Systems controlled by data bearing records for maintaining inventory data

• US 8,342,400 B1
• Filed: 09/11/2008
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Diebold Incorporated (Diebold Nixdorf, Incorporated)
• Inventors: Reese, Rodney J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): ELLIS, SUEZU Y
• Application Number:
  US12/283,436
• Time in Patent Office: 1,573 Days
• Field of Search: 235/385, 235/375, 235/381, 340/572.1, 340/572.8, 340/572.9, 3405391-53913, 340/568.1, 340/570, 340/5.92, 340/545.1, 340/545.6, 340 58- 585, 340/5.2, 340/5.21, 340/5.3, 340/5.31, 705/2, 705/3, 705/26.9, 705/28, 700/231, 700/232, 700/236, 700/237, 700/240, 700/241, 700/242, 700/244
• US Class Current: 235/385
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 5/00 Methods or arrangements for verifying the correctness of markings on a record carrier; Column detection devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 11/62 in which the articles are stored in compartments in fixed receptacles
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/0092 for assembling and dispensing of pharmaceutical articles medical dispensers for private use, A61J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/068 calling personnel in a restaurant, e.g. waiter call
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/65 stored on portable record carriers, e.g. on smartcards, RFID tags or CD
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers

Abstract

A registering and counting system operated in response to information included on data bearing records is used for maintaining inventory records related to narcotics items. Data corresponding to users is read through record reading devices (448, 452). Authorized users are allowed access to a narcotics vault (402). Narcotics holding containers (422) are removable from storage locations in drawers (416). Wireless transmitters on the containers operate in conjunction with wireless readers in the storage locations to enable a computer (458) to track the use of the narcotics items and operating parameters of the system.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

at least one reader,

wherein the at least one reader is operative to read identifying data that is usable to identify a user as an authorized user,

a housing,

wherein the housing bounds an interior area,

wherein the housing includes an opening,

wherein the opening provides access from outside the housing to the interior area,

a door,

wherein the door is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing,

wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein in the open position the interior area is accessible from outside the housing through the opening, and

wherein in the closed position the door prevents access to the interior area from outside the housing through the opening,

a lock,

wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door,

wherein the lock is changeable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition,

wherein in the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in the closed position,

a holder,

wherein the holder includes a plurality of storage locations,

wherein each storage location is configured to removably accept a narcotic item holding container therein,

wherein the holder is in operatively supported connection with the housing in the interior area,

a plurality of wireless readers,

wherein each wireless reader is positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the storage locations,

a plurality of narcotic item holding containers,

wherein each container is operative to hold at least one unit of a narcotic item,

a plurality of wireless transmitters,

wherein each container is associated with a wireless transmitter,

wherein each respective wireless transmitter is operative to output at least one wireless signal,

wherein the at least one wireless signal is usable to identify at least one of a particular container and a narcotic item held by the particular container,

wherein each wireless reader adjacent a corresponding storage location is operative to receive at least one wireless signal from a wireless transmitter associated with a container when the container is positioned in the storage location, and

wherein the wireless reader is not operative to receive the at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter when the container is not positioned in the holder,

at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one reader, the lock, the plurality of wireless readers, and at least one data store which includes data corresponding to

identifying data for each of a plurality of authorized users, and

a plurality of narcotics items held by the containers,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to

cause the lock to change from the locked condition to the unlocked condition, responsive at least in part to the at least one reader reading authorization data corresponding to a first user, and

then cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data indicating that at least one of a first narcotic item and a first container containing the first narcotics item was removed from the housing by the first user, responsive at least in part to a wireless reader ceasing to receive at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter associated with the first container containing the first narcotics item,

a display in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the display to output holder indicia that includes a visual representation of at least one narcotic item in each container in a respective storage location in the holder,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the holder indicia to change to no longer indicate a representation of the first narcotic item in a storage location when the first container holding such first narcotic item is not in the storage location.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of wireless readers is operative to receive at least one wireless signal from each of the plurality of wireless transmitters, wherein any of the plurality of containers are enabled to be placed in any of the plurality of storage locations in the holder.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the holder is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing, and is operative to extend through the opening when the door is in the open position, and further comprising:

at least one holder position sensor,

wherein the at least one holder position sensor is operative to sense when the holder is extended in the opening, and

wherein the at least one holder position sensor is in operative connection with the at least one processor, and

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the holder indicia to be output through the display responsive at least in part to the at least one holder position sensor sensing the holder is extended in the opening.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each wireless reader comprises a radio frequency (RF) reader, and wherein each wireless transmitter comprises a RF transmitter.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each container includes at least one weight sensor associated therewith, and wherein a respective wireless transmitter associated with a respective container is operative to produce at least one wireless signal corresponding to weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data corresponding to the weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

7. Apparatus comprising:

at least one reader,

wherein the at least one reader is operative to read identifying data that is usable to identify a user as an authorized user,

a housing,

wherein the housing bounds an interior area,

wherein the housing includes an opening,

wherein the opening provides access from outside the housing to the interior area,

a door,

wherein the door is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing,

wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein in the open position the interior area is accessible from outside the housing through the opening, and

wherein in the closed position the door prevents access to the interior area from outside the housing through the opening,

a lock,

wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door,

wherein the lock is changeable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition,

wherein in the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in the closed position,

a holder,

wherein the holder includes a plurality of storage locations,

wherein each storage location is configured to removably accept a narcotic item holding container therein,

wherein the holder is in operatively supported connection with the housing in the interior area,

a plurality of wireless readers,

wherein each wireless reader is positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the storage locations,

a plurality of narcotic item holding containers,

wherein each container is operative to hold at least one unit of a narcotic item,

a plurality of wireless transmitters,

wherein each container is associated with a wireless transmitter,

wherein each respective wireless transmitter is operative to output at least one wireless signal,

wherein the at least one wireless signal is usable to identify at least one of a particular container and a narcotic item held by the particular container,

wherein each wireless reader adjacent a corresponding storage location is operative to receive at least one wireless signal from a wireless transmitter associated with a container when the container is positioned in the storage location, and

wherein the wireless reader is not operative to receive the at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter when the container is not positioned in the holder,

at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one reader, the lock, the plurality of wireless readers, and at least one data store which includes data corresponding to

identifying data for each of a plurality of authorized users, and

a plurality of narcotics items held by the containers,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to

cause the lock to change from the locked condition to the unlocked condition, responsive at least in part to the at least one reader reading authorization data corresponding to a first user, and

then cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data indicating that at least one of a first narcotic item and a first container containing the first narcotics item was removed from the housing by the first user, responsive at least in part to a wireless reader ceasing to receive at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter associated with the first container containing the first narcotics item,

a display in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the display to output holder indicia that includes a visual representation of at least one narcotic item in each container in a respective storage location in the holder,

wherein the holder comprises a drawer,

wherein the drawer is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the housing,

wherein the drawer is movable to extend in the opening when the door is in the open position,

a drawer position sensor,

wherein the drawer position sensor is operative to sense the drawer extended in the opening, and

wherein the drawer position sensor is in operative connection with the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause the holder indicia to be output through the display responsive at least in part to the drawer position sensor.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each wireless reader comprises a radio frequency (RF) reader, and wherein each wireless transmitter comprises a RF transmitter.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein each container includes at least one weight sensor associated therewith, and wherein a respective wireless transmitter associated with a respective container is operative to produce at least one wireless signal corresponding to weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data corresponding to the weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

