STORAGE CABINET WITH MULTIPLE RFID READERS
First Claim
1. A cabinet system for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the system comprising:
- a cabinet comprising;
an interior where items are stored; and
at least one door providing access to the items;
a static RFID system for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tags located on at least some of the items placed within the cabinet, wherein the static RFID system is configured to scan substantially all of the items located within the interior of the cabinet when the at least one door is closed;
a transaction RFID system for reading the data on one of the RFID tags upon removal of the associated item from the RFID cabinet, wherein the transaction RFID system is operable when the door is open; and
a computer system that is configured to detect opening and closing of the at least one door,wherein the computer system is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and wherein the computer system is configured to periodically record the data read from the RFID tags by the static RFID system and the transaction RFID system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An RFID cabinet system is provided for monitoring items having an RFID tag. System includes cabinet having open interior where items are stored and at least one door providing access to items. Static RFID system is provided for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tag located on at least some of the items placed within cabinet. Static RFID system is configured to monitor substantially all items located within the interior of cabinet when door is closed. Transaction RFID system is provided for reading one of the RFID tags upon removal or return of the associated item from cabinet. Transaction RFID system is operable when door is open. Computer system is configured to sense opening and closing of door. Computer system is configured to receive input that identifies user, and computer system is configured to periodically record data read from RFID tags by static RFID system and transaction RFID system.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A cabinet system for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the system comprising:
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a cabinet comprising; an interior where items are stored; and at least one door providing access to the items; a static RFID system for reading and identifying data embedded on RFID tags located on at least some of the items placed within the cabinet, wherein the static RFID system is configured to scan substantially all of the items located within the interior of the cabinet when the at least one door is closed; a transaction RFID system for reading the data on one of the RFID tags upon removal of the associated item from the RFID cabinet, wherein the transaction RFID system is operable when the door is open; and a computer system that is configured to detect opening and closing of the at least one door, wherein the computer system is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and wherein the computer system is configured to periodically record the data read from the RFID tags by the static RFID system and the transaction RFID system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of monitoring items having an RFID tag, the method comprising:
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storing a plurality of items within an interior of an enclosure defining an access-controlled area, wherein access to the interior is obtained via one or more doors, and wherein at least some of the items are coupled to an RFID tag having electronically readable identification data; while the door is closed, using one or more static RFID scanners to read the data on substantially all of the RFID tags located within the access-controlled area to monitor an inventory of substantially all of the items; storing the inventory in a database; authenticating a user who is requesting access to the access-controlled area; receiving an inputted goal for an item to be placed into or removed from the access-controlled area; while the door is open, scanning an RFID tag of the item using one or more transaction RFID scanners as the user removes the item from or places the item into the access-controlled area; and recording the removal or placement of the item in the database. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of monitoring items having an RFID tag, the method comprising:
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using one or more static RFID scanners to read and identify data embedded on an RFID tag located on at least some items placed within an access-controlled area to monitor an inventory of substantially all of the items when one or more doors controlling access to the access-controlled area are closed; storing the inventory in a database; authenticating a user of an inventory management system; unlocking the one or more doors to provide the user access to the items; scanning an RFID tag of the item using one or more transaction RFID scanners as the user removes the item from the access-controlled area; locking the one or more doors to prevent the user from accessing the items; and recording the removal of the item in the database. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification