Abstract:
A system for tracking a plurality of recreational items for sliding on snow-covered surfaces of a hill. The system comprises, for each item in the plurality of recreational items, an associated integral ID storing device for storing an associated item ID, the associated item ID being electronically readable from the associated integral ID storing device. The system also comprises an interrogator for reading the associated item ID stored on the associated integral ID storing device for each item in the plurality of recreational items.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an anti-theft system and more particularly to a system for identifying and tracking skis and snowboards. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Depending on their quality, skis (“skis” refers to both skis and ski boards) and snowboards can be fairly expensive. Despite this, skis and snowboards are frequently left unattended by their owners. Specifically, ski/snowboard resorts typically have buildings at spaced locations on a hill at which skiers may stop to rest and take refreshment. Skiers and snowboarders remove their skis and snowboards before entering these buildings, and leave their skis and snowboards outside. As a result of skis and snowboards being left unattended, there is an increased possibility of theft. 
     Prior art devices have been devised to address this problem. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,461 (Vroom et al) discloses a battery operated motion sensor that is attached to a ski and transmits a radio signal if the ski is moved. A receiver, which can be worn around the neck of the owner of the ski, receives the alarm signal and indicates an alarm condition using, for example, an audible beep. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,322 (Yeski) discloses a battery operated audible signaling device which is activated if a clip is detached. U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,818 (Chittenden) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,689 (Merers et al) disclose battery powered devices mounted on skis that emit alarms in appropriate circumstances. 
     All of these battery powered devices may suffer from disadvantages associated with the use of a battery. Specifically, batteries are both expensive and require recharging periodically. This can be inconvenient for the owner, and it is not unlikely that owners will deliberately forego the additional expense and inconvenience associated with having batteries mounted on their skis or snowboards, despite the anti-theft advantages battery-powered devices provide. Further, if the skis or snowboards are ever stolen, the battery operated signaling device does not provide a means of tracking the skis or snowboards, and, accordingly, does not allow for eventual recovery of the skis or snowboards. 
     Thus, an anti-theft system for skis that does not rely on batteries and permits the skis to be identified and tracked even after they have stolen, is desirable. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide an improved recreational item. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a recreational item for sliding on inclined snow-covered surfaces. The recreational item comprises an integral ID storing means for storing an item ID. The item ID is electronically readable from the integral ID storing means. 
     Preferably the integral ID storing means is a transmitter. In the preferred embodiment, the transmitter is a transponder and the item ID stored thereon is unchangeable. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for tracking a plurality of recreational items for sliding on snow-covered surfaces of a hill. The system comprises, for each item in the plurality of recreational items, an associated integral ID storing means for storing an associated item ID, the associated item ID being electronically readable from the associated integral ID storing means. The system also comprises an interrogator means for reading the associated item ID stored on the associated integral ID storing means for each item in the plurality of recreational items. 
     Preferably, the associated integral ID storing means for each item in the plurality of recreational items is a transmitter. In the preferred embodiment, this transmitter is a transponder. 
     According to a further preferred aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for tracking a plurality of recreational items for sliding on snow-covered surfaces at a plurality of locations. Each location in the plurality of locations has an associated user transport means for transporting an associated set of users of an associated set of recreational items in the plurality of recreational items. The system includes, for each item in the plurality of recreational items, an associated transponder for unchangeably storing an associated item ID, the associated item ID being electronically readable from the associated read only transponder. This system also includes, for each item in the plurality of recreational items, an associated card having a magnetic strip for electronically storing the associated item ID for the item. This system includes, for each location in the plurality of locations, (a) an associated interrogator means for reading the associated item ID stored on the associated transponder for each item in the associated set of recreational items, the associated interrogator means being located within a reading range of the user transport means, and, (b) a card-reading means for reading the associated item ID from the magnetic strip of the card for a recreational item in the plurality of recreational items. Further, the system includes a server for storing a list of item IDs, the server being linked to the associated interrogator means for each location in the plurality of locations and to the associated card reading means for each location in the plurality of locations. The system further includes an ID verification means for checking each associated item ID read by the associated interrogator means for each location in the plurality of locations against the list of item IDs stored on the server, and, alarm means for indicating when the associated item ID read by the associated interrogator means for each location in the plurality of locations corresponds to an item ID stored in the list of item lDs. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS: 
     A detailed description of the preferred embodiments is provided herein below with reference to the following drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1, in a top plan view, illustrates a snowboard in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2, in a side view, illustrates the snowboard of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3, in a top plan view, illustrates a pair of skis in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4, in a side view, illustrates a ski of the pair of skis of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5, in a back view, illustrates an identification card  26  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 6, in a schematic view, illustrates a component of a ski and snowboard tracking system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; 
     FIG. 7, in a schematic view, illustrates an Internet-side component of the ski and snowboard tracking system of FIG. 6; and, FIG. 8, in a block diagram, illustrates a computer configured to implement an embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated, in a top plan view, a snowboard in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The snowboard  22  includes a transponder  24 . Referring to FIG. 2, the snowboard  22  is illustrated in a side view in which the transponder  24  is also shown. 
     Referring to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a pair of skis  20  in a top plan view. Each ski  20  includes a transponder  24 . Referring to FIG. 4, a ski  20  of FIG. 3 is shown in a side view together with a transponder  24 . Stored on the transponder  24  is an identification number  28 . 
     Both skis and snowboards are typically constructed by laminating different materials on top of a core material. To impede its removal, the transponder  24  is preferably embedded deep within the ski  20  or snowboard  22 , between different layers of laminate. 
     Referring to FIG. 5, there is illustrated an identification card  26  including an identification number  28 . The identification number  28  is also stored on a magnetic strip  30  to render the identification card  26  electronically readable. The identification number  28  is also stored on the transponder  24  of either a pair of skis of a snowboard corresponding to the identification card  26 . 
     Each snowboard  22 , and each pair of skis  20  is manufactured with a transponder  24  as an integral part thereof such that the transponder  24  cannot readily be removed from the ski  20  or snowboard  22 . At some point during or after the manufacture of either the snowboard  22  or the skis  20 , the identification number  28  is written on the transponder  24 . The transponder  24  is of the type that cannot be subsequently re-written; accordingly, the identification number  28  stored on the transponder  24  is thereafter fixed. When the snowboard  22  or skis  20  are sold, the owner also receives the identification card  26  on which is stored the same identification number  28  that is stored on the transponder  24  of the snowboard  22  or skis  20 . 
     Referring to FIG. 6, there is illustrated in a schematic view, a hill-side component of a ski and snowboard tracking system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the hill-side component of the tracking system is implemented around a chairlift. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the hill-side component of the snowboard and ski tracking system could also be implemented in any location skis and snowboards must pass for the user to use the hill (for example, aT-Bar lift). In FIG. 5, each of the skiers  34 , has passed, is passing, or will pass over a RFID interrogator  36  in order to be transported up the hill by a chairlift  32 . The RFID interrogator  36  generates a magnetic field that powers the transponder  24  in snowboard  22  or ski  20 . The transponder  24  of the snowboard  22  or ski  20  then transmits the identification number  28  stored thereon back to the RFID interrogator  36 . The RFID interrogator  36  is linked via an electronic connection  38  to a hill-side computer  40 , which receives the identification numbers  28  read from the snowboards  22  and skis  20 . The identification numbers  28  can then be compared with identification numbers stored off site via an Internet connection  42 . It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the interrogator  36  of FIG. 6 is shown underneath a position that the skis or snowboards must traverse in order for the user to use the chairlift, the RFID interrogator  36  may also operate at a considerable distance from the skier. For example, the RFID interrogator  36  could be mounted above ground while still permitting operation of the invention. 
     Referring to FIG. 7, there is illustrated an Internet component of the ski and snowboard tracking system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. The computer  40  is connected to an Internet  46  via the Internet connection  42 . A server computer  44  is also connected to the Internet  46 . On the server computer  44 , is stored a list of ski and snowboard identification numbers. This list is generated by authorized owners of the skis  20  and snowboards  22  reporting the loss or theft of their equipment. Specifically, when a skier loses her skis  20 , she reports this loss to authorities. She provides the authorities with her identification card  26  and the authorities scan in the identification number  28  from the magnetic strip  30  of the identification card  26 . This number is then uploaded to the list of identification numbers stored on the server computer  44 . Requiring the identification card  26  to report the loss or theft of skis  20  or snowboard  22  impedes misuse of or possible pranks regarding the system—where, say, a pair of skis would be incorrectly reported to be stolen. Referring back to FIG. 7, if the identification number  28  read from a pair of skis  20  or snowboard  22  corresponds to an identification number  28  stored on the server computer  44 , then this information will be brought to the attention of the authorities at the hill-side. These authorities can then stop the skier or snowboarder using these skis  20  or snowboard  22  having the suspected identification number  28  to permit them to potentially recover the skis or snowboard. 
     Referring back to FIG. 7, a parallel computer  40 ′ at another hill-side is also connected to the Internet by an Internet connection  42 ′, and from thence to the server  44 . While only one additional computer is shown, any number of different RFID interrogators at any number of different resorts could be connected to the server  44 . Thus, using the Internet  46 , a centralized repository in the form of the server computer  44  can be used to track all the identification numbers of all of the pairs of skis and snowboards reported stolen, thus facilitating recovery of stolen property. Also, by marking items having the transponder  24 , theft may also be discouraged. 
     Referring to FIG. 8, the computer  40  is illustrated in a block diagram as configured to implement an embodiment of the invention. The computer  40  includes a monitor  54  and is connected to the RFID interrogator  36  via electronic connection  38 . The computer  40  is also linked to a card reader  56  for reading the identification number  28  from the magnetic strip  30  of a card  26 , and to the server  44  via internet connection  42 . Configured according to the block diagram of FIG. 8, the computer  40  includes an ID verification module  48 , an ID storage module  50  and an alarm module  52 . In operation, a list of ID numbers is downloaded from the server  44  via internet connection  42  and is stored in the ID storage module  50 . ID numbers  28  read by the RFID interrogator  36  are sent to the computer  40  via electronic connection  38  and are also stored in the ID storage module  50 . ID verification module  48  then checks each identification number  28  received from the RFID interrogator  36  against the list of identification numbers downloaded from the server  44 . If an identification number  28  received from the RFID interrogator  36  corresponds to an identification number  28  in the list of identification numbers downloaded from the server  44 , then the alarm module  52  is activated and an alarm is indicated via the monitor  54 . 
     If a skier reports the loss of his skis and produces a card  26 , the identification number  28  stored on the card  26  is scanned using the card reader  56 . This identification number  28  is then uploaded to the server  44 , and will subsequently be downloaded to all resorts (computers  40 ) connected to the server  44  so that the ID verification module  48  will check the identification number  28  against all identification numbers read by all of the RFID interrogators for that resort. The identification number  28  may also be accessible to appropriate law enforcement agencies to assist them in their investigations and to facilitate recovery of stolen property. 
     If a card  26  has been lost, then the owner of the skis or snowboard may still have the identification number  28  uploaded to the server, provided the owner can prove ownership of the skis or snowboard having that identification number. This can be done, for example, by providing a purchase receipt to the authorities on which the identification number is written. Preferably, the owner&#39;s name will also be written on the card  26  and the owner will have to produce identification proving the owner is the person named on the card  26  before reporting the skis or snowboard to be missing. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics. Certain adaptations and modifications of the invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the presently discussed embodiments are considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.