Apparatus for controlling access to and use of portable electronic device
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for controlling prisoner access to, and use of, portable electronic devices, comprising:
- a dispensing unit including a plurality of storage compartments each configured to receive a portable electronic device, wherein each of the plurality of storage compartments includes an access door configured to move between a closed position preventing access to the storage compartment and an open position permitting access to the storage compartment and one or more sensors configured to detect identifying information related to the portable electronic device;
a memory device configured to store (i) prisoner information and (ii) portable electronic device information; and
one or more processors coupled to the dispensing unit and the memory device, wherein the one or more processors are configured to;
control operations of the access door based on the prisoner information stored on the memory device; and
receive information related to the portable electronic device from the one or more sensors.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for controlling prisoner access to, and use of, portable electronic devices, comprising:
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a dispensing unit including a plurality of storage compartments each configured to receive a portable electronic device, wherein each of the plurality of storage compartments includes an access door configured to move between a closed position preventing access to the storage compartment and an open position permitting access to the storage compartment and one or more sensors configured to detect identifying information related to the portable electronic device; a memory device configured to store (i) prisoner information and (ii) portable electronic device information; and one or more processors coupled to the dispensing unit and the memory device, wherein the one or more processors are configured to; control operations of the access door based on the prisoner information stored on the memory device; and receive information related to the portable electronic device from the one or more sensors. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for controlling prisoner access to, and use of, portable electronic devices, the method comprising:
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securely housing a portable electronic device in a storage compartment; receiving a request to access the portable electronic device from a prisoner, wherein the request includes prisoner identification information; comparing the prisoner identification information with access information stored in a memory device; determining that the prisoner is authorized to access the portable electronic device based on the comparing; and providing the prisoner access to the portable electronic device in the storage compartment in response to determining that the prisoner is authorized to access the portable electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling prisoner access to, and use of, portable electronic devices, the method comprising:
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receiving an object in a storage compartment; receiving weight sensor data from a weight sensor located in the storage compartment, wherein the weight sensor data includes a weight measurement of the object; receiving identification sensor data from an identification sensor located in the storage compartment, wherein the identification sensor data includes unique identification information of the object; comparing the weight sensor data and the identification sensor data with portable electronic device information stored in a memory device, wherein the portable electronic device information includes information related to a unique portable electronic device associated with a prisoner and corresponding to the storage compartment; and determining that the object is the unique portable electronic device and that the prisoner has returned the unique portable electronic device in response to the comparing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification