Method and Apparatus for Toolbox Inventory
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged tool inventory control, the method comprising:
- reading a close proximity user RFID tag in association with a given toolbox as a first event, comparing data obtained from said user RFID tag at said first event with users authorized to access said given toolbox;
preparing a first inventory list of all presently readable tools initially in said toolbox;
reading a close proximity user RFID tag in association with said given toolbox, after closure of said given toolbox, as a second event;
preparing a second inventory list of all presently readable tools remaining in said given toolbox; and
transmitting a record indicative of the difference between said first and second inventory lists to a database for storage along with an indication of the user that caused the change in toolbox inventory.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus is provided for electronically inventorying an electronically locked and unlocked toolbox before and after RFID (Radio Frequency IDentified) tagged tools are accessed by an authorized user. A record is generated and stored of tools added and/or removed along with the identity of the accessing user. At anytime it is desired, a record may be generated of tagged tools in the toolbox or, alternatively, a list of tagged tools missing from assigned positions in the toolbox.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged tool inventory control, the method comprising:
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reading a close proximity user RFID tag in association with a given toolbox as a first event, comparing data obtained from said user RFID tag at said first event with users authorized to access said given toolbox; preparing a first inventory list of all presently readable tools initially in said toolbox; reading a close proximity user RFID tag in association with said given toolbox, after closure of said given toolbox, as a second event; preparing a second inventory list of all presently readable tools remaining in said given toolbox; and transmitting a record indicative of the difference between said first and second inventory lists to a database for storage along with an indication of the user that caused the change in toolbox inventory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer program product comprising:
a signal bearing medium bearing; one or more instructions for reading a close proximity user radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in association with a given toolbox as a first event; one or more instructions for comparing data obtained from said user RFID tag at said first event with users authorized to access said given toolbox; one or more instructions for preparing a first inventory list of all presently readable tools initially in said toolbox; one or more instructions for reading a close proximity user RFID tag in association with said given toolbox, after closure of said given toolbox, as a second event; one or more instructions for preparing a second inventory list of all presently readable tools remaining in said given toolbox; and one or more instructions for transmitting a record indicative of the difference between said first and second inventory lists to a database for storage along with an indication of the user that caused the change in toolbox inventory. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A toolbox comprising:
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an electronically controlled lock; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the electronically controlled lock, the RFID reader configured to detect each of a plurality of tagged tools in said toolbox;
first event logic means coupled to said electronically controlled lock and to said reader, said first event logic means configured to prepare a first inventory list of each of a plurality of readable tools initially in said toolbox before deactivating said electronically controlled lock to allow access to said toolbox, said RFID reader configured to be networked to a second event logic means configured to prepare a second inventory list of each of the plurality of readable tools remaining in said toolbox subsequent to activating said electronically controlled lock. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. An electronic checkout system comprising:
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an electronically lockable toolbox; a plurality of RFID (radio frequency identification) tagged tools stored in said electronically lockable toolbox, each of said RFID tagged tools having an RFID tag operating as an identifier for each of said tools; a first RFID reader mounted on said electronically lockable toolbox, said first RFID reader adapted to read RFID tags for each of said tools to determine tools added as well as tools removed by an authorized user between an event signifying an unlocking and opening of the toolbox and an event signifying a complete closure and locking of said toolbox, said first RFID reader reading and recording the RFID tag for each of said tools which said authorized user removed from and/or added to said electronically lockable toolbox; a close proximity second RFID reader mounted on said electronically lockable toolbox, said close proximity second RFID reader being adapted to read a user supplied RFID device, and an identification device having a radio frequency identification device imbedded therein, said identification device configured to enable a toolbox user to identify said user as an individual authorized to remove one or more of the plurality of RFID tagged tools from and/or add one or more of the plurality of RFID tagged tools to said electronically lockable toolbox. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for providing radio frequency identification (RFID) tagged tool inventory control the apparatus comprising:
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a toolbox configured with a plurality of recesses wherein at least some of said recesses conforms to the shape of given RFID tagged tools; an electronically controlled lock coupled to said toolbox, said electronically controlled lock configured to activate while said toolbox is in a closed condition, said electronically controlled lock further configured to secure tools in said toolbox and operable when deactivated to allow access to said given RFID tagged tools in said toolbox; a first RFID reader coupled to said toolbox, said first RFID reader configured to read each of the given RFID tagged tools in said toolbox; a user identifier operable to generate a first event signal that an identified user wishes to access the contents of said toolbox and to generate a second event signal when said identified user wishes to close and secure access to the contents of said toolbox; and logic means, electrically connected to said electronically controlled lock, said first RFID reader and said user identifier, said logic means configured to (a) initiate a scan of one or more tagged tools in said toolbox upon receipt of said first event signal, (b) record the identity of the identified user initiating said first event signal, (c) generate a first list of the one or more tagged tools detected in the toolbox, (d) deactivate said lock means whereby the one or more tagged tools in the toolbox may be accessed, (e) activate said lock whereby the one or more tagged tools in the toolbox may no longer be accessed upon receipt of said second event signal, (f) initiate a second scan of the one or more tagged tools in said toolbox, (g) record the identity of the user initiating said second event signal, (h) generate a second list of the one or more tagged tools detected in the toolbox, and (i) generate after comparing said first and second list, a record of the one or more tagged tools removed and/or added to said toolbox between said first and second event signals. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A method for providing radio frequency identification (RFID) RFID tagged tool inventory control of a toolbox, the method comprising:
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preparing a first inventory list of all presently readable tools initially in said toolbox before allowing identified user access to said toolbox; preparing a second inventory list of all presently readable tools remaining in said toolbox upon completion of closing and locking of said toolbox; and generating a record indicative of any differences between said first and second inventory lists for transmission to a database along with an indication of the user that accessed the toolbox. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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23. A toolbox comprising:
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an electronically controlled lock; a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader coupled to the electronically controlled lock, the RFID reader configured to detect each of a plurality of tagged tools in said toolbox; first event logic means, connected to said electronically controlled lock and to said reader, said first event logic means configured to prepare a first inventory list of each of a plurality of readable tools initially in said toolbox before deactivating said electronically controlled lock to allow access to said toolbox; second event logic means coupled to said electronically controlled lock and to said RFID reader, for preparing a second inventory list of each of the plurality of readable tools remaining in said toolbox subsequent to activating said electronically controlled lock; and report means operable to access said first and second inventory lists and to generate a record indicative of any differences between said first and second inventory lists for transmission to a database along with an indication of the user that accessed the toolbox.
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Specification