Method and System for Identifying and Handling (Tracing/Locating/Identifying to Receive Services) An Owner And Items In A Secure/Private Area

• US 20090219169A1
• Filed: 02/16/2007
• Published: 09/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Beatrice Herwats
• Original Assignee: Senthis BVBA
• Inventors: Herwats, Beatrice Marie Jacqueline
• Granted Patent: US 8,334,753 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/825.490
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/0202 Child monitoring systems using a transmitter-receiver system carried by the parent and the child

Abstract

To securely handle (trace/locate/identify to receive services) of an owner and items within a secure/private area, the owner is identified (101) through owner identification means, and the items are identified (101) through reusable item identification means securely fixed to the items. A link between the owner and the items is maintained in a database, and this link is activated (103) for instance through automated/semi-automated registration of the owner upon entrance of the secure/private area (104). The owner and items are handled (traced/located/identified to receive services) (105) during a transaction or event in the secure/private area to facilitate controlling the item during the transaction or event. Optionally, the items are secured (106) in the secure/private area by monitoring departure from the secure/private area via an intelligent gate that senses owner and item identification means within a predetermined, restrictive distance from the intelligent gate.

Claims

1. A method for identifying and tracing/locating/identifying to receive services of an owner and at least one item within a secure/private area, said method comprising:

a. identifying (101) said owner through an owner identification means;

b. identifying (101) said at least one item through at least one reusable item identification means;

c. securely fixing said at least one reusable item identification means to respectively said at least one item;

d. creating (102) in a database a link between said owner and said at least one item;

e. automatically or semi-automatically activating (103) said link between said owner and said at least one item; and

f. tracing/locating/identifying to receive services (105) of said owner and said at least one item during a transaction or event in said secure/private area, and facilitating controlling said at least one item during said transaction or event.

2. A method according to claim 1, said method further comprising:

securing (106) said at least one item in said secure/private area by monitoring exit from said secure/private area through an intelligent gate that is adapted to sense said item identification means and said owner identification means linked thereto within a predetermined, restrictive distance from said intelligent gate.

3. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said owner identification means is a reusable means that stores at least an owner unique identification number of said owner and automatically identifies itself.

4. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said owner identification means is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder that forms part of a smartcard.

5. A method according to claim 3,

wherein said owner identification means is reusable with some adapted information.

6. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said at least one reusable item identification means is reusable with adapted information.

7. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said at least one reusable item identification means store a unique item identification number of said respective at least one item and said at least one item identification means automatically or semi-automatically identify themselves.

8. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said at least one reusable item identification means either:

a. form part of at least one bracelet that are securely bound to said at least one item;

or

b. form part of at least one difficult to spoil support for said at least one item;

or

c. are integrated in said at least one item.

9. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said at least one reusable item identification means comprise at least one Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder.

10. A method according to claim 1,

wherein activating said link between said owner and said at least one item involves automated or semi-automated registration of at least said owner prior to entering said secure/private area.

11. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said method further comprises:

accessing information related to said owner and said at least one item through a secure web portal.

12. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said method further comprises:

accessing automated messages indicative for the status of tracing/locating/identifying to receive services of said at least one item through a secure web portal or via Short Message Service (SMS).

13. A method according to claim 2,

wherein said intelligent gate senses said item identification means within said restrictive area, connects to said database for retrieving information on said owner linked to said item, and senses said owner identification means within said restrictive area before enabling exit from the restricted area.

14. A method according to claim 2,

wherein said intelligent gate comprises at least one RFID transceiver.

15. A method according to claim 1,

wherein said owner is a passenger, said at least one item is at least one baggage, and said secure/private area is an airport area;

or

wherein said owner is a passenger, said at least one item is at least one child accompanying said passenger, and said secure/private area is an airport area;

or

wherein said owner is an employee/contractor, said at least one item is at least one employer file/asset, and said secure/private area is a company area;

or

wherein said owner is a library subscriber, said at least one item is at least one book, and said secure/private area is a library area;

or

wherein said owner is an art/antiques collector, said at least one item is at least one artistic work/antiques, and said secure/private area is a housing or an auction/expert house;

or

wherein said owner is a visitor, said at least one item is at least one cloth, and said secure/private area is a cloakroom;

or

wherein said owner is a customer, said at least one item is a product bought and said secure/private area is a house, supplier shop or a coverage area to use this product;

or

wherein said owner is a member of a club, said at least one item is an owner asset or a club asset and said secure/private area is a club.

16. A system for identifying and handling (tracing/locating/identifying to receive services) an owner and at least one item within a secure/private area, said system comprising:

a. identification means for identifying said owner;

b. at least one item identification means for identifying said at least one item, securely fixed to respectively said at least one item;

c. a database for maintaining a link between said owner and said at least one item;

d. activation means for automatically or semi-automatically activating said link between said owner and said at least one item; and

e. handling means for tracing/locating/identifying to receive services of said owner and said at least one item during transactions or events in said secure/private area and for facilitating controlling said at least one item during said transaction or event.

17. A system according to claim 16, said system further comprising:

f. an intelligent gate for securing said at least one item in said secure/private area, said intelligent gate being adapted to open for said at least one item only when said owner identification means is sensed within a predetermined, restrictive distance from said intelligent gate.

18-20. -20. (canceled)