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Publication Number
US-8746908-B2
Publication Date
2014-06-10
Expiration Date
Abstract
A medical supply cabinet having improved features for user access, user control, and illumination is provided. The supply cabinet is provided with a selectively controllable illumination source, such as light-emitting diodes, that provide the operator with visual information regarding access to individual compartments of the supply cabinet.
Core Innovation
The cabinet system includes a plurality of independently access-controlled compartments illuminated by light-emitting diodes, with each compartment featuring a pivoting door. Light-emitting diode arrays extend through adjacent compartments to provide illumination. An electronic control selectively unlocks compartment doors in response to user requests and operates the light-emitting diodes at different illumination levels according to operating conditions, independently controlling illumination between adjacent compartments.
Light-emitting diodes are arranged vertically along compartment sidewalls, positioned behind translucent panels, and operated using pulse-width modulation. Monitored operating conditions include door or lock state, time of day, and periods of inactivity. Disclosed configurations also encompass adjacent cabinets stacked and affixed together, electronic locks, manual key locks, user interfaces, and internal refrigerated storage.
Claims Coverage
The claim coverage includes three independent claims comprising three inventive features directed to access control and compartment illumination.
Independently controlled compartment access and illumination
Claim 1 recites a cabinet configured for electronic and manual access control comprising a plurality of compartments with pivoting doors, light-emitting diode arrays extending through adjacent compartments along a parallel axis, and an electronic control operating the light-emitting diodes at different illumination levels in response to operating conditions independently between compartments.
Supply cabinet system with electronic locks and sidewall lighting arrays
Claim 6 recites a supply cabinet system comprising compartments with electronic locks, an electronic control configured to unlock compartment doors in response to a user request, and sidewall light-emitting diode arrays extending through at least two compartments with independent illumination control in response to operating conditions.
Affixed stacked cabinets with vertical lighting paths
Claim 14 recites adjacent cabinets stacked and affixed to one another, comprising compartments with electronic locks, an electronic control selectively unlocking doors in response to a user request, and vertically arranged light-emitting diodes forming paths extending between compartments that operate at different illumination levels under different operating conditions separately for each compartment.
The independent claims cover single cabinets, supply cabinet systems, and adjacent-stacked cabinet configurations, each integrating compartment-level access control with light-emitting diode arrays extending across compartments and condition-responsive electronic illumination control operated independently across compartments.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Medical supply cabinet configurations, including internal refrigerator applications and configurable cabinet shelf arrangements.
Supply cabinet systems with electronically controlled access to compartments and light-emitting diode illumination.
Cabinets configured for electronic and manual access control with independently controlled compartments.
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