Object carriers for an object control and tracking system

• US 7,005,984 B2
• Filed: 11/07/2003
• Issued: 02/28/2006
• 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 T.
• Application Number:
  US10/704,014
• Publication Number:
  US 20040113785A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/558.7, 340/551, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 340/825.49, 340/10.42, 235/381, 235/382, 235/385, 700/236, 700/242, 700/244
• 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 object control and tracking system comprising:

a storage unit defining an array of receptacles;

an object carrier being openable for inserting and removing objects and closable for containing objects securely within;

an ID tag associated with said carrier and insertable in a receptacle of said storage unit, said ID tag storing an identification code;

a set of contacts in said storage unit, said contacts being configured and located to engage said ID tag when said ID tag is in a receptacle;

a computer controller coupled to said set of contacts and programmed to read the identification code of said ID tag when said memory device is in a receptacle;

said carrier being openable when said ID tag is removed from said receptacle.

2. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said carrier is not openable when said ID tag is in said receptacle.

3. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 2 and wherein said carrier has a hinged door that is not openable when said ID tag is in said receptacle.

4. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said carrier has a hinged door that is openable when said ID tag is removed from said receptacle.

5. An object control and tracking system comprising:

a storage unit having a generally planar panel defining an array of receptacles;

at least one object to be tracked;

an ID tag associated with said object, said ID tag storing an identification code and being insertable in a receptacle;

contacts in said storage unit configured to engage said ID tag when said ID tag is in a receptacle;

a controller coupled to said contacts and being programmed to read the identification code of said ID tag when said ID tag is in a receptacle;

said object having a storage location in said storage unit at least partially behind the plane of said panel;

said object being removable from said storage location when said ID tag is removed from said receptacle.

6. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 5 and wherein said storage location is completely behind the plane of said panel.

7. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 6 and further comprising an openable carrier in said storage unit, said storage location being inside said openable carrier.

8. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said openable carrier has a hinged door.

9. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said openable carrier is openable when said ID tag is removed from said receptacle.

10. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 9 and wherein said openable carrier is not openable when said ID tag is in said receptacle.

11. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 5 and wherein said object, when in said storage location, is partially disposed behind the plane of said planar panel and partially exposed in front of the plane of said planar panel.

12. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 5 and wherein said object is a loose object.

13. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 5 and further comprising an interface for receiving information from a user.

14. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 13 and wherein said interface includes a keyboard.

15. An object control and tracking system comprising:

a storage unit having a panel defining an array of receptacles;

at least one of said receptacles configured to receive an object to be stored;

an ID tag storing an identification code and being insertable in and removable from receptacles in said storage unit;

a computer based controller configured and programmed to read the identification code of said ID tag when said ID tag is in a receptacle;

the object being removable from a receptacle in which it resides when said ID tag is removed from a receptacle.

16. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 15 and further comprising an openable carrier for holding an object to be stored, said openable carrier having a storage location in said receptacle configured to receive an object.

17. An object control and tracking system as claimed in claim 16 and wherein said openable carrier has an openable door, said openable door being openable when said ID tag is removed from a receptacle.