Apparatus for management of access key used for locker access
An apparatus for use with a rack of lockers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a key-facilitation server configured to cooperate with a locker server, and also configured to receive a key-access request. The locker server is associated with a rack of lockers including a first compartment configured to allow storage of secondary equipment, a second compartment having an open locker slot configured to maintain storage of equipment, and a locker divider separating the first compartment from the second compartment. The key-access request is configured to indicate a user request configured to request usage of an access key to be usable by the locker server. The locker server is configured to receive a locker-access request to indicate access of a selected locker is user requested. The locker server is configured to use the access key to facilitate secured user access of the selected locker associated with the rack of lockers.
1 . An apparatus for use with a rack of lockers, the apparatus comprising:
a key-facilitation server configured to:
communicate with a locker server associated with the rack of lockers, the rack of lockers including:
a first compartment configured to allow storage of secondary equipment;
a second compartment having an open locker slot configured to maintain storage of equipment; and
a locker divider separating the first compartment from the second compartment;
receive a key-access request configured to indicate a user request for requesting usage of an access key of a set of access keys for use in locking and unlocking lockers of the rack of lockers and stored on the key-facilitation server usable by the locker server, wherein the locker server is configured to:
receive, from a mobile device of a user, a locker-access request configured to indicate that access of a selected locker is user requested, the locker-access request comprising the access key associated with a user identifier associated with the user and a locker identifier assigned to the user,
verify that the locker identifier corresponds with the access key; and
use the access key to facilitate secured user access of the selected locker associated with the rack of lockers; and
transmit a key-deployment indication to the locker server indicating that the access key is operatively usable;
wherein the locker server uses the access key to facilitate the secured user access of the selected locker in response to receiving the key-deployment indication.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the rack of lockers comprises at least one of a communications card, a display screen, a barcode scanner, or a near-frequency reader.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the locker server facilitates the secured user access in response to the barcode scanner scanning the access key.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the locker server facilitates the secured user access in response to the near-frequency reader reading the access key.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the key-facilitation server is configured to monitor an occupancy of each of the rack of lockers.
6 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein, once the access key is scanned or read, the display screen is configured to display locker availability.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the key-facilitation server is configured to notify a user device when a rental expiration is approaching.