PORTABLE ASSET DISPENSING DEVICE

• US 20110178630A1
• Filed: 01/15/2010
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JS2 Logistic Solutions LLC
• Original Assignee: Job Site Resources LLC
• Inventors: Hall, Kevin, Green, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,570,169 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/214
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0092 for cargo, freight or shipping containers and applications therefore in general
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/10 for means for safe-keeping of property, left temporarily, e.g. by fastening the property

Abstract

A portable dispensing device is provided having a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations. An access point at an opening of the container controls access into and out of the container. A scale is coupled to a bin within the container and is configured to measure a weight of the bin and contents of the bin. A computing device is in electrical communication with the access point and the scale and configured to allow or deny access to the container as well as receive the measured weight from the scale to determine a number of items in the bin. The computing device further associates an item removed from the bin with the individual or credits an item returned to the bin with the individual when the individual exits the container.

Claims

1. A portable dispensing device comprising:

a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations, the container including an interior and an end;

an access point positioned at the end of the container and configured to control access by an authorized individual into and out of the container;

a bin within the interior of the container;

a scale coupled to the bin, the scale configured to measure a weight of the bin including contents of the bin; and

a computing device in electrical communication with the access point and configured to allow or deny access to the container, the computing device being in electrical communication with the scale and configured to receive the measured weight from the scale and determine a number of items in the bin based on the measured weight, the computing device being configured to associate an item removed from the bin with the authorized individual upon that individual exiting the container.

2. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the container is a standard 53 foot semi-trailer.

3. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the container is selected from a group consisting of an eight foot standard container box, a ten foot standard container box, a 20 foot standard container box, a standard 40 foot container box, and combinations thereof.

4. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the container is a first container and includes a first side access door positioned to allow access into and out of the interior of the first container, the portable dispensing device further comprising:

a second container including a second side access door,

wherein the second container is positioned proximate the first container such that the first and second side access doors are essentially aligned, allowing authorized users access to the second container through the first and second side access doors.

5. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

an HVAC system, the HVAC system operable to control an environment in the interior of the container.

6. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the access point includes a locking door, the portable dispensing device further comprising:

an electromagnetic lock coupled to the locking door of the access point,

wherein, the computing device is configured to control a release of the electromagnetic lock in response to the input from the individual.

7. The portable dispensing device of claim 6, further comprising:

an emergency door release,

wherein the emergency door release is configured to release the electromagnetic lock allowing access to the interior of the container and further configured to sound an alarm.

8. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna, the antenna positioned on an outer surface of the container, and configured to provide wireless internet access to the computing device.

9. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a camera system, the camera system including at least one camera device configured to take a digital picture of the authorized individual upon entering or exiting the access point, the at least one camera device mounted within the interior of the container.

10. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a presence sensing mat, wherein the presence sensing mat is configured to detect a presence of the authorized individual within the interior of the container.

11. The portable dispensing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a shelving unit,

wherein the scale is coupled to the shelving unit to prevent removal of the scale from the interior of the container.

12. A method of retrieving an item from a portable dispensing device, the method comprising:

entering a controlled access area of a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations and having an interior to store a plurality of items in a plurality of bins;

entering user access information at the controlled access area;

in response to access being granted to a user;

entering the interior of the container through the controlled access area to retrieve at least one item of the plurality of items from at least one bin of the plurality of bins;

exiting the interior of the container through the controlled access area with the at least one item;

automatically measuring a weight of each of the plurality of bins and determining a number of items in each of the plurality of bins from the measured weight; and

determining the at least one item from a decrease in number of items in a bin of the plurality of bins and associating the at least one item with the user.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

in response to access being denied to the user;

preventing access to the interior of the container; and

logging the denied access.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

capturing a picture of the user after being denied access.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

unlocking a door on the controlled access area to allow access to the interior of the container; and

in response to the door being held open for a set period of time, sounding an alarm.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

capturing a picture of the user entering the controlled access area after being granted access.

17. A method of returning an item to a portable dispensing device, the method comprising:

entering a controlled access area of a container configured to be moved to a plurality of locations and having an interior to store a plurality of items in a plurality of bins;

entering user access information at the controlled access area;

in response to access being granted to a user;

entering the interior of the container through the controlled access area to return at least one item of the plurality of items;

exiting the interior of the container through the controlled access area;

automatically measuring a weight of each of the plurality of bins and determining a number of items in each of the plurality of bins from the measured weight; and

determining the at least one item from an increase in number of items in a bin of the plurality of bins and crediting the at least one item to the user.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

in response to access being denied to the user;

preventing access to the interior of the container; and

logging the denied access.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

unlocking a door on the controlled access area to allow access to the interior of the container; and

in response to the door being held open for a set period of time, sounding an alarm.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising:

capturing a picture of the user entering the controlled access area after being granted access.