LOCKER SYSTEM USING BARCODED WRISTBANDS

摘要

A locker system includes one or more banks of electronic lockers. Each locker has a door lock that releasably retains the door in the closed position. The locker system also includes at least one barcode scanner selectively unlocks the door of at least one of the lockers. A locker manager is coupled to each of the electronic lockers via an electronic network. The locker manager stores a list of unique barcodes that are each associated with a locker rental plan including at least one locker account. Each locker account includes an activation indication, a use indication, a locker type indication, and a duration. The unique barcodes are printed or otherwise included on wristbands, which may be scanned at the barcode scanner to gain access to one or more of the lockers.

主权项

1. A method of managing a locker system comprising:
providing a plurality of lockers, each locker including an enclosure defining an interior that is accessible through an access opening, each locker including a door that is configured to move between a closed position and an open position, the door inhibiting access to the enclosure interior when in the closed position and the door enabling access to the enclosure interior through the access opening when in the open position, each locker also including a door lock, the door lock of each locker being configured to releasably retain the respective door in the closed position; providing a locker manager electronically connected to the lockers via an electronic network, the locker manager storing physical aspects about each locker in electronic memory and controlling access to each of the lockers; creating a plurality of locker accounts for users in response to requests and associating each locker account with a respective barcode; associating a first of the locker accounts with a privilege that provides priority to a respective user of the first locker account to obtain one of the lockers that has a particular physical aspect; receiving an activation request for a first of the lockers that has the particular physical aspect, the activation request including a barcode associated with a second of the locker accounts that is not associated with a privilege providing priority to obtain one of the lockers having the particular physical aspect; and denying access to the first locker.