2465results about "Safes" patented technology

An apparatus for accepting return of unused medical items is part of a system (10) used for automated dispensing and tracking of medical items within a medical facility. The apparatus includes a return drawer (52, 156) and a retrieve drawer (54, 158) which are opened responsive to signals received from a display terminal (26) which is networked with a computer (12) which includes a database (14). The return drawer includes a pocket (74, 160) therein. The pocket is accessible from outside of a housing (56) when the return drawer is moved to an open position. The pocket includes an opening (76, 156). The pocket is closed by a trap door (78, 170) when the return drawer is in the open position. Medical items to be returned (132, 184, 186) are placed in the pocket and the return drawer is closed. Upon the closing of the return drawer the trap door is moved to an open position by an actuator. The returned medical item passes from the pocket to a retrieve area (84, 188) in the retrieve drawer. Medical items are stored in the retrieve area until the retrieve drawer is opened by a user authorized to retrieve items from said retrieve area. The opening of the return and retrieve drawers is controlled responsive to the input of data at the display terminal corresponding to information in records (16) in the database.

A fingerprint biometric lock is provided which includes a locking mechanism that restricts the movement of an object that is to be unlocked, a movement restriction electronic circuit that restricts the unlocking of the object by the locking mechanism, a fingerprint sensor that detects a fingerprint pattern, a memory device that stores an enrolled fingerprint code data, a verifying unit that determines whether an offered fingerprint code, created from the fingerprint pattern sensed by the sensor, matches with any of the enrolled fingerprint codes stored in the memory device, a motor control unit that unlocks the locking mechanism through the movement restricting electronic circuit, when the offered and enrolled fingerprint codes match, and, a finger presence detector for powering a direct current to the sensor and the motor control unit.

A secure firearm holder (10) includes an outwardly swinging hinged plate (14) that is hinged to a holder base (12) with a gun (44) mounted at a side of the plate in a ready-to-use orientation when the plate swings outwardly. In a preferred embodiment, a bore shaft (36) is mounted on the hinged plate, the bore shaft extending into the firearm. When the plate is in a first, closed, position, the holder base prevents the gun from being removed from the bore shaft, but when a motivating member (52) rotates the plate to a second position, the gun can be easily and quickly removed from the bore shaft from a ready-to-use orientation. The motivating member biases the lid toward the second position but is held closed in the first position by a latch (50), which latch is remotely releasable. A locking mechanism has three positions: a totally-locked position (B) for locking the latch (50) against remote release of the lid; an active position (A) for allowing remote release of the lid; and a manual-release position (C) for releasing the lid manually.

A system for remotely monitoring the status of one or more fire extinguishers includes means for sensing at least one parameter of each of the fire extinguishers; means for selectively transmitting the sensed parameters along with information identifying the fire extinguishers from which the parameters were sensed; and means for receiving the sensed parameters and identifying information for the fire extinguisher or extinguishers at a common location. Other systems and methods for remotely monitoring the status of multiple fire extinguishers are also provided.

An improved electronic lock system is provided for use with real estate lock boxes where there is the need for many people to access the secured compartment of the lock box in a controlled manner. Each user has an identification card with a non-volatile secure memory (known as a “smart card”), for exchanging data with the lock box, and with a portable computer capable of reading data from the smart card; or a cell phone can be used to gain access information from a central computer. The user first inserts the smart card into the connector attached to the lock box; the lock box reads the user's ID stored in the smart card memory and records this information in lock box memory. The lock box then transfers its access code information and other data to the smart card for further processing. The user then inserts the smart card in a portable card reader to learn the access code, or calls a central computer via a mobile phone system and interacts with the computer to elicit the necessary access code information. The access code is then manually keyed into the lock box keypad by the user to obtain access to the secure compartment. Other modes of operation include an “access token mode” and a “card only mode.”

A method for controlling access to a storage unit owned by an owner, wherein a renter has access to the storage unit unless the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so. In this method, the storage unit is secured by a lock that is, at least in part, controlled by the renter. A remotely controllable lockout assembly, however, is capable of over locking the storage unit so that the renter can no longer gain entry when the lockout assembly is activated. The method includes remotely controlling the lockout assembly to deny the renter access to the unit when the owner receives the legal right to deny the renter access to the storage unit and decides to do so.

The invention relates to a device (2) for the secure transportation of an object (3), characterized in that it comprises: means (4, 6) for containing an object (3) to be transported, also known as a container, and closure means (6, 8, 10, 14) for closing said means (4, 6) for containing an object or container, communication means (16, 18) for connecting the means for containing an object or container to a communication network and for sending over said communication network a signal relating to a state of the means for containing said object or container, and receiver means (16, 18) for receiving a signal for opening closure means for closing the means for containing the object.

