USOO7348884B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Higham
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,348,884 B2
`Mar. 25, 2008
`
`(54) RFID CABINET
`
`(75) Inventor: John Higham, Menlo Park, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: Omnicell, Inc., Mountain View, CA
`(US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 174 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 11/187,383
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 21, 2005
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0022827 A1
`
`Feb. 2, 2006
`O
`O
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) gyal application No. 60/592.907, filed on Jul.
`
`(51) Int. Cl
`nt. C.
`(2006.01)
`G08B I3/14
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................... 340/572.1; 340/572.4:
`340/572.8; 340/568.1; 340/5.92; 340/5.54;
`340/5.73; 700/221; 700/229; 700/237
`(58) Field of Classification Search ............. 340/572.1,
`340/572.4,572.8, 568.1, 5.92, 5.54, 5.73;
`7OOf221, 229, 237
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`* 10,
`3.6% A ck g'' E. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
`5.739,765 A
`4, 1998 Stanfield'etal."
`5,751.221 A
`5, 1998 Stanfield et al.
`5,771,003 A
`6/1998 Seymour
`
`f
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`2.
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`5,774,059 A * 6/1998 Henry et al. ............... 340,554
`5,936,527 A
`8/1999 Isaacman et al.
`6,127,928. A 10/2000 Issacman et al.
`6,204,764 B1
`3/2001 Maloney
`6,407,665 B2
`6/2002 Maloney
`6,512.459 B2
`1/2003 Benezech et al.
`6,677,857 B2
`1/2004 Bara et al.
`29
`R 3. SNR, al.
`6989,749 B2* 1/2006 Mohr. 340,572.1
`2002.0143320 A1 10, 2002 Levin
`2002/0145520 A1 10/2002 Maloney
`2002/O153411 A1 10, 2002 Wan et al.
`2002fO190871 A1 12/2002 Stanfield et al.
`2003/0030539 A1
`2/2003 McGarry et al.
`2003.0034390 A1
`2/2003 Linton et al.
`2003/0052788 A1
`3/2003 Chung
`2003/01 17281 A1
`6/2003 Sriharto et al.
`2003/0160698 A1
`8/2003 Andreasson et al.
`2003. O164401 A1
`9/2003 Andreasson et al.
`2003/0174099 A1
`9, 2003 Bauer et al.
`2004/0032328 A1
`2/2004 Rubinstein
`2004/004.6020 A1
`3/2004 Andreasson et al.
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner Tai Nguyen
`Orne, Agent, Or Firin—IOWnsend and LOWnsen
`E. c. p's it, or Firm T.
`d and T
`d
`' ' '
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An RFID for cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID
`tag includes a cabinet having at least one locking front door.
`An RFID detector is used for monitoring each item placed
`within the cabinet and is located within the interior of the
`cabinet. A computer is coupled to the RFID cabinet and
`controls opening and closing of the front door and is
`configured to receive an input that identifies the user. In this
`way, the computer is configured to periodically record data
`read from the RFID tags by the RFID detector.
`
`22 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets
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`Page 1 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`US 7,348.884 B2
`Page 2
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`2004/0098166 A1* 5/2004 Spano et al. ................ 7OO 237
`2004/010O383 A1
`5, 2004 Chen et al.
`2004/0103033 A1
`5/2004 Reade et al.
`
`7/2004 Gallegher et al.
`2004/O140884 A1
`2005/0077997 A1* 4/2005 Landram et al. ........... 340,554
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`* cited by examiner
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`Page 2 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 25, 2008
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`Page 3 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 25, 2008
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`Sheet 2 of 3
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`Page 4 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`U.S. Patent
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`Mar. 25, 2008
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`Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 7,348,884 B2
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`Page 5 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`US 7,348,884 B2
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`1.
`RFID CABINET
`
`2
`contains an RFID detector that generates an RFID field to
`scan the RFID tags of any product within the interior of the
`cabinet. A computer is coupled to the cabinet using Ethernet
`or a similar connection. The computer controls access to the
`cabinet and also communicates with a database having all
`the product information associated with each products
`RFID tag.
`In another aspect of the invention, the locking front door
`and the side panels of the cabinet are constructed of a
`transparent material Such that the user may see into the
`cabinet without having to unlock and open the locking front
`door. The transparent material is manufactured to Sufi
`ciently contain the RFID field generated by the RFID
`detector within the interior of the cabinet. In one embodi
`ment, the transparent material is an acrylic panel that has a
`coating comprising a number of vertical stripes of a silver
`based conductive ink and a number of horizontal stripes of
`a carbon based conductive ink arranged in a checkerboard
`pattern.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`Described below are several exemplary embodiments of
`the invention. Although certain features are described, for
`ease of discussion, in relation to certain illustrated embodi
`ments, those skilled in the art will appreciate, based on the
`disclosure herein, that various of the inventive features can
`be combined in accordance with many different embodi
`ments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments below,
`therefore, are provided merely by way of example and
`should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention,
`which is defined only by the appended claims.
`One aspect of the invention provides a cabinet with a
`locking door, or multiple individually controlled doors. In
`another aspect, the invention may provide a room (or
`multiple rooms) with an electronically controlled lock. The
`cabinet or room may contain multiple quantities of multiple
`items.
`Certain items require specific shelving fixtures because
`certain items contain a liquid or metal content that prevents
`the transmission of Sufficient signal strength to various tags
`on the products. Shelving fixtures are designed specifically
`for those items, or classes of items, to keep them Suitably
`spaced apart. The spacing allows the RFID field to suffi
`ciently energize all the tags in the system.
`An RFID detector (or multiple detectors) is placed within
`the interior of the cabinet. RFID detector provides continu
`ous monitoring of the items within the cabinet, e.g. identi
`fying the data embedded on the tag of each product. The
`RFID detectors are capable of repeatedly scanning all prod
`ucts in a short time period, preferably less than two seconds.
`The system determines when an item has been removed by
`comparing the resulting list of items present with a previ
`ously generated item list. Since the scanning time period is
`preferably short, the invention provides any alerts prior to
`the user leaving the vicinity of the cabinet and the control
`ling computer.
`The method of the present invention is preferable to
`existing systems, for example systems that detect an item
`being moved through a detecting portal area. In existing
`systems, any detection errors result in cumulative persistent
`errors that can only be corrected by a manual cycle count.
`The present invention avoids such errors by repeatedly
`taking an inventory of all products. In effect, the present
`invention is a repeated electronic full cycle count.
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a non-provisional application and
`claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.
`60/592.907, filed Jul. 29, 2004, the complete disclosure of
`which is herein incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`In the healthcare industry, the availability of supply
`products is critical. Various systems exist that provide track
`ing of product usage, quick replenishment, user tracking,
`and patient tracking for billing purposes.
`In addition, closed cabinet systems exist that prevent the
`removal of items without the entry of necessary data to
`perform the above tracking and prevent diversion or theft.
`Such a system is particularly applicable to the expensive
`items that are used in an operating room (OR) or cath lab.
`However, closed cabinet systems are also applicable to the
`high Volume diversion of inexpensive items that are useful
`outside the healthcare facility Such as batteries, bandages,
`shampoos, pens etc., where the user may consider the item
`too small to be considered “theft.”
`In developing Such systems, the challenge lies in balanc
`ing convenience and speed of access along with entering the
`necessary data to identify the user, the product and the
`account number or patient. Systems that dispense an indi
`vidual product in the same manner as a candy machine,
`while desirable for convenience and security, are usually too
`expensive, require special packaging, and are not flexible in
`terms of the various size and configurations of product that
`need to be stocked in a hospital. They are also not very space
`efficient, since items are individually spaced and housed.
`The use of RFID tags on products presents an opportunity
`to track individual products without the need for expensive
`dispensing systems. This is particularly true of expensive
`product where it is worth incurring the additional expense of
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`applying the RFID tags. RFID tags are not currently avail
`able on products like bar codes, and are not likely to be
`generally available on healthcare products for many years.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another cabinet according
`to the invention.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention provides both methods and apparatus for
`tracking, monitoring, protecting and safeguarding an inven
`tory of products in a medical environment using RFID tags.
`In general, a cabinet is provided, the cabinet is constructed
`of a material sufficient to confine an RFID field generated
`from an RFID detector within the interior of a cabinet. The
`RFID detector scans the RFID tags of all products within the
`cabinet and generates an up-to-the-second inventory list of
`all products within the cabinet.
