Patent US6693538B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6693538B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Object carriers for an object control and tracking system
Assignee: Key Trak Inc
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Filing: 2001-12-05
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Granted: 2004-02-17
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Expires: 2021-12-05
Abstract
Abstract Object carriers are provided for use with an object tracking and control system of the type having a storage receptacle with a tray provided with an array of slots for receiving ID tags bearing touch memory devices. A computer-based controller is provided for detecting the absence or presence and identity of ID tags disposed in the slots. The carrier of this invention includes a container with an openable panel for placing objects in and removing objects from the carrier. A thin plastic tongue projects from the carrier and bears a touch memory device. Carriers bearing objects to be tracked are placed in the storage receptacle with their tongues extending into the slots of the receptacle. The controller can thus detect and log the removal and replacement of the carrier in the storage receptacle. In one embodiment, the opening and closing of the carrier when it is not stored in the receptacle is detected and logged for tracking access to the carrier in more detail.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Maloney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1445; G08B13/1454; A; A47; A47G; A47G29/00; A47G29/10; 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; G08B21/0286; G08B21/0288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for tracking keys comprising: a trackable object to be associated with a key; a storage unit; a socket in said storage unit, said trackable object configured to fit in said socket; said trackable object including an addressable switch storing an identification code and having a ground port, a data port, and an input-output (I/O) port; said trackable object further including an LED connected with said I/O port of said addressable switch; and a computer in communication with said data port of said addressable switch when said trackable object is in said socket; said addressable switch activating said LED upon receipt of said identification code communicated by said computer.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
110 words
A system for tracking keys comprising: a trackable object to be associated with a key; a storage unit; a socket in said storage unit, said trackable object configured to fit in said socket; said trackable object including an addressable switch storing an identification code and having a ground port, a data port, and an input-output (I/O) port; said trackable object further including an LED connected with said I/O port of said addressable switch; and a computer in communication with said data port of said addressable switch when said trackable object is in said socket; said addressable switch activating said LED upon receipt of said identification code communicated by said computer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said trackable object is configured to contain the key.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said trackable object is configured to attach to the key.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said storage unit comprises an openable drawer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: a plurality of said trackable objects each to be associated with a key and each having an addressable switch storing an identification code and an LED connected with said addressable switch; and a plurality of sockets in said storage unit, said trackable objects configured to fit in said sockets; said computer being in communication with said addressable switches when said trackable objects are held in said sockets; each addressable switch activating its LED upon receipt of a code matching its stored identification code communicated by said computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 5 and wherein the location of a trackable object within said storage unit is identified visually when the LED of said trackable object is activated.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising a resistor connected in series with said LED and said I/O port.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 7 and wherein said resistor is connected between said LED and said I/O port.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said computer is in communication with said data port through interface circuitry.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 9 and wherein said interface circuitry includes a local controller.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and wherein said trackable object has a lower portion and an upper portion, said upper portion of said trackable object being visible in said storage unit when said trackable object is in said socket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 11 and wherein said LED, when activated, emits light from said upper portion of said trackable object.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 12 and wherein said trackable object is configured to contain said key.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 12 and wherein said trackable object is configured to attach to said key.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising conductors on said trackable object connected with said ports of said addressable switch and contacts associated with said socket, said conductors engaging said contacts when said trackable object is in said socket.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 15 and wherein said computer is in communication with said data port of said addressable switch through said contacts and said conductors when said trackable object is in said socket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system for tracking keys as claimed in claim 16 and further comprising a plurality of trackable objects and a plurality of sockets in said storage unit, said computer being in communication with the addressable switches of trackable objects in said sockets.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
135 words
A key tracking system comprising: a plurality of trackable objects each to be associated with a key; a storage unit; a plurality of sockets in said storage unit, each socket configured to receive a trackable object; each of said trackable objects including an electronic circuit storing an identification code and having a ground connection, a data connection, and an input-output (I/O) connection; each of said trackable objects further including an LED connected with said I/O connection of said electronic circuit; a computer in communication with the data connections of electronic circuits of trackable objects in said sockets; each of said electronic circuits activating its LED upon receipt of a code matching its stored identification code communicated by said computer, the activated LED indicating visually the location of the corresponding trackable object within said storage unit.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
135 words
A key tracking system comprising: a plurality of trackable objects each to be associated with a key; a storage unit; a plurality of sockets in said storage unit, each socket configured to receive a trackable object; each of said trackable objects including an electronic circuit storing an identification code and having a ground connection, a data connection, and an input-output (I/O) connection; each of said trackable objects further including an LED connected with said I/O connection of said electronic circuit; a computer in communication with the data connections of electronic circuits of trackable objects in said sockets; each of said electronic circuits activating its LED upon receipt of a code matching its stored identification code communicated by said computer, the activated LED indicating visually the location of the corresponding trackable object within said storage unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
A key tracking system as claimed in claim 18 and wherein each of said electronic circuits includes an addressable switch having a ground port, a data port, and an input-output (I/O) port, said ground port providing said ground connection, said data port providing said data connection, and said I/O port providing said I/O connection.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A key tracking system as claimed in claim 18 and wherein said storage unit comprises a drawer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
A key tracking system as claimed in claim 18 and wherein said computer is in communication with said data connections through interface circuitry.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
A key tracking system as claimed in claim 21 and wherein said interface circuitry includes a local controller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
A key tracking system as claimed in claim 18 and wherein each of said trackable objects has a set of conductors and each of said sockets has a set of contacts configured to engage the conductors of a trackable object in said socket, said computer communicating through said contacts and said conductors.
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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) | 2007-02-16 | 2007-08-18 | 2008-02-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-02-16 | 2011-08-18 | 2012-02-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-02-16 | 2015-08-18 | 2016-02-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |