Automated shelf management system and process for tracking and purging file folders in a file storage facility
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automated system and process for managing paper files, particularly medical records contained in file folders and the like, in a file storage system having a predetermined size or limited expansion capacity. A shelf manager system includes a computer program and database which tracks the thickness of individual file folders, the capacity of storage shelf sections, and the percentage of free space remaining in each shelf section. The thickness of each file folder is measured whenever the file folder enters or leaves the primary file storage facility. File folder thickness is computed by weighing the file on an electronic scale or other caliper-based measure device. When occupied shelf space exceeds a threshold percentage for a shelf section, file folders are purged according to the likelihood that certain files will not be requested in the future by applying purging algorithms to the individual files. In an alternative embodiment, document image scanning provides multiple copies of pertinent file information to fulfill multiple pending file requests. In another alternative embodiment, the file folders include radio frequency identification tags for passive detection of file folder identification. In a still further alternative embodiment, data from the shelf manager system controls a digital printing press to create direct print color-coded file folders for use with the shelf manager system.
25 Citations
101 Claims
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1-36. -36 (canceled)
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37. A method of manufacturing document storage containers for storing documents comprising the steps:
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die cutting a blank document container from document container stock;
positioning a radio frequency identification tag on the blank document container stock in proximity to a seam;
folding and gluing the seam to capture the radio frequency identification tag within the glued portion of the seam; and
folding and gluing the document storage stock to form a completed document storage container. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method of manufacturing trackable document storage containers comprising the steps:
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die cutting a blank document container from document container stock;
depositing a radio frequency identification tag on the document container stock proximate to a seam;
applying glue to the area of the seam; and
folding and gluing the seam to capture the radio frequency identification tag within the glued portion of the seam to form a complete document storage container. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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66. A method of manufacturing trackable document storage containers with improved security features, comprising the steps:
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die cutting a first blank document container from document container stock;
positioning a first radio frequency identification tag on the document container stock in a first location proximate to a seam;
folding and gluing the document container stock to capture the first radio frequency identification tag within the glued portion of the seam in the first location to form a first completed document storage container;
die cutting a second blank document container from document container stock;
positioning a second radio frequency identification tag on the document container stock in a second location proximate to a seam, different from said first location; and
folding and gluing the document container stock to capture the radio frequency identification within the glued portion of the seam in the second location to form a second completed document storage container. - View Dependent Claims (67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88)
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89. A method of manufacturing trackable document storage containers for storing documents, comprising the steps:
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die cutting a first blank document container from document container stock;
positioning a passive radio frequency identification tag on the document container stock in a predetermined location proximate to a seam; and
folding and gluing the document container stock to permanently capture the radio frequency identification tag at the predetermined location.
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90. A document storage container for storing documents, comprising:
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a die cut document container blank folded and glued to form an enclosure for containing documents;
the document container having at least one folded and glued seam; and
a radio frequency identification tag captured within the glued portion of the seam. - View Dependent Claims (91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100)
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101. A method for tracking document storage containers transported from a first location to a second location in a storage facility, the document storage containers including at least one folded and glued seam and a radio frequency tag identification tag captured within the glued portion of the seam for storing identification information, comprising the steps:
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generating a requesting list of document storage containers stored at a first location in the storage facility to be transported to a second location in the storage facility;
moving the requested document storage containers through a first radio frequency identification portal at the first location, reading the identification information for each container, and logging identification information on a computer;
upon arrival to the second location in the storage facility, moving the arriving document storage containers through a second radio frequency identification portal at the second location, reading the identification information for each container, and logging identification information on a computer to create a delivery list; and
comparing logged identification information from the first location and from the second location to create a list of requested storage containers missing during transport.
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Specification