WO2014040117A1

WO2014040117A1 - A secure system for the inventory control of assets

Info

Publication number: WO2014040117A1
Application number: PCT/AU2013/001013
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian Timothy JEFFORD
Original assignee: Bar Code Data Systems Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2012-09-13
Filing date: 2013-09-06
Publication date: 2014-03-20

Abstract

The present invention relates broadly to a mobile portal (10) adapted to locate in an enclosure securing assets. The mobile portal (10) comprises an entry corridor (16) having an entry door (18 and 20) positioned at each of its respective ends, and an exit corridor (22) having an exit door (24 and 26) positioned at each of its respective ends. The entry corridor (16) is separated from the exit corridor (22). The mobile portal (10) also comprises a entry reader (38) mounted to an exterior of the mobile portal (10) to communicate with the outer entry door (18) to permit entry to a user to the entry corridor (16). The mobile portal (10) further comprises an exit reader (40) mounted to the exterior of the mobile portal (10) inside the enclosure to communicate with the inner exit door (24) to permit exiting for the user to exit corridor (22). The mobile portal 10 also comprises an asset reader (42a) located in the entry corridor (16) to identify the assets entering the enclosure. The mobile portal (10) additionally comprises an other asset reader (44a) located in the exit corridor (22) to identify the assets exiting the container.

Description

A SECURE SYSTEM FOR THE INVENTORY CONTROL OF ASSETS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates broadly to a mobile portal adapted to locate in a enclosure, such as a standard shipping container, securing assets. The invention also relates generally to a secure enclosure system adapted to contain assets, such as tools. The invention further relates broadly to a method of inventory control for assets secured in an enclosure.

Background to the Invention

In a warehouse or storeroom housing expensive inventory it is important to secure and accurately track the movement of assets. This is typically done by having a storeman monitor a secure area and record assets as they leave and are returned to the storeroom. This traditional system can be enhanced by an identification card carried by a user and scanned to provide access to the secure area. It is possible therefore to maintain accurate records of personnel entering the warehouse or storeroom.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a mobile portal adapted to locate in an enclosure securing assets, the mobile portal comprising:

an entry corridor having an entry door positioned at each of its ends;

an exit corridor having an exit door positioned at each of its ends, the exit corridor being separated from the entry corridor;

an entry reader arranged to communicate with an outer one of the entry doors to permit entry to a user to the entry corridor;

an exit reader arranged to communicate with an inner one of the exit doors to permit entry to the user or an other user to the exit corridor;

an asset reader located in each of:

(a) the entry corridor to identify one of the assets entering the enclosure; and

(b) the exit corridor to identify one of the assets exiting the enclosure, wherein the assets entering the enclosure via an inner one of the entry doors are associated with the user entering the entry corridor via the outer entry door, and the assets exiting the enclosure via the inner one of the exit doors are associated with the user or the other user exiting the enclosure via said inner exit door.

Preferably the mobile portal is shaped complementary to the entrance of the secure enclosure. More preferably the complementary shaped portal is a gateway to the enclosure.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of inventory control for assets secured in an enclosure, said method comprising the steps of:

controlling the entry of a user into the enclosure via an entry door arranged to communicate with an entry reader;

identifying the assets entering the enclosure by an asset reader located inside the entry door;

controlling the exit of the user or an other user from the enclosure via an exit door being separated from the entry door and arranged to communicate with an exit reader;

identifying the assets exiting the enclosure by an asset reader located outside the exit door wherein the assets entering the enclosure are associated with the user entering said enclosure via the entry door, and the assets exiting the enclosure are associated with the user or the other user exiting the enclosure via the exit door.

Preferably the method also comprises the step of further controlling the entry of a user into the enclosure via an inner entry door communicating with the entry door via an entry corridor, the inner entry door being released to open either (i) following identification of the assets entering the enclosure by the asset reader located in the entry corridor, or (ii) after a predetermined time interval. More preferably the method further comprises the step of additionally controlling the exit of the user or the other user from the enclosure via an outer exit door communicating with the exit door via an exit corridor, the outer exit door permitted to open following identification of the assets exiting the enclosure by the asset reader located in the exit corridor. Still more preferably the inner entry door or the outer exit door are released via a valid identification controller associated with a user and configured to communicate with the entry reader or the exit reader respectively. Even more preferably the entry and exit of the user respectively into and from the enclosure is controlled to permit entry via the entry corridor only and exit via the exit corridor only.

Preferably the step of identifying all of the assets entering the enclosure is performed automatically on closure of the entry door. More preferably said closure of the entry door activates the asset reader for automatic identification of a wireless transmitter associated with said assets.

Preferably the step of identifying the assets exiting the enclosure is performed automatically on closure of the exit door. More preferably said closure of the exit door activates the asset reader for automatic identification of a wireless transmitter associated with at least one of the assets.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a secure enclosure system comprising:

an enclosure adapted to secure one or more assets;

an entry corridor having an entry door positioned at each of its ends and being arranged to provide entry to the enclosure;

an exit corridor having an exit door positioned at each of its ends, the exit corridor being separated from the entry corridor, and being arranged to provide exiting from the enclosure;

an asset reader located in each of:

(a) the entrance corridor to identify the assets entering the enclosure; and

(b) the exit corridor to identify the assets exiting the enclosure,

wherein the assets entering the enclosure via an inner one of the entry doors are associated with the user entering the entry corridor via the outer entry door, and the assets exiting the enclosure via the inner one of the exit doors are associated with the user or the other user exiting the enclosure via said inner exit door. Preferably the secure enclosure system also comprises a processor operatively coupled to the entry reader and the associated asset reader, the processor programmed to release the inner entry door either (i) following identification of the assets entering the enclosure by the asset reader located in the entry corridor, or (ii) after a predetermined interval. More preferably the processor is operatively coupled to the exit reader and the associated asset reader, the processor programmed to permit opening of an outer one of the exit doors following identification of the assets exiting the enclosure by the asset reader located in the exit corridor. Still more preferably the processor is programmed to release the inner entry door or the outer entry door using a valid identification controller associated with a user and configured to communicate with the entry reader or the exit reader, respectively. Even more preferably the processor is programmed to permit entry via the entry corridor only and exit via the exit corridor only.

Preferably the asset reader includes a wireless asset receiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a wireless asset transmitter associated with each of the assets. More preferably the wireless asset receiver includes an RFID asset reader configured to identify the wireless asset transmitter in the form of an RFID tag associated with each of the assets.

Preferably the entry reader includes a wireless entry receiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a wireless user transmitter associated with the user. More preferably the exit reader includes a wireless exit receiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with the wireless user transmitter or another wireless user transmitter associated with the other user. Even more preferably said wireless entry receiver and said wireless exit receiver includes respective RFID entry and exit user readers configured to identify said wireless user transmitter in the form of a valid identification controller.

Preferably the enclosure is a container. More preferably the container is a standard shipping container.

Preferably the assets include tools, machinery, equipment and other inventory including spare parts. Brief Description of the Drawings

In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of the present invention a preferred embodiment of a secure enclosure system will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front perspective view shown partly cutaway of a mobile portal to be installed in a standard shipping container according to one embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is rear perspective view shown partly cutaway of the mobile portal of figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a front perspective view of the mobile portal of figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a rear perspective view of the mobile portal of the preceding figures. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

As shown in figures 1 to 4 there is a mobile portal 10 adapted to locate in an enclosure securing assets (not shown). The enclosure of this embodiment is a standard shipping container which secures assets including tools, machinery, equipment and other inventory. The mobile portal 10 is shaped and dimensioned so that it fits within an entrance of the shipping container to prevent unauthorised access. In this example the mobile portal functions as a gateway to the enclosure. The portal 10 has dimensions of around 2.3 metres in width, 2.3 metres in height, and 1 .6 metres in depth which roughly matches the dimensions of the entrance to a standard 20 or 40 foot shipping container. It will be appreciated however that the mobile portal such as 10 may be of different dimensions depending on the size of the enclosure within which it is to be installed.

As best seen in figures 1 and 2 the mobile portal 10 comprises an entry corridor 16 having an entry door 18 and 20 positioned at each of its respective ends, and an exit corridor 22 having an exit door 24 and 26 positioned at each of its respective ends. The entry corridor 16 is separated from the exit corridor 22 by dividing wall 28. The entry and exit corridors 16 and 22 are otherwise enclosed by side walls 30 and 32 together with floor 34 and ceiling 36.

The mobile portal 10 of this embodiment also comprises an entry reader 38 mounted between the outer entry and exit doors 18 and 26 respectively, and an exit reader 40 mounted adjacent the inner exit door 24. The entry reader 38 is mounted to an exterior of the mobile portal 10 to communicate with the outer entry door 18 to permit entry to a user to the entry corridor 16. The exit reader 40 is mounted to the exterior of the mobile portal 10 inside the container to communicate with the inner exit door 24 to permit exiting for the user or another user to the exit corridor 22.

In this embodiment the mobile portal 10 also comprises an asset readers 42a and 42b located in the entry corridor 16 to identify the assets entering the container. The readers 42 may be mounted on the ceiling, walls or floor of the corridor 16. The mobile portal 10 additionally comprises other asset readers 44a and 44b located in the exit corridor 22 to identify the assets exiting the container. The assets entering the container are associated with the user entering the entry corridor 16 via the outer entry door 18, and the assets exiting the container are associated with the user or the other user exiting the container via the inner exit door 24. In this example each of the entry corridor 16 and the exit corridor 22 include a camera or video recording device such as 46 and 48, respectively. Both entry and exit doors 18/20 and 24/26 are operatively coupled to an emergency break glass unit such as 50 mounted inside the mobile portal 10.

In this embodiment each of the entry corridor 16 and the exit corridor 22 are provided with interior lighting such as 52 which can be automatically activated in the presence of a user entering the corridor 16 or 22. The entry corridor 16 and the exit corridor 22 may also comprise indicator lights such as 54 which indicate the status of the corridor 16 or 22. For example the indicator light may illuminate red in the event that the inner entry door 20 or the outer exit door 26 is locked, or illuminate green in the event that the entry door 20 or exit door 26 is unlocked or released.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a secure enclosure system comprising an enclosure adapted to secure one or more assets and a portal fitted to or installed within the enclosure to provide authorised entry and exiting. The secure enclosure system may for example include the combination of the mobile portal 10 and the shipping container as described in the previous embodiment.

The secure enclosure system may also comprise a processor (not shown) operatively coupled to the entry/exit readers such as 38/40 and the associated entry and exit asset readers 42/44. The processor is programmed to permit opening or release of the inner entry door 20 following identification of the assets entering the container by the asset readers 42a and 42b located in the entry corridor 16 or after set time interval. The processor is similarly programmed to permit opening or release of the outer exit door 26 following identification of the assets exiting the container by the asset readers 44a and 44b located in the exit corridor 22 or after set time interval. The system is thus configured to permit entry via the entry corridor 16 only and exit via the exit corridor 22 only.

In the embodiment described the entry reader such as 38 and the asset reader such as 42a include wireless receivers adapted to wirelessly communicate with a valid identification controller associated with the user and a wireless transmitter associated with the asset, respectively. Both the entrance receiver and the asset receiver are in the form of an RFID reader such as user readers 38 and 40. The user ID controller and the asset transmitter are each in the form of an RFID card worn or carried by the user and an RFID tag associated with each of the assets.

In order to gain a further understanding of the present invention a preferred embodiment of a method of inventory control for assets secured in an enclosure will now be described. The general steps involved in this method of inventory control are as follows:

1 . Controlling the entry of a user into the enclosure or container via the entry door 18 arranged to communicate with the entry reader 38;

2. Identifying the assets entering the container by the asset readers 42a and 42b located inside the entry door 18;

3. Controlling the exit of the user or an other user from the container via an exit door 20 being separated from the entry door 18 and arranged to communicate with a processor programmed to release the exit door 20 after a set time interval;

4. Identifying the assets exiting the container by the asset readers 44a and 44b located outside the exit door 24.

The assets entering the container are associated with the user entering the container via the entry door 18. The assets exiting the container are likewise associated with the user or the other user exiting the container via the exit door 24.

In this embodiment the entry door 18 communicates with an inner entry door 20 via the entry corridor 16, and the exit door 24 communicates with an outer exit door 26 via the exit corridor 22. The inner entry door 20 is permitted to open or release following identification of the assets entering the container by the asset readers 42a and 42b located in the entry corridor 16. The inner entry door may also release after a set time interval. The outer exit door 26 is likewise permitted to open following identification of the assets exiting the container by the asset readers 44a and 44b located in the exit corridor 22. The inner entry door 20 and the outer exit door 26 may also be released by an emergency exit deviceThis means entry to the container is permitted via the entry corridor 16 only and exiting the container is permitted via the exit corridor 22 only. The portal such as 10 thus functions as a one way system for entering and exiting the container.

In this embodiment the step of identifying the assets entering the container such as is performed automatically on closure of the entry door 1 8. The asset readers 42a and 42b is activated on closure of the entry door 18 for automatic identification of a wireless transmitter or RFID tag associated with the asset. In a similar manner the step of identifying the assets exiting the container is performed automatically on closure of the exit door 24. In this instance the asset readers 44a and 44b is activated on closure of the exit door 24 for automatic identification of a wireless transmitter or RFID tag associated with the asset.

In order to enhance the safety of the secure enclosure system it may include an emergency activation system which opens all doors in the event of an emergency or power failure. For example, the system may communicate with a fire alarm system which opens the doors in the event of fire or smoke hazards in the enclosure or in the vicinity of the enclosure .

In a more detailed example a user returning or requiring assets, such as tools, approaches the enclosure having the secure portal as its gateway. The user presents their valid identification controller to the RFID reader allowing the entry door to open. The user enters the entry corridor and closure of the entry door activates the RFID tag reader to identify tools being returned. The system may also use camera or video recording to capture the event and store it in the system. The indicator light then illuminates green and the inside entry door is released providing access to the enclosure and asset or tools area. Upon selection of the required tool the user presents their valid ID controller to the RFID reader to release the inside exit door. The system recognises the user entering the exit corridor in reading their ID controller. If more than one person has entered the container or stores area the RFID reader at the inside exit door ensures the identity of the person leaving is correct and the tool asset is associated with that person. The user enters the exit corridor and on closure of the inner exit door the RFID asset reader is activated to identify the RFID asset tag associated with the tools leaving the container. This event or transaction is recorded in a database associated with the system. This event is also captured on camera or video and stored for later retrieval if necessary. The indicator light then illuminates green to indicate the outside exit door is released or unlocked to allow the user to open the outside exit door and depart the exit corridor with the selected asset or tool.

Now that a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the secure enclosure system has at least the following advantages:

1 . The system lends itself to automation and eliminates the need for a storeman;

2. The system provides access control for both entry into and exiting from the enclosure secured for example by the mobile portal;

3. The mobile portal is portable and can be transported via a truck or flatbed trailer and lifted by either a tilt trailer or forklift; 4. The mobile portal is designed to be installed in a standard shipping container and, for example, the container doors can be closed and locked for extra security.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The secure enclosure system may also comprise additional features not described such an automated invoicing system for inventory management. The secure enclosure system may include the portal as an integral part of the enclosure rather than the retrofit system of the preferred embodiment. All such variations and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined from the foregoing description.

Claims

Claims:

1 . A mobile portal adapted to locate in an enclosure securing assets, the mobile portal comprising:

an entry corridor having an entry door positioned at each of its ends; an exit corridor having an exit door positioned at each of its ends, the exit corridor being separated from the entry corridor;

an asset reader located in each of:

(b) the exit corridor to identify one of the assets exiting the enclosure,

wherein the assets entering the enclosure via an inner one of the entry doors are associated with the user entering the entry corridor via the outer entry door, and the assets exiting the enclosure via the inner one of the exit doors are associated with the user or the other user exiting the enclosure via said inner exit door.

2. A mobile portal as defined in claim 1 wherein the mobile portal is shaped complementary to the entrance of the secure enclosure.

3. A mobile portal as defined in claim 2 wherein the complementary shaped portal is a gateway to the enclosure.

4. A method of inventory control for assets secured in an enclosure, said method comprising the steps of:

identifying the assets entering the enclosure by an asset reader located inside the entry door; controlling the exit of the user or an other user from the enclosure via an exit door being separated from the entry door and arranged to communicate with an exit reader;

5. A method of inventory control as defined in claim 4 also comprising the step of further controlling the entry of a user into the enclosure via an inner entry door communicating with the entry door via an entry corridor, the inner entry door being released to open either (i) following identification of the assets entering the enclosure by the asset reader located in the entry corridor, or (ii) after a predetermined time interval.

