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.

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...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[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.

Problems solved by technology

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.

During busy times, the information garnered is inaccurate or the entire process is sometimes skipped.

This action of manual input causes the system to decrement the item from inventory.

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