Title: Electronic tracking system for a combination of sporting articles consisting of more than one sporting article and the use of same
Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic tracking system (1) for a combination of sporting articles (2) consisting of more than one sporting article and the potential applications thereof. At least two code transmitters (7) are provided, which are assigned to at least two structurally separate sporting articles. For the purposes of the invention, these code transmitters (7) or their data can be contactlessly detected by at least one separate control unit (6; 9). In another embodiment of the invention, a data transmission between the code transmitters (7) and a separate control unit (6; 9) via an encryption module (32) in a network can not be mistaken or account is taken of the fact that predefined sporting articles are designed beforehand as belonging to one another. In another embodiment of the invention, the control unit (6; 9) can record the codes of sporting articles belonging to a combination of sporting articles (2) and/or the code transmitters (7) of these sporting articles are assigned a code to designate that the various sporting articles belong to a combination of sporting articles (2). In yet another embodiment of the invention, the code transmitters (7) and/or at least one of the code transmitters (7) and the control unit (6; 9) are able to communicate up to a distance of 30 m.
Patent Number: 7,017,808 Issued on 03/28/2006 to Holzer
| Inventors:
|
Holzer; Helmut (St. Johann, AT)
|
| Assignee:
|
ATOMIC Austria GmbH (Altenmarkt im Pongau, AT)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
685969 |
| Filed:
|
October 15, 2003 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
| Oct 15, 2002[AT] | A 1562/2002 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
235/385; 340/572.1; 340/540 |
| Current Intern'l Class: |
G06F 19/00 (20060101) |
| Field of Search: |
235/385
340/572.1,540
|
References Cited [Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
| 5959530 | Sep., 1999 | Lupien et al.
| |
| 6031863 | Feb., 2000 | Jusa et al.
| |
| 6275153 | Aug., 2001 | Brooks.
| |
| 6554188 | Apr., 2003 | Johnson et al.
| |
| 2001/0000118 | Apr., 2001 | Sines et al.
| |
| 2002/0121980 | Sep., 2002 | Wan et a.
| |
| 2003/0023337 | Jan., 2003 | Godfrey et al.
| |
| 2003/0163287 | Aug., 2003 | Vock et al.
| |
| Foreign Patent Documents |
| 000601 | Jan., 1996 | AT.
| |
| 19644035 | May., 1998 | DE.
| |
| 198 24 323 | Dec., 1999 | DE.
| |
| 20112167 | Nov., 2001 | DE.
| |
| 0 441318 | Feb., 1991 | EP.
| |
| 0 621 566 | Oct., 1994 | EP.
| |
| 1190750 | Mar., 2002 | EP.
| |
| 2778987 | Nov., 1999 | FR.
| |
| WO99/54005 | Oct., 1999 | WO.
| |
| WO01/82235 | Nov., 2001 | WO.
| |
| WO02/25584 | Mar., 2002 | WO.
| |
Other References
"Magic Wardrobe: Situated Shopping from you own Bedroom" article by Wan in "Personal
Technologies"(2000) 4: 234-237.
|
Primary Examiner: Stcyr; Daniel
Assistant Examiner: Hess; Daniel A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Collard & Roe, P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An electronic tracking system for a combination of sporting articles consisting
of a plurality of structurally different sporting articles including a retaining
mechanism for a sport shoe and a sport shoe, comprising
(a) at least two code transmitters integrated respectively in the retaining mechanism
for the sport shoe and in the sport shoe and assigned to the retaining mechanism
and the sport shoe,
(1) at least one of the code transmitters assigned to the retaining mechanism
containing and displaying data relating the properties and/or settings of the retaining
mechanism, and
(2) at least one of the code transmitters assigned to the sport shoe containing
and displaying data relating the properties and/or settings of the sport shoe, and
(b) at least one control unit for contactlessly detecting the data of the code
transmitters integrated respectively in the retaining mechanism for the sport shoe
and in the sport shoe, the control unit being arranged to analyze the data and
to ascertain whether the retaining mechanism for the sport shoe and of the sport
shoe have the properties and/or settings to make their combination safe.
2. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit has a
maximum detection range of 3 m.
3. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit has a
maximum detection range of 1 m.
4. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the retaining mechanism
is a board-type runner device.
5. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the code
transmitters is designed to communicate with other code transmitters and/or at
least one of the control units.
6. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is a software-operated,
commercially available portable computer.
7. The electronic tracking system of claim 6, wherein the computer has at least
one interface for local or remote transmission of signals and data via a local-area
or global network.
8. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is a so-called
palmtop or a mobile telephone.
9. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is a computer
in the form of a wrist watch which can be worn on the human body and is supplied
by an electric mains network or a separate power supply.
10. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the control unit is a
software-operated mobile telephone for UMTS mobile telephone networks.
11. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of the code
transmitters of the sport articles belonging together or intended to be used together
have a code that cannot be mistaken for codes of other sport article groups.
12. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the code
transmitters contains and displays physiological and/or performance-related data
pertaining to a user.
13. The electronic tracking system of claim 12, wherein at least one of the control
units can be worn on the body and contains and displays physiological and/or performance-related
data pertaining to a user.
14. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the control
units is stationary and disposed at an access area to a sports facility.
15. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the control
units has a visual and/or acoustic output device for issuing information.
16. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sporting
articles has a visual and/or acoustic output device for issuing information.
17. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the code
transmitters contains and displays personal data and owner-related data.
18. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the control
units checks the data of the code transmitters assigned to the retaining mechanism
and the sport shoe to ascertain that they are correctly used and that they belong together.
19. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the control
units checks the date of the code transmitter assigned to the retaining mechanism
and the data of a code transmitter of a user or of a personal, user-side control
unit to ensure correct use and that they belong to each other.
20. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the control
units has a standard communication interface for loading and/or downloading data
from and/or to a public communication network.
21. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the data of at least one
of the code transmitters are codes or pointers for data sets stored in at least
one of the control units and/or in an external data network.
22. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, wherein the data of the code transmitters
can be fixed and/or edited exclusively by an authorized point.
23. The electronic tracking system of claim 1, comprising a sensor connected
to at least one of the code transmitters for detecting system-related parameters
or changing parameter values.
24. The electronic tracking system of claim 23, wherein the sensor is designed
to detect a release force of the retaining mechanism.
25. The electronic tracking system of claim 23, wherein the sensor is designed
to detect a Z-value setting of a safety ski binding.
26. An electronic tracking system for a combination of sporting articles consisting
of a plurality of structurally separate sporting articles including sporting articles
designed for use in pairs, comprising
(a) at least two code transmitters assigned to the pairs of sporting articles,
at least one of the code transmitters signaling intended use on the left and/or
right, and
(b) a network for transmitting data between the code transmitters and at least
one control unit for detecting that the sporting articles are used on the intended side.
27. The electronic tracking system of claim 26, wherein at least one of the control
units distinguishes between a sporting article intended for use on the right-hand
and/or left-hand side and checks that they are being used correctly.
28. The electronic tracking system of claim 26, wherein the sporting articles
designed for use in pairs are board-type runner devices, further comprising a code
transmitter assigned to a sport shoe, and at least one of the control units checking
the use of at least one of the board-type runner devices on the designated side
of a user.
29. The electronic tracking system of claim 26, wherein at least one of the code
transmitters and of control units keeps a constant log of changing data and stores
at least the last up-to-date set of data in a memory device.
30. An electronic tracking system for a combination of sporting articles consisting
of a plurality of structurally separate sporting articles, comprising
(a) at least two code transmitters respectively assigned to two sporting articles,
(b) at least one control unit in contactless communication with the code transmitters
for communication between the code transmitters and the control unit over a range
of 30 m,
(1) at least one code transmitter and/or the control unit has a distance-measuring
system for determining the distance from a possible communication response point, and
(2) the control unit has a programming mode enabling the code transmitters to
detect the sporting articles of the combination automatically.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electronic tracking system for a combination of sporting
articles consisting of several sporting articles, comprising at least two code
transmitters, which are assigned to at least two structurally independent sporting
articles, as well as the possible applications of an electronic tracking system.
2. The Prior Art
Patent specification WO 99/54005 A1 describes a method of identifying sporting
articles, in particular a ski or surf board, a shoe or water sports equipment,
by means of labels, which can be read without the need for any contact. The label
has a first memory zone containing a clear identification of the label and a second
re-writeable memory zone in which data transmitted from an external device can
be stored.
Patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 6,275,153 B1 describes a ski lift system,
in which the various chair lift tracks are provided with RFID reading devices and
a RFID transponder is provided on a ski or snowboard, thereby enabling an identification
number to be read. In another embodiment, a card with a magnetic stripe is described
and the identification of the RFID transponder is stored on this magnetic card
and predefined actions are initiated on the basis of a comparison and verification
of the stored data.
Patent specification EP 0 441 318 B1 discloses a ski with a permanent identification
label, integrated in an adhesive layer in a ski, provided in the form of a magnetic
bar code, for example. The label is integrated right at the start of the manufacturing
process and is therefore not visible and can not be mechanically damaged.
Patent specification WO 02/25584 A1 describes a composite, in other words
a flat, layered laminate, with a RFID or EAS element, which can be affixed in close
proximity to an adjoining metal object. This RFID composite label has a foam-expandable
layer of material which can absorb RF radiation, which reduces the density on activation,
thereby increasing the distance from the metal object. This reduces attenuation
of the RFID antenna by the metal object, preventing the RFID antenna from deviating
from the set tuning.
Patent specification DE 201 12 167 U1 discloses a ski board with a label designed
to exchange data and the label is positioned at a distance several or 2 mm from
each metallic body in the laminate. However, the reading range which can be achieved
as a result is not sufficient or satisfactory for all applications.
Patent specification DE 196 44 035 A1 discloses a system for identifying moving
sports equipment by means of a passive transponder, which may contain information
that can be read by means of a sensor, provided externally to the sports equipment
or connected to it, and a display device.
Document AT 000 601 U1 discloses a method in which a data carrier is inserted
in part of a piece of equipment, which can be verified via a control station of
the sports facility. In one embodiment of this access control system for sports
facilities, the data carrier is inserted in the piece of apparatus during manufacture.
The piece of apparatus is described as being a ski, the rear end region of a ski,
a ski binding component, a ski stick, the toe or heel region or a shoe.
Patent specification WO 01/82235 A1 describes a hire system for sports equipment,
in which the hired sports equipment (hire ski) is fitted with a data carrier which
operates contactlessly and carries certain personal identification data which is
the same as that contained in the data carrier authorising access. This data carrier
communicates with a device at the access terminal via a reading device. It compares
the personal identification data on the data carrier of the sporting article with
the data stored on the data carrier used for authorising access. In addition to
personal data, other data relating to the hire transaction can also be stored on
the data carrier and the hire data can be stored on the access terminal so that
access can be barred if the data does not match.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The underlying objective of the present invention is to propose an electronic
tracking system for a combination of sporting articles consisting of more than
one sporting article, which enables a contactless networking of identification
codes and data within a combination of sporting articles and which offers a plurality
of practicable applications.
This objective is achieved by the invention due to the fact that code transmitters
or their data can be contactlessly detected by at least one separate control unit.
The advantage of this approach is that the electronic tracking system enables
combinations of sporting articles consisting of at least two sporting articles
to be unambiguously identified by code transmitters, and the data stored in the
code transmitters can be specifically assigned to the different sporting articles
making up the combination of sporting articles, thereby providing the facility
for an at least largely automated system of controlling and tracking sporting articles
belonging to a set of combined sporting articles or monitoring their safety. Alternatively
or in combination, the at least individual sporting articles belonging to a combination
of sporting articles can be linked to a user or owner and verified. Due to the
fact that this data can be detected contactlessly by a control unit, operation
of the tracking system and the actual tracking process itself is made easier to
manipulate. The detection and control process is uncomplicated and quick, both
for the operator of the tracking system and for the user.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the control unit checks
or
determines at least individual sporting articles to ascertain to which combination
of sporting articles they belong or runs to ensure they are a correct match, and
the advantage of this is that the individual sporting articles can be checked on
a largely automated basis to determine the combination to which they belong or
to ensure that they are a correct match. As a result, any situation in which the
safety of the user might be compromised, such as might occur due to the use of
sporting articles which do not belong with one another or are not intended to be
used together, can be prevented or at least a warning issued.
The advantage of limiting the detection range to a maximum of 3 m, in particular
1 m, is that it prevents any mutual interference with other tracking systems as
far as possible. On the other hand, it enables basic parameters to be clearly defined
in order to establish error-free communication for specific purposes.
If the electronic tracking system is configured so that at least one of the code
transmitters is provided in the form of a transponder, standard and readily available
code transmitters can be used for the system, thereby keeping the cost of fitting
individual sporting articles with appropriate code transmitters low.
Configuring the electronic tracking system to operate with transponders
which do not require batteries means that the code transmitters can be integrated
in the respective sporting articles and will not require any maintenance.
Configuring the electronic tracking system with transponders that are
connected to a power supply system offers the possibility of using active code
transmitters with their own power supply unit, making them independent of external
power sources. This individual power supply systems also enables a relatively long
and reliable communication range to be obtained.
Another approach which offers advantages is to design the electronic tracking
system so that the transponder has a memory system with a random access memory
and/or a read-only memory (ROM), enabling data specific to sporting articles and
users to be stored, so that it can be easily read and stored in a random access
memory. Production data or other hard data can be safely stored in a read-only memory.
Another embodiment of the electronic tracking system in which the transponder
has a computer device, in particular a micro-controller and a memory system, offers
the advantage that data can be stored in the memory device of the code transmitter
so that it can be processed and manipulated directly by the computer device and
the results of this processing written back to the memory device.
In another advantageous embodiment of the electronic tracking system, one of
the
code transmitters can be integrated in a board-type runner device, so that data
specific to a sporting article and/or a user can be unambiguously assigned to a
board-type runner device and this data will then be available for reading in the
code transmitter integrated in the board-type runner device.
The electronic tracking system can be configured so that at least one of the
code transmitters is integrated in a sport shoe, so that data specific to a sporting
article and/or a user can be unambiguously assigned to the sport shoe and this
data will then be available for reading in the code transmitter integrated in the
sport shoe.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, one of the code transmitters
is integrated in a retaining mechanism for a sport shoe, so that data specific
to a sporting article and/or a user can be unambiguously assigned to a retaining
mechanism for a sport shoe and this data will then be available for reading in
the code transmitter.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one of the
code
transmitters incorporates an active transmission system for electromagnetic waves
and/or permitting one-way or two-way communication with other code transmitters
and/or the control unit, so that a one- or two-way communication can be established
across longer distances with other code transmitters or with a control unit, so
that data pertaining to the individual sporting articles can be exchanged or read.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the control unit is
advantageously
driven by software on a standard portable computer unit, which enables the functions
of the control unit to be extended or edited in a simple manner, merely by editing
the software, thereby making it relatively easy to adapt the system to suit requirements.
In one embodiment, the control unit is a mobile computer unit with at least one
interface for enabling a local or remote transmission of signals and data via a
local-area or global network, thereby providing a simple means of communicating
with other devices in a local-area or global network.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the local-area or global
network is operated on the basis of a radio network, thereby obviating the need
for complex wiring between communicating sites.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the control unit is provided
in the form of a so-called palmtop, handheld computer or a mobile telephone, the
advantage of which is that it enables the use of relatively inexpensive standard
equipment that has been widely tried and tested, so that the control unit can be
programmed to operate the desired functions through appropriate software.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the control unit is provided
in the form of a computer unit which can be worn on the human body and is powered
on an autarchic basis by electric power networks or has its own power supply, preferably
in the form of a wrist watch or a so-called wrist-top computer, the advantage of
which is that the control unit can be integrated in a wrist watch so that it causes
no, or at least very little, discomfort to the user.
Also of advantage is another embodiment, in which the control unit is provided
in the form of a software-driven mobile telephone for UMTS mobile telephone networks,
which means that an existing mobile telephone can be used as the control unit merely
by adapting the software and the operating system.
As a result of the advantageous embodiment of the electronic tracking system
in
which the control unit has a transmitter and/or receiver unit for electromagnetic
waves which can be received and/or transmitted by the code transmitters, a communication
or data exchange or data reconciliation can be established wirelessly between the
individual code transmitters and the control unit.
If the electronic tracking system is configured so that the transmitter and/or
receiver unit incorporates an electric coil, code transmitters can be powered by
induction, thereby obviating the need to provide a separate power supply system
inside the code transmitter.
In another embodiment in which several code transmitters for specific sporting
articles belonging to a set or intended to be used together are assigned an identification
code so that they can not be confused with other groups of sporting articles, sporting
articles which are very different in construction but nevertheless belong to the
same set can be tagged together as part of one unmistakable group.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one of the
code
transmitters assigned to a retaining mechanism contains and displays data relating
to the properties and/or settings of the retaining mechanism, which means that
data pertaining to the settings of the retaining mechanism, for example, can be
read and stored and this data can then be used to run a check or ensure that the
retaining mechanism matches a specific sport shoe or user.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one code transmitter
assigned to a sport shoe contains and displays data relating to the properties
and/or settings of the sport shoe, which means that data pertaining to the sport
shoe can be read and binding settings applied or modifications made in order to
adapt to user-specific requirements, for example.
Also of advantage is another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, in
which at least one code transmitter assigned to a board-type runner device contains
and displays data relating to the properties and/or settings of the board-type
runner device, so that data pertaining to specific sports equipment can be read
and stored on an automated basis and a match made with other sporting articles
or in respect of a user.
In one embodiment, at least one of the code transmitters contains and displays
physiological and/or performance-related data pertaining to the associated user
or operator, so that this performance-related data can be used to adapt the respective
sporting article more closely to the requirements or physiology of the user.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the control system can be
worn on the body of the user and may contain and display physiological and/or performance-related
data pertaining to the user or operator, the advantage of which is that specific
aspects personal data about the user is virtually always available irrespective
of the sporting articles.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the control unit is
stationary
and is disposed in front of or in an access area to sports facilities, lifts or
pistes, the advantage of which is that it offers a simple means of running an authorisation
check in the access area to sports facilities, for example.
In an embodiment of the electronic tracking system in which the control unit
has
at least one visual and/or acoustic output system for issuing warnings or information,
information or warnings can be simply and rapidly heard and displayed.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one of the
sporting
articles has at least one visual and/or acoustic output system for issuing warnings
and/or information, the advantage of which is that relevant information can be
output directly on the sporting article.
In another embodiment, at least one of the code transmitters contains and displays
personal data or data relating to the owner, which provides a simple means of controlling
access and authorisation.
The advantage of a configuration of the electronic tracking system in which the
control unit checks the data of the at least one code transmitter on the sport
shoe and the data of the at least one code transmitter of the retaining mechanism
to ensure correct use or check that they belong to the correct combination, is
that it can prevent injury to the user in situations where the sport shoe is not
being used with the correct retaining mechanism for a sport shoe.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the control unit checks
the data of the code transmitter of the retaining mechanism and the data of the
code transmitter of the user or the data of a personal user-end control unit to
ascertain correct usage or correct assembly of combinations, the advantage of which
is that because the settings of the retaining mechanism for a sport shoe are checked
along with the user data, an inadmissible setting or a change made to such a setting
can be detected.
The advantage of the configuration in which the control unit can load or call
data via a standardised communication interface up or down from a public communications
network, for example the Internet, is that data such as service parameters for
example, can be exchanged with other computers of the manufacturer worldwide, for
example across the Internet.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the data of at least one
code transmitter consists of codes or pointers for data sets stored in the control
unit and/or in an external data network, the advantage of which is that large data
sets can be stored in the communication system or in an external data network and
only pointers to these data sets will need to be stored and displayed in the code transmitters.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the data of the code
transmitters can be set up and/or edited by an authorised service only, which advantageously
prevents unauthorised tampering with the data in the code transmitters.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one of the code
transmitters is connected to at least one sensor for detecting system-relevant
parameters or changes in the values of parameters, enabling sensors to transmit
instantaneous measurement values or parameter settings to the code transmitters,
for example, thereby permitting a response to these sensor measurement values.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the sensor is programmed
to detect a release force of the retaining mechanism, in particular to detect a
Z-value setting of a safety ski binding, as a result of which sensors can detect
the Z-value of the retaining mechanism for a sport shoe and transmit it to code transmitters.
The advantage of an embodiment of the electronic tracking system in which the
control unit is programmed to interrogate the code transmitters as and when necessary
or on a periodically recurring basis and this data is processed on the basis of
or assisted by software, is that data from the code transmitters can be detected
depending on requirements, e.g. by the service operator, and processed with the
assistance of software.
The objective of the invention is achieved independently due to the fact that
a data transmission can be run across a network between the code transmitters and
a separate control unit via an encryption system without being confused with others
or the sporting articles can be processed as a predefined set. The advantage of
this approach is that sporting articles belonging to a sporting article combination
consisting of at least two sporting articles are able to communicate within a network
in such a way that a sporting article belonging to a combination of sporting articles
is unambiguously identified during communication via the encryption module and
associated sporting articles have a common encryption code. This securely rules
out any communication or any data exchange, in particular an evaluation of technical
data of the information exchanged or received by a control system or by a code
transmitter which does not relate to the predefined combination of sporting articles.
This system specifically ensures that only the respective information or data pertaining
to sporting articles of a predefined group or within a set combination of sporting
article is evaluated and taken into account. The communication system, which is
preferably operated on a contactless or wireless basis, is therefore effectively
able to prevent misinterpretations or the instigation of inappropriate actions
due to parasitic signals from parties which do not belong to the associated network
or communication system.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one of the
code
transmitters has a transmitter and/or receiver unit, for example an antenna or
an electric coil, either in its integrated circuit or externally, which means that
a transmitter and/or receiver unit can be provided directly in the integrated circuit
of a code transmitter or alternatively in a separate place in order to be able
to operate an efficient and long-range wireless data transmission to other systems.
In some embodiments of the electronic tracking system, one of the code transmitters
is used to identify right-hand and/or left-hand sporting articles used in pairs
and/or the control unit distinguishes between a sporting article specifically intended
for right-hand use or left-hand use and checks that they are being used correctly
and/or a code transmitter is assigned to a sport shoe and/or a board-type runner
device intended for use as part of a pair and/or the control unit checks the use
of the sporting article, in particular at least one board-type runner device, to
ensure that it is being used on the correct side, the advantage of which is that
it offers the possibility of being able to distinguish between sporting articles
specifically designed to be used on the left-hand side or right-hand side, especially
where sporting articles are designed to be used in pairs. By instigating appropriate
actions, for example by issuing appropriate signals or alerts and/or even locking
the respective sporting article to prevent it from being used, the user can be
protected from injury which might otherwise occur due to incorrect use on the one
hand, whilst the sporting article is no longer at risk of damage on the other.
As an alternative to or in combination with the above, this automated control of
to check that sporting article is being used in the intended manner is always available
to the producer, to ensure maximum performance of the combination of sporting articles.
This might apply, for example, in the case of specially made left-hand and right-hand
skis, especially for skis with different external and internal radii or with mutually
offset edge geometries.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one of the code
transmitters and/or the control unit continuously logs changes to data and at least
the most recent set of valid data is stored in a memory device, which means that
edited data can be logged on a constant basis and stored in the memory device for
subsequent evaluation. This enables useful statistical evaluations or historical
logs to be produced.
Another embodiment of the electronic tracking system is of advantage because
at least one of the sporting articles has a visual and/or acoustic output system
to alert to theft and an output device on the sporting article will automatically
issue an alert on detection of theft, thereby robbing criminals of any incentive
to make off with such sporting articles.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, a loose layer of highly
permeable ferrite pigment or a film of ferrite is provided between metal elements
of the sporting article and an immediately adjoining code transmitter, which reduces
attenuation of the electromagnetic field by metal objects in the vicinity of the
code transmitter. In particular, the code transmitters may be placed very close
to the metal objects of a sporting article whilst nevertheless obtaining a relatively
high reading range and detection distance between the code transmitters and an
external control or reading unit. This significant increase in the maximum communication
range is nevertheless achieved using relatively inexpensive and structurally simple means.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one of the
code
transmitters may be detachably affixed to the sporting article, the advantage of
which is that code transmitters can be retrofitted on existing sporting articles
without any difficulty.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, the code transmitter
is non-detachably affixed to a sporting article by means of a non-positive connection,
for example by ultrasonic welding, vibration welding, friction welding, laser welding,
bonding or similar, which means that relevant data to be protected prior to manipulation
and code transmitters are virtually inseparable from the sporting article or can
only be removed by force, necessarily causing damage.
The various applications of an electronic tracking system in terms of protecting
against and deterring theft and/or tracking sporting articles stolen from a combination
of sporting articles and/or enhancing the safety of a user and/or automating and/or
improving production logistics and/or storage and/or retailing and/or assembly
and/or hire and rental and/or maintenance and inspection and/or contactless access
authorisation to sports facilities and/or lifts and/or pistes, offer a user inexpensive
and reliable protection against theft of the sporting articles making up the combination
of sporting articles and make it easier to keep track of missing sporting articles.
