CA1263167A
Expired / Lapsed
CA
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic robot key dispenser
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1985-09-03
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Granted: 1989-11-21
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Expires: 2005-09-03
Abstract
Abstract ABSTRACT An apparatus for storing, dispensing and keeping track of articles, such as keys, having a plurality of compartments for the articles arranged in a cylindrical array, openings, one for each compartment, being arranged on the surface of the cylinder, and an access door moveable parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cylinder so as to permit individual access to any one compartment at any one time. Means are provided for rotating the cylinder and for moving the access door to align with a selected compartment to permit access to that compartment only at any one time. Control means, such as a computer, controls the rotating and the moving means so that, by giving each article a special value, only the compartment specific to that article can be accessed. The whole apparatus of compartment array, door and actuating means are enclosed in a protective housing. A hierarchical access system for the apparatus is also described.
Inventors
- 👤 Florent Pelletier
- 👤 Lionel Coulombe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
CA
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:46
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F11/00; G07F11/46; G07F11/50; G07F11/54; G07F11/62; G07F17/00; G07F17/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for storing, and dispensing articles comprising: a plurality of respective storage compartments for said articles in an array forming at least part of a cylinder and having an axis, and an exterior opening to each respective compartment on the surface of the cylinder, a moveable access door for allowing access to said storage compartments in said array, means for positioning said array by rotation about said axis, means for moving said access door with at least a component of movement parallel to said axis, to define a unique position for each compartment with respect to said door for access to each individual compartment respectively actuating means for said positioning means and said moving means, each said article being assigned a value corresponding to one of said storage compartments, and means for controlling said actuating means in accordance with selected said assigned values for access to respective storage compartments storing said articles,
Claim 2
Independent Claim
153 words
An apparatus for storing, and dispensing articles comprising: a plurality of respective storage compartments for said articles in an array forming at least part of a cylinder and having an axis, and an exterior opening to each respective compartment on the surface of the cylinder, a moveable access door for allowing access to said storage compartments in said array, means for positioning said array by rotation about said axis, means for moving said access door with at least a component of movement parallel to said axis, to define a unique position for each compartment with respect to said door for access to each individual compartment respectively actuating means for said positioning means and said moving means, each said article being assigned a value corresponding to one of said storage compartments, and means for controlling said actuating means in accordance with selected said assigned values for access to respective storage compartments storing said articles,
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 comprising an enclosure surrounding said storage compartment array.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2 further comprising, means associated with said controlling means for changing said assigned values.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2, said controlling means comprising user access security means for permitting access only to selected said articles in accordance with further values assigned to individual users.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, said controlling means comprising means for recording transactions of said apparatus and for displaying previous transaction data for each respective article for which access is attempted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, previous transaction data being displayed only when said article for which access is attempted is not in its respective compartment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2, said controlling means comprising, means responsive to current respective positioning of said array and said door, means responsive to input data requesting access to a selected article, means comparing said input data and said current respective positioning. and means operating said actuating means for said positioning means and moving means to move said array and said door respective minimum distances for access to the storage compartment for said selected article.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2 further comprising printer means connected to said controlling means for permanently recording transactions of said apparatus.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2 further comprising video monitor means for said control means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising key board input means connected to said controlling means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2 further comprising a protective housing enclosing said array and said moving means, said protective housing further comprising concealed track means for slidably retaining said access door contiguous with an exterior surface of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2 said controlling means comprising programmed computer means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for storing and dispensing articles which comprises the steps of: arranging a plurality of respective storage compartments for said articles in a cylindrical array defining an axis and having an exterior opening for each respective compartment on the surface of the cylinder defined by the array, providing a movable access door for allowing individual access to said storage compartments in said array, positioning said cylindrical array by rotating said array about said axis, moving said access door with at least a component of movement parallel to said axis for individual access through said door to each said compartment, assigning a value to each article corresponding to a unique storage compartment, and moving the door and the array in accordance with the assigned value to provide access to the compartment corresponding to said article.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for storing and dispensing articles which comprises the steps of: arranging a plurality of respective storage compartments for said articles in a cylindrical array defining an axis and having an exterior opening for each respective compartment on the surface of the cylinder defined by the array, providing a movable access door for allowing individual access to said storage compartments in said array, positioning said cylindrical array by rotating said array about said axis, moving said access door with at least a component of movement parallel to said axis for individual access through said door to each said compartment, assigning a value to each article corresponding to a unique storage compartment, and moving the door and the array in accordance with the assigned value to provide access to the compartment corresponding to said article.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
92 words
A method as defined in claim 12 comprising, assigning uses access values to individual users desiring access to said articles, providing a hierarchical list of users, providing a classified list of said article assigned values, assigning selected said article values to selected said users at a first hierarchical level, and, moving said door and said array in accordance with said user access values permitting access of said selected users only to articles having said selected values, and permitting access to all articles to at least one user above said first hierarchical level.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising the steps of, assigning further user access values to further selected said users at a second hierarchical level, respective groups of said further selected said users being related to respective said first selected users, and moving said door and said array in accordance with said further user access values for permitting access by said further selected said users only to articles accessible to their said respective first selected user.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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