Item Storage Arrangement System and Method

• US 20150154434A1
• Filed: 12/02/2014
• Published: 06/04/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mobile Aspects
• Original Assignee: Mobile Aspects
• Inventors: Rahim, Muhammad R., Le, Khang Nguyen, Kardono, Pribadi, Sriharto, Timur P.
• Granted Patent: US 10,034,400 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10356 using a plurality of antennas, e.g. configurations including means to resolve interference between the plurality of antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring

Abstract

A system for storing and tracking at least one item includes a housing having an interior with a plurality of item storage arrangements disposed in or associated with the housing. A plurality of signal receiving arrangements is configured to receive data from a plurality of signal emitting members, and at least one signal receiving arrangement is adjacent to each item storage arrangement. The system also includes a controller in communication with the plurality of signal receiving arrangements, the controller programmed or configured to simultaneously scan at least two signal receiving arrangements from the plurality of signal receiving arrangements. An item storage cabinet and a method of tracking items are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An item storage system, comprising:

at least one housing having an interior;

a plurality of item storage arrangements disposed in or associated with the at least one housing;

a plurality of signal receiving arrangements configured to receive signals or data from a plurality of signal emitting members, wherein at least one signal receiving arrangement is substantially adjacent each item storage arrangement; and

at least one controller in communication with the plurality of signal receiving arrangements, the at least one controller programmed or configured to simultaneously activate at least two signal receiving arrangements from the plurality of signal receiving arrangements.

2. The item storage system of claim 1, wherein each item storage arrangement is positioned substantially adjacent at least two signal receiving arrangements of the plurality of signal receiving arrangements.

3. The item storage system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of signal receiving arrangements are spaced in the interior of the at least one housing, and wherein each item storage arrangement is located between at least two signal receiving arrangements.

4. The item storage system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the item storage arrangements comprises at least one of the following:

a hanger, a compartment, a slot, a container, a shelf, a hook, or any combination thereof.

5. The item storage system of claim 1, wherein the at least one housing comprises a cabinet with at least one door.

6. The item storage system of claim 5, wherein the at least one controller is further programmed or configured to activate the plurality of signal receiving arrangements, such that the signals or data of the plurality of signal emitting devices are received after the at least one door is closed from an open position.

7. The item storage system of claim 6, further comprising at least one locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the at least one door of the cabinet, wherein the at least one locking mechanism locks the at least one door of the cabinet while the plurality of signal emitting members are interrogated or scanned.

8. The item storage system of claim 1, wherein the item storage system is configured to store at least one of the following:

medical items, catheters, containers, medicine, instruments, equipment, components, or any combination thereof.

9. An item storage cabinet for tracking items having signal emitting members attached thereto or associated therewith, the cabinet comprising:

an interior cavity or area;

a plurality of item storage arrangements positioned in or associated with the interior cavity, each item storage arrangement configured to support at least one item having at least one signal emitting member attached thereto or associated therewith;

a plurality of signal receiving arrangements, wherein at least one signal receiving arrangement of the plurality of signal receiving arrangements is located between each item storage arrangement; and

at least one controller programmed or configured to activate the plurality of signal receiving arrangements, such that at least two signal receiving arrangements of the plurality of signal receiving arrangements interrogate or scan each signal emitting member of the plurality of signal emitting members.

10. The item storage cabinet of claim 9, wherein the plurality of signal receiving arrangements are spaced in the interior cavity, and wherein each item storage arrangement is located between two signal receiving arrangements.

11. The item storage cabinet of claim 10, wherein the plurality of signal receiving arrangements are spaced substantially evenly in the interior cavity.

12. The item storage system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the item storage arrangements comprises at least one of the following:

a hanger, a compartment, a slot, a container, a shelf, a hook, or any combination thereof.

13. The item storage system of claim 9, further comprising at least one drawer or at least one door for providing access to at least a portion of the interior cavity of the cabinet.

14. The item storage system of claim 13, wherein the at least one controller is further programmed or configured to activate the plurality of signal receiving arrangements after the at least one drawer or the at least one door is closed from an open position.

15. The item storage system of claim 13, further comprising at least one locking mechanism configured to lock and unlock the at least one drawer or the at least one door, wherein the at least one locking mechanism locks the cabinet while the plurality of signal emitting members are interrogated or scanned.

16. A method for tracking items in an item storage arrangement system, comprising:

using at least one signal receiving arrangement, simultaneously interrogating or scanning each signal emitting member attached to or associated with at least one item supported by at least one item storage arrangement of a plurality of item storage arrangements;

receiving identification signals or data from at least one item emitting member attached to or associated with at least one item supported by an item storage arrangement of the plurality of item storage arrangements;

determining, based at least partially on the identification data or signals, a presence or absence of the at least one item; and

controlling at least one indication device based at least partially on the presence or absence of the at least one item.

17. The method for tracking items in a storage arrangement system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of item storage arrangements is oriented in a substantially vertical arrangement.

18. The method for tracking items in a storage arrangement system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of item storage arrangements is oriented in a substantially horizontal arrangement.

19. The method for tracking items in a storage arrangement system of claim 16, wherein the plurality of item storage arrangements is at least partially contained in or associated with an interior of at least one housing.

20. The method for tracking items in an item storage arrangement system of claim 16, wherein at least one of the item storage arrangements comprises at least one of the following:

a hanger, a compartment, a slot, a container, a shelf, a hook, or any combination thereof.