Method and computing device for operating radio frequency identification (RFID) device on vehicle

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device on a vehicle and a computing device. The method includes determining a geographic location of the vehicle. Based on the geographic location of the vehicle, operating requirements of the RFID device are determined. After the operation requirement is determined, the RFID device is operated in accordance with the operation requirement. The method provides for operating the RFID device within a range that complies with the operational requirements required for the vehicle to travel at different geographic locations.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to the field of operating devices located on a vehicle, and more particularly to methods of operating an RFID device within a compliance range when the RFID device is used on a vehicle traveling to different geographic locations. Background Art

[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. This can include regulations for operating equipment located on the vehicle. The device needs to be adjusted as required to ensure compliance with the requirements of the current geographic location where the vehicle is located.

[0003] One type of equipment located on a vehicle is a radio frequency identification device (RFID device). RFID devices are used for various functions, including but not limited to tracking cargo and monitoring the location of doors and compartments. Different countries have different operational requirements for the use of RFID devices. In one embodiment, the UHF allocation for different countries is managed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Different countries are assigned different frequency ranges within the range between 860MHz and 960MHz. Embodiments include the United States operating within 902MHz to 928MHz, France operating within 865.6MHz to 867.6MHz, and China operating within 920.5MHz to 924.5MHz.

[0004] It is difficult to maintain compliance with regulations for RFID devices on vehicles. An RFID device configured for use in a first country may need to be adjusted before use in a different country. When used on a vehicle traveling between different geographic locations, it is necessary to maintain compliance with regulations for RFID devices. Summary of the invention

[0005] One aspect relates to a method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device on a vehicle. The method includes: determining a geographic location of the vehicle; determining an operating requirement for the RFID device based on the geographic location of the vehicle; and operating the RFID device according to the operating requirement.

[0006] In another aspect, the method further includes adjusting settings on the RFