Object tracking system with non-contact object detection and identification

• US 7,250,865 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Issued: 07/31/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1998
• 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): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/080,135
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156739A1
• Time in Patent Office: 868 Days
• Field of Search: 340/568.1, 340/571, 340/572.2, 340/572.4, 340/572.7, 340/572.9, 340/825.49, 340/10.3, 340/572.1, 235/375, 235/382, 235/385, 705/28, 705/32
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/00 Methods or arrangements for effecting co-operative working between equipments covered by two or more of main groups G06K1/00 - G06K15/00, e.g. automatic card files incorporating conveying and reading operations
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/04 comprising devices to free a barrier, turnstile, or the like turnstiles with registering means G07C9/10; coin-freed aspects G07F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 11/00 Arrangements, systems or apparatus for checking, e.g. the occurrence of a condition, not provided for elsewhere
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2009/00936 for key cabinets
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/00896 specially adapted for particular uses
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1427 with transmitter-receiver for distance detection
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1454 Circuit arrangements thereof
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1463 Physical arrangements, e.g. housings devices to prevent theft or loss of purses, luggage or hand carried bags A45C13/18
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2417 having a radio frequency identification chip
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2431 Tag circuit details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2434 Tag housing and attachment details
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2448 Tag with at least dual detection means, e.g. combined inductive and ferromagnetic tags, dual frequencies within a single technology, tampering detection or signalling means on the tag
• 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 13/2471 Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2474 Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout loop antennae H01Q1/22
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2477 Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/2482 EAS methods, e.g. description of flow chart of the detection procedure
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/023 Power management, e.g. system sleep and wake up provisions
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0286 Tampering or removal detection of the child unit from child or article
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0288 Attachment of child unit to child/article

Abstract

An object tracking system is provided for tracking the removal of objects from a location and the replacement of the objects at the location. The system includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to each of the objects to be tracked and each tag has an antenna. When activated, the RFID tag of an object transmits a unique code identifying the object. A storage unit is provided at the location and the storage unit has a plurality of receptacles configured to receive objects replaced at the location. Each receptacle has an associated antenna for activating the RFID tag of an object in the receptacle and receiving the radio frequency transmitted code of the object. The antennae of the system can be capacitive plates for conveying the radio frequency transmissions through capacitive coupling or inductive loops for conveying the transmissions through inductive coupling. A computer-based controller is coupled to the antenna of the receptacles for receiving transmitted codes and determining based thereon the absence or presence and location of objects within the storage unit.

Claims

1. An object tracking system for tracking the removal of objects from a storage unit and the replacement of the objects at a storage unit, said object tracking system comprising:

a non-contact ID tag attached to each of the object to be tracked, each non-contact ID tag including an electronic storage device carrying a stored code associated with the object corresponding to the non-contact ID tag, each of said non-contact ID tags being capable of transmitting its stored code;

a plurality of receptacles in said storage unit wherein each receptacle is configured to receive a single object and to allow each single object to be selectively removed from each receptacle;

at least one non-contact sensor associated with a receptacle for polling the non-contact ID tag of an object in a receptacle and detecting the resulting transmission by the non-contact ID tag of the stored code associated with the object;

selection circuitry coupled to said sensor for selecting said sensor, said sensor, when selected, detecting the stored code associated with an object if an object is present in the associated receptacle and detecting no code if an object is not present in the associated receptacle; and

a controller coupled to said sensor for receiving stored codes detected by said sensor and for determining, based on the received codes, the absence of objects removed from the location and the presence and location within the storage unit of objects present at the location;

said non-contact ID tags being adapted to transmit their stored codes to said sensor.

2. The object tracking system of claim 1, wherein said non-contact ID tag is a radio frequency ID tag.

3. The object tracking system of claim 1 wherein each of said non-contact ID tags includes an antenna for transmission of its stored code and wherein each of said sensors includes an antenna for receiving stored codes transmitted by said non-contact ID tags.

4. The object tracking system of claim 3 wherein said antenna of each non-contact ID tag comprises a pair of capacitive plates and wherein each of said sensors includes a pair of capacitive plates, said capacitive plates of each non-contact ID tag aligning with said capacitive plates of a sensor when the object to which said non-contact ID tag is attached is disposed in the receptacle associated with the sensor, the radio frequency transmission of said non-contact ID tag being capacitively coupled to said sensor.

5. The object tracking system of claim 4 wherein said capacitive plates are formed of conductive foil.

6. The object tracking system of claim 4 wherein said capacitive plates are formed of resistive ink.

7. The object tracking system of claim 4 wherein said capacitive plates are formed of resistive ink.

8. The object tracking system of claim 4 wherein said capacitive plates are applied to the surface of said object.

9. The object tracking system of claim 3 wherein said antenna of each non-contact ID tag comprises an inductive loop and wherein each of said sensors includes an inductive loop, said inductive loops of each non-contact ID tag aligning with said inductive loop of a sensor when the object to which said non-contact ID tag is attached is disposed in the receptacle associated with the sensor, the radio frequency transmission of said non-contact ID tag being inductively coupled to said sensor.

10. A system for tracking the removal and replacement of a plurality of keys from a storage unit, said system comprising:

a plurality of key tags each for association with one or more keys to be tracked;

a non-contact RFID tag on each of said key tags, each non-contact RFID tag storing an identification code associated with its key tag and being adapted to transmit said identification code via radio frequency transmission without electrical contact with said storage unit;

a storage unit, said storage unit being adapted to receive and to allow selective removal of said key tags and keys attached thereto;

at least one radio frequency sensor at said storage unit for sensing identification codes transmitted by RFID tags of key tags in said storage unit; and

a controller coupled to said at least one sensor, said controller being programmed to receive identification codes from said at least one sensor and to track removal and replacement of key tags and thus keys in said storage unit based thereon.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein said storage unit comprises a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle disposed for receipt of a key tag.

12. A key tag for use with a system for tracking the removal and replacement of a plurality of keys from a storage unit, said key tag comprising:

a front face and a rear face and a fastener for securing one or more keys thereto; and

a non-contact RFID tag attached to said key tag, said non-contact RFID tag storing an identification code associated with its key tag and being adapted to transmit said identification code via radio frequency transmission without electrical contact with said storage unit.