a predetermined condition; and
wherein the first event does not comprise a payment for the article or an authorization of payment for the article.