Winware, Inc.

Stanley Black Decker, Inc.

Derry Thomas DeNise

Lawrence Edward Harper

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for monitoring and tracking an item in a controlled space. In one embodiment, a portal system that monitors the controlled space includes a radio frequency tag that is attached to inventory and a portal device, which includes a computing device, a receiver and a locking door. The receiver is configured to receive a signal from radio frequency tag, and send the signal to the computing device. The locking door is coupled to the computing device. The computing device is configured to verify whether the user is authorized to be taking inventory in and out of the controlled space through the locking door based on the received signal, and to unlock the locking door based on the received signal. The computing device has a database that includes the total value of the inventory that the user has taken out of the controlled space. The computing device determines whether the user have exceeded a threshold value of inventory based on the total value of inventory that the user has taken out of the controlled space, and provides a notification signal to an administrator based on the total value of inventory.

Portal system for a controlled space

Various embodiments of object tracking systems and related methods and devices are disclosed. One enclosure for object tracking comprises an interior space that is designed to contain radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The enclosure further includes top, bottom and side walls that form the interior space. The walls are designed to prevent very little or no radio frequency (RF) signals leakage outside of the enclosure. The side walls include a front wall that includes at least one slot to facilitate accessing the interior space. The enclosure further includes at least one access member that is designed to move in and out of the enclosure via the at least one slot. The access member includes extending members that are designed to cover the openings between the access member and slot, thus preventing very little or no RF signals leakage outside of the enclosure.

Object tracking in an enclosure

Various embodiments of object tracking systems and related methods and devices are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, includes scanning an interior space of an enclosure, the enclosure having at least one radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and at least one object associated with the at least one RFID tag, receiving an indication that a user is attempting access to the interior space, and responsive to receiving the indication, determining whether access to the interior space is permitted by the user.

Various method and apparatus embodiments involving RFID switching are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, includes receiving an excitation signal at a switch associated with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a disabling material, and changing a state of the RFID tag with the switch based on proximity of the disabling material to the RFID tag.

Growing community of inventors

Decatur, GA, United States of America

Derry Thomas DeNise