6. A method of inventory control as defined in claim 5 further comprises the step of additionally controlling the exit of the user or the other user from the enclosure via an outer exit door communicating with the exit door via an exit corridor, the outer exit door permitted to open following identification of the assets exiting the enclosure by the asset reader located in the exit corridor.

7. A method of inventory control as defined in either of claims 5 or 6 wherein the inner entry door or the outer exit door are released via a valid identification controller associated with a user and configured to communicate with the entry reader or the exit reader respectively.

8. A method of inventory control as defined in claim 7 wherein the entry and exit of the user respectively into and from the enclosure is controlled to permit entry via the entry corridor only and exit via the exit corridor only.

9. A method of inventory control as defined in any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein the step of identifying all of the assets entering the enclosure is performed automatically on closure of the entry door.

10. A method of inventory control as defined in claim 9 wherein said closure of the entry door activates the asset reader for automatic identification of a wireless transmitter associated with said assets.

1 1 . A method of inventory control as defined in any one of claims 4 to 10 wherein the step of identifying the assets exiting the enclosure is performed automatically on closure of the exit door.

12. A method of inventory control as defined in claim 1 1 wherein said closure of the exit door activates the asset reader for automatic identification of a wireless transmitter associated with at least one of the assets.

13. A secure enclosure system comprising:

an enclosure adapted to secure one or more assets;

an asset reader located in each of:

(a) the entrance corridor to identify the assets entering the enclosure; and

(b) the exit corridor to identify the assets exiting the enclosure, wherein the assets entering the enclosure via an inner one of the entry doors are associated with the user entering the entry corridor via the outer entry door, and the assets exiting the enclosure via the inner one of the exit doors are associated with the user or the other user exiting the enclosure via said inner exit door.

14. A secure enclosure system as defined in claim 13 also comprising a processor operatively coupled to the entry reader and the associated asset reader, the processor programmed to release the inner entry door either (i) following identification of the assets entering the enclosure by the asset reader located in the entry corridor, or (ii) after a predetermined interval.

15. A secure enclosure system as defined in claim 14 wherein the processor is operatively coupled to the exit reader and the associated asset reader, the processor programmed to permit opening of an outer one of the exit doors following identification of the assets exiting the enclosure by the asset reader located in the exit corridor.

16. A secure enclosure system as defined in either of claims 14 or 15 wherein the processor is programmed to release the inner entry door or the outer entry door using a valid identification controller associated with a user and configured to communicate with the entry reader or the exit reader, respectively.

17. A secure enclosure system as defined in any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the processor is programmed to permit entry via the entry corridor only and exit via the exit corridor only.

18. A secure enclosure system as defined in any one of claims 14 to 17 wherein the asset reader includes a wireless asset receiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a wireless asset transmitter associated with each of the assets.

19. A secure enclosure system as defined in claim 18 wherein the wireless asset receiver includes an RFID asset reader configured to identify the wireless asset transmitter in the form of an RFID tag associated with each of the assets.

20. A secure enclosure system as defined in any one of claims 14 to 19 wherein the entry reader includes a wireless entry receiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with a wireless user transmitter associated with the user.

21 . A secure enclosure system as defined in claim 20 wherein the exit reader includes a wireless exit receiver adapted to wirelessly communicate with the wireless user transmitter or another wireless user transmitter associated with the other user.

22. A secure enclosure system as defined in either of claims 20 or 21 wherein said wireless entry receiver and said wireless exit receiver includes respective RFID entry and exit user readers configured to identify said wireless user transmitter in the form of a valid identification controller.

23. A mobile portal or a method or a secure enclosure system as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the enclosure is a container.

24. A mobile portal or a method or a secure enclosure system as defined in claim 23 wherein the container is a standard shipping container.

25. A mobile portal or a method or a secure enclosure system as defined in any one of the preceding claims wherein the assets include tools, machinery, equipment and other inventory including spare parts.