TWI518606B - Collective objects management system with object identification using addressable decoder units - Google Patents

Description

Aggregate object management system for object recognition using addressable decoder units

The present invention relates generally to a collective object management system, and in particular to an improved collective object management system for object recognition using a digital decoder having a unique address.

The term "aggregate object management system" is created to describe a system that is generally used to track items ("objects") in a collection of items. For example, an automotive parts warehouse has a collection of vehicle parts ("objects") in inventory at any given time. The types and quantities of these parts vary from day to day because parts are sold and new parts are received. In order to track the number and type of vehicle parts in stock, certain types of collective vehicle part management systems must be used. Similarly, in a semiconductor manufacturing operation, there is one or more sets of integrated circuits ("objects") located somewhere in the facility at any given time, which must be considered using a collective integrated circuit management system. . In supermarkets, there is usually a large collection of different types of items in stock, such as meat, agricultural products, canned foods, etc., and the number and type of objects vary greatly from day to day, so a need is needed. Complex object management system. In business offices and certain homes, file storage cabinets are often used to store documents used for business and personal activities. A typical file storage cabinet has a number of pull-out drawers, each containing a larger number of file folders ("objects"), and each folder contains one or more files. In order for files contained in various files to be easily accessed, it is necessary to use certain types of file management systems.

In the example of file storage management, each file folder typically has a portion of the document that is visible when the file drawer is opened (usually along the top edge of the folder) and contains readable information describing the contents of the folder. . The readable information is typically a short form of identification, such as an account name, a subject name (eg, "facilities bill"), and the like.

In order to provide convenient access to individual files contained in a folder, certain types of indexing configurations are typically used to identify the drawer position of each folder. One commonly used simple technique is an alphabetic index card placed on the front panel of each drawer, which lists the archive folders in alphabetical order. For example, a file drawer panel may have an index card listing files starting with the letters A-F, and another drawer may have an index card listing files starting with the letter G-L. Frequently, more complex index configurations, such as a computer-based index, are used to list all files by a short form of identifier and a corresponding expanded and more thorough description of the file content. Even such computer-based configurations still require the use of a readable slate or label on each profile folder to identify a given folder to a user. But this is quite inappropriate because it helps any unauthorized user to search for a specific file name or a file containing a specific type of information. Nonetheless, known file management systems require the use of visible standards or labels for the files to be properly positioned.

In applications where several of the individuals have accessed the archive drawer content, certain configurations are typically made to monitor the movement of the archive. For example, in a business application, it is convenient and sometimes necessary to provide a sign-off transceiver so that the current whereabouts of a given file can always be known. Often, such monitoring attempts cannot accurately track files because individuals cannot follow the procedures honestly. Thus, at any given time, the integrity of the file management system can only be confirmed by visually inspecting each file drawer and checking the file folder with its content and primary index. This requirement is time consuming and cumbersome and therefore a serious drawback.

In a known file management system of the type described above, once a file folder is provided with a content identifier, the folder can be permanently associated with its content characteristics. In order to change the content to some other category, the folder does not have to be discarded, it is replaced with a new, unmarked folder, or the identification mark must be replaced. In addition, the primary index must be updated, not manually, using a computer to update in a computer-based indexing system. These procedures are not completely obeyed by office personnel, and the integrity of the file system will be compromised.

In all instances of known collective object management systems, either the container for the different items or the item itself is typically provided with certain types of human readable or machine readable identification marks, such as attached to objects or containers. Sign or label. In more complex systems, a computer is used to assist in tracking objects. When an object is removed from a general location, certain procedures are often used to illustrate the fact that the object has been removed from its normal position. This can be done by the operator entering the changes into the system computer, or by using a tag or sign reading device (such as a bar code reader) to enter information into the system computer.

U.S. Patent No. 5,977,875, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety in its entirety in its entirety in its entirety in The above disadvantages associated with the file management system are eliminated. In addition, the collective object management system disclosed in the '875 U.S. Patent provides a simple and efficient way to find a desired item stored somewhere in a large collection of different objects. The system disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 875 uses RF sensing circuitry to maintain control of all of the objects in a collection. Each object has an associated RF sensing circuit that resonates at the unique frequency when one of the RF signals is received by the circuit at a unique frequency, and has a coupled to the RF circuit In order for a human operator to recognize an indicator of the object. The indicator is preferably a visible indicator (such as an LED) coupled to the item or container for the item and which is readily visible to a human operator. Alternatively, an audible indicator such as a buzzer can also be used.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, in a file management system, a folder circuit is included in each of the archive folders placed in a file drawer. Each binder circuit has a crystal response to a particular R.F. frequency, and the resonant frequency of a given crystal is different from the resonant frequency of all other crystals. Each of the binder circuits is electrically coupled to a drawer signal input/output using a conductive upper support rail that is typically present in a conventional filing cabinet. One of the rails is modified by electrically isolating the rail from the remaining conductive elements in the drawer.

Each binder circuit includes an indicator, preferably an LED visible indicator, mounted along a margin above the binder at a location visible to the user when the drawer is opened. In addition, each drawer is provided with an indicator, preferably a flashing LED visible indicator, mounted on the front panel of the drawer. A current detector circuit is used to control the status of the drawer panel indicator.

All drawer input/output terminals are electrically coupled in parallel to an associated computer, whether using a designated connector (ie, a hardwired connection) or a transceiver (ie, wireless communication). The computer includes an RF signal generator that produces signals that match all crystal frequencies. In order to find a file, a user assigns the file to the computer, usually by using a keyboard or a mouse. The computer causes the RF signal generator to generate an RF signal whose frequency matches the specified file. The RF signal is transmitted to all filing cabinets in the system and is therefore transmitted to all archive drawers. If the designated file is located in any of the drawers, the indicator on the front panel of the drawer containing the file folder and the indicator of the correct file folder will be activated. The user then opens the drawer with the active mid-panel indicator and takes the file folder with the active file folder indicator removed.

When applied to a file management system, it is disclosed that the collective object management system of the '875 U.S. patent can eliminate the need for readable labels or labels on each file folder because the correct file folder It is specified by the activated indicator. Furthermore, the characteristics of a profile folder can be changed by simply entering the necessary information into the computer. In addition, the integrity of the entire file system can be checked by using an RF scan frequency generator to scan the entire frequency range of the crystal frequency and detect any frequencies where there is no resonant response. The system can be easily and conveniently incorporated into an existing filing cabinet with a conductive dual-rail data clip support mechanism. For other types of collective object management systems, such as automotive parts warehouses and integrated circuit manufacturing operations, the system can be implemented using standard object containers of conventional design.

As described above, in the system of the '875 patent, each object has an associated RF sensing circuit having a single crystal that is received by the circuit when an RF signal is received at the circuit at a unique frequency. Will resonate at this unique frequency. This configuration provides a unique one-to-one correspondence between an object and a given frequency. In a collective object management system with a large number of objects, such as some file management systems with a large number of files, a correspondingly large number of crystals are required, each crystal having a different resonant frequency than all other crystals. In order to ensure that incorrect crystal initiation is prevented, it has been found that a minimum frequency spacing can be applied between all crystals in the crystal collection in the system. For example, in a system designed to operate in the frequency range of about 2 to about 20 mHz, one of the minimum crystal frequency intervals of 1 kHz has been found to provide good results. However, this minimum frequency spacing condition imposes an upper limit on the total number of crystals that can be used in the system, which also places an upper limit on the total number of items that can be accommodated by the system.

U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12/586,552, entitled "Collective Objects Management System Using RF Object Identification With Multiple Crystals", filed on September 24, 2009, is incorporated herein by reference. One of the basic techniques disclosed in the U.S. patent is improved. This improvement increases the potential amount of objects that can be accommodated by a given system by providing more than one crystal for each RF sensing circuit associated with a given object. By using two or more crystals in each profile folder circuit, the total number of individual frequencies required to uniquely identify the set of binders in a given system can be substantially reduced. For example, to uniquely identify 20,000 different file folders, a system with two crystals in each RF sensing circuit requires slightly less than 200 different pairing frequencies (compared to 20,000 in a single crystal system) Individual frequency). Although at least twice the number of crystals is required in incorporating this improved system (as compared to systems using only a single crystal), the individual crystals can be selected from pre-manufactured crystal stocks with standard resonant frequencies (unlike Customized manufacturing provides crystals of a spectrum of resonant frequencies that differ from each other by a fixed frequency interval of about 1 kHz, which results in considerable savings in total cost. Moreover, this improvement provides a substantial expansion of the potential objects (archive folders) that are gathered in a given system because two or more crystals are used in each object (archive folder) circuit. Thus, if a system is limited by the available frequency spectrum of choice (e.g., 2 mHz to 20 mHz), this improvement provides the possibility of accommodating clusters of objects that are orders of magnitude larger than the single crystal technology can provide. Moreover, this improvement provides the above advantages without sacrificing any of the advantages inherent in a single crystal system.

In most developed industrial countries, collective object management systems that use RF sensing circuits and one or more RF signal generators are subject to radiation standards set by government authorities. In these countries, any R.F. system must be submitted to a regulatory authority with discretionary authority for such devices to be tested and certified before it is legally deployed. In many cases, testing requirements is quite costly and time consuming, which hampers the implementation of this system. In addition, any improvements and modifications to an authenticated RF signal generator require that the system be resubmitted, tested, and certified in its modified form, further deterring the implementation of RF-based systems.

The present invention includes a collective object management system that provides the advantages of the RF-based system described above, but which avoids the need for RF radiation testing and is therefore less expensive, easier, and faster than systems that rely on RF radiation transmission. Implementation.

In one aspect of the invention, the present invention comprises a device for managing an object that is dispersed in a location of an object, the device comprising an object for use in an object (such as a file for one or more related documents) a container having a plurality of electrically conductive members, at least one of which can receive an address signal supplied by a source (such as a remote system computer); an address decoder circuit associated with the object; The address decoder circuit has a unique system address, the address decoder circuit further having a plurality of conductive terminals in electrical contact with the plurality of conductive members; and an indicator such as a visible indicator (eg, an LED) Connected to the address decoder circuit for each time the address decoder circuit detects that an address signal is present on at least one of the plurality of conductive members and the unique system of the address decoder circuit The representation of the address is initiated.

Associated with all of the devices is an encoder for generating the address signal, the encoder having at least one input terminal for receiving an object identification signal from the supply device, coupled to the address decoding At least one output terminal of the circuit, and circuitry for generating a signal representation of a unique system address of the object specified by the object identification signal.

In a particular embodiment, the container includes a file folder having a pair of support brackets, one of the support brackets including the plurality of conductive members; and the address decoder circuit and the indicator are The support bracket includes the one of the plurality of electrically conductive members. In this embodiment, the support bracket including the plurality of conductive members comprises an elongated body structure formed of a non-conductive material and having a pair of opposite ends, each end having a downwardly through slit channel, the slit The channel is provided with a pair of spring contacts secured to the elongate body structure, each spring contact being electrically coupled to one of the plurality of electrically conductive members. To ensure proper mechanical mounting, each spring contact has a free end that is received in a corresponding recess formed in the elongated body structure adjacent the end thereof. To ensure proper orientation of a file folder during installation, the width of the slit channel at one of the opposite ends of the elongated body structure is different from the slit at the other end of the elongated body structure. The width of the channel.

Preferably, each profile fixture has an upper margin; and the indicator is mounted to the profile folder in a position extending above the upper margin to provide good visibility.

From a system perspective, the present invention includes a system for managing items that are dispersed in a location space of an object, the system comprising: a container (such as a file drawer) having a plurality of electrically isolated conductive paths At least one of which can receive an address signal supplied by a source and designate a search object; a plurality of object containers positioned in the container, each of the plurality of object containers having

(a) a plurality of electrically conductive members, each of which is electrically coupled to one of the plurality of mutually electrically isolated electrically conductive paths;

(b) an address decoder circuit associated with the object in the container, the address decoder circuit having a unique system address, the address decoder circuit further having electrical contact with the plurality of conductive members a plurality of conductive terminals; and

(c) an indicator, such as a visible indicator (eg, an LED) coupled to the address decoder circuit to detect an address signal appearing in the complex number whenever the address decoder circuit detects The at least one of the conductive members and the representation of the unique system address are activated.

The system further includes a source including an encoder for generating the address signal, the encoder having at least one input terminal for receiving an object identification signal from the supply device, coupled to the plurality of objects At least one output terminal of each address decoder circuit of the container, and circuitry for generating a signal representation of a unique system address of the object specified by the object identification signal.

In a particular embodiment, the container includes a file folder drawer; and each item container includes a file folder having a pair of support brackets, one of the support brackets comprising a plurality of conductive members. In this embodiment, the address decoder circuit and indicator of each of the object containers are carried by one of the two support brackets of each of the archive folders.

Preferably, each of the archive data fixtures has an upper limit, and each indicator is mounted to the corresponding archive folder and located at a position extending above the upper margin to allow the archive folder to be in the It can be seen when the position is opened.

The archive folder drawer includes at least two non-conductive support members on which a plurality of different electrically isolated conductive paths are positioned. One of the support brackets of each of the plurality of object containers includes an elongated body structure formed of a non-conductive material and having a pair of opposite ends, each end having a downwardly through slit channel, The slit channel is provided with a pair of spring contacts secured to the elongate body structure, and each spring contact is electrically coupled to one of the plurality of electrically conductive members. Each end of one of the support brackets of the plurality of object containers is supported by a different one of the at least two non-conductive support members when received in the file folder drawer.

The two laterally spaced non-conductive support members of the profile folder drawer each have a width, and the width of each of the non-conductive support members is different from each other. Similarly, the width of the slit channel at one of the opposite ends of the elongated body structure of each of the file folders is different from the length of the slit channel in each of the file folders The width of the other of the opposite ends of the body structure such that a given file folder can only be in a suitable orientation with each of the spring contacts and one of the conductive paths The mechanical and electrical contact is removably secured to the two support members.

The file folder drawer has a front panel having an additional indicator mounted thereon; and the system further includes an address decoder circuit for each time positioned in the archive folder drawer A circuit that operates the additional indicator when an address signal is detected on the at least one of the plurality of conductive members and the representation of the unique system address of the address decoder.

Each address decoder circuit includes means for each time the address decoder circuit detects that an address signal is present on at least one of the plurality of conductive members and a unique system address of the address decoder circuit A circuit that generates a VALID signal when it is represented.

A microcomputer supplies a power signal to the plurality of object containers via certain conductive paths of the conductive paths, and supplies an address signal via at least one of the conductive paths; and receives when an incoming address matches a given bit The address decoder circuit system address is the VALID signal generated by each address decoder circuit. The microcomputer also includes circuitry for generating an information signal identifying the location of any of the address decoder circuits that generate a VALID signal in the system.

The present invention provides object management capabilities for articles that are dispersed in an object location space that are equivalent to those provided by R.F. systems using crystals of a particular frequency, but avoids the disadvantages associated with R.F. regulatory testing and certification procedures. Moreover, the present invention can be set up and constructed with less equipment cost than R.F. based systems, primarily due to the elimination of one of the R.F. signal generators in each container container case.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be

The present invention has a wide variety of applications for a variety of collective object management systems. The following is an implementation of one of the applications of the present invention in the field of file management systems.

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, viewed from the right front of a first embodiment of the present invention in a file storage system application, and used directly between the filing cabinet and the associated computer. Electrical connections. As shown, a plurality of drawer filing cabinets 10 (showing four drawers) of conventional mechanical construction have a generally top portion 12, a bottom portion 13, side edges 14, 15 and a back portion 16. Four drawers 18-21 are slidably mounted in the cabinet 10, and each drawer 18-21 has a drawer handle 23 mounted on a front panel 25. A visible indicator device 27 is also mounted on the front panel 25 of each of the drawers 18-21. Indicator 27 can include any of a number of known components capable of providing a visible signal when activated in the manner described below. An example of a suitable indicator is a conventional LED indicator and a Model 276-036 flash LED indicator available from Radio Shack.

The bottommost drawer 18 is shown in a closed position to provide a basic drawer structure and a perspective view of the manner in which a file folder is removably supported in a file drawer. As shown, the drawer 18 is provided with a pair of upper support members 28, 29, which will be described in detail below, for use as the primary purpose of supporting individual file folders, such as archive folders 30, in the drawer. Second, the support members 28, 29 can also provide structural rigidity for the drawer 18 itself. The drawer 18 also has a pair of lower members 32, 33 (only one of which can be seen in Figure 1 (member 33)) which completes the horizontal structural elements. In commonly used filing cabinet configurations, members 28, 29, 32 and 33 may also form an internal frame insert (and vertically disposed frame members) that may be physically mounted in a standard drawer. To complete the drawer structure, a back 34 is attached to the members 28, 29, 32, 33. All of the archive folders (such as folder 30) are removably supported by the upper support members 28, 29 using a horizontal support bracket (described below) for the folder 30 to be mechanically strong. The mechanical structure of the folder 30 is conventional. The structure and arrangement of the drawer 19-21 is the same as that of the drawer 18. As indicated by the leader line extending to the lower right of the filing cabinet 10, an alternating current (AC) power connection provides alternating current to the electrical components described below and positioned in the filing cabinet 10. Similarly, a hardwired connection is coupled between the filing cabinet 10 and an associated host computer, the purpose of which will be described below.

As best seen in Figure 2, each of the folders (such as folder 30) depicted in this figure is mechanically supported in a removable manner by upper support members 28,29. The support members 28, 29 above each of the drawers 18-21 are electrically isolated from the remaining drawer frame structures via the insulating elements described below. Furthermore, the upper support members 28, 29 each have two conductive strips that are connected by an individual conductor to the four terminals of one of the local microcomputers 35 positioned in the filing cabinet 10. These four terminals are labeled as "data bus", "+5V", "ground" and "VALID signal" in Figure 2. A microcomputer 35 (preferably a model AT89C2051 device from Intel Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif.) is coupled to a host computer (not shown in Figure 2) and is also coupled to a slave The appropriate DC power supply (+5V) derived from the above AC power input. The microcomputer 35 has a pair of output terminals labeled "LED" and "lock" for controlling the state of the indicator 27 and an electrically operated drawer lock mechanism 37. The "+5V" and "Ground" terminals provide DC power to the circuitry that is located in each profile folder, and each profile folder is located in a drawer. The "data bus" terminal supplies the address information to the archive folder circuit. The "VALID signal" terminal receives a VALID whenever a file folder circuit of a given folder is decoded and received from an address of the microcomputer 35 and the address matches the address of the file folder circuit. signal.

