Object tracking method and system with object identification and verification
First Claim
1. A key tracking and control system comprising:
- a. a storage unit defining an enclosed, internal space therein, said storage unit having a panel capable of being opened to access said internal space;
b. a plurality of receptacles defined within said enclosed, internal space, said receptacles disposed for receiving a plurality of trackable keys;
c. an access portal smaller than said panel;
c. a plurality of trackable keys removably insertable into said receptacles via said access portal without opening said storage unit panel wherein each trackable key is attached to a trackable RFID tag; and
d. a central controller remotely located from said storage unit.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for tracking and controlling access to objects such as keys includes a lockable storage cabinet adapted to receive, store, and dispense objects within transparent security containers. A control computer is operably coupled to the cabinet. Information about objects, such as their weight, an image, or magnetic characteristics, is extracted by sensors when the objects within their containers are dispensed to a user or checked in by a user. This information is compared to a data base of the same information previously extracted for these objects. From the comparison, the connected control computer verifies that the objects present in the security container are the objects expected to be in the security container. If they are not, then theft or tampering is indicated and the computer takes remedial actions such as setting alarms or notifying security personnel.
161 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A key tracking and control system comprising:
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a. a storage unit defining an enclosed, internal space therein, said storage unit having a panel capable of being opened to access said internal space; b. a plurality of receptacles defined within said enclosed, internal space, said receptacles disposed for receiving a plurality of trackable keys; c. an access portal smaller than said panel; c. a plurality of trackable keys removably insertable into said receptacles via said access portal without opening said storage unit panel wherein each trackable key is attached to a trackable RFID tag; and d. a central controller remotely located from said storage unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An object tracking and control system comprising:
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a. a plurality of trackable objects, each trackable object having an upper portion and a lower portion; b. a storage unit for receiving and storing said trackable objects, said storage unit having an array of sockets individually defined within the storage unit in the same plane, each socket configured to receive the lower portion of a trackable object; c. said storage unit further having a local controller in electrical communication with said sockets; d. a central computer remotely located from said storage unit; and e. a wireless communications link between said local controller and said central computer. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22)
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23. An object tracking and control system comprising:
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one or more storage units for receiving a plurality of tangible objects detached from said storage unit, each storage unit having an array of adjacent sockets fixed relative to one another, each socket disposed to receive a detached tangible object; and a controller system coupled to the Internet, wherein the controller system stores information regarding receipt of a detached object seated in a socket or complete removal of a seated, detached object from a socket and allows the object tracking and control system to be accessed remotely via the Internet.
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24. A key tracking and control system comprising:
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a. a storage unit for receiving a plurality of trackable keys, said storage unit having a storage compartment defined inside the storage unit, said storage compartment having an array of adjacent, fixed slots disposed therein; b. a plurality of detached, trackable keys removably insertable into said fixed slots of said internally defined storage compartment; c. a central computer remotely located from said storage unit; and d. a communications link between said storage unit and said central computer, wherein said communications link is the Internet. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for managing objects, said method comprising the steps of
a. providing a storage unit having an array of adjacent sockets fixed relative to one another defined within said storage unit; -
b. providing a plurality of trackable objects, each object detachably seated within a socket; c. providing a central controller remotely located from said storage unit; d. linking the storage unit to the central controller via a network; e. utilizing said central controller to remotely monitor transactions between the storage unit and detached, trackable objects; and f. authenticating a user before checking-out a particular trackable object; g. checking-out the particular trackable object to the user; h. authenticating the user before checking-in the particular trackable object; and i. checking-in the particular trackable object from the user. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for managing objects, said method comprising the steps of
a. providing an object tracking and control system with one or more storage units, each storage unit disposed for receiving a plurality of security boxes, each security box capable of containing a tangible object detached from said security box wherein each storage unit has an array of adjacent sockets fixed relative to one another, each socket disposed to receive one security box wherein each security box has an orientation feature so as to ensure that the security box is inserted into the storage unit in a proper orientation; -
b. providing a controller system coupled to a communication medium; c. storing information regarding receipt of a detached object seated in a socket or complete removal of a seated, detached object from a socket; and d. allowing the object tracking and control system to be accessed remotely via the communication medium.
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Specification