Electronic system, components and method for tracking files

A file tracking system comprising:

• a database for maintaining file location and unique file addresses for a plurality of files;
• a processor for interfacing with said database and issuing control signals;
• a bus connected to said processor;
• an input device for receiving commands and file identification information from an operator and providing the commands and file identification information to said processor;
• a plurality of folder retainers each connected to said bus via an addressable switch having a unique address, and each including an indicator for indicating the presence of a searched for file folder that is located therein;
• and
• a plurality of file folders, each file folder including an addressable switch adapted to be electrically connected to said bus when the file folder is placed in said folder retainer, and each including an indicator that is activated when said addressable switch receives a control signal from said processor including the unique address corresponding to the file folder,
• wherein, when the operator inputs a command to search for a specific file, said processor
• identifies a first unique address and file location stored in said database as corresponding to input file identification information identifying the specific file to be searched for,
• displays the file location,
• identifies a second unique address in said database for the addressable switch of the folder retainer in which the searched for file folder is located,
• transmits a control signal that energizes a segment of said bus within the folder retainer corresponding to the searched for file,
• transmits a control signal including the second unique address to the addressable switch of the folder retainer causing the indicator of the folder retainer to activate, and
• addressable switch of the file folder containing the specific file causing the addressable switch to activate the indicator located on the file folder.

A file tracking system comprising:

• a database for maintaining file location and unique file folder address for a plurality of files, and a unique drawer address of each file drawer in which the files are located;
• a processor for interfacing with said database and issuing control signals;
• a bus connected to said processor;
• a plurality of file cabinets, connected to said processor by said bus, each of said file cabinets including a plurality of file drawers, each file drawer having:
• an outer face,
• an addressable drawer indicator switch including a unique drawer address,
• a drawer indicator light connected to said addressable drawer indicator switch and located on said outer face the file drawer,
• a first conductive rail connected to said bus for receiving control signals from said processor, and
• a second conductive rail for providing a ground,
• wherein said addressable drawer indicator switch illuminates said drawer indicator light when said addressable drawer indicator switch receives a control signal from said processor including the unique drawer address corresponding to the file drawer;
• and
• a plurality of file folders, each file folder including an addressable folder indicator switch and a folder indicator light, wherein said addressable folder indicator switch is connected to said first and second conductive rails when the file folder is placed in one of said file drawers, and said folder indicator light is illuminated when said addressable folder indicator switch receives a control signal from said processor including the unique folder address corresponding to the file folder.

A method of locating a file comprising the steps of:

• inputting information identifying the file to be located;
• accessing a database to determine a present location of the file, a unique identification code associated with a receiver at the present location of the file, and a unique identification code associated with the file;
• transmitting a first control signal to the receiver at the present location of the file, the first control signal including the unique identification code of the receiver, transmitting a second control signal to the file, the second control signal including the unique identification code of the file;
• and
• activating an annunciator in response to receipt of one of the first and second control signals.

A method of locating a file comprising the steps of:

• inputting information identifying the file to be located;
• accessing a database to determine a present location of the file, a unique identification code associated with a folder retainer in which the file is located, and a unique identification code associated with the file;
• transmitting a control signal to the file, the control signal including the unique identification code of the file and the unique identification code of the folder retainer;
• and
• illuminating an indicator light on the file in response to receipt of the control signal at the file.

A file locating system comprising:

• a database for maintaining file location and unique file addresses for a plurality of files;
• a processor for interfacing with said database and issuing control signals;
• a bus connected to said processor;
• a folder retainer, connected to said processor by said bus;
• a plurality of file folders, each file folder including an addressable switch connected to said bus when the file folder is placed in said folder retainer;
• a file locating device adapted to aid in the location of a file folder in response to control signals issued by said controller;
• and
• a conductor provided in said folder retainer and coupled to said bus, for establishing a common communication path along which said control signals issued from said processor are transferred to the addressable switches of at least two of said file folders.

A file tracking system comprising:

• a processor for issuing control signals;
• a plurality of folder retainers communicatively coupled to said processor, wherein at least one of said folder retainers is configured to support file folders in an orientation different than that in which another folder retainer supports file folders;
• and
• a plurality of file folders, each file folder including an addressable device adapted to be communicatively coupled to said processor when the file folder is placed in any one of said folder retainers.

A file tracking system comprising:

• a database for maintaining file identity, file location, and unique file addresses for a plurality of files;
• a processor for interfacing with said database and issuing control signals;
• a bus connected to said processor;
• a plurality of folder retainers connected to said processor by said bus, wherein at least one of said folder retainers is configured to support file folders in an orientation different than that in which another folder retainer supports file folders;
• and
• a plurality of file folders, each file folder including an addressable device adapted to be electrically connected to said bus when the file folder is placed in any one of said folder retainers.

A file tracking system comprising:

• a processor for issuing control signals;
• a folder retainer having electrical contacts communicatively coupled to said processor;
• and
• a plurality of file folders, each file folder including an addressable device connected to conductive contacts provided on an exterior surface of the file folder and adapted to be electrically coupled to said contacts of said folder retainer,
• wherein said folder retainer is configured to support file folders that are stacked vertically upon one another such that each addressable device on each file folder in a vertical stack supported by said folder retainer, is coupled to said electrical contents of said folder retainer through the conductive contacts provided on file folders therebelow.