Gate system for inventory control and theft prevention
First Claim
1. A method of tracking inventory, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first antenna proximate an opening of a structure;
defining an imaginary plane parallel to the opening in a wall of the structure;
defining an imaginary opening line orthogonal to the imaginary plane;
defining a first imaginary line extending longitudinally through the first antenna;
orienting the first antenna such that the first imaginary line is between a 25 and 35 degree angle from the imaginary opening line;
providing a second antenna proximate the opening;
emanating a signal from an item;
moving the item past the first antenna and measuring a first signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the first antenna;
determining a first time when the first signal strength peaks;
moving the item past the second antenna and measuring a second signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the second antenna;
determining a second time when the second signal strength peaks; and
comparing the first time and the second time to determine an actual direction the item moved past the first antenna and second antenna; and
providing the actual direction to an inventory tracking system.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a gate system which uses overlapping radiation patterns to deduce when an item is entering a warehouse and when an item is leaving a warehouse, for example, for loading onto a truck. The present invention stores information relating to the direction the item moved and actuates an alarm if the item is moved in an unexpected direction. The radiation patterns of the gates are angled such that one radiation pattern from a first antenna is directed towards the loading dock, while another radiation pattern from a second antenna is directed towards the interior of the building. Overlapping the radiation patterns allows the logic circuitry to account for the item as it moves from one side of the gate system to the other.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of tracking inventory, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first antenna proximate an opening of a structure; defining an imaginary plane parallel to the opening in a wall of the structure; defining an imaginary opening line orthogonal to the imaginary plane; defining a first imaginary line extending longitudinally through the first antenna; orienting the first antenna such that the first imaginary line is between a 25 and 35 degree angle from the imaginary opening line; providing a second antenna proximate the opening; emanating a signal from an item; moving the item past the first antenna and measuring a first signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the first antenna; determining a first time when the first signal strength peaks; moving the item past the second antenna and measuring a second signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the second antenna; determining a second time when the second signal strength peaks; and comparing the first time and the second time to determine an actual direction the item moved past the first antenna and second antenna; and providing the actual direction to an inventory tracking system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of tracking inventory, the method comprising the steps of:
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defining an imaginary plane parallel to a wall forming an opening; defining an imaginary opening line orthogonal to the imaginary plane; defining a first imaginary line extending longitudinally through a first antenna; orienting the first antenna such that the first imaginary line is between a 25 and 35 degree angle from the imaginary opening line; overlapping a first radiation pattern of the first antenna with a second radiation pattern of a second antenna; determining when an item moves through the first radiation pattern and storing the result as a first time; determining when the item moves through the second radiation pattern and storing the result as a second time; and determining the direction the item is traveling by comparing the first time and the second time. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An apparatus adapted to track an item of inventory, the apparatus comprising:
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a first antenna having a first radiation pattern, wherein the antenna is configured to sense when the item moves through the first radiation pattern; a second antenna having a second radiation pattern, wherein the antenna is configured to sense when the item moves through the second radiation pattern; an imaginary plane parallel to a wall forming an opening; an imaginary opening line orthogonal to the imaginary plane; a first imaginary line extending longitudinally through the first antenna; wherein the first antenna is oriented such that the first imaginary line is between a 25 and 35 degree angle from the imaginary opening line; a server in communication with the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the server determines an actual direction the item passes by the first antenna and the second antenna; a database in communication with the server, the database comprising an record containing an expected direction for the item to pass by the first antenna and the second antenna; and an alarm system in communication with the server, wherein the server actuates the alarm system when the server determines the item did not pass by the first antenna and the second antenna in the expected direction. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification