WO2008114238A1

WO2008114238A1 - Management system and method, and accessories therefor

Info

Publication number: WO2008114238A1
Application number: PCT/IL2007/000366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eyal Danan; Nir Ben-Arie
Original assignee: M.D. Log Ltd.
Priority date: 2007-03-21
Filing date: 2007-03-21
Publication date: 2008-09-25

Abstract

A method and system are provided for managing inventory stored in one or more cabinets. Inventory items stored in the cabinet(s) are identified inventory data is created based on this identification. The inventory data is transmitted to a central control, and the inventory data is stored and manipulated thereat. Output data is provided based on at least a portion of data selected from the inventory data, and the output data is transmitted to at least one customer interface center, where it is received and displayed. The composition of the output data is controlled by the control center according to preset criteria associated with each interface center. System accessories, including particular configurations for the cabinets, antennas, and the control center are also provided.

Description

Management System and Method, and Accessories Therefor

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to management systems and methods used for inventory control for supplying goods to consumers, in particular medical supplies and equipment. The invention also relates to accessories used by the management systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are known for use in detecting and identifying objects, including medicinal containers in a cabinet.

US 6,539,281 is directed to a medicine cabinet or similar device that assists users in selecting and taking medication. A radio frequency receiver is configured to read information included on radio frequency sensitive labels that are attached to items containing medication in the medicine cabinet. A computer in the medicine cabinet is operatively connected to the radio frequency receiver and also to a wide area network, such as the Internet. The medicine cabinet has a display device that is operatively coupled with the computer and, in the form of a touch screen flat panel, the display device functions to interface the user and the medicine cabinet. The computer is configured to transmit information to the Internet and receives information from websites or additional computers that are coupled to the Internet. Information regarding medications and users as well as vital signs records of the users are stored either in the memory of the medicine cabinet or at a remote location via the connection to the Internet. An order may be sent directly to a supplier when supplies in the cabinet reach a low.

US 5,936,527 relates to an apparatus and method for a radio frequency document control system that enables the location of documents, such as office files, to be automatically and rapidly identified. A host transceiver, controlled via a PC, transmits a coded RF signal, at a first frequency, to individually addressable, low cost, local exciters/transceivers located on shelves and/or in drawers. The local exciters, which may be sequentially addressed, retransmit the coded RF signal at a second frequency via an antenna. A passive radio frequency identification tag, containing the same code as that transmitted by the local exciter and attached to a document, such as a file folder, when in the vicinity of the antenna of the local exciter, is energized by the RF field and modulates the second frequency signal from the local exciter. The second frequency signal modulated by the energized tag is then directly received by the host 5 transceiver. A PC, coupled to the host transceiver, enables the system to automatically and rapidly identify, down to a specific shelf or drawer, the location of tagged documents in an office environment.

In an article entitled "RFID technology: Experts assess its merits, drawbacks", originally printed in "Drug Topics", an Advanstar Publication (US), on 27 September 10 2004, discusses using RFID labeling for aiding control and administration of drugs to patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a method for managing inventory stored in at least one cabinet, comprising:

15 (a) identifying inventory items stored in said cabinet and creating inventory data based on said identification;

(b) transmitting said inventory data to a central control, and storing and manipulating said inventory data thereat;

(c) providing output data based on at least a portion of data selected from said 20 inventory data and transmitting said output data to at least one customer interface center;

(d) receiving and displaying at least said output data at least at one customer interface center, transmitted thereto by said central control; wherein a composition of said output data is controlled by said control center 25 according to preset criteria associated with each said interface center.

Step (c) may be responsive to a request for inventory data from a said customer interface center. The output data may comprise at least one of a portion of data selected from said inventory data and other data created from manipulation of a portion of data selected from said inventory data.

30 The customer interface center comprises a customer station associated with users of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets, and the preset criteria may comprise suitable access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory used by said users to be accessed by said customer station. A customer interface may comprise any one of a hospital, clinic, health farm, pharmacist, chemist, or the like, for example.

A said customer interface center may comprise a supplier station associated with suppliers of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets, and the preset criteria comprise suitable access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory supplied by said suppliers to be accessed by said supplier station. A customer interface comprises any one of a drug supplier, a medical stores and/or equipment supplier or the like, for example. In step (a) RFID labels on inventory items may be read by a suitable reader for identifying the item. The inventory may include medical items or the like, including medical equipment or consumables such as bandages, needles, tubes, and so on, for example. Step (a) may optionally include identification of at least one of: expiry date, batch number; of the inventory items. The present invention also relates to a management system for inventory stored in at least one cabinet, comprising:

(a) a controller module associated with the or each cabinet comprising a reading system for automatically identifying inventory items stored therein and for creating inventory data based on said identification, and a suitable transmitter module for transmitting said inventory data;

(b) a central control in data communication with said plurality of said cabinets via a suitable data communication medium, said central control comprising a suitable computer system adapted for receiving, storing and manipulating said inventory data from each said cabinet; (c) a plurality of customer interface centers, each in data communication with said central control, and comprising an interface for communicating with said central control and for receiving and displaying output data based on at least a portion of said inventory data, transmitted thereto by said central control; wherein said central control is adapted for controlling a composition of said output data according to preset criteria associated with each said interface center.

The central control may be adapted for controlling said composition of said output data responsive to a request for such data from a said customer interface center. The output data may comprise at least one of a portion of data selected from said - A - inventory data and other data created from manipulation of a portion of data selected from said inventory data.

A customer interface center may comprise a customer station associated with users of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets, and the preset criteria may comprise suitable access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory used by said users to be accessed by said customer station. A customer interface may comprise any one of a hospital, clinic, health farm, pharmacist, chemist, or the like, for example.

A customer interface center may comprise a supplier station associated with suppliers of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets, and the criteria may comprise suitable access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory supplied by said suppliers to be accessed by said supplier station. A customer interface comprises any one of a drug supplier, a medical stores supplier or the like, for example. The reading system may be adapted for reading RFID labels or the like on inventory items accommodated in said cabinets. The reading system may comprise a suitable antenna mounted in said cabinet and capable of receiving an identifying RF signal from a said RFID label on an item accommodated in said cabinet, and may further comprise a reading unit for converting said received signal to a data stream. The inventory includes may medical items, as for the method outlined above, and the RFID label may include identification of at least one of: expiry date, batch number; of the inventory item.

The data communication medium may comprise, for example, the Internet, an intranet, local access network, public switched telephone network, cable network, satellite communication system, and the like, or indeed any other suitable communication system.

The present invention also relates to a control center for controlling the flow of inventory data from a plurality of cabinets to a plurality of customer interface centers, said control center adapted for maintaining data communication with said plurality of cabinets via a suitable data communication medium, said central control comprising a suitable computer system for receiving, storing and manipulating said inventory data received from each said cabinet, and for transmitting output data based on at least a portion of said inventory data to at least one said customer interface center, wherein said central control is further adapted for controlling the composition of said output data according to preset criteria associated with each said interface center.

The output data may comprise at least one of a portion of data selected from said inventory data and other data created from manipulation of a portion of data selected from said inventory data. The central control may be adapted for controlling said composition of said output data responsive to a request for such data from a said customer interface center. The inventory may include medical items, as outlined herein for example.

The present invention also relates to a cabinet for storing inventory items comprising RFID labels or the like, comprising a housing having a plurality of panels and defining at least one storage volume for storing said inventory items, and at least one reading system comprising an antenna and a reading unit operatively connected thereto for reading said labels of said inventory items that may be stored in said storage volume, said antenna comprising substantially flat portions and having a profile generally complementary to, and being mounted onto, at least one said panel, and said cabinet further comprising a suitable transmitter module for transmitting at least inventory data.

In one embodiment, the at least one antenna comprises a plan area generally corresponding to a plan area of said panel the antenna is mounted to. In another embodiment, a said panel comprises at least two said antennas mounted thereto, and optionally said at least two antennas together comprises a plan area generally, corresponding to a plan area of said panel the antennas are mounted to.

In another embodiment, adjacent said flat portions are joined together at an angle, and wherein each portion is mounted to a different said panel. In one variation of this embodiment, the antenna comprises three said flat portions, which may be in the form of a U or Z, for example. Optionally, the cabinet may further comprise a display for displaying inventory data thereon.

The present invention also relates to an antenna for enabling reading of RFID labels and the like, wherein antenna comprises at least one substantially flat portion and further comprises a profile generally complementary to, and is adapted for being mounted onto, a structure having at least one generally planar element. In one embodiment, the antenna comprises a plan area generally corresponding to a plan area of said planar element. In another embodiment, the antenna comprises at least two antenna structures, and optionally, the at least two antenna structures together comprises a plan area generally corresponding to a plan area of said planar element the antennas are mountable to. In another embodiment, the flat portions are joined together at an angle, and wherein each portion is mounted to a different said planar element. For example, the antenna comprises three said flat portions, and these may be joined to one another at a suitable angle, forming for example, a U or Z.

According to aspects of the invention a method and system are provided for managing inventory stored in one or more cabinets. Inventory items stored in the cabinet(s) are identified inventory data is created based on this identification. The inventory data is transmitted to a central control, and the inventory data is stored and manipulated thereat. Output data is provided based on at least a portion of data selected from the inventory data, and the output data is transmitted to at least one customer interface center, where it is received and displayed. The composition of the output data is controlled by the control center according to preset criteria associated with each interface center. According to other aspects of the invention, system accessories, including particular configurations for the cabinets, antennas, and control center are also provided.

The present invention also relates to a computer readable medium that embodies in a tangible manner a program executable for managing inventory stored in a plurality of cabinets and for controlling the flow of inventory data to a plurality of customer interface centers, comprising: a first set of data representative of inventory items stored in each said cabinet; a second set of data representative of authorization criteria associated with each said customer interface center; and means for manipulating the first data set and selecting therefrom a third set of data according to preset criteria associated a particular said second data set.

A computer readable medium according to claim 44, wherein said medium comprises any one of optical discs, magnetic discs, magnetic tapes, and so on. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, a number of embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 schematically illustrates elements of an embodiment of the system of the invention.

Fig. 2 schematically illustrates elements of a logistic company of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 schematically illustrates generalized elements of a cabinet of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates an embodiment of an antenna for use with a cabinet according to an aspect of the invention.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates another embodiment of an antenna for use with a cabinet according to an aspect of the invention. Fig. 6 schematically illustrates elements of a logistic company of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 schematically illustrates elements of a logistic company of the embodiment of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 illustrates a method ^"for managing inventory items according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring to Fig. 1, a system for managing inventory, particularly medical goods and/or equipment, according to an embodiment of the invention is generally designated with the numeral 100. The system 100 comprises a logistics company 120, at least one cabinet 200 according to the invention, and at least one consumer station 140 and/or at least one supplier station 160. The cabinets 200 store and enable items P to be dispensed, typically medical items and/or equipment, but may include any type of item, medical or non-medical, and the items are labeled with radio frequency sensitive labels such as for example an RFID tag. The logistics company 120 operates as a central control and is linked to the one or more cabinets 200, the one or more consumer stations 140, and the one or more supplier stations 160, via a communication means or network such as for example the Internet or other suitable communications medium such as an intranet, local access network, public switched telephone network, cable network, satellite communication system, and the like, indicated by the cloud at 130.

Optionally, it is also possible for some of the supplier stations 160 to be linked to each other, and/or for some of the consumer stations 140 to be linked to each other, via the same one or a different one of said communication medium, for example when such consumer stations 140 or supplier stations 160 form part of a common commercial entity. Further optionally, such interlinked supplier stations 160 and/or consumer stations 140 may be further linked with other entities, for example a supplier head office or a hospital administration center, comprising a centralized data base (not shown).

Optionally, the system 100 may further comprise one or more auxiliary stations 170 that may be operatively connected at least to another component of the system 100. For example, the logistics company may be one of a plurality of service providers of an umbrella or parent service company, and at least one said auxiliary station may comprise a second logistics company that may provide back-up service to the consumer stations 140 and/or supplier stations 160 at certain times for example when the logistics company 120 is down. For this purpose, the second logistics company is operatively linked to the first logistics company 120 and can access all the data thereof, and via suitable links to the consumer stations 140 or supplier stations 160 it may act in lieu of the logistics company 120. Alternatively, the auxiliary station may in fact comprise the parent service company, and is operatively connected to a plurality of logistics companies 120 of a corresponding plurality of systems 100. In such a case, it is possible for the parent service company to include a global database, supplied by each of the logistics companies 120, which act to process requests and provide appropriate data to consumer stations 140 or supplier stations 160 from global data in the parent service company, while contributing to that data from a number of cabinets 200 operatively connected thereto. Alternatively, the auxiliary station 170 may comprise a marketing entity which may provide marketing services to any one of the consumer stations 140, supplier stations 160 and/or logistic company 120. The consumer stations 140, supplier stations 160 and auxiliary station 170 are each referred to herein as customer interface centers.

The logistics company 120 manages and controls the flow of data from a plurality of cabinets 200 to the consumer stations 140 and/or the supplier stations 160. In particular, the logistics company 120 receives, stores, manipulates, and operates on inventory data received from the plurality of cabinets 200, which may be located in a single or in multiple sites (e.g., different hospitals, clinics and so on), which may be in the same or different geographical locations. The logistics company 120 provides specific data based on and selected from the inventory data to the consumer stations 140 and the supplier stations 160 responsive to requests therefrom, according to preset criteria.

Referring also to Fig. 2, the logistics company 120 comprises a computer system 110 having a communications module 112 for receiving and transmitting data via the communications medium 130, a data base or memory 114 for storing data, in particular inventory data, and a suitable microprocessing module 116 for manipulating data and for analyzing and processing requests from the consumer stations 140 and the supplier stations 160, according to the preset access criteria. The logistics company 120 may further comprise one or a plurality of access terminals 118, including user interface 119 (such as, for example, a keyboard, interactive screen, mouse, tablet, and so on), which are provided for accessing the computer system 110 for any one of a variety of operations, including but not limited to: updating the system 110; collating data for billing consumers using the consumer stations 140 and/or suppliers using the supplier stations 160; accessing/manipulating data for statistical purposes; changing/updating access criteria. The computer system 110 may also comprise suitable software or the like for supporting a number of different activities related to the inventory data and to the manipulation thereof. For example, suitable enrolment software may be provided for the purpose of setting up a relationship between the actual type of item or the item itself that is to be stored in the cabinets 200, and the identification of the type of item or of the item as provided by the RFID tag attached thereto. For example, a particular clamp of a particular size and manufacturer may be identified by the code "CL001234", which code is stored in the RFID label attached to this clamp. The enrolment software may be created or updated at terminal 111, or alternatively at terminal 118, or indeed at an external terminal operatively connected to the logistics station 120 and authorized for so doing. Thus, when this data is received by the logistics company 120, it can immediately relate the data to the real items it corresponds to. The enrolment software may be created according to the particular needs of the system 100, or alternatively may be, in some case, based on existing programmes, for example the LOGIPLATFORM software, provided by Logitag Systems LTD, of Israel. Additionally or alternatively, any other suitable software may be used, for example the inventory data may be in a form compatible with the well-known "Data Warehouse" system, and suitable programming such as provided by Business Objects, US, for example, may be used to extract data from the database.

Another example of such support software may include a suitable statistical algorithm for conducting a statistical survey of the cabinets 200 in order to advise the consumer stations 140 and/or the supplier stations 160 regarding the current situation of certain cabinets and the projected status thereof within a predetermined time period according to usage, leading to recommendations as to which particular items, and numbers thereof, need to be provided to particular cabinets in order to maintain, for example, a constant and uninterrupted supply thereof. Such software may also provide to consumer stations 140, for example, recommendations, form example to transfer some particular items from one cabinet 200, where there is little usage thereof, to another cabinet 200, where usage is more intense. The statistical software may be stored, loaded, used or updated at terminal 113, or alternatively at terminal 118, or indeed at an external terminal operatively connected to the logistics station 120 and authorized for so doing. The statistical software may be created according to the particular needs of the system 100, or alternatively may be, in some case, based on existing programmes. T he statistical software and the enrolment software are each operatively connected to the memory 114.

The preset access criteria may comprise, for example, authorization protocols and/or rules according to which the microprocessing module 116 may analyse the request and the identity of the inquiring entity (for example, a particular consumer station 140 or a particular supplier station 160) that is performing the data request, and enables determination by the microprocessing module 116 as to whether the particular entity is entitled to receive the requested data. For example, in the case of a particular consumer station 140 such as a hospital comprising N₁ cabinets 200, the authorization protocols may only allow inventory information regarding the cabinets 200 comprised in that particular hospital only to be provided. Optionally, the authorization protocols may discriminate between particular users in the specific consumer station 140, and thereby allow full access to the specific hospital inventory data to some of these users - such as for example the hospital administrator, purchase manager, or some doctors, all of which may have top clearance. Conversely, one or more different, lower access levels may be provided to other users in the same hospital, for example nurses, auxiliaries, and so on. Thus, the higher level users may have access to information on their inventoried goods, including for example rate of consumption of individual items, either global or cabinet-specific, while the lower level users may have more restricted access to information such as the current level of a particular item in a particular cabinet, and for example if the stock level is low, which other cabinets in the hospital may still have the sought for item.

Similarly, in general none of the users in the particular consumer station may have access to data obtained from other consumer centers or the supplier stations 160.

Thus, the preset access criteria enable the type and extent of data received from the logistic company 120 to be controlled so that each requesting entity receives only data that it is authorized to receive, and so that no user obtains unauthorized data.

In general practice, the access criteria may be included in the general password that the user uses for establishing communication with the logistics station 120. When attempting to contact the logistics station 120, the user, such as for example a consumer station 140 or a supplier station 160 identifies itself, or at least a particular user that uses such a station for access to the logistics company 120, and is then asked for a password. Once the password is confirmed, the logistics company knows the extent and what type of data it can provide to this user.

Once a particular data access has been approved, the logistic company 120 transmits the appropriate data to the inquiring entity. To further enhance security, the requested data may be encoded or encrypted, for example, using any suitable method, and subsequently decoded at the inquiring entity. Optionally, for example, part of the service provided by the logistic company 120 may be to control the coding or encryption procedure to be employed, and thus provide decoding or decryption keys to each of the consumer stations 140 and the supplier stations 160 that it services.

Optionally, the same or different access Criteria may also allow supply specific data to be provided to the consumer station 140 from one or more supplier stations 160. For example, the pricing and stock availability of at least some items P, the status of particular orders, and other information may be available from the supplier stations 160 to the consumer stations 140, while ordering information may be provided directly to the supplier stations 160 from the consumer stations 140, via the medium 130. The cabinets 200 are configured to accommodate and enable dispensation of inventory items P. The cabinets 200 are also configured for identifying such items stored therein, and for creating inventory data based on such identification. The cabinets 200 are typically found at one or more consumer centers, such as for example a hospital, health clinic, health farm, pharmacist, chemist, and so on. The term "cabinet" includes herein any type of enclosure, fixed or movable, and capable of accommodating at least one inventory item, and thus includes any box, cupboard, tray, booth, pigeon-hole, shelf, drawer, room, safe, case, or the like, which may be closeable or open, and which may or may not be compartmentalized. Thus, the invention also relates to embodiments in which the cabinets may be mobile, and comprised in a trolley, a truck or a trailer, for example, and movable from one location to another, wherein at each location users may avail themselves of the inventory items, and/or suppliers may replenish used items.

Referring to Fig. 3, the cabinet 200 may comprise a housing having a plurality of panels, enclosing at least one, and typically a plurality of storage volumes V, each for storing one or a plurality of items P to be supplied to a user.

The storage volumes V may be in any suitable form that facilitates dispensation of the item P, for example in the form of a hanging cabinet 201, and/or a shelf cabinet 202, and/or a drawer cabinet 203. Hanging cabinets 201 are useful for, but not limited to, storing and dispensing long item for example such as catheters, drips and so on, inter alia. Shelf cabinets 202 are useful for, but not limited to, storing and dispensing medium-sized and large items such as for example, large bottles, bandages and so on, inter alia. Drawer cabinets 203 are useful for, but not limited to, storing and dispensing smaller items for example such as packets of pills, syringe needles and so on, inter alia. Optionally, a suitable automated retrieval system, for example a mechanical arm or conveyor system, may also be provided to dispense a particular item P to the user from a particular storage volume V in the cabinet 200.

While any suitable items including untagged items may be stored in the storage volumes V, according to the invention the items P which are to me monitored by the system 100 each include a suitable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag T or the like. Such a tag T may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, a TAGIT tag (provided by Texas Instruments, US), PIKOPASS tag (provided by Inside Contactless Ltd, France), or other commercially available tags. Such tags T of the so called passive type are particularly useful, generally comprising a tag antenna, a capacitor and microprocessing chip.

The cabinets 200 each comprise a suitable controller module 210, which comprises a suitable cabinet computer or microprocessor, and is used for controlling operations of the cabinet 200. The controller module 210 further comprises suitable software and hardware, including communication protocols, such as for example TCPIP, GPRS, Wi-Fi communication protocols, for transmitting and receiving data via the communications medium 130 with respect to the logistics company 120, inter alia. In particular, the controller 210 transmits data relating to the inventory stored therein to the logistics company 120 via the communication medium 130. The controller modules 210 may include, for example, GPRS technology, and one non-limiting example for the module 210 is a LogilOOA controller (provided by LOGITAG Systems Ltd., Israel)

The cabinet 200 further comprises at least one suitable antenna 250 operatively connected to a reader 221, which is also operatively connected to the controller 210, configured for reading the tags T on each of the items P in the cabinet. The active reader 290 may comprise, by way of non-limiting example, an IPOWER HF 6500 Series READER (provided by Texas Instruments, US).

Thus, the antenna 250 has a range including all the appropriate storage volumes V of the cabinet 200. The range of such antennas is thus such as to include at least a portion of the storage volumes of the cabinet, and in some non-limiting cases may be about 25cm. The other side of the antenna (not facing the volume V) can be blocked by metal sheet so as to avoid reading any tags that are outside the cabinets. In the type of cabinet illustrated in Fig. 3, one or more antennas may be provided, by way of non- limiting example, as follows: hanging cabinets 201 — one antenna per cabinet may be provided and mounted to the top panel thereof; shelf cabinets 202 - one antenna per cabinet may be provided and mounted to the back panel thereof; drawer cabinets 203 - a plurality of antennas per cabinet may be provided, one each mounted to the bottom of each drawer thereof.

The tags T, in particular the chips thereof, contain at least an identification of the item P that is readable by the system 100, typically by the cabinet 200. This identification may include, for example a product identity number or code, and optionally the tags T may include other product information such as expiry date, batch number, manufacturer, and other useful data which may be specific to the particular item or to the type of item. Optionally, the identification code may be set up in such a manner that of itself it enables specific product information to be accessed. For example, items P of a particular type, having a particular batch number and expiry date may be identified by the same code, the codes being assigned by the aforementioned enrolment software.

The tags T may be provided at source (e.g., at the factory, wholesalers, supplier stations 160, and so on), or may be mounted or fixed in any manner whatsoever to the items P at any point prior to the items P being placed in the cabinet 200, for example the tags T may be in the form of sticky labels which are adhered onto the items P. In operation, the tag antenna receives energy from the reader 221 via the cabinet antenna 250, and this energy is stored in the tag capacitor, to be used by the tag chip to subsequently transmit another RF signal which relates to and thus enables identification of the tag T, and thus of the item P. This RF signal is received by the cabinet antenna 250, and the signal is converted by the reader 221 to digital data representative of the RF signal received from the tag. The controller module 221 then sends the data to the logistics company 120 via the medium 130, using GPRS technology, for example.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cabinet antenna 250 may comprise a flat metal strip in the form of a generally rectangular loop which is open forming a gap that is used as a tuning circuit to achieve the required resonance frequency for the antenna. At least one capacitor and at least one resistor may be electrically connected across this gap. The antenna has an electrical inductance that is proportional to the area of the antenna. The resonance frequency fo of the antenna may be calculated from the expression: -

2πf₀ = 1/(L*C)⁰-⁵ wherein L is the inductance of the antenna and C is the capacitance of the antenna capacitor. Thus, for a generally rectangular antenna of dimensions 600mm*800mm, inductance 2μH the resonance frequency may be about 13.56MHz, and this frequency is generally useful for transmitting to the tags T and for reading the RF signal transmitted therefrom. The resistor lowers the quality factor Q of the antenna according to the expression: -

Q = R/(2*fo*L) and the quality factor Q is thus inversely proportional to the bandwidth of the antenna, i.e., the band or range of useful frequencies in which the antenna operates. For free use of the antenna in the presence of objects such as for example walls, people, furniture and so on, i.e., with minimal interference from these objects, Q may be between about 10 and about 20. In the above example, and with a resistance of about 2,200 Ohm, Q is about 13. As a further example, the input impedance of the antenna may be about 50 Ohm, and this is matched to the standard radio frequency equipment used with the antenna, such as an active reader. The antenna may be fed by a suitable cable, such as for example a coaxial cable through a matching circuit, for example a gamma type matching circuit, which is in any case configured for matching the impedance of the antenna.

According to an aspect of the invention, the antenna is configured for generally conforming to the at least one of the size, shape and form of at least a part of the cabinets 200, and in some embodiments may be mounted or embedded in the cabinet structure itself. Referring to Fig. 4, one embodiment of such an antenna is illustrated, in which the antenna, herein designated with the numeral 250', comprises two planar antenna structures 260, each of which is connected to a suitable matching circuit. The two antennas are juxtaposed and depending on the size of the cabinet 200 may substantially cover the area of panel, for example a side wall or rear wall thereof. In one particular example of this embodiment, the area covered by the antenna 250' may be about 600mm by about 1700mm. The distance between the two antenna structures may be set such as to minimise coupling between the two during operation thereof. The two antenna structures may be connected to two individual active readers, or conversely to a single active reader via a suitable multiplexer (not shown). In other variations of this embodiment, each antenna structure 260 is mounted on a different wall or panel of the cabinet 200, for example a top wall, rear wall, bottom wall or side wall thereof. In yet other variations of this embodiment, three or more antenna structures may be used, and these may be generally coplanar and mounted to the same wall, or at least some of the antenna structures may be attached to one wall whereas other antenna structures may be attached to other walls thereof. A feature of this embodiment is that the area in which the RF tags T may be detected may be increased with respect to the use of a single antenna structure. Further, the antenna structures are substantially non-obtrusive and may also be provided in modular form, wherein the number and location of antenna structures may be modified according to the geometrical constraints of the particular cabinet 200.

In another embodiment, and referring to Fig. 5, the antenna, herein designated with the numeral 250", comprises a non-planar antenna comprised of a plurality of planar elements, in which the planar elements are joined to an adjacent such element at an angle therebetween. In the example embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, the antenna 250" comprises a U-shaped form, in which the nominally planar rectangular form of the antenna is effectively wrapped on each arm 271, 272, of the U and the base 273 of the U. For example, one arm 271 comprises one end of the antenna including the coaxial cable 275, the base 273 comprises generally parallel portions 276 of the antenna, and the second arm 272 comprises the tuning circuit 277. The antenna 250" is connected to a suitable matching circuit. A feature of this embodiment is that the antenna 250" can be configured to fit along adjacent walls of the cabinet 200 that meet at a corner.

In another variation of this embodiment, the antenna is comprised on two planar sections at an angle between the sections, for example L-shaped. In another variation, the antenna comprises three planar sections arranged in the form of a Z, wherein the middle portion may be arranged substantially orthogonal or at any other suitable angle to each of the two end portions.

In one embodiment, the cabinet 200 may be substantially freely accessible, and allows free access to the items stored therein. In such an embodiment the volumes V may be open, or comprise a freely openable door.

In another embodiment, the cabinet may be configured to permit only restricted access to the cabinet 200, which is adapted to allow only certain users to access the items P therein. For example, a mechanical lock or the like may be provided, and only users with a suitable key may open the cabinet 200 and remove the item. Alternatively, the cabinet 200 may be locked electronically, and is openable only with the proper access code or password. In the latter case, it is possible to keep track of the identity of the user that took particular items if different user-specific access codes/passwords are used. Such restricted access may be appropriate for the following non-restricted situation examples: where the items P comprise dangerous or prescription drugs and medications; where the items P are expensive; where there is suspicion and/or evidence of pilfering. Optionally, the cabinets 200 may comprise a display 220 (Fig. 1) for displaying the current status of items in the cabinet. The display may be operatively connected to a microprocessor module 221 and user interface, which may be used, for example, for interrogating the cabinet as to whether it stocks a particular item P. Thus, the microprocessor unit 221 may be operatively connected to the antenna 250 and thus receive data therefrom regarding the inventory of the cabinet 200.

Optionally, the each cabinet 200 comprises an identification code, for example stored in a memory in or in communication with the microprocessor module 221, and this code may be transmitted with the inventory data to the logistics company 120.

