Number label embedded with antenna tag for measuring race runner's time records via wireless identification, and runners' time records measurement method and system using the same

• US 20040006445A1
• Filed: 09/30/2002
• Published: 01/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/04/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Speedchip Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Speedchip Company Limited
• Inventors: Paek, Min-ho
• Application Number:
  US10/259,824
• Publication Number:
  US 20040006445A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 702/178
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 10/00 Apparatus for measuring unknown time intervals by electric means
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 8/08 Means used apart from the time-piece for starting or stopping same

Abstract

A number label embedded with an antenna tag for measuring a runner'"'"'s time record using wireless identification (ID) at a recording race such as a marathon or walking race, and a runner'"'"'s recording measurement method and system using the same are provided. There was a number label having a bar code in the past. However, if a bar code is screened by the body of a person who is attached with a bar code number label or the other user'"'"'s body when a bar code reader or bar code scanner recognizes the bar code number label, the bar code may not be decoded. To solve this defect of the bar code wireless identification, there has been a technology of measuring and managing runners'"'"' IDs and time records, in which an antenna tag having a predetermined ID is attached to runners'"'"' bodies, respectively, for example, a radio frequency (RF) chip is attached to each runner'"'"'s body, and then the antenna tag communicates with an antenna array to thus perform a wireless identification. In the case of the RF tag technology, race runners should attach both an antenna tag and a number label, respectively. Accordingly, to remove the cumbersome burden attaching both the antenna tag and the number label, a number label embedded with an antenna tag is provided. For this purpose, when a race runner'"'"'s number label is made according to a predetermined standard, an antenna tag having an antenna coil and an electronic tag is embedded and integrated in the number label, in which the number label has a space where a race runner'"'"'s number is printed. A race runner'"'"'s time record is measured through a wireless ID identification process between the antenna tag embedded number label and an antenna array. Here, since the number label is usually attached on the chest and back of the race runner, the antenna array may be preferably installed over the head of the race runner in the form of a goal-post or an iron-bar. Also, it is preferable to use a step-board shaped antenna array together with a goal-post shaped antenna array for small race runners. Accordingly, a database for IDs and time records of race runners is made up in an integrated database management host computer, in order to manage the IDs and the time records. As a result, race runners'"'"' time records can be efficiently and accurately measured in time at a race where a multitude of race runners participate. Also, since race runners need not safekeep and attach antenna tags in addition to number labels, respectively, but have only to attach the antenna tags on the bodies, burdens of race runners are reduced and a manufacturing cost for the number labels and the antenna tags of sponsors is saved.

Claims

1. An antenna tag embedded number label comprising:

an antenna tag having an antenna coil wirelessly power activated by an external antenna array; and

an electronic tag transmitting a stored key value by the activated antenna coil,

wherein the antenna coil and the electronic tag are embedded and integrated in the number label, when the number label is fabricated according to a predetermined standard so as to be attached on the chest or back of each race runner to see an entry number of each race runner.

2. The antenna tag embedded number label of claim 1, wherein the antenna tag embedded number label includes a space in a number label, where an entry number of each registered race runner is printed.

3. The antenna tag embedded number label of claim 1 or 2, wherein the antenna tag embedded number label is made of two sheets of thin-film paper, cloth, plastic, vinyl, or metal as a main material.

4. A time record measurement method using an antenna tag embedded number label for measuring a time record of each race runner through wireless identification, the time record measurement method comprising the steps of:

attaching the antenna tag embedded number label on the chest or back of each race runner who participates in a time recording race;

receiving an identification (ID) output from an electronic tag by an activated antenna coil embedded in the number label with a wireless power signal generated by an antenna array, and measuring a measuring point time record, to then combine the received ID with the measuring point pass time record; and

making the ID combined measuring point pass time records into a database.

5. A time record measurement system using an antenna tag embedded number label for measuring a time record of each race runner through wireless identification, the time record measurement system comprising:

an antenna tag embedded number label attached on the chest or back of each race runner who participates in a time recording race;

an antenna array for receiving an identification (ID) output from each antenna tag attached on each race runner which is driven by a wireless power signal when each race runner who participates in the race passes through a time record measuring point, and transmitting the received identification (ID);

a time record measuring unit for initializing the time record measurement system, setting a time indicating a start of the time recording race, combining a time record with the race runner'"'"'s ID transmitted through the antenna array, and transmitting the measured time record of each race runner; and

a database management host computer for making the ID of each antenna tag and the measured time record, read and transmitted by the time record measurement unit as a database.

6. The time record measurement system of claim 5, wherein the antenna array is a goal-post shaped antenna array or iron-bar shaped antenna array installed at a height where the heads of the race runners do not contact, to thereby induce a wireless power signal to an antenna coil in the antenna tag embedded number label attached on the chest or back of each race runner and activate the antenna tag when each race runner passes below the antenna array.

7. The time record measurement system of claim 5 or 6, wherein the time record measurement system further comprises a step-board shaped antenna array for inducing a wireless power signal to the antenna coil in the antenna tag embedded number label which is attached on the upper cloth of each race runner and activating the antenna tag when each small race runner such as children passes over the antenna array.