Apparatus for containing and transporting precious items

• US 8,390,457 B2
• Filed: 07/23/2007
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paolo Stefanelli
• Original Assignee: Paolo Stefanelli
• Inventors: Stefanelli, Paolo
• Primary Examiner(s): Lau, Hoi
• Application Number:
  US12/668,342
• Publication Number:
  US 20100194570A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,052 Days
• Field of Search: 340/572.1, 340/568.1, 340/572.8, 340/5.92, 340/5.2, 340/5.8, 340/686.6
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2457 Lending systems using EAS tags wherein the tags are reusable, e.g. they can be activated and deactivated more than once, e.g. for a library
• 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 21/0227 System arrangements with a plurality of child units

Abstract

An apparatus for containing and transporting precious items comprises at least one holding structure (2) adapted to contain at least one precious item (200), at least one antenna (3) adapted to detect the presence of an electronic identification device (201) associated with the precious item (200), in order to determine the contents of the holding structure (2) and send a signal (S1) representative of same at least on occurrence of a predetermined event, storing means (4) physically associated with the holding structure (2) and operatively associated with the antenna (3) for receiving the signal sent therefrom on occurrence of a first event and store the contents of the holding structure (2) on occurrence of the first event. A processing unit (5) can be connected to the storing means (4) and the antenna (3) to compare the contents of the storing means (4) with a signal (S2) sent by the antenna (3) on occurrence of a second event subsequent in time to the first one.

Claims

1. An apparatus for containing and transporting precious items comprising:

at least one holding structure (2) adapted to contain at least one precious item (200);

at least one antenna (3) adapted to detect a presence of an electronic identification device (201) associated with said precious item (200) in order to determine contents of the holding structure (2) and send a signal (S1) representative of same precious item at least on occurrence of a predetermined event;

storing means (4) physically associated with said holding structure (2) and operatively associated with said antenna (3) for receiving the signal sent by said antenna (3) on occurrence of a first event and store the contents of said holding structure (2) on occurrence of said first event;

said first event being powering of said antenna (3);

a processing unit (5) to be connected to said storing means (4) and said antenna (3) in order to compare contents of the storing means (4) with a signal (S2) sent by said antenna (3) on occurrence of a second event subsequent in time to said first event;

said processing unit (5) being connectable to a plurality of storage structures (6);

said holding structure (2) being adapted to be transported and removably engaged in said plurality of storage structures (6);

said holding structure (2) being insertable in a removable manner into a storage structure (6), the latter comprising enable means (7) for sending said signal (S2) generated by said antenna (3), and reading the contents of the storage means (4);

said enable means (7) comprising an electric connection (8) for power supply to said antenna (3) so as to generate the electromagnetic field feeding said electronic identification device (201) associated with said precious item (200);

wherein said storage structures (6) are adapted to receive a plurality of said holding structures (2);

said second event being a full insertion of said holding structure (2) into the one of said plurality of storage structures (6) once said holding structure (2) has reached its destination.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said enable means (7) comprises a data transmitting device (11) for sending data to said processing unit (5).

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said enable means (7) comprises a single data transmitting line (12) for sending the signals coming from each holding structure (2) to said data transmitting device (11).

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding structure (2) comprises a plurality of reserved spaces (13) each of which is adapted to hold a precious item (200);

each reserved space (13) being associated with a respective antenna (3).

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein each reserved space (13) is electromagnetically insulated from the others.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said storing means (4) consists of a single storing device adapted to store the signals sent, on occurrence of said first event, by the antenna (3) of each reserved space (13) of the holding structure (2).

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said storing device is adapted to store the signal (S2) sent by said antennas (3) on occurrence of said second event, in order to store the contents of said holding structure (2) on occurrence of said second event.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said holding structure (2) is a drawer alternatively insertable into a plurality of storage structures (6).

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said plurality of storage structures (6) is a homogeneous or heterogeneous combination of chests of drawers, safes, display tables, display cases.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said processing unit (5) is connectable to a plurality of storage structures (6), irrespective of the fact that they are equal to or different from each other.