Figures 3 and 4 show the structure of the main one of the two horizontal support brackets incorporated into each of the archive folders 30. Another horizontal support for each folder is a conventional non-conductive construction. As shown in these figures, the primary support bracket 40 has an elongated body structure 41 formed from a suitable non-conductive material such as a conventional circuit board material, phenolic resin, or the like. At each end, the elongate body structure has a plurality of port passages 42, 43 having a width that is slightly larger than the width of the corresponding upper support members 28, 29. Each of the slit channels 42, 43 is provided with a pair of spring contacts 44-47 that are secured to the elongated body structure in any suitable manner, such as by hot stamping, gluing or mechanical embedding. Each spring contact has a free end 48-51 that is received in a corresponding recess 52-55 formed in the elongated body structure 41. The separation distance between the proximal ends of the spring contacts 44-45 and 46-47 is slightly less than the width of the corresponding upper support members 28, 29 such that when a primary bracket is mounted on the upper support members 28, 29 Effective mechanical and electrical contact can be formed.

To facilitate proper installation of a primary support, the width of the slit channels 42, 43 and the separation distance between the spring contacts 44, 45 and 46, 47 are substantially different such that a primary support can only be mounted In an orientation. This is necessary to ensure that a suitable electrical connection can be made each time a primary support is installed in a file drawer.

Accordingly, the widths of the upper support members 28, 29 are different, as clearly depicted in FIG. As shown in this figure, each of the upper support members 28, 29 has a central core 56 made of a non-conductive material, such as the same material used to make the elongated body structure 41; and is secured to the outer surface and along One of the lengths of the upper support members 28, 29 extends to the conductive strips 57-60. Each of the conductive strips 57-60 is assigned to a different electrical signal, wherein the strip 57 is electrically connected to the data bus terminal of the microcomputer 35; the strip 58 is electrically connected to the microcomputer 35. The +5V terminal; the strip 59 is connected to the ground terminal of the microcomputer 35; and the strip 60 is electrically connected to the VALID signal terminal of the microcomputer 35.

Referring now to Figure 3, each of the spring contacts 44-47 is electrically coupled to a separate conductive path 62-65, each conductive path being electrically coupled to a different one of the decoder integrated circuit wafers 70. terminal. The decoder chip 70 is a commercially available device that receives multi-bit address information from the microcomputer 35 along the data bus conductor 62 and stores this address information in a unique bit stored in the decoder wafer 70. The address is compared and a VALID signal is generated when the received address matches the storage address, and a binder LED 72 is activated, the binder LED being mounted on the upper body 41 of the binder 30 The upper position is visible at a position when the drawer is opened. The internally generated enable signal for the binder LED 72 is latched by the decoder such that upon detection of the address match, the binder LED 72 initiates the signal until it is held by the folder The DC power supply is removed or otherwise removed from the upper support members 28, 29 to reset the decoder 70 for latching. The VALID signal remains asserted as long as the received address matches the storage address and is utilized by the microcomputer 35 to activate the drawer lock mechanism 37 and the drawer indicator 27. Decoder chip 70 is preferably a model PT2272 decoder available from Princeton Technology, Taipei, Taiwan.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a single decoder 70 and a matching encoder 80. The encoder 80 is preferably a model PT2262 encoder available from Princeton Technology, Taipei, Taiwan. The encoder 80 has a plurality of address input terminals A0-A10, and a host computer (not shown in FIG. 5) can supply address input signals to the address input terminals. An output terminal, labeled "OUT", serially outputs the address information supplied to the address input terminals A0-A10. These address output information signals are transmitted via conductor 82 to address input IN of decoder 70. The decoder 70 has a plurality of address input terminals A0-A10 which are hardwired to a unique address. In the preferred embodiment, decoder 70 is a tri-state device such that the hardwire connection to address input A0-A1- can be grounded, Vcc or floating. The address signal generated by encoder 80 is AC coupled to the address IN terminal of decoder 70. When received, the address signal from encoder 80 is compared internally to decoder 70 with a hardwired decoder address signal. If a match occurs, the binder LED 72 is activated and a VALID signal is generated by the decoder 70.

Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view of a single drawer 18 and main system components of the present invention showing the manner in which a plurality of binder circuits are physically disposed in a single file drawer. As shown in the figure, each of the folders 30-1, 30-2, ..., 30-n is connected to the data bus, +5V, ground and VALID signal conductors of the upper and lower support members 28, 29 described above. The manner in which the appropriate electrical connections are made is supported in the drawer. The data bus, +5V, ground and VALID signal conductors are connected to a single-board computer 85 shown in FIG.

Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a single-board computer 85 for a single filing cabinet 10 operatively coupled to the system. As shown in the figure, the single-board computer 85 includes a microcomputer 35 and an encoder 80, and both have inputs and outputs as shown. Each filing cabinet 10 is supplied with a single-board computer 85. Optionally, each single-board computer 85 can have a unique identification address in the system for identification and maintenance purposes.

Each of the single-board computers 85 including the components shown in FIG. 7 will be received from a host computer 75 and supplied with an object address signal encoded by an address encoder 80 positioned in the single-board computer 85. All decoder circuits 70 in the main support bracket 40 of each of the folders 30-1, 30-2, ... 30-n in the associated filing cabinet 10i. Whenever an object address signal is matched to one of the given folders 30-1, 30-2, ... 30-n of one of the given drawers positioned in a given filing cabinet 10i, the decoder circuit At the address of 70, a VALID signal is generated by the decoder circuit 70 of the target folder and coupled to the single-board computer 85 in the associated filing cabinet 10i. In response to receiving a VALID signal, the corresponding single-board computer 85 generates a drawer LED 27 for the appropriate drawer of the appropriate drawer drawer 37 to actuate the appropriate drawer in the filing cabinet. In addition, the single-board computer 85 generates a signal that is transmitted back to the host computer 75 to indicate that the object folder has been found and identifies the drawer in which the file folder having the correct address is located. File cabinet. As shown in the figure, the input "from the drawer 19", "from the drawer 20" and "from the drawer 21" means that the single-board computer 85 is transmitted back to the host computer 75 to indicate that the object folder has been The signals from the drawer and the filing cabinet in which the file folder having the correct address is located are found and recognized in response to the VALID signals from the other drawers. Upon receipt of the information, the host computer 75 compares the information stored in the drawer and the file cabinet received from the single-board computer 85 with the same information stored in the memory, and changes the information as needed. And terminating the object address signal originally transmitted to the single-board computer 85.

In order to find a file folder in the system, the operator inputs basic file information to the host system computer 75, the basic file information including the file folder address, and the drawer number and each of the addressable folders are said to be located at A complete list of file cabinet IDs. The host computer 75 transmits a file folder request to all the single-board computers 85 in the filing cabinet 10i, and the single-board computer 85 in all the filing cabinets 10i in the system places the designated folder addresses in their respective folders. The data cabinet of the file cabinet 10i is on the bus. If the file folder to be sought is correctly positioned in a given drawer, the single-board computer 85 in the associated filing cabinet 10i will receive an address from its address that matches the address requested by the host computer 75. The VALID signal of the decoder circuit 70, and the above-described control signals are generated for the appropriate drawer lock 37 and the front drawer LED 27, and the file cabinet and drawer information described above is transmitted back to the host computer 75. When the operator opens the drawer with the LED 27 in front of the illuminated drawer, the correct profile folder will be indicated by the illuminated profile folder LED 72i. If the cabinet information or the drawer location information (or both) does not match the same information stored in the memory of the host computer 75, the information is updated by the host computer 75. In the case where no file folder 30i is operatively installed in the collection of file cabinets 10i whose addresses match the requested address, the host computer 75 will mark a response with no data to the file being queried. The folder address and its record is marked accordingly.

The integrity of the entire collection of archive folders 30i can be quickly checked by operating the host computer 75 in a scan address mode. When the address is scanned over the entire range of available addresses, all of the binder circuits operatively present in the set of filing cabinets 10i will respond with a VALID signal and this signal can be detected by the corresponding single board computer 85 and It is transferred back to the host computer 75. Any address of the lost or invalid file folder 301 will not generate a VALID signal, and this missing response will be detected by the host computer 75. The absence of a given file folder 30i for a given particular address can be associated with the file folder in the host computer 75 by the host computer 75 by marking the address of the unresponsive file folder circuit.

The system can generate all of the allowable file folders in the random drawer in the filing cabinet 10i by generating a set of installation file folders 30i (each file material fixture has a different but allowable address) in the host computer 75. The list of addresses is initially configured, and then the set of allowable addresses is generated, and the drawer ID is associated with the cabinet ID information for each address, wherein each address is for the host computer 75 This information is received from a single board computer 85. When a new folder is added to the system, the file folder address, filing cabinet and drawer information can be directly input to the host computer 75: because each address is unique, there is no duplication.

FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of an embodiment of a file management system of the present invention utilizing wireless communication between an individual filing cabinet 10i and a host computer 75. As shown in this figure, each cabinet 10i is provided with a WIFI transceiver 91i for communicating with a host computer 90 having the same configuration. The WIFI transceiver 91i is preferably a commercially available unit that has undergone and passed radiation testing, such as the Wibox wireless device server unit available from Lantronix Corporation of Irvine, California. The host computer 90 is provided with a matching internal WIFI transceiver. The operation of the system of Figure 8 is basically the same as the system of Figures 1-7, except that the folder identification signal is transmitted to the filing cabinet 10i by wireless transmission and the file cabinet and drawer information signals are transmitted to the host computer 75 by wireless transmission. In addition, this is different from the hardwired connection of the embodiment of Figures 1-7. Moreover, the wireless embodiment of FIG. 8 may have additional security considerations to prevent unauthorized transmission and reception and interception of WIFI signals.