The invention relates to a storage machine (1) for objects, comprising a compartment system (4) with a plurality of compartments (3) which are at least partially enclosed by a machine housing (2) or some other surround, and with at least one closure mechanism (7) which can be displaced relative to a central, predefined access orifice (6) in the machine housing (2) to release or prevent access to a specific individual compartment (3) or a specific group of adjacent compartments (3). The storage machine (1) also has at least one drive system for displacing the closure mechanism (7) in a controlled manner and the ability of the closure mechanism (7) to move is dependent on an access right which can be checked by a control system. This storage machine (1) has at least one safety system (28) for affording extensive, increased personal safety with respect to risks posed by automated sequences or with respect to its displacement drives which can be activated automatically.

A system and method uses an appliance for delivery at a home or business when no one is home or without the need to disturb persons at the delivery site. The appliance is a locked storage container connected to remote computers such that access for particular delivery persons or companies is authorized when the owner of the appliance has placed an order. The appliance communicates, such as via the internet, with a remote delivery system computer having a scheduler that schedules deliveries during particular time intervals. Prior to scheduling the delivery, the delivery system computer compares the dimensions of the order with the available space within the appliance of the customer. After a delivery is made, the appliance communicates via the internet that the delivery has been made and the delivery system computer then charges or debits the customer's account for the cost associated with the delivery.

A system and method uses an appliance for delivery at a home or business when no one is home or without the need to disturb persons at the delivery site. The appliance is a locked storage container connected to remote computers such that access for particular delivery persons or companies is authorized when the owner of the appliance has placed an order. The appliance communicates, such as via the internet, with a remote delivery system computer having a scheduler that schedules deliveries during particular time intervals. Prior to scheduling the delivery, the delivery system computer compares the dimensions of the order with the available space within the appliance of the customer. After a delivery is made, the appliance communicates via the internet that the delivery has been made and the delivery system computer then charges or debits the customer's account for the cost associated with the delivery.

A cash management system utilizes a cloud computing model wherein a cloud of one or more servers may be locally networked or may be geographically dispersed and accessed by the client device over the Internet. The client device is a cash management safe. More than one safe may be employed in a system. Metrics, control functions, and interactions normally handled by an autonomous safe are shunted directly to a cloud server on the network. Usage data, currency validations, coin validations, security entries, etc. are communicated to the cloud server. The cloud server(s), based on database information and software settings, can transmit configuration, updates and information to remote safes. The information transmitted may include user configuration, access rules, currency configuration, alert configuration, and software and firmware updates. The cloud server based cash management system allows the entire cash management of an enterprise to be provided as a service to that enterprise.

An alarm ready portable case is provided in which to secure a firearm or other protectable. The case includes sensors, a lock and, in several embodiments, structure to support the article to be protected. The case is adaptable to become part of a pre-existing facility security system of any of a plurality of manufacturers by being configured to receive any of several connectivity elements that are compatible with at least one of the security systems. For example, wireless transmitters that are compatible with different alarm systems may be connected. Terminals may also be directly wired into a hardwired zone of a security alarm panel. Transmitter receiving structure may be provided in the case for holding any such transmitter. Terminals are provided to connect to external wiring. Slots may be provided for communication interface cards, such as ethernet cards, wireless telecommunications cards, or other connectivity hardware. Internal conductors are provided in the case to connect the sensors to the transmitter, external wiring or other connectivity devices. The sensors may be normally closed switches that are opened when the lid or the lock of the case are opened, motion detectors that actuate when the case is moved, or other detection devices that generate a signal when the case is otherwise tampered with. The case provides an efficient way of retrofitting an existing facility alarm or security system to specifically protect a firearm or other protectable item.

PCT No. PCT / US97 / 22510 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 16, 1999 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 16, 1999 PCT Filed Nov. 25, 1997 PCT Pub. No. WO98 / 26380 PCT Pub. Date Jun. 18, 1998A secure enclosure (10) for an automated banking machine includes a chest portion (12) and a moveable door (14). The door of the secure enclosure has mounted thereon a locking bolt work mechanism (24) which operates in a secure condition to engage locking bolt engaging apertures (46). The door further includes dead bolt projections (150) which engage apertures (62) when the door is in the closed position. The bolt work mechanism includes a drive cam (122) which is engageable by a member of a lock (126). The drive cam is connected to a pair of idler cams (118, 120) by L-links (134, 136). The idler cams are connected to a locking bolt (102) by S-links (138, 140). Movement of the drive cam enables moving the locking bolt between extended and retracted positions.

Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive reservation requests for travel reservations associated with a common carrier. Responsive to receiving a request, an access control code to control access to a lockable compartment within a vehicle designated to provide transportation associated with the travel reservation may be generated. The compartment may be a luggage compartment, such as an overhead bin on an airplane. The code may be transmitted to a mobile device carried by the passenger associated with the reservation, and used to provide lockable access to the compartment. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

The invention discloses an intelligent safety box, which aims to mainly solve the problems of passive burglary prevention, low burglary prevention performance and incapability of keeping on-site information after lock picking and burglary in the conventional safety box. The intelligent safety box comprises a safety box body, an information acquisition unit, a control unit, a lock unit, an alarming unit, an operation unit and a power circuit unit, wherein an intelligent safety controller is formed by all the units to realize active and intelligent burglary prevention. The invention has the advantages that: the identity of a user can be automatically recognized, and a non-registered user cannot use the intelligent safety box; and the intelligent safety box has an automatic alarming function, the function of automatically recording and storing image and sound data and safety box using information and the functions of one-key burglary prevention setting and one-key burglary prevention elimination, has a high intelligent degree and reliable safety performance, is transformed from the passive burglary prevention to the active burglary prevention, is a safety guardian for companies, departments, important family files, data, cash and precious belongings, is easy to operate and is convenient and practical.

A safe / secure cabinet that preferably protects and deters the internal and external threat of theft and robbery most preferably for use with controlled and non-controlled items.

An apparatus for stacking financial documents, in particular banknotes. The financial documents (BN) are stacked upright in a stacking area on a stacking surface, and the stacking operation is terminated when a predetermined stack length is reached. The stack formation takes place in a receiving bag (14) which is stationarily held by a holding frame (10) in the entry area of the financial documents (BN) and which forms a stock (15) around the circumference of the holding frame (10). With increasing stack length, receiving bag material is automatically taken from the stock (15) so that the length of the receiving bag (14) continuously adapts to the length of the value note stack (31). At the end of the stacking operation the receiving bag (14) is closed at its opening, e.g. by welding, and can subsequently be removed from the stacking area and can be used as a transport container or, respectively, a security bag.

The present invention is directed to an article case for accessing information on an RFID tag attached to an article enclosed in the case, and an RFID system using the case. An article case in accordance with an embodiment includes: a built-in antenna communicating with the RFID tag attached to the article; and a communication structure connected to the built-in antenna and disposed on an outer surface of the case, for communicating with an external RFID reader / writer.

Relocatable personal and / or pet safety shelters for protecting occupants from dangerous conditions such as those from hurricanes and tornadoes. The shelters can include metal wall and ceiling panels of approximately 10 gage to approximately 12 gage thick and be able to withstand winds of up to approximately 250 miles per hour or greater, and be able to withstand a projectile such as 2 inch by 4 inch wood member shot at approximately 100 miles per hour from penetrating inside. The shelter can have a length of approximately 60 inches, a width of approximately 30 inches, a height of approximately 55 inches, with a total weight of up to approximately 940 pounds. The shelter can have fixed bench seats along opposite sides of the door from each other, and be attached in a fixed horizontal orientation above the floor by elongated L-shaped brackets that are attached to the walls be removable fasteners. The bench seats can also be attached by hinges so that the bench seats can have folded up positions adjacent to side walls and can fold down to horizontal positions to allow occupants to sit thereon. A fold down table can be included to fold down between the two bench seats when being used. A safety window such as plexiglass, can be formed in the door to allow the occupants to see outside environmental conditions. The shelter can be fastened to a concrete pad base, or driveway or concrete floor and the like, both inside and outside of a garage, a home, a trailer, and the like.

The present invention is a kiosk that can regulate, control and distributing authorized products. The kiosk has a user interface that receives information about a user and authenticates the user's identity. The kiosk can accept a user's request to purchase a regulated product. The kiosk can then a regulator the user's request for approval and deliver the product to the user.

An automated banking apparatus is operative to carry out banking transactions commonly required by merchants. The apparatus includes an item accepting depository for accepting deposit items, such as deposit bags, currency, and checks. The apparatus further includes an input device that is operative to interrogate an RFID tag to obtain merchant deposit information therefrom. The information can include data representative of the deposit, such as an account number and the deposit amount. The RFID tag may be located on an item being deposited.

