Object storage and tracking system, an object tracking unit and a container for object tracking units
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for tracking objects comprising:
- a container;
a plurality of electrical jacks each at a corresponding storage location in the container, each electrical jack being an integrated and enclosed structure having an opening at one end thereof;
a plurality of plug units capable of fitting through the opening of any one of the electrical jacks, each plug unit comprising an object attachment member to attach to an object to be tracked, a memory device storing a unique identifier and an elongated plug member electrically connected to the memory device and suitable for fitting through the opening in one of the electrical jacks to make electrical contact therewith; and
a controller coupled to the plurality of electrical jacks to read the identifier of any memory device of a plug unit when the plug unit is installed in any electrical jack.
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Abstract
A system for tracking objects. A plurality of electrical receptacles are provided each at a corresponding storage location in the container. A plurality of object tracking units are provided, each having a plug capable of mating with any one of the electrical receptacles. Each object tracking unit having an object attachment member to attach to an object to be tracked and a memory device storing a unique identifier which can be accessed via the data line. A controller couples to the electrical receptacles to read the identifier of a memory device of an object tracking unit when its plug is installed in any electrical receptacle.
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Citations
32 Claims
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1. A system for tracking objects comprising:
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a container;
a plurality of electrical jacks each at a corresponding storage location in the container, each electrical jack being an integrated and enclosed structure having an opening at one end thereof;
a plurality of plug units capable of fitting through the opening of any one of the electrical jacks, each plug unit comprising an object attachment member to attach to an object to be tracked, a memory device storing a unique identifier and an elongated plug member electrically connected to the memory device and suitable for fitting through the opening in one of the electrical jacks to make electrical contact therewith; and
a controller coupled to the plurality of electrical jacks to read the identifier of any memory device of a plug unit when the plug unit is installed in any electrical jack. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A container for containing a plurality of objects to be tracked, comprising:
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a container body having a closed bottom and defining a bottom surface and open top;
at least one horizontal surface which stands above the bottom surface of the container body; and
a plurality of electrical jacks mounted through holes in the horizontal surface to allow for access from the open top of the container and thereby defining a plurality of storage locations, wherein each electrical jack is an integrated and enclosed structure having an opening at one end thereof. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A unit for attachment to or association with an object to be tracked, comprising:
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a housing;
an electrically conductive plug member extending outward from one end of the housing; and
a circuit board disposed within the housing and electrically connected to the plug member; and
a memory device attached to the circuit board, the memory device storing a unique identifier to be associated with an object to be tracked. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A system for tracking objects comprising:
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a plurality of electrical jacks each at a corresponding storage location, wherein each electrical jack is an integrated and enclosed structure having an opening at one end thereof;
a plurality of object tracking units each capable of mating with any one of the electrical jacks, each object tracking unit having an object attachment member to attach to an object to be tracked and a memory device storing a unique identifier which can be accessed via the data line; and
a controller capable of reading the identifier of any memory device of an object tracking unit when its plug is installed in any electrical jack;
a plurality of interfaces, each interface connected between the controller and a unique subset of electrical jacks of the plurality of electrical jacks thereby isolating subsets of electrical jacks to enable the controller to separately process information to and from each subset of jacks. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification