FIXED CASE AUTOMATED DECOUPLING DEVICE

• US 20080223177A1
• Filed: 01/11/2008
• Published: 09/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autronic Plastics, Inc.
• Inventors: van Koot, Frederik, Keuning, Timothy
• Granted Patent: US 8,151,606 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/3.07
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0023 Containers, boxes, cases or the like, e.g. for compact discs or video-cassettes, specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 73/0058 for essentially box-shaped devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5004 For antitheft signaling device on protected article
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/5031 Receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7057 Permanent magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/7904 Magnetic features

Abstract

A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a body portion, a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion and a first magnet mounted in the body portion and above the storage container, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.

Claims

1. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member, the decoupling device comprising:

a body portion;

a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion; and

a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.

2. The decoupling device of claim 1, wherein the container portion includes a first spacer and a second spacer, wherein the first spacer and second spacer are adjustable such that the storage container is centered in the container portion of the decoupling device.

3. The decoupling device of claim 2, further comprising a position switch arranged in the body portion, wherein the position switch is activated when the storage container is properly position and centered in the decoupling device.

4. The decoupling device of claim 3, further comprising a controller operable to control the decoupling device to unlock the storage container when predetermined conditions are met.

5. The decoupling device of claim 4, wherein the controller receives a position signal when the position switch is activated, the position signal indicating that the storage container is properly positioned, and

wherein the controller controls the decoupling device to unlock the storage container when the storage container is properly positioned in the decoupling device.

6. The decoupling device of claim 5, wherein the controller further comprises a communication device operable to send information to and receive information from an external host system, wherein the controller sends the position signal to the external host system and receives an enable signal from the external host system when the predetermined conditions are met such that the controller controls the decoupling device to unlock the storage container after the enable signal is received.

7. The decoupling device of claim 6, further comprising an electric motor controlled by the controller and operable to move the first magnet in the predetermined path to release the magnetic lock member of the storage container.

8. The decoupling device of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of gears connected to the electric motor and operable to aid the motor in moving the first magnet in the predetermined path.

9. The decoupling device of claim 8, further comprising:

a movable belt operable to be moved by the plurality of gears, wherein the first magnet is mounted on the movable belt such that the predetermined path of the first magnet is determined based on the movement of the movable belt.

10. The decoupling device of claim 9, further comprising a first drum and a second drum, wherein at least one of the first drum and the second drum is connected to the plurality of gears such that it rotates with the gears, and

wherein the belt is mounted between the first drum and the second drum such that the belt moves as at least one of the first drum and the second drum rotates.

11. The decoupling device of claim 10, further comprising a second magnet, wherein the second magnet is positioned under the storage container and is mounted on a second belt that is moved by at least one of the first and second drums.

12. The decoupling device of claim 11, further comprising a probe positioned in the body portion and operable to confirm that the magnetic lock member of the container has been releases after the controller unlocks the storage container.

13. The decoupling device of claim 12, wherein the controller controls the probe to enter an opening in the storage container to determine whether the magnetic lock member has been released.

14. The decoupling device of claim 13, wherein the controller provides an unlock signal when the probe indicates that the magnetic lock member has been released and sends the unlock signal to the external host system.

15. The decoupling device of claim 12, wherein the probe further comprises an optical scanner operable to detect a change of reflectivity of a security status indicator of the container, wherein the change in reflectivity indicates that the magnetic lock member has moved from a first position in which the storage container is locked, to a second position in which the storage container is unlocked.

16. The decoupling device of claim 15, wherein the optical scanner is connected to the controller and provides an unlock signal when the optical scanner indicates that the magnetic lock member has been released and sends the unlock signal to the external host system.

17. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member, the decoupling device comprising:

a body portion;

a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion, and wherein

the container portion further comprises;

a recess formed in a bottom surface thereof and structured to accommodate the storage container;

a first spacer adjustably mounted on a first side of the recess; and

a second spacer adjustably mounted on a second side of the recess, such that the first spacer and second spacer automatically adjust position such that the storage container is substantially centered in the recess when placed in container portion; and

a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member.

18. A decoupling device for use in unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member, the decoupling device comprising:

a body portion;

a container portion structured to receive a storage container such that the storage container remains stationary, the container portion extending from the body portion such that a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into the body portion;

a first magnet mounted in the body portion, the first magnet movable in a predetermined path such that movement of the first magnet in the predetermined path releases the magnetic lock member; and

a probe mounted in the container and operable to determine whether the magnetic lock member has been released after the first magnet moves in the predetermined path.

19. The decoupling device of claim 18, further comprising a controller operable to control movement of the magnet and operation of the controller and including a communication device operable to send and receive information to and from an external host system.

20. The decoupling system of claim 19, wherein the controller provides an unlock signal when the probe indicates that the magnetic lock member has been released and sends the unlock signal to the external host system.

21. The decoupling device of claim 20, wherein the controller controls the probe to enter an opening in the storage container to determine whether the magnetic lock member has been released and wherein the unlock signal is based on a status of the probe in the opening of the storage container.

22. The decoupling device of claim 20, wherein the probe further comprises an optical scanner operable to detect a change of reflectivity of a security status indicator of the storage container, wherein the change in reflectivity indicates that the magnetic lock member has moved from a first position in which the storage container is locked, to a second position in which the storage container is unlocked and the unlock signal is based on detection of this change of reflectivity.

23. A method of unlocking a storage container using a magnetic lock member, the method comprising:

placing the storage container in a container portion of an uncoupling device such that the storage container remains stationary and a portion of the storage container including the magnetic lock member extends into a base portion of the uncoupling device; and

moving a magnet mounted in the base portion of the decoupling device in a predetermined path such that the magnetic lock member is released.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

centering the storage container in the container portion of the uncoupling device; and

confirming proper positioning of the container prior to the step of moving the magnet.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the confirming step further comprises:

adjustably mounting a first spacer and a second spacer on a first side and a second side of the container portion, respectively, such that the first spacer and the second spacer automatically center the storage container during the placing step.

26. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

confirming that the magnetic lock member is released after the step of moving the magnet is completed;

generating an unlock signal when the magnet lock member is released; and

transmitting the unlock signal to an external host system.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of confirming that the magnetic lock member is released further comprises:

inserting a probe into an opening of the storage container; and

generating the unlock signal when a position of the probe indicates that the magnetic lock member has been released.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of confirming that the magnetic lock member is released further comprises:

optically scanning a portion of the storage container including a security status indicator; and

generating the unlock signal when the security status indicator indicates that the magnetic lock member has been released.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein a reflectivity of the security status indicator changes when the magnetic lock member moves from a locked position to an unlocked position, and wherein the step of scanning identifies any change in reflectivity of the security status indicator.