Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides an electric lock, comprising: (a) a knob; (b) a lock body; (c) a rotatable shaft comprising a rotatable-shaft front end and an opposing rotatable-shaft rear end, wherein the rotatable-shaft rear end is fixedly connected to the lock body to control a locking and unlocking of the lock body; (d) a gear assembly comprising a gear and a movable piece with a common axis center; and (e) a motor assembly for driving the gear to rotate. The knob and the rotatable shaft are connected via the movable piece; the movable piece interacts with the gear via a mechanical barrier, such that electrically driving the gear by the motor assembly causes the movable piece to rotate; and the movable piece can pass over the mechanical barrier when a sufficient rotational force is applied to the knob, such that the movable piece is free to rotate relative to the gear, thereby allowing a user to manually control the locking and unlocking of the lock body.

Abstract: A system provides automated entry to properties. The system includes a lock box or an automated door lock placed at or near a property. The lock box or automated door lock includes circuitry that enables one-time entry to the property through the lockbox or automated door lock by limiting a time an entry code or signal is valid. The circuitry includes a memory that stores a hash table or a databased table that enables one-time entry and an automated lock mechanism that enables a locking and unlocking of the lock box or automated door lock. A network interface controller allows and facilitates wireless connection to a remote server.

Abstract: Providing automated entry to a property includes an automated entry application receiving registration information from a visitor who desires to use the automated system for visiting properties. The automated entry application allows the visitor to schedule an automated showing of a property at a visitor selected time and date. A central property application enables the visitor to unlock a short-range wireless enabled lock box or the short-range wireless enabled automated door lock at the visitor selected time and date. The short-range wireless enabled device obtains an identifying number of the short-range wireless enabled lock box or the short-range wireless enabled automated door lock. The short-range wireless enabled device sends a wireless signal to the short-range wireless enabled lock box or the short-range wireless enabled automated door lock to unlock the short-range wireless enabled lock box or the short-range wireless enabled automated door lock.

Abstract: Automated entry to properties is implemented by a portable computing device receiving a registration of a visitor to use an automated system for visiting properties. The registration includes identification of the visitor and an image of the visitor. The visitor unlocks a lock box or an automated door lock on the property, subject to confirmation of identity of the visitor. This includes capturing an image of the visitor at the property or within a predetermined distance from the property, and performing a computer implemented comparison of the image of the visitor captured at the property, or within a predetermined distance from the property, with the image of the visitor included in the registration information to determine if there is a match.

Abstract: Automated entry to properties is provided using a lock box or an automated door lock. In response to a request for entry of a property by a user device of a visitor, and upon an application on a computing device receiving and confirming identification information for the visitor a hashing table or a database table within the computing system is to generate a first access code based on a time value selected by the computing system. The access code is valid during a specific period of time identified by the time value. The user device provides the first access code to the lock box or the automated door lock at the property. The lock box or the automated door lock uses a value for time based on time of receipt of the first access code to access the table within the lock box or the automated door lock to obtain a second access code. The lock box or the automated door lock is unlocked when the first access code matches the second access code.

Abstract: A method for providing automated entry to a property includes placing a short-range wireless enabled lock box or a short-range wireless enabled automated door lock at or near a property. An automated entry application receives registration information from a visitor who desires to use the automated system for visiting properties. The automated entry application allows the visitor to schedule an automated showing of the property at a visitor selected time and date. A central property application enables the visitor to unlock the short-range wireless enabled lock box or the short-range wireless enabled automated door lock at the visitor selected time and date. The short-range wireless enabled device obtains an identifying number of the short-range wireless enabled lock box or the short-range wireless enabled automated door lock.

Abstract: An automated door lock includes a bolt and bolt housing. A lock interior part is attachable to an inside portion of a door. The lock interior part includes control logic that controls operation of automated door lock including movement of the bolt into and out of the bolt housing. A first lock plate is attachable to a door frame. The first lock plate includes a magnet. The second lock plate is attachable to a door. The second lock plate includes a sensor electrically connected to the control logic. The sensor detects magnetic field strength. The magnet is located on the first lock plate and the sensor is located on the second plate so that when the door is closed, the sensor and the magnet are aligned to maximize strength of the magnetic field detected by the sensor.

Abstract: One example embodiment is a smart thermostat hub for controlling temperature. The smart thermostat hub includes a processor, a cellular communications unit and a temperature control unit. The cellular communications unit is in electronic communication with the processor and is configured to receive a remote command over a wide area communications network. The temperature control unit is configured to modify a temperature control setting based at least in part on the remote command.

Abstract: A method for providing automated entry to properties includes placing a lock box or an automated door lock at or near a property. The property is listed as available as an open house on an application running on a portable device. A property manager receives required renter criteria that is required to authorize an unaccompanied visit to the property. A visitor using a portable device can select to indicate a desire to enter the property. Upon the application receiving the visitor request to enter the property, communicating with a credit bureau to pull a credit score for the visitor. Upon rental criteria for the visitor meeting the required renter criteria, the application provides automated entry information to the visitor that allows the visitor to enter the property.

Abstract: A method for providing automated entry to a property includes placing a short-range wireless enabled lock box or a short-range wireless enabled automated door lock at or near a property. The property is listed as available on an application running on a portable device. Visitor requests to enter the properties are received. Automated entry information is provided to visitors that allows the visitors to enter the properties during specific times.

Abstract: Automated entry to a property includes providing an application interface of an application running on a computing system to a property manager for a property. Visitor requests to enter the property are received. Automated entry information is provided to visitors that allows the visitors to enter the property during specific times.

Abstract: Automated entry to properties is provided. A user selects a property for automated entry. It is confirmed whether the property is available for automated entry by the user. Automated entry to the user is enabled when automated entry is available for the user and when the user is within a predetermined distance from the property.

Abstract: Automated entry to properties is provided. Properties are made available for viewing. Visitor requests to enter the properties are received. Automated entry information is provided to visitors that allows the visitors to enter the properties during specific times.

Abstract: A door entry device comprising includes a case, a key holder and a key pad. The case covers a door-locking device on a door. The key holder has a slot into which a key end fits. The knob is mounted on the case. A currently active security code can be entered into the keypad. When the currently active security code has been entered into the keypad, turning the knob results in turning the key holder to unlock the door-locking device.

Abstract: Automated entry to properties is provided. A user selects a property for automated entry. It is confirmed whether the property is available for automated entry by the user. Automated entry to the user is enabled when automated entry is available for the user and when the user is within a predetermined distance from the property.

Abstract: A door entry device comprising includes a case, a key holder and a key pad. The case covers a door-locking device on a door. The key holder has a slot into which a key end fits. The knob is mounted on the case. A currently active security code can be entered into the keypad. When the currently active security code has been entered into the keypad, turning the knob results in turning the key holder to unlock the door-locking device.