Smart Latch Access Control for Secure Medication Storage Enclosures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medication storage systems lack secure access control and traceability, often requiring resource-intensive management and expensive automated dispensing cabinets, and existing refrigerators for sensitive items may not provide adequate access control and temperature monitoring, posing challenges for clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A secure access control system featuring a latching module and interface module with authentication capabilities, integrated into a cabinet or refrigerator, allowing secure storage and monitoring of medication, including temperature control and user authentication, while maintaining flexibility and reducing implementation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated dispensing cabinets are used to control access to regulated products, then security and traceability are improved, but cost and space occupation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the access control functionality from expensive automated dispensing cabinets and implements it as a separate, standalone module that can be attached to existing storage furniture. The access control module includes authentication components, actuators, and control logic that operate independently, allowing standard cabinets to gain security capabilities without requiring complete system replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The access control module is designed to be universally compatible with various cabinet types and configurations. It can authenticate multiple user types with different permission levels, control different cabinet compartments, and integrate with existing storage infrastructure, making it applicable across diverse healthcare settings without requiring specialized equipment for each location.
2Volume of moving object
If existing enclosed spaces such as drawers, cabinets, and carts are used to store medications, then space efficiency is improved, but security and traceability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The access control module enables medications to be stored in standard, space-efficient furniture while automatically providing security and traceability features. The system self-manages authentication, access logging, and actuator control without requiring specialized secure storage infrastructure, allowing existing compact storage solutions to gain protective capabilities.
3Reliability
If refrigerators with specialized dispensing terminals are used for temperature-sensitive items, then temperature monitoring and access control are improved, but deployment flexibility and implementation cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the refrigerator system into two independent parts: the temperature control function (existing refrigerator) and the access control function (new module). This segmentation allows the access control module to be independently configured and deployed on various refrigerator types without requiring integration with proprietary dispensing terminals, thereby maintaining deployment flexibility while adding security capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
Secure medication storage is described herein. A smart latch includes an actuator, a communication interface, a display, and a processor. The actuator is configured to open and close a latch to secure a door of the enclosure. The processor can be configured to receive a user credential for accessing the enclosure, validate the user credential for accessing the enclosure, trigger the actuator to open the latch, thereby allowing the door to be opened, and trigger the actuator to close the latch after detecting that the door is closed, thereby securing the door.