Apparatus for distributing articles
First Claim
1. A computer controlled dispensing system including a first unit having a plurality of compartments for containing articles to be dispensed, a second unit including larger compartments for containing articles of a size larger than the dimensions of the compartments in said first unit, each said compartment of said second unit being provided with a locking mechanism, at least some of said compartments of said first unit programmed to accommodate means to operate said locking mechanisms to gain access to articles therein, a key pad associated with said first unit, a computer, and means for inputting data to said computer via said keypad to access the content of a selected compartment of said first unit to dispense one of said means to operate a selected one of said locking mechanism.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer controlled dispensing system including a first unit having a plurality of compartments for containing articles to be dispensed. A second unit includes larger compartments for containing articles of a size larger than the dimensions of the compartments in the first unit. Each compartment of the second unit including a locking mechanism. Some of the compartments of the first unit being programmed to receive and dispense means to operate the locking mechanisms to gain access to articles stored in the compartments of the second unit. A key pad associated with the first unit. A computer. Means are provided for inputting codes to the computer via the key pad to access the contents of a selected compartment of the first unit to dispense one of the means to operate a selected one of the locking mechanisms.
62 Citations
5 Claims
- 1. A computer controlled dispensing system including a first unit having a plurality of compartments for containing articles to be dispensed, a second unit including larger compartments for containing articles of a size larger than the dimensions of the compartments in said first unit, each said compartment of said second unit being provided with a locking mechanism, at least some of said compartments of said first unit programmed to accommodate means to operate said locking mechanisms to gain access to articles therein, a key pad associated with said first unit, a computer, and means for inputting data to said computer via said keypad to access the content of a selected compartment of said first unit to dispense one of said means to operate a selected one of said locking mechanism.
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2. A computer controlled dispensing system including a first unit having a plurality of compartments for containing articles to be dispensed, a second unit including larger compartments for containing articles of a size larger than the dimensions of the compartments in said first unit, each said compartment of said second unit being provided with a locking mechanism, at least some of said compartments of said first unit programmed to accommodate means to operate said locking mechanisms to gain access to articles therein, a key pad associated with said first unit, a computer, means for manually actuating said keypad by a user to input data to said computer as to the identity of the user, and means for verifying the authority of the user to access any compartment of said first unit whereupon said user may continue to input data via said keypad to make a selection of the article to be dispensed or said means to operate a selected one of said locking mechanisms.
Specification