Object carriers for an object control and tracking system

• US 6,501,379 B2
• Filed: 02/26/2001
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Key Control Holding Incorporated (Reynolds & Reynolds Company)
• Original Assignee: Keytrak, Inc. (Reynolds & Reynolds Company)
• Inventors: Maloney, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trieu, Van
• Application Number:
  US09/792,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20010009397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 673 Days
• Field of Search: 340/551, 340/568.1, 340/572.1, 340/572.2, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.9, 340/825.34, 340/825.49, 340/10.1, 705/28, 705/32, 235/375, 235/383, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/10 Key holders; Key boards key cases A45C11/32
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1454 Circuit arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• 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 13/2471 Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

Object carriers are provided for use with an object tracking and control system of the type having a storage receptacle with a tray provided with an array of slots for receiving ID tags bearing touch memory devices. A computer-based controller is provided for detecting the absence or presence and identity of ID tags disposed in the slots. The carrier of this invention includes a container with an openable panel for placing objects in and removing objects from the carrier. A thin plastic tongue projects from the carrier and bears a touch memory device. Carriers bearing objects to be tracked are placed in the storage receptacle with their tongues extending into the slots of the receptacle. The controller can thus detect and log the removal and replacement of the carrier in the storage receptacle. In one embodiment, the opening and closing of the carrier when it is not stored in the receptacle is detected and logged for tracking access to the carrier in more detail.

Claims

1. An item tracking and control system comprising:

a trackable object corresponding to each item to be tracked;

a storage unit for removably receiving and storing a plurality of said trackable objects and the items corresponding thereto;

each of said trackable objects being provided with an electronic circuit that includes storage for storing at least an identification code associated with said trackable object and thus associated with the item corresponding to said trackable object, said electronic circuit being coupled to a visual indicator on said trackable object;

a computer-based controller associated with said storage unit and programmed to receive used input and to generate a request for one of said items, said request including at least the identification code the requested item;

a communications link in said storage unit for communicating requests from said controller to the electronic circuits of trackable objects in said storage unit;

said electronic circuit of each trackable object activating said visual indicator on said trackable object when a request that includes an identification code corresponding to the identification code associated with said trackable object and its corresponding item is communicated from said controller through said communications link, the activation of said visual indicator identifying the item requested in said user input.

2. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said trackable objects comprise containers, each container for containing the items corresponding thereto.

3. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said items comprise keys.

4. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 3 and wherein said trackable objects comprise containers, each of said containers for containing keys corresponding thereto.

5. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein each of said visual indicators comprises an LED.

6. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes a microprocessor.

7. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes a microcontroller.

8. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes an addressable switch.

9. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising an array of receptacles in said storage unit, each receptacle for removably receiving a trackable object.

10. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 9 and wherein each of said trackable objects comprises a container for containing items corresponding thereto and wherein said receptacles are configured to receive said containers.

11. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 10 and wherein each of said containers is provided with electrical contacts coupled to the electronic circuit of said container and wherein said communications link includes electrical contacts associated with said receptacles, said electrical contacts of a trackable object engaging said electrical contacts associated with a receptacle when said trackable object is received in said receptacle.

12. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said storage unit comprises at least one drawer.

13. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 12 and further comprising an array of receptacles in said drawer, each receptacle for removably receiving a trackable object.

14. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 13 and wherein said electronic circuit of each of said trackable units includes an addressable switch.

15. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 14 and wherein said items are keys.

16. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 15 and wherein said trackable objects comprise containers for containing keys corresponding to said containers.