The present invention provides a significant improvement over the RF-based system of the '875 patent and the '552 U.S. Patent Application, which is incorporated herein by reference. First, by eliminating the R.F. signal generator for each filing cabinet 10i, the need for a local regulatory agency to test and certify the system is eliminated. Moreover, by using an encoder-decoder configuration, considerable cost can be saved by eliminating the need for a more expensive R.F. signal generator. In addition, the potential objects (archive folders) in a given system are limited only by the number of different address combinations available for the encoder-decoder configuration.

Although the above description is directed to embodiments of the present invention in the field of file management systems, the present invention has broader applications. In general, the present invention can be used in any collective object management system that requires rapid identification of a given category or type of object from a collection of objects. For example, in automotive parts warehouse operations, items may be individual vehicle parts (such as vaporizers, alternators, gaskets, etc.) stored in a box or shelf. In a manufacturing operation, the item may be an individual item that is manufactured in a factory and housed in a separate package (such as a different type of integrated circuit manufactured by an integrated circuit manufacturer). In any application, the address decoder circuit and indicator associated with a particular object are tightly coupled to the object itself and electrically coupled to a local address encoder such that the circuit can respond to the desired object address. The indicator is activated and activated by a human operator to find the item specified by the address.

While the above is a complete and complete disclosure of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, various modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents may be practiced by those skilled in the art. For example, although the invention has been described with respect to particular address encoder and decoder circuits, other circuits may be employed depending on the preferences of the system designer. Again, although the indicators 27, 64 are described above as visible indicators, other types of indicators (such as audible indicators) can be used if desired. Moreover, while specific circuits have been described above for a single filing cabinet, it should be understood that the present invention can also be practiced using multiple filing cabinets located at the same or different locations in the office. Moreover, the present invention can utilize an internal or external computer network to manage a file system of a plurality of cabinets located at different physical locations, if desired. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

10. . . Multiple drawer filing cabinets

10i. . . File cabinet

12. . . top

13. . . bottom

14. . . Side

15. . . Side

16. . . Back

18. . . drawer

19. . . drawer

twenty one. . . drawer

twenty three. . . Drawer handle

25. . . Front panel

27. . . Indicator

28. . . Upper support member

29. . . Upper support member

30. . . File folder

30i. . . File folder

32. . . Lower member

34. . . Back

35. . . Local microcomputer

37. . . Drawer lock mechanism

40. . . Main support bracket

41. . . Slender body structure

42. . . Incision channel

43. . . Incision channel

44. . . Spring contact

45. . . Spring contact

46. . . Spring contact

47. . . Spring contact

48. . . Free end

51. . . Free end

52. . . Groove

55. . . Groove

56. . . Central core

57. . . Conductive strip

58. . . Bands

59. . . Bands

60. . . Conductive strip

62. . . Conductive path

64. . . Indicator

65. . . Conductive path

70. . . decoder

72. . . Folder LED

72i. . . Archive folder LED

75. . . Host computer

80. . . Encoder

82. . . conductor

85. . . Single board computer

90. . . Host computer

91i. . . WIFI transceiver

1 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of drawer filing cabinets of a hard-wired embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic side elevational view of a single file drawer and file folder and related components in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 3 is a front view and partially cut away view of a folder holder for carrying an electrical component positioned in a file folder in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a single binder holder for a binder holder and a pair of upper support members in accordance with the present invention, wherein the manner in which the binder holder is removably attached to the upper support member is shown;

5 is a schematic diagram of an encoder and a decoder for encoding and decoding an object address in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 6 is a schematic top plan view of a single drawer and main system components of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a single-board computer for a single filing cabinet; and

Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of filing cabinets disposed in a wireless embodiment of the present invention.

18. . . drawer

19. . . drawer

twenty one. . . drawer

27. . . Indicator

37. . . Drawer lock mechanism

75. . . Host computer

85. . . Single board computer

Claims (14)

