Location identification/management system, card reader, and location edentification/management method

• US 20080094217A1
• Filed: 08/29/2007
• Published: 04/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Inao, Yuichi, Yamada, Kenji, Okamasu, Takayuki
• Application Number:
  US11/896,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20080094217A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

In a location identification/management system, a portable medium reader reads a moving object identifier stored in a portable medium and relays the moving object identifier. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader receives relayed moving object identifier and transmits a notification containing the moving object identifier and a unique RFID-reader identifier assigned thereto. A management server receives the notification and identifies a location of the moving object from the moving object identifier and the unique RFID-reader identifier contained in the notification.

Claims

1. A system that identifies and manages a location of a moving object based on a moving object identifier stored in a portable medium that is carried by the moving object, the system comprising:

a portable medium reader that is configured to be carried by the moving object, the portable medium reader including

a reading unit that reads the moving object identifier stored in the portable medium; and

a relaying unit that relays the moving object identifier;

a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, each placed at a different location and assigned with a unique RFID-reader identifier, the RFID reader including

a first receiving unit that receives relayed moving object identifier; and

a notifying unit that transmits a notification containing the moving object identifier and the unique RFID-reader identifier assigned thereto;

a management server that includes

a second receiving unit that receives the notification; and

a identifying unit that identifies a location of the moving object from the moving object identifier and the unique RFID-reader identifier contained in the notification.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the relaying unit of the portable medium reader relays the moving object identifier a plurality of times at different timings.

3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the management server further includes an entry-access control unit that permits entry of the moving object into a predetermined place based on a route along which the moving object travels to the predetermined place, the route being a group of locations identified by the identifying unit.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the management server further includes an entry-access control unit that permits only a specific moving object to enter a predetermined place, and

when the entry-access control unit permits the specific moving object to enter the predetermined place, the identifying unit identifying a location of specific moving object after entering.

5. A portable medium reader that to be carried by a moving object, the portable medium reader comprising:

a reading unit that reads a moving object identifier from a portable medium; and

a relaying unit that relays the moving object identifier such that a radio frequency identification reader can receive relayed moving object identifier.

6. A method of managing a location of a moving object based on a moving object identifier stored in a portable medium that is carried by the moving object, the method comprising:

a first control that is performed by a portable medium reader including

reading the moving object identifier stored in the portable medium; and

relaying the moving object identifier;

a second control that is performed by a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) readers, each placed at a different location and assigned with a unique RFID-reader identifier, the second control including

receiving relayed moving object identifier; and

transmitting a notification containing the moving object identifier and the unique RFID-reader identifier assigned thereto; and

a third control that is performed by a management server including

receiving the notification; and

identifying a location of the moving object from the moving object identifier and the unique RFID-reader identifier contained in the notification.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the relaying includes relaying the moving object identifier a plurality of times at different timings.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the third control further includes permitting entry of the moving object into a predetermined place based on a route along which the moving object travels to the predetermined place, the route being a group of locations identified at the identifying.

9. The method according to claim 6, wherein the third control further includes permitting only a specific moving object to enter a predetermined place, and

when the specific moving object is permitted to enter the predetermined place, the identifying includes identifying a location of specific moving object after entering.