Object carriers and lighted tags for an object control and tracking system
First Claim
1. In a key tracking system wherein one or more keys are each may be 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 associated with each trackable object and an electronic circuit associated with each trackable object and 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.
11 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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. The invention also includes lighted key tags for use with an object tracking system. Lighted key tags stored in an object tracking system are adapted to emit light when their attached keys are requested by a user. A portion of the key tag may be formed of transparent material that forms a light guide through which the light is transmitted.
-
Citations
19 Claims
- 1. In a key tracking system wherein one or more keys are each may be 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 associated with each trackable object and an electronic circuit associated with each trackable object and 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.
-
9. A key tag for use in a key tracking system having a storage receptacle provided with an array of slots for receiving key tags and a controller for determining the absence or presence of key tags disposed in the slots, said key tag comprising:
-
a. a first portion being configured for coupling with the key tracking system; b. a second portion housing an electronic memory storing device having an identification code uniquely identifying said key tag and a key attached thereto, said electronic memory storing device being addressable by said key tracking system; and c. a third portion to which a key associated with said key tag may be affixed; d. wherein an LED coupled to an electronic circuit coupled to said memory storing device, said electronic circuit lighting said LED when addressed by said key tracking system; e. said LED, when lighted, projecting light to identify said key tag visually to a user of said key tracking system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. In a key tracking system wherein one or more keys may be attached to a trackable object and are removably storable in a plurality of slots in a storage unit, the keys being individually requestable by a user via a computer controller coupled to said storage unit, the improvement comprising:
-
a. a plurality of trackable objects, each trackable object comprising a key tag; b. an LED associated with each trackable object and an electronic circuit associated with each trackable object and 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; b. wherein each of said key tags comprises; c. a first portion configured to be received in a selected slot when said key tag is stored in said storage unit, said first portion having a shoulder from which a downwardly depending tongue extends, wherein said shoulder is configured to abut the storage unit and said tongue is configured to extend into a slot when said key tag is stored in said storage unit; d. a second portion that projects upwardly from a slot in which said key tag is received and to which keys associated with said key tag may be affixed, and wherein said LED, when activated, projects light at least upwardly from said second portion of said key tag; and e. an upwardly extending light guide having a bottom end and a top end terminating adjacent a top edge of said second portion, said LED positioned to project light into said bottom end of said light guide. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification