Patent ID: 8274363
Filing Date: 2012-09-25
Classification: G07C

Abstract:
1. A method for controlling access to a plurality of secured compartments within a plurality of computer stations within a medical facility, wherein a plurality of walls are provided throughout said medical facility, comprising: providing a plurality of computers within said plurality of computer stations throughout said medical facility and providing at least one input mechanism functionally coupled to each of said plurality of computers; providing a plurality of articulating cabinets to form at least one of said plurality secured compartments within said plurality of cabinets to contain said respective one of said plurality computers, wherein said plurality of secured compartments are provided throughout said medical facility; wherein at least one of said plurality of secured compartments is built into one of said plurality of walls, and said at least one of said plurality of secured compartments comprises two doors comprising a stocking door and a dispensing door, and wherein said two doors permit access to said at least one of said plurality of secured compartments in pass through fashion through said wall; mounting a plurality of locking mechanisms with respect to said plurality of secured compartments; interfacing respective ones of said plurality of computers to respective ones of said plurality of locking mechanisms which lock said respective ones of said plurality of secured compartments to prevent access to at least a monitor of said plurality of computers when locked; providing at least one authorization computer and connecting said plurality of computer stations to said at least one authorization computer; programming said at least one authorization computer to authorize a plurality of authorized access codes for said plurality of computers; programming said plurality of computers to operate respective ones of said plurality of locking mechanisms responsively to at least one of said plurality of authorized access codes inputted via the respective input mechanism mounted externally to the respective secured compartment; and inputting a respective one of said authorized access codes to a respective one of said plurality of computers for selectively operating a respective one of said locking mechanisms; wherein said respective one of said plurality of computers provides a computer function other than securing the respective secured compartment.