System for tracking bicycle commuter activity

• US 8,952,786 B1
• Filed: 04/23/2010
• Issued: 02/10/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/23/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Everlast Climbing Industries, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Everlast Climbing Industries, Inc.
• Inventors: Steege, Hans, Scholtz, Rolf, Skoine, Mark, Klotzbach, Colin
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barakat, Mohamed
• Application Number:
  US12/766,521
• Time in Patent Office: 1,754 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.13
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B62H 5/20 indicating unauthorised use, e.g. acting on signalling devices alarm locks in general E05B45/00, e.g. alarm cable or chain lock E05B45/005
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0269 based on user profile or attribute
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/40 Business processes related to the transportation industry shipping G06Q10/083
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 15/063 using wireless information transmission between the vehicle and a fixed station identification of vehicles G08G
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 1/08 using electric transmission ; transformation of alarm signals to electrical signals from a different medium, e.g. transmission of an electric alarm signal upon detection of an audible alarm signal
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/015 with provision for distinguishing between two or more types of vehicles, e.g. between motor-cars and cycles
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/20 Monitoring the location of vehicles belonging to a group, e.g. fleet of vehicles, countable or determined number of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A method for tracking non-motorized vehicle commuting activity includes providing a tracking system having a tag reader at a commute destination, wherein the tag reader is adapted to detect the presence of an RFID tag, and to generate and transmit a detection signal indicating a time of detection and one or more attributes of the detected RFID tag. The RFID tag is secured to a non-motorized vehicle used in commuting to the commute destination, and is secured in a manner to enable detection by the tag reader at the commute destination, and to prevent tampering therewith. Information obtained by the tracking system is accessible by one or more of a system administrator and a commuting participant.

Claims

1. A method for promoting non-motorized vehicle commuting activity, said method comprising:

(a) providing a tracking system having;

(i) a tag reader at a location of occupation of a participant, said tag reader being adapted to detect the presence of a RFID tag, and to generate and transmit a detection signal indicating a time of detection and one or more attributes of said detected RFID tag;

(ii) a computing device having a data processor and being communicatively coupled to said tag reader;

(iii) a database communicatively coupled to said computing device, and including registration information and a participant log; and

(iv) a terminal communicatively coupled to said database;

(b) registering said RFID tag into said database by inputting said one or more RFID tag attributes into said database and associating such attributes with the participant within said database;

(c) causing said RFID tag to be secured to a non-motorized vehicle that is used by the participant in commuting to said location of occupation;

(d) detecting said RFID tag when said non-motorized vehicle is moved to said location of occupation;

(e) recording the detection of said RFID tag by matching one or more attributes of said detection signal to one or more respective attributes stored in said database and updating said participant log with detection information;

(f) tabulating said detection information for said participant, including tabulating a number of detections within a defined period; and

(g) awarding said participant upon achievement of a predetermined minimum number of detections within said defined period.

2. A method as in claim 1 wherein said non-motorized vehicle is a bicycle.

3. A method as in claim 1 wherein said computing device is wirelessly communicatively coupled to said tag reader.

4. A method as in claim 1 wherein said tag reader is solar-powered.

5. A method as in claim 1 wherein said terminal is communicatively coupled to said database through a computer network, a software interface for such connection providing a graphical display of detection information.

6. A method as in claim 1, wherein said RFID tag has tamper resistant properties.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein upon detecting an RFID tag, the tag reader emits a signal indicating to the participant that the tag reader has detected the RFID tag.

8. A method for promoting non-motorized vehicle commuting activity, said method comprising:

(a) providing a tracking system having;

(i) a tag reader at a location of occupation of a participant, said tag reader being adapted to detect the presence of a RFID tag, and to generate and transmit a detection signal indicating a time of detection and one or more attributes of said detected RFID tag;

(ii) a computing device having a data processor and being communicatively coupled to said tag reader;

(iii) a database communicatively coupled to said computing device, and including registration information and participant log; and

(iv) a terminal communicatively coupled to said database;

(b) registering said RFID tag into said database by inputting said one or more RFID tag attributes into said database and associating such attributes with the participant within said database;

(c) causing said RFID tag to be secured to a non-motorized vehicle that is used by the participant in commuting to said location of occupation;

(d) detecting said RFID tag when said non-motorized vehicle is moved to said location of occupation;

(e) recording the detection of said RFID tag by matching one or more attributes of said detection signal to one or more respective attributes stored in said database and updating said participant log with detection information;

(f) tabulating said detection information for said participant, including tabulating a number of detections;

(g) comparing the number of detections to a commuting performance threshold, the commuting performance threshold being based upon a number of commutes necessary to gain an award; and

(h) when the number of detections exceeds the commuting performance threshold, awarding said participant.

9. A method as in claim 8 wherein said non-motorized vehicle is a bicycle.

10. A method as in claim 8 wherein said computing device is wirelessly communicatively coupled to said tag reader.

11. A method as in claim 8 wherein said tag reader is solar-powered.

12. A method as in claim 8 wherein said terminal is communicatively coupled to said database through a computer network, a software interface for such connection providing a graphical display of detection information.

13. A method as in claim 8, further comprising assigning a plurality of commuting performance thresholds with various awards, including increasing awards with participant accomplishment of one or more of the commuting performance thresholds within a predetermined period of time.

14. A method as in claim 8, wherein said RFID tag has tamper resistant properties.

15. A method as in claim 8, wherein upon detecting an RFID tag, the tag reader emits a signal indicating to the participant that the tag reader has detected the RFID tag.