Apparatus and method for storing and regulating access to portable electronic devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus for storing and regulating access to portable electronic devices having associated power supplies, comprising:
- an enclosure;
a plurality of shelves disposed within the enclosure, each shelf of the plurality of shelves being sized for supporting a portable electronic device;
at least one access door mounted on the enclosure and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the enclosure;
a locking mechanism coupled with the at least one access door to selectively maintain the at least one access door in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to receive input regarding a request for access to the enclosure and automatically unlock the at least one access door to allow movement of the at least one access door from the closed position to the open position when the input received is associated with an authorized request for access to the enclosure; and
a chamber formed within the enclosure for at least partially storing the power supplies associated with the portable electronic devices.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A storage unit and associated methods of use enable clinicians to store portable electronic devices in a centralized location while ensuring that proper authorization is needed to access the devices. The storage unit is formed with an enclosure for housing portable electronic devices. A plurality of shelves are disposed within the enclosure, each being sized for supporting a portable electronic device. One or more access doors are mounted onto the enclosure and moved between a closed position preventing access to housed electronic devices and an open position where the electronic devices may be viewed and accessed. Each access door has a locking mechanism coupled therewith to selectively maintain the access door in the closed position. Optionally, the locking mechanism receives input regarding a request for access to the enclosure and automatically unlocks the associated access door when the input received is associated with an authorized request for access.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An apparatus for storing and regulating access to portable electronic devices having associated power supplies, comprising:
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an enclosure; a plurality of shelves disposed within the enclosure, each shelf of the plurality of shelves being sized for supporting a portable electronic device; at least one access door mounted on the enclosure and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the enclosure; a locking mechanism coupled with the at least one access door to selectively maintain the at least one access door in the closed position, wherein the locking mechanism is adapted to receive input regarding a request for access to the enclosure and automatically unlock the at least one access door to allow movement of the at least one access door from the closed position to the open position when the input received is associated with an authorized request for access to the enclosure; and a chamber formed within the enclosure for at least partially storing the power supplies associated with the portable electronic devices. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for storing and regulating access to portable electronic devices, comprising:
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an enclosure; a plurality of shelves disposed within the enclosure, each shelf of the plurality of shelves being sized for supporting a portable electronic device; at least one access door mounted on the enclosure and movable between an open position and a closed position relative to the enclosure; a locking mechanism coupled with the at least one access door to selectively maintain the at least one access door in the closed position, the locking mechanism being adapted to receive input regarding a request for access to the enclosure and automatically unlock the at least one access door to allow movement of the at least one access door from the closed position to the open position when the input received is associated with an authorized request for access to the enclosure; and circuitry coupled with the locking mechanism to process the input received by the locking mechanism to determine if an authorized request for access to the enclosure has been made, and if so, generate a control signal directing the locking mechanism to unlock the at least one access door. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification