Apparatus for controlling access to and use of portable electronic devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable electronic device dispensing system comprising:
- a controller including a processor and a memory; and
a storage compartment sized to receive a portable electronic device, the storage compartment including;
a light sensor;
a weight sensor; and
an identification sensor;
wherein the controller is configured to;
compare received weight data from the weight sensor with stored weight data stored in the memory;
determine that the received weight data differs from the stored weight data; and
in response to determining that the received weight data differs from the stored weight data, actuate an alarm.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various prison services are rendered more efficient by providing inmates access to portable electronic devices in a controlled and regulated manner. A dispenser is employed to control and monitor the checking out and return of portable electronic devices and to communicate with such devices during use by inmates to monitor inmate use and ensure the portable electronic devices are only used by inmates as authorized.
113 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A portable electronic device dispensing system comprising:
-
a controller including a processor and a memory; and a storage compartment sized to receive a portable electronic device, the storage compartment including; a light sensor; a weight sensor; and an identification sensor; wherein the controller is configured to; compare received weight data from the weight sensor with stored weight data stored in the memory; determine that the received weight data differs from the stored weight data; and in response to determining that the received weight data differs from the stored weight data, actuate an alarm. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. A system for managing distribution of portable electronic devices, the system comprising:
-
a portable electronic device dispensing unit configured to securely encase and selectively dispense a portable electronic device; a database configured to store user data specifying access permissions and portable electronic device data; and a server communicatively coupled to the portable electronic device dispensing unit and the database, the server configured to; monitor received access requests at the portable electronic device dispensing unit; compare identification data received in an access request with the user data stored in the database; in response to the comparing, enable access to a program installed on a portable electronic device according to the access permissions specified in the user data; and in response to the enabling, transmit a control signal to the portable electronic device dispensing unit to dispense the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of monitoring usage of a portable electronic device, the method comprising:
-
securely encasing the portable electronic device; authenticating a user; querying a portable electronic device management system to retrieve the rights of the user; determining that the user has rights to use the portable electronic device based on the rights of the user retrieved by the querying; enabling access to a program installed on the portable electronic device according to the rights of the user retrieved by the querying; dispensing the portable electronic device from the portable electronic device dispensing system; in response to the dispensing, determining that the portable electronic device is not located in the portable electronic device dispensing system; and in response to the determining, recording in a database that the portable electronic device is not located in the portable electronic device dispensing system. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification