Portable security container

Abstract

A process and security container that enable local protection and remote transportation of items found with the environment of a contemporary office, while generating a log of users who have gained access to the container. e container may be constructed with one or more sidewalls bearing a removable lid. The container may have a closed interior while the lid is in complete engagement with the sidewalls, and have an open interior able to removably receive items within the interior while the lid is dislodged from its complete engagement. A port is exposed through one of said sidewalls to receive data signals and a control stage with a non-volatile a memory, is mounted within the container and operationally coupled to a host computer to provide communication with the interior of the container via the port. A microprocessor based host computer sited externally to the container, has a keyboard initiating formation of the data signals and a monitor driven by the host computer to visually display video images. The host computer is operationally coupled to the port to participate in the communication by generating the data signals. The controller may generate a control signal and allow access to the interior of the container in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received From the host computer among the data signals via the port and a data sequence obtained by the control stage in dependence upon information stored within the memory.

1 . A container manager, comprising: 
 a housing comprised of a plurality of sidewalls bearing a removable lid, forming a container having a closed interior while said lid is in complete engagement with said housing, and providing an open interior able to removably receive items within said open interior while said lid is dislodged from said complete engagement;    a port borne by said housing to accommodate conduction of transmission of data signals between said closed interior and an environment external to said housing;    a control stage comprised of a memory storing information specific to said container, said control stage being mounted entirely within and being completely encased by said container during said complete engagement, and being operationally coupled to provide communication with said interior via said port, and generating a control signal in dependence upon disposition of said port relative to a source of said data signals, in dependence upon disposition of said container within a scheme for generation of said data signals, and in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received among said data signals via said port and a data sequence obtained by said control stage in dependence upon said information stored within said memory; and    a moveable latch disposed to engage said lid and hinder removal of said lid from said complete engagement, and to respond to said control signal by releasing said lid from said complete engagement.    
     
     
         2 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising a socket mounted within said housing providing said port.  
     
     
         3 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising an infrared receiver mounted within said housing providing said port.  
     
     
         4 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising an antenna mounted within said housing providing said port.  
     
     
         5 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data key; and a data cable coupling said host computer to said port.    
     
     
         6 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data key; and    a local area network coupling said host computer to said port.    
     
     
         7 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data key;    said port comprising a first antenna mounted on one of said sidewalls;    a data transceiver connecting said first antenna and said controller; and    a second antenna driven by said host computer, operationally connecting said host computer to said first antenna.    
     
     
         8 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data key;    an infrared transmitter driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data key; and    an infrared receiver mounted in one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive said data key from said infrared transmitter.    
     
     
         9 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data key;    a first infrared transmitter and receiver driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data key; and    a second infrared transmitter and receiver mounted n one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive said data key from said infrared transmitter, and to transmit operational communications from said controller to said host computer via said first infrared transmitter and receiver.    
     
     
         10 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 said controller generating an alarm signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port; and    an alarm driven by said controller to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in response to said alarm signal.    
     
     
         11 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, periodically making a determination of whether said an unauthorized interruption of said communication has occurred; and    an alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast and indication of said unauthorized interruption dependence upon said determination    
     
     
         12 . The container manager of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 said controller generating an alarm signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port;    a first alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in response to said alarm signal;    a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, periodically making a determination of whether said an unauthorized interruption of said communication has occurred; and    a second alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in dependence upon said determination.    
     
     
         13 . A container manager, comprising: 
 a housing comprised of a plurality of sidewalls bearing a removable lid, forming a container having a closed interior wile said lid is in complete engagement with said housing, and providing an open interior able to removably receive items within said open interior while said lid is dislodged from said complete engagement;    a port mounted within said housing to receive data signals; a control stage comprised of a memory storing information specific to said container, said control stage being mounted entirely within said container, being completely encased by said container during said complete engagement, and being operationally coupled to provide communication by data signals with said interior via said port, and generating an al signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port; and an alarm driven by said controller to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized <<interruption in response to said alarm signal.    
     
     
         14 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising a socket mounted within said housing providing said port.  
     
     
         15 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising an infrared receiver mounted within said housing providing said port.  
     
     
         16 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising an antenna mounted within said housing providing said port.  
     
     
         17 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals; and a data cable coupling said host computer to said port while conveying said data signals to said controller via said port.    
     
     
         18 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals; and a local area network coupling said host computer to said port while conveying said data signals to said controller via said port.    
     
