Apparatus for controlling access to and use of portable electronic devices
AssigneeRenovo Software, Inc.
InventorsBrian Peters, Timothy J. Eickhoff, Ehren R. Jarosek, Tim Skaja
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Various prison services are rendered more efficient by providing inmates access to portable electronic devices in a controlled and regulated manner. A dispenser is employed to control and monitor the checking out and return of portable electronic devices and to communicate with such devices during use by inmates to monitor inmate use and ensure the portable electronic devices are only used by inmates as authorized.
Claims20
An electronic device dispensing system comprising:
- a memory;
- at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:
- receive a request from a user to access a first type of electronic device;
- query, based on the request, a database to retrieve rights and restrictions of the user;
- determine, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, that the first type of electronic device is restricted for the user;
- and
- determine, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, a second type of electronic device, wherein the second type of electronic device is allowed for the user;
- and
- a container coupled to an indicator and configured to:
- secure an electronic device of the second type;
- indicate to the user a location of the electronic device of the second type;
- and
- dispense the electronic device of the second type.
A method of an electronic device dispensing system, the method comprising:
- receiving a request from a user to access a first type of electronic device;
- querying, based on the request, a database to retrieve rights and restrictions of the user;
- determining, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, that the first type of electronic device is restricted for the user;
- determining, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, a second type of electronic device, wherein the second type of electronic device is allowed for the user;
- securing an electronic device of the second type;
- indicating to the user a location of the electronic device of the second type;
- and
- dispensing the electronic device of the second type.
A non-transitory computer-readable device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one computing device, cause the at least one computing device to perform operations comprising:
- receiving a request from a user to access a first type of electronic device;
- querying, based on the request, a database to retrieve rights and restrictions of the user;
- determining, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, that the first type of electronic device is restricted for the user;
- determining, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, a second type of electronic device, wherein the second type of electronic device is allowed for the user;
- securing an electronic device of the second type;
- indicating to the user a location of the electronic device of the second type;
- and
- dispensing the electronic device of the second type.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.