Stationary multi-zone refrigerator for secure use by multiple users

A stationary multi-zone refrigeration system for secure use by a plurality of users, said system comprising:

• a. at least one refrigerated enclosure comprising:
• i. a plurality of refrigerated storage zones each affiliated with a user;
• ii. a lockable door on each refrigerated storage zone, each lockable door including an electronically actuated lock connected to a zone-opening controller capable of triggering the unlocking of each connected lock and corresponding zone;
• iii. a zone-opening controller comprising at least:
• 1. a processor and a memory;
• 2. a network interface for network communication of the zone-opening controller with a server;
• 3. a local control bus connected to each lock;
• and
• 4. controller software;
• b. a server in network communication with user devices of users as well as with each zone-opening controller, said server comprising:
• i. a processor and memory;
• ii. a server software component;
• and
• iii. a zone database comprising a plurality of zone records, each zone record corresponding to a storage zone of a refrigerated enclosure and comprises a zone address and at least identification credentials of the affiliated user of the zone;
• wherein the server and server software can open storage zones as required by:
• a) receiving zone-opening requests from network-connected user devices, each said request containing at least a zone address and identification credentials of a user;
• b) on receipt of a zone-opening request, matching the received zone address and user credentials from the zone-opening request against the zone records in the zone database, wherein if a matched zone record is identified the zone-opening request is accepted;
• c) on acceptance of a zone-opening request, transmitting a zone-opening instruction from the server to the controller of the refrigerator associated with the zone identified in the matched zone record;
• whereby upon receipt of a zone-opening instruction, the receiving zone-opening controller will trigger the unlocking of the lock of the addressed zone via its connection to the local control bus.

A method of use of a stationary multi-zone refrigeration system by a plurality of users using a system comprising:

• a. at least one refrigerated enclosure comprising:
• i. a plurality of refrigerated storage zones each affiliated with a user;
• ii. a lockable door on each refrigerated storage zone, each lockable door including an electronically actuated lock connected to a zone-opening controller capable of triggering the unlocking of each connected lock and corresponding zone;
• iii. a zone-opening controller comprising at least:
• 1. a processor and a memory;
• 2. a network interface for network communication of the zone-opening controller with a server;
• 3. a local control bus connected to each lock;
• and
• 4. controller software;
• iv. a server in network communication with user devices of users as well as with each zone-opening controller, said server comprising:
• b. a server in network communication with user devices of users as well as with each zone-opening controller, said server comprising:
• i. a processor and memory;
• ii. a server software component;
• and
• iii. a zone database comprising a plurality of zone records, each zone record corresponding to a storage zone of the multizone refrigerator and at least identification credentials of the affiliated user of the zone;
• wherein the method comprises using the server and software component to:
• a) affiliate users with at least one storage zone as required by storing at least identification credentials of the user in zone records corresponding to zones to be affiliated therewith;
• b) open storage zones in the secure refrigerator as required by as required by:
• a. permitting the data entry and transmission of a zone-opening request from a network-connected user device to the server, said request containing at least the zone address and identification credentials of the affiliated user;
• b. on receipt of a zone-opening request, matching the received zone address and user credentials from the zone-opening request against the zone records in the zone database, wherein if a matched zone record is identified the zone-opening request is accepted;
• and
• c. on acceptance of a zone-opening request, transmitting a zone-opening instruction from the server to the controller of the refrigerator associated with the zone identified in the matched zone record;
• whereby upon receipt of a zone-opening instruction, the receiving zone-opening controller will trigger the unlocking of the lock of the addressed zone via its connection to the local control bus.