A device for managing an article dispersed in an object space, the device comprising: a container for an article, the container having at least four electrically conductive members, at least one of the electrically conductive members being provided Receiving an address signal supplied by a source, the container comprising a file folder having a pair of support brackets, the one of the support brackets comprising the at least four conductive members, the one of the support brackets comprising An elongated body structure formed of a non-conductive material and having a pair of opposite ends, each end having a downwardly extending slit channel provided with a pair of spring contacts secured to the elongated body structure, Each spring contact is electrically coupled to a different one of the at least four electrically conductive members, each spring contact having a free end received in an elongated body structure adjacent to an end thereof Corresponding recesses such that each of the spring contacts provides electrical and mechanical connection to an associated non-conductive support rail when the file folder is mounted When supporting the rail, each non-conductive support rail has two conductive portions on opposite ends; an address decoder circuit associated with the object, the address decoder circuit having a unique system address, the address a decoder circuit carried by the one of the support brackets, the address decoder circuit further having at least four conductive terminals in electrical contact with the at least four conductive members; and an indicator coupled to the The address decoder circuit is enabled whenever the address decoder circuit detects that an address signal is present on the at least one of the plurality of conductive members and the representation of the unique system address. The device of claim 1, wherein the indicator is a visible indicator. The device of claim 2, wherein the visible indicator is a light emitting diode (LED). The device of claim 1, further comprising a source comprising an encoder for generating the address signal, the encoder having at least one input for receiving an object identification signal from a supply device And a terminal, coupled to the at least one output terminal of the address decoder circuit, and circuitry for generating a signal representation of the one of the unique system addresses of the object specified by the object identification signal. The device of claim 1, wherein the widths of the non-conductive support members are different from each other and the width of the slit channel at one of the opposite ends of the elongated body structure is different from the slit channel. The width of the other of the opposite ends of the elongated body structure such that a given file folder can only be mechanically and in a certain direction with each of the spring contacts and one of the conductive portions The manner of electrical contact is removably secured to the support members. The device of claim 1, wherein each of the spring contacts has a free end received in a corresponding recess formed in the elongated body structure adjacent the end thereof. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the file data fixture has an upper margin; and wherein the indicator is mounted to the archive folder and is located in a position extending above the upper margin. A system for managing objects dispersed in a location space of an object The system comprises: a container comprising a file folder drawer having at least two non-conductive support members, and at least four electrically isolated electrically conductive paths are located on the support members; positioned in the container a plurality of object containers, each of the plurality of object containers comprising an archive folder having a pair of support brackets, an upper margin, and (a) at least four electrically conductive members carried by one of the support brackets Each of the at least four electrically conductive members of each of the plurality of object containers is electrically coupled to a different one of the at least four electrically isolated electrically conductive paths, at least one of the electrically conductive paths being provided Receiving an address signal supplied by a source; (b) an address decoder circuit associated with the object and carried by the one of the support brackets, the address decoder circuit having a unique system bit Address, the address decoder circuit further having at least four conductive terminations in electrical contact with the at least four electrically conductive members; and (c) an indicator by the one of the support brackets And coupled to the address decoder circuit for each time the address decoder circuit detects that an address signal is present on the at least one of the at least four conductive members and the representation of the unique system address When activated, each indicator is mounted to the corresponding profile folder and positioned above the upper margin such that a given indicator is visible when the archive folder drawer is in an open position, One of the support brackets of each of the plurality of object containers includes an elongated body formed of a non-conductive material and having a pair of opposite ends The body structure has a downwardly extending slit channel at each end, the slit channel being provided with a pair of spring contacts secured to the elongated body structure, each spring contact being electrically coupled to one of the plurality of conductive members Differently, when received in the file folder drawer, each end of the one of the support brackets of the plurality of object containers is supported by a different one of the at least two non-conductive support members The two non-conductive support members are laterally spaced apart and each have a width, the widths of the respective non-conductive support members are different from each other, and wherein the slit channel is in the elongated body of each of the file folders The width of one of the opposite ends of the structure is different from the width of the slit channel at the other of the opposite ends of the elongated body structure of each of the file folders, such that The profile folder can only be removably secured to the upper portion of the spring contacts in a manner that is mechanically and electrically in contact with one of the electrically conductive paths. A supporting member. A system as in claim 8 wherein the indicator is a visible indicator. A system of claim 9, wherein the visible indicator is a light emitting diode (LED). A system as claimed in claim 8 further comprising a source comprising an encoder for generating the address signal, the encoder having at least one of electrically conductive paths electrically isolated from each other And receiving at least one input terminal of the object identification signal from a supply device, at least one output terminal coupled to each of the address decoder circuits of the plurality of object containers, and for generating an identification signal by the object Place A circuit that is signaled by one of the unique system addresses of the object. The system of claim 8 wherein the file folder drawer has a front panel having an additional indicator mounted thereon; and wherein the system further includes for each time the file is positioned An address decoder circuit in the folder drawer detects that an address signal appears on the at least one of the plurality of conductive members and the representation of the unique system address of the address decoder The circuit of the indicator. The system of claim 8, wherein each of the address decoder circuits includes means for each of the address decoder circuits detecting that an address signal is present on the at least one of the plurality of conductive members and The circuit of the unique system address generates a circuit of a VALID signal; and further comprising a microcomputer for supplying a power signal to the plurality of object containers via the conductive paths of the conductive paths for The at least one of the electrically conductive paths supplies the address signal and the VALID signal for receiving the decoder circuit from each of the address decoders. The system of claim 13 wherein the microcomputer includes circuitry for generating an information signal identifying the location of any of the address decoder circuits that generate a VALID signal in the system.