Container for securing and uniquely identifying objects

Abstract

A container for securing and uniquely identifying objects are provided for use with an asset tracking system of the type having a latching device to physically hold the container in place and to automatically sense the memory device which is part of the container. The container includes a surface for being physically latched in place, a device for securing objects such as keys and includes a circuit board which hosts the memory device. Containers are generally rectangular in shape, but include beveled surface to ensure that they can only be inserted into the asset tracking system in one direction. In one embodiment, the container is equipped with reusable metal lanyards to attach keys to the container.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A container for holding objects in an asset control system, comprising: 
 (a) an opening for accessing the interior of the container    (b) a panel covering said opening having a mechanism for retaining said panel in a closed position whereby loose objects can be stored in the container    (c) an aperture having clearance for receiving the latching device provided as part of the asset control system    (d) a solid surface for mating with said latching device whereby the container can be secured in the asset control system by the latching device of the asset control system    (e) conductive pads with an attached identification device mounted within said container in such as way as to be accessible from the exterior of the container for detection and identification by said asset control system whereby said container can be uniquely identified by the asset control system    
     
     
         2 . A container assembly as claimed in  1  and wherein said panel is attached to said container along one edge of the container and the panel is hingeable between a closed position and an open position  
     
     
         3 . A container assembly as claimed in  1  wherein a plurality of holes is formed to receive fastening devices for securing objects to said container  
     
     
         4 . A container assembly as claimed in  3  wherein the fastening device used to secure objects to the container is a metal lanyard whereby objects can be attached to and removed from the said lanyard  
     
     
         5 . A container assembly as claimed in  3  wherein the fastening device used to secure objects to the container is a ratcheting plastic device whereby said ratcheting plastic device is designed for a single use and removal of an object from the ratcheting plastic device renders the ratcheting plastic device unusable.