Article inventory tracking apparatus and method

Number of patents in Portfolio can not be more than 2000

United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6438447
SERIAL NO

09108580

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ATTORNEY / AGENT: (SPONSORED)

Importance

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Abstract

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An article inventory tracking and control system tracks and controls removal of articles from a secured facility. Exemplary facilities in which the system may be useful include libraries, rental stores and retail stores. Each article is marked with an EAS marker to prevent unauthorized removal. In the system, each user of a facility and each article in the facility is uniquely identifiable. Upon receiving the user and article information, the system queries a central database to ensure that the user is a valid user and that the desired transaction is authorized. A receiving compartment is specifically designed to receive a particular type of article, such as a video or audio cassette. Sensors in the receiving compartment ensure that the article is properly placed within the receiving compartment. Proper placement of the article within the receiving compartment ensures that the marker is properly re/desensitized, and also ensures that only one transaction on one article can be performed at a time.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
MINNESOTA MINING AND MANUFACTURING COMPANYP O BOX 33427 ST PAUL MN 55133-3427

International Classification(s)

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Belka, Anthony M Stillwater, MN 7 245
Brace, Thomas J Minneapolis, MN 30 731

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