Alternatively or in combination with the above, this electronic tracking system
affords the user better protection against injury, by evaluating codes specific
to sporting articles and/or users and issuing at least one appropriate warning
if the automated evaluation or check detects certain anomalies. Alternatively to
or in combination with the above, further advantages and improvements and simplifications
can be obtained in terms of logistics and throughout the entire production process
and/or in respect of subsequent service and hire operation, because individual
sporting articles can be specifically identified by means of an at least partially
automated tracking system. Alternatively to or in combination with the above, the
specified electronic tracking system provides a simple and reliable means of controlling
access to secured areas or areas where an admission fee is payable, which is particularly
convenient for users and operators.
Irrespective of the above, the objective of the invention is independently
achieved by means of an electronic tracking system, in which the code transmitters
are linked to a control unit via a contactless communication link and the control
unit registers the codes of sporting articles belonging to a combination of sporting
articles and/or the code transmitters of these sporting articles assigns a code
to the different sporting articles designating them as being part of a combination
of sporting articles. The advantage of this is that a contactless communication
between the code transmitters and the control unit is easy to operate and the control
unit is able to recognise sporting articles as being part of an unmistakable combination
of sporting articles on a largely automated basis using passive code transmitters
that can not be tampered with and are as far as possible specific or unique, and
the control unit is capable of allocating the corresponding group code to the matching
sporting articles or their code transmitters making it very easy to add or remove
individual elements to or from a combination of sporting articles. In particular,
the system offers a passive and/or active detection and programming solution which
is for the most part automated and above all requires very little in the way of
manual operation but is nevertheless reliable and failsafe.
The objective of the invention is also independently achieved due to the fact
that communication can be established between the code transmitters and the control
unit via a contactless communication link and communication can be operated between
the code transmitters and/or at least one of the code transmitters and the control
unit across a distance of 30 m. The advantage of this is that a tracking system
of this type offering contactless communication between the code transmitters and
the control system is simple to set up across longer distances between communicating
devices and offers seamless operation.
In another embodiment, reception sensitivity and/or a transmission range of the
code transmitters is set and/or can be set to a maximum communication distance
of approximately 1 m and/or a transmission range and/or the reception sensitivity
of the control unit is set and/or can be set to a maximum communication distance
of approximately 1 m from a code transmitter, the advantage of which is that because
a maximum possible communication range can be set for the code transmitters and
the control unit, the system can be readily adapted to suit the intended application
and the site of application.
In one embodiment of the electronic tracking system, a communication interface
of at least one code transmitter and/or a communication interface of the control
unit co-operates with an encryption and/or decryption system, the advantage of
which is that because the transmitted data is encrypted, it can not be intercepted,
making it more difficult to misuse the exchanged and transmitted data.
In another embodiment of the electronic tracking system, at least one code transmitter
and/or the control unit has a distance-measuring device for determining the distance
to a possible communication site, thereby enabling a communication channel to be
established within a pre-settable distance from the site or an action run in the
tracking system to be initiated only at a predefined distance or orientation relative
to a corresponding site. In particular, the respective actions will not be initiated
except at a predefined distance from a corresponding site. Any undesirable or premature
instigation of actions, such as passing an access control system but from too far
a distance for example, can therefore easily be prevented.
Also of advantage is the embodiment of the electronic tracking systems, in which
the control unit has a programming mode, by means of which the code transmitter
of the sporting article belonging to a combination of sporting articles can be
automatically detected, because all the sporting articles belonging to a combination
of sporting articles can be largely automatically detected. Apart from improving
the user-convenience of automated detection, the high level of error-free operation
is also an important factor in a grouping system of this type.
The embodiment of the electronic tracking systems in which the control unit has
a programming mode by means of which the code transmitter of the sporting article
belonging to a combination of sporting articles can be programmed with unmistakable
codes means that the sporting article belonging to a combination of sporting articles
can be largely automatically and actively controlled by providing it with a group
code by external programming.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The tracking system proposed by the invention and its possible applications and
uses will now be described in more detail with reference to examples of embodiments
illustrated in the appended drawings. The simplified schematic diagrams given in
the drawings are as follows:
FIG. 1 is a simplified, schematic diagram depicting an example of a first embodiment
of the electronic tracking system proposed by the invention;
FIG. 2 depicts another embodiment of the electronic tracking system intended
for use in servicing and maintaining combinations of sporting articles;
FIG. 3 shows the electronic tracking system in an application used to control
access to sports facilities;
FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of an electronic code transmitter which
can be used in the tracking system;
FIG. 5 illustrates another possible embodiment of a code transmitter for the
electronic tracking system;
FIG. 6 illustrates the principle by which a mobile control unit is operated.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Firstly, it should be pointed out that the same parts described in the different
embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers and the same component names
and the disclosures made throughout the description can be transposed in terms
of meaning to same parts bearing the same reference numbers or same component names.
Furthermore, the positions chosen for the purposes of the description, such as
top, bottom, side, etc, relate to the drawing specifically being described and
can be transposed in terms of meaning to a new position when another position is
being described. Individual features or combinations of features from the different
embodiments illustrated and described may be construed as independent inventive
solutions or solutions proposed by the invention in their own right.
FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of the electronic tracking system
1
proposed by the invention.
An electronic tracking system
1 of this type is used to control and detect
a combination of sporting articles
2 consisting of more than one structurally
separate sporting articles, comprising a pair of board-type runner boards
3,
a pair of retaining mechanisms
4 for sport shoes and a pair of sport shoes
5.
Accordingly, the electronic tracking system
1 has a control unit
6, which may or may not be stationary, several code transmitters
7
assigned to the individual sports particles and optionally a control unit
9
which can be worn on the body of the user
8.
As an example of a combination of sporting articles
2, the description
will be based on a combination of at least two, generally three, sporting articles
consisting of a board-type runner device
3, at least one retaining mechanism
4 for a sports shoe on the board-type runner device
3 and a sports
shoe
5. By board-type runner device
3 is meant a ski, such as an
Alpine ski or cross-country ski, or a touring ski or a trick ski as well as similar
board-type runner devices
3, such as a snowboard, a surf board, a water
ski and similar board-type runner devices
3, consisting of a single sports
device or sports equipment used in pairs.
The tracking system
1 proposed by the invention may also be used in applications
relating to tennis racquets and tennis shoes or for inline skates, roller boots,
jogging shoes or football shoes, or also in the field of diving equipment.
The communication to check whether individual sporting articles are correctly
matched or belong to one another is effected without contact between the stationary
control unit
6 and/or the mobile control unit
9 and the individual
code transmitters
7 via a radio route
10.
This being the case, the stationary control unit
6 may be mounted in
the access region to sports facilities, lifts or pistes. Alternatively, however,
the mobile control unit
9 may be used instead of or in addition to the stationary
control unit
6. In order to identify the individual sporting articles, at
least one code transmitter
7 is integrated in each of the sporting articles.
These code transmitters
7 contain and display codes and code data about
the respective sporting article to which they are physically assigned. For example,
the board-type runner device
3 or another sporting article which is used
largely separately is not just fitted with a single code transmitter
7,
but may also contain several code transmitters
7. The number of code transmitters
7 will depend on several factors. In order to identify individual sporting
articles clearly without any ambiguity, such as the sport shoe
5 or the
board-type runner device
3 for example, it is sufficient to provide only
a single code transmitter
7 as a rule. Where parts of a sporting article
belong to one another functionally, for example the retaining mechanism
4
for a sport shoe, the front binding part
11 as well as the rear binding
part
12 can each carry at least one separate code transmitter
7.
Depending on requirements, the number of code transmitters
7 in individual
sporting articles may also be "greater than one". This will be the case in particular
if different types of measurement data, such as personal data, functional data,
safety data or similar data, in particular temperature, speed, ozone values, vital
functions, GPS position and other variables are to be detected by one or more sensors
13, taking the rear binding part
12 for this example, and transmitted
to the or the respectively co-operating code transmitters
7.
Another option for integrating the mobile control unit
9 in a sports
device is to provide it in the front or rear binding part
11,
12
or a retaining system on the sport shoe
5.
The mobile control unit
9 and/or the stationary control unit
6
is in any event a response point or target point of a data communication system
involving the individual sporting articles making up the combination of sporting
articles
2. Via the control unit
6 and/or
9, a check can be
run, amongst other things, to ascertain whether the individual sporting articles
belong to one another. To this end, the data of the code transmitters
7
is contactlessly read by the control unit
6 and/or
9 and data may
optionally be stored in the code transmitters
7. By checking whether the
latter belong to one another is meant that a check is run to ascertain whether
the individual sporting articles are part of a combination of sporting articles
2 intended to be used in conjunction with one another. If they do not belong
together, an appropriate warning can be issued by the control unit
6,
9
or the sporting article itself, preferably by visual or acoustic means. This being
the case, the control unit
6,
9 may have a programming mode, enabling
it to detect automatically the individual data and codes or ID codes of the code
transmitter
7 of each sporting article belonging to a combination of sporting
articles
2. Conversely, it would also be possible for the code transmitters
7 of one of the sporting articles belonging to a combination of sporting
articles
2 to be programmed with unmistakable codes from the control unit
6 and/or
9.
As an alternative to or in combination with the above, a check may also be run
to ascertain whether individual sporting articles are being used. For example,
if a shoe designed for an alpine ski is being used in conjunction with a shoe designed
for a touring ski, a warning can be triggered. Similarly, a mismatch of sporting
articles intended for use in pairs, in particular board-type runner devices
3,
may also trigger an appropriate alarm. A check may be run to ascertain whether
a specific ski intended for use on the right-hand side is actually being used on
the right foot by checking its spatial disposition or distance from the right or
left sport shoe
5 or by linking up to the right or left sport shoe
5
for example. Naturally, it would also be possible to check the correct or intended
use regarding the left-hand side or alternatively to check both sports devices
of a pair of sporting articles to ensure that they are being used as intended.
By using sensors to detect characteristic data relating to sporting articles,
another option is to issue a warning if parts of the individual sporting articles
are defective, for example.
FIG. 2 illustrates an application where the electronic tracking system
1
is employed in a service and maintenance facility for sporting articles making
up a combination of sporting articles.
In this embodiment, the tracking system
1 proposed by the invention may
also be used in a repair, service or maintenance facility.
