ES2179638T5 - PROCEDURE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF A SPORTS ARTICLE, IN PARTICULAR OF A SKI OR SURF IRON OR A NAUTICAL SPORTS DEVICE. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for identifying a sport article (1), in particular a ski or surf board, shoes or an aquatic sport apparatus, which consists in incorporating in some part of the sport article (1) a label (10) for contactless reading. Said label (10) comprises a first storage zone (Z1) including a single identification (ID) of the label (10), and a second rewritable storage zone (Z2), for storing data transmitted by an external equipment (20).

Description

Article identification procedure of sport, in particular a ski or surf board or a Water sport device.

The present invention relates to a procedure for identifying a sports article, in particular of a ski or surf board, boots or a Water sport device. It also provides an article to which this procedure is applied and a communication team for the application of this procedure.

It is known in the state of the art to mark sports articles, in particular articles intended for rental with marked alphanumeric or by codes of bars. These markings are adapted to the management of stocks and to the visual identification of the articles. Are on the contrary little adapted to an identification automation.

They have also been proposed in the state of the technical skis that incorporate magnetic labels. He EP 441318 describes a ski with a label of permanent identification for identification. The iron of ski described in this document is equipped with a label of permanent identification On the upper and lower faces of a ski core, tail layers are arranged in turn reinforcing layers, the last reinforcing layer of the top and bottom part covered by a layer of glue and by a sliding lining. A label of identification with a reading identification code Magnetic is arranged in one of the glue layers.

Such a tag is passive and allows simply identify an article at a very short distance marked.

US 5 682 143 discloses a label radio frequency equipped with a memory area, adapted for be applied to an article, and document US 5 640 002 discloses a reader for a radio frequency tag comprising a memory area A team of this type is adapted for reading an identifier for an item intended for sale. The identifier is inscribed in the memory area of the label Applied on the article. This equipment also allows to deactivate Definitely the tag when the item is sold. This equipment is therefore not adapted for the management of a stock of rental items. Indeed, the same item for rent It is planned to leave the stock and enter it numerous times.

The document EP-A-0 621 566 describes a electronic identification device in particular for a pair of skis or a racket or similar, comprising a memory read only containing manufacturing data of the sports article, pair numbers, access authorization data to sport practice pairs. As a variant, memory is read-write to avoid problems of collision deleting one of the two identification devices of a pair, with the possibility of resetting the deleted device if one day the first device, initially kept active, is It returns defective.

The document EP-A-0 178 924 describes a identification device for logistics applications, in particular of railway park management. The device it comprises a first memory area in which data is entered Long term such as the name of the owner, the number of vehicle series, and a second memory area reserved for data temporary such as the path, nature and weight of the load. The first zone is protected against involuntary deletion but it can be rescheduled for a particular procedure.

The objective of the present invention is to propose a dynamic marking procedure of a sports article, which allows not only uniquely identify an article, but also control temporary information, such as identity of the owner or the renter, the state of the material at the time of rental, the date of passage through an area of control, and more generally all the information that correspond to a specific use of a material.

According to the invention, a sports article, in particular ski or surf board or sport device nautical, of the type comprising a non-re-inscribable label of contactless reading incorporated in a part of the article is characterized in that the radio frequency tag comprises a first non-rewritable memory zone in which it is registered a unique permanent identification of the label, and a second memory area that allows the registration of additional data Temporary

Advantageously, the tag comprises an antenna which allows a radio frequency data transmission additional to the label on the one hand, and for the reception and registration of said data by another party.

Preferably, the transmission range is greater than 10 centimeters.

The invention also relates to a procedure for identifying a sports article, in particular a ski or surf board or a device nautical sport, which consists of incorporating part of the sports article a radio frequency tag, characterized because it comprises an identification of said sports article by an external device comprising a reading of an identifier only permanent registered in a first memory zone no re-inscribable within said radio frequency tag, and a memory of data transmitted by said external equipment in a second zone of the rewritable memory within said radio frequency tag.

According to a first variant of the procedure, record on the label some data that comes from a computer exterior comprising means of automatic generation of information intended to be registered in the report rewritable label.

According to a second variant of the procedure, record on the label some data that comes from a computer exterior comprising means of manual information collection destined to be registered in the re-registrable memory of the label.

The basic principle is to provide some skis or other sporting goods from a label radio frequency that allows the main functions following:

-

     Formal identification of skiing by reading a number of unique identification of the radio frequency tag;

-

     Layout of a memory embarked on the pages of the label radio frequency, in order to register directly on the ski some information;

-

     Standardization of the organization of information in memory of the radio frequency tag in order to propose a system universal multi-constructors and usable by the whole of the profession.

The principle of the invention can be extended subsequently to other snow sport articles of the type monoskiing, snow surfing, boots, sledges, sport devices nautical, sailboat type, surfing, shunts, catamarans, etc.

The two main advantages provided by the integration of the label in the body of a ski are the following:

-

     Be able to read the radio frequency label remotely, without implying visibility as necessary with the technologies of automatic identification of the barcode type;

-

     Make the radio frequency tag and ski in the which is integrated In effect, to extract the label from radio frequency of the ski, it is necessary to touch the integrity of the ski breaking it or dismantling it.

The marking process according to the invention therefore allows an identification system particularly Reliable and infalsifiable.

The use of this radio frequency tag will allow the development of a global use for the whole chain, from the builder to the final customer, through retailers and stations.
ski.

The builders of sporting goods are interested in the first aspect since it is to them that concerns the realization of the integration of the label of radio frequency in skiing when the process of manufacturing. On the other hand, the marking according to the invention can allow them to develop a new market concept by proposing a Smart skiing and new services to its customers. It constitutes also a certificate of origin and proof of the origin of the Article.

The method according to the invention presents also an anti-theft function: skiing is identified in a way unitary and unalterable with a unique, non-modifiable number and unalterable.

The marking labels according to the invention they also offer the possibility to write on a memory page the name of the customer from the radio frequency tag.

At the time of production, this possibility also allows the integration of manufacturing data (number of lot, date of manufacture, operator, ...). The procedure according to invention thus allows a ski traceability throughout the entire duration of his life

For retailers (sport warehouses that ensures sales and rental of skis), the procedure according to the invention also offers numerous applications.

The retailer is endowed with a logic that send the dialogue system with the electronic label or radiofrequency These two elements are an integral part of the invention.

Logic works on a microcomputer; it allows the taking of a client file (name, coordinates) and the command of the dialogue unit. Fully automatically the operator can read the ski number and also write some information on the memory pages of the label.

To prevent theft of sold skis, these are identified in a unitary and unalterable way with a unique number The invention allows writing on the label of radiofrequency of the following information:

-

     Customer Name and Customer Coordinates

-

     Date and place of purchase

-

     Technical characteristics (models, dimensions, adjustments).

For the management of rentals, skis are identified in a unitary and unalterable way with a number only. The method according to the invention allows writing in the radio frequency label of the following information:

-

     Warehouse Coordinates

-

     Rental period and name of the renter

-

     Technical characteristics (models, dimensions, adjustments).

For inventory management, the invention allows a quick take of the number of the ski and those rent, thus reducing the waiting in a consistent manner the store.

The process according to the invention allows also the management of automatic recovery units of the skis for rent, with access thanks to the reading of the label at the opening of a box to deposit the skis. For the stations and track farms:

With the help of antennas arranged in a way suitable on the slopes (lower part and exit of the ski lifts mechanics or waypoint), operators can make a counted from the number of skis that have passed through this point. The antennas will be connected to a dialogue unit and memorization This information can be retrieved by a computer system to study the frequencies of certain tracks or track steps.

The invention can also be extended to field of competition in order to ensure the identification of skiers and the automatic shooting of timekeeping films.

The invention will be better understood with reading of the description that follows, referring to some examples not performance limitations.

In the attached plans:

- Figure 1 is a synoptic scheme of a tag within a sports article in accordance with the invention and an external communication device with this label;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view of a ski that incorporates in its spatula a label according to the invention; Y

- Figure 3 is an organizational chart that illustrates some characteristic sequences of communication between a team external and a label incorporated in a sports article according to the invention.

It will be described in principle with reference to Figures 1 and 2 an example of internal structure of a label of radio frequency 10 integrated in a sports article according to the invention such as a ski 1.

The radio frequency tag 10 is integrated directly on the body of ski 1, more particularly in its spatula 10. The integration of the radio frequency tag supports a coating 3 of plastic or composite material, and is performed at a predetermined and standardized location, referenced with respect to visible external references on one of the faces of the ski.

The radiofrequency tag 10 comprises a radiofrequency module 11 that ensures an emission / reception function by an antenna performed according to known techniques in the field of radio frequencies, and a memory 12 comprising a first non-rewritable memory zone Z1 comprising a memory location for storing ID identification information and a second re-writable Z2 memory zone that allows the registration of temporary information, corresponding to specific applications and protocols that are not necessarily mandatory
Standardized

Tag 10 is fed by receiving radio frequency waves emitted by a loop that equips equipment external communication 20, which allows to activate the module radio frequency without it being necessary to provide a power supply type battery or battery.

The tag is fed by a loop that allows to activate the radio frequency module without it being necessary provide for a battery or battery type supply.

An exemplary embodiment of an external communication equipment according to the invention will now be described, with reference to Figure 1. The external communication equipment 20 comprises, by way of non-limiting example, a radiofrequency module 21, an emission module / reception 22 and a control and processing module 23 to which a data storage memory 28, an information gathering device 27, generally comprising a keyboard 29 and an automatic information generation module 26 are connected. The control module and treatment 23 also controls a sound transducer 24, such as for example a buzzer or a loudspeaker, and a light indicator or display device
25.

The radiofrequency module 21 comprises a radiofrequency loop 210 connected to a power circuit  211 commanded by the emission / reception module 22 and a circuit of detection 213. The radiofrequency loop 210 allows at the same time issue and receive information and feed a label of radio frequency 10 arranged at close range.

Characteristic sequences of the process according to the invention will now be described, with reference to FIG. When a sports article such as a ski 1 provided with a radio frequency tag 10 according to the invention is approximated to a communication equipment 20, a detection sequence is initiated
SD.

The presence of the tag 10 causes a increase \ Deltal of a current flowing in the circuit supply 211 of loop 210. This increase in current is detected (SD sequence) by the detection circuit 213 for trigger an SE sequence of signal exchange between the equipment 20 and the label 10.

A first stage of the exchange sequence It consists of the reading by the team 20 of the information of permanent identification ID of the label 10. The reading of this information triggers the continuation of the exchange sequence, for example transmission of information taken IS by the operator with the help of a keyboard 29, such as the name of the renter, as well as automatically generated information IG, for example the date and time of registration. This information can be memorized in the recordable memory only once.

At the end of this transmission, a SV verification sequence in the course of which the team 20 triggers the reading of the information memorized by the label radio frequency 10, through loop 210, the module emission / reception 22 and the control and treatment unit 23. It then compare the received data with the data stored in relation to the ID number of the label 10. If this verification is positive, personalization of Article 1 is considered valid and an audible signal or light is generated by a transducer 24 such as a buzzer or by a light or display 25. If not, a new sequence of registration of the information of personalization.

When the rental of the material takes place, it inscribes supplementary information in a memory zone rewritable several times.

When restitution takes place, the Label identification information is read, as well as the data recorded in re-writable memory. The reading team Check if the data recorded on the label are identical to the data registered in the device, in relation to the same number Identification

In case of positive verification, the team record the end of the rental, and edit for example the invoice.

The ski resort can comprise some checkpoints consisting of loops arranged by example on the passage of rows of access to the ski lifts or chairlifts, or also at any point of forced passage. These loops are associated with some equipment comprising means of reading the data stored in the labels incorporated in sports articles, and eventually to register some information on these labels.

These exchanges of information Unidirectional or bidirectional allow real-time control benefits such as access to infrastructure of payment. They also allow to anticipate the flows and frequencies of these infrastructures, and optimize human resources and technicians

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the examples just described and many others embodiments and arrangements may be provided in the limit of the appended claims.

In particular, the external teams of communication used in the present invention may present an internal structure different from the one just described. On the other hand, other protocols of communication between an external device and reading labels without contact according to the invention.

Claims (6)

1. Sport article (1), in particular a ski or surf plate or a water sport device, of the type comprising a non-contact reading radio frequency tag (10) incorporated in a part (2) of the article ( 1), characterized in that the radio frequency tag (10) comprises a first non-rewritable memory zone (Z1) in which a unique permanent identification (ID) of the radio frequency tag (10) is registered, and a second memory zone (Z2) re-registrable that allows the registration of additional temporary data. 2. Sports article (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the radio frequency tag (10) comprises an antenna (11) provided, on the one hand, for the radio frequency emission of the specific identification data (ID) of the label, and, on the other hand, for the reception and registration of additional data. 3. Sports article (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the emission range is greater than 10 centimeters. 4. Method of identifying a sport article (1), according to one of claims 1 to 3, in particular of a ski or surf board or a water sport device, which consists of incorporating a part of the article sport (1) a radio frequency tag (10), characterized in that it comprises an identification of said sport article (1) by an external equipment (Z0) comprising a permanent unique identification reading (ID) inscribed in a first zone of non-re-writable memory (Z1) within said radio frequency tag (10), and a memorization of data transmitted by said external equipment (Z0) in a second memory zone (Z2) re-writable within said radiofrequency tag ( 10). 5. Method of identifying a sports article (1), according to claim 4, characterized in that data coming from an external equipment (20) comprising means (26) is recorded on the radio frequency tag (10). of automatic generation of information intended to be registered in the re-inscribable memory (Z2) of the radio frequency tag (10). 6. A method of identifying a sports article according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that data coming from an external equipment (20) comprising manual taking means (27) is recorded on the radio frequency tag (10) of information intended to be registered in the re-inscribable memory (Z2) of the radio frequency tag (10).