1 2451957 Container The present invention relates to a container for containing one or more articles and an apparatus and method for determining if one or more articles are missing from said container.
Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a toolbox it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the means of determining if articles are missing from a container can be used for cupboards containing articles and the like and is not limited to toolboxes.
The use of toolboxes to contain tools and items associated with said tools is well known. It is a common problem that when a workman is performing a job on site, or a person is performing DIY improvements, tools are removed from a toolbox to perform the job and they are not replaced once the job is finished. The tools are then left behind and/or become lost, which is a problem because many tools are expensive to replace.
To overcome this problem many toolboxes come equipped with one or more devices with recesses formed therein, said recesses arc frequently formed to the shape of the tool to be stored inside. These devices have several problems associated with them. Firstly, the recesses are usually formed to exactly fit the tools therein and therefore the user is limited in choice in respect of those tools he can place in the toolbox. Secondly, the devices themselves take up valuable space and therefore the user * S. . . is limited with respect to any additional tools he wishes to buy and store in the toolbox. Thirdly, it is not immediately obvious *:::: that tools are missing from the box unless the user actively looks for the empty recess. SI,.
: It is therefore an aim of the present invention to overcome the abovementioned problems.
In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container for articles, said container including at least one opening into the container, at least one detection means and at least one power supply means, wherein said detection means detects the presence of articles contained within said container, and/or the removal from, and/or the placement of one or more articles in said container, said power supply means providing power to at least said detection means.
Tn a preferred embodiment the container is a toolbox. Typically the articles which arc contained within the toolbox are tools.
The tools which are typically contained in the toolbox are hand tools such as hammcrs, drills, screwdrivers, pliers, chisels and the like.
In one embodiment the detection means includes a radio-frequency detector to detect the presence of one or more radio frequency devices.
In one embodiment the detection means include a radio frequency detector, to detect detects radio frequency identification (RFID) signals and the said articles have an RFID device associated with the same. The RFJD devices are typically in the form of an RFID transponder.
* Typically the detector means is provided as part of the * . container. **S. * * ****
In one embodiment the detector means is fitted and/or * retrofitted to a container. I.. * ****
*..: In one embodiment the RFID transponder is a passive RFID * transponder in communication with the detection means. p.
Typically the detection means emits one or more RF signals to stimulate a response from the passive RFID transponders.
Further typically the detection means emits one or more RF signals thereby stimulating at least one response from the passive RFID transponder, the detection of said response providing information to said detection means on the location of said transponder.
In one embodiment at least one RFID transponder is provided to each article which is to be detected. Typically the transponder is attached to the article using an adhesive such as a sticky label and/or the like. Alternatively and/or in combination with the sticky labels, articles are provided with the RFJD transponder formed integrally with the same, for example a transponder which is formed integrally within the handle of a tool.
In one embodiment each article contained within the toolbox has a RFID transponder with a unique RF signal and/or identification signature. Typically this allows each RFJD transponder to be distinguished from the other transponders and therefore the corresponding article which the transponder is associated with can be identified. Preferably each individual article is associated with a single transponder.
In one embodiment each transponder includes a unique RF * *. signal and/or identification signature, thereby allowing each transponder, and thereby each tool, to be individually identified by the detection means. I... * *.
In one embodiment the detection means detects the presence of RFID transponders and their associated articles substantially **** : within a predefined zone or region. Typically, the predefined *�* zone is substantially around the container. Preferably the predefined zone is defined by the container.
In one embodiment the detection means detects the presence of the RFID transponders and their associated articles after an event. Typically an event can be a period of time, opening the container, pressing a button and/or actuating a switch and/or the like.
in one embodiment the detection means creates at least one inventory of articles detected.
In one embodiment the detection means includes one or more inventory means, said inventory means situated to compile and store at least one inventory of articles within said predetermined zone or region after at least one event.
In one embodiment the detection means has a digital memory.
Typically the digital memory is suitable for storing one or more inventories of RFID transponders and/or articles associated with said transponders, created by the detection means.
In one embodiment the one or more inventories of articles and/or associated RFID transponders are created remotely from the container on at least one external computer. Typically the created inventory is then downloaded to the digital memory. * ** * * *
* ** . . Tn one embodiment the inventory of articles and/or associated RFID transponders is created by at least one embedded *:::: computer within the container and stored on the digital memory and/or inventory means. **S. * *.**
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In one embodiment the inventory means contains at least one inventory of articles compiled on an external device, said device being external to the container.
Tn one embodiment the inventory means contains at least one inventory of articles compiled on an external device, said device being external to the container.
In one embodiment the one or more inventory of articles and/or associated RFJD transponders are created by a combination of external and embedded computer means. Typically the computers communicate with one anther and subsejuently the inventory means and/or the digital memory, via a universal serial bus (USB) cablc and/or wireless communication.
In one embodiment the computer means comparcs a first inventory generated by and/or stored by the detection means with a second or further inventory gencrated by and/or stored by the detection means to identify any articles removed from and/or any articles added to the toolbox.
In one embodiment a first inventory of articles previously stored on the digital memory is compared to a second inventory of articles created by the detection means. Typically the first inventory of articles contains all the RFIDs and associated articles that were present in the container when the list was * *, previously created, the second inventory created by the detection means contains all the RFIDs and associated articles ***.
currently contained within the container, therefore by comparing *:::: the first and second inventories the missing RFID5 and * associated articles which are not in the container can be *.S identified. S.. *. *S. *
Typically the container includes an alert means, said alert means in communication with the computer means to alert the user when an article has not been returned to the toolbox.
In one embodiment the container has an activation means.
Typically the activation means is a button and/or the like which, when actuated, activates the detection means of the container.
The activation means can activate one, or any combination of functions, such as scanning the articles within the container to create an inventory of articles, scanning the articles within the container to create a first and/or second inventory and comparing the Contents of said inventories to check for missing articles and the like.
Typically, when a user opens the toolbox to access their tools the act of opening the box actuates the activation means and the tools contained in the box are scanned and a first inventory is compiled by the detection means and subsequently stored in the digital memory and/or inventory means. The user then removes and replaces tools as and when needed from the toolbox to complete their job. Once the job is finished the user then closes the box, which again actuates the activation means, which in turn activates the detection means to compile a second inventory. The detection means compares the first and second Inventories to identify any missing tools.
* ** Alternatively, the first inventory has already been downloaded into the digital memory from an external computer and therefore pressing the activation means activates the detection means to compile the second inventory and compare the same with the * first downloaded inventor **. ***.
*..: In one embodiment the container has a display means which ** undergoes a change of condition to indicate if any articles are missing from the container. Typically the display means is a light and/or sounder to alert the user that articles are missing.
Further typically said display is in communication with said computer means and displays information relating to the inventory list and/or missing articles from the toolbox.
In one embodiment the container has a liquid crystal display (LCD) type screen to display information on which, if any, RFID transponders and associated articles are missing from the container. Typically, the LCD screen will display information about any articles that are missing such as the type of article it is.
In one embodiment the power supply means are one or more batteries. Typically the power supply means is a rechargeable battery.
In one embodiment the USB port and/or battery charging port are protected by dust covers to prevent the ingress of material.
In one embodiment the LCD screen and the activation means are protected from the ingress of material by a moveable and or removable panel.
In one embodiment the computer means can be used to program the detection means to identify and/or link specific RFID transponders with a tool and/or types of tools. *
In an alternative embodiment the detection means detects the removal and/or replacement of articles as they are removed and/or replaced into a predefined Zone. Typically the detection of the removal and/or replacement of said articles updates the :r inventory stored on the memory means and displays which * articles are missing from the container.
In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting if articles are missing from a container, said container having at least one detection means for detecting the presence of articles contained therein, and at least one power supply means providing power for said at least one detection means said method comprising the steps of; creating a first inventory of articles which should be stored within the container, using the detection means to create a second inventory of articles present within the container at a given time, and comparing said first and second inventories to establish if any articles are missing from the container at said given time.
In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting if articles are missing from a container, said container having at least one detection means for detecting the presence of articles contained therein, and/or the at least one detection means detecting the removal and/or replacement of articles from said container, and at least one power supply means providing power for said at least one detection means said method comprising the steps of; using the detection means and/or an external computer to detect when articles are removed and/or replaced into a predetermined * zone, updating the digital memory as to the condition of said articles and displaying the condition of said articles to the user **e. to establish if said articles are missing. * *s
in a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a tool for IS.
containing within a toolbox with at least one RFTD transponder **.. 1 1 I * attacnea tnereto. *SI. * I..
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In one embodiment the RFID transponder is formed integrally with the tool.
In one embodiment the RFJD transponder is attached to an adhesive label which is in turn attached to a suitable surface of a tool.
In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of detecting removal and/or replacement of articles from a container, said container including at least one opening into the container, at least one detection means and at least one power supply means wherein said detection means detects the presence of articles contained within said container, and/or the removal from, and/or the placement of one or more articles in said container, said power supply means providing power to at least said detection means, where said method includes the steps of; creating a first inventory of articles, using the detection means to create second or further inventories of articles, comparing said first and second or further inventories to establish if any articles are not present in said container.
Typically the method includes the step of alerting the user to the absence of one or more articles from the container.
In one embodiment the container is a toolbox and the articles contained therein are tools, said detection means being retrofitted to an existing toolbox. * ** * * *
Specific embodiments of the invention are described with S...
reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: S... * S* S. *
** Figures Ia and lb show a container in accordance with one embodiment of the inventionS S... ,
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Figures 2a and 2b show articles for containing within a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and Figure 3 shows a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Turing firstly to Figures Ia and b, which show a container in the form of a toolbox 2. The toolbox in this embodiment is equipped with a handle 4 and accessories tray 6, both of which are located on the lid portion 8. Figure Ia shows a perspective view of the front of the toolbox 2 and Figure lb shows a perspective view of the rear of the same. In Figure lb it is illustrated how the lid portion 6 is connected by hinges 10, 10' to the body portion 12 of the toolbox. Also located on the lid portion 8 is a button which acts as the activation means 14 and an LCD display screen 16 both of which arc located behind a movable transparent cover 1 8.
In use, the toolbox 2 contains a number of tools (not shown) with RFID transponders attached to the same. The toolbox 2 is intended to be used as a container for transporting said tools from site to site. The toolbox is also intended to detect if any tools are missing from the toolbox when the job is completed and the user is intending on leaving the site. A user typically carries the toolbox by the handle 4, with clasp 20 holding the lid 8 i1 the closed position and preventing the container from spilling open when being carried. The lid 8 has an accessories *:.:: tray for containing accessories which are typically consumable *.S.
articles such as nails, screws, staples and the like. These items S...
arc typically small and low cost and intended to be left at the job site, they therefore do not have RFID transponders attached. S...
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In this embodiment, when the user arrives at site or before the user opens their toolbox, they press the button 14 which is the activation means. The detection means (not shown) scans the contents of the toolbox and logs the passive RFIDs present along with the corresponding tools which they are attached to into a first inventory, which is typically stored on the digital memory of the detector means. In this embodiment the RFIDs are registered to their corresponding tools on a computer external to the toolbox 2. Typically the toolbox is supplied with a number of uniquely identifiable passive RFID transponders in the form of stickers. The user attaches a unique RFJD to a tool and registers that RFID to that tool. So, for example, RFID transponder sticker number 24 will be registered to a hammer.
This data is compiled on a computer external to the toolbox and is downloaded to the toolbox 2 via a universal serial bus (USB) cable into the USB port 22. Using this data, when the activation button 14 is pressed the detection means associates transponder 24 with a hammer.
Once the job is complete the user gathers the tools he has removed from the toolbox 2 and replaces them in the same. The user then presses the activation button 14 again and the detection means scans the contents of the toolbox 2 and compiles a second inventory for comparison with the first. If the detection means does not detect any of the RFID5 and associated tools which were present on the first activation, an alarm sounds to alert the user and the RFID number and the name of the tool it is associated with is displayed on the LCD screen. The user therefore knows if he is about to leave any *S..
tools at the job site. * * S S. 5
This embodiment can also be operated in an alternative fashion whereby the first inventory is created on a computer remote to the toolbox, typically at the same as the user registers the unique S..
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RFID transponders with the associated tools. The second inventory is created when the user presses the activation button.
Power for the toolbox is supplied by a rechargeable battery (not shown). The battery is recharged by connecting the toolbox 2 to a mains source of electricity via power port 24, located on the rear of the toolbox close to the USB port 22. Both the USB port 22 and power port 24 are located beneath a sliding protective cover 26, because the majority of job sites are dusty places with a lot of material that could potentially become lodged in the ports.
Turning now to Figures 2a and b, which show tools 28, 30 of the type which are typically stored in a toolbox 2. Figure 2a shows a hammer 28 and Figure 2b shows a saw 30. The hammer 28 has an RFJD transponder in the form of a sticker 32 attached to the base 34 of the grip portion 36 of the hammer. The RFID transponder is in a good position as it is unlikely to be removed or knocked off from the base 34. If the transponder 32 was located in another position, such as the grip 36, shaft 38 or even the head 40 of the hammer it is more likely to come into contact with other objects and be removed or damaged.
The tool in Figure 2b is a saw 30. The RFID transponder 42 in this example is formed integrally with the handle 44 of the saw.
The positioning of the RFID transponder 42 in this case also recluires careful thought. Although the RFID transponder is formed integrally with the tool and therefore less likely to be accidentally removed, if it were attached anywhere else, such as S...
the saw blade 46, it is possible it could be damaged. S... * . . S. S
Figure 3 shows one embodiment of the current invention whereby the toolbox 48 is shown in the open condition. The lid is connected via hinges 52, 52' to the body portion 54 of the *S5 toolbox. In this embodiment the LCD screen is large and located on the front surface 56 of the body portion 54. The power port 58 and the USB port 60 are located on the side of the toolbox. There are a number of draws 62 for storage of smaller tools and a larger space 64 for the storage of larger tools visible on the inside of the toolbox 48. In this embodiment the detection means is continuously scanning for the presence of RFID transponders located within the toolbox. When a tool is removed from the box the name of the tool is displayed on the LCD screen 56. If the lid is closed the tools removed have not been replaced an audio and/or visual alarm is activated. * ** * S * * S. *5** * * *.S. * * S *. .
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