Identification module, identification system comprising a plurality of identification modules and sports shoe

• US 20060097847A1
• Filed: 10/25/2004
• Published: 05/11/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: AMB i.t. Holding B.V. (Sports Timing Holding BV)
• Original Assignee: AMB i.t. Holding B.V. (Sports Timing Holding BV)
• Inventors: Bervoets, Alfonsus Maria, Schaap, Marcel
• Application Number:
  US10/973,088
• Publication Number:
  US 20060097847A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 17/0022 arrangements or provisious for transferring data to distant stations, e.g. from a sensing device "transfer between computer elements G06F13/00 "; data-transmission H04L
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10079 the collision being resolved in the spatial domain, e.g. temporary shields for blindfolding the interrogator in specific directions
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10336 the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil

Abstract

The invention relates to an identification module to identify a passive RFID tag passing said identification module, the identification module comprising an antenna arrangement adapted to transmit an activation signal to activate the passive RFID tag and to trigger a response signal from the passive RFID tag; a decoder unit adapted to process said response signal from the passive transponder to obtain identification data of the passive RFID tag; a communication unit adapted for data exchange with another identification module and at least one data output for the identification data of the passive RFID tag. The invention further relates to an identification system comprising a plurality of such identification modules and a sports shoe comprising an integrated passive RFID tag.

Claims

1. An identification module to identify a passive RFID tag passing said identification module, said identification module comprising:

an antenna arrangement adapted to transmit an activation signal to activate said passive RFID tag and to trigger a response signal from said passive RFID tag;

a decoder unit adapted to process said response signal from said passive transponder to obtain identification data of said passive RFID tag;

a communication unit adapted for data exchange with another identification module, and having at least one data output for said identification data of said passive RFID tag.

2. The identification module according to claim 1, wherein said communication unit comprises a synchronization unit and said data exchange involves synchronization data for transmitting said activation signal.

3. The identification module according to claim 1, wherein said identification module further comprises a timer and a memory module to store said identification data.

4. The identification module according to claim 1, wherein said identification module comprises a flat element, such as a tile or mat, adapted to be positioned on the ground and to be stepped on.

5. The identification module according to claim 4, wherein said flat element comprises mechanical a connector adapted to connect said flat element to one or more other identification modules.

6. An identification system to identify a passive RFID tag passing said system, said identification system comprising:

a plurality of identification modules, wherein at least one identification module comprises an antenna arrangement adapted to transmit an activation signal to activate said passive RFID tag and to trigger a response signal from said passive RFID tag and wherein each identification module comprises;

a decoder unit adapted to process said response signal from said passive RFID tag to obtain identification data of said tag;

a communication unit adapted for data exchange with another of said plurality of identification modules, and having at least one data output for said identification data of said passive RFID tag.

7. The identification system according to claim 6, wherein said system comprises a plurality of identification modules for transmitting activation signals and wherein each communication unit comprises a synchronization unit adapted to synchronize transmission of said activation signal with activation signals of other identification modules of said plurality of identification modules.

8. The identification system according to claim 7, wherein said synchronization units are adapted to synchronize transmission of said activation signal for adjacent identification modules with a phase lag in the range of 60-90°

.

9. The identification system according to claim 7, wherein said synchronization units are adapted to synchronize transmission of said activation signal for adjacent identification modules in phase or phase inverted.

10. The identification system according to claim 6, wherein said system comprises dummy modules arranged in a pattern with said identification modules.

11. The identification system according to claim 6, wherein said system comprises dummy modules arranged in a pattern with said identification modules and said dummy modules comprise data transmission lines for data exchange between said identification modules.

12. The identification system according to claim 6, wherein said identification modules are adapted to exchange said identification data wirelessly amongst each other and/or with a computer.

13. The identification system according to claim 6, wherein said identification modules are flat elements, such as a tiles or mats, adapted to be positioned on the ground and to be stepped on.

14. An identification system to identify an RFID tag passing said system and transmitting a response signal, said identification system comprising a plurality of identification modules, wherein each identification module comprises:

an antenna arrangement adapted to receive said response signal;

a decoder unit adapted to process said response signal from said passive RFID tag to obtain identification data of said tag;

a communication unit adapted for data exchange with another of said plurality of identification modules, and having at least one data output for said identification data of said passive RFID tag.

15. The identification system according to claim 14, wherein said identification system further comprises at least one activation source adapted to transmit an activation signal to trigger said response signal.

16. The identification system according to claim 14, wherein said system comprises dummy modules arranged in a pattern with said identification modules.

17. The identification system according to claim 14, wherein said identification system further comprises an activation source adapted to generate an activation field to trigger said response signal, wherein said activation source is positioned on a surface and said plurality of identification modules are position on or over said activation source in said activation field.

18. An identification module to identify an RFID tag passing said identification module and transmitting a response signal, said identification module comprising:

an antenna arrangement adapted to receive said response signal;

a decoder unit adapted to process said response signal from said passive transponder to obtain identification data of said passive RFID tag;

a communication unit adapted for data exchange with another identification module, and having at least one data output for said identification data of said passive RFID tag.

19. A sports shoe comprising a sole and foot housing, wherein at least one of said sole and said foot housing has an integrated passive RFID tag.

20. The sports shoe according to claim 19, wherein said passive RFID tag is a high frequency passive RFID tag.