Patent ID: 8749347

Claim:
A method of securing and tracking a physical item, the method comprising: determining the identity of an individual seeking to remove the physical item from a controlled area, the physical item comprising money or valuables; accessing a database having a list of custodians that are authorized to remove the physical item from the controlled area; verifying that the individual seeking to remove the physical item from the controlled area is not included on the list of custodians that are authorized to remove the physical item from the controlled area; and activating a tracking device that is associated with the physical item in response to verifying that the individual seeking to remove the physical item is not included on the list of custodians that are authorized to remove the physical item from the controlled area; wherein the controlled area comprises: a perimeter; an inner opening formed in said perimeter; an entrance comprising an elongated body, wherein one end of said elongated body is connected to the inner opening and an opposing end of said elongated body has an outer opening; an inner sensor located at a position adjacent to the inner opening and on an opposite side of said inner opening than said entrance; and an outer sensor located inside the elongated body of the entrance and on an opposite side of said inner opening than said inner sensor such that said inner sensor and said outer sensor are located on opposite sides of said inner opening; wherein the controlled area is at least one of a drop box, safe, vault, and safe box.