Patent US7342494B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6891473B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6891473B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Object carriers and lighted tags for an object control and tracking system
Assignee: Key Trak Inc
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Filing: 2003-01-31
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Granted: 2005-05-10
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Expires: 2023-01-31
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. The invention also includes lighted key tags for use with an object tracking system. Lighted key tags stored in an object tracking system are adapted to emit light when their attached keys are requested by a user. A portion of the key tag may be formed of transparent material that forms a light guide through which the light is transmitted.
Inventors
- 👤 William C. Maloney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K17/00; G06K7/00; G06K7/10; G06K7/10009; G06K7/10019; G06K7/10079; G07; G07B; G07B15/00; G07B15/02; G07B15/04; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1427; G08B13/1445; G08B13/1454; 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: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
In a key tracking system wherein a plurality of keys are each attached to a trackable object and are removably storable in a storage unit, the keys being individually requestable by a user via a computer controller coupled to said storage unit, the improvement comprising an LED on each trackable object and an electronic circuit in each trackable object coupled to said LED, each of said electronic circuits being adapted to light its LED when a key attached to the trackable object is requested by the user to identify to the user the location of the requested key within the storage unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a key tracking system wherein a plurality of keys are each attached to a trackable object and are removably storable in a storage unit, the keys being individually requestable by a user via a computer controller coupled to said storage unit, the improvement comprising an LED on each trackable object and an electronic circuit in each trackable object coupled to said LED, each of said electronic circuits being adapted to light its LED when a key attached to the trackable object is requested by the user to identify to the user the location of the requested key within the storage unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The improvement of claim 1 and wherein said storage unit has a plurality of slots for receiving trackable objects stored in said storage unit and wherein each of said trackable objects comprises a key tag having a lower portion configured to be received in a selected slot when said key tag is stored in said storage unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
The improvement of claim 2 and wherein each key has an upper portion that projects upwardly from a slot in which said key tag is received and to which keys associated with said key tag are affixed and wherein said LED, when activated, projects light at least upwardly from said upper portion of said key tag.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The improvement of claim 3 and wherein said LED is disposed at a top edge of said upper portion of said key tag and projects light upwardly therefrom such that the lighted LED is visible to a user from the top of said key tag.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The improvement of claim 4 and further comprising a second LED disposed on a side of said upper portion of said key tag and coupled to electronic circuit for projecting light sidewardly therefrom when activated such that the lighted second LED is visible to a user from the side of said key tag.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement of claim 3 and wherein said upper portion of said key tag includes an upwardly extending light guide having a bottom end and a top end terminating at a top edge of said upper portion, said LED positioned to project light into said bottom end of said light pipe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The improvement of claim 6 and wherein said upper portion of said key tag is made of an at least partially transparent material that forms said light guide, the light from said LED propagating upwardly through said upper portion and projecting from edges of said upper portion when said LED is activated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The improvement of claim 7 and further comprising a discontinuity formed in at least one side of said upper portion, said discontinuity diverting a portion of the light from said LED sidewise of said upper portion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
126 words
A key tag for use in a Key Track system, said key tag comprising: a lower portion bearing contacts for coupling with the Key Track system; a mid portion housing an electronic circuit that includes memory storing an identification code uniquely identifying said key tag and a key attached thereto, said electronic circuit being addressable by said Key Track system; an upper portion to which a key associated with said key tag may be affixed; an LED coupled to said electronic circuit, said electronic circuit lighting said LED when addressed by said Key Track system; said LED, when lighted, projecting light at least upwardly from said upper portion of said key tag to identify said key tag visually to a user of said Key Track system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
126 words
A key tag for use in a Key Track system, said key tag comprising: a lower portion bearing contacts for coupling with the Key Track system; a mid portion housing an electronic circuit that includes memory storing an identification code uniquely identifying said key tag and a key attached thereto, said electronic circuit being addressable by said Key Track system; an upper portion to which a key associated with said key tag may be affixed; an LED coupled to said electronic circuit, said electronic circuit lighting said LED when addressed by said Key Track system; said LED, when lighted, projecting light at least upwardly from said upper portion of said key tag to identify said key tag visually to a user of said Key Track system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A key tag as claimed in claim 9 and wherein said LED is located at a top edge of said upper portion.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A key tag as claimed in claim 10 and further comprising a second LED coupled to said electronic circuit, said second LED being located on a side of said upper portion.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
A key tag as claimed in claim 9 and wherein said electronic circuit maintains said LED lighted for a predetermined period of time after being addressed by said Key Track system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
A key tag as claimed in claim 9 and wherein said upper portion of said key tag forms a light guide, said LED, when lit, projecting light upwardly through said light guide to be emitted from exposed edges of said upper portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
41 words
A key tag as claimed in claim 13 and wherein said LED is located in said mid portion of said key tag and is located and oriented to project light into said light guide formed by said upper portion when lighted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
A key tag as claimed in claim 13 and further comprising at least one feature formed on a side of said upper portion for diverting some of said light from said light guide sidewise of said upper portion of said key tag.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
A key tag as claimed in claim 15 and wherein said feature includes grooves.
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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) | 2008-05-09 | 2008-11-08 | 2009-05-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-05-09 | 2012-11-08 | 2013-05-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-05-09 | 2016-11-08 | 2017-05-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |