IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,367,732
Granted Patent B2
US 12,367,732 · App. 18/440,601 · Granted Jul 22, 2025

Apparatus for controlling access to and use of portable electronic devices

Inventors: Brian Peters (Crystal, MN); Timothy J. Eickhoff (Edina, MN); Ehren R. Jarosek (Eagan, MN); Tim Skaja (Maple Grove, MN)
Assignee: Renovo Software, Inc.
G07F17/00G06F16/2358G06Q20/145G06Q20/405G06Q50/26G07C9/20G07F17/0042G07F17/005H04L63/083
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,367,732
App. No.
18/440,601
Granted
Jul 22, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Various prison services are rendered more efficient by providing inmates access to portable electronic devices in a controlled and regulated manner. A dispenser is employed to control and monitor the checking out and return of portable electronic devices and to communicate with such devices during use by inmates to monitor inmate use and ensure the portable electronic devices are only used by inmates as authorized.

Claims (66)

1. An electronic device dispensing system comprising:

a memory;

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

retrieve, from a database, schedule information of a user based on a request of the user; and

determine, based on the schedule information, that the user is scheduled to use a first type of electronic device; and

a container coupled to an indicator and configured to:

dispense the electronic device of the first type,

wherein the schedule information indicates a first time period that the user is allowed to use the first type of electronic device and a second time period that the user is allowed to use a second type of electronic device.

2. The electronic device dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive the request from the user to access the first type of electronic device.

3. The electronic device dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

query, based on the request, the database to retrieve rights and restrictions of the user; and

determine, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, that the first type of electronic device is allowed for the user.

4. The electronic device dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the first type of electronic device is a tablet computer and the second type of electronic device is a cell phone.

5. The electronic device dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

receive a second request from the user to access the second type of electronic device;

determine a current time;

determine, based on the schedule information of the user, that the user is restricted to use the second type of electronic device at the current time; and

display an error message.

6. The electronic device dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the schedule information indicates a first time period that the user is allowed to use a first type of programs and a second time period that the user is allowed to use a second type of programs.

7. The electronic device dispensing system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine, based on the schedule information of the user, that the user is scheduled to use the electronic device of the first type and a first type of programs prior to receiving the request;

uninstall programs of a second type from the electronic device of the first type;

install the programs of the first type into the electronic device of the first type; and

secure the electronic device of the first type.

8. A method of an electronic device dispensing system, the method comprising:

retrieving, from a database, schedule information of a user based on a request of the user;

determining, based on the schedule information, that the user is scheduled to use a first type of electronic device; and

dispensing the electronic device of the first type,

wherein the schedule information indicates a first time period that the user is allowed to use the first type of electronic device and a second time period that the user is allowed to use a second type of electronic device.

9. The method of the electronic device dispensing system of claim 8 , further comprising receiving the request from the user to access the first type of electronic device.

10. The method of the electronic device dispensing system of claim 8 , further comprising:

querying, based on the request, the database to retrieve rights and restrictions of the user; and

determining, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, that the first type of electronic device is allowed for the user.

11. The method of the electronic device dispensing system of claim 8 , wherein the first type of electronic device is a tablet computer and the second type of electronic device is a cell phone.

12. The method of the electronic device dispensing system of claim 8 , further comprising:

receiving a second request from the user to access the second type of electronic device;

determining a current time;

determining, based on the schedule information of the user, that the user is restricted to use the second type of electronic device at the current time; and

displaying an error message.

13. The method of the electronic device dispensing system of claim 8 , wherein the schedule information indicates a first time period that the user is allowed to use a first type of programs and a second time period that the user is allowed to use a second type of programs.

14. The method of the electronic device dispensing system of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining, based on the schedule information of the user, that the user is scheduled to use the electronic device of the first type and a first type of programs prior to receiving the request;

uninstalling programs of a second type from the electronic device of the first type;

installing the programs of the first type into the electronic device of the first type; and

securing the electronic device of the first type.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one computing device, cause the at least one computing device to perform operations comprising:

retrieving, from a database, schedule information of a user based on a request of the user;

determining, based on the schedule information, that the user is scheduled to use a first type of electronic device; and

dispensing the electronic device of the first type,

wherein the schedule information indicates a first time period that the user is allowed to use a first type of programs and a second time period that the user is allowed to use a second type of programs.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise receiving the request from the user to access the first type of electronic device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:

querying, based on the request, the database to retrieve rights and restrictions of the user; and

determining, based on the rights and restrictions of the user, that the first type of electronic device is allowed for the user.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable device of claim 15 , wherein the first type of electronic device is a tablet computer and the second type of electronic device is a cell phone.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving a second request from the user to access a second type of electronic device;

determining a current time;

determining, based on the schedule information of the user, that the user is restricted to use the second type of electronic device at the current time; and

displaying an error message.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable device of claim 15 , wherein the operations further comprising:

determining, based on the schedule information of the user, that the user is scheduled to use the electronic device of the first type and the first type of programs prior to receiving the request;

uninstalling programs of the second type of programs from the electronic device of the first type;

installing programs of the first type into the electronic device of the first type; and

securing the electronic device of the first type.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 29, 2025
From: PETERS, BRIAN; EICKHOFF, TIMOTHY J.; JAROSEK, EHREN R.; SKAJA, TIM
To: RENOVO SOFTWARE, INC.
Reel/Frame 071251/0753 →
Continuity (7)
Continuation 17816584 · Aug 1, 2022
Continuation 17175493 · Feb 12, 2021
Continuation 16403787 · May 6, 2019
Continuation 15682107 · Aug 21, 2017
Division 15188592 · Jun 21, 2016
Continuation 14030451 · Sep 18, 2013
Related Publication 20240265764A1 · Aug 8, 2024
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