Method of operating radio frequency identification (RFID) devices on vehicle

Abstract

To maintain RFID devices within compliance when used on a vehicle that travels between different geographic locations.SOLUTION: The invention provides methods of operating radio frequency identification (RFID) devices of a vehicle. The methods include: determining a geographic location of the vehicle; based on the geographic location of the vehicle, determining an operational requirement for the RFID devices; and, after determining the operational requirement, operating the RFID devices according to the operational requirement. The methods provide operating the RFID devices within compliance for the operational requirements that are required in different geographic locations where the vehicle travels.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of operating devices located on vehicles, and more particularly to a method for operating RFID devices within compliance when used on vehicles that move to different geographic locations. [Background technology]

[0002]

[0002] Vehicles, such as, but not limited to, airplanes, ships, trains, and buses, travel between different geographic locations. Examples include, but are not limited to, airplanes traveling between different countries, trains traveling between different states, and buses traveling between different cities. Different geographic locations have different regulations, including regulations regarding operating devices located on the vehicles. The devices need to be adjusted as necessary to ensure that they comply with the requirements of the current geographic location in which the vehicle is located.

[0003]

[0003] One type of device that may be placed on a vehicle is a radio frequency identification device (RFID device). RFID devices are used for a variety of functions, including, but not limited to, tracking cargo, monitoring door and compartment locations, etc. Different countries have different operating requirements for the use of RFID devices. As an example, UHF allocations for different countries are managed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Different countries are allocated different frequency bands within the range between 860 and 960 MHz. For example, the United States operates at 902-928 MHz, France at 865.6-867.6 MHz, and China at 920.5-924.5 MHz.

[0004]

[0004] Maintaining compliance of RFID devices in vehicles is difficult. RFID devices configured for use in a first country may require calibration before being used in a different country. There is a need to keep RFID devices in compliance when used in vehicles that move between different geographic locations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One aspect is directed to a method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device in a vehicle, the method including determining a geographic location of the vehicle, determining operational requirements for the RFID device based on the geographic location of the vehicle, and operating the RFID device in accordance with the operational requirements.

[0006] In another aspect, the method further includes adjusting a setting of the RFID device to cause the RFID device to operate in accordance with the operational requirements.

[0007]

[0007] In another aspect, the method further includes determining a geographic location of the vehicle when the vehicle arrives at the destination.

[0008]

[0008] In another aspect, determining the geographic location of the vehicle includes determining a latitude and longitude of the vehicle and determining a country code corresponding to the latitude and longitude.

[0009]

[0009] In another aspect, the method further includes identifying a current frequency setting for the RFID device, determining that the frequency setting for the RFID device is outside a frequency band, and adjusting the RFID device to operate within the frequency band.

[0010] In another aspect, determining operational requirements for the RFID device includes determining a power level for the RFID device.

[0011] In another aspect, the method further includes determining the geographic location and operational requirements from one or more information sources located in the vehicle.

[0012] In another aspect, identifying the operational requirements includes identifying UHF spectrum regulatory operational requirements for operating the RFID device within a country in which the vehicle is located.

[0013] One aspect is directed to a method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device in a vehicle, the method including identifying a geographic location of the vehicle, identifying a country code corresponding to the geographic location, identifying a frequency band of operation of the RFID device corresponding to the country code, and operating the RFID device within the frequency band while the vehicle is in the geographic location.

[0014] In another aspect, the method further includes polling a computing system onboard the vehicle and determining one or more of a geographic location, a country code, and a frequency band.

[0015]

[0015] In another aspect, the method further includes determining that an event has occurred in the vehicle and determining a geographic location after the event has occurred.

[0016] In another aspect, determining the country code includes determining an alpha 3 country code that corresponds to the geographic location.

[0017]

[0017] In another aspect, the method further includes identifying a current frequency for the RFID device, determining whether the current frequency is within a frequency band, adjusting settings of the RFID device whose current frequency is outside the frequency band, and operating the RFID device within the frequency band.

[0018]

[0018] In another aspect, identifying a frequency band of operation for the RFID device corresponding to a country code includes identifying UHF spectrum regulatory operating requirements for operating the RFID device within the country in which the vehicle is located.

