GATE SYSTEM FOR INVENTORY CONTROL AND THEFT PREVENTION
The present disclosure relates to a gate system which uses overlapping radiation patterns to deduce when an item is entering a warehouse and when an item is leaving a warehouse, for example, for loading onto a truck. The present disclosure stores information relating to the direction the item moved and actuates an alarm if the item is moved in an unexpected direction. The radiation patterns of the gates are angled such that one radiation pattern from a first antenna is directed towards the loading dock, while another radiation pattern from a second antenna is directed towards the interior of the building. Overlapping the radiation patterns allows the logic circuitry to account for the item as it moves from one side of the gate system to the other.
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This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/096,466, filed on Dec. 4, 2013; the disclosure of which is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a gate system for inventory control and theft prevention. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to asset tracking via directional gate antennas. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to using multiple directional gate antennas to measure the relative signal strength of signals emanating from articles of goods at a loading dock or similar to determine which articles are entering a structure and which articles are leaving the structure.
2. Background Information
Asset tracking and inventory management are complex components of most modern businesses. The tracking of inventory levels, orders, sales, and deliveries is critical to understanding the global picture of a company's inventory levels. Companies may use inventory management systems to avoid product overstock and outages. However, one critical underlying component of a robust inventory management system is a precise count and location of the inventory itself. Compounding the asset tracking problem is the problem of employee theft, which by some estimates accounts for over 60% of all inventory losses. Therefore, there is a critical need in the art for a system which not only tracks assets by keeping a precise count and location information for each inventory item, but also prevents theft of these assets.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn one aspect, the disclosure may provide a method of tracking inventory, the method comprising the steps of: providing a first antenna proximate an opening of a structure; providing a second antenna proximate the opening; emanating a signal from an item; moving the item past the first antenna and measuring a first signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the first antenna; determining a first time when the first signal strength peaks; moving the item past the second antenna and measuring a second signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the second antenna; determining a second time when the second signal strength peaks; and comparing the first time and the second time to determine an actual direction the item moved past the first antenna and second antenna; and providing the actual direction to an inventory tracking system.
In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a method of tracking inventory, the method comprising the steps of: overlapping a first radiation pattern of a first antenna with a second radiation pattern of a second antenna; determining when an item moves through the first radiation pattern and storing the result as a first time; determining when the item moves through the second radiation pattern and storing the result as a second time; and determining the direction the item is traveling by comparing the first time and the second time.
In another aspect, the disclosure may provide an apparatus adapted to track an item of inventory, the apparatus comprising: a first antenna having a first radiation pattern, wherein the antenna is configured to sense when the item moves through the first radiation pattern; a second antenna having a second radiation pattern, wherein the antenna is configured to sense when the item moves through the second radiation pattern; a server in communication with the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the server determines an actual direction the item passes by the first antenna and the second antenna; a database in communication with the server, the database comprising an record containing an expected direction for the item to pass by the first antenna and the second antenna; and an alarm system in communication with the server, wherein the server actuates the alarm system when the server determines the item did not pass by the first antenna and the second antenna in the expected direction.
One or more preferred embodiments that illustrate the best mode(s) are set forth in the drawings and in the following description. The appended claims particularly and distinctly point out and set forth the disclosure.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example methods, and other example embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groups of boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of the boundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that in some examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or that multiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, an element shown as an internal component of another element may be implemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore, elements may not be drawn to scale.
Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONA gate system is shown in
Gate system 1 is adapted to work in conjunction with a building or structure 3 which includes a wall 5 defining an opening 7. Opening 7 is typically embodied in an entranceway into structure 3 at a loading dock area 9, and may be selectively sealable with a door (not shown). As typical in a loading dock, a truck 11 may be positioned proximate opening 7 with a platform 10 extended therefrom and through opening 7 for transferring items between truck 11 and structure 3. A forklift 13 is provided in
As shown in
First antenna 15 is positioned behind a first set of bumpers 23 while second antenna 19 is positioned behind a second set of bumpers 25. First set of bumpers 23 provide protection for first antenna 15 while second set of bumpers 25 provide protection for second antenna 19 and both sets of bumpers 23 and 25 are made from a sturdy material, such as steel or reinforced aluminum. Bumpers 23 and 25 are provided to protect antennas 15 and 19, respectively, as warehouses and stockroom areas are often chaotic with forklifts 13 and various other equipment such as dollies constantly moving thereabout. First antenna 15 is further positioned behind first shield 27 while second antenna 19 is further positioned behind second shield 29. While first set of bumpers 23 and second set of bumpers 25 are preferably metallic, first shield 27 and second shield 29 are preferably made from plastic or another similar material which efficiently facilitates the passing through of electromagnetic signals. First shield 27 and second shield 29 are formed from non-metallic material to allow first antenna 15 and second antenna 19 to send and receive signals therethrough.