This being the case, personal data pertaining to the user
8 or parameter
settings for the different sporting articles of the combination of sporting articles
2 can be stored in the stationary control unit
6. This stationary
control unit
6 may be installed by dealers or by hire firms or service and
repair companies. The personal data might include, for example, age, sex, name,
weight, body size, information about bone structure, details of the foot such as
pronate or supinate position, deviations in leg axis such as X- or O-legged positions
and/or sporting ability. Depending on the purpose of the combination of sporting
articles, the settings for the sporting articles may also include, for example,
sole length, the so-called Z-value, a value for releasing the retaining mechanism
for a sport shoe
4 relevant to safety, the type of sporting article, in
particular the ski type, the device length and/or other data relevant to the settings
and status of sports devices.
A detection unit
15 is used to detect the majority of this data and is
preferably
linked to the stationary control unit
6 via a radio route
10 or a
cable connection in order to transmit signals and data. The maximum detection range
proposed by the invention is 3m, in particular around 1 m. Again, personal data
or settings for the sporting articles may be already stored in the mobile control
unit
9 and forwarded to the stationary control unit
6 and an adjustment
and/or assembly system
14. This adjustment and/or assembly system
14
may use the stored and measured data to adjust the force needed to release the
retaining mechanism
4 of a sport shoe, for example, in particular the Z
value, on an at least substantially automatic basis. In accordance with the invention,
the electronic Z-value and other relevant settings status data for the retaining
mechanism of a sport shoe, depending on the design of the sporting article, may
be displayed via appropriate display systems such as passive or active display
elements in the form of LCDs or LEDs or OLEDs or EL or ferro-electric display elements
and be stored at the same time in the electronic tracking system
1, in which
case the Z-value can be controlled so that it is not adjusted or changed except
from an authorised point in order to ensure that the process is performed properly
and as prescribed, in which case only this authorised point will be in a position
to transmit this adjusted value to an external computer system, in other words
a control unit
6,
9, using an appropriate operating system, and will
be so using appropriate security structures of the cryptographic type, for example
with a key system based on a law governed by signatures. This being the case, any
adjustments made to the Z-value and other settings and status parameters will be
logged, thereby ensuring that unauthorised settings or adjustments can not be overwritten
or stored, at least in the internal operating system, and when contact is made
via appropriate communication interfaces to an external operating system, such
as computers on the internet, they can also be logged there as well.
FIG. 3 illustrates another possible application or deployment of the electronic
tracking systems, in particular for controlling access to sports facilities.
In this embodiment, the stationary control unit
6 is disposed in the access
area to sports facilities, lifts or pistes and checks that the user
8 is
authorised by verifying at least one of the code transmitters
7 and/or data
stored in the mobile control unit
9. If the check returns a positive result,
i.e. shows a match and confirms permission to enter, the lock of a turnstile
16,
for example, is released, allowing access to the sports facility or the piste.
If there is no match or the check returns a negative result, the turnstile 16 bars
access and may trigger a visual or acoustic warning via an acoustic and/or optical
output device disposed in the mobile control unit
9 or in the turnstile
16 itself or in the stationary control unit
6. The stationary control
unit
6 may also be provided with a system
17 for handling payment
transactions. This being the case, authorised access could be gained by making
a cash payment or alternatively by means of a chip card, for example a bank card
or credit card, enabling the data to be forwarded to a public system
17
handling cashless payment transactions. Once payment is made, the stationary control
unit
6 forwards the requisite data to the code transmitters
7 or
to the mobile control unit
9 and this data will then be stored in the memory
so that it will be recognised again on re-entry and release access.
FIG. 4 illustrates a first embodiment of a code transmitter which may be used
in the tracking system, in the form of a block diagram.
The code transmitters
7 integrated in the sporting articles are electronic
or electromechanical components, for example so-called RFID elements (Radio Frequency
Identification elements). By an RFID element hereafter is meant chip-support elements
which operate without contact, in particular so-called transponder elements. RFID
elements of this type have antennas
21 in the form of coils or dipoles,
which usually operate in the wavelength range of from 100 to 135 kHz, in the HF
range at 13.56 MHz or 27.125 MHz, in the UHF range from 400 to approximately 950
MHz, in particular at 423 or 826 or 868 or 915 MHz and/or in the microwave range
at 2.45 GHz or 5.8 GHz or 24.125 GHz. These antennas
21 may be disposed
on a base substrate or directly in an integrated circuit. Usually, the antenna
geometries are provided in the form of electrically conductive tracks or wires.
In the range used by microwave transponders, so-called slot antennas may also be
used, this type of transponder design being of particular advantage in instances
where metallic surface elements are used, and with a λ/2 slot of typically
6 cm, using 2.45 GHz, for example, thereby avoiding any detrimental effect on the
strength of the sporting article.
In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the integrated circuit is essentially
provided in the form of an electronic memory device
22. The transponders
may detect specific data relevant to the safety and comfort of the user, such as
product data, production data, personal data, functional data, safety data, hire
data, the releasing force of the retaining mechanism
4 for a sport shoe,
in particular a Z-value setting and similar, by means of appropriate sensors and
transmitter elements or this data may be stored in the memory device
22,
have being defined previously and stored there beforehand. The memory device
22
may be provided in the form of a non-volatile read-w