[0019]

[0019] One aspect is directed to a computing device configured to operate an RFID device. The computing device includes a memory circuit having program instructions stored therein, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute the program instructions that, when executed, cause the computing device to determine a geographic location of a vehicle, determine a code corresponding to the geographic location, determine a frequency band of operation for an RFID device corresponding to the code, and operate the RFID device within the frequency band.

[0020] In another aspect, the processing circuitry is configured to configure the one or more on-board systems to obtain the geographic location and the code.

[0021]

[0021] In another aspect, the code is a country code corresponding to the country in which the vehicle is located.

[0022] In another aspect, the processing circuitry is further configured to send commands to adjust operational functions of the RFID device to operate within the frequency band.

[0023] In another aspect, the processing circuitry is configured to determine that one or more of the RFID devices are operating within the frequency band and to prevent coordination of the one or more RFID devices.

[0024]

[0024] In another aspect, the code is a city code corresponding to the city in which the vehicle is located.

[0025]

[0025] The above-described features, functions, and advantages can be realized alone in various aspects or can be combined in further multiple aspects, details of which can be confirmed by referring to the following description and the attached drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle equipped with a computing device and an RFID system. [Diagram 2]

[0027] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computing device connected to an RFID system. [Diagram 3]

[0028] 1 is a flow chart of a method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device in a vehicle. [Figure 4]

[0029] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a computing device communicatively connected to a navigation system and an RFID system. [Diagram 5]

[0030] 1 is a schematic diagram of the operation of a computing device for operating an RFID system in accordance with operational requirements. [Figure 6]

[0031] 1 is a flow chart of a method of operating an RFID device in a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027]

[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a vehicle 100 that travels to different geographic locations. A wide variety of vehicles 100 are applicable for use with aspects of the present disclosure. In this example, the vehicle 100 is an aircraft configured to fly routes to a variety of different geographic locations. The vehicle 100 may be equipped to transport passengers and / or cargo. The vehicle 100 is equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) system 20 that passively reads identifying information. The RFID system 20 may be used for a variety of different functions. Examples include, but are not limited to, monitoring luggage or cargo, monitoring life jackets or other safety devices, and monitoring orientation components such as overhead compartment doors or monument doors. A computing device 30 is configured to control the operation of the RFID system 20 to ensure compliance with geographic location-dependent operating parameters.

[0028]

[0033] The RFID system 20 operates according to the requirements of the geographic location in which the vehicle 100 is located. The size of the geographic location may vary by, for example, but not limited to, a country (e.g., Germany), a state (e.g., North Carolina in the United States), a region (e.g., Europe), and a city (e.g., Paris). The operating requirements may vary. In some embodiments, the operating requirements include frequency bands having minimum and maximum allowable levels. Particular embodiments include the United States operating within the frequency band of 902-928 MHz, France operating within 865.6-867.6 MHz, and China operating within 920.5-924.5 MHz. One particular requirement is the ultra-high frequency (UHF) spectrum regulatory operating requirement for operating the RFID device 21. Other examples of operational requirements include, but are not limited to, power levels for operation including maximum wattage allowed, calculated as Effective Radiated Power (ERP) or Equivalent Isotropically Radiated Power (EIRP), and reader-tag communication technologies, such as Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), Listen Before Talk (LBT), and European Telecommunications Standard (ETSI).

[0029]

[0034] 2 shows a schematic of an RFID system 20 operatively connected to a computing device 30. The connection can be made in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, via a wireless network or a wired connection. The RFID system 20 is a passive system and includes one or more RFID devices 21 having a tag 22 and a reader 23. The tag 22 is configured to be attached to an object to be tracked / monitored. The reader 23 has an antenna that emits an electromagnetic interrogation pulse. In response, the tag 22 transmits digital data, such as an identification number or object information, back to the reader 23. In some embodiments, the collected information is transmitted to the computing device 30, which processes the information. In other embodiments, the information is transmitted to a different system for processing.

[0030]

[0035] The computing device 30 is configured to determine a geographic location of the vehicle 100 and operate the RFID system 20 according to one or more operational requirements for the geographic location. Figure 3 shows a flow chart of the operation of the computing device 30. The computing device 30 determines the geographic location of the vehicle 100 (block 200). This may occur when the vehicle 100 experiences an event such as, but not limited to, arrival, departure, power on, and taxiing. The computing device 30 determines operational requirements for one or more RFID devices 21 for the geographic location (block 202). The computing device 30 then operates the one or more RFID devices 21 according to the operational requirements (block 204).

[0031]

[0036] FIG. 4 illustrates a computing device 30 that operates the RFID system 20. The computing device 30 includes a processing circuit 31 that controls the operation of the RFID system 20 according to program instructions 70 stored in a memory circuit 32. The processing circuit 31 includes one or more circuits, microcontrollers, microprocessors, hardware, or combinations thereof. The memory circuit 32 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having program instructions 70 stored thereon. The program instructions 70 configure the processing circuit 31 to perform one or more of the techniques described herein. The memory circuit 32 may include various memory devices, such as, for example, read-only memory and flash memory. The memory circuit 32 may be a separate component as shown in FIG. 4 or may be incorporated into the processing circuit 31.

[0032]

[0037] The programming instructions 70 include an RFID sensor orchestrator 71 that configures the RFID system 20, including one or more RFID devices 21, to operate in accordance with applicable geographic requirements. The programming instructions 70 further include one or more application programming interfaces (APIs), which are executable software modules to facilitate the exchange of data files between one or more of the computing device 30, the computing system 60, and the RFID system 20. In one embodiment as shown in FIG. 4, the programming instructions 70 include a GPS API 72, a geolocation translation API 73, and a UHF regulatory API 74.

[0033]

[0038] The communications circuitry 33 provides for communications with a computing system 60 located onboard the vehicle 100 and / or remotely from the vehicle 100. The communications circuitry 33 also provides for communications with the RFID system 20. In some embodiments, the communications are via a network 50 located on the vehicle 100. The network 50 comprises a medium configured to provide communications links between the various devices and systems. The network 50 may include connections, such as wired or wireless communication links, fiber optic cables, and / or any other suitable medium for transmitting and / or communicating data between the devices and / or systems.

[0034]

[0039] In some embodiments, the communication circuitry 33 includes a WLAN interface configured to communicate with the local area network 50, for example, via a wireless access point. An exemplary WLAN interface operates according to the 802.11 family of standards, commonly known as a WiFi interface. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry 33 includes a personal area network interface, such as a Bluetooth interface. In some embodiments, the communication circuitry 33 includes a cellular interface enabling communication with a mobile communication network (e.g., a WCDMA, LTE, or WiMAX network).

[0035]

[0040] The user interface 34 provides for a flight crew member, technician, or other person to control one or more aspects of the computing device 30. The user interface 34 includes one or more input devices 35, such as, without limitation, a keypad, touchpad, rollerball, and joystick, that provide for commands to be entered into the processing circuitry 31. The user interface 34 may also include one or more displays 36 for displaying information.

[0036]

[0041] The computing device 30 communicates with a computing system 60 of the vehicle 100. The computing system 60 may include a single system that controls one or more functions of the vehicle 100, or two or more separate systems interconnected via the network 50. Examples of the system 60 include, without limitation, a flight control system, a flight control surface system, a navigation system, an engine system, an autopilot system, a collision avoidance system, and a weather radar system.

[0037]

[0042] 4 includes an embodiment in which a computing system 60 includes navigation functionality. The computing system 60 monitors the geographic location of the vehicle 100. In some embodiments, the navigation computing system 60 includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit 65. The GPS unit 65 includes a transmitter that communicates with one or more satellites and ground stations that measure latitude and longitude. The GPS unit 65 further includes a receiver that receives position information.

[0038]

[0043] 5 illustrates the functionality of the computing device 30 for operating the RFID device 21 of the RFID system 20 according to applicable geographic requirements. The computing device 30 operates according to instructions from the RFID sensor orchestrator 71. The RFID sensor orchestrator 71 issues a command to read the geographic location of the vehicle 100. This request may occur in response to an event in the vehicle 100, such as, but not limited to, the arrival (e.g., landing), departure, taxiing, and powering on some or all of the computing system 60. In other embodiments, the request occurs periodically, such as, but not limited to, every hour, every six hours, and at the same or more times (e.g., noon, midnight) every day. The GPS API 72 returns the geographic location from the GPS unit 65 of the computing system 60. In some embodiments, the GPS API 72 response is a pair of floating point values ​​representing the current latitude and longitude readings.

[0039]

[0044] Upon receiving the GPS data, the RFID sensor orchestrator 71 polls the geolocation translation API 73 for a code corresponding to the current geographic location. The polling includes providing the geographic location data obtained from the GPS API 72. In return, the geolocation translation API 73 provides a code corresponding to the provided GPS data. The code includes one or more of a country code, a city code, a state code, and a region code. In some embodiments, the geolocation translation API 73 returns one or more of an alpha-2, alpha-3, or numeric country code.

[0040]

[0045] The RFID sensor orchestrator 71 then queries the UHF regulatory API 74 with the one or more codes. The UHF regulatory API 74 returns one or more operational requirements for operating the RFID system 20 corresponding to the one or more codes. In some embodiments, the operational requirements include frequency bands including minimum and maximum allowable levels. Other examples of operational requirements include, without limitation, power levels for operation including maximum wattage allowed, and reader-tag communication techniques.

[0041]

[0046] The RFID sensor orchestrator 71 then determines whether the RFID system 20 is operating in accordance with one or more operational requirements, and the configuration of the RFID device 21 is adjusted as necessary to operate within the requirements for the identified country.

[0042]

[0047] In some embodiments, the RFID orchestrator 71 polls the RFID devices 21 for one or more current operational settings (e.g., current frequency band). The current operational settings (e.g., frequency band) of the readers 23 are stored in an RFID reader map data structure. The map data is then reviewed and compared to the operational requirements returned from the UHF regulatory API 74. RFID devices 21 in compliance are maintained. Those that are not in compliance are adjusted as necessary. In some embodiments, for each RFID device 21 determined to be in a non-compliant operational setting, a change command (e.g., a frequency change command) is sent to the corresponding RFID device 21.

[0043]

[0048] The process of identifying the geographic location, country code, operational requirements, as well as identifying and, if necessary, making changes to the frequency settings of the RFID device 21 is stored in an event logging system maintained within the flight system. This log may be used for a variety of reasons, such as maintenance, operational compliance, inspection, etc.

[0044]

[0049] 6 illustrates a method of operating an RFID device 21 in a vehicle 100. The method identifies a geographic location of the vehicle 100 (block 250). A country code corresponding to the geographic location is then identified (block 252). A frequency band of operation for the RFID device 21 corresponding to the country code is identified (block 254). The RFID device 21 operates within the frequency band while the vehicle 100 is in the geographic location (block 256).

[0045]

[0050] In some embodiments, the computing device 30 obtains information about the operation of the RFID device 21 from an on-board information source. In other embodiments, the computing device 30 obtains information from a remote information source not on-board the vehicle 100. For example, the computing device 30 communicates with a remote node of the owner of the vehicle 100 that maintains various operating requirements. In some embodiments, the computing device 30 communicates with a governmental authority about one or more operating requirements.

[0046]

[0051] Computing system 60 and RFID system 20 include processing, memory, and communication circuits for performing functions and communicating with computing device 30. In some embodiments, the system is microprocessor-based, such as a computer having at least one processor, memory (RAM and / or ROM), and associated input and output buses. In some embodiments, the processor operates under the control of an operating system resident in the memory. In some embodiments, the operating system manages computer resources. Computer program code embodied as one or more computer software applications, such as applications resident in the memory, thereby includes instructions executed by the processor. In some embodiments, the processor executes the applications directly. In that case, the operating system may be omitted.

[0047]

[0052] In some embodiments, the program instructions 70 are stored in the memory circuitry 32. In other embodiments, the program instructions 70 are functionally disposed on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium is selectively removable and can be loaded or transferred to the computing device 30 for execution by the processing circuitry 31. In some embodiments, the program instructions 70 include a computer-readable storage medium or a computer-readable signal medium. The computer-readable storage medium can include, for example, an optical or magnetic disk inserted or disposed in a drive or other device that is part of the memory circuitry 32. The computer-readable storage medium can also take the form of a permanent storage device, such as a hard drive, thumb drive, or flash memory, connected to the computing device. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory physical or tangible storage device for storing the program instructions.

[0048]

[0053] In some embodiments, the program instructions 70 are transferred remotely to the computing device 30, e.g., over a network, using a computer-readable signal medium. The computer-readable signal medium may be, e.g., a propagated data signal that includes the program instructions 70. In some embodiments, the computer-readable signal medium is an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal, and / or any other suitable type of signal. These signals may be transferred over a communications link (e.g., a wireless communications link, an optical fiber cable, a coaxial cable, a wire), and / or any other suitable type of communications link. That is, in exemplary embodiments, the communications link and / or connection may be physical or wireless. In some embodiments, the program instructions 70 are downloaded over a network from another device or data processing system via a computer-readable signal medium used within the computing device 30.

[0049]

[0054] In some embodiments, the program instructions 70 include an operating system (OS). The OS is stored in the memory circuitry 32 and controls and allocates resources of the computing device 30. The OS includes any suitable software system configured to manage and expose hardware resources of the computing device 30. In some embodiments, the OS provides an API that facilitates the connection of different types of hardware and / or provides applications with access to hardware and OS services. In some embodiments, a particular application may provide additional services that are used by other applications, such as, for example, so-called "middleware."

[0050]

[0055] The disclosed methods may be used with a variety of vehicles 100, including, but not limited to, manned aerial vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles, manned spacecraft, unmanned spacecraft, manned rotorcraft, unmanned rotorcraft, satellites, rockets, missiles, manned surface vehicles, unmanned surface vehicles, manned undersea vehicles, unmanned undersea vehicles, and combinations thereof.

[0051]

[0056] The present disclosure may be practiced in other ways than as specifically set forth herein without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device in a vehicle (100), comprising: determining a geographic location of said vehicle (100); determining operational requirements for the RFID device (21) based on the geographic location of the vehicle (100); and and operating said RFID device (21) in accordance with said operational requirements.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adjusting a setting of the RFID device (21) to cause the RFID device (21) to operate in accordance with the operational requirements.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the geographic location of the vehicle when the vehicle arrives at a destination.

4. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the geographic location of the vehicle (100) comprises determining a latitude and longitude of the vehicle (100) and determining a country code corresponding to the latitude and longitude.

5. Identifying a current frequency setting for the RFID device (21); determining that the current frequency setting for the RFID device (21) is outside a frequency band; and The method of claim 1 , further comprising tuning the RFID device (21) to operate within the frequency band.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying the operational requirements for the RFID device (21) includes identifying a power level for the RFID device (21).

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the geographic location and the operational requirements from one or more information sources located in the vehicle (100).

8. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the operational requirements includes identifying UHF spectrum regulatory operational requirements for operating the RFID device (21) in a country in which the vehicle (100) is located.

9. A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device in a vehicle (100), comprising: determining a geographic location of said vehicle (100); identifying a country code corresponding to said geographic location; Identifying a frequency band of operation of the RFID device (21) corresponding to the country code; and operating the RFID device (21) within the frequency band while the vehicle (100) is in the geographic location.

10. 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising polling an on-board computing system (60) of the vehicle (100) to determine one or more of the geographic location, the country code, and the frequency band.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining that an event has occurred in the vehicle (100); and determining the geographic location after the event has occurred.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein identifying the country code comprises identifying an alpha 3 country code that corresponds to the geographic location.

13. Identifying a current frequency for the RFID device (21); determining whether the current frequency is within the frequency band; adjusting the settings of the RFID device (21) such that the current frequency is outside the frequency band; and The method of claim 9, further comprising operating the RFID device (21) within the frequency band.

14. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein identifying the frequency band of operation of the RFID device (21) corresponding to the country code includes identifying UHF spectrum regulatory operating requirements for operating the RFID device (21) in the country in which the vehicle (100) is located.

15. A computing device configured to operate an RFID device (21), comprising: a memory circuit (32) having stored therein program instructions (70); and a processing circuit (31) configured to execute the program instructions (70), which, when executed, cause the computing device to: determining a geographic location of a vehicle (100); identifying a code corresponding to said geographic location; identifying a frequency band of operation for said RFID device (21) corresponding to said code; and causing the RFID device (21) to operate within the frequency band.

16. 16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry (31) is configured to configure one or more on-board systems (60) to obtain the geographic location and the code.

17. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the code is a country code corresponding to a country in which the vehicle (100) is located.

18. 16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry (31) is further configured to send commands to adjust operational functions of the RFID device (21) to operate within the frequency band.

19. 16. The computing device of claim 15, wherein the processing circuitry (31) is configured to determine that one or more of the RFID devices (21) are operating within the frequency band and to prevent coordination of the one or more of the RFID devices (21).

20. The computing device of claim 15 , wherein the code is a city code corresponding to a city in which the vehicle (100) is located.

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