US6232876B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mobile object tracking system
Assignee: Key Trak Inc
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Filing: 1999-09-09
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Granted: 2001-05-15
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Expires: 2019-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A mobile object tracking system is provided for tracking the removal and use of specific objects within a group checked out from storage between the time the objects are checked out and the replacement of the objects in the storage. The system includes a system controller and a storage unit that receive and store a series of object carriers therein. Each object carrier includes a series of object holders in which id tags for the group of objects checked out of the storage are received. The object carrier monitors the time each object is removed from the object carrier, which information is thereafter communicated to the system controller.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Maloney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:28
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1445; G08B13/1454; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G07; G07B; G07B15/00; G07B15/02; G07B15/04; G08B13/1427; G08B13/1463; G08B13/22; G08B13/24; G08B13/2402; G08B13/2405; G08B13/2414; G08B13/2417; G08B13/2428; G08B13/2431; G08B13/2434; G08B13/2448; G08B13/2451; G08B13/2462; G08B13/2465; G08B13/2468; G08B13/2471; G08B13/2474; G08B13/2477; G08B13/2482; G08B21/00; G08B21/02; G08B21/0202; G08B21/0227; G08B21/0286; G08B21/0288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of tracking use of objects of a set of objects checked out from a storage means, comprising: placing the objects to be tracked in object holders mounted on a portable object carrier; removing selected ones of the objects from their object holders as needed for use of each such object; actuating a timer associated with each object of the set of objects as each object is placed in its object holder, stopping each timer upon removal of its object from the object holder, restarting each timer as its object is replaced in the object holder to generate a time record, replacing the removed objects in their object holders on the object carrier after use; and comparing the time record for each object with a record of time the portable object carrier has been checked out from the storage means to determine whether an individual object of the set of objects was used.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of tracking use of objects of a set of objects checked out from a storage means, comprising: placing the objects to be tracked in object holders mounted on a portable object carrier; removing selected ones of the objects from their object holders as needed for use of each such object; actuating a timer associated with each object of the set of objects as each object is placed in its object holder, stopping each timer upon removal of its object from the object holder, restarting each timer as its object is replaced in the object holder to generate a time record, replacing the removed objects in their object holders on the object carrier after use; and comparing the time record for each object with a record of time the portable object carrier has been checked out from the storage means to determine whether an individual object of the set of objects was used.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
174 words
A mobile tracking system for tracking use of objects of a set of objects, comprising: at least one potable object carrier having a series of object holders in which each individual object of the set of objects is received and stored; a series of identification tags to which each individual object is mounted, each identification tag being received within one of said object holders, and having a memory device having an internal timer for counting a period of time; and wherein said object carrier includes an on-board controller having an internal clock for counting a period of time and which communicates with a system controller to transmit information regarding the periods of time counted by each said memory device for each object stored on said object carrier and said controller of said object carrier to said system controller to determine how long each individual object was used based upon a comparison of the time counted by said memory device associated with each object and the time counted by said controller of said object carrier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
174 words
A mobile tracking system for tracking use of objects of a set of objects, comprising: at least one potable object carrier having a series of object holders in which each individual object of the set of objects is received and stored; a series of identification tags to which each individual object is mounted, each identification tag being received within one of said object holders, and having a memory device having an internal timer for counting a period of time; and wherein said object carrier includes an on-board controller having an internal clock for counting a period of time and which communicates with a system controller to transmit information regarding the periods of time counted by each said memory device for each object stored on said object carrier and said controller of said object carrier to said system controller to determine how long each individual object was used based upon a comparison of the time counted by said memory device associated with each object and the time counted by said controller of said object carrier.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of tracking the occurrence and duration of the removal of objects from a storage location comprising the steps of marking the passage of time at the storage location, providing a timer on each of the objects with each timer having a run state and a stop state, for each object, placing its timer in one state when the object is stored at the storage location, placing its timer in the other state when the object is removed from the storage location, and periodically comparing the marked time at the storage location with the timer of each object to determine which objects were removed and the duration of the removals.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
111 words
A method of tracking the occurrence and duration of the removal of objects from a storage location comprising the steps of marking the passage of time at the storage location, providing a timer on each of the objects with each timer having a run state and a stop state, for each object, placing its timer in one state when the object is stored at the storage location, placing its timer in the other state when the object is removed from the storage location, and periodically comparing the marked time at the storage location with the timer of each object to determine which objects were removed and the duration of the removals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 3 and wherein each timer is placed in its run state when stored at the storage location and is placed in its stop state when removed from the storage location.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-05-14 | 2004-11-13 | 2005-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-14 | 2008-11-13 | 2009-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-14 | 2012-11-13 | 2013-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |