Secure bin for selective deposit

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12559304-B2
Application number	US-202318122992-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 17, 2023
Priority date	Mar 23, 2020
Publication date	Feb 24, 2026
Grant date	Feb 24, 2026

Abstract

One example embodiment is adapted for use in facilitating collection and transport of memory devices, e.g., drives, motherboards, etc., e.g., for the purposes of subsequent destruction. The example embodiment has an outer bin, also called a garage or outer enclosure, within which is placed an inner bin with wheels. Once closed and locked, the outer bin has a door that can be opened so drives or other memory devices can be inserted. The drives then fall into the inner bin and, once sufficiently filled, the inner bin be easily wheeled out from the outer bin. The inner bin has its own locking lid that is secured when transporting the inner bin with the drives, e.g., to a destruction facility or area. Other features are provided as described below. Enhanced synergistic security features include use of multi-point locking latches to secure doors and lids, metal construction of the bins, and so on. The bins are sized to facilitate efficient collection and transport of potentially sensitive data center media.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A secure deposit system comprising:
an outer bin comprising:
a security chute for accepting deposit into the outer bin, of an electronic item storing electronic content;
a security chute door moveable between a closed position and an open position to control external access to the security chute;
a scanning mechanism including a scanner to capture a preauthorization code affixed to the electronic item and a copier to copy the electronic content prior to depositing the electronic item;
one or more processors and logic encoded in software, hardware, or a combination of both, for execution by the one or more processors and when executed, operable to analyze the preauthorization code to determine whether the electronic item is acceptable and usable to unlock the security chute door for collection or the electronic item is unacceptable and unable to be used to open to the security chute door,
wherein the scanning device is configured to actuate a locking mechanism to electrically unlock the security chute door enabling the external access upon the determining that the electronic item is acceptable, and to maintain lock of the security chute door preventing the external access upon the determining that the electronic item is rejectable;
an inner chamber; a hinged door equipped with a first multi-point lock comprising at least three locking points including an upper rod end, a lower rod end, and a latch mechanism configured to be moved by a first lock to prevent or to permit external access to the inner chamber; and an inner bin sized to fit within the inner chamber, wherein the inner bin comprises:
a hinged lid configured to be in an open position against a back surface of the inner bin when the inner bin is in the inner chamber, the hinged lid including a lip extending from the hinged lid and over respective interfaces of the hinged lid and respective walls of the inner bin when the hinged lid is in a closed position; and
a second lock to secure the hinged lid in the closed position when the inner bin is removed from the outer bin,
wherein the outer bin further includes a stopper sized with a width that is at least approximately a width of the lip, to stop movement of the inner bin when the inner bin is inserted into the outer bin and the hinged lid is in the open position.

2 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein the security chute includes a slide pivotally coupled to one or more interior portions of the outer bin and configured to pivot from an upright position when the security chute door is in the open position to a tilted position when the security chute door is in the closed position for the electronic item to slide into the inner bin.

3 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein the preauthorization code is a quick response (QR) code, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, bar code, visible number, or visible pattern.

4 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein the scanning device includes a camera coupled to the scanning device to capture a visual image of the electronic item.

5 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein the scanning device is configured to communicate information associated with the electronic item via the preauthorization code to a database for logging the information.

6 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein
the upper rod end is configured to engage a top catch when extended by the latch mechanism and to disengage when retracted by the latch mechanism, the lower rod end is configured to engage a bottom catch when extended by the latch mechanism and to disengage when retracted by the latch mechanism, and the latch mechanism is configured to engage a side panel catch of the outer bin.

7 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein the second lock is configured to selectively prevent access and enable access to the inner bin via one or more keys and is coupled to a second multi-point lock to secure the hinged lid at multiple points along a front of the hinged lid when the inner bin is removed from the inner chamber.

8 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein the stopper is further sized to engage the back surface of the inner bin when the inner bin is inserted into the outer bin.

9 . The secure deposit system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic item includes a digital memory device, and wherein the inner bin is configured for removal from the outer bin and thereafter locking shut of the hinged lid on the inner bin, for transport and destruction of the electronic item.

10 . A secure deposit system comprising:
a first enclosure comprising:
a housing having a scanning mechanism including a scanner to capture a preauthorization code affixed to an electronic item and a copier to copy electronic content stored in the electronic item, prior to depositing the electronic item;
a hinged door equipped with a first multi-point lock comprising at least three locking points including an upper rod end, a lower rod end, and a latch mechanism, configured to prevent or to permit external access to a lower compartment;
a security chute door exposing a security chute with a slide in an upright position when the security chute door is open and enabling the slide to pivot to a downward position when the security chute door is closed;
one or more processors and logic encoded in one or more non-transitory media for execution by the one or more processors and when executed, operable to analyze the preauthorization code to determine whether the electronic item is authorized and able to be used to open the security chute door for disposal or the electronic item is unauthorized and unable to be used to open to security chute door,
wherein the scanning device is configured to actuate a locking mechanism to electrically unlock the security chute door enabling external access to the security chute to accept deposit of the electronic item upon the determining that the electronic item is acceptable, and to maintain lock of the security chute door preventing the external access upon the determining that the electronic item is rejectable;
the lower compartment for removably receiving a second enclosure, wherein the second enclosure, when placed inside the lower compartment, is configured to receive the electronic item that slides down the security chute when the security chute door is closed; the second enclosure including a hinged lid configured to be in an open position against a back surface of the first enclosure when the second enclosure is in the lower compartment, the hinged lid including a lip extending around the hinged lid and over respective interfaces of the hinged lid and respective walls of the second enclosure when the hinged lid is in a closed position; and wherein the first enclosure further includes a stopper sized with a width that is at least approximately a width of the lip to stop movement of the second enclosure when the second enclosure is inserted into the first enclosure and the hinged lid is in the open position.

11 . The secure deposit system of claim 10 , wherein the preauthorization code is a quick response (QR) code, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag, bar code, visible number, or visible pattern.

12 . The secure deposit system of claim 10 , wherein the scanning device includes a camera coupled to the scanning device to capture a visual image of the electronic item.

13 . The secure deposit system of claim 10 , wherein the electronic item includes electronic content stored in the electronic item and the scanning device includes an image copier to copy the electronic content for other storage, prior to depositing the el

Assignees

• Oracle Int Corp

Inventors

• Nelson Jennifer
• Hunter Michael
• Rangel Ismael

Classifications

• B65F2210/138

  Identification means · CPC title

• B65F1/1431 Primary

  having a waste disposal chute integrally connected to a work top or the like, the refuse receptacle remaining static · CPC title

• B65F1/1615

  with means for locking, fastening or permanently closing thereof · CPC title

• B65F2210/152

  Material detecting means · CPC title

• B65F2210/148

  Locking means · CPC title