Object control and tracking system with zonal transition detection

A system for tracking movement of objects in a predefined area, said system comprising:

• a central controller;
• a readable tag on each object to be tracked, each readable tag storing a code identifying a corresponding object;
• readers at preselected locations within said predefined area for reading the codes of said readable tags as the objects corresponding to said readable tags move past said readers;
• a communications link between said readers and said central controller for communication of codes read by said readers to said central controller;
• said controller being programmed to collect data from said readers for tracking the movement of objects within the predefined area;
• and
• at least one Key Track system having a Key Track system central controller, said system for tracking movement of objects including connections between said readers and said Key Track central controller for integration of data from said readers with data from said Key Track system.

A method of tracking movement of an object between predetermined zones within an area, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) establishing transition regions between the predetermined zones;
• (b) detecting the object as the object traverses a transition region;
• (c) identifying the object as the object is detected traversing the transition region in step (b);
• (d) determining a zone in which the object is located based upon the detection and identification of the object in steps (b) and (c);
• step (b) further comprising the steps of providing the object with a readable tag and locating a reader in the transition region for reading the readable tag as the object traverses the transition region;
• and wherein the readable tag in step (b) is and RF tag and the reader includes at least one antenna for receiving RF signals transmitted by the RF tag;
• and wherein step (b) further comprises providing the object with at least two RF tags readable by the reader for determining a direction in which the object traverses the transition zone;
• and
• wherein the at least two RF tags are spaced apart on the object to be read in sequence by the reader for determining the direction in which the object traverses the transition region.

A method of tracking movement of an object between predetermined zones within an area, said method comprising the steps of:

• (a) establishing transition regions between the predetermined zones;
• (b) detecting the object as the object traverses a transition region;
• (c) identifying the object as the object is detected traversing the transition region in step (b);
• (d) determining a zone in which the object is located based upon the detection and identification of the object in steps (b) and (c);
• step (b) further comprising the steps of providing the object with a readable tag and locating a reader in the transition region for reading the readable tag as the object traverses the transition region;
• and wherein the readable tag in step (b) is and RF tag and the reader includes at least one antenna for receiving RF signals transmitted by the RF tag;
• and wherein step (b) further comprises providing the object with at least two RF tags readable by the reader for determining a direction in which the object traverses the transition zone;
• and
• wherein the at least two RF tags transmit signals at different radio frequencies for determining the direction in which the object traverses the transition region.

A system for tracking and controlling movement of objects in a predefined area comprising:

• a central controller;
• an array of readers disposed at pre-selected locations in the predefined area, said readers being in communication with said central controller;
• a readable tag on each of the objects, each readable tag storing a code identifying a corresponding object;
• said codes of said readable tag being detected by said readers as objects move past said readers and being communicated to said central controller;
• said central controller being programmed to determine the location of each object by analyzing the codes communicated by said readers;
• and wherein the objects are vehicles and the predefined area is the lot of an automobile dealership;
• and further comprising a Key Track system located at the automobile dealership, said central controller being a part of the Key Track system and having access to information regarding check out and check in of keys to vehicles at the automobile dealership;
• said central controller being programmed to analyze Key Trak information regarding the check out and check in of keys and to integrate the Key Track system information with information communicated by said readers and to reach conclusions regarding authorized movements of vehicles based on said analysis.