Inventoriable-object control and tracking system

• US 7,342,494 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2004
• Issued: 03/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Key Control Holding Incorporated (Reynolds & Reynolds Company)
• Original Assignee: Key Control Holding Incorporated (Reynolds & Reynolds Company)
• Inventors: Maloney, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, PHUNG
• Application Number:
  US10/766,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20040225954A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/570, 340/825.35, 340/825.49, 340/5.9, 364/900, 364/479.14, 235/462.13, 235/375, 235/385
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 9/026 for alarm, monitoring and auditing in vending machines or means for indication, e.g. when empty
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection

Abstract

An inventoriable-object control and tracking system comprising, in accordance with its preferred embodiments, an object identification assembly having an electronic device, with a unique electronically-readable identification code, which is connected to an inventoriable-object to enable control over access to the object and tracking of the object to identify a user in possession of the object. The system further includes a row and column matrix of electrical connectors located offset from a panel defining a corresponding row and column matrix of polarized slots for receipt of a plurality of object identification assemblies in a single orientation. Each connector of a matrix of electrical connectors comprises a pair of opposed, spring contacts having independently-deflectable portions to insure proper electrical contact with an electronic device of each object identification assembly. The system also includes a local controller connected to the matrix of electrical connectors and to a remote controller which executes, in accordance with the preferred methods, a plurality of software routines that communicate bi-directionally using a serial protocol, via a parallel data communications interface, to acquire and process data from each object identification assembly present. In accordance with the preferred apparatus, the system additionally comprises a storage unit having a drawer which is withdrawable from an enclosure upon operation of an electronically-actuated locking mechanism. The storage unit includes a slot and electrical connector positioned in a drawer face plate assembly for receipt of a personal identification assembly which enables a user to gain access to the plurality of object identification assemblies residing in the storage unit.

Claims

1. A trackable object comprising:

an elongated body having a first end and a second end and a first width;

a tongue extending from the second end of said body, said tongue having a second width smaller than the first width so as to form a shoulder where said tongue extends from the second end of said body; and

an electronic memory device attached to said tongue.

2. The trackable object of claim 1, wherein said electronic memory device includes an electronic identification code stored therein.

3. The trackable object of claim 1, wherein said electronic memory device includes an electronic memory.

4. The trackable object of claim 1, wherein said tongue is elongated and extends from a proximal end adjacent the second end of the elongated body to a distal end.

5. The trackable object of claim 4, wherein said tongue tapers from said proximal end to said distal end.

6. The trackable object of claim 1, wherein said electronic device is attached to the distal end of said tongue.

7. The trackable object of claim 1, further comprising an attachment mechanism on said body for securing items thereto.

8. The trackable object of claim 7, wherein said attachment mechanism is located at the first end of said elongated body.

9. The trackable object of claim 7, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises an aperture.

10. The trackable object of claim 9, wherein said attachment mechanism further comprises a rivet mounted in said aperture.

11. The trackable object of claim 1, said tongue defined by a first face and a second face, wherein said electronic device protrudes from said first face.

12. The trackable object of claim 11, wherein said electronic device is substantially flush with said second face.

13. The trackable object of claim 1, said tongue defined by a first face and a second face, wherein said electronic device protrudes substantially from said first face and minimally from said second face.

14. The trackable object of claim 1, wherein said elongated body tapers at said first end.

15. The trackable object of claim 14, further comprising an attachment mechanism located adjacent said taper at said first end.

16. The trackable object of claim 1, wherein said elongated body is formed of a non-conducting material.

17. The trackable object of claim 1, wherein said elongated body is formed of plastic.

18. A trackable object comprising:

an elongated body having a first end and a second end and a first width, wherein a shoulder is defined at said second end;

a tongue extending from the shoulder, wherein said tongue is elongated and extends from a proximal end adjacent the shoulder to a distal end and wherein said tongue tapers from said proximal end to said distal end;

an electronic memory device attached to said distal end of said tongue, said electronic memory device having an electronic identification code stored therein; and

an attachment mechanism located on said body at a position removed from said electronic memory device,

wherein said tongue is defined by a first face and a second face and said electronic device protrudes from said first face.

19. An object control and tracking system comprising:

a plurality of trackable objects, each trackable object comprising;

an elongated body having a first end and a second end and a first width;

a tongue extending from the second end of said body, said tongue having a second width smaller than the first width so as to form a shoulder where said tongue extends from the second end of said body; and

an electronic device attached to said tongue and storing an identification code,

a storage unit having a panel with an array of receptacles defined on said panel, each receptacle sized to receive the tongue of said trackable object, such that when a trackable object is seated in a receptacle, the tongue extends through said receptacle and said shoulder of said trackable object abuts said panel;

an electronic circuit associated with each receptacle, said electronic circuit being configured and located adjacent a receptacle to read the identification code of an electronic device when a trackable object is seated in said receptacle; and

a computer controller coupled to said electronic circuit.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said electronic circuit comprises a set of contacts in said storage unit, said contacts being configured and located to engage an electronic device on a trackable object when said trackable object is seated in a receptacle, and wherein said computer controller is programmed to read the identification code of said electronic device engaged by said contacts.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein each of said receptacles comprises an elongated slot substantially the shape of the tongue with a wider aperture portion provided along one side of said slot to permit the electronic device to pass therethrough.