Secure storage systems and methods

A method for processing custody transfers of items among entities of users and lockable compartments, the method comprising:

• providing a system comprising:
• a plurality of lockable compartments, wherein a lockable compartment is associated with an identifier and comprises a controllable electromechanical lock controlled by an internal or external lock access controller which controls access to the lockable compartment;
• a plurality of custody transfer records recording custody transfers, wherein a custody transfer record of a custody transfer comprises:
• an identifier of a releasing entity releasing custody in the custody transfer;
• an identifier of a receiving entity receiving custody in the custody transfer;
• an identifier of one or more items of which custody is transferred from the releasing entity to the receiving entity;
• and
• an identifier of a chain of custody to which at least the custody transfer record and the custody transfer recorded therein are associated;
• a server based system configured to communicate over a communications network and interact with portable wireless devices and/or lockable compartments;
• and
• a plurality of portable wireless devices usable by users to interact with the server based system and/or lockable compartments;
• receiving by the server based system from a first user via a first portable wireless device, a first custody transfer request to a custody transfer of a first one or more items to a first lockable compartment;
• providing by the server based system in response to the first custody transfer request, a first provided access authentication code to a lock access controller controlling access to the first lockable compartment;
• validating by the lock access controller controlling access to the first lockable compartment, a first access request associated with the first custody transfer request using the first provided access authentication code, and providing the first user access to the first lockable compartment at least in part due to a successful validation of the first access request;
• and
• generating by the server based system at least in part due to the providing the first user access to the first lockable compartment, a first custody transfer record comprising:
• an identifier of the first user;
• an identifier of the first one of more items;
• an identifier of the first lockable compartment;
• and
• an identifier of a first chain of custody to which at least the first custody transfer record and the custody transfer recorded therein are associated.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, the one or more processors are configured to:

• receive from a first user via a first portable wireless device, a first custody transfer request to perform a custody transfer of a first one or more items to a first lockable compartment;
• provide in response to the first custody transfer request, a first provided access authentication code to a lock access controller controlling access to the first lockable compartment;
• receive indication that a first access request associated with the first custody transfer request has been successfully verified using the first provided access authentication code, and that the first user has been provided access to the first lockable compartment;
• and
• generate at least in part due to the providing the first user access to the first lockable compartment, a first custody transfer record comprising:
• an identifier of the first user;
• an identifier of the first one of more items;
• an identifier of the first lockable compartment;
• and
• an identifier of a first chain of custody to which at least the first custody transfer record and a custody transfer event recorded therein are associated.