`One particular aspect of the present invention provides a
`cabinet for housing an inventory of products in a medical
`environment. Each product within the cabinet is furnished
`an RFID tag that is unique to each product. The cabinet
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`Page 6 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`

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`US 7,348,884 B2
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`For multiple readings of RFID tags (and associated inven
`tory) within a cabinet, it is advantageous to change the
`power distribution during each scan so that different power
`fields sweep the cabinet. Changing the power distribution
`provides additional and differentiated coverage, which also
`boosts the read accuracy.
`In accordance with the present invention, the data asso
`ciated with the RFID tag may take many forms. In one
`example, the invention uses a fixed ID number that is unique
`to the universe of tags used for all time. At an appropriate
`point in time, either at the cabinet or a separate workstation
`or system in central Supply, this unique number is read into
`a database. Other data regarding the product is also entered
`into the database for subsequent retrieval. This data may
`include the item type ID, its UPN, expiration date, serial
`number, manufacturer or other parameters.
`In another example, the RFID tags are WORM (write
`once, read many) tags. In the case of a WORM tag, Some or
`all of the data may be written once on the readable memory
`of the tag and thus can be read directly off the RFID tag. If
`the central database is unavailable, the product can still be
`identified. In addition, if access to the central server is
`unavailable, any user alerts given at the time of removal can
`be made by the local computer and cabinet system.
`In yet another example, the RFID tag utilizes a writable
`tag. For a writable tag, information may be added to the
`product by the user. For example, the Writable tag may
`contain information selected by the user such as the ID of the
`patient, the user ID, the date and time of removal, and the
`like. In all cases, the data formats associated with the tags
`should be compatible with the software systems, so that
`accurate reporting down to the item-level detail can be
`automated.
`FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one example of a cabinet in
`accordance with the present invention. Cabinet 1 comprises
`a housing frame with locking doors 2, with hinges 3, handles
`4 and indicator lights 5. Transparent material 6 in the doors
`2 allows the user to see through to the item on the shelves
`8, but mesh 7 prevents the radio frequency from the trans
`mitter receiver assembly 9 mounted on the inside rear of the
`cabinet from propagating outside the cabinet. In another
`embodiment, the mesh might be replaced by a translucent
`coating on the glass or plastic transparent material of the
`door.
`Cabinet 1 may be manufactured of any material. How
`45
`ever, it is desirable to manufacture cabinet 1 of a metal to
`contain the RFID field inside the cabinet. Preferably, the
`types of metals that may be used are steel, although alumi
`num may also be used. The front door and sides may be
`transparent to allow the user to see the products inside the
`cabinet. The front door may include a thermal printer that
`can provide a paper record of the item taken out from the
`cabinet. Within the cabinet, it will often be preferable to use
`non-metal components for shelving and partitions in order to
`not interfere with the RFID field.
`A wire mesh can be used as a shield to contain the RFID
`field within the cabinet while maintaining the desired level
`of transparency. The maximum diameter of the holes in the
`mesh is dictated by the frequency of the RFID field used. In
`the alternative, a conductive film in the pattern of a mesh
`may be coated on the transparent Surfaces of the doors,
`either as a thin translucent layer or as an opaque coating.
`This arrangement provides the necessary containment of the
`RFID field within the cabinet while allowing the user to see
`inside the cabinet. More particularly, a regular acrylic panel,
`and coated a first pass in the vertical orientation with silver
`based conductive ink in Stripes, one-halfinch on center, the
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`stripes having a width in the range of 0.05 to 0.25 inches.
`Then, in the horizontal direction, with carbon based con
`ductive ink in stripes, halfinch on center, the stripes having
`a width in the range of 0.05 to 0.25 inches. Without any
`specific ground connections, the resulting checkerboard
`pattern of vertical silver based conductive ink stripes and
`horizontal carbon based conductive ink stripes contains the
`RFID field such that the RFID tags associated with items are
`not read outside the cabinet, while retaining the visibility of
`the contents of the cabinet.
`The use of effective shielding allows for the use of a
`single powerful energizer and receiving antenna within the
`cabinet. The use of a single, more powerful energizer and
`receiving antenna provides reliable detection and a cost
`effective solution relative to the prior art that use multiple
`energizers and antennas of shorter range in each shelf or
`section of a larger cabinet.
`A computer 10 controls access to the interior of the
`cabinet by unlocking and opening the locked front door.
`Typically, there will be multiple doors, and only the appli
`cable door will be opened according to the level of access
`associated with the user's ID. This ID may be provided by
`a variety of means including an RFID badge, a personal
`identification number, a voice command, a biometric scan, a
`magnetic card, a barcode badge read or the like depending
`upon the particular requirements of the cabinet.
`It is preferable to use a guiding light to locate the correct
`cabinet, door and in some cases actual location of the
`product. By using guiding lights, it is preferable to flash all
`lights on a cabinet for a few seconds, then on a door or
`shelves and then down to the item. Such a method is
`described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,745,366, 5,805,455, 5,805,456,
`6,039,467, 6,272,394, and 6,385,505 incorporated herein by
`reference for all purposes.
`The computer may be either embedded within the interior
`of the cabinet or in close proximity to the cabinet, and
`coupled to the cabinet by Ethernet, wireless, optical infra
`red, serial cable, USB or any other data connection means.
`One advantage of not having the computer embedded within
`the interior of the cabinet is the use of general-purpose
`computers with varying form factors. The type, size, shape
`and/or configuration is unconstrained by the cabinet design.
`As software rapidly evolves for the cabinet control, newer
`versions often need a new operating system and these in turn
`need a new computer. By keeping the computer external,
`upgrading both Software and computer hardware is both
`easy and inexpensive.
`In accordance with another aspect of the present inven
`tion, the user accesses the cabinet using a user ID and
`password, an RFID badge, a bar code, a mag card or various
`biometrics such as a thumbprint, face recognition or the like.
`Typically, the particular ID device is located at the user login
`location or the computer interface. However, in some
`embodiments, particularly those detecting the RFID badge
`of a user, the identification of a user occurs at the cabinet.
`One method of authorization would allow the user to
`approach the cabinet and have the cabinet recognize the user
`and unlock the cabinet doors without any action by the user.
`Such quick recognition presents the ultimate in convenience
`to busy clinicians where time is a critical factor. Such as
`physicians, and OR nurses requiring items during a case.
`The user may or may not be required to select a patient
`identification or cost center. Instead, accounting for an item
`may be determined by: 1) the location of the equipment (e.g.
`the account number for supplies for the OR department in
`which the equipment is located); 2) identifying the user and
`associating that user with a department; 3) association to a
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`Page 7 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`US 7,348,884 B2
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`5
`case by way of the user and the time of day, since the case
`management system will usually know which users are
`working on which case; or 4) association to a case and/or
`patient by use of an identifier Such as a mag card or and
`RFID card. The RFID cards may have a case or patient
`number encoded on them. Alternatively, these cards may
`have a permanent ID that is temporarily associated at the
`beginning of the day with the patient or case for that day.
`There may be governmental/regulatory requirements
`regarding access to certain contents in the cabinets. The user
`access rules accommodate and authenticate any unique
`access requirements. For example, the user may be
`prompted to scan a bar code or otherwise enter information
`about the product or push a button assigned to a selected
`item. The user may enter the name(s) or an alias name(s) for
`a product(s) at the computer. The computer can generate a
`visual picture of the layout of the cabinet, highlighting
`where the product(s) is (are) located within the interior of the
`cabinet. A visual picture is useful, since, for cost reasons,
`there may be no lights to guide the user to a specific door.
`Although the advantage of RFID is that an item removal
`is recorded with no action from the user, many facilities have
`cabinets currently in place where the removal of an item is
`recorded by Scanning a barcode, pushing a button, or keying
`an item ID. There are considerable advantages in combining
`existing apparatus and methods with the apparatus and
`methods of the present invention. Existing cabinets are
`upgraded utilizing aspects of the present invention to accom
`modate RFID tags. In initial introduction, before a process
`is fully set up to tag and identify items, a mixed system may
`be needed. For cost reasons, it may be desirable to stock low
`cost items that are used in association with high cost items
`(e.g. gauze pads, tubing, gloves and the like) in the same
`location. While it may not be worth RFID tagging the low
`cost items, their use should be recorded to track inventory
`levels and ensure prompt re-ordering.
`Depending on the user's access privileges, one or more of
`the doors on the cabinet unlock upon Successful completion
`of the entry requirements at the computer user interface. It
`is desirable to temporarily disable the RFID reader when the
`door is opened so that an item removed but held near the
`open door is not mistakenly interpreted by the system as an
`unremoved item. The user then removes or returns the items
`from or to the opened compartments.