As shown in
As seen in
As shown in
By way of example, populating a row of database table 41 is now described with respect to row A. Cell 43A of database table 41 is populated with an identification key representing an item intended for use with gate system 1. Specifically, cell 43A includes the entry ‘00246’ which represents an item in database table 41. Cell 45A includes a time stamp of ‘11:22:08:12’ which represents the precise time first antenna 15 received the strongest signal from the item. Cell 47A includes entry ‘11:22:09:14’ which represents precisely when second antenna 19 received the strongest signal emanating from the item. One will recognize that the time stamp within cell 47A is about one second later than the time stamp in cell 45A. Thus, inasmuch as the timestamp for second antenna 19 is later than the timestamp for first antenna 15, computer 33 may deduce that item ‘00246’ travelled in the direction of Arrow A (
System logic may be implemented to actuate alarm 37 when an item is indicated as already being either loaded into building 3 or loaded into truck 11 and first antenna 15 and second antenna 19 receive a signal emanating from this item indicating it is again moving. For example, if computer 33 determines item ‘00246’ is being loaded into truck 11 having already been loaded into building 3, as shown in cell 49a, computer 33 may actuate alarm 37, as this would indicate the item is potentially being stolen or at least creating an anomalous situation. As such, database table 41 may also include column 52 relating to an expected direction in which the item is expected to travel within gate system 1. For example, item ‘00246’ is associated with an expected direction of received “into warehouse,” and first antenna 15 and second antenna 19 determine item ‘00246’ is not moving in the expected direction, computer 33 may actuate alarm 37. This and other system logic may be implemented to utilize the data available via first antenna 15 and second antenna 19, particularly with respect to the direction the items are traveling within gate system 1.
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As shown in
“Logic,” “logic circuitry,” or “logic circuit,” as used herein, includes but is not limited to hardware, firmware, software and/or combinations of each to perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause a function or action from another logic, method, and/or system. For example, based on a desired application or needs, logic may include a software controlled microprocessor, discrete logic like a processor (e.g., microprocessor), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmed logic device, a memory device containing instructions, or the like. Logic may include one or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuit components. Logic may also be fully embodied as software. Where multiple logics are described, it may be possible to incorporate the multiple logics into one physical logic. Similarly, where a single logic is described, it may be possible to distribute that single logic between multiple physical logics.
Example methods may be better appreciated with reference to flow diagrams. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, the illustrated methodologies are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to be appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks can occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from that shown and described. Moreover, less than all the illustrated blocks may be required to implement an example methodology. Blocks may be combined or separated into multiple components. Furthermore, additional and/or alternative methodologies can employ additional, not illustrated blocks.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
While the present disclosure has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present disclosure without deviating there from. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method of tracking inventory, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first antenna proximate an opening of a structure;
- providing a second antenna proximate the opening;
- emanating a signal from an item;
- moving the item past the first antenna and measuring a first signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the first antenna;
- determining a first time when the first signal strength peaks;
- moving the item past the second antenna and measuring a second signal strength of the signal as the item moves past the second antenna;
- determining a second time when the second signal strength peaks; and
- comparing the first time and the second time to determine an actual direction the item moved past the first antenna and second antenna, wherein if the first time is before the second time then the actual direction of the item is entering the structure through the opening, and wherein if the first time is after the second time then the actual direction of the item is exiting the structure through the opening; and
- providing the actual direction to an inventory tracking system.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:
- establishing an expected direction of the item;
- comparing the expected direction with the actual direction of the item;
- if the expected direction does not match the actual direction, then sounding an alarm after the actual direction is provided to the inventory tracking system, wherein the alarm is sounded during one of the following (i) as the item enters the building through the opening, and (ii) as the item exits the building through the opening and is loaded onto a truck at a loading bay.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- associating the item with a record in a database of the inventory tracking system; and
- associating the actual direction of the item entering or exiting the structure through the opening with the record.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:
- associating the first time with the record; and
- associating the second time with the record.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:
- associating an expected direction with the record;
- comparing the expected direction with the actual direction; and
- sounding an alarm when the expected direction is different from the actual direction.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first antenna and the second antenna are positioned near bumpers, wherein bumpers are configured to protect the first and second antennas from objects entering and exiting the structure through the opening.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first antenna is positioned behind a first shield and the second antenna is positioned behind second shield, wherein the first and second shields facilitate the passing of electromagnetic signals therethrough.
1. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- overlapping a first radiation pattern of the first antenna with a second radiation pattern of the second antenna;
- directing the first radiation pattern towards the opening; and
- directing the second radiation pattern away from the opening.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:
- defining the opening by a wall of the structure;
- defining an imaginary plane parallel to the wall;
- defining an imaginary opening line orthogonal to the imaginary plane;
- defining a first imaginary line extending longitudinally through the first antenna;
- orienting the first antenna such that the first imaginary line is between a 25 and 35 degree angle from the imaginary opening line.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of:
- defining a second imaginary line extending longitudinally through the second antenna;
- orienting the second antenna such that the second imaginary line is between a 15 and 25 degree angle from the imaginary opening line.
11. A method of tracking inventory, the method comprising the steps of:
- positioning both a first antenna and a second antenna near an opening formed in a wall of a building structure;
- overlapping a first radiation pattern of the first antenna with a second radiation pattern of the second antenna;
- determining a first time when an item moves through the first radiation pattern and storing the first time;
- determining a second time when the item moves through the second radiation pattern and storing the second time; and
- determining the direction the item is traveling by comparing the first time and the second time, wherein if the first time is before the second time then the item is entering the structure through the opening, and wherein if the first time is after the second time then item is exiting the structure through the opening.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the steps of:
- expecting the item to be traveling in an expected direction;
- determining whether the direction the item is traveling is the expected direction; and
- actuating an alarm system if the direction the item is traveling is not the expected direction.
13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the steps of:
- storing a variable representing the expected direction in a database system; and
- determining whether the direction the item is traveling is the expected direction by comparing the direction with the variable in the database.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising the steps of:
- disposing the first antenna and the second antenna inside the building structure, wherein the wall is an exterior wall such that the building defines a building interior and a building exterior;
- directing the first radiation pattern towards the building interior, and orienting the first antenna at an angle in a range from 25 and 35 degrees relative to the wall; and
- directing the second radiation pattern towards the building exterior.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the steps of:
- emitting a signal from the item;
- sensing the signal by the first antenna to determine when the item moves through the first radiation pattern; and
- sensing the signal by the second antenna to determine when the item moves through the second radiation pattern.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:
- measuring repeatedly by the first antenna the power present in the signal as the item moves through the first radiation pattern;
- setting the first time equal to when the first antenna determines the power present in the signal is the greatest as the item moves through the first radiation pattern;
- measuring repeatedly by the second antenna the power present in the signal as the item moves through the second radiation pattern; and
- setting the second time equal to when the second antenna determines the power present in the signal is the greatest as the item moves through the second radiation pattern.
17. An apparatus adapted to track an item of inventory, the apparatus comprising:
- a first antenna having a first radiation pattern, wherein the antenna is configured to sense when the item moves through the first radiation pattern and store a first time associated with a peak power of the item in the first radiation pattern;
- a second antenna having a second radiation pattern, wherein the antenna is configured to sense when the item moves through the second radiation pattern and store a second time associated with a peak power of the item in the second radiation pattern;
- a server in communication with the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein the server determines an actual direction the item passes by the first antenna and the second antenna, wherein if the first time is before the second time then the actual direction of the item is entering a building structure through an opening, and wherein if the first time is after the second time then the actual direction of the item is exiting the structure through the opening;
- a database in communication with the server, the database comprising an record containing an expected direction for the item to pass by the first antenna and the second antenna; and
- an alarm system in communication with the server, wherein the server actuates the alarm system when the server determines the actual direction of the item does not match the expected direction.
18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:
- a signal generated by the item;
- a first power sensor module disposed in the first antenna and configured to determine a first time when the power present in the signal is the greatest as the item moves through the first radiation pattern;
- a second power sensor module disposed in the second antenna and configured to determine a second time when the power present in the signal is the greatest as the item moves through the second radiation pattern;
- wherein the first antenna communicates the first time to the server;
- wherein the second antenna communicates the second time to the server; and
- wherein the server compares the first time and the second time to determine the actual direction.
19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is implemented in the building structure comprising an exterior wall forming the opening, the wall defining a building exterior and a building interior; and
- the first antenna is positioned within the building interior oriented at a 25 and 35 degree angle relative to the exterior wall.
20. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:
- bumpers protecting the first and second antennas; and
- non-metallic shields proximate the first and second antennas.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 4, 2016
Publication Date: Jun 30, 2016
Applicant:
Inventors: William J. Wappler (North Canton, OH), David J. Horvat (Moreland Hills, OH)
Application Number: 15/060,797