A portable cooler of the kind used to store food and beverages and used to keep ice has a hidden compartment for safekeeping valuables. A disguised or camouflaged access door is provided in the outer wall of the cooler which permits entry to the hidden compartment. Thermal conductivity is provided between the hidden compartment and main interior compartment to allow perishable items such as medications to be kept cooler than the usual ambient temperature outside the cooler. In a preferred embodiment, an internal drawer is provided within the hidden compartment for holding valuables such as keys, cell phones or medications. Optional locking means and an additional barrier or flap is provided to prevent unauthorized removal of items.

The security portal (10) is dimensioned to be readily mounted and transported on a trailer (54) alone as a single security portal (10) or with a plurality of security portals to provide screening for a short term, high security event. The portal (10) includes bullet-resistant, bomb-blast proof and at least partially transparent walls (12, 14, 16, 18) and doors (22, 24, 26). Monitors (32, 34) are secured to the portal (10) for monitoring an individual within an interior (30) of the portal (10) for detecting weapons, bio-hazards, chemical toxins, illegal drugs, contraband, or other hazardous materials. The security portal also includes a security monitoring station (36) adjacent the security access door (26) and a bomb-blast enclosure (66) having a flap (68) and bomb-blast containment balloon (70) for containing hazardous materials in the event of a bomb-blast within the portal (10).

A system relating to safely and securely storing medications in a wall-mounted medicine cabinet by providing a lockable safe permanently mounted in the medicine cabinet. This system also provides for adjustable shelves within the medicine cabinet both inside and outside of the safe. Further, this system provides for a variety of placements of a safe within a medicine cabinet; and, this variety adds to the selectable options of the user.

The present invention involves a networked device that protects electronically stored data in case of impact, fire, flood, or other damaging condition. The invention includes a hard disk drive enclosed within a waterproof enclosure that is encapsulated within a fire resistant ceramic box. A vent assembly is used to cool the disk drive, and insulation including phase change materials is used to maintain the internal temperature of the drive during normal operation and fire conditions. In addition, a second drive which is user removable is provided (the removable hard disk drive) that is used to mirror the data stored in the sealed drive. The two drives are configured in RAID1 configuration providing redundancy and protection against data corruption. The invention utilizes electronic sensors to detect potential damaging conditions, and upon such detection, power to the device is disconnected and software automatically causes an alarm message to be displayed at a host computer. The invention contains software to provide a graphical user interface that allows authorized personnel to monitor the device and enable security features such as when the disk drive can be removed, who can remove it, and when it can be accessed.

The invention disclosed herein provides an apparatus and method for securely collecting, storing, and disposing of documents by attaching a reusable, secure, lockable closure to a cardboard receptacle box. The lockable closure has a slot in the top to allow documents to be deposited in the box. Two opposing side surfaces of the lockable closure have an interior lip that engages the box flap in such a way as to prevent the unwanted removal of the closure. The closure can be secured to the box with a locking seal such as a cable tie through locking holes located on the top surface and two opposing sides of the lockable closure as well as the box flaps and box sides. A hole allows removal of the lockable closure by exerting pressure on the flap. The disclosed method provides the steps of providing a single lockable closure, a plurality of receptacle boxes, and a number of locking seals capable of fitting through the holes. The single, reusable, locking closure is placed on a receptacle box, which is sealed, documents are placed into the box through the slot. When the box is full, the locking seals are removed and the box is closed secured with its internal flaps and shipped for destruction or recycling. The same lockable closure is then placed on a different box bottom to repeat the process.

A system for securely storing a weapon. The system includes a tray for containing a weapon. The tray has an opening for accessing a weapon. The system also includes a portable safe having an interior space sized and shaped for retaining the tray and the contained weapon. In addition, the system includes a mounting module attachable to a fixed surface. The mounting module includes an interior space for holding the portable safe and an access control system for locking the portable safe within the interior space of the mounting module. The access control system allows access by an authorized user and denies access of the weapon within the portable safe to an unauthorized user. The weapon is contained in the tray, the tray is retained in the portable safe and the portable safe is held in the interior space of the mounting module.

A safe for deposits is inserted a sealed bag containing cash and houses the bag for preventing illicit actions and theft even when scrutiny processing is outsourced. A bag insertion portion into which a cash bag is inserted, cassette housing portion which houses a recoverable cassette, and control portion are provided to the safe to perform recovery merely through cassette attachment and removal operations, so that the danger of failure to recover a cash bag (bag left behind) is prevented. And information on the housed cash bag is stored in the cassette for checking the cash bag.