U.S. patent application number 10/026839 was filed with the patent office on 2003-04-10 for system and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling.
Invention is credited to Butts, Charles G., Elwood, Bryan M., Steinhoff, Paul M., Tipton, Walter Jeff.
Application Number | 20030069796 10/026839 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26701720 |
Filed Date | 2003-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030069796 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Elwood, Bryan M. ; et
al. |
April 10, 2003 |
System and method for product tracking and product temperature
profiling
Abstract
A storage unit for tracking events associated with an item is
disclosed that includes a storage unit, a tracking device, and a
processing and/or storage device. The tracking device monitors the
presence of an item associated with the storage unit and the
temperature of the item at discrete intervals of time. The
processing and/or storage device is electrically connected to the
tracking device and stores information generated from the tracking
device. An automated access system may also be provided that grants
access to the storage unit only to authorized users. An external
network may also be provided which allows a user to monitor the
storage unit including, access to the storage unit, and a
temperature of the storage unit.
Inventors: |
Elwood, Bryan M.; (Candler,
NC) ; Tipton, Walter Jeff; (Asheville, NC) ;
Butts, Charles G.; (Weaverville, NC) ; Steinhoff,
Paul M.; (Leawood, KS) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER + HOSTETLER LLP
WASHINGTON SQUARE, SUITE 1100
1050 CONNECTICUT AVE. N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5304
US
|
Family ID: |
26701720 |
Appl. No.: |
10/026839 |
Filed: |
December 27, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60327769 |
Oct 10, 2001 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
705/23 ;
374/E1.003 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/087 20130101;
G06Q 20/208 20130101; A61J 1/14 20130101; A61J 1/10 20130101; A61J
1/1462 20130101; G07C 9/22 20200101; G01K 1/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/23 |
International
Class: |
G06F 017/60 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A storage unit, comprising: a first tracking device, wherein the
tracking device monitors the presence of an item associated with
the storage unit and monitors the temperature of the item; and a
processing device electrically linked to the first tracking device
that communicates with the tracking device.
2. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a data storage
device that is electrically linked to the processing device.
3. The storage unit of claim 2, wherein the data storage device
stores write data.
4. The storage unit of claim 3, wherein the processing device
writes the write data to the first tracking device.
5. The storage unit of claim 1, further comprising a data storage
device that is electrically linked to the first tracking
device.
6. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the processing device at
reads data from the first tracking device and generates read
data.
7. The storage unit of claim 6, further comprising a data storage
device, wherein the read data is stored in the data storage
device.
8. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the first tracking device
is a tracking device socket that is electrically compatible with a
second tracking device that is associated with the item.
9. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a
refrigerator.
10. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is an
incubator.
11. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the storage unit is a
blood storage unit.
12. The storage unit of claim 1, wherein the tracking device is an
iButton.
13. The storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an
access control system, wherein the access control system is
connected to the processing device.
14. The storage unit according to claim 13, wherein the access
control system is a badge identification system and grants access
to the storage unit to authorized users.
15. The storage unit according to claim 13, wherein the access
control system is a bioinformatics system.
16. The storage unit according to claim 15, wherein the
bioinformatics system is a retinal scanning system.
17. The storage unit according to claim 13, wherein the access
control system maintains a log within the access control system of
individuals who access the storage unit.
18. The storage unit according to claim 13, wherein the access
control system communicates information to the processing device
about an individual who has accessed the storage unit.
19. The storage unit according to claim 18, wherein the information
communicated to the processing device about the individual is at
least one of identification information and time of access
information.
20. The storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the tracking
device generates temperature information from taking the
temperature of the item.
21. The storage unit according to claim 20, wherein the tracking
device stores the temperature information.
22. The storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a
plurality of tracking devices associated with a plurality of items
in the storage unit.
22. The storage unit according to claim 1, further comprising: an
external processing device connected to the processing device,
wherein the information can be accessed from the external
processing device by a user of the external processing device.
23. The storage unit according to claim 22, wherein the external
processing device is a part of an external network.
24. A method for generating a log of temperature information for an
item in a storage unit, comprising: storing the item; tracking the
presence of the item; taking the temperature of the item; and
maintaining information generated from tracking the presence of the
item and taking the temperature of the item.
