Controlled access storage system

Claim 1

Apparatus for selectively permitting custodial access to valuable items, which comprises: a safe having a closure movable between closed and open positions, and having a valuable-item storage region from which and into which valuable items can be removed and replaced while the closure is in its open position; locking means operable while the closure is in its closed position for selectively locking and unlocking the closure; access-control means including prerecorded data entry means for deriving a first code from a record member, the prerecorded data entry means including a receptacle configured to guide the record member as it is inserted and withdrawn from the receptacle and reading means for deriving the first code upon insertion of the record member into the receptacle, manually controlled means for inputting a second code, and data processing means for controlling predetermined sequences of operation during item-removal and item-replacement modes of operation; capturing means selectively operable to capture and release an inserted record member; transducing means for supplying data to the data processing means for use in controlling said predetermined sequences of operation; and the data processing means including means operative during the item-removal mode of operation for detecting a predetermined relationship between such first and second codes, to cause the capturing means to capture the inserted record member and to cause the locking means to unlock the closure, and further including means operative during the item-replacement mode of operation to respond to data supplied by the transducing means to cause the capturing means to release the inserted record member.