Secure smart container assembly, systems, and methods

US10956864B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CAREFUSION 303, INC. · US

Inventors

• Michael Rahilly · Encinitas, US
• Brendan Burgess · Poway, US
• Ramkumar Subramanian · Sunnyvale, US
• Mustafa Yusufi · Escondido, US
• Monica Wyly · San Diego, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jun 26, 2020
• Grant date: Mar 23, 2021
• Expiry date: Jun 26, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07C9/00
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

The disclosed systems and methods provide a smart container or bin. A container bin assembly includes a bin body, a latching mechanism, and controller. A method includes receiving, via a communication interface, an authenticated request to access the smart container, actuating an electromechanical latch to disengage a fastening hook, thereby initiating a mechanical movement of an access component to make an internal compartment accessible, outputting, via an audiovisual element, an alert to identify the container, confirming that the electromechanical latch has re-engaged with the fastening hook, thereby securing the internal compartment, determining a change in a local inventory, and updating the local inventory in a non-volatile data store according to the change.