25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising:
determining whether an individual is an authorized user; and
granting access to the storage unit if the individual is an
authorized user.
26. The method according to claim 25, further comprising: recording
information about the authorized user.
27. The method according to claim 25, further comprising: recording
the time the authorized user was permitted access to the storage
unit.
28. The method according to claim 25, further comprising: recording
the time the authorized user exited the storage unit.
29. The method according to claim 24, wherein the taking of the
temperature of the item is performed and recorded at discrete
intervals of time.
30. A storage unit, comprising: means for storing an item; means
for taking the temperature of the item; means for tracking the
presence of an item; and means for maintaining information
generated from tracking the presence of the item and taking the
temperature of the item.
31. The storage unit of claim 30, wherein the storing means is a
storage unit.
32. The storage unit of claim 30, wherein the temperature taking
means and the tracking means is a tracking device.
33. The storage unit of claim 30, wherein the maintaining means is
a processing device.
34. The storage unit of claim 33, wherein the processing device is
a microcontroller.
35. The storage unit according to claim 30, further comprising:
means for accessing tracking information generated by the tracking
means.
36. The storage unit according to claim 27, wherein the accessing
means is an access control system.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to the provisional U.S.
patent application entitled, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCT TRACKING
AND PRODUCT TEMPERATURE PROFILING, filed Oct. 10, 2001, having a
serial No. 60/327,769 the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to inventory
tracking. More particularly, the present invention is directed to
automated product tracking and product temperature profiling.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In industries where there is a need to administer and
maintain an inventory of goods, the goods are frequently stored in
a storage unit and an individual is designated to monitor the
goods. The monitoring of the goods often involves physically
inspecting the location of the goods to perform an accounting. The
accounting involves determining whether or not a particular item is
present in the storage unit. It is not uncommon, however, for the
individual responsible for physically inspecting the goods to
perform an inaccurate accounting of the goods.
[0004] In the medical field, the monitoring of goods could be
useful. The integrity of the blood units and the sample specimens
is important. Units of blood or sample specimens from research
activities are stored in laboratory refrigerators or ultra low
temperature (ULT) freezers (freezers operating at -40 degrees and
below) and medical professionals seek to ensure that the blood
units or the sample specimens are not subjected to tampering.
[0005] Often the storage units where the blood units and sample
specimens are placed is accessible to many individuals. Under open
access conditions, units of blood or sample specimens may be
removed from storage units or placed in storage units without an
accounting of the transaction. Further, if tampering activities are
performed, there may not be a system or method for identifying the
individuals who performed the tampering activities. Therefore, it
is difficult for medical professionals to administer the storage
units to prevent the tampering of the blood units or sample
specimens and maintain an accounting of the blood units or sample
specimens.
[0006] In many industries, such as the medical and food industries,
it is also important to maintain items at certain temperatures
and/or to monitor items to identify any temperature changes
associated with the items. For example, in the medical field, blood
should to be maintained within a certain temperature range.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system and/or method for
tracking the temperature of products. It is also desirable to take
the temperature of products at discrete times and maintain a
record/log of these temperatures.
[0007] Accordingly, it is also desirable to provide a system for
automatically tracking inventory to reduce errors that may occur
when an individual has to physically inspect the goods to perform
an accounting.
[0008] In addition, it is desirable to provide a system that tracks
the date and/or time that an item is removed from the storage unit,
placed in the storage unit, or even placed in a location designated
for another item.
[0009] Further, it is desirable to provide a system and method for
allowing only individuals who are authorized to access a storage
unit access to that particular storage unit. It is also desirable
to provide a system that tracks the date and/or time that an
individual accesses a storage unit.
[0010] In addition, it is also desirable to maintain a log of
individuals who have accessed a storage unit. It is also desirable
to maintain a log of items that have been removed or placed in a
storage unit.
[0011] Further, it is desirable to provide a system that is
accessible to a user who seeks to administer, monitor, or retrieve
information regarding the storage unit and the contents of the
storage unit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, a storage unit is
provided that includes a tracking device, wherein the tracking
device monitors the presence of an item associated with the storage
unit and monitors the temperature of the item and a processing
device electrically linked to the tracking device that communicates
with the tracking device.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, a method for
storing an item in a storage unit is provided that includes storing
the item, tracking the presence of the item, taking the temperature
of the item, and maintaining information generated from tracking
the presence of the item and taking the temperature of the
item.
