Patent ID: 7755482

Claim:
An electronic checkout system comprising: an electronically lockable toolbox; a plurality of RFID (radio frequency identification) tagged tools stored in said electronically lockable toolbox each of said RFID tagged tools having an RFID tag operating as an identifier for each of said tools; a first RFID reader mounted on said electronically lockable toolbox, said first RFID reader adapted to read RFID tags for each of said tools to determine tools added as well as tools removed by an authorized user between an event signifying an unlocking and opening of the toolbox and an event signifying a complete closure and locking of said toolbox, said first RFID reader reading and recording the RFID tag for each of said tools which said authorized user removed from and/or added to said electronically lockable toolbox; a close proximity second RFID reader mounted on said electronically lockable toolbox, said close proximity second RFID reader being adapted to read a user supplied RFID device, wherein said second RFID reader is configured to read the radio frequency identification device of said identification device and configured to determine when the individual attempting to close a toolbox is the same authorized individual user that caused the toolbox to be unlocked and opened, said second RFID reader further configured to activate a toolbox lock when it is determined that the individual attempting to close the toolbox is the same authorized user and all electrical contacts of the toolbox indicate a complete closure; and an identification device having a radio frequency identification device imbedded therein, said identification device configured to enable a toolbox user to identify said user as an individual authorized to remove one or more of the plurality of RFID tagged tools from and/or add one or more of the plurality of RFID tagged tools to said electronically lockable toolbox.