`If the computer is remote, then a sound and/or visual
`sensor at the cabinet may alert the user to check the monitor
`of the computer after removing a product. The alert tells the
`user that the computer has determined that further action is
`needed in addition to the removal of the product, such as 1)
`entering of a serial number or other information into the
`computer; 2) reading of Such information using a bar code
`scanner mounted at the cabinet or at the computer; or 3)
`alerting the user that an expiration date for the product may
`have occurred. Preferably, these “sounds' will be recorded
`speech to clearly instruct the user as to what is needed Such
`as "please scan the serial number and expiration date'. In
`many cases, it is preferable to use text to speech since this
`allows information specific to the item to be included. For
`example, “You just removed a Cordis 78 French Catheter.
`Please check that this is the right item.”
`A particularly useful text to speech function is to state the
`quantity on hand. To the degree a system can be in error, the
`correction of the quantity on hand ensures timely restocking
`and the availability of product to the caregiver at all times.
`For example the system might say “You just removed a
`Medtronic 8F Guiding Catheter. There should be three
`remaining. If not, please correct the inventory level.”
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`Another useful query is an automated speech to the user
`asking “Did you get what you needed? If NOT, then, please
`press 1—If YES, then, no response is necessary.” Such a
`query provides a view into the product usability and cus
`tomer satisfaction.
`Typically, items are placed on the shelves in fixed loca
`tions according to the identity of the product using a labeling
`system. The current quantity on hand for each type of item
`is tracked by the embedded or local PC, and may be
`transmitted to a central server. The system generates a
`restock list any time the quantities of particular items drop
`below a predetermined par level. Since different items may
`be restocked from different sources, the system needs to be
`able to identify different restock lists for those sources.
`There may be times when the item removed from the
`cabinet cannot be returned to the cabinet without additional
`processing. For example, Some regulated items may not be
`returned to the cabinet by the user without additional autho
`rization and verification. Also, some items may have a
`limited, out-of-cabinet life and may need some verification
`that the item was not exposed to adverse environment.
`Some authorization and verification may be local, but
`Some may be remote. If local, then it is appropriate to use a
`“fill-or-kill method where the next time a restock request is
`generated comparing par level with actual quantity on hand,
`no memory of any previous unfulfilled orders is retained.
`For other products, particularly those ordered outside, it is
`necessary to track what has been previously ordered, and
`Subtract that from any new comparison of par level minus
`the current on hand order quantity, but also to net out
`previous orders that are delivered over time.
`When an order is placed with a specific source of material,
`it is important that the cabinet location receives information
`regarding what was ordered and order identification number.
`Therefore, when the restock technician comes to the cabinet
`after receiving the item for that order, he/she can select the
`appropriate restock order list by entering (or bar coding or
`RFID scanning) the number of the restock list. This action
`allows the computer to register the items that have been
`brought and the quantities being put away. If this procedure
`is omitted, the restock technician must select each item in
`the computer and enter the quantity they are restocking.
`The cabinet restock process is easy with the system of the
`present invention in place. The restock person simply enters
`their ID and adds the items to the cabinet. In an alternate
`approach, the user is required to identify a restock list with
`the associated items. In this case, when he/she adds the items
`to the cabinet, a shortage list may be produced. A shortage
`list is useful when relying on an outside fulfillment house to
`deliver and restock the cabinet, since this will detect diver
`sion of product between the time it was picked in the remote
`warehouse and when it reached the cabinet. More particu
`larly, since the restock person knows there will be a check,
`there is less temptation to divert product for one's personal
`consumption.
`With cabinet RFID reading device set up on an Ethernet
`network, either directly or through a local compute control
`ling access to the cabinet, the material manager can connect
`to the reader or cabinet computer database, and get an up to
`the second inventory of items contained within the cabinet
`through the Inventory Control Module software. This can be
`an automated process that enables the RFID Readers to scan
`items in the remote cabinet and to alert the staff if any items
`are critically low or out of stock.
`If a caregiver needs a particular item that is not stocked in
`the cabinet in their department, they can use the care giver
`software to check other RFID enabled cabinets on the
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`Page 8 of 10
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`Health Care Logistics, Inc.
`Exhibit 10012
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`

`

`US 7,348,884 B2
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`2O
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`40
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`7
`network to find the item they needs and how many are
`actually on hand in that cabinet, all in real time.