     
         19 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals;    said port comprising a first antenna mounted on one of said sidewalls; data transceiver connecting said first antenna and said controller; and a second antenna driven by said host computer, operationally connecting said host computer to said first antenna wile conveying said data signals to said controller via said first antenna.    
     
     
         20 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals;    an infrared transmitter driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data signals; and an infrared receiver mounted in one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive and convey to said controller said data signals from said infrared transmitter    
     
     
         21 . The container manager of  claim 13 , further comprising: 
 a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data key;    a first infrared transmitter and receiver driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data key; and    a second infrared transmitter and receiver mounted in one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive said data key from said infrared transmitter, and to transmit operational communications from said controller to said host computer via said first infrared transmitter and receiver.    
     
     
         22 . The container manager of  claim 14 , further comprising: 
 said controller generating a control signal in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received via said port and a data sequence obtained by said control stage in dependence upon information stored within said memory; and an electromechanical latch responding to said control signal by hindering removal of said lid From said complete engagement.    
     
     
         23 . A container manager, comprising: 
 a housing comprised of a plurality of sidewalls bearing a removable lid, forming a container having a closed interior while said lid is in complete engagement with said housing, and providing an open interior able to removably receive items within said open interior while said lid is dislodged from said complete engagement; a port to receive data signals;    a control stage comprised of a memory, said control stage being mounted on said container and being operationally coupled to provide communication with said interior via said port, and generating a control signal in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received among said data signals via said port and a data sequence obtained by said control stage in dependence upon information stored within said memory;    a microprocessor based host computer sited externally to said container, said host computer comprising a keyboard initiating formation of said data signals and a monitor driven by said host computer to visually display video images, said host computer being operationally coupled to said port and participating in said communication by generating said data signals; and    an electromechanical latch disposed to engage said lid and hinder removal of said lid from said complete engagement, and to respond to said control signal by releasing said lid from said complete engagement.    
     
     
         24 . The container manager of  claim 23 , further comprising a data cable coupling said host computer to said port.  
     
     
         25 . The container manager of  claim 24 , further comprising a local area network coupling said host computer to said port.  
     
     
         26 . The container manager of  claim 25 , further comprising: 
 said port comprising a first antenna mounted within said container;    a data transceiver connecting said first antenna and said controller; and    a second antenna driven by said host computer, operationally connecting said host computer to said first antenna.    
     
     
         27 . The container manager of  claim 26 , further comprising: 
 an infrared transmitter driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data key; and    an infrared receiver mounted in one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive said data key from said infrared transmitter.    
     
     
         28 . The container manager of  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 a first infrared transmitter and receiver driven by said host computer to broadcast an infrared signal corresponding to said data key; and    a second infrared transmitter and receiver mounted in one of said sidewalls, disposed to receive said data key From said infrared transmitter, and to transmit operational communications from said controller to said host computer via said first infrared transmitter and receiver.    
     
     
         29 . A container manager, comprising: 
 a housing comprised of a plurality of sidewalls bearing a removable lid, forming a container having a closed interior while said lid is n complete engagement with said housing, said housing providing an open interior able to removably receive items within said open interior while said lid is dislodged from said complete engagement;    a port exposed through said housing to receive data signals;    a control stage comprised of a memory, said control stage being mounted on said container and being operationally coupled to provide communication by data signals with said interior via said port;    a microprocessor based host computer sited externally to said container, said host computer comprising a keyboard initiating formation of said data signals and a monitor driven by said host computer to visually display video images, said host computer being operationally coupled to said port and participating in said communication by generating said data signals; and    an alarm driven in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in response to said alarm signal.    
     
     
         30 . The container manager of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 said controller generating an alarm signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port; and    said alarm being driven by said control stage to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in response to said alarm signal.    
     
     
         31 . The container manager of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 said host computer periodically making a determination while operationally coupled to said controller via said port of whether said an unauthorized interruption of said communication has occurred; and    an alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in dependence upon said determination.    
     
     
         32 . The container manager of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 said controller generating an alarm signal in response to an unauthorized interruption of said communication via said port;    a first alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in response to said alarm signal;    said host computer periodically making a determination wile operationally coupled to said controller via said port, of whether said an authorized interruption of said communication has occurred; and    a second alarm driven by said host computer to broadcast an indication of said unauthorized interruption in dependence upon said determination.    
     
     
         33 . The container manager of  claim 29 , further comprising: 
 said data signals exhibiting a first wavelength, and said data signals exhibiting a second and different wavelength carrier signal; and    said port being plug coupleable to said control stage, and comprising a receiver stage converting said data signals into input signals exhibiting said second wavelength, and a transmitter stage converting said data signals into output signals exhibiting said first wavelength.    
     
     
         34 . The container manager of  claim 29 , with said port comprising: 
 a first unit that is plug coupleable to said control stage when said data signals received by said pot exhibit a first wavelength and said data signals provided by said control stage exhibit a second and different wavelength carrier signal, said first unit comprising a receiver stage converting said data signals received by said port into input signals exhibiting said second wavelength, and    a transmitter stage converting said data signals provided by said control stage into output signals exhibiting said first wavelength; and    a second unit that is plug coupleable to said control stage and interchangeable with said first unit to provide a data connection between said control stage and said host computer when said data signals received by said port exhibit the same wavelength as said data signals provided by said control stage.    
     
     
         35 . A container manager, comprising: 
 a housing composed of a plurality of sidewalls bearing a removable lid, forming a container having a closed interior while said lid is in complete engagement with said housing, and    providing an open interior able to removably receive items within said open interior while said lid is dislodged from said complete engagement;    a source of an input signal representing a first class of information, mounted upon and borne by said housing;    a port borne by said housing to accommodate conduction of transmission of data signals through said housing;    a control stage comprised of a memory storing a second class of information specific to said container, said control stage being mounted entirely within and being completely encased by said container during said complete engagement, and being operationally coupled to provide communication with said interior via said port, and generating a control signal in dependence upon disposition of said port relative to an origin of said data signals, in dependence upon said information represented by said input signal, and in response to occurrence of a coincidence between a data key received among said data signals via said port and a data sequence obtained by said control stage in dependence upon said information stored within said memory; and    a latch mounted on said housing and disposed to engage said lid and hinder removal of said lid from said complete engagement, and to respond to said control signal by releasing said lid from said complete engagement.    
     
     
         36 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said source detecting movement of said lid, and said first class of information indicating said movement.  
     
     
         37 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said source detecting a position of said lid, and said first class of information indicating said position.  
     
     
         38 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said control stage generating said control signal in response to instructions received by said control stage from a host computer independently of said disposition of said port, independently of said information represented by said input signal, and independently of said occurrence of coincidence.  
     
     
         39 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said control stage generating said control signal in dependence of said disposition of said port, in dependence of said information represented by said input signal, in dependence of said occurrence of coincidence, and in response to instructions received by said control stage from a host computer coupled to said port.  
     
     
         40 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said container being transportable between an origin and a destination, and said data key being encoded and being available only at destination.  
     
     
         41 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said container being transportable between an origin and a destination, and said data key being encoded and being transmitted to said port from said origin.  
     
     
         42 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said container being transportable between an origin and a destination, and said data key being encoded and being available only at destination.  
     
     
         43 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising a microprocessor based host computer operationally coupled to said controller via said port, generating said data signals.  
     
     
         44 . The container manager of  claim 44 , further comprising said host computer comprising a cellular telephone bearing a graphical user interface.  
     
     
         45 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising some or all of said data signals being transmitted across or received one of an Internet and a wide area network.  
     
     
         46 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said data signals comprising one of an e-mail packet and an attachment to an e-mail message.  
     
     
         47 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said information represented by said source comprising a global location of the container, and said control stage generating said control signal in dependence of said disposition of said port, in dependence of said information represented by said input signal, and in dependence of said occurrence of coincidence.  
     
     
         48 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said container being transportable between an origin and a destination, and a user at one of said origin and said destination requests via a network a request for some part of said data key.  
     
     
         49 . The container manager of  claim 36 , further comprising said container being transportable between an origin and a destination, and said second class of information is installed at said origin comprises biometric data matching a person of a human user of said container and said coincidence must be made with biometric data matching said person at said destination.  
     
     
         50 . The container manager of  claim 36 , where components of said data signals may result in the configuration of container software features.  
     
     
         51 . The container manager according to  claim 36 , wherein said control stage comprises a portable computer and said portable computer provides data to a host computer when said host computer is equipped with a web browser.  
     
     
         52 . The container manager according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of portable containers is releasably stored in a secured stationary room, the room having a door and a door lock.  
     
     
         53 . The container manager according to  claim 53  wherein the door lock is operationally coupled to a port to provide communication with a host computer and/or a remote control.  
     
     
         54 . A container manager of  claim 53 , wherein portable containers may be electro-mechanically released.  
     
     
         55 . A container manager of  claim 36  wherein a portion of said second class of information comprises data describing the personal characteristics of a person permitted to access the interior of said container.  
     
     
         56 . A container manager of  claim 36  wherein said housing and said lid may be a housing and drawer.