Inventory control system

• US 20070023193A1
• Filed: 09/13/2004
• Published: 02/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Coplan
• Original Assignee: Coplan
• Inventors: King, Roy
• Application Number:
  US10/571,340
• Publication Number:
  US 20070023193A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 166/387
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/028 by sliding extraction from within a common frame
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06 Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses

Abstract

An inventory control system for monitoring the removal and replacement of tools includes a container (2) having a plurality of tool storage locations in the form of recesses (10). Each recess (10) is individually-shaped to receive a specific tool, the shape of the recess being matched to the shape of the tool. A plurality of sensors (12) are provided for sensing the presence of tools in the recesses (10), each sensor being located adjacent a recesses. A data processor (16) receives signals from the sensing means and monitors the removal and replacement of tools, and an output device (14) indicates the presence and/or absence of tools in the container.

Claims

1. An inventory control system for monitoring the removal and replacement of tools, the system including a container having a plurality of tool storage locations, each tool storage location comprising an individually-shaped recess for receiving a specific tool, the shape of the recess being matched to the shape of the tool, sensing means including a plurality of sensors for sensing the presence of tools in the recesses, each sensor being associated with a recess and arranged to generate a signal representing the presence or absence of a tool in the associated recess, a data processing device constructed and arranged to receive signals from the sensors, to identify the tools from the received signals according to the recesses with which the sensors are associated, and to record the removal and replacement of tools according to the received signals, and an output device for indicating the presence and/or absence of tools in the container.

2. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein at least some of the sensors comprise magnetic sensors.

3. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein the container comprises a cabinet having one or more tool storage drawers.

4. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a locking mechanism for controlling access to the tools.

5. An inventory control system according to claim 4, wherein the locking mechanism includes an input device for entering the identity of a user.

6. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device includes means for recording the identity of a user.

7. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device includes means for recording the time of removal and replacement of tools.

8. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device includes a computer.

9. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing device is located remotely from the container and is connected to the container by a data link.

10. An inventory control system according to claim 1, wherein the container includes a local indicator device for indicating the presence and/or absence of tools in the container.

11. A tool container for use in an inventory control system, the tool container comprising:

a plurality of tool storage locations, each tool storage location comprising an individually-shaped recess for receiving a specific tool, the shape of the recess being matched to the shape of the tool,

sensing means including a plurality of sensors for sensing the presence of tools in the recesses, each sensor being associated with a recess and arranged to generate a signal representing the presence or absence of a tool in the associated recess, and

means for transmitting signals from the sensors to a data processing device, said data processing device being constructed and arranged to receive signals from the sensors, to identify the tools from the received signals according to the recesses with which the sensors are associated, and to record the removal and replacement of tools according to the received signals.

12. A tool container according to claim 11, wherein the transmitting means is constructed and arranged to transmit signals to a remote data processing device.

13. A tool container according to claim 11, wherein the container includes a local indicator device for indicating the presence and/or absence of tools in the container.

14. An inventory control process for monitoring the removal and replacement of tools in a container having a plurality of tool storage locations, each tool storage location comprising an individually-shaped recess for receiving a specific tool, the shape of the recess being matched to the shape of the tool, and sensing means including a plurality of sensors for sensing the presence of tools in the recesses, each sensor being associated with a recess and arranged to generate a signal representing the presence or absence of a tool in the associated recess, the process including sensing the presence of tools in the recesses, monitoring the signals received from the sensors, identifying the tools from the received signals according to the recesses with which the sensors are associated, recording the removal and replacement of tools according to the received signals, and indicating the presence and/or absence of tools in the container.

15. A process according to claim 14, wherein the presence of tools in the tool storage locations is detected magnetically.

16. A process according to claim 14, in which the time of removal and replacement of tools is recorded.

17. A process according to claim 14, including detecting and recording the identity of a user of the tools.

18. A process according to claim 17, including checking the identity of a prospective user against a list of authorised users and allowing access to the tools only if the prospective user is authorised.

19. A process according to claim 15, in which the time of removal and replacement of tools is recorded.

20. A process according to claim 16, including detecting and recording the identity of a user of the tools.