17. A key tracking and control system comprising:

a trackable object associated with each key to be tracked;

a storage unit for removably receiving and storing a plurality of keys and their associated trackable objects;

each of said trackable objects being provided with an electronic circuit including electronic storage storing an identification code identifying said trackable objects and thus identifying the keys associated therewith;

an LED on each of said trackable objects, each LED being coupled to and activatable by said electronic circuit of said trackable object;

a controller programmed at least to receive user input requesting a desired key;

a communications link coupling said controller to trackable objects contained within said storage unit, the identification code corresponding to the trackable object of a user requested key being communicated by said controller via said communications link;

the electronic circuit of each of said trackable objects being configured to activate the LED on the trackable object following receipt via said communications link of an identification code matching the code stored in the storage of said electronic circuit, thereby identifying the location of the requested key to a user.

18. A key tracking and control system as claimed in claim 17 and wherein said electronic circuit includes a microprocessor.

19. A key tracking and control system as claimed in claim 17 and wherein said electronic circuit includes a microcontroller.

20. A key tracking and control system as claimed in claim 17 and wherein said electronic circuit includes an addressable switch.

21. A key tracking and control system as claimed in claim 17 and wherein said trackable objects comprise containers for containing keys associated therewith.

22. A key tracking and control system as claimed in claim 21 and further comprising an array of receptacles in said storage unit, each receptacle configured to receive one of said containers.

23. A key tracking and control system as claimed in claim 22 and wherein each of said containers is provided with electrical contacts coupled to said electronic circuit and wherein said communications link includes electrical contacts associated with each of said receptacles, the electrical contacts of a receptacle engaging the electrical contacts of a container when the container is received in said receptacle for communication with said controller.

24. A system for tracking items at a storage location comprising:

a trackable object corresponding to each item to be tracked;

each of said trackable objects being provided with electronics including a memory storing an identification code associated with said trackable object and thus identifying items corresponding thereto;

a visual indicator on each of said trackable objects coupled to and activatable by said electronics;

a storage unit at said storage location for removably receiving said trackable objects;

a controller programmed to receive user input including at least a user request for a desired item; and

a communications link coupling said controller to the electronics of trackable objects is said storage unit and for transmitting the identification code of a user requested item to said trackable objects;

said electronics of each of said trackable objects being configured to activate the visual indicator of its corresponding trackable object following receipt from said controller of an identification code corresponding to the identification code stored in the memory of said electronics of said trackable object, the activated visual indicator identifying a trackable object and its corresponding item regardless of the location of said trackable object in said storage unit.

25. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 24 and further comprising an array of receptacles in said storage unit, each receptacle configured to receive a trackable unit.

26. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 25 and wherein the items are keys.

27. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 26 and wherein said trackable objects are attached to the keys corresponding thereto.

28. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 27 and wherein said trackable objects comprise containers and wherein keys corresponding to each of said containers are stowable in said container.

29. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 28 and further comprising electrical contacts on each of said trackable objects and wherein said communications link includes electrical contacts associated with each of said receptacles, said electrical contacts of each of said trackable objects engaging said electrical contacts of a receptacle within which the trackable object is disposed for communication between said controller and the electronics of said trackable object.

30. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 28 and wherein said electronics includes a microprocessor.

31. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 28 and wherein said electronics includes a microcontroller.

32. A system for tracking items at a storage location as claimed in claim 28 and wherein said electronics includes an addressable switch.

33. An item tracking and control system comprising:

a trackable object corresponding to each item to be tracked;

a storage unit for removably receiving and storing a plurality of said trackable objects and the items corresponding thereto;

each of said trackable objects having an electronic circuit that includes storage for storing at least an identification code associated with said trackable object and thus associated with the item corresponding to said trackable object, said electronic circuit being coupled to a visual indicator on said trackable object;

a controller associated with said storage unit;

a communications link coupling said controller to said storage unit for communication of information from said controller to the electronic circuits of trackable objects in said storage unit;

said controller being programmed to generate a request and to broadcast said request over said communications link, said request including at least the identification code associated with one of said trackable objects and its item;

each electronic circuit being capable of activating the visual indicator on its trackable object following receipt of a request that includes the identification code associated with said trackable object in order to identify a requested trackable object visually to a user.

34. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 33 and wherein said items comprise keys.

35. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 33 and wherein said trackable objects comprise containers for containing items to be tracked.

36. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 33 and wherein said visual indicators comprise LEDs on said trackable objects.

37. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 33 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes a microprocessor.

38. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 33 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes a microcontroller.

39. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 33 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes an addressable switch.

40. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 33 and further comprising an array of receptacles in said storage unit, each receptacle for removably receiving a trackable object.

41. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 40 and wherein each of said trackable objects comprises a container for containing items corresponding thereto and wherein said receptacles are configured to receive said containers.

42. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 41 and wherein each of said containers is provided with electrical contacts coupled to the electronic circuit of said container and wherein said communications link includes electrical contacts associated with said receptacles, said electrical contacts of a trackable object engaging said electrical contacts associated with a receptacle when said trackable object is received in said receptacle.

43. An item tracking and control system as claimed in claim 42 and wherein said items are keys containable in said containers.

44. A method of identifying a selected trackable object from among a plurality of trackable objects in a storage unit of an object tracking and control system, each trackable object including a stored identification code, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving information corresponding to a user of the object tracking and control system;

(b) generating a transmittable request for a selected one of the trackable objects based on the information received in step (a), the request containing at least the identification code of the selected trackable object;

(c) transmitting the request generated in step (b) to the plurality of trackable objects within the storage unit; and

(d) activating a visual indicator on the trackable object whose identification code corresponds to the identification code included within the request to identify the requested trackable object visually to a user.

45. The method of claim 44 and further including at least one item associated with each of said trackable objects and wherein step (a) includes receiving user instructions requesting the selected item.

46. The method of claim 45 and wherein the items are keys.

47. The method of claim 44 and wherein the trackable objects are containers.

48. A system for tracking a plurality of keys comprising:

a plurality of trackable objects each attachable to a key to be tracked;

an addressable switch in each of said trackable objects, each addressable switch storing an identification code;

an LED on each of said trackable objects coupled to said addressable switch;

a storage unit for removably receiving said trackable objects and their attached keys, said storage unit including a plurality of receptacles for receiving trackable objects;

a controller associated with said storage unit;

a communications link coupling said controller to said plurality of receptacles for communicating information from said controller to the addressable switches of trackable objects in said receptacles;

said controller being programmed to receive input from a user and to generate a request and broadcast the request via said communications link to the addressable switches of trackable objects within said storage unit, said request including at least an identification code;

each addressable switch being configured to activate the LED on its trackable object upon receipt via said communications link of a request that includes an identification code matching the identification code of said addressable switch to identify visually to a user the location of said trackable object within said storage unit.

49. A system for tracking a plurality of keys as claimed in claim 48 and wherein each of said addressable switches is a Dallas DS2404 chip.

50. A system for tracking a plurality of keys as claimed in claim 48 and wherein each of said trackable objects is provided with electrical contacts coupled to said addressable switch and wherein each of said receptacles includes electrical contacts that engage the electrical contacts of a trackable object in said receptacle, said communications link being coupled to the electrical contacts of said receptacles.

51. A system for tracking a plurality of keys as claimed in claim 50 and wherein said communications link includes electrical conductors connected to the electrical contacts of said receptacles.

52. A system for tracking a plurality of keys as claimed in claim 51 and wherein said electrical conductors are each connected in parallel to a respective electrical contact of a plurality of said receptacles.

53. In a key tracking system wherein a plurality of keys are each attached to a trackable object and are removably storable in a storage unit, the keys being individually requestable by a user via a computer controller coupled to said storage unit, the improvement comprising an LED on each trackable object and an electronic circuit in each trackable object coupled to said LED, each of said electronic circuits being adapted to light its LED when a key attached to the trackable object is requested by the user to identify to the user the location of the requested key within the storage unit.

54. The improvement of claim 53 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes an addressable switch.