Patent ID: 8020768

Claim:
A container inventory control system for controlling inventory of items contained inside of portable containers, comprising: a) one of more items; b) item identification means joined to each item; c) user identification means for each user authorized to handle the items of a portable container; d) at least a portable container, each container having: one or more pads, each pad having one of more receptacles, each configured for storing a specific one of the items; one of more reader/writer means, each receptacle having a different, corresponding reader/writer means assigned thereto, to identify item identification means to get the information of said item, there being a one-to-one relationship between each RFID means and corresponding receptacle, and at least one hub in each pad, the at least one hub of each pad connecting each reader/writer means of each receptacle, each pad having memory means for storing transactions registered by each of the reader/writer means for controlling the reading, writing and verification of each of reader/writer means of the receptacle of a correspondent pad; e) identification means in each portable container to identify the portable container; and f) an external computer system having: a screen for displaying information, identification reading means, for reading the user identification means, to check if the user is authorized to handle a portable container and for identity the portable container; input means for introducing information to said external computer system, wireless data sending and receiving means for communication with the hubs of each pad of a portable container; and a database including information about each portable container controlled by the system, information about each user allowed to take a portable container, privilege information of each user and the identification of items stored in each portable container allowed to be taken by each user, and system alerts for informing users when all of the portable containers are stored in corresponding storage positions or when a portable container has been taken by a user.