WO2010041781A1

WO2010041781A1 - Defining an area and managing assets within the defined area using id tags

Info

Publication number: WO2010041781A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/005876
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyun-Chul Jung
Original assignee: Hyun-Chul Jung
Priority date: 2008-10-07
Filing date: 2008-10-07
Publication date: 2010-04-15

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of managing assets within an interested space using tags. More particularly, the present invention relates to an asset managing method that manages assets by tagging an interested space using a RFID (or a bar code) so as to make out a drawing of an interested space easily and speedily without an existing drawing, record the position of assets swiftly, refer for information regarding interested assets on the spot promptly as well as update the developments swiftly.

Description

[DESCRIPTION] [Invention Title]

DEFINING AN AREA AND MANAGING ASSETS WITHIN THE DEFINED AREA USING ID TAGS [Technical Field]

The present invention relates to a method of managing assets within an interested space using tags. More particularly, the present invention relates to an asset managing method that manages assets by tagging an interested space using a RFID (or a bar code) so as to create a drawing of an interested space easily and speedily without an existing drawing, record the position of assets swiftly, refer to information regarding interested assets on the actual spot promptly as well as update the developments swiftly. [Background Art]

The prior art's method of managing assets within any space (herein, the assets refer to all space partitions and objects valuable to a person who posesses or uses that space. One example includes a leased space, a fire hydrant, a water pipe, a distributing board, a frame for advertisement attachment, etc.) tends to be performed by making a list for each asset, searching for a place each asset is actually located on the drawing to give a number and marking the indicated number in the corresponding item of the asset list again. Thus, which assets exist, in which state it resides, and which place it is located can be managed.

However, with the above method, it is difficult to manage different kinds of assets collectively, and it is required that the existing drawing exists, and errors can occur when marking the position of assets on the drawing. Also, it is troublesome to go to the site carrying a drawing and an asset list and open them for searching forinterested assets and then refer related records or record the developments of the assets. [Disclosure] [Technical Problem]

The present invention has been made to solve at least the above- mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an asset managing method that manages assets by tagging an interested space using a RFID (or a bar code) so as to make out a drawing of an interested space easily and speedily without an existing drawing, record the position of assets swiftly, refer to information regarding interested assets on the spot promptly as well as update the developments swiftly. [Technical Solution]

As a first exemplary method for achieving the object, the present invention proposes a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, including the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of each location indicating tag 1 to the location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 110); attaching to assets existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding asset, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag 1 and the position ID of the asset indicating tag 2 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 120); and highlighting the corresponding asset existing position on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server when a reader 3 reads any asset indicating tag 2 and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by an asset management server 5 (step 130) .

In addition, as a second exemplary method for achieving the object, the present invention proposes a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, including the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of the location indicating tag 1 to a location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 210); attaching to assets existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding assets, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag and the position ID of the location indicating tag 1 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 220); and highlighting all the assets' positions existing on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server 4 and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by an asset management server 5 when a user clicks specific assets (step 230).

Finally, as a third exemplary method for achieving the object, the present invention proposes a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, including the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of each location indicating tag 1 to the location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 310); attaching to assets existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding asset, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag 1 and the position ID of the asset indicating tag 2 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 320); and highlighting the corresponding asset existing position on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server 4 when an asset management server 5 displays a list of the entire assets existing on the interested space through the terminal 6 and a user clicks a specific asset in the list and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by the asset management server 5 (step [Advantageous Effects]

The present invention can make out a drawing of an interested space easily and speedily without an existing drawing, record the position of assets swiftly, refer to information regarding interested assets on the spot promptly as well as update the developments swiftly. [Description of Drawings]

FIG. 1 indicates the schematic construction of a system for realizing a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 indicates the course of generating a drawing of the interested space according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a RFID tag of a RFID series; and

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a covering of the RFID series and a capsuled RFID series in which a multiple of RFID tags are wrapped with the covering. [Best Mode]

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1. FIRST EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

To achieve the object, the present invention proposes a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, including the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of each location indicating tag 1 to the location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 110); attaching to assets existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding asset, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag 1 and the position ID of the asset indicating tag 2 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 120); and highlighting the corresponding asset existing position on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server when a reader 3 reads any asset indicating tag 2 and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by an asset management server 5 (step 130).

FIG. 1 indicates the schematic construction of a system for realizing a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag according to the present invention.

