Lockable container having an integral and internal locking mechanism and methods of use

Abstract

A lockable container for securing assets that has an integral and internal locking mechanism and methods of use are provided. An illustrative lockable container may include first and second covers configured to move between an open position, which allows access to the asset, and a closed position, which encloses the asset. The locking mechanism of the lockable container may include a locking mate arrangement operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second covers, and a locking member that is configured to move between an unlocked position and a locked position. The entirety of the locking member may be internal to the container when the locking member is in the unlocked position. A magnetic key arrangement may interact with the locking member to move the locking member between the unlocked and locked positions.

1 . A key arrangement for at least one of locking and unlocking a container, comprising: a receptacle arrangement configured to receive the container, the receptacle arrangement having at least one magnet arrangement configured to at least one of lock and unlock the container; a processing arrangement; a lock/unlock detection arrangement configured to detect a locking state of the container and to communicate a signal to the processing arrangement in accordance with the locking state; and a user interface arrangement in communication with the processing arrangement and configured to communicate the locking state of the container to a user. 
   
   
       2 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising a mounting plate configured to mount the key arrangement to a counter top. 
   
   
       3 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of an AM and RF non-deactivatable security tag configured to be detected by an appropriate detector. 
   
   
       4 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one RF ID label configured to permit a user to track the whereabouts of the key arrangement. 
   
   
       5 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising an identification, serialization, and web server with database feature. 
   
   
       6 . The key arrangement of  claim 5 , wherein the feature includes a bar-code to encode information selected from a group consisting of a serial number, a name of a store, a name of an authorized user, a date the key arrangement was sold, a date the key arrangement was leased, and any combination thereof. 
   
   
       7 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising a benefit denial arrangement configured to render the external key arrangement inoperable if an unauthorized user tampers with the key arrangement. 
   
   
       8 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle arrangement is configured to receive the container to lock the container. 
   
   
       9 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle arrangement has a stop member configured to selectively prevent operation of the key arrangement. 
   
   
       10 . The key arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the locking state of the container is communicated to the user using an indicator selected from a group consisting of an audible indicator, a visual indicator, a tactile indicator, an optical indicator, and any combination thereof.