Further optionally, the cabinet 200 may comprise means for enabling the identity of the user to be determined. In one form, identification of the user is provided by the access code used to open the cabinet. In another embodiment, the user may also have a RFID tag which the antenna 250 and reader 221 can read and thus enable the user to be identified. In another embodiment, the user carries a magnetic card or a bar code that can be read by an appropriate magnetic card reader or bar code reader operatively connected to the cabinet 200. In yet another embodiment, an image acquisition unit captures an image of the user when this is in close proximity to the cabinet 200, and suitable image recognition software may be used to compare the image with images of authorised users to identify the user. Alternatively, the image acquisition unit may take a retinal scan of the user, and identify the user by comparing the scan to those of authorized users. Alternatively, the voice of the user may be recorded and suitable voice recognition software used to compare the voice to those of authorized users. In each case, the identity of the user may be transmitted together with inventory data to the logistics company 120. The consumer station 140 and the supplier station 160, also referred to herein as consumer interface centers, allow interaction with the logistics company 120 which supplies them with data according to their request and subject to the aforesaid preset access criteria.

Referring to Fig. 6, each consumer station 140 allows authorized users communication access to the logistics station 120. By way of example, a consumer station 140 may comprise a computer system 141 having a communications module 142 for receiving and transmitting data via the communications medium 130, a memory 144 for storing data, and a suitable microprocessing module 146 for creating requests to the logistics company 120 according to the preset access criteria, and for receiving data therefrom. The consumer station 140 may further comprise one or a plurality of access terminals 148, including user interface 149 (such as, for example, a keyboard, interactive screen, mouse, tablet, and so on) which are provided for accessing the computer system 141 for any one of a variety of operations, including but not limited to: updating the system 141; directly ordering items P from the supplier stations 160; providing statistical data on usage of particular cabinets, on personnel usage of particular items P and so on. Generally, any suitable computer having internet access (when the medium 130 comprises the internet) may serve as a consumer station 140, so long as the user has the appropriate access codes for accessing the logistics company 120 and in particular the access criteria so as to enable interrogation of the data base 114. Non-limiting examples of the consumer stations may include any hospital, clinic, health farm, pharmacist, chemist and so on, as well as employees, staff, management and authorized associates thereof operating from any suitable access terminal.

Similarly, and referring to Fig. 7, each supplier station 160 allows authorized users communication access to the logistics station 120. By way of example, a supplier station 160 may comprise a computer system 161 having a communications module 162 for receiving and transmitting data via the communications medium 130, a memory 164 for storing data, and a suitable microprocessing module 166 for creating requests to the logistics company 120 according to the preset access criteria, and for receiving data therefrom. The supplier stations 160 may further comprise one or a plurality of access terminals 168, including user interface 169 (such as, for example, a keyboard, interactive screen, mouse, tablet, and so on) which are provided for accessing the computer system 161 for any one of a variety of operations, including but not limited to: updating the system 161; directly debiting and processing orders from the consumer stations 140; providing statistical data on usage of particular cabinets, on usage of particular items P and so on. Generally, any suitable computer having internet access (when the medium 130 comprises the internet) may serve as a supplier station 160, so long as the user has the appropriate access codes for accessing the logistics company 120 and in particular the access criteria so as to enable interrogation of the data base 114.

Non-limiting examples of the consumer stations may include any drug supplier, a medical stores and/or equipment supplier, and so on, as well as employees, staff, management and authorized associates thereof operating from any suitable access terminal.

The system 100 is further configured to update the logistics company 120 regarding the status of the goods or items stored in each of the cabinets 200. This may occur in any one of a number of different ways. For example, each of the cabinets 200 may be configured to read all tags T within the cabinet 200 at intervals, which may be regular or irregular. At each sampling, the antenna 250 transmits an RF signal, and then picks up a signal transmitted as a result from each of the tags, and the reader 221 converts the signal to a data stream and transmits the data to the logistics company 120. The cabinet sampling or reading is initiated by the creation of a suitable RF signal by the reader 221 and the transmission thereof via the antenna 250 to the cabinet 200. Any tags within the volume V of the cabinet in the range of the antenna 250 will be energized by the signal, and retransmits the RF coded signal relating to the tag, which is then read by the reader 221. The reader 221 may create the original RF signal according to a preset programme or timer, or responsive to a command sent via the medium 130, typically from the logistics company 120.

For example, the cabinet 200 may be sampled every hour during normal working hours, say 8.00am to 8.00pm, increasing the sampling rate to every 15 minutes during peak usage times, for example, and sampling once every 2 or 3 hours during the night. Alternatively, the cabinets may be sampled once or twice a day, and not at all during weekends, for example, when the usage in some cabinets falls to zero. Alternatively, the cabinets 200 may be sampled after each shift in a hospital in which the cabinet is located, and so on.

Additionally or alternatively, the cabinet 200 may provide inventory data to the logistics company 120 only when the cabinet 200 is actually used, or at least opened. In such cases the controller 221 may be operatively connected to motion detector that detects any motion across the openings of the cabinet 200, or a microswitch that is opened when the door is opened, for example. Then, the inventory data may- be transmitted immediately, or after some delay, or at the end of the working day, or at any other suitable time, and thus no data transmission is wasted when there is no change in the inventory. Particularly when the cabinet 200 comprises a lock that requires a user identification for opening the same, or other user identification means as described above, for example, inventory data may be compiled by the cabinet 200 whenever the cabinet is opened, so that removal of items from the cabinet may be easily correlated with particular users. As such, the cabinet may transmit user data as well as inventory data to the logistics company 120.

