Object carriers for an object control and tracking system
First Claim
1. An object carrier assembly for use with an object control and tracking system wherein a storage receptacle is provided with an array of slots for receiving identification tags bearing touch memory devices and a controller for determining the absence or presence and identity of identification tags disposed in the slots, said object carrier assembly comprising:
- a container having an opening for accessing the interior of the container to place objects in the container and remove objects from the container;
a panel adapted to cover said opening to close objects within said container; and
a tongue projecting from said container when an object is disposed therein, said tongue bearing a touch memory device storing a ID code identifying an object within said container and being insertable in a selected slot of the tray for detection and identification by the controller.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Object carriers are provided for use with an object tracking and control system of the type having a storage receptacle with a tray provided with an array of slots for receiving ID tags bearing touch memory devices. A computer-based controller is provided for detecting the absence or presence and identity of ID tags disposed in the slots. The carrier of this invention includes a container with an openable panel for placing objects in and removing objects from the carrier. A thin plastic tongue projects from the carrier and bears a touch memory device. Carriers bearing objects to be tracked are placed in the storage receptacle with their tongues extending into the slots of the receptacle. The controller can thus detect and log the removal and replacement of the carrier in the storage receptacle. In one embodiment, the opening and closing of the carrier when it is not stored in the receptacle is detected and logged for tracking access to the carrier in more detail.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An object carrier assembly for use with an object control and tracking system wherein a storage receptacle is provided with an array of slots for receiving identification tags bearing touch memory devices and a controller for determining the absence or presence and identity of identification tags disposed in the slots, said object carrier assembly comprising:
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a container having an opening for accessing the interior of the container to place objects in the container and remove objects from the container;
a panel adapted to cover said opening to close objects within said container; and
a tongue projecting from said container when an object is disposed therein, said tongue bearing a touch memory device storing a ID code identifying an object within said container and being insertable in a selected slot of the tray for detection and identification by the controller. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10)
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7. An object carrier assembly as claimed 1 and wherein said tongue is attached to said carrier and projects therefrom.
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11. An object control and tracking system comprising:
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at least one carrier for receiving and containing objects to be tracked;
a memory device on said carrier, said memory device storing a ID code identifying said carrier;
conductive pads on said carrier coupled to said memory device for accessing stored information therein;
a storage unit defining an array of receptacles sized to receive said carrier;
an array of sets of electrical contacts underlying said receptacle panel, each set of electrical contacts being associated with a respective one of said receptacles and being positioned to engage said conductive pads of said carrier when said carrier is inserted into said receptacle; and
a controller coupled through a communications link to said electrical contacts, said controller being programmed to access the memory devices of carriers disposed in receptacles of said storage unit to determine the absence or presence and identity of carriers in the storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of tracking access to an object, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) placing the object in a carrier;
(b) placing the carrier in a storage location;
(c) detecting and logging the presence of the carrier at the storage location;
(d) detecting and logging the removal of the carrier from the storage location;
(e) repeating steps (c) and (d) each time the carrier is placed in and removed from the storage location and compiling the logged information as a record of access to the object in the carrier. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification