INDIVIDUAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

• US 20080238663A1
• Filed: 03/24/2008
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: IZUMI, Konami, SAITO, Yumiko, YAMAGUCHI, Mayumi
• Granted Patent: US 8,026,813 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/539.32
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/751 wherein the responder or reflector radiates a coded signal

Abstract

To provide an individual management system for managing products with the use of an automatic identification technology using a wireless communication device. In the individual management system, an individual management device is attached to a managed object, an individual identification device can wirelessly communicate with the individual management device, and an individual information management device can communicate with the individual identification device. The individual management device includes a detection portion such as a sensor. The individual identification device includes a position analysis portion which calculates a distance between the individual management device and the individual identification device. Information on the distance between the individual management device and the individual identification device, and information from the detection portion included in the individual management device are transmitted to the individual identification device. Accordingly, a system user can specify a position of the individual management device accurately.

Claims

1. An individual management system comprising:

an individual management device configured to be attached to a managed object; and

an individual identification device configured to wirelessly communicate with the individual management device,

wherein the individual management device includes a detection portion configured to detect information on surroundings of the managed object,

wherein the individual identification device includes a position analysis portion configured to calculate a distance between the individual management device and the individual identification device, and

wherein the information on the surroundings of the managed object and the calculated distance between the individual management device and the individual identification device are used to specify a position of the managed object.

2. The individual management system according to claim 1, wherein the individual identification device includes an antenna configured to receive transmission of an electromagnetic wave with a predetermined power form the individual management device so that the distance between the individual management device and the individual identification device can be calculated.

3. The individual management system according to claim 2, wherein the individual management device includes a current/voltage control circuit for generating a first predetermined power and a second predetermined power to be applied to the antenna.

4. The individual management system according to claim 1 further comprising:

an individual information management device configured to perform wireless communication or wire communication with the individual identification device.

5. The individual management system according to claim 4, wherein the individual information management device includes a storage portion configured to store information on the managed object.

6. The individual management system according to claim 5, wherein the storage portion includes a nonvolatile memory.

7. The individual management system according to claim 5, wherein the storage portion is a write-once nonvolatile memory.

8. The individual management system according to claim 4, wherein the individual information management device is provided externally to the individual information management device or within the individual information management device.

9. The individual management system according to claim 1, wherein the individual management device includes a power storage portion capable of being wirelessly charged.

10. The individual management system according to claim 1, wherein the individual identification device includes at least one notice-to-user portion configured to inform a user of a communication situation with the individual management device.

11. The individual management system according to claim 10, wherein the notice-to-user portion is at least one selected form the group comprised of a display device, a lighting element, a vibrator, a sound device, and a voice notification device.

12. The individual management system according to claim 10, wherein the notice-to-user portion is a display portion configured to display a layout of a room so that the user views a position of the individual management device in relation to a position of the individual identification device.

13. The individual management system according to claim 1, wherein the individual identification device includes an imaging portion configured to take an image of the managed object.

14. The individual management system according to claim 13, wherein the imaging portion is a camera.

15. The individual management system according to claim 1, wherein the detection portion includes an optical sensor configured to optically sense the information on the surroundings of the managed object used to further specify the position of the managed object.

16. The individual management system according to claim 4, wherein the individual information management device controls the wireless communication between the individual identification device and the individual management device so that the individual identification device communicates with the individual management device having a specific identification information.

17. An individual management system comprising:

an individual management device configured to be attached to a managed object; and

an individual identification device configured to wirelessly communicate with the individual management device,

wherein the individual management device includes a detection portion configured to detect information on surroundings of the managed object,

wherein the individual identification device includes a position analysis portion configured to calculate a distance between the individual management device and the individual identification device, and determine a direction of the individual management device with respect to a position of the individual identification device,

wherein the information on the surroundings of the managed object, the calculated distance between the individual management device and the individual identification device, and the determined direction of the individual management device with respect to the position of the individual identification device are used to specify a position of the managed object.

18. The individual management system according to claim 17, wherein the individual identification device includes an antenna configured to have reception and directivity.

19. The individual management system according to claim 17, wherein the individual identification device includes a first antenna configured to have reception and a second antenna configured to have directivity.

20. The individual management system according to claim 17 further comprising:

an individual information management device configured to perform wireless communication or wire communication with the individual identification device.

21. The individual management system according to claim 20, wherein the individual information management device includes a storage portion configured to store information on the managed object.

22. The individual management system according to claim 21, wherein the storage portion includes a nonvolatile memory.

23. The individual management system according to claim 21, wherein the storage portion is a write-once nonvolatile memory.

24. The individual management system according to claim 20, wherein the individual information management device is provided externally to the individual information management device or within the individual information management device.

25. The individual management system according to claim 17, wherein the individual management device includes a power storage portion capable of being wirelessly charged.

26. The individual management system according to claim 17, wherein the individual identification device includes at least one notice-to-user portion configured to inform a user of a communication situation with the individual management device.

27. The individual management system according to claim 26, wherein the notice-to-user portion is at least one selected form the group comprised of a display device, a lighting element, a vibrator, a sound device, and a voice notification device.

28. The individual management system according to claim 26, wherein the notice-to-user portion is a display portion configured to display a layout of a room so that the user views a position of the individual management device in relation to a position of the individual identification device.

29. The individual management system according to claim 17, wherein the individual identification device includes an imaging portion configured to take an image of the managed object.

30. The individual management system according to claim 29, wherein the imaging portion is a camera.

31. The individual management system according to claim 17, wherein the detection portion includes an optical sensor configured to optically sense the information on the surroundings of the managed object used to further specify the position of the managed object.

32. The individual management system according to claim 20, wherein the individual information management device controls the wireless communication between the individual identification device and the individual management device so that the individual identification device communicates with the individual management device having a specific identification information.