U.S. patent application number 12/240022 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-22 for dynamic control containment unit.
This patent application is currently assigned to Mobile Aspects. Invention is credited to Pribadi Kardono, Khang Le, Suneil Mandava, Muhammad Rahim, Timur Sriharto.
Application Number | 20090021345 12/240022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26904085 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090021345 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sriharto; Timur ; et
al. |
January 22, 2009 |
Dynamic Control Containment Unit
Abstract
The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit for
holding a plurality of discrete items, including a signal emitting
mechanism associated with each of the plurality of discrete items,
an enclosed housing having at least one receptacle accessible by a
user and having at least one of the plurality of items contained
therein, a passive signal receiving mechanism in communication with
the receptacle for receiving signals emanating from the signal
emitting mechanism and a securement system configured to prevent
unauthorized access to the dynamic control containment unit. A
controller is in communication with the signal receiving mechanism
and initiates actions based upon the signal content.
Inventors: |
Sriharto; Timur;
(Monroeville, PA) ; Rahim; Muhammad; (Monroeville,
PA) ; Kardono; Pribadi; (Monroeville, PA) ;
Mandava; Suneil; (Pittsburgh, PA) ; Le; Khang;
(Pittsburgh, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE WEBB LAW FIRM, P.C.
700 KOPPERS BUILDING, 436 SEVENTH AVENUE
PITTSBURGH
PA
15219
US
|
Assignee: |
Mobile Aspects
Pittsburgh
PA
|
Family ID: |
26904085 |
Appl. No.: |
12/240022 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10209348 |
Jul 31, 2002 |
|
|
|
12240022 |
|
|
|
|
60344920 |
Dec 21, 2001 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
340/5.6 ;
340/10.1; 340/5.81 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08B 21/0227 20130101;
G07C 9/28 20200101; G06Q 20/203 20130101; G08B 13/2462 20130101;
G06Q 10/087 20130101; G08B 13/1427 20130101; G08B 13/2457 20130101;
G07F 9/026 20130101; G08B 21/0294 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
340/5.6 ;
340/10.1; 340/5.81 |
International
Class: |
G05B 19/00 20060101
G05B019/00; H04Q 5/22 20060101 H04Q005/22 |
Claims
1-34. (canceled)
35. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID tag, the
cabinet comprising: a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a
second side, a top, a bottom and at least one locking front door;
an RFID detector for monitoring each item contained within the
cabinet and for identifying data embedded on an RFID tag located on
at least some of the items placed within the cabinet, the RFID
detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet; and a
computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the computer controls
opening and closing of the locking front door, wherein the computer
is configured to receive an input that identifies a user, and
wherein the computer is configured to periodically record data read
from all of the RFID tags in the cabinet by the RFID detector.
36. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein cabinet is manufactured
of a material that confines an RFID field produced by the RFID
detector within the interior of the RFID cabinet.
37. RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein the RFID detector scans each
item contained within the cabinet in a time period, such that the
RFID cabinet may determine if an item is removed from the interior
of the RFID cabinet.
38. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein the input that identifies
a user is chosen from a group comprising a user ID, an RFID badge,
a bar code, voice recognition, a mag card, or biometrics.
39. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein the RFID detector is
coupled to a network, either directly or through the computer,
wherein a user can connect to the reader or a database in the
computer and get an inventory of each items placed within the
cabinet.
40. The RFID cabinet of claim 39, wherein the cabinet is remote
from the computer, and wherein software enables the RFID detecting
device to scan items in the remote cabinet and to alert an
administrator if any items are critically low or stocked out.
41. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein a means for accessing the
RFID cabinet comprises an RFID badge, wherein the locking front
door of the RFID cabinet opens in response to the RFID badge coming
into a close proximity of the RFID cabinet.
42. The RFID cabinet of claim 35, wherein the cabinet is made of a
material that provides a shield sufficient to allow a strong enough
field within the cabinet such that all items can be read using the
RFID detector.
43. A method for removing items having an RFID tag from an RFID
cabinet, the method comprising: providing a cabinet having an RFID
detector for monitoring each item contained within the cabinet and
for identifying data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item
contained within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the
interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID
cabinet, wherein the computer controls opening and closing of the
locking front door; reading an input that identifies a user;
receiving the input that identifies a user at the computer;
unlocking the door to the RFID cabinet if the user is allowed
access; and periodically scanning all the items in the RFID cabinet
to determine if any items have been removed by the user.
44. A method for scanning items having an RFID tag in an RFID
cabinet, the method comprising: providing a cabinet having an RFID
detector for monitoring each item contained within the cabinet and
for identifying data embedded on an RFID tag located on each item
contained within the cabinet, the RFID detector located within the
interior of the RFID cabinet and a computer coupled to the RFID
cabinet, wherein the computer controls opening and closing of the
locking front door, and wherein the computer is configured to
receive an input that identifies a user allows access to the RFID
cabinet; reading the RFID tag associated with an item using an RFID
field from the RFID detector; and recording the resulting
information in a database located within the memory of the
computer.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the computer comprises a
memory, the method further comprising sounding an alert if certain
conditions programmed within the memory of the computer are
satisfied.
46. A storage system comprising: a cabinet for containing an item
of inventory, the item of inventory comprising an RFID tag, each
RFID tag comprising data used to identify the item on which it is
located; an RFID reader contained within the cabinet; a computer
coupled to the cabinet, the computer configured to periodically 1)
cause the RFID reader to read the data from all of the RFID tags in
the cabinet and report the data to the computer, and 2) record the
data from all of the RFID tags.
47. The storage system of claim 46, wherein the computer is further
configured to detect that an item has been removed from the cabinet
by comparing the data obtained during one reading with the data
obtained during a previous reading.
48. The storage system of claim 46, further comprising a lockable
door, the locking and unlocking of the door under control of the
computer, and wherein the computer is further configured to:
receive an input identifying a user of the cabinet; unlock the door
only when the identified user is allowed access to the cabinet; and
attribute the removal of any item from the cabinet to the user.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S.
application Ser. No. 10/209,348, which claims the benefit of
priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/344,920, filed
Dec. 21, 2001.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to control
containment systems and apparatus, containing multiple and discrete
items and, in particular, to a radio frequency identification
system for securely tracking items.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In many industrial and service applications, multiple items
must be tracked for a variety of reasons. For example, these items
may be tracked so that the user knows when additional items should
be obtained or ordered, who is using the items and for what
purpose, and for expensive items, a secure tracking system is
required. Whether for security purposes or inventory purposes, an
identification system must be developed in order to accurately
track and manage a large amount of items, typically discrete and
small items.
[0006] Health care delivery institutions, like hospitals, have a
large amount of inventory to control throughout their system.
Thousands of items move in and out of supply and operating rooms
every day, and the system administrators must be sure to know
exactly what items are being used, when they are being used, who is
using them, and how often. At all times, items must be accounted
for, and must be fully stocked.
[0007] Currently, most hospitals maintain and control their
inventory manually by recording it on paper. Items are often
ordered on an as-needed basis, as the inventory becomes low. The
hospital's materials management department usually must go through
the various peripheral supply rooms at the hospital, visually
taking note and recording on paper the inventory status of
supplies. A purchase order is then sent to the hospital's
distributors, requesting more of an item that is low in supply.
When the ordered items are received at the hospital's central
supply, a materials management person must manually go through and
compare every item received versus the packing list. Next, the
peripheral supply rooms are restocked with the ordered items from
the central supply room.
[0008] When an item is used during an operation, the nurse or
clinician usually removes it from the central or peripheral supply
room and records its use on paper. Typically, there is little
accountability as to what has been taken, who took it, and how many
they took. The current method of maintaining and controlling
inventory is both labor intensive and imprecise. In many instances,
a nurse must manually record every item that is being used. The
information is only as accurate as to what has been recorded.
During busy times, the information garnered is inaccurate or the
entire process is sometimes skipped.
[0009] In order to effectively track items, supply cabinets have
been developed, which provide inventory, accountability, and
security of supplies, e.g., medical supplies. The prior art
cabinets utilize manual input systems. To gain access to a cabinet,
the user must keypunch on a keyboard their access information, such
as a PIN number. A door to the cabinet is unlocked once the
internal computer accepts the access information. The supply items
are separated into bins by type, and as a user takes out an item,
they must also push a button, indicating that they have taken out
that item. This action of manual input causes the system to
decrement the item from inventory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
dynamic control containment unit for holding a plurality of
discrete items, which overcomes the deficiencies of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a control
containment unit that is capable of securely tracking multiple
items, which are added to and removed from the unit from various
dynamic, non-predetermined locations. It is yet another object of
the present invention to provide a control containment unit that is
capable of accurately inventorying its entire contents, as well as
the contents of any individual receptacle.
[0011] The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit
for holding a plurality of discrete items, and includes a signal
emitting mechanism associated with each of the plurality of
discrete items. An enclosed housing, having at least one receptacle
accessible by a user, is included, and each receptacle has a
plurality of items contained therein. A passive signal receiving
mechanism is in communication with the receptacle and receives
signals emitted from the signal emitting mechanism. A controller is
in communication with the signal receiver mechanism and is able to
initiate actions based upon the signal content. The control
containment unit also includes a securement system for preventing
access to the unit. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle is a
drawer, which is slidable with respect to the housing, such that
the receptacle may be slid open, thereby providing access to the
items contained in the receptacle. The controller is used to track
and manage the inventory contained in the unit. In another
preferred embodiment, the receptacle is a shelf, which is recessed
within the control containment unit and covered by a door.
[0012] The present invention, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with the additional objects and
advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following
description of exemplary embodiments when read in connection with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a
dynamic control containment unit according to the present
invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view of another
embodiment of a dynamic control containment unit according to the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a logic table illustrating a preferred logic
sequence used in operating the dynamic control containment unit of
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an input/output data table associated with a
controller in the dynamic control containment unit of FIG. 1;
and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a further preferred embodiment
of a dynamic control containment unit according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] The present invention is a dynamic control containment unit
10 for holding multiple, discrete items 12 and is illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the items 12 has a signal emitting mechanism
14 associated with it. The control containment unit includes a
housing 16 having multiple receptacles 18, which are accessible to
a user. The items 12 and their associated signal emitting
mechanisms 14 are contained in the receptacle 18. The control
containment unit is dynamic, in that the items 12 can be placed in
any position in any receptacle 18. Therefore, the items 12 do not
have to be placed in predetermined locations or receptacles 18,
such as assigned bins or the like.
[0019] A passive signal receiving mechanism 20 is in communication
with the receptacles 18 and receives signals 22 emanating from the
signal emitting mechanisms 14. A controller 24 is in communication
with the signal receiving mechanism 20 and is able to initiate
various actions based upon the content of the signals 22 received
by the signal receiving mechanism 20. The receptacle 18 could be a
drawer, a shelf, a box, a container, etc. Further, the items 12
could be objects, supplies, assets, instruments, etc.
[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 18 is a drawer 26.
This drawer 26 is slidable with respect to the housing 16, such
that it may be slid open and provide access to the items 12
contained therein. In this preferred embodiment, the signal
emitting mechanisms 14 are radio frequency identification (RF/ID)
transponders 28. Each of these RF/ID transponders 28 are attached
to or associated with an individual item 12. Further, each of these
RF/ID transponders 28 emit a signal 22, which is unique to the item
12 to which the RF/ID transponder 28 is attached to or associated
with. After the RF/ID transponder 28 has been attached or
associated with the item 12, it is placed in the receptacle 18 or
drawer 26. While the preferred embodiment illustrates three
item-containing drawers, any number of drawers 26 may be utilized,
and the number of drawers 26 would not effect the functionality of
the control containment unit 10.
[0021] In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the
signal receiving mechanism 20 is an antenna 30, which is capable of
receiving the radio frequency signals 22 emanating from the RF/ID
transponders 28. While a single antenna 30 may be placed underneath
the drawer 26, as illustrated in FIG. 2, in the preferred
embodiment, two antennas 30 are used, one antenna 30 immediately
above the drawer 26, and one antenna 30 immediately below the
drawer 26. This allows for greater accuracy in receiving the
signals 22 from the signal emitting mechanisms 14 or RF/ID
transponders 28. When the drawer 26 is in the closed position, the
items 12 (and subsequently the RF/ID transponders 28) are
positioned in the control containment unit 10, such that they are
located in the antenna 30 field. The RF/ID transponders 28 are
energized by the antenna field and emit a radio frequency signal 22
corresponding to its unique identification, typically an
identification number. The signals 22 are picked up by the antenna
30 and communicated to the controller 24. While the signals 22
emanating from the signal emitting mechanisms 20 typically have a
characteristic unique to a specific item 12, it is also envisioned
that the signal emitting mechanisms 20 may emit signals 22 unique
to a group, set, or other association of multiple items 12. In
addition, in this preferred embodiment, the two antennas 30 are
positioned, such that they are dedicated to receiving signals 22
emanating from an assigned receptacle 18 or drawer 26. This
arrangement allows the signal receiving mechanism 20 to passively
receive the signals 22, as opposed to necessitating the specific
movement of an item 12 across a stationary reading device.
[0022] The controller 24 is in communication with a tuning
mechanism 32. This tuning mechanism 32 is used to set a frequency
parameter of the signal receiving method 20 or antenna 30. The
receptacle 18 or drawer 26 could also have an associated indicator
light (not shown), possibly on its outside surface, to indicate
exactly which receptacle 18 the user has access to.
[0023] In the preferred embodiment the controller 24 includes a
multiplexor mechanism 34, which is in communication with the signal
receiving mechanism 20 or antenna 30 and provides an output signal
corresponding to the signal 22 received by the signal receiving
mechanism 20. The multiplexor mechanism 34 is also in communication
with a signal reader mechanism 36. This signal reader mechanism
provides an output signal corresponding to the signal received by
the multiplexor mechanism 34.
[0024] An input/output mechanism 38 is in communication with the
multiplexor mechanism 34 and/or the signal reader mechanism 36 and
translates output signals into digital output signals. A central
control device 40 is in communication with the input/output
mechanism 38 and receives, processes, and transmits signals, as
well as initiates actions, based upon the digital output signals
received from the input/output mechanism 38.
[0025] The signals 22 received by the antennas 30 are sent through
the multiplexor mechanism 34 to the signal reader mechanism 36,
which is an internally-located RF/ID reader. The multiplexor
mechanism 34 collects signals from more than one antenna 30 and
communicates with a single signal reader mechanism 36. In addition,
the multiplexor mechanism 34 allows each antenna 30 to be uniquely
addressable and subsequently individually control by the controller
24. The signal reader mechanism 36 decodes the signal, and
communicates this decoded signal to the central control device 40
via the input/output mechanism 38. Next, the central control device
40 identifies the signals 22, associates the signals 22 with the
correct items 12 and logs the identification of the items 12 into
an inventory database, maintained on the central control device
40.
[0026] The controller 24 also includes a power control module 42,
which is in communication with the input/output mechanism 38. This
power control module 42 provides specified power outputs at
specified power levels to the various components of the controller
24. Further, the power control module 42 may be operated or
activated by a single power switch 44. Therefore, a user need only
operate a single power switch 44 to power all the various
components of the controller 24 and the control containment unit
10. The control containment unit 10 may also include a backup power
module 46 in communication with the input/output mechanism 38 in
order to supply power in the event of an electronic power
failure.
[0027] The central control device 40 may be a programmable
microchip, a microcontroller, a personal computer, a hand-held
computer, a terminal, a network computing device, etc. When used in
a network relationship, the central control device 40 communicates
with a network 48, which would allow a user or system administrator
to administrate, control and manage multiple control containment
units 10 throughout a building.
[0028] In the preferred embodiment, the control containment unit 10
includes a switch mechanism 50, which is in operable communication
with the receptacle 18 or drawer 26. As a user is opening a
particular drawer 26, the switch mechanism 50 moves to an open
position, and indicates to the central control device 40 via the
input/output mechanism 38, that it has been opened. The central
control device 40, or software contained thereon, sends signals to
the multiplexor mechanism 34, commanding it to begin reading input
from the antennas 30 associated with the particular drawer 26 that
has been opened. By comparing the inventory of the drawer 26 before
and after it was opened, the central control device 40 may identify
items 12 removed from the drawer 26. The control containment unit
10 includes a display mechanism 52 in communication with the
central control device 40 for providing a visual display to a user.
It is envisioned that various information may be displayed to the
user, whether in graphical or textual format, on the display
mechanism 52. For example, the display mechanism 52 may display an
action initiated by the central control device 40, a use history,
an item 12 history, a user history, user data, item 12 data,
inventory data, receptacle 18 or drawer 26 data, control
containment unit 10 data, a receptacle 18 or drawer 26 inventory, a
control containment unit 10 inventory, etc. In a preferred
embodiment, the display mechanism 52 is located on the housing 16
at an area easily viewable by a user. However, the display
mechanism 52 may be a monitor positioned on or adjacent the control
containment unit 10.
