RFID scanning device

• US 10,692,316 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2017
• Issued: 06/23/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gary L. Sharpe
• Original Assignee: Gary L. Sharpe
• Inventors: Clouser, Doug, Wolf, Kurt, Sharpe, Gary L., Dutro, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Trail, Allyson N
• Application Number:
  US15/828,508
• Publication Number:
  US 20190340855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 235385, 235375, 235450, 235492, 235449
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/5246 rotating
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/087 Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/0019 the keyless data carrier having only one limited data transmission rangs
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00269 opening and locking of all locks at the same time
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00293 anti-theft
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00182 operated with unidirectional data transmission between data carrier and locks
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/40 for the management of medical equipment or devices, e.g. scheduling maintenance or upgrades

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods for performing inventory management using RFID technology. The system includes a double-door box for receiving one or more items containing RFID tags. Items are scanned against a baseline content data to confirm all items are present and whether any items have expired. The box has security features to prevent unauthorized access to its contents and create an audit trail of access. Access to the box may be granted when two users present separate authorized RFID-enabled cards, wrist bands, or other items. Multiple locking features provide for additional security. A drop box mechanism on top of the housing allows for items to be deposited into the box without the same security protocols needed for accessing items. Scanning, authorization, and notification functions may be controlled remotely by an outside server or locally by a processing unit contained within the box itself.

Claims

1. A device for securing and tracking RFID-tagged inventory comprising:

a housing surrounding an interior cavity, said housing having a front side, a top side, a left and right side, a bottom side, and a back side;

an outer door, said outer door connected to said front side of said housing, and said outer door adapted for movement between a closed position and an open position;

an inner door, said inner door adapted for movement between a closed position and an open position;

a drop box mechanism located in said top side of said housing, said drop box mechanism comprising a drawer adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, said drawer adapted to receive items when said drawer is in said open position, and said drawer adapted to place items into said inner cavity when said drawer is in said closed position;

an RFID antenna located within said housing;

said RFID antenna configured to communicate with one or more RFID tags located within said interior cavity;

an RFID reader located within said housing, said RFID reader configured to communicate with one or more RFID tags located within said interior cavity; and

a processor located within said housing, said processor in electronic communication with said RFID antenna and said RFID reader;

wherein said drop box mechanism is associated with said outer door such that said drawer is prevented from moving to said open position when said outer door is closed; and

wherein said processor is adapted to instruct said RFID antenna and said RFID reader to perform a scan to identify items present in said interior cavity upon the closing of said outer door.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner door is located in a recess in said front side of said housing.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said outer and inner doors are spring biased in an open position.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said device further comprises:

an LED light located on said housing, said LED light adapted to communicate notifications to a user.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said inner door is located behind said outer door and said inner door can only be in an open position when said outer door is in an open position.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said outer door and inner door comprise lips adapted to aid a user in manually opening and closing said doors.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a first lock mechanism associated with said outer door, said first lock mechanism in electronic communication with said processor;

a second lock mechanism associated with said inner door, said second lock mechanism in electronic communication with said processor;

an access reader unit;

said access reader unit in electronic communication with said processor, said access reader unit adapted to recognize RFID cards associated with authorized users;

wherein said processor is adapted to direct said first electromechanical lock mechanism to unlock said outer door upon the recognition by said access reader unit of a first RFID card associated with a first authorized user, and said processor is adapted to direct said first electromechanical lock mechanism to unlock said outer door upon the recognition by said access reader unit of a second authorized RFID card associated with a second authorized user.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said first and second lock mechanisms comprise mechanical manual override locks.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:

a locking mechanism adapted to lock said drawer in said closed position, said locking mechanism comprising;

a slot, said slot located on said drawer;

a lever, said lever connected to said housing, said lever spring positioned to engage with said slot when said drawer is in said closed position;

said lever spring loaded and biased in a position disengaged from said slot; and

a spring pin, said spring pin extending through said front side of said housing, said spring pin biased to extend out of said front side of said housing;

said spring pin adapted to slide through said housing and make contact with said lever when said outer door is moved from said open position to said closed position;

wherein when said outer door is closed and said pin engages with said lever, said lever engages with said slot and prevents said drawer from being opened.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said drawer includes a finger slot for opening said drawer.

11. A device for securing and tracking RFID-tagged inventory comprising:

a housing surrounding an interior cavity, said housing having a front side, a top side, a left and right side, a bottom side, and a back side;

a door, said door connected to the front side of said housing, and said door adapted for movement between a closed position and an open position;

a drop box mechanism located in said top side of said housing, said drop box mechanism comprising a drawer adapted to move between an open position and a closed position, said drawer adapted to receive items when said drawer is in said open position, and said drawer adapted to place items into said inner cavity when said drawer is in said closed position;

an RFID antenna located within said housing;

said antenna configured to communicate with one or more RFID tags located within said interior cavity;

an RFID reader located within said housing, said reader configured to communicate with one or more RFID tags located within said interior cavity; and

a processor located within said housing, said processor in electronic communication with said at least one RFID antenna and said at least one RFID reader;

wherein said drop box mechanism is associated with said door such that said drawer is prevented from moving to said open position when said door is closed; and

wherein said processor is adapted to instruct said at least one RFID antenna and said at least one RFID antenna/reader to perform a scan to identify items present in said interior cavity upon the closing of said door.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said device further comprises an LED light located on said housing, said LED light adapted to communicate notifications to a user.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said door is spring biased in said open position.

14. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

a first lock mechanism associated with said door, said first lock mechanism in electronic communication with said processor;

an access reader unit;

said access reader unit in electronic communication with said processor, said access reader unit adapted to recognize an RFID card associated with an authorized user;

wherein said processor is adapted to direct said lock mechanism to unlock said door upon the recognition by said access reader unit of an RFID card associated with an authorized user.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said first lock mechanism comprises an electronically actuated lock in communication with said processor.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein said first lock mechanism comprises a mechanical manual override lock.

17. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

a second lock mechanism adapted to lock said drawer in said closed position, said second lock mechanism comprising;

a slot, said slot located on said drawer;

a lever, said lever connected to said housing, said lever spring positioned to engage with said slot when said drawer is in said closed position;

said lever spring loaded and biased in a position disengaged from said slot; and

a spring pin, said spring pin extending through said front side of said housing, said spring pin biased to extend out of said front side of said housing;

said spring pin adapted to slide through said housing and make contact with said lever when said door is moved from said open position to said closed position;

wherein said lever is adapted to engage with said slot and prevent said drawer from being opened when said door is closed.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein said drawer comprises a finger slot for opening said drawer.