Additionally or alternatively, the cabinets 200 may be configured to sample the contents thereof responsive to a particular command that may originate at the cabinet 200 itself, by means of a suitable user interface such as, for example, a keyboard, interactive screen, mouse, tablet, and so on. Additionally or alternatively, the cabinets 200 may be configured to sample the contents thereof responsive to a particular command that may originate from the logistics company 120, customer station 140 or supplier station 160,

In each case, the data corresponding to the full inventory accommodated by the cabinet may be transmitted to the logistics company 120 each time the cabinet 200 is sampled to ascertain the contents therein; alternatively, the cabinet 200 may comprise a suitable microprocessing unit 221 that analyses the data from each sampling, compares this with the previous sampling, and transmits data corresponding to the items that were removed in the interval.

In one mode of operation of the system 100, the data requests from the inquiring entity may be real-time requests from a particular consumer station 140, for example a hospital comprising a number Ni of cabinets 200, and the request may involve querying the overall inventory status of a particular one, of a group of, or of all of the Ni cabinets 200 of the hospital. Alternatively, the request may involve querying the levels of a particular inventory item, such as for example 50cc syringes, in one or more of the cabinets therein - this information may be used to locate a particular cabinet 200 that stores an item of interest, for example, or may be used to trigger an automatic ordering of the item when stocks fall below a certain threshold, for example. Alternatively, the request may involve providing details of the items P taken out by a certain user, or a certain department, during a particular period of time. As mentioned earlier, it is also possible to use the access criteria to limit the information provided, wherein, for example, high level users may access all data concerning the Ni cabinets, while lower level users may only inquire regarding the status of certain items, or the location thereof, for example.

In another mode of operation of the system 100, the data requests from the inquiring entity may be real-time requests from a particular supplier station 160, for example a pharmaceutical firm that supplies a number of different pharmaceuticals or medical stores to a number N₂ of cabinets 200, which may be found in the same or different hospitals, for example. The request may involve, for example, querying the overall status of a particular one or of a variety of items stored in a particular one, or a group of, or all of the N₂ cabinets 200. Alternatively, the request may involve querying whether any particular items are time-expired or close thereto, and to thus alert the appropriate hospital or consumer station 140 of where such items may be found, including the particular cabinet and the part thereof where it is accommodated.

In another mode of operation, the logistics station 120 may provide statistical data to either the consumer station 140 and/or the supplier stations 160 regarding the movements of a particular item P - for example the residence time of particular items in a particular cabinet. If this is measured in months rather than days or weeks, there may be a problem of wastage space and/or of expiry dates. If this is measured in hours or less, there may be a problem of insufficient supply. Thus, the system 100 may suggest that a particular cabinet 200 is too small for the location, and is overused, and needs to be expanded or supplemented with a second unit, or, conversely, that the cabinet is underused.

In other embodiments of the system of the invention, the system does not comprise consumer stations, and thus the logistics company 120 provides a data service to the supply stations 140. In yet other embodiments of the system of the invention, the system does not comprise supplier stations, and thus the logistics company 120 provides a data service to the customer stations 160.

Thus, referring to Fig. 8, in one aspect of the invention a method 300 is provided for managing inventory stored in a plurality of cabinets, such as cabinets 200, comprising:

Step 310 - identifying inventory items stored in each said cabinet and creating inventory data based on said identification; Step 320 - transmitting said inventory data to a central control, such as said logistics company 120, and storing and manipulating said inventory data thereat; Step 330 - selecting a portion of said inventory data and transmitting said portion to one of a plurality of customer interface centers, for example said customer stations 140 and/or said supplier stations 160, wherein said selection of data from said inventory data comprised in said portion that is to be transmitted to each said interface centers is controlled by said control center according to preset criteria associated with each said interface center;

Step 340 - receiving and displaying at least said portion of said inventory data at least at one customer interface center, transmitted thereto by said central control.

In another aspect of the present invention, a computer readable medium is provided that embodies in a tangible manner a program executable for managing inventory stored in a plurality of cabinets, and in particular for controlling the flow of inventory data to a plurality of customer interface centers. The computer readable medium comprises: (a) a first set of data representative of inventory items stored in each said cabinet;

(b) a second set of data representative of authorization criteria associated with each said customer interface center;

(c) means for manipulating the first data set and selecting therefrom a third set of data according to preset criteria associated with a particular said second data set. The program may be executed by the computer system 110 in the logistics company 120, for example. The medium may comprise, for example, optical discs, magnetic discs, magnetic tapes, and so on.

In the method claims that follow, alphanumeric characters and Roman numerals used to designate claim steps are provided for convenience only and do not imply any particular order of performing the steps.

Finally, it should be noted that the word "comprising" as used throughout the appended claims is to be interpreted to mean "including but not limited to".

While there has been shown and disclosed exemplary embodiments in accordance with the invention, it will be appreciated that many changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A method for managing inventory stored in at least one cabinet, comprising:

(a) identifying inventory items stored in said cabinet and creating inventory data based on said identification; (b) transmitting said inventory data to a central control, and storing and manipulating said inventory data thereat; (c) providing output data based on at least a portion of data selected from said inventory data and transmitting said output data to at least one customer interface center; (d) receiving and displaying at least said output data at least at one customer interface center, transmitted thereto by said central control; wherein a composition of said output data is controlled by said control center according to preset criteria associated with each said interface center.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein step (c) is responsive to a request for inventory data from a said customer interface center.

3. A method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said output data comprises at least one of a portion of data selected from said inventory data and other data created from manipulation of a portion of data selected from said inventory data.

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a said customer interface center comprises a customer station associated with users of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets.

5. A method according to claim 4, wherein said preset criteria comprise suitable access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory used by said users to be accessed by said customer station.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a customer interface comprises any one of a hospital, clinic, health farm, pharmacist, chemist, or the like.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a said customer interface center comprises a supplier station associated with suppliers of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said preset criteria comprise suitable access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory supplied by said suppliers to be accessed by said supplier station.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a customer interface comprises any one of a drug supplier, a medical stores and/or equipment supplier or the like.

10. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein in step (a) RFID labels on inventory items are read by a suitable reader for identifying the item.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said inventory includes medical items.

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to H₅ wherein step (a) includes identification of at least one of: expiry date, batch number; of the inventory items.

13. A management system for inventory stored in at least one cabinet, comprising: (a) a controller module associated with the or each cabinet comprising a reading system for automatically identifying inventory items stored therein and for creating inventory data based on said identification, and a suitable transmitter module for transmitting said inventory data;

(b) a central control in data communication with said plurality of said cabinets via a suitable data communication medium, said central control comprising a suitable computer system adapted for receiving, storing and manipulating said inventory data from each said cabinet;

(c) a plurality of customer interface centers, each in data communication with said central control, and comprising an interface for communicating with said central control and for receiving and displaying output data based on at least a portion of said inventory data, transmitted thereto by said central control; wherein said central control is adapted for controlling a composition of said output data according to preset criteria associated with each said interface center.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein said central control is adapted for controlling said composition of said output data responsive to a request for such data from a said customer interface center.

15. A system according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said output data comprises at 5 least one of a portion of data selected from said inventory data and other data created from manipulation of a portion of data selected from said inventory data.

16. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein a said customer interface center comprises a customer station associated with users of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets.

10 17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said preset criteria comprise suitable access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory used by said users to be accessed by said customer station.

18. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein a customer interface 15 comprises any one of a hospital, clinic, health farm, pharmacist, chemist, or the like.

19. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein a said customer interface center comprises a supplier station associated with suppliers of at least a part of said inventory of said cabinets.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein said preset criteria comprise suitable 20 access authorization recognizable by said control center such as to permit at least some inventory data associated with inventory supplied by said suppliers to be accessed by said supplier station.

21. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein a customer interface comprises any one of a drug supplier, a medical stores supplier or the like.

25 22. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 21, wherein said reading system is adapted for reading RFID labels or the like on inventory items accommodated in said cabinets.

23. A system according to claim 22, wherein said reading system comprises a suitable antenna mounted in said cabinet and capable of receiving an identifying RF signal from a said RFID label on an item accommodated in said cabinet, and further comprises a reading unit for converting said received signal to a data stream.

24. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein said inventory includes medical items.

25. A system according to any one of claims 23 to 24, wherein said RFID label includes identification of at least one of: expiry date, batch number; of the inventory item.

26. A system according to any one of claims 13 to 25, wherein said data communication medium comprises the Internet, an intranet, local access network, public switched telephone network, cable network, satellite communication system, and the like.

27. A control center for controlling the flow of inventory data from a plurality of cabinets to a plurality of customer interface centers, said control center adapted for maintaining data communication with said plurality of cabinets via a suitable data communication medium, said central control comprising a suitable computer system for receiving, storing and manipulating said inventory data received from each said cabinet, and for transmitting output data based on at least a portion of said inventory data to at least one said customer interface center, wherein said central control is further adapted for controlling the composition of said output data according to preset criteria associated with each said interface center.

28. A control center according to claim 27, wherein said output data comprises at least one of a portion of data selected from said inventory data and other data created from manipulation of a portion of data selected from said inventory data.

29. A control center according to claim 27 or claim 28, wherein said central control is adapted for controlling said composition of said output data responsive to a request for such data from a said customer interface center.

30. A system according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein said inventory includes medical items.

31. A cabinet for storing inventory items comprising RFID labels or the like, comprising a housing having a plurality of panels and defining at least one storage volume for storing said inventory items, and at least one reading system comprising an antenna and a reading unit operatively connected thereto for reading said labels of said inventory items that may be stored in said storage volume, said antenna comprising substantially flat portions and having a profile generally complementary to, and being 5 mounted onto, at least one said panel, and said cabinet further comprising a suitable transmitter module for transmitting at least inventory data.

32. A cabinet according to claim 31, wherein said at least one antenna comprises a plan area generally corresponding to a plan area of said panel the antenna is mounted to.

33. A cabinet according to claim 31, wherein a said panel comprises at least two said 10 antennas mounted thereto.

34. A cabinet according to claim 33, wherein said at least two antennas together comprises a plan area generally corresponding to a plan area of said panel the antennas are mounted to.

35. A cabinet according to claim 31, wherein adjacent said flat portions are joined 15 together at an angle, and wherein each portion is mounted to a different said panel.

36. A cabinet according to claim 35, wherein said antenna comprises three said flat portions.

37. A cabinet according to any one of claims 31 to 36, further comprising a display for displaying inventory data thereon.

20 38. Antenna for enabling reading of RFID labels and the like, wherein antenna comprises at least one substantially flat portion and further comprises a profile generally complementary to, and is adapted for being mounted onto, a structure having at least one generally planar element.

39. Antenna according to claim 38, wherein said antenna comprises a plan area 25 generally corresponding to a plan area of said planar element.

40. Antenna according to claim 38, wherein a said antenna comprises at least two antenna structures.

41. Antenna according to claim 40, wherein said at least two antenna structures together comprises a plan area generally corresponding to a plan area of said planar

30 element the antennas are mountable to.

42. Antenna according to claim 39, wherein adjacent said flat portions are joined together at an angle, and wherein each portion is mounted to a different said planar element.

43. Antenna according to claim 42, wherein said antenna comprises three said flat portions.

44. A computer readable medium that embodies in a tangible manner a program executable for managing inventory stored in a plurality of cabinets and for controlling the flow of inventory data to a plurality of customer interface centers, comprising:

(a) a first set of data representative of inventory items stored in each said cabinet; (b) a second set of data representative of authorization criteria associated with each said customer interface center; and

(c) means for manipulating the first data set and selecting therefrom a third set of data according to preset criteria associated a particular said second data set.

45. A computer readable medium according to claim 44, wherein said medium comprises any one of optical discs, magnetic discs, magnetic tapes, and so on.

46. A computer readable medium according to claim 44 or claim 45, wherein said program is configured for carrying out the method as defined in any one of claims 1 to 12.