[0029] The control containment unit 10 also may include a printer
mechanism 54, which is in communication with the central control
device 40, for providing visual printouts corresponding to the
information processed by the central control device 40. For
example, any of the information discussed above in connection with
the display mechanism 52 may also be printed out in a physical
format by the printer mechanism 54.
[0030] The control containment unit 10 also has an input mechanism
56 in communication with the central control device 40 and capable
of receiving user input and transmitting user input signals to the
central control device 40. The input mechanism 56 may be a keypad,
a touch display, a personal computing device, a hand-held computing
device, a magnetic reading device, a radio frequency identification
reading device, a bar code reading device, a light pen, a keyboard,
a mouse, a terminal, voice activation/verification, biometric
readers, etc. In the preferred embodiment, the input mechanism 56
is positioned adjacent or near the display mechanism 52, thereby
allowing a user to visually see his or her input as the input
mechanism 56 receives the data. As with the display mechanism 52,
the input mechanism 56 is positioned at a convenient area, easily
accessible by many users. The input mechanism 56 may also be in
communication with an antenna 30, which would allow a user to
provide initial radio frequency identification signals for each
item 12 to the central control device 40.
[0031] In the preferred embodiment, each antenna 30, which receives
the radio frequency signals 22 emanating from the signal emitting
mechanism 20 or the RF/ID transponders 28 is positioned adjacent
the drawer 26 by a central panel element 58. As seen in FIG. 2, the
antenna 30 is rested upon the central panel element 58 when used in
connection with the bottom antenna 30, and is attached to the
central panel element 58 when used in connection with the top
antenna 30. On a side opposite the antenna 30 of the central panel
element 58, a shielding element 60 is attached. The shielding
element 60 prevents signals from passing therethrough. This
prevents items 12 in other drawers 26 located above or below the
object drawer 26 from being read during the reading process. This
will prevent confusion by the central control device 40 and
isolation of each individual drawer 26. Not only may each drawer 26
have shielding element 60 associated with it, the control
containment unit 10, and specifically the housing 16, may also
include a shielding element 60. This would ensure that signals
emanating from all of the drawers 26 would not pass through the
housing 16 of the control containment unit 10.
[0032] The control containment unit 10 includes a lock mechanism
62, associated with each drawer 26. These lock mechanisms 62 are in
communication with the central control device 40 via the
input/output mechanism 38 and serve to prevent access to the drawer
26 based upon action signals sent by central control device 40. In
the preferred embodiment, the lock mechanism 62 are magnetic locks
64, which based upon signals received from the central control
device 40, may activate and attract a portion of the drawer 26.
This would prevent the drawer 26 from sliding and providing access
to an unauthorized user. It is this lock mechanism 62, together
with the user authorization and control system, that create a
securement system. The securement system, therefore, prevents any
unauthorized access to the control containment unit 10. It is also
envisioned that a physical master key is provided and capable of
allowing authorized access to the control containment unit 10
during a power outage or other emergency situation.
[0033] The signal emitting mechanism 14, in the form of an RF/ID
transponder 28, may be a tag or label affixed to each item 12. As
discussed above, this tag or label would emit a unique signal
corresponding to the identity of the item 12. In order to provide
initial input to the central control device 40 of the item 12
identity, the input mechanism 56 may include a recognition signal
receiver 66 in communication with the central control device 40.
This recognition signal receiver 66 may receive initial input
signals corresponding to the identity of the items 12. As seen in
FIG. 2, in another embodiment, the recognition signal receiver 66
is an antenna 30 located on the control containment unit 10. This
antenna 30 would serve two purposes. First, this antenna 30
increases utility administration. As the RF/ID transponder 28 is
affixed to an item 12, the RF/ID transponder 28 is read and its
unique identification must be associated with that particular item
12. This will allow the item 12 to be identified later when the
RF/ID transponder 28 is read in the drawers 26.
[0034] The second purpose of this antenna 30 is to allow selective
access to the control containment unit 10 and its drawers 26 as
part of the securement system. Depending upon the configuration of
the control containment unit 10, a user may have an identification
badge, also affixed with an RF/ID tag, which they may wave over the
antenna 30, the recognition signal receiver 66 and/or the input
mechanism 56. As a unique identification of the RF/ID tag is read,
the central control device 40 identifies the tag user with a list
of those who have access to the control containment unit 10 or the
specific drawer 26. If there is a match, the central control device
40 sends a signal to the lock mechanism 62 via the input/output
mechanism 38 in a relay to unlock all of the drawers 26 or a
specific drawer 26.
[0035] All of the display mechanism 52, input mechanism 56, central
control device 40, input/output mechanism 38, signal reader
mechanism 36, multiplexor mechanism 34 and power control module 42
are housed within the control containment unit 10 and, in a
preferred embodiment, in a top slidable drawer 26. This would allow
a user access to the components for programming, repair and
maintenance.
[0036] The control containment unit 10 may also include an
associated personal computing device 68 associated with the central
control device 40 or in place of the central control device 40. In
addition, the personal computing device 68 may have a personal
computing device input mechanism 70 for providing data input into
the personal computing device 68. This personal computing device 68
would allow a user or administrator to interact with software on
the personal computing device 68 for controlling the control
containment unit 10 or directly with the central control device 40
in the drawer 26 of the control containment unit 10. Further, this
personal computing device 68 may have functionality, such that it
can program, modify, maintain and otherwise control the central
control device 40 in the control containment unit 10. Further, in
order to provide easy movement of a specific control containment
unit 10 to a different area in a building, the control containment
unit 10 may have wheels 72 attached to the housing 16 for easy
movement.
[0037] FIG. 3 details a logic table and sequences for different
conditions, together with what is transmitted and written through
the input/output mechanism 38 and read from the input/output
mechanism 38. FIG. 4 is in input/output data table for describing
the conditions and what input data and output data are provided in
communications in the controller 24.
[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5,
the control containment unit 10 and, in particular, the housing 16,
may take the form of a cabinet with multiple access points. In this
embodiment, the receptacle 18 is a shelf and, as described above,
each shelf would have one or more antennas 30 for receiving signals
22 from the signal emitting mechanisms 14 attached to the items 12.
However, as the receptacles 18 are not drawers, as in the previous
embodiment, a door 74 or other cover is used to prevent and/or
control access to the receptacles 18. It is envisioned that the
door would have a handle 76 to allow a user to open the door
74.
[0039] As seen in FIG. 5, the control containment unit 10 has
multiple doors 74, with each door 74 covering multiple receptacles
18 in the form of shelving. Upon accessing or opening a door 74,
the signal receiving mechanism 20 would be activated in order to
read the signals 22 emitted from the signal emitting mechanism 14
on the items 12. After the door 74 is closed, again the signal
receiving mechanism 20 would receive signals 22 from the signal
emitting mechanism 14 on the items 12 in order to determine what
items 12 have been taken from the receptacle 18.
[0040] As discussed above, the securement system ensures that a
user would need to gain authorization from the control containment
unit 10 in order to gain access to one or more of the receptacles
18 behind the door 74. Users could be grouped in access levels or
authorization levels. In order to further enhance security, the
doors 74 may have an automatic closing device, which would shut and
open a door 74 after a certain period of time elapses. In addition,
the doors 74 could have an urging mechanism, which would simply
urge the door 74 in a closed position when released. In this
embodiment, it is the door 74 that would have an associated lock
mechanism 62, for preventing access, as opposed to each individual
drawer 26 described above in connection with the previous
embodiment.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates this preferred embodiment with one of the
doors 74 removed, as well as a door 74 covering the controller 24
also removed. In this embodiment, and due to the number of signal
receiving mechanisms 20 (or antennas 30), multiple multiplexor
mechanisms 34 could be utilized. For example, for each row or
column of receptacles 18 or groups of receptacles 18, a single
multiplexor mechanism 34 could be used. This would increase the
speed and control of signal 22 and information processing. If
multiple multiplexor mechanisms 34 are used, each of these
multiplexor mechanisms 34 would be in communication with a main or
central multiplexor mechanism 34, which would operate as described
hereinabove in connection with the previous embodiment.
[0042] It is also envisioned that the control containment unit 10
described above could take the form of a room. In this case, a user
would need to gain access to the room, and possibly only certain
portions of the room, and would remove items 12 from receptacles 18
(such as shelving) placed throughout the room. In essence, the room
would function as a giant cabinet or control containment unit 10
described hereinabove. Obviously, whether in the form of a cabinet
or a room, the control containment unit 10 would preferably have
one, and typically multiple, shielding elements 60 to prevent
emanation of signals 22 from exiting the area.
EXAMPLE
[0043] The present invention is particularly useful in the field of
medicine, and, in particular, at hospitals. In a hospital
application, the items 12 are typically medical items, such as
containers of medicine, medical devices, etc. A specific example of
the use of the control containment unit 10 in connection with a
hospital follows.
[0044] Items 12 are received from a distributor or manufacturer at
the hospital's central supply room, with the RF/ID transponder 28,
in the form of a tag or label, already affixed to the item 12,
using a set tag-to-item association scheme. If the item 12 arrives
with no RF/ID transponder 28 attached, hospital employees can affix
the RF/ID transponder 28 themselves and perform the tag-to-item
association using the input mechanism 56 or recognition signal
receiver 66 located on the housing 16. The employee then waves his
or her RF/ID badge over the input mechanism 56 or recognition
signal receiver 66, thereby causing the drawers 26 of the control
containment unit 10 to open. The items 12 are then placed inside
the drawers 26 and closed. As soon as the drawers 26 are closed,
the controller 24 performs a comparison between the inventories of
the drawer 26 before and after it was opened to determine who
placed what items inside. The inventorying is done automatically by
the central control device 40.
[0045] During operational use, nurses or clinicians wave their
RF/ID badge over the input mechanism 56 or recognition signal
receiver 66, thereby unlocking the control containment unit 10.
They may then open the drawers 26 to which they have authorized
access and take whatever items 12 they need. There is no need for
nurses or clinicians to keypunch an access code or press a button
to indicate that they have taken an item 12. As soon as the drawers
26 are closed, items 12 removed from the drawers 26 are
automatically associated with the person who just opened the drawer
26. The controller 24 or central control device 40 then subtracts
the items 12 from the inventory.
[0046] During idle periods, the controller 24 performs inventories
at set intervals. If a particular item 12 inventory is below a set
par level, the controller 24 may send a message to the hospital's
billing and purchasing system to purchase more of that particular
item 12 over the network 28.
[0047] In this manner, the present invention provides a control
containment unit 10, such as a cabinet, utilizing RF/ID
technologies to dispense supplies with security and accountability,
without the need for any data entry. The present invention has many
advantages over existing devices and methods for controlling
inventory. The first advantage is its security and accountability
features, as compared to current systems. The controller 24 or
controller software not only provide access to a set group of
people, but knows exactly what they have taken. Prior art
paper-based systems typically have minimal or no security involved,
or are difficult to implement. Although prior art solutions provide
some security, the user must "keypunch" in their access code. Also,
prior art solutions do not provide "real" inventory levels, instead
providing a "calculated" virtual inventory level, based upon
actions, such as pushing a button. If the user takes out two items
12, but only pushes the button for one, there is no way to detect
this error. The present invention performs a "true" inventory of
the control containment unit 10.
[0048] Another advantage of the present invention is reduction in
errors involved in performing inventory. With paper-based systems,
the information is only as good as the writer's accuracy. If nurses
or clinicians are busy, the inventory information can often be
erroneous. As mentioned above, the push-button system can also have
these errors.
[0049] Yet another advantage of the present invention is the speed
to perform inventory and to place items 12 into inventory. A user
can perform a "true" inventory of all the items 12 in the cabinet
in a matter of seconds, instead of hours using the paper-based
system. An item 12 can be placed into inventory by simply putting
it inside the drawers 26. Since no manual data entry is required,
the labor savings can be tremendous.
[0050] Another advantage is the true real-time and dynamic
inventory capability. The controller 24 or software control system
can be set to perform inventory at regular intervals, down to the
second. Another advantage is that par levels can be maintained with
this invention. As soon as the control containment unit 10 detects
a low supply of a certain item 12 in a drawer 26, alerts or
messages can be sent to the hospital purchasing system or to a
system administrator. The present invention also provides for the
auto return of items 12. If a user takes out two items 12 but only
uses one, the item 12 can be put into inventory by simply placing
it back into the drawer 26. There is no data entry required. The
controller 24 automatically detects who returned what item 12 back
into which drawer 26.
[0051] This invention has been described with reference to the
preferred embodiments. Obvious modifications and alterations will
occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding
detailed description. It is intended that the invention be
construed as including all such modifications and alterations.
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