11. Apparatus comprising:

at least one reader,

wherein the at least one reader is operative to read identifying data that is usable to identify a user as an authorized user,

a housing,

wherein the housing bounds an interior area,

wherein the housing includes an opening,

wherein the opening provides access from outside the housing to the interior area,

a door,

wherein the door is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing,

wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein in the open position the interior area is accessible from outside the housing through the opening, and

wherein in the closed position the door prevents access to the interior area from outside the housing through the opening,

a lock,

wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door,

wherein the lock is changeable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition,

wherein in the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in the closed position,

a holder,

wherein the holder includes a plurality of storage locations,

wherein each storage location is configured to removably accept a narcotic item holding container therein,

wherein the holder is in operatively supported connection with the housing in the interior area,

a plurality of wireless readers,

wherein each wireless reader is positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the storage locations,

a plurality of narcotic item holding containers,

wherein each container is operative to hold at least one unit of a narcotic item,

a plurality of wireless transmitters,

wherein each container is associated with a wireless transmitter,

wherein each respective wireless transmitter is operative to output at least one wireless signal,

wherein the at least one wireless signal is usable to identify at least one of a particular container and a narcotic item held by the particular container,

wherein each wireless reader adjacent a corresponding storage location is operative to receive at least one wireless signal from a wireless transmitter associated with a container when the container is positioned in the storage location, and

wherein the wireless reader is not operative to receive the at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter when the container is not positioned in the holder,

at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one reader, the lock, the plurality of wireless readers, and at least one data store which includes data corresponding to

identifying data for each of a plurality of authorized users, and

a plurality of narcotics items held by the containers,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to

cause the lock to change from the locked condition to the unlocked condition, responsive at least in part to the at least one reader reading authorization data corresponding to a first user, and

then cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data indicating that at least one of a first narcotic item and a first container containing the first narcotics item was removed from the housing by the first user, responsive at least in part to a wireless reader ceasing to receive at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter associated with the first container containing the first narcotics item,

wherein each container includes an wireless receiver and programmable memory,

wherein each storage location includes an wireless programming device operative to program the programmable memory of a container in the storage location,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the wireless programming device of each storage location,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be included in the programmable memory of a respective container, data corresponding to an authorized user who removes the respective container from a storage location.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each wireless receiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) receiver, and wherein each wireless programming device comprises a RF programming device.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the RF programming device in each storage location, and wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be included in the programmable memory on the container, data corresponding to the first narcotic item stored in the container.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the at least one data store includes patient data, and wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the RF programming device in each storage location, and wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be included in the programmable memory on the container, data corresponding to a patient for whom items were taken from the container.

15. The apparatus according to claim 11 wherein each container includes at least one weight sensor associated therewith, and wherein a respective wireless transmitter associated with a respective container is operative to produce at least one wireless signal corresponding to weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data corresponding to the weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

17. Apparatus comprising:

at least one reader,

wherein the at least one reader is operative to read identifying data that is usable to identify a user as an authorized user,

a housing,

wherein the housing bounds an interior area,

wherein the housing includes an opening,

wherein the opening provides access from outside the housing to the interior area,

a door,

wherein the door is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing,

wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein in the open position the interior area is accessible from outside the housing through the opening, and

wherein in the closed position the door prevents access to the interior area from outside the housing through the opening,

a lock,

wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door,

wherein the lock is changeable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition,

wherein in the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in the closed position,

a holder,

wherein the holder includes a plurality of storage locations,

wherein each storage location is configured to removably accept a narcotic item holding container therein,

wherein the holder is in operatively supported connection with the housing in the interior area,

a plurality of wireless readers,

wherein each wireless reader is positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the storage locations,

a plurality of narcotic item holding containers,

wherein each container is operative to hold at least one unit of a narcotic item,

a plurality of wireless transmitters,

wherein each container is associated with a wireless transmitter,

wherein each respective wireless transmitter is operative to output at least one wireless signal,

wherein the at least one wireless signal is usable to identify at least one of a particular container and a narcotic item held by the particular container,

wherein each wireless reader adjacent a corresponding storage location is operative to receive at least one wireless signal from a wireless transmitter associated with a container when the container is positioned in the storage location, and

wherein the wireless reader is not operative to receive the at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter when the container is not positioned in the holder,

at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one reader, the lock, the plurality of wireless readers, and at least one data store which includes data corresponding to