As for the location indicating tag 1, a multiple of the location indicating tags are dispersely attached in any location within an interested space to be managed and store a corresponding location-related information.

The asset indicating tag 2 is each attached to a management purpose asset existing within the interested space and stores information of the corresponding asset. Herein, the asset refers to all space partitions and objects valuable to a person who possesses or uses that space. One example includes a leased space, a fire hydrant, a water pipe, a distributing board, a frame for advertisement attachment and other various kinds. On the one hand, asset-related information can be quite varied and the present invention particularly intends to be no limit in its information type. Thus, if for example, the management purpose asset is an advertisement furnished inside a subway station, the related information can be advertisement contents, an information type, an advertisement contractor, the start date and end date of the advertisement, an advertisement price, etc.

Meanwhile, a RFID or a bar code can be used as the location indicating tag 1 or the asset indicating tag 2. Thus, if the location indicating tag 1 or the asset indicating tag 2 is the RFID, a RFID reader is used as the reader 3. And, if the location indicating tag 1 or the asset indicating tag 2 is the bar code, a bar code reader is used as the reader 3. Also, a PC or a PDA can be used as the terminal 6.

The location management server 4 and the asset management server 5 are a kind of computer device that can be driven according to a program for acheiving the object of the present invention. The location management server 4 calculates the relative position of the location indicating tag 1 attached in an interested space to generate a drawing of the interested space and display the drawing on the screen of the terminal 6 (function 1). Also, the location management server 4 inter^¬ connects the ID of the asset indicating tag 2 (hereinafter, referred to as 'asset ID¹) and the ID of the location indicating tag 1 corresponding to the corresponding asset existing location (hereinafter, referred to as 'location ID') to store it as one information type (function 2). Also, the location management server 4 adds an object to the interested space to make out a more detailed drawing (herein, the object refers to each kind of furnishing existing in the interested space that can be considerably varied in type. For example, if the interested space is a subway station, the object can be stairs, a door, a ticket office, a ticket machine, a ticket gate, a fire hydrant, an advertisement frame, etc.) (function 3). In addition, when the reader 3 reads the location indicating tag 1 or the asset indicating tag 2 attached in the interested space, the location management server 4 highlights the corresponding location on the screen of the terminal 6 (function 4).

The asset management server 5 stores and manages (performs alteration, update, etc. of information) asset-related information contained in the asset indicating tag 2 (function 1), and generates a list of the entire assets that the asset indicating tag 2 is attached to and then displays the list on the screen of the terminal 6 (function 2), and when the reader 3 reads the asset indicating tag 2 attached to assets, the asset management server 5 highlights the corresponding asset-related information on the screen of the terminal 6 (function 3) .

The step 110 relates to the course of attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 dispersely in the main position within the interested space and inputting the relative position of the each location indicating tag 1 to the location management server 4 to generate a drawing indicative of the interested space.

Herein, 'main position' refers to a place where an interested asset is located, wall surfaces, corners, etc. needed to define an interested space and so on. Preferably, the location indicating tag 1 is attached to have a completely same height (altitude) with the main position to place in the same level surface.

The completed drawing in the step 110 is a schematic drawing which indicates the boundary and inner main position of the interested space alone. In the drawing, an object (the relevant description was described above) can be added to make out a more detailed drawing.

The above step 110 corresponds to a course of generating a drawing indicative of an interested space using triangulation. Specifically, the step 110 includes the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 dispersely in the main position of the interested space (step 111); defining as the origin (o) a center point in the interested space in which it is possible to view all of the multiple of location indicating tags 1 attached in the step 111 (step 112); defining any one tag of the location indicating tags 1 attached in the step 111 as a(0) and measuring and recording the distance between a(0) and the origin (o) (step 113); defining a location indicating tag 1 clockwise adjacent from a(0) as a(l) and measuring the distance between a(l) and the origin (o) and then measuring and recording the angle between a(0), the origin (o) and a(l) (step 114); completing the measurement of all location indicating tags 1 by repeating the task of the step 114 in clockwise order and finally defining an n attached location indicating tag 1 as a(n), measuring the distance between a(n) and the origin (o) and then measuring and recording the angle between a(n-l), the origin (o) and a(n) and, because two sides and the inter-angle are known from the measurement result, dividing the interested space into definitely definable, adjacent, successive triangles (step 115); and completing the schematic drawing (plain view) of the interested space with a boundary divided and inter-connected in the entire n+1 points including a(0), a(l), a(2), ..., a(n-2), a(n-l), a(n) by sticking the triangles formed in step 115 in succession by using a program in the location management server 4. If the interested space is too big or has an eyesight limit so that all over the space cannot be seen from one origin, it is preferred to add step 117 of dividing the interested space into more than two spaces of any size between step 111 and step 112 and then perform the course of steps 112 through 116 on a respective divided space.

Also, if an arbitrary point inside the boundary of the interested space formed in step 116 is a main point, it is preferred to add step 118 of performing triangulation repeatedly for the arbitrary point inside the interested space boundary after step 116.

Also, it is possible to manage the interested space three-dimensional Iy by generating a solid figure for the interested space by adding a vertical axis having values by actual measurement to the completed plain view of step 116 (step 119).

On the one hand, if in step 110, location indicating tags 1 need to be closely attached in a partial region of the interested space (for example, a lot of advertisement posters are attached in succession on one wall), it is preferred to attach a RFID series on the corresponding region. In this case, as the characteristic of the RFID series (described later), the RFID series attached region automatically forms a partial boundary of the interested space .

¹RFID series' has been devised by the inventor to relieve inconveniences in attaching RFIDs in an interested space, respectively, a patent application regarding technical articles was filed (Korean patent application No. 2006-0002974, Korean patent application No. 2006-0002975 and Korean patent application No. 2006-0002976) and the related patent registration decision and the related patent registration have been obtained. In the following, the RFID series will be described briefly.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a RFID tag of a RFID series.

A RFID tag 10 is comprised of a chip and an antenna, and the tag 10 is surrounded by a case for protection. The RFID tag 10 is not different in construction and functions compared to existing RFID tags, and herein, the related detailed description will be omitted. However, the case is desirably made as an adhesive label which tends to be well bonded to a covering 20 since the RFID tag 10 according to the present invention needs to be wrapped with the covering 20 described later and thus to be capsuled in a string shape.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a covering of the RFID series and a capsuled RFID series in which a multiple of RFID tags are wrapped with the covering.

The covering 20 functions to wrap a multiple of RFID tags 10 and capsule them in a string shape. That is, by placing a multiple of RFID tags 10 in a row and wrapping them with the covering 20 just one time, a RFID tag connection like one long electric line (hereinafter, referred to as 'RFID series') can be made. At this time, as described above, if the case of the RFID tag 10 is made of an adhesive label and thus well bonded to the covering 20, it may be much easier to capsule the multiple of RFID tags 10. That is, in this case, just by adhering the RFID tag 10 to the covering 20 other than wrapping the multiple of RFID tags 10 with the covering 20, the RFID series according to the present invention can be manufactured. Such a covering 20 is made of bendable, smooth material, and it has a cord shape which is elongated in a longitudinal direction.

The RFID series according to the present invention can be divided as several types such as the type of the RFID 10 (classified based on a technical difference including a frequency band, etc.), the interval between RFID tags 10 and the material of the covering 20.

In such a RFID series, it is preferred that the RFID tag 10 may be enumerated in succession in a certain interval d. This is because, when RFID tags forming a RFID system need to be installed at regular intervals in the prior art, an operator has to install a stand-alone RFID tag separately, requiring the considerable loss of time and labor. However, according to the present invention for solving the above problem, when RFID tags 10 on the RFID series need to be enumerated in succession at a certain interval d, the operator needs to install one RFID series in a specific space, having the same effect as a multiple of RFID tags 10 installed everywhere at regular intervals simultaneously. The necessity of enumerating RFID tags 10 in succession at a certain interval d is not limited to such a reason, and thus it will be described in the later part.

At this time, a connection interval d between RFID tags 10 on the RFID series is not limited to one figure. That is, a RFID series can manufacture various inter-connection intervals d of RFID tags 10 according to use purpose, usage, etc. In this case, a person who wishes to install a RFID system can selectively purchase and install a RFID series with an interconnection interval d of RFID tags 10 equal to his desired RFID installation interval. For instance, FIG. 2 shows a RFID series with 1000 millimeters of an inter-connection interval d of RFID tags 10.

In this case, it is preferred that the covering 20 of the RFID series according to the present invention has coded a scale or a color indicative of an inter-connection interval d of RFID tags 10. As such, when the surface of the covering 20 has coded a scale or a color, an operator can promptly recognize which degree of intervals RFID tags 10 embedded in a RFID series he/she intends to install are enumerated through this so that the operator can definitely distinguish a respective RFID series having various inter^¬ connection intervals d of RFID tags 10 and less confusion is likely to happen when the RFID series is purchased or installed, and the operator can precisely grasp the installation position and quantity of the RFID tag 10 at a glance in the course or later of installing the RFID series in a specific space. For instance, FIG. 2 divides the interval of continuously positioned RFID tags 10 into 10 equal parts so that the colors can cross at 100 millimeter intervals and it can indicate a scale of 100 millimeter unit on each of them. As a result, FIG. 2 shows a piece of information stating that an inter-connect ion interval d of RFID tags 10 on the RFID series is 1000 millimeters.

Also, it is preferred that a RFID series according to the present invention enumerates RFID tags 10 in succession based on their ID order. This is because the ID of a stand-alone tag should be read separately using a RFID reader for confirmation in the course of installing the stand-alone RFID tag in the prior art, and the order of IDs (the order of IDs of stand-alone RFID tags based on a serial number) was hard to be maintained in the installation course since the stand-alone RFID tags are located one by one even though each ID is written on the surface of stand-alone RFID tags in the RFID capsule process or later, and it was significantly difficult to manage the order that is already scattered. However, according to the present invention proposed for solving the above problem, when RFID tags 10 on the RFID series are enumerated in the ID order, an operator can automatically grasp the IDs of the entire RFID tags 10 in a moment without confirming the ID of each RFID separately. In other words, if the operator reads only the ID of a first RFID tag 10 and the ID of a last RFID tag 10 on an installed RFID series after installing one RFID series in a specific space, the IDs of RFID tags 10 therebetween can be defined in order by an ascending power from the ID of the first RFID tag 10 or by a descending order from the ID of the last RFID tag 10. This endows an advantage with the present invention.

When the RFID series according to the present invention cannot be easily manufactured by enumerating it in succession depending on the ID order of RFID tags 10, the following method can be used:

In stage (Ia), a RFID series is made by enumerating RFID tags 10 randomly irrespective of the ID order.

In stage (2a), a database (hereinafter, referred to as 'RFID tag ID arrangement information') created and recorded by reading in an orderly manner the IDs of the RFID tags 10 enumerated in the RFID series formed in stage (Ia). For example, the RFID tag ID arrangement information can be constructed in the following type, that is 1: ID253, 2: ID20, 3: ID7, 4: ID154, 5: ID34, 6: ID817, 7: ID6732.8: ID470, 9: ID78,-.

In stage (3a), the seller of the RFID series provides the RFID tag ID arrangement information formed in stage (2a) to the buyer of the RFID series through various recorded media. For example, the seller of the RFID series can provide a diskette containing the RFID tag ID arrangement information of the corresponding RFID series together when selling the RFID series to the buyer. In this case, when the buyer of the RFID series reads one of several RFID tags 10 connected on the RFID series and then refers to its RFID tag ID arrangement information, the buyer can recognize the IDs of RFID tags 10 on both neighboring sides promptly. In addition, it is preferred that the RFID tag ID arrangement information can be made reference to over the internet. That is, when the buyer of the RFID series logs on the website of a RFID series seller (or a manufacturer) and inputs the IDs of a first RFID tag and a last RFID tag on the purchased RFID series, the server of the RFID series seller (or the manufacturer) may provide RFID tag ID arrangement information on RFID tags existing between the two input RFID tags to the buyer. Such a method can derive the same effect as a RFID series manufactured by enumerating RFID tags 10 successively in their ID order.

Also, it is more preferred that the ID and arrangement order of RFID tags 10 can be recorded on the covering 20. When the ID and arrangement order of RFID tags 10 are recorded on the surface of the covering 20 as stated immediately above, an installer can perform an installation task while promptly recognizing information of RFID tags 10 embedded in a RFID series presently being installed, and this causes the increase of task efficiency.

The efficiency of a RFID series as described above can be more specifically understood as stated below.

