System and method for selectively allowing the passage of a guest through a region within a coverage area

• US 6,873,260 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Linda Noble, Richard Noble
• Original Assignee: Virtualtrak Incorporated
• Inventors: Lancos, Kenneth J., Land, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/967,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20020082859A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 340/573.1, 340/573.4, 340/5.8, 340/825.28, 340/5.4, 340/5.41, 340/825.38, 340/5.1, 340/5.2, 340/5.22, 340/5.24, 340/5.81
• US Class Current: 340/573.1
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 2011/02 related to amusement parks
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/27 with central registration
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/28 the pass enabling tracking or indicating presence

Abstract

A system and method for selectively allowing the passage of a guest through a region within at a coverage area. The system includes a turnstile system having an RFID reader, a network interface, an entry mechanism and a processor, and a central server having a network interface, a non-volatile memory, and a processor. An RFID reader reads a tag identifier from an RFID tag worn by a guest. The tag identifier is transmitted from the turnstile system to the central server. The central server processor access a guest data object using the tag identifier and reads a data field containing information related to the guest. Based on this information, the central server transmits a control signal to the turnstile system to activate its entry mechanism, thereby allowing the guest to pass through. The information may relate to monetary credits of the guest, statistical information of the guest, and restrictions, disabilities, health conditions and special access of the guest.

Claims

1. A method of preventing a child-guest from exiting a coverage area without an authorized adult-guest, comprising:

creating a child-guest data object including a first data field containing information related to an identity of said child-guest, a second data field containing information related to an identity of said authorized adult-guest, and a third data field containing information related to monetary credits available for use in purchasing items within said coverage area;

reading a first tag identifier from a first tag worn by said child-guest;

reading a second tag identifier from a second tag worn by an adult accompanying said child-guest only if said first tag identifier identifies a child;

accessing said child-guest data object using said first tag identifier;

comparing said second tag identifier to said information related to an identity of said authorized adult-guest; and

allowing said child to exit said coverage area if said second tag identifier correlates with said information related to said identity of said authorized adult-guest, or preventing said child from exiting said coverage area if said second tag identifier does not correlate with said information related to said identity of said authorized adult-guest.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second tags comprises radio frequency identification (RFID) tags.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein reading said first and second tag identifiers respectively from said first and second tags comprises using an RFID reader to read said first and second tag identifiers.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting said first and second tag identifiers from a turnstile system to a central server by way of a communications link.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a central server processor of said central server receives said first and second tag identifiers, accesses said child-guest data object using said first tag identifier, and compares second tag identifier to said information related to said identify of said authorized adult-guest.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said central server transmits a control signal to said turnstile system to activate an entry mechanism to allow said child-guest to exit said coverage area if said second tag identifier correlates with said information related to said identify of said authorized adult-guest.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said child-guest data object further comprises a third data field containing information related to statistical information regarding said child-guest, and further comprising determining that said child-guest is a child by accessing said third data field.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising requesting said reading of said second tag identifier from said second tag worn by said adult if it is determined that said child-guest is a child.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said child-guest data object further comprises a third data field containing information related to a current location of said child-guest, and further comprising modifying said third data field so that said current location of said child indicates that said child is outside of said coverage area if said child is allowed to exit said child area.