identifying data for each of a plurality of authorized users, and

a plurality of narcotics items held by the containers,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to

cause the lock to change from the locked condition to the unlocked condition, responsive at least in part to the at least one reader reading authorization data corresponding to a first user, and

then cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data indicating that at least one of a first narcotic item and a first container containing the first narcotics item was removed from the housing by the first user, responsive at least in part to a wireless reader ceasing to receive at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter associated with the first container containing the first narcotics item,

wherein each container includes an wireless receiver and programmable memory,

wherein each storage location includes an wireless programming output device operative to program the programmable memory of a container in the storage location,

wherein the at least one processor includes at least one timing function operating therein,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the wireless programming output device in each storage location,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be included in the programmable memory of a respective container, data corresponding to a time the respective container was removed from a storage location.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein each wireless receiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) receiver, and wherein each wireless programming device comprises a RF programming device.

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein each container includes at least one weight sensor associated therewith, and wherein a respective wireless transmitter associated with a respective container is operative to produce at least one wireless signal corresponding to weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data corresponding to the weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

21. Apparatus comprising:

at least one reader,

wherein the at least one reader is operative to read identifying data that is usable to identify a user as an authorized user,

a housing,

wherein the housing bounds an interior area,

wherein the housing includes an opening,

wherein the opening provides access from outside the housing to the interior area,

a door,

wherein the door is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the housing,

wherein the door is movable between an open position and a closed position,

wherein in the open position the interior area is accessible from outside the housing through the opening, and

wherein in the closed position the door prevents access to the interior area from outside the housing through the opening,

a lock,

wherein the lock is in operative connection with the door,

wherein the lock is changeable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition,

wherein in the locked condition the lock is operative to hold the door in the closed position,

a holder,

wherein the holder includes a plurality of storage locations,

wherein each storage location is configured to removably accept a narcotic item holding container therein,

wherein the holder is in operatively supported connection with the housing in the interior area,

a plurality of wireless readers,

wherein each wireless reader is positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of the storage locations,

a plurality of narcotic item holding containers,

wherein each container is operative to hold at least one unit of a narcotic item,

a plurality of wireless transmitters,

wherein each container is associated with a wireless transmitter,

wherein each respective wireless transmitter is operative to output at least one wireless signal,

wherein the at least one wireless signal is usable to identify at least one of a particular container and a narcotic item held by the particular container,

wherein each wireless reader adjacent a corresponding storage location is operative to receive at least one wireless signal from a wireless transmitter associated with a container when the container is positioned in the storage location, and

wherein the wireless reader is not operative to receive the at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter when the container is not positioned in the holder,

at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the at least one reader, the lock, the plurality of wireless readers, and at least one data store which includes data corresponding to

identifying data for each of a plurality of authorized users, and

a plurality of narcotics items held by the containers,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to

cause the lock to change from the locked condition to the unlocked condition, responsive at least in part to the at least one reader reading authorization data corresponding to a first user, and

then cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data indicating that at least one of a first narcotic item and a first container containing the first narcotics item was removed from the housing by the first user, responsive at least in part to a wireless reader ceasing to receive at least one wireless signal from the wireless transmitter associated with the first container containing the first narcotics item,

wherein each container includes an wireless receiver and programmable memory,

wherein each storage location includes an wireless programming output device operative to program the programmable memory of a container in the storage location,

wherein the at least one processor includes at least one timing function operating therein,

wherein the at least one processor is in operative connection with the wireless programming output device in each storage location,

wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be included in the programmable memory of a respective container, data corresponding to a time the respective container was placed in a storage location.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein each wireless receiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) receiver, and wherein each wireless programming device comprises a RF programming device.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21 wherein each container includes at least one weight sensor associated therewith, and wherein a respective wireless transmitter associated with a respective container is operative to produce at least one wireless signal corresponding to weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 wherein the at least one processor is operative to cause to be stored in the at least one data store, data corresponding to the weight sensed by the at least one weight sensor associated with the respective container.