US 12,089,339 B2
Intelligent surface mount technology reel storage system
Bahman Khoshnood, Deerfield Beach, FL (US); Harvey Bruce Altman, Delray Beach, FL (US); and Brandon James Nolan, Boca Raton, FL (US)
Assigned to INOVAXE CORPORATION, Deerfield Beach, FL (US)
Filed by Bahman Khoshnood, Deerfield Beach, FL (US); Harvey Bruce Altman, Delray Beach, FL (US); and Brandon James Nolan, Boca Raton, FL (US)
Filed on Sep. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/948,900.
Prior Publication US 2024/0098956 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
Int. Cl. B65G 1/137 (2006.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01); G08B 5/36 (2006.01); H05K 13/00 (2006.01); H05K 13/02 (2006.01)
CPC H05K 13/0084 (2013.01) [B65G 1/1371 (2013.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01); G08B 5/36 (2013.01); H05K 13/021 (2013.01); B65G 2201/0232 (2013.01)] 10 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An intelligent inventory storage system for storing and retrieving parts and components packaged on SMT reels, said system comprising:
at least one intelligent storage tray having a bottom, opposite side walls and a back wall;
a plurality of light pipes pivotally supported in the intelligent storage tray, and each of the plurality of light pipes including a receiving end and a light emitting end, and each of the plurality of light pipes being pivotally movable between an open state and a closed state;
a plurality of LEDs each positioned adjacent to the receiving end of a correspondingly aligned one of the plurality of light pipes;
the receiving end of each of the plurality of light pipes being structured for entry of light therethrough emitted from the adjacent one of the plurality of LEDs when the light pipe is in the closed state for transmission to the light emitting end of the light pipe to indicate a status of the SMT reel;
a plurality of sensors for detecting movement of the plurality of light pipes between the open state and the closed state, and the plurality of sensors communicating with system software for assigning a single SMT reel storage location to all of the light pipes that are moved from the open state to the closed state by placement of a single SMT reel on one or more of the light pipes;
at least one beacon on the at least one intelligent storage tray for indicating actions needed to be taken in connection with the at least one intelligent storage tray; and
a printed circuit board on the at least one intelligent storage tray for controlling operation of the plurality of LEDs and communicating with the plurality of sensors.