US 11,783,647 B2
System and method for securing, releasing, and managing inventory
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 Dec. 21, 2018, as Appl. No. 16/229,652.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/608,683, filed on Dec. 21, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2019/0213812 A1, Jul. 11, 2019
Int. Cl. G07C 9/00 (2020.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); G06Q 30/0601 (2023.01); G06Q 20/40 (2012.01); 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)] 19 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 comprising a processor 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;
authentication of the identity of the user initiating the request for access; 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;
un-assign the digital key from the user based on a second event such that the digital key is no longer usable by the user for causing the locking unit to alter between the locked state and the unlocked state, wherein the first event and the second event are different events.