System for retrieving and preventing the loss or theft of keys
First Claim
1. A system for retrieving and preventing loss or theft of keys comprising:
- A. a strong box;
B. a means for opening and locking said strong box comprising;
(1) at least one key slot; and
(2) at least one key, each of said at least one keys associated with, and operable with, one of each of said at least one key slots;
C. a means for transmitting a signal to each one of said keys; and
D. a retrieval means responsive to said signal associated with each one of said keys for alerting the holder of each one of said keys to return said key to said strong box.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for retrieving and preventing loss or theft of keys which provide access to drugs or narcotics in a hospital or other health care facility is described. The drugs are placed in a strong box, requiring two keys to open, mounted on a cart, which can be taken to nursing stations for the administration of the drugs. Mounted adjacent the strong box is a call unit, which includes a call button, transmitter, and beeper so that if one or both of the keys are required to open the strong box, depressing the button will operate the transmitter, which will cause a beeper to sound at the key to advise the holder of the key to return to the cart. The key contains a receiver/transmitter and beeper. Furthermore, to prevent inadvertent or purposeful removal of the key from the facility, a detection unit is installed at exit locations. The detection unit transmits a signal, which is received by the key, and which in turn transmits a return signal to the detection unit. The signal received by the detection unit is transmitted over facility'"'"'s wiring to a central location, which includes an audible alarm and an indicator showing the exit through which the key is being transported.
77 Citations
23 Claims
-
1. A system for retrieving and preventing loss or theft of keys comprising:
-
A. a strong box; B. a means for opening and locking said strong box comprising; (1) at least one key slot; and (2) at least one key, each of said at least one keys associated with, and operable with, one of each of said at least one key slots; C. a means for transmitting a signal to each one of said keys; and D. a retrieval means responsive to said signal associated with each one of said keys for alerting the holder of each one of said keys to return said key to said strong box. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A system for retrieving and preventing loss or theft of keys comprising:
-
A. a strong box; B. a means for opening and locking said strong box comprising; (1) at least one key slot; and (2) at least one key, each of said at least one keys associated with, and operable with, one of each of said at least one key slots; C. a means for transmitting a signal to each one of said keys; D. a retrieval means responsive to said signal for alerting the holder of each one of said keys to return said key to said strong box; E. a means for detecting the passage of one of said keys through preselected exits; F. a means for alerting persons in the vicinity of each of said preselected exits when one of said at least one key has been detected by said detecting means at said exit; G. a means for transmitting a signal to a central monitoring location when one of said at least one key has been detected at one of said preselected exits; and H. a means for processing said transmitted signal received at central monitoring location, said processed signal providing an audible alarm and operating a display indicating the particular exit where said key has been detected. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
-
-
19. A system for retrieving and preventing loss or theft of keys which provide access to narcotics in hospitals or other health care facilities, said system comprising:
-
A. a strong box holding said narcotics; B. a means for opening and locking said strong box comprising; (1) at, least one key slot; and (2) at least one key, each of said at least one keys associated with, and operable with, one of each of said at least one key slots; C. a means of transmitting a signal to each one of said keys; D. a retrieval means responsive to said signal for alerting the holder of each one of said keys to return said key to said strong box; E. a means for detecting the passage of one of said keys through preselected exits; F. a means for alerting persons in the vicinity of each of said preselected exits when one of said at least one key has been detected by said detecting means at said exit; G. a means for transmitting a signal to a central monitoring location when one of said at least one key has been detected one of said preselected exits; and H. a means for processing said transmitted signal received at a central monitoring location, said processed signal providing an audible alarm and operating a display indicating the particular exit where said key has been detected.
-
-
20. A system for retrieving and preventing loss or theft of keys comprising:
-
A. a strong box; B. a means for opening and locking said strong box comprising; (1) at least one key slot; and (2) at least one key, each of said at least one keys associated with, and operable with, one of each of said at least one key slots; C. a means responsive to said signal for transmitting a signal to each one of said keys; D. a retrieval means for alerting the holder of each one of said keys to return said key to said strong box; and E. a means for detecting the passage of one of said keys through at least one preselected area, such as a preselected exit. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
-
Specification