Biometric Access Control System

A biometric access control system, comprising:

• an identification station, including:
• a biometric reader to read biometric input from a user for recording the user's identity,
• an identification reader to read an identification of a piece of equipment to be returned or acquired by the user,
• a user interface to receive input from the user including an indication to return or acquire the piece of equipment, an indication that a returned piece of equipment requires maintenance, and a reason for the required maintenance, and to display a plurality of categories of equipment authorized for use by the user, and to receive further input from the user including a selection of an equipment category and a selection of a specific piece of equipment of the selected equipment category that is not locked out from acquisition because the specific piece of equipment has been indicated as requiring maintenance, and
• a processor in communication with the biometric reader, identification reader, and the user interface,
• wherein the biometric reader, identification reader, and processor cooperate to enable logging of equipment acquisitions and returns and provide a history of equipment maintenance and usage;
• and
• an equipment structure in communication with the identification station, and including:
• a plurality of storage locations for storing a plurality of pieces of equipment assigned to the plurality of storage locations, and
• a plurality of locks corresponding to the plurality of storage locations for individually securing the plurality of pieces of equipment to the structure,
• wherein an authorization signal from the identification station is receivable to release a lock of the plurality of locks containing the selected specific piece of equipment to permit removal of the selected specific piece of equipment that is authorized for the user and not locked out from acquisition as requiring maintenance.