[0014] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a storage
unit is provided that includes a means for storing an item, a means
for taking the temperature of the item, a means for tracking the
presence of an item, and a means for maintaining information
generated from tracking the presence of the item and taking the
temperature of the item.
[0015] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention in order that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in
order that the present contribution to the art may be better
appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the
invention that will be described below and which will form the
subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0016] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the
abstract included below, are for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting.
[0017] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for product tracking
and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for product tracking and
product temperature profiling in accordance with the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a system for product tracking and
product temperature profiling in accordance with the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the storage bag of FIG.
4.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a storage bag of a
system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in
accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a storage bag of a
system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in
accordance with the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the storage bag of FIG.
8.
[0027] FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a system for
electrically connecting a storage bag within a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0028] FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of system for electrically
connecting a storage bag within a system for product tracking and
product temperature profiling in accordance with the present
invention.
[0029] FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a system for
electrically connecting a storage bag within a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0030] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of a system for
electrically connecting a storage bag within a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0031] FIG. 14 is a front plan view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0032] FIG. 15 is a bottom elevation view of a container 15 of a
system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in
accordance with the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0034] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0035] FIG. 18 front elevation view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0036] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0037] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
[0038] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of a shelf of a system for
product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance
with the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a system for product
tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] Referring now to the figures wherein like reference numerals
indicate like elements, in FIG. 1 there is shown an exemplary
embodiment of a system for product tracking and product temperature
profiling in accordance with the present invention 10. As shown in
FIG. 1, the system 10 includes one or more storage units 12, in
which an item/goods 14 may be placed. The goods 14 may be
accommodated within a container 15. The storage 12 unit is linked
by a wireless, wireline or other conductor connection 16 to a
processing and/or data storage device 18, for example a central
processing unit (CPU), memory (data storage) and/or timing
circuits, or a microcontroller 18. The CPU, a microcontroller,
memory and/or timing circuits may be part of a network 20. The
network 20 may, for example, be one or more computers or hand-held
computing devices that contain CPU's, microcontrollers, memory
and/or timing circuits.
[0041] The storage unit 12 may be any item capable of accommodating
goods 14. For example, the storage unit may be a medical related
storage unit, such as a plasma freezer, an enzyme freezer, a blood
bank, a general laboratory refrigerator, a laboratory incubator, a
refrigerated incubator, a plant growth chamber, a photostability
chambers, and a ULT freezer. The storage unit may also be a food
storage unit, such as a refrigerator, a freezer, or a warehouse
room for dry goods.
[0042] In general, the goods 14 may be any product or products
placed in a storage unit 12, including those for which security,
accountability, inventory control and/or temperature tracking may
be of concern.
[0043] The goods 14 may be associated with a processing and/or data
storage device 18 or network 20 in a number of ways. In an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the goods 14, when
placed in the storage unit 12, are automatically linked to the
processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20. In another
exemplary embodiment, the goods 14 are linked to the electronics of
the storage unit 12 that is electronically linked to the processing
and/or data storage device 18. In yet another exemplary embodiment
of the present invention, a container 15 in which the goods 14 are
placed is linked to the storage unit 12 that is linked to the
processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20. In another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the goods 14 are
electrically linked to a tray/shelf 24 that is linked to the
processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20, or to a
storage unit 12 that is linked to the processing and/or data
storage device 18 or network 20.
[0044] The electrical connection of the goods to the processing
and/or data storage device 18 or network 20 is automatic, for
example, by associating a tracking device 22, such as an
iButton.RTM. available from Dallas Semiconductor, with the goods
14. The tracking device 22 associates the goods 14 with the
processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20 via a
wireless, wireline, or other conductor link 16 from one or more
conductive surfaces or portions of the tracking device 22 to one or
more conductive surfaces or portions of the processing and/or data
storage device 18 or network 20. By associating the tracking device
22 with the goods 14, the tracking device 22 serves as a means for
identifying, monitoring and tracking the status and location of the
goods 14.
[0045] The iButton is an example of a tracking device 22. The
iButton is a 16 mm computer chip that can withstand extreme
temperature conditions, and is designed to be durable, such that it
lasts for years. Each has a unique registration number associated
with it. A memory iButton can store the information, such as typed
text and can also update the memory upon a simple contact to
indicate that a contact has been made. An iButton may also contain
a real-time clock to track the timing of the events associated with
the iButton. The iButton may also have a conductive surface that
may be utilized to link the iButton to other devices, for example,
the processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20.
[0046] In an exemplary embodiment of a system 10, in accordance
with the present invention, the temperature of the goods 14 is
taken and recorded at one or more predetermined and/or discrete
time intervals. The tracking device 22 may perform the temperature
tracking or a separate temperature profiling device may be provided
to perform the temperature profiling. Whether the temperature is
taken by the tracking device 22 or a separate temperature profiling
device, the temperature information obtained will be communicated
to a data storage device, such as a memory of or a memory
associated with the processing and/or data storage device 18 or
network 20. The data may be stored as instructed by the processing
and/or data storage device 18, network 20 and/or as outputted by
the tracking device 22 at predetermined intervals. In an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, the tracking device 22 or the
separate temperature-tracking device separately stores the
temperature tracking information when the goods 14 are not linked
to the processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20.
[0047] An iButton, such as the Thermocron iButton, is useable to
track time and temperature. The Thermocron iButton integrates a
thermometer, a clock/calendar, a thermal history log and memory to
store information about the item or goods 14 associated with the
Thermochron iButton. The Thermochron iButton is able to store the
information corresponding to the taking of the temperature of the
item or goods 14 at particular instances in time. The stored
information may be accessed from the iButton, the processing and/or
data storage device 18 and/or network 20.
[0048] The tracking device 22 communicates information about the
status of the goods 14 to the processing and/or data storage device
18 or network 20. The information is then logged onto the
respective device. The information about the status of the goods
may be stored within the tracking device and/or in a data storage
area, e.g., memory of the network 18. The stored information may be
accessed directly via the tracking device 22 and/or the processing
and/or data storage device 18 or network 20.
[0049] The association of the tracking device 22 with the goods 14
may be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, the tracking
device 22 may be integrated into the construction of the container
15 in which the goods 14 may be placed, integrated with the
contents of the goods 14, or associated with an inner storage unit
24, such as a tray that is associated with the goods 14. The
present invention contemplates that more than one item may be
associated with an inner storage unit 24, such as a tray, and that
the items of the inner storage unit 24 may be monitored
individually or collectively.
[0050] The tracking device 22 may be one of a plurality of tracking
devices and each tracking device may be a serialized tracking
device, wherein each tracking device that is electrically connected
to the processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20 has a
unique identification associated with it, for example a serial
number. In an exemplary embodiment, the tracking device 22 is
assigned a unique serial number and is usable to log the
temperature of an item or goods 14 at predetermined and/or discrete
time intervals.
[0051] The tracking device 22 will be electrically connected to the
processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20 when it is
electrically coupled to the respective device.
[0052] It will be readily understood, as described in exemplary
embodiments of the invention herein, that a tracking device 22 may
have one or more conductive portions, such that when the one or
more conductive portions of the tracking device 22 mate or couple
with conductive portions of a device that is electrically linked to
the network 20, the access control system 26 and/or the external
network 28, for example, the storage unit 12, the inner storage
unit 24, or the container 15, the goods 14 associated with the
tracking device 22 will be linked to the processing and/or data
storage device 18, network 20, access control system 26 and/or
external network 28.
[0053] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by
linking the goods 14 to the processing and/or data storage device
18 or network 20 via the tracking device 22, any identifying,
historical and/or current information related to the goods 14,
e.g., the serial number, the time associated with any event related
to the goods 14, and the temperature of the goods 14 at discrete
times can be logged on to the processing and/or data storage device
18 or network 20.
[0054] For example, the processing and/or data storage device 18 or
network 20 can then be utilized to recognize that an item has been
placed in the storage unit 12, the date and time that the item 14
was placed in the storage unit, whether an item 14 has been removed
from the storage unit, and/or the date and time that the item 14
was removed from the storage unit, whether an item 14 that was
removed from the storage unit was replaced in the storage unit, the
date and time the removed item was replaced in the storage unit,
whether the temperature of the item 14 changed, and when the
temperature of the item 14 changed.
[0055] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
tracking device 22 is utilized to perform temperature profiling of
the goods 14 when the goods 14 are outside of the storage unit 12.
The information will be stored in the tracking device 22 and
communicated to the processing and/or data storage device 18 or the
network 20 when the goods 14 and/or the inner storage unit 24 is
placed back into the storage unit 12.
[0056] The monitoring of access to the goods 14 may be accomplished
by utilizing an access device or access control system 26 that
serves as a means for granting access and/or a means for
identifying that access has been made to the storage unit 12 and/or
an inner storage unit 24. The access control system 26 may also
serve as a means for identifying an individual that accesses a
storage unit 12, an inner storage unit 24 associated with the goods
14, and/or the actual goods 14. The access control system 26 may be
integrated with the storage unit 12.
[0057] The access system 26 may be a device such as a badge reader,
a bioinformatics system, for example a retinal scanning system or a
finger scanning system, a proximity switch, or an iButton that
grants access to the goods 14 of the storage unit 12 and/or
identifies the individual who seeks access to the goods 14. A badge
reading system will be able to determine if the badge corresponds
to a person authorized to access the storage unit 12 and will be
able to log an individual's identification, the time, and/or date
of access onto the processing and/or data storage device 18,
network 20 and/or a storage unit 12, 24, 15 that is electrically
coupled to the access control system 26. A bioinformatics system,
such as a finger scanning system, will be able to determine whether
an individual's fingerprint or fingerprints correspond to a person
authorized to access the storage unit 12 and will also be able to
log the individual's identification and/or the time and date of the
individual's access.
[0058] Information regarding the events associated with, for
example, the goods 14, the container 15, or the storage unit 12,
such as whether one of the goods 14 has been removed from the
storage unit 12, the identity of individuals who accessed the
storage unit 12 during a certain time period, or the time the
temperature of the goods 14 changed, can be provided to a user by
utilizing an external network 28 that is electrically connected,
for example, by a wireless, wireline or other conductor connection
29 to the automated access and inventory tracking system 10 in
accordance with the present invention. The external network 28 is
linked to the electronics embedded within the automated access and
inventory tracking system 10 via one or more wireline, wireless or
other conductor connections 30.
[0059] The external network 28 will serve as a means of providing
the information logged by devices of the system 10, such as a
tracking device 22 and access device 26, to someone interested in
monitoring the events associated with the inner storage unit 24 or
obtaining information on events associated with the storage unit
12. An external network may be, for example, an RS485, the
Internet, an Intranet, a local area network (LAN) and/or a wide
area network (WAN), or simply a CPU. In an exemplary embodiment,
the external network 28 is integrated with the storage unit 20.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, each sample of goods 14 is electrically
connected to a microcontroller 18 via a tracking device 22 placed
on a surface of the container 15 in which the sample 14 is placed.
The container 15 may be located within a storage unit 12. The
tracking device 22 mates or couples with a conductive portion 25,
for example, a tracking device socket that is linked to the
processing and/or storage device 18 via an electrical connection
16. In addition, an access control system 26 and an external
network 28 are electrically connected to the processing and/or
storage device 18 via electrical connections 27 and 29,
respectively. The external network 28 allows a user and/or an
administrator of the system 10 to access any information
communicated to the processing and/or storage device 18.
[0061] Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment of a system 10 of
the present invention, a user and/or an administrator of the system
is able to know e.g., what goods 14 are in the storage unit 12, who
has been in the storage unit 12, when goods 14 have been added or
removed from the storage unit 12, and what goods have been added or
removed from the storage unit 12, by accessing the external network
28 that is accessible to the user and that is electrically
connected to the tracking system 10.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 3, after activation and any initialization
of the tracking device 32, in one exemplary embodiment of the
present invention, the system 10 determines if it is an appropriate
time to record the temperature of the sample 14 at step 34, takes
the temperature of the sample 14 at step 36, and adds the time and
temperature to a log of the system 10 at step 38. The tracking of
the temperature takes place whether or not a user has obtained
access to the storage unit 12 and may take place even when the
sample 14 is out of the storage unit 12.
[0063] When an authorized user accesses the storage unit 12 at step
40, a new log is created at step 42 by the access device 26 that
identifies the user, according to, for example, a number associated
with the user and/or the time associated with the user's access to
the storage unit 12 at step 44. The system 10 checks to determine
whether the door of the storage unit 12 is closed at step 46. If
the door is closed, the user's identification number and the time
associated with the closing of the storage door are recorded in the
log at step 48. If the system 10 determines that the door to the
storage unit 12 is not closed and the user places the sample 14 in
the storage unit 12 at step 50 and/or pulls a sample 14 from the
storage unit 12 at step 52, the corresponding sample
identification, such as an identification number associated with
the sample 14, is added to the log at step 54. The system 10
continues to monitor events associated with the storage unit 12,
until the door of the storage unit 12 is closed at step 46. When
the door is closed, the user's identification number and/or the
current time are added to the log at step 48.
[0064] FIGS. 4-22 illustrate exemplary embodiments of methods and
devices for electrically linking a tracking device 22 of the goods
14 to one or more conductive portions that may be utilized to link
the goods 14 directly and/or indirectly to the processing and/or
data storage device 18 or network 20. It should be understood that
the conductive portions described with reference to FIGS. 4-22 may
also be utilized to directly and/or indirectly link the goods 14 to
an access control system 26 and/or an external network 28. It
should further be understood that for the purposes of describing
exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to
FIGS. 4-22, the goods 14 are described as linked to the network 20.
However, the goods 14, in any exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, may be electrically linked to any processing and/or
storage device 18.
[0065] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
storage bag is utilized as a container 15. The storage bag 15 is
accommodated with one or more conductors 56. The conductors 56 are
designed to mate/couple with connectors 58 that are coupled to a
hanging apparatus 59 that is linked to a the network 20 via a
wireless, wireline, or other conductor connection between the
hanging apparatus 59 and the processing and/or storage device 18 or
network 20.
[0066] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the storage bag of FIG.
4. As shown in FIG. 5, the tracking device 22 may protrude from a
surface of the bag 15.
[0067] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the tracking device 22 is
a part of a tracking device socket 60. As shown in FIG. 7, one or
more conductor portions or mating socket 62 is provided on the
hanging apparatus 59 that is electrically connected to the network
20. The tracking device socket 60 and the one or more conductor
portions/mating socket 62 are designed such that when the tracking
device socket 60 is coupled to the conductor/mating socket 62, the
storage bag 15 will be electrically connected to the network 20 via
the hanging apparatus 59.
[0068] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
pouch 64 is integrated with the storage bag 15 or coupled to the
storage bag 15. The pouch 64 is accommodated with one or more
conductive portions 66 to establish an electrical connection with
the tracking device 22. The conductive portions 66 may be
electrically connected to or formed continuously with conductor
portions 67, which are, for example, wires that are electrically
connected to the network 20. As shown in FIG. 9, in an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, a conductive portion 66 is
placed on a top and a bottom surface of pouch 64, such that when
the tracking device 22 is placed in the pouch 64, the storage bag
15 is electrically linked to the network 20, the access control
system 26, and/or the external network 28 via conductors 66 and/or
67 that may be linked to any one or more of the aforementioned
devices.
[0069] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
spring loaded clasp 68, as shown in FIG. 10, may be utilized to
electrically connect one or more conductors 66, 67 from the bag 15
to the clasp 68 that is utilized to connect the bag 15 to the
network 20. The clasp 68 may have clasp conductive portions 70, 72,
which may be at or near the tip of the clasp 68, that are linked to
the conductors 66 and/or conductors 67 of the bag.
[0070] It should be understood that the clasp configuration shown
in FIG. 10, in another exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, is reversed such that the clasp 68 extends from the
hanging apparatus 59 and is utilized to clamp onto the conductive
portions 66 or conductive portions 67 of the storage bag 15.
[0071] In another exemplary embodiment of a system 10 in accordance
with the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, a hook 74 is
utilized to electrically connect the bag 15 to the network 20. The
hook 74 may be formed from one or more conductive portions 76 or
have one or more conductor portions 76 coupled to the conductors 66
or 67 of the pouch 64 and/or the bag 15. The hook 74 is designed to
link the bag 15 to the network 20, access control system 26 or
external network 28 when the one or more conductive portions 76 of
the hook 74 electrically couple with the hanging apparatus 59 that
is electrically connected to the network 20.
[0072] Alternatively or in addition to the one or more conductive
portions 76, the hook 74 may have a tip portion 78, which
separately or in conjunction with the one or more conductive
portions 76, electrically connects the storage bag 15 to the
network 20, access control system 26 or external network 28 when
gravity brings the hook 74 into contact with the conductors or
mating slot of the rack 59, and the tip portion 78 mates or couples
with conductors or a mating slot of the hanging rack 59.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 12, in yet another exemplary embodiment of
a system 10 in accordance with the present invention, a plug, for
example, a right angle phono jack 80 is utilized to link the bag 15
to the network 20. The phono jack 80 is able to link the bag 15 to
the network 20 when the conductors 66 and/or 67 of the bag 15 are
electrically connected to the phono jack 80. The phono jack 80 is
designed to mate with a phono jack socket of, for example, the
hanging rack 59 that is electrically connected to the network 20,
access control system 26 and/or external network 28.
[0074] In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, an
umbilical cord, accordion style cable or other similar conductor or
conductor assembly 81 is utilized to electrically connect the bag
15 to the network 20, access control system 26 and/or external
network 28 when the one or more conductors 66 and/or 67 of the bag
15 are electrically coupled to the cable 81.
[0075] FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a
tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention. Shown
in FIG. 14 is a rack 82 having one more shelves 84. The goods 14
may be placed directly on the shelf 84 or placed in the container
15 that is placed on the shelf 84. The container 15 may be
permanently affixed to the shelf 84 or removable from the shelf
84.
[0076] To link the goods 14 with the network 20, a tracking device
22 is, for example, placed with the goods 14, coupled to the
container 15 in which the goods 14 are placed, or coupled to a
shelf 84 on which the goods are stored. A wireless, wireline, or
other electrical conductor connection is established between the
tracking device 22 and the network 20, the access control system 26
and/or external network via exemplary embodiments of methods and
devices described herein.
[0077] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as
shown in FIG. 15, the container 15 has one or more electrodes 86
that are designed to couple the container 15 to corresponding
electrodes on a surface of the shelf 84 or a surface of the rack
82. The container 15 is linked to the network 20, access control
device 26 and/or external network 28 when the electrodes of the
shelf 84 or the surface of the shelf 84 are electrically connected
to the network 20, access control system 26 or external network
28.
[0078] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
one or more electrodes are placed on a surface of the rack 82, for
example the bottom surface of the rack 82 and are designed to
couple to one or more electrodes of a corresponding surface of a
storage unit 85 that is shown in FIG. 16. The one or more
electrodes on the bottom surface of the storage unit 85 may be
utilized to link the rack 82 as a whole unit to the network 20,
access control system 26 or external network 28. When the
electrodes 86 on the bottom surface of the rack 82 mate or couple
with one or more electrodes of the bottom surface of the storage
unit 85, the status of the rack 82 as a whole unit can be
monitored.
[0079] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of
the tracking devices 22 associated with the goods 14, container 15,
and/or shelf 84 is electrically connected to one or more electrodes
on the bottom surface of the rack 82, such that the goods 14 are
individually linked to the network 20, access control system 26 or
external network 28 when the one or more electrodes on the bottom
surface of the rack 82 mate or couple with corresponding electrodes
on the bottom surface of the storage unit 85 that are electrically
connected to the network 20, access control device 26 and/or
external network 28.
[0080] FIGS. 17-18 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a
tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention. As
shown in FIG. 17, the goods 14 may be placed in a container 15 that
is placed on a shelf 86 of a drawer 88. It should be understood
that the drawer 88 may be designed with or without an individual
compartment for the container 15. Similar to the tracking system of
FIGS. 14-16, the goods 14 or container 15 maybe individually linked
to the network 20 or linked to the network 20 when the a conductive
surface of the tracking device 22 associated with the goods 14 is
electrically linked to one or more conductive portions 92 on a
surface of the drawer storage rack 90, for example, a back surface,
that is linked to the network 20, access control system 26, and/or
external network 28. For example, the status and/or identifying
information of the goods, 14, the container 15, and/or the drawer
88 are logged onto the network 20 when the drawer 88, for example,
is rolled or slid back into the drawer storage rack 90 and a
conductor on the back of the drawer mates or couples with a
compatible conductor on the back of the drawer storage rack 90 that
is linked to the network 20, access control system 26 or external
network 28.
[0081] In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention,
the drawer storage rack 90 can be monitored as a whole unit when
one or more conductors placed on a surface of the drawer storage
rack 90, for example, a back surface, mates or couples with the one
or more corresponding conductors 97 on a back surface of the
storage unit 98 shown in FIG. 18 that is electrically linked to the
network 20, the access control system 26 and/or the external
network 28.
[0082] FIG. 19 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a
tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention. Shown
in FIG. 19 are petri dishes 100 that can be utilized to store goods
14, such as sample specimens. Each petri dish 100 is accommodated
with a tracking device 22 and may be placed on a sliding
tray/drawer 102 within a storage unit 104. A device, such as a
mechanical arm 106, as shown in FIG. 20, is coupled to a surface of
the storage unit 104. In an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, the mechanical arm 106 is coupled to the storage unit
104 via a hinge 108.
[0083] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
mechanical arm 106 has a tracking device reader and/or writer 110,
for example, an iButton socket, positioned on one of its surfaces,
for example, a bottom surface, or integrated with the design of the
mechanical arm 106. The tracking device reader and/or writer 110 is
linked to the network 20, access control device 26 and/or external
network 28 and links the petri dish 100 to the network 20, access
control system 26, and/or external network 28 when the mechanical
arm 106 is moved, for example, downward from a side of the storage
unit 104 and the tracking device reader and/or writer 110 makes an
electrical connection with the tracking device 22 of the petri dish
100.
[0084] In another exemplary embodiment of a system 10 in accordance
with the present invention, a shelf 111, as shown in FIG. 21 may
have tracking device readers and/or writers 112 formed in a matrix
on the shelf 111. The tracking device readers and/or writers 112
are electrically linked to the network 20, access control system
26, and/or external network 28. As shown in FIG. 21, a matrix of
tracking device readers and/or writers 112 are placed such that
when the shelf 111 is placed, for example, on top of a petri dish
100 on tray 102 and contact is made between the tracking device
reader and/or writer 112 and the tracking device 22 associated with
the respective petri dish 100, the petri dish 100 is electrically
connected to the network 20, access control device 26 and/or
external network 28.
[0085] FIG. 22 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a device
for linking goods to a system 10 in accordance with the present
invention. Shown in FIG. 22 is a restraint latch 114. The restraint
latch may be coupled to the network 20, access control system 26,
and/or external network 28. A tracking device reader and/or writer
socket 116 is coupled to the restraint latch 114. When the tracking
device reader and/or writer socket 116 is coupled to the tracking
device 22 associated with the goods 14, the goods 14 will be
coupled to the network 20, the access control system 26, and/or the
external network 28. The restraint latch may also be utilized as a
support mechanism for the goods 14. Support to the goods 14, for
example the storage bag 15 can be withdrawn when the restraint
latch 114 is moved to a second position 115 and the restraint latch
is no longer in contact with the goods 14.
[0086] For example, in an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, when a tracking device 22 of a storage bag 15 is coupled
to the tracking device reader/writer socket 116, the storage bag 15
can be fully supported by the restraint latch 114. In another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 22,
the tracking device reader/writer socket 116 of the restraint latch
114 is utilized to secure the storage bag 15 to a surface 118 of
the storage unit 12.
[0087] It should be understood that similar approaches as described
herein could be utilized with other storage/inventory type of
accessories, such as trays, microplates/fibre boards, storage
devices, etc. that are designed, as described herein, such that
their placement into the interior of a storage unit 12 creates an
electrical connection to the processing and/or data storage device
18, the network 20, the access control system 26 and/or external
network 28. Accordingly, the addition, removal and/or temperature
of any goods/inventory 14 from the respective storage unit could be
tracked by the processing and/or data storage device 18, the
network 20, the access control system 26 and/or the external
network 28.
[0088] According to the system 10 of the present invention, a
literally "hands-off" error-free approach to tracking crucial
temperature information or temperature-sensitive products is
provided. Further, the system 10 provides a high level of
accountability and traceability.
[0089] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *