US20030069796A1 - System and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling - Google Patents
System and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling Download PDFInfo
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- US20030069796A1 US20030069796A1 US10/026,839 US2683901A US2003069796A1 US 20030069796 A1 US20030069796 A1 US 20030069796A1 US 2683901 A US2683901 A US 2683901A US 2003069796 A1 US2003069796 A1 US 2003069796A1
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- Prior art keywords
- storage unit
- tracking
- item
- temperature
- tracking device
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K1/00—Details of thermometers not specially adapted for particular types of thermometer
- G01K1/02—Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers
- G01K1/022—Means for indicating or recording specially adapted for thermometers for recording
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q20/00—Payment architectures, schemes or protocols
- G06Q20/08—Payment architectures
- G06Q20/20—Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
- G06Q20/208—Input by product or record sensing, e.g. weighing or scanner processing
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- G—PHYSICS
- G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
- G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- G07C9/00—Individual registration on entry or exit
- G07C9/20—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass
- G07C9/22—Individual registration on entry or exit involving the use of a pass in combination with an identity check of the pass holder
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/05—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes for collecting, storing or administering blood, plasma or medical fluids ; Infusion or perfusion containers
- A61J1/10—Bag-type containers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61J—CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE
- A61J1/00—Containers specially adapted for medical or pharmaceutical purposes
- A61J1/14—Details; Accessories therefor
- A61J1/1462—Containers with provisions for hanging, e.g. integral adaptations of the container
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to inventory tracking. More particularly, the present invention is directed to automated product tracking and product temperature profiling.
- 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.
- a storage unit 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.
- a method for storing an item in a storage unit 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.
- a storage unit 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.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the storage bag of FIG. 4.
- 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.
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the storage bag of FIG. 8.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FIG. 14 is a front plan view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 18 front elevation view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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.
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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 .
- 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.
- the storage unit 12 may be any item capable of accommodating goods 14 .
- 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.
- 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.
- the goods 14 may be associated with a processing and/or data storage device 18 or network 20 in a number of ways.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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® 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 .
- the tracking device 22 serves as a means for identifying, monitoring and tracking the status and location of the goods 14 .
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- the association of the tracking device 22 with the goods 14 may be accomplished in a number of ways.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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.
- Information regarding the events associated with, for example, the goods 14 , the container 15 , or the storage unit 12 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 .
- 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.
- the external network 28 is integrated with the storage unit 20 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- the goods 14 are described as linked to the network 20 .
- the goods 14 in any exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may be electrically linked to any processing and/or storage device 18 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- the tracking device 22 is a part of a tracking device socket 60 .
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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.
- a spring loaded clasp 68 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.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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.
- 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 .
- FIGS. 17 - 18 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention.
- the goods 14 may be placed in a container 15 that is placed on a shelf 86 of a drawer 88 .
- the drawer 88 may be designed with or without an individual compartment for the container 15 . Similar to the tracking system of FIGS.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- 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 .
- FIG. 19 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention.
- 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 .
- the mechanical arm 106 is coupled to the storage unit 104 via a hinge 108 .
- 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 .
- a shelf 111 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.
- 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 .
- FIG. 22 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a device for linking goods to a system 10 in accordance with the present invention.
- 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 .
- 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 .
- the storage bag 15 can be fully supported by the restraint latch 114 .
- 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 .
- 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.
Abstract
Description
- 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.
- The present invention relates generally to inventory tracking. More particularly, the present invention is directed to automated product tracking and product temperature profiling.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 2 is a diagram of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the storage bag of FIG. 4.
- 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.
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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.
- FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of the storage bag of FIG. 8.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- FIG. 14 is a front plan view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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. - FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 18 front elevation view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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.
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a system for product tracking and product temperature profiling in accordance with the present invention.
- 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, thesystem 10 includes one ormore storage units 12, in which an item/goods 14 may be placed. Thegoods 14 may be accommodated within acontainer 15. Thestorage 12 unit is linked by a wireless, wireline orother conductor connection 16 to a processing and/ordata storage device 18, for example a central processing unit (CPU), memory (data storage) and/or timing circuits, or amicrocontroller 18. The CPU, a microcontroller, memory and/or timing circuits may be part of anetwork 20. Thenetwork 20 may, for example, be one or more computers or hand-held computing devices that contain CPU's, microcontrollers, memory and/or timing circuits. - The
storage unit 12 may be any item capable of accommodatinggoods 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. - In general, the
goods 14 may be any product or products placed in astorage unit 12, including those for which security, accountability, inventory control and/or temperature tracking may be of concern. - The
goods 14 may be associated with a processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20 in a number of ways. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thegoods 14, when placed in thestorage unit 12, are automatically linked to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. In another exemplary embodiment, thegoods 14 are linked to the electronics of thestorage unit 12 that is electronically linked to the processing and/ordata storage device 18. In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, acontainer 15 in which thegoods 14 are placed is linked to thestorage unit 12 that is linked to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thegoods 14 are electrically linked to a tray/shelf 24 that is linked to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20, or to astorage unit 12 that is linked to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. - The electrical connection of the goods to the processing and/or
data storage device 18 ornetwork 20 is automatic, for example, by associating atracking device 22, such as an iButton® available from Dallas Semiconductor, with thegoods 14. Thetracking device 22 associates thegoods 14 with the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20 via a wireless, wireline, or other conductor link 16 from one or more conductive surfaces or portions of thetracking device 22 to one or more conductive surfaces or portions of the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. By associating thetracking device 22 with thegoods 14, thetracking device 22 serves as a means for identifying, monitoring and tracking the status and location of thegoods 14. - 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/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. - In an exemplary embodiment of a
system 10, in accordance with the present invention, the temperature of thegoods 14 is taken and recorded at one or more predetermined and/or discrete time intervals. Thetracking 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 thetracking 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/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. The data may be stored as instructed by the processing and/ordata storage device 18,network 20 and/or as outputted by thetracking device 22 at predetermined intervals. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thetracking device 22 or the separate temperature-tracking device separately stores the temperature tracking information when thegoods 14 are not linked to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. - 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 orgoods 14 at particular instances in time. The stored information may be accessed from the iButton, the processing and/ordata storage device 18 and/ornetwork 20. - The
tracking device 22 communicates information about the status of thegoods 14 to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 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 thenetwork 18. The stored information may be accessed directly via thetracking device 22 and/or the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. - The association of the
tracking device 22 with thegoods 14 may be accomplished in a number of ways. For example, thetracking device 22 may be integrated into the construction of thecontainer 15 in which thegoods 14 may be placed, integrated with the contents of thegoods 14, or associated with aninner storage unit 24, such as a tray that is associated with thegoods 14. The present invention contemplates that more than one item may be associated with aninner storage unit 24, such as a tray, and that the items of theinner storage unit 24 may be monitored individually or collectively. - 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/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20 has a unique identification associated with it, for example a serial number. In an exemplary embodiment, thetracking device 22 is assigned a unique serial number and is usable to log the temperature of an item orgoods 14 at predetermined and/or discrete time intervals. - The
tracking device 22 will be electrically connected to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20 when it is electrically coupled to the respective device. - 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 thetracking device 22 mate or couple with conductive portions of a device that is electrically linked to thenetwork 20, theaccess control system 26 and/or theexternal network 28, for example, thestorage unit 12, theinner storage unit 24, or thecontainer 15, thegoods 14 associated with thetracking device 22 will be linked to the processing and/ordata storage device 18,network 20,access control system 26 and/orexternal network 28. - In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, by linking the
goods 14 to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20 via thetracking device 22, any identifying, historical and/or current information related to thegoods 14, e.g., the serial number, the time associated with any event related to thegoods 14, and the temperature of thegoods 14 at discrete times can be logged on to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 20. - For example, the processing and/or
data storage device 18 ornetwork 20 can then be utilized to recognize that an item has been placed in thestorage unit 12, the date and time that theitem 14 was placed in the storage unit, whether anitem 14 has been removed from the storage unit, and/or the date and time that theitem 14 was removed from the storage unit, whether anitem 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 theitem 14 changed, and when the temperature of theitem 14 changed. - In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the
tracking device 22 is utilized to perform temperature profiling of thegoods 14 when thegoods 14 are outside of thestorage unit 12. The information will be stored in thetracking device 22 and communicated to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 or thenetwork 20 when thegoods 14 and/or theinner storage unit 24 is placed back into thestorage unit 12. - The monitoring of access to the
goods 14 may be accomplished by utilizing an access device oraccess control system 26 that serves as a means for granting access and/or a means for identifying that access has been made to thestorage unit 12 and/or aninner storage unit 24. Theaccess control system 26 may also serve as a means for identifying an individual that accesses astorage unit 12, aninner storage unit 24 associated with thegoods 14, and/or theactual goods 14. Theaccess control system 26 may be integrated with thestorage unit 12. - 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 thegoods 14 of thestorage unit 12 and/or identifies the individual who seeks access to thegoods 14. A badge reading system will be able to determine if the badge corresponds to a person authorized to access thestorage unit 12 and will be able to log an individual's identification, the time, and/or date of access onto the processing and/ordata storage device 18,network 20 and/or astorage unit 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 thestorage unit 12 and will also be able to log the individual's identification and/or the time and date of the individual's access. - Information regarding the events associated with, for example, the
goods 14, thecontainer 15, or thestorage unit 12, such as whether one of thegoods 14 has been removed from thestorage unit 12, the identity of individuals who accessed thestorage unit 12 during a certain time period, or the time the temperature of thegoods 14 changed, can be provided to a user by utilizing anexternal network 28 that is electrically connected, for example, by a wireless, wireline orother conductor connection 29 to the automated access andinventory tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention. Theexternal network 28 is linked to the electronics embedded within the automated access andinventory tracking system 10 via one or more wireline, wireless orother conductor connections 30. - The
external network 28 will serve as a means of providing the information logged by devices of thesystem 10, such as atracking device 22 andaccess device 26, to someone interested in monitoring the events associated with theinner storage unit 24 or obtaining information on events associated with thestorage 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, theexternal network 28 is integrated with thestorage unit 20. - As shown in FIG. 2, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each sample of
goods 14 is electrically connected to amicrocontroller 18 via atracking device 22 placed on a surface of thecontainer 15 in which thesample 14 is placed. Thecontainer 15 may be located within astorage unit 12. Thetracking device 22 mates or couples with aconductive portion 25, for example, a tracking device socket that is linked to the processing and/orstorage device 18 via anelectrical connection 16. In addition, anaccess control system 26 and anexternal network 28 are electrically connected to the processing and/orstorage device 18 viaelectrical connections external network 28 allows a user and/or an administrator of thesystem 10 to access any information communicated to the processing and/orstorage device 18. - 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., whatgoods 14 are in thestorage unit 12, who has been in thestorage unit 12, whengoods 14 have been added or removed from thestorage unit 12, and what goods have been added or removed from thestorage unit 12, by accessing theexternal network 28 that is accessible to the user and that is electrically connected to thetracking system 10. - As shown in FIG. 3, after activation and any initialization of the
tracking device 32, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, thesystem 10 determines if it is an appropriate time to record the temperature of thesample 14 atstep 34, takes the temperature of thesample 14 atstep 36, and adds the time and temperature to a log of thesystem 10 atstep 38. The tracking of the temperature takes place whether or not a user has obtained access to thestorage unit 12 and may take place even when thesample 14 is out of thestorage unit 12. - When an authorized user accesses the
storage unit 12 at step 40, a new log is created atstep 42 by theaccess 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 thestorage unit 12 atstep 44. Thesystem 10 checks to determine whether the door of thestorage 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 atstep 48. If thesystem 10 determines that the door to thestorage unit 12 is not closed and the user places thesample 14 in thestorage unit 12 atstep 50 and/or pulls asample 14 from thestorage unit 12 at step 52, the corresponding sample identification, such as an identification number associated with thesample 14, is added to the log atstep 54. Thesystem 10 continues to monitor events associated with thestorage unit 12, until the door of thestorage 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 atstep 48. - FIGS.4-22 illustrate exemplary embodiments of methods and devices for electrically linking a
tracking device 22 of thegoods 14 to one or more conductive portions that may be utilized to link thegoods 14 directly and/or indirectly to the processing and/ordata storage device 18 ornetwork 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 thegoods 14 to anaccess control system 26 and/or anexternal 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, thegoods 14 are described as linked to thenetwork 20. However, thegoods 14, in any exemplary embodiment of the present invention, may be electrically linked to any processing and/orstorage device 18. - In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a storage bag is utilized as a
container 15. Thestorage bag 15 is accommodated with one ormore conductors 56. Theconductors 56 are designed to mate/couple withconnectors 58 that are coupled to a hangingapparatus 59 that is linked to a thenetwork 20 via a wireless, wireline, or other conductor connection between the hangingapparatus 59 and the processing and/orstorage device 18 ornetwork 20. - 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 thebag 15. - Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the
tracking device 22 is a part of atracking device socket 60. As shown in FIG. 7, one or more conductor portions or mating socket 62 is provided on the hangingapparatus 59 that is electrically connected to thenetwork 20. Thetracking device socket 60 and the one or more conductor portions/mating socket 62 are designed such that when thetracking device socket 60 is coupled to the conductor/mating socket 62, thestorage bag 15 will be electrically connected to thenetwork 20 via the hangingapparatus 59. - In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
pouch 64 is integrated with thestorage bag 15 or coupled to thestorage bag 15. Thepouch 64 is accommodated with one or moreconductive portions 66 to establish an electrical connection with thetracking device 22. Theconductive portions 66 may be electrically connected to or formed continuously withconductor portions 67, which are, for example, wires that are electrically connected to thenetwork 20. As shown in FIG. 9, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, aconductive portion 66 is placed on a top and a bottom surface ofpouch 64, such that when thetracking device 22 is placed in thepouch 64, thestorage bag 15 is electrically linked to thenetwork 20, theaccess control system 26, and/or theexternal network 28 viaconductors 66 and/or 67 that may be linked to any one or more of the aforementioned devices. - 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 ormore conductors bag 15 to theclasp 68 that is utilized to connect thebag 15 to thenetwork 20. Theclasp 68 may have clasp conductive portions 70, 72, which may be at or near the tip of theclasp 68, that are linked to theconductors 66 and/orconductors 67 of the bag. - 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 hangingapparatus 59 and is utilized to clamp onto theconductive portions 66 orconductive portions 67 of thestorage bag 15. - In another exemplary embodiment of a
system 10 in accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, ahook 74 is utilized to electrically connect thebag 15 to thenetwork 20. Thehook 74 may be formed from one or more conductive portions 76 or have one or more conductor portions 76 coupled to theconductors pouch 64 and/or thebag 15. Thehook 74 is designed to link thebag 15 to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 orexternal network 28 when the one or more conductive portions 76 of thehook 74 electrically couple with the hangingapparatus 59 that is electrically connected to thenetwork 20. - Alternatively or in addition to the one or more conductive portions76, the
hook 74 may have atip portion 78, which separately or in conjunction with the one or more conductive portions 76, electrically connects thestorage bag 15 to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 orexternal network 28 when gravity brings thehook 74 into contact with the conductors or mating slot of therack 59, and thetip portion 78 mates or couples with conductors or a mating slot of the hangingrack 59. - 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 rightangle phono jack 80 is utilized to link thebag 15 to thenetwork 20. Thephono jack 80 is able to link thebag 15 to thenetwork 20 when theconductors 66 and/or 67 of thebag 15 are electrically connected to thephono jack 80. Thephono jack 80 is designed to mate with a phono jack socket of, for example, the hangingrack 59 that is electrically connected to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 and/orexternal network 28. - In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, an umbilical cord, accordion style cable or other similar conductor or conductor assembly81 is utilized to electrically connect the
bag 15 to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 and/orexternal network 28 when the one ormore conductors 66 and/or 67 of thebag 15 are electrically coupled to the cable 81. - FIG. 14 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a
tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention. Shown in FIG. 14 is arack 82 having onemore shelves 84. Thegoods 14 may be placed directly on theshelf 84 or placed in thecontainer 15 that is placed on theshelf 84. Thecontainer 15 may be permanently affixed to theshelf 84 or removable from theshelf 84. - To link the
goods 14 with thenetwork 20, atracking device 22 is, for example, placed with thegoods 14, coupled to thecontainer 15 in which thegoods 14 are placed, or coupled to ashelf 84 on which the goods are stored. A wireless, wireline, or other electrical conductor connection is established between the trackingdevice 22 and thenetwork 20, theaccess control system 26 and/or external network via exemplary embodiments of methods and devices described herein. - In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 15, the
container 15 has one ormore electrodes 86 that are designed to couple thecontainer 15 to corresponding electrodes on a surface of theshelf 84 or a surface of therack 82. Thecontainer 15 is linked to thenetwork 20,access control device 26 and/orexternal network 28 when the electrodes of theshelf 84 or the surface of theshelf 84 are electrically connected to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 orexternal network 28. - 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 therack 82 and are designed to couple to one or more electrodes of a corresponding surface of astorage unit 85 that is shown in FIG. 16. The one or more electrodes on the bottom surface of thestorage unit 85 may be utilized to link therack 82 as a whole unit to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 orexternal network 28. When theelectrodes 86 on the bottom surface of therack 82 mate or couple with one or more electrodes of the bottom surface of thestorage unit 85, the status of therack 82 as a whole unit can be monitored. - In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the
tracking devices 22 associated with thegoods 14,container 15, and/orshelf 84 is electrically connected to one or more electrodes on the bottom surface of therack 82, such that thegoods 14 are individually linked to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 orexternal network 28 when the one or more electrodes on the bottom surface of therack 82 mate or couple with corresponding electrodes on the bottom surface of thestorage unit 85 that are electrically connected to thenetwork 20,access control device 26 and/orexternal network 28. - FIGS.17-18 illustrate another exemplary embodiment of a
tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 17, thegoods 14 may be placed in acontainer 15 that is placed on ashelf 86 of adrawer 88. It should be understood that thedrawer 88 may be designed with or without an individual compartment for thecontainer 15. Similar to the tracking system of FIGS. 14-16, thegoods 14 orcontainer 15 maybe individually linked to thenetwork 20 or linked to thenetwork 20 when the a conductive surface of thetracking device 22 associated with thegoods 14 is electrically linked to one or moreconductive portions 92 on a surface of thedrawer storage rack 90, for example, a back surface, that is linked to thenetwork 20,access control system 26, and/orexternal network 28. For example, the status and/or identifying information of the goods, 14, thecontainer 15, and/or thedrawer 88 are logged onto thenetwork 20 when thedrawer 88, for example, is rolled or slid back into thedrawer storage rack 90 and a conductor on the back of the drawer mates or couples with a compatible conductor on the back of thedrawer storage rack 90 that is linked to thenetwork 20,access control system 26 orexternal network 28. - 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 thedrawer storage rack 90, for example, a back surface, mates or couples with the one or more corresponding conductors 97 on a back surface of thestorage unit 98 shown in FIG. 18 that is electrically linked to thenetwork 20, theaccess control system 26 and/or theexternal network 28. - FIG. 19 illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a
tracking system 10 in accordance with the present invention. Shown in FIG. 19 arepetri dishes 100 that can be utilized to storegoods 14, such as sample specimens. Eachpetri dish 100 is accommodated with atracking device 22 and may be placed on a sliding tray/drawer 102 within astorage unit 104. A device, such as amechanical arm 106, as shown in FIG. 20, is coupled to a surface of thestorage unit 104. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, themechanical arm 106 is coupled to thestorage unit 104 via ahinge 108. - 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 themechanical arm 106. The tracking device reader and/or writer 110 is linked to thenetwork 20,access control device 26 and/orexternal network 28 and links thepetri dish 100 to thenetwork 20,access control system 26, and/orexternal network 28 when themechanical arm 106 is moved, for example, downward from a side of thestorage unit 104 and the tracking device reader and/or writer 110 makes an electrical connection with thetracking device 22 of thepetri dish 100. - In another exemplary embodiment of a
system 10 in accordance with the present invention, ashelf 111, as shown in FIG. 21 may have tracking device readers and/orwriters 112 formed in a matrix on theshelf 111. The tracking device readers and/orwriters 112 are electrically linked to thenetwork 20,access control system 26, and/orexternal network 28. As shown in FIG. 21, a matrix of tracking device readers and/orwriters 112 are placed such that when theshelf 111 is placed, for example, on top of apetri dish 100 ontray 102 and contact is made between the tracking device reader and/orwriter 112 and thetracking device 22 associated with the respectivepetri dish 100, thepetri dish 100 is electrically connected to thenetwork 20,access control device 26 and/orexternal network 28. - 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 arestraint latch 114. The restraint latch may be coupled to thenetwork 20,access control system 26, and/orexternal network 28. A tracking device reader and/orwriter socket 116 is coupled to therestraint latch 114. When the tracking device reader and/orwriter socket 116 is coupled to thetracking device 22 associated with thegoods 14, thegoods 14 will be coupled to thenetwork 20, theaccess control system 26, and/or theexternal network 28. The restraint latch may also be utilized as a support mechanism for thegoods 14. Support to thegoods 14, for example thestorage bag 15 can be withdrawn when therestraint latch 114 is moved to a second position 115 and the restraint latch is no longer in contact with thegoods 14. - For example, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when a
tracking device 22 of astorage bag 15 is coupled to the tracking device reader/writer socket 116, thestorage bag 15 can be fully supported by therestraint latch 114. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 22, the tracking device reader/writer socket 116 of therestraint latch 114 is utilized to secure thestorage bag 15 to asurface 118 of thestorage unit 12. - 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/ordata storage device 18, thenetwork 20, theaccess control system 26 and/orexternal 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/ordata storage device 18, thenetwork 20, theaccess control system 26 and/or theexternal network 28. - 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, thesystem 10 provides a high level of accountability and traceability. - 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.
Claims (37)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US10/026,839 US20030069796A1 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2001-12-27 | System and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US32776901P | 2001-10-10 | 2001-10-10 | |
US10/026,839 US20030069796A1 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2001-12-27 | System and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling |
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US20030069796A1 true US20030069796A1 (en) | 2003-04-10 |
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US10/026,840 Active 2028-11-19 US9460413B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2001-12-27 | System and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling |
US10/026,839 Abandoned US20030069796A1 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2001-12-27 | System and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling |
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US10/026,840 Active 2028-11-19 US9460413B2 (en) | 2001-10-10 | 2001-12-27 | System and method for product tracking and product temperature profiling |
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US20060087410A1 (en) * | 2004-10-27 | 2006-04-27 | Api Software, Inc. | Facility access control system including temporary personnel identification badges with expiration indicia |
US20080167755A1 (en) * | 2007-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | Power Monitors Inc. | Method and apparatus for smart circuit breaker |
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US8773108B2 (en) | 2009-11-10 | 2014-07-08 | Power Monitors, Inc. | System, method, and apparatus for a safe powerline communications instrumentation front-end |
US20110109320A1 (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2011-05-12 | Power Monitors, Inc. | System, method, and apparatus for a safe powerline communications instrumentation front-end |
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WO2012091655A1 (en) * | 2010-12-16 | 2012-07-05 | Tridentify AB | Medical package, system and method for managing medical package |
US11404151B2 (en) | 2010-12-16 | 2022-08-02 | Tridentify AB | Medical package, system and method for managing medical package |
US20150153239A1 (en) * | 2014-11-19 | 2015-06-04 | Oxana S. Pantchenko | Temperature dependent device |
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US20190236553A1 (en) * | 2018-01-30 | 2019-08-01 | HonesTime, LLC | Multiple-employee personal cell phone secure storage time clock apparatus and timekeeping system |
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US20030067388A1 (en) | 2003-04-10 |
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Owner name: KENDRO LABORATORY PRODUCTS, INC., NORTH CAROLINA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ELWOOD, BRYAN M.;TIPTON, WALTER JEFF;BUTTS, CHARLES G.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:012738/0880 Effective date: 20020326 |
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Owner name: THERMO ELECTRON CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GSLE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION;REEL/FRAME:018224/0364 Effective date: 20050509 |
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