Object control and tracking system with zonal transition detection

Abstract

An improved object tracking and control system is provided and is particularly suited to implementation at an automobile dealership. The system includes a Key Track system adapted to control access to and log the check out and check in of keys to vehicles on the lot. RFID tags are provided on the vehicles and tag readers are embedded at selected locations within the dealership parking lot to detect movement of vehicles. In one embodiment, the lot is subdivided into zones and the readers are located at transition regions between the zones. Information about the check out and check in of keys from the Key Track system is combined and integrated with information about the movement of vehicles about the lot to reach conclusions regarding authorized movement and to provide useful information to dealership management.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of prior filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 099,954, filed Sep. 11, 1998 (37 CRF 1.78(a) (4)).TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] This invention relates generally to object tracking and control systems and, in a preferred embodiment, to vehicle key tracking systems and enhancements usable with such systems for monitoring and tracking the movement and use of vehicles accessed by such keys. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Many objects have intrinsic value while other objects have value because they provide access to intrinsically valuable objects. For instance, jewelry, coins, automobiles, sensitive business files, and similar objects have intrinsic value Accordingly, these items generally are secured against theft or misuse either by locking them in vaults or storage cabinets in the case of smaller objects, or by providing them with their own locking and security systems such as, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014] As vehicles are moved from one zone of the lot to another, they pass the tag readers at the transition regions, where the RF tags of the vehicles are activated to transmit their unique codes, which are received by the local controllers and conveyed to the central controller. The central controller can thus determine the movement of each vehicle about the lot as well as movement of vehicles off of and onto the lot through the lot exit. This information is combined with information maintained by the Key Track system about the disposition of the keys to each vehicle, such as the identity of the person who checked out the keys, to provide substantially improved and enhanced monitoring and control of vehicle movement. For example, if a vehicle approaches the exit to leave the lot, the central controller is able to determine whether the individual who checked out the keys has authority to remove the vehicle from the lot. If so, a gate can be opened and if not appropriate alarms can be generated. Further, and even more significantly, the system provides automatic day time security against theft without the need for gates or other physical barriers. More specifically, if a vehicle is detected by a reader and its key has not been checked out, then a theft is indicated and appropriate alarms or remedial actions can be taken. In addition to authorizing vehicle movement and providing security, useful data such as the length of test drives, maintenance histories, fuel usage, and the like becomes readily available to the dealership through the present invention and can be used to improve procedures and ultimately provide better service to the customer.

[0015] Many other embodiments and implementations of the present invention are possible, both within the context of an automobile dealership and otherwise. For example, the invention can be implemented with advantageous results in an automobile rental lot or any place where vehicles or, indeed, any mobile objects need to be tracked. Placement of two reader antennas in close proximity and / or two RF tags on a vehicle enhances the ability to determine the transition of a vehicle from one zone to another and provides built in system redundancies. If desired, the monitored zones within a parking lot can be as small as one parking space so that the precise location of each vehicle in the lot can be determined.

Problems solved by technology

Obviously, such a manual system of tracking has numerous shortcomings due in large part to the very real potential of human error and forgetfulness in carrying out the sign-in and sign-out procedures.

However, the tracking information available to the system is limited to the time that each key is checked out, the time it is checked back in, and the identity of the individual who accessed the key.

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