Patent ID: 9224124
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: G06Q,G07F,G16H

Abstract:
1. An item storage and tracking unit for holding a plurality of discrete items, comprising: a housing including a plurality of receptacles positioned therein and defining a plurality of associated inner areas; at least one signal emitting device associated with at least one item of the plurality of discrete items and configured to emit a signal, wherein the at least one item is accessible by accessing at least one receptacle of the plurality of receptacles; at least one movement sensor associated with each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles and configured to detect access to the at least one receptacle; at least one signal receiving arrangement associated with each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles and configured to scan at least a portion of the inner area of the associated receptacle for the signal emitted from the at least one signal emitting device associated with the at least one item of the plurality of discrete items, wherein the scan is initiated at least partly in response to the at least one movement sensor associated with the associated receptacle detecting access to the associated receptacle; and at least one weight sensor associated with each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles and configured to measure a weight before the at least one movement sensor associated with the associated receptacle detects an access to the associated receptacle, and a weight after the at least one movement sensor associated with the associated receptacle detects an access to the associated receptacle, wherein the at least one signal receiving arrangement is configured to not initiate a scan of the inner area of the associated receptacle if the weight before the detected access is substantially equal to the weight after the detected access.