Dynamic stock tracking method and system

• US 20080030326A1
• Filed: 03/21/2007
• Published: 02/07/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Diamond Location Limited
• Original Assignee: Diamond Location Limited
• Inventors: Jacob, Moshe, Gal, Zvi
• Application Number:
  US11/723,716
• Publication Number:
  US 20080030326A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/540
• CPC Class Codes: E05G 1/005 Portable strong boxes, e.g. which may be fixed to a wall or the like E05G1/08, E05G1/14 take precedence; devices to prevent theft or loss of bags, trunks, baskets, or the like A45C13/18; coin boxes for coin freed apparatus G07F9/06
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Abstract

A dynamic stock tracking method and system for continuously tracking stock contained within a receptacle by applying to the receptacle an identification device identifying the respective receptacle and containing information regarding its contents; applying to the receptacle one or more condition sensors for sensing one or more preselected conditions of the receptacle when at a particular location; transmitting by wireless a signal identifying the respective receptacle and whether or not a preselected condition has been sensed; receiving the transmitted signal at another location; and utilizing the received signal for continuously tracking the stock contained within the receptacle and whether or not a preselected condition has occurred. The preferred embodiments described are for tracking stocks of diamond and jewelry contained within receptacles, but the invention could also be used for tracking arms and weapons, or other objects requiring close security control.

Claims

1. A dynamic stock tracking method for continuously tracking stock contained within a receptacle, comprising:

applying to the receptacle an identification device identifying the respective receptacle and containing information regarding its contents;

applying to the receptacle one or more condition sensors for sensing one or more preselected conditions of the receptacle when at a particular location;

transmitting by wireless to another location, a signal identifying the respective receptacle and whether a preselected condition has been sensed;

receiving the transmitted signal at the another location;

and utilizing the received signal for continuously tracking the stock contained within the receptacle and whether a preselected condition has occurred.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identification device includes a memory for storing information regarding the sensing of said one or more preselected conditions, and for including said stored information in the signal transmitted to the another location.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said signal is transmitted to said another location at periodic intervals.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein said signal is transmitted to the another location in response to an interrogating signal.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identification device is a radio frequency identification device (RFID).

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said identification device is an infrared identification device (IRID).

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a lifting of the receptacle off a table or other horizontal support.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes an opening and/or closing of the receptacle.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a touching of the receptacle.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a physical movement of the receptacle.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a change in weight of the receptacle.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a change in the ambient temperature of the receptacle.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes the absence of physical movement of the receptacle for a predetermined time period.

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless signal is used to actuate a signaling, control or communication device.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein said stock is precious gems or jewelry contained within said receptacle.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein said stock is arms or weapons.

17. A dynamic stock tracking system for continuously tracking stock, comprising:

a receptacle for receiving said stock;

an identification device carried by said receptacle for identifying the receptacle and containing information regarding its contents;

one or more condition sensors for sensing one or more preselected conditions of the receptacle;

and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a signal identifying the respective receptacle and whether a preselected condition has been sensed.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein said identification device includes a memory for storing information regarding the sensing of said one or more preselected conditions, and for including said stored information in the signal transmitted to the another location.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a lifting of the receptacle off a table or other horizontal support.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes an opening and/or closing of the receptacle.

21. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a touching of the receptacle.

22. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a physical movement of the receptacle.

23. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a change in weight of the receptacle.

24. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes a change in the ambient temperature of the receptacle.

25. The system according to claim 17, wherein said one or more preselected conditions includes the absence of physical movement of the receptacle for a predetermined time period.

26. The system according to claim 17, wherein said wireless signal is transmitted at periodic time intervals.

27. The system according to claim 17, wherein said wireless signal is used to actuate a signaling, control or communication device.

28. The system according to claim 17, wherein said stock is precious gems or jewelry contained within said receptacle.

29. The system according to claim 28, wherein said receptacle is a box receptacle.

30. The system according to claim 28, wherein said receptacle is a plastic bag receptacle.

31. The system according to claim 28, wherein said receptacle is a folded-paper receptacle.

32. The system according to claim 17, wherein said stock is arms or weapons.