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System and method for locking a carrier/container for tracking, controlling access, and providing delivery confirmation

  • US 9,821,965 B2
  • Filed: 03/13/2017
  • Issued: 11/21/2017
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2013
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A system for tracking and controlling access to transported articles, the system comprising:

  • a computing module having a database and a processor connected to the database, the computing module being in signal communication with a sending station and at least one receiving station, wherein a carrier is transported from the sending station to the at least one receiving station though tubes of a pneumatic tube delivery system, wherein the at least one receiving station comprises a receiving point for receiving the carrier, the receiving point separate from the pneumatic tube delivery system such that when the carrier is received at the receiving point other carriers may be transported through the pneumatic tube delivery system;

    a first input device provided at the sending station and configured for receiving identifying information identifying the carrier (“

    carrier ID”

    ) and an item (“

    item ID”

    ) placed within the carrier for delivery to the at least one receiving station via the pneumatic tube delivery system, wherein the carrier ID and the item ID are transmitted to the computing module and the carrier is locked prior to delivery; and

    a second input device provided at the at least one receiving station and separate from the receiving point, the second input device configured for receiving the carrier ID for the carrier received at the at least one receiving station and identifying information for an individual (“

    user ID”

    ) at the at least one receiving station, wherein the carrier ID and the user ID are transmitted to the computing module;

    wherein, after the carrier is removed from the receiving point and the carrier ID and user ID of the individual that is provided access to the item is entered into the second input device of the at least one receiving station, the computing module facilitates unlocking the carrier to allow access to the item inside, wherein the computing module is configured to record the user ID of the individual that is provided access to the item within the carrier, time of access to the item, and the associated carrier ID and item ID to provide chain of custody information for tracking the item.

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