`With access to the cabinet information derived in real time
`through the RFID reader, or the computer database support
`ing the RFID reader, the materials manager can scan the 5
`RFID cabinets for items that are past their expiration date or
`items that are in a lot that has been recalled so they can be
`collected for return to the manufacturer. It is particularly
`important to get this information in real time, since items
`may have been taken then Subsequently returned etc., and in 10
`previous systems the associated information (lot # serial
`number) had to be tracked at each step. Using RFID, you
`essentially have instant inventory review—fresh instanta
`neous reading of exactly what is in each location, not a
`deduction of what is in each location as a result of manual 15
`recordings of takes, returns, etc., which over time can be
`incorrect if any step in the recording process is missed.
`FIG. 3 illustrates another cabinet 20 having RF shielding
`22 on its outer walls 24 and doors 26.
`What is claimed is:
`1. An RFID cabinet for monitoring items having an RFID
`tag, the cabinet comprising:
`a cabinet comprising a back, a first side, a second side, a
`top, a bottom and at least one locking front door,
`an RFID detector for monitoring each item contained 25
`within the cabinet and for identifying data embedded
`on an RFID tag located on at least some of the items
`placed within the cabinet, the RFID detector located
`within the interior of the RFID cabinet; and
`a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein the 30
`computer controls opening and closing of the locking
`front door, wherein the computer is configured to
`receive an input that identifies a user, and wherein the
`computer is configured to periodically record data read
`from all of the RFID tags in the cabinet by the RFID 35
`detector.
`2. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein cabinet is
`manufactured of a material that confines an RFID field
`produced by the RFID detector within the interior of the
`RFID cabinet.
`3. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the first side, the
`second side and the locking front door are manufactured of
`a transparent material.
`4. The RFID cabinet of claim 3, wherein the transparent
`material is screened with a conductive material such that the 45
`RFID field is contained within the cabinet, but a user is
`permitted to see through the transparent material into the
`cabinet.
`5. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the sides
`comprise a wire mesh.
`6. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the sides
`comprise a combination of a transparent plastic and a wire
`mesh.
`7. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the RFID
`detector scans each item contained within the cabinet in a 55
`time period, such that the RFID cabinet may determine if an
`item is removed from the interior of the RFID cabinet.
`8. The RFID cabinet of claim 7, wherein time period is
`less than two seconds.
`9. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein coupling the 60
`computer to the RFID cabinet is through an interface chosen
`from a group comprising Ethernet, wireless, optical infrared,
`serial cable, or USB cable.
`10. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the input that
`identifies a user is chosen from a group comprising a userID 65
`and password, an RFID badge, a bar code, Voice recognition,
`a mag card, or biometrics.
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`50
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`8
`11. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the RFID
`detector is coupled to an Ethernet network, either directly or
`through the computer, wherein a material manager can
`connect to the reader or a database in the computer and get
`an up-to-the-second inventory of each items placed within
`the cabinet.
`12. The RFID cabinet of claim 11, wherein the cabinet is
`remote from the computer, and wherein an inventory control
`module software enables the RFID detecting device to scan
`items in the remote cabinet and to alert the material manager
`if any items are critically low or stocked out.
`13. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein a means for
`accessing the RFID cabinet comprises an RFID badge,
`wherein the locking front door of the RFID cabinet opens in
`response to the RFID badge coming into a close proximity
`of the RFID cabinet.
`14. The RFID cabinet of claim 1, wherein the cabinet is
`made of a material that provides a shield sufficient to allow
`a strong enough field within the cabinet Such that all items
`can be read using the RFID detector.
`15. A method for removing items having an RFID tag
`from an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
`providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for moni
`toring each item contained within the cabinet and for
`identifying data embedded on an RFID tag located on
`each item contained within the cabinet, the RFID
`detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet
`and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein
`the computer controls opening and closing of the
`locking front door,
`reading an input that identifies a user;
`receiving the input that identifies a user at the computer;
`unlocking the door to the RFID cabinet if the user is
`allowed access; and
`at least periodically scanning all the items in the RFID
`cabinet to determine if any items have been removed by
`the user.
`16. The method of claim 15, further comprising disabling
`the RFID detector when the door to the RFID cabinet is
`open.
`17. A method for scanning items having an RFID tag in
`an RFID cabinet, the method comprising:
`providing a cabinet having an RFID detector for moni
`toring each item contained within the cabinet and for
`identifying data embedded on an RFID tag located on
`each item contained within the cabinet, the RFID
`detector located within the interior of the RFID cabinet
`and a computer coupled to the RFID cabinet, wherein
`the computer controls opening and closing of the
`locking front door, and wherein the computer is con
`f