First, in order to install a multiple of RFID tags in an interested space, a course of dividing that space is needed. However, the dividing course can be omitted in the RFID series because the RFID series has its length representation and is color-coded. That is, once the installer defines what interval the RFID tag is to be installed at and installs it by selecting a RFID series having an interval characteristic equal to that interval (an inter-connection interval of RFID tags 10), the length representation on the RFID series naturally performs a space dividing function. Second, in order to attach a RFID tag in a respective divided zone, read the RFID tag and obtain information on the corresponding zone, a course of matching the ID of that zone and the ID of the RFID tag installed in the zone in advance is needed. Nevertheless, in the case of using a stand-alone RFID tag, a course of installing a RFID tag in each zone, actually reading IDs of all installed RFID tags using a RFID reader and matching the ID of the zone and the ID of the RFID tag separately was needed. However, this was a necessary course because a general stand-alone RFID tag cannot be distinguished with the naked eye. Instead of this course, a method of reading all the RFID tags, defining a zone that each RFID tag is to be attached to in advance and writing the ID of the zone on the surface of the RFID tag with a pen or printing the ID of the zone on the surface of the RFID tag before installing the RFID tag can be conceived. However, this task is also significantly troublesome and more likely confusing. However, when the RFID series is used, the ID of RFID tag 10 on the RFID series is already known. Thus, the course of reading the ID again by using a RFID reader can be omitted and assigning a zone ID according to the ID of the RFID tag 10 after installing the RFID series only is needed.

In the case of dividing zones on a bookcase and attaching a RFID tag indicative of each zone for managing the positions on the long bookcase of a library, the following task course is needed in using a stand-alone RFID tag.

In stage (Ib), the length of a zone on the bookcase is defined.

In stage (2b), the defined length of stage (1) is measured with a ruler to indicate zones on the bookcase and assign each zone an ID (a zone ID).

In stage (3b), RFID tags of the same number as the number of the divided zones are prepared.

In stage (4b), the prepared RFID tags are attached to each zone one by one.

In stage (5b), the ID of a RFID tag are attached to each zone using a RFID reader and the readings is input to a database.

In stage (6b), the ID of a zone to which the RFID tag read in stage (5b) is attached is confirmed and matched to the RFID tag ID on the database.

In stage (7b), the tasks of stage (5b) and (6b) are repeated until all attached RFID tags are read.

Such a task course is significantly troublesome and more likely confusing when the quantity of RFID tags is increased. Especially, the stages of (2b), (4b), (5b) and (6b) are considerably labor-intensive.

However, when the RFID series according to the present invention is used, the above task can be processed very simply and efficiently. FIG. 4 shows a state that a multiple of RFID tags are installed in an interested space using the RFID series according to the present invention. In the following, the method will be described.

In stage (Ic), the length of a zone on a bookcase is defined.

In stage (2c), a RFID series having an interval characteristic equal to the defined length is selected and installed on the bookcase.

In stage (3c), the ID of a first RFID tag and the ID of a last RFID tag on the RFID series installed in stage (2c) are read and recorded. At this time, because the ID and arrangement order of IDs of RFID tags therebetween are provided as a basic attribute of a RFID series at first, it is not necessary to read them separately. Also, a zone on the bookcase is automatically indicated by a length representation scale on the RFID series. In other words, a course of measuring each zone with a ruler and dividing it separately like the prior art is not needed.

In stage (4c), the ID of RFID tag together provided with the RFID series is input into a database and a corresponding zone ID is assigned in an orderly way for inter-matching.

Such a method is more simple and efficient than the method of using the existing stand-alone RFID tag due to characteristics that the order of RFID tags on the RFID series is fixed and the interval of the tags is constant. That is, a course of indicating zones on a bookcase is omitted, a necessity of reading all the RFID tags one by one does not exist, and also a course of matching the zone ID to the RFID tag ID is simply settled. Step 120 relates to a course of attaching the asset indicating tag 2 containing information of assets to the corresponding assets existing in an interested space and inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag 2 and the location ID of the location indicating tag 1 corresponding to a location in which the equivalent assets exist to the location management server 4 to store them as an inter-connected one information type.

For example, when an advertisement poster is attached in an interested space, the asset indicating tag 2 is attached on the advertisement poster. Then, by reading the location indicating tag 1 at the point where the advertisement poster is attached and reading the asset indicating tag 2 to which the advertisement poster is attached to inter-connect each location ID and each asset ID to store it in the location management server 4, which position the advertisement poster exists on the interested space can be confirmed in an instant. To perform a more efficient asset management than this case, it is preferred to inter-connect the ID of the advertisement poster itself and the ID (the asset ID) of the asset indicating tag 2 attached to the advertisement poster. Thus, all assets existing on the interested space can be managed systematically according to a unique ID.

Step 130 relates to a course of highlighting a location at which assets exist on the entire drawing indicating an interested space through the terminal 6 by the location management server 4 when the reader 3 reads any asset indicating tag 2 and displaying information of the corresponding assets definitely through the terminal 6 by the asset management server 5.

At this time, the terminal 6 is generally a personal computer (PC), but any communication means capable of transmitting/receiving data can be used. For example, it can be various types such as a laptop, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a cellular phone, a PCS (Personal Communication System) and a hand-held PC. In particular, the cellular phone or a PDA is easy to use because a manager can refer and check an asset management state any time without regard to a place such as an actual spot (interested space) and a management office. In the above-stated example, when the manager reads the asset indicating tag 2 attached to an advertisement poster existing on the interested space by the reader 3, the screen of the terminal 6 specifically shows a drawing confirming which place the corresponding poster exists on the interested space, and detailed matters about the corresponding advertisement poster (advertisement contents, advertisement type, advertisement contractor, the start date and end date of advertisement, advertisement price, etc.).

In step 130, it is preferred to highlight a position at which the location indicating tag 1 exists on the entire drawing indicating an interested space through the terminal 6 by the location management server 4 when the reader 3 reads any location indicating tag 1. In this case, only when the manager walks through the spot (interested space) and reads the location indicating tag 1 of the current position, the manager can entirely view through the screen of the terminal 6 at which place of the interested space he is currently located.

In addition, it is preferred to add step 140 of reading asset-related information or altered asset-related information contained in the asset indicating tag 2 through the reader 3 and storing that information in the asset management server 5. In this case, a manager may come out to a subway station carrying a PDA equipped with a RFID reader and then compare contents of interested assets stored on a database with the contents of actual interested assets or refer to the details of the actual interested assets by reading the ID of actual interested assets. As a reference result, if the contents of the actual interested asset has been modified, the manager can change the contents directly on the spot and store it on the database again.

2. A SECOND EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As another exemlary method for achieving the above object, the present invention proposes a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, including the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of the location indicating tag 1 to a location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 210); attaching to assets existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding assets, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag and the position ID of the location indicating tag 1 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 220); and highlighting all the assets' positions existing on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server 4 and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by an asset management server 5 when a user clicks specific assets (step 230).

The location indicating tag 1, the asset indicating tag 2, the location management server 4, the asset management server 5, the reader 3, the terminal 6 have already been described herein, and the description of step 210 and step 220 is the same as described above.

The difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment of the present invention is step 230, wherein step 230 relates to a course of highlighting all the assets' positions existing on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through the terminal 6 by the location management server 4 and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by the asset management server 5 when a user clicks on a specific asset.

Thus, by referring to a specific asset on the drawing displayed on the screen of the terminal 6, a manager can refer and check assets swiftly without visiting the actual spot (interested space) while receiving a vivid spatial sense as if he saw and confirmed the assets directly on the spot. In this case, the manager can click the specific asset on the drawing displayed on the screen of the terminal 6 and refer to the detailed matter. And, after that, the manager can come out to a subway station in person and compare the contents of assets stored on the database with the contents of the actual assets .

3. A THIRD EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

As another exemplary method for achieving the above object, the present invention proposes a method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, including the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of each location indicating tag 1 to the location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 310); attaching to assets existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding asset, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag 1 and the position ID of the asset indicating tag 2 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 320); and highlighting the corresponding asset existing position on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server 4 when an asset management server 5 displays a list of the entire assets existing on the interested space through the terminal 6 and a user clicks a specific asset in the list and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by the asset management server 5 (step 330).

The location indicating tag 1, the asset indicating tag 2, the location management server 4, the asset management server 5, the reader 3, the terminal 6 have already been described herein, and the description of step 310 and step 320 is the same as described above.

The difference of the third embodiment from the first embodiment and the second embodiment of the present invention is step 330, wherein step 330 relates to a course of highlighting the corresponding asset existing position on the entire drawing that indicates an interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server 4 when an asset management server 5 displays a list of the entire assets existing on the interested space through the terminal 6 and a user clicks a specific asset in the list and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by the asset management server 5.

Thus, in the case of referring to a specific asset in the asset list displayed on the screen of the terminal 6, a manager can make a swift reference for each type of asset. That is, when there are various kinds of assets existing on the interested space and one intends to refer to the management status of a specific group of assets, it is not necessary to search and check all the assets one by one but only the concerned asset in the asset list needs to be selected for confirmation. Therefore, the asset management can be performed more systematically and speedily. Also, the manager may check the separate position of specific assets, that is a reference object, through a drawing on the screen of the terminal 6 and then come out to a subway station in person and compare the contents of assets stored on a database with the contents of the actual assets. [Mode for Invention]

4. ONE APPLICATION EXAMPLE OF THE PRESENT INVENTION TO ¹SUBWAY STATION'

Hereinafter, the application instance of the present invention to a subway station (that is, the course of managing each kind of asset existing in an interested space according to the present invention when the interested space is set as a subway station) will be described.

A subway station has facilities and equipment needed for subway services, a lease facility, safety equipment (for example, a fire extinguisher), furnishings for advertisements, printed advertisements, etc. (for conveniences' sake, these are referred to as 'interested assets').

Subway operating subjects (Seoul Metro, Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corporation, etc.) need to grasp the location and the current state of such interested assets swiftly and collectively to provide convenient and secure subway services and make a profit through advertisements and rents efficiently. For example, all printed advertisements installed within the subway station can be managed efficiently only when the contractor, the start date and end date of the contract, a price, a precise position, etc. are known precisely and in real-time. As for a printed advertisement that contract period has expired, the fact of contract termination should be grasped in time and such an advertisement needs to be removed to help the beauty within the subway station and also help profitability of the subway operating subject. This is also true to the lease facility. Also, in the safety equipment, the current state and the precise installation position should be grasped for much help to public safety.

The method of tagging the main position and interested assets within a subway station and managing the location and status of the corresponding interested assets according to the present invention gives considerable help to managing the interested assets simply and efficiently by a subway operating subject. A specific method will be provided below.

In stage (Id), the main position of walls forming the boundary of a subway station is grasped. Examples of the main position includes corners, the circumference of a gate, an entrance to stairs, a ticket office, the location that other interested assets are placed, etc.

In stage (2d), a RFID tag (location indicating tag) is attached to the main position.

In stage (3d), a location in which it is possible to view all the RFID tags well is set as the origin and triangulation by the above-described method is carried out. If an origin that can look all RFID tags does not exist, the entire station building may be divided into several sections for the task and tags held in common between each section may be connected to construct the entire station building.

In stage (4d), analyze data resulting from triangulation using a program (location management server) to generate the boundary drawing of the subway station and then if needed, edit the subway station drawing in more detail. The program provides pre-made, several kinds of objects. Examples of the object includes stairs, doors, a ticket office, a ticket machine, a ticket gate, a fire hydrant, an advertisement frame, etc. A program user may select these objects, affix them on the drawing and adjust the size to complete a detail drawing.

In stage (5d), make a database of interested assets (store it in an asset management server). The database includes all the detail contents of the interested assets and the ID of a RFID (asset indicating tag) attached to the interested assets.

In stage (6d), read a RFID (location indicating tag) indicating a main position by using a PDA equipped with a RFID reader, and read a RFID (asset indicating tag) of the interested assets existing in the corresponding location. The program (location management server) receives the data and stores what interested assets exist and the location of the interested assets. This course is repeated for all the interested assets.

In stage (7d), when progressed to this point, the subway operating subject can see actual position placed interested assets and the subway station completely reproduced on a monitor. The manager may click the interested assets on the screen to refer the detail contents, and the manager may come out to a subway station carrying a PDA equipped with a RFID reader and then compare contents of interested assets stored on the database with the contents of actual interested assets or refer the details of the actual interested assets by reading the ID of actual interested assets. Also, if the contents of the actual interested assets has been modified, the manager may refer and change the contents directly on the spot to store it on the database again. [Industrial Applicability]

The present invention can make out a drawing of an interested space easily and speedily without an existing drawing, record the position of assets swiftly, refer for information regarding interested assets on the spot promptly as well as update the developments swiftly. Therefore, the present invention is a technology that realizes its practical and economical values fully when introduced in the administration of physical distribution or a warehousing field.

Claims

[CLAIMS] [Claim 1]

A method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, comprising the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of each location indicating tag 1 to the location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 110); attaching to assests existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding asset, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag 1 and the position ID of the asset indicating tag 2 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 120); and highlighting the corresponding asset existing position on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server when a reader 3 reads any asset indicating tag 2 and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by an asset management server 5 (step 130).

[Claim 2]

The method of claim 1, wherein step 110 corresponds to a course of generating a drawing indicative of an interested space using triangulation, wherein step 110 further comprises the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 dispersely in the main position of the interested space (step 111); defining as the origin (o) a center point in the interested space in which it is possible to view all of the multiple of location indicating tags 1 attached in the step 111 (step 112); defining any one tag of the location indicating tags 1 attached in the step 111 as a(0) and measuring and recording the distance between a(0) and the origin (o) (step 113); defining a location indicating tag 1 clockwise adjacent from a(0) as a(l) and measuring the distance between a(l) and the origin (o) and then measuring and recording the angle between a(0), the origin (o) and a(l) (step 114); completing the measurement of all location indicating tags 1 by repeating the task of the step 114 in clockwise order and finally defining a n attached location indicating tag 1 as a(n), measuring the distance between a(n) and the origin (o) and then measuring and recording the angle between a(n-l), the origin (o) and a(n) and, because two sides and the inter-angle are known from the measurement result, dividing the interested space into definitely definable, adjacent, successive triangles (step 115); and completing the schematic drawing (plain view) of the interested space with a boundary divided and inter-connected in the entire n+1 points including a(0), a(l), a(2), ..., a(n-2), a(n-l), a(n) by sticking the triangles formed in step 115 in succession by using a program on the location management server 4.

[Claim 3]

The method of claim 2, wherein if the interested space is too big or has an eyesight limit so that all over the space cannot be seen from one origin, the method adds step 117 of dividing the interested space into more than two spaces of any size between step 111 and step 112 and then performs the course of step 112 through 116 on a respective divided space.

[Claim 4]

The method of claim 2, wherein if an arbitrary point inside the boundary of the interested space is a main point, the method adds step 118 of performing triangulation repeatedly for the arbitrary point inside the interested space boundary after step 116.

[Claim 5]

The method of claim 2, wherein the method completes a solid figure for the interested space by adding a vertical axis having values by actual measurement to the completed plain view of step 116 after step 116 (step 119). [Claim 6]

The method of claim 1, wherein, in step 110, a RFID or a bar code is used as the location indicating tag 1. [Claim 7]

The method of claim 1, wherein, in step 110, if the location indicating tags 1 needs to be closely attached in a partial region of the interested space, the method attaches a RFID series on the corresponding region. [Claim 8]

The method of claim 1, wherein, in step 120, the asset indicating tag 2 comprises a RFID or a bar code. [Claim 9]

The method of claim 1, wherein in step 130, the reader 3 comprises a RFID reader or a bar code reader. [Claim 10]

The method of claim 1, wherein, in step 130, the terminal 6 comprises one or more types of a PC, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a cellular phone, a PCS (Personal Communication System) and a hand-held PC. [Claim 11]

The method of claim 1, wherein, step 130 highlights a location indicating tag 1 existing position on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through the terminal 6 by the location management server 4 when the reader 3 reads any location indicating tag 1. [Claim 12]

The method of claim 1, wherein between step 110 and step 120, the method adds step 140 of reading asset-related information or altered asset- related information contained in the asset indicating tag 2 through the reader 3 and storing that information in the asset management server 5. [Claim 13]

A method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, comprising the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of the location indicating tag 1 to a location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 210); attaching to assests existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding assets, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag and the position ID of the location indicating tag 1 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 220); and highlighting all the assets' position existing on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server 4 and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by an asset management server 5 when a user clicks specific assets (step 230). [Claim 14]

A method of managing assets within an interested space using a tag, comprising the steps of: attaching a multiple of location indicating tags 1 in the main position within an interested space in a divided way, inputting the relative position of each location indicating tag 1 to the location management server 4 and generating a drawing indicating the interested space (step 310); attaching to assests existing within the interested space an asset indicating tag 2 containing information of the corresponding asset, inputting the asset ID of the asset indicating tag 1 and the position ID of the asset indicating tag 2 corresponding to the asset existing position into the location management server 4 and storing these as one inter-connected information type (step 320); and highlighting the corresponding asset existing position on the entire drawing that indicates the interested space through a terminal 6 by the location management server 4 when an asset management server 5 displays a list of the entire assets existing on the interested space through the terminal 6 and a user clicks a specific asset in the list and displaying information of the corresponding assets clearly through the terminal 6 by the asset management server 5 (step 330).