APPARATUS FOR CONTAINING AND TRANSPORTING PRECIOUS ITEMS

• US 20100194570A1
• Filed: 07/23/2007
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Paolo Stefanelli
• Original Assignee: Paolo Stefanelli
• Inventors: Stefanelli, Paolo
• Granted Patent: US 8,390,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2457 Lending systems using EAS tags wherein the tags are reusable, e.g. they can be activated and deactivated more than once, e.g. for a library
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2462 Asset location systems combined with EAS inventory, tracking, logistic G06Q10/00; entrance control systems G07C9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units

Abstract

An apparatus for containing and transporting precious items comprises at least one holding structure (2) adapted to contain at least one precious item (200), at least one antenna (3) adapted to detect the presence of an electronic identification device (201) associated with the precious item (200), in order to determine the contents of the holding structure (2) and send a signal (S1) representative of same at least on occurrence of a predetermined event, storing means (4) physically associated with the holding structure (2) and operatively associated with the antenna (3) for receiving the signal sent therefrom on occurrence of a first event and store the contents of the holding structure (2) on occurrence of the first event. A processing unit (5) can be connected to the storing means (4) and the antenna (3) to compare the contents of the storing means (4) with a signal (S2) sent by the antenna (3) on occurrence of a second event subsequent in time to the first one.

Claims

1. An apparatus for containing and transporting precious items comprising:

at least one holding structure (2) adapted to contain at least one precious item (200);

at least one antenna (3) adapted to detect the presence of an electronic identification device (201) associated with said precious item (200) in order to determine the contents of the holding structure (2) and send a signal (S1) representative of same at least on occurrence of a predetermined event;

storing means (4) physically associated with said holding structure (2) and operatively associated with said antenna (3) for receiving the signal sent by said antenna (3) on occurrence of a first event and store the contents of said holding structure (2) on occurrence of said first event;

a processing unit (5) to be connected to said storing means (4) and said antenna (3) in order to compare the contents of the storing means (4) with a signal (S2) sent by said antenna (3) on occurrence of a second event subsequent in time to the first one.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a storage structure (6) for said holding structure (2);

said holding structure (2) being adapted to be transported and removably engaged in said storage structure (6).

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said second event consists in inserting the holding structure (2) into the storage structure (6).

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said storage structure (6) comprises enable means (7) for sending the signal (S1) generated by the antenna and reading the contents of the storing means (4).

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the enable means (7) comprises an electric connection (8) for power supplying said antenna (3).

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said enable means (7) comprises a data transmitting device (11) for sending data to said processing unit (5).

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said enable means (7) comprises a single data transmitting line (12) for sending the signals coming from each holding structure (2) to said data transmitting device (11).

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding structure (2) comprises a plurality of reserved spaces (13) each of which is adapted to hold a precious item (200);

each reserved space (13) being associated with a respective antenna (3).

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein each reserved space (13) is electromagnetically insulated from the others.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said storing means (4) consists of a single storing device adapted to store the signals sent, on occurrence of said first event, by the antenna (3) of each reserved space (13) of the holding structure (2).

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said storing device is adapted to store the signal (S2) sent by said antennas (3) on occurrence of said second event, in order to store the contents of said holding structure (2) on occurrence of said second event.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said holding structure (2) is a drawer alternatively insertable into a plurality of storage structures (6).

13. An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said plurality of storage structures (6) is a homogeneous or heterogeneous combination of chests of drawers, safes, display tables, display cases.

14. An apparatus for containing and transporting precious items, comprising:

at least one holding structure (102) adapted to hold at least one precious item (200);

at least one antenna (103) adapted to detect the presence of an electronic identification device (201) associated with said precious item (200), in order to determine the contents of the holding structure (201) and send a signal representative of same;

data transferring means (104) physically associated with said holding structure (102) and operatively associated with said antenna (103) for receiving the signal sent by said antenna (103);

a processing unit (105) adapted to be connected to said data transferring means (104) in order to compare the contents of the holding structure (102) with a previously established contents (102) of the holding structure (102).

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said holding structure (102) comprises a plurality of reserved spaces (106), each of which is adapted to contain a precious item (200).

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said holding structure (102) is a foldable structure.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said foldable structure can be rolled up.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said structure adapted to be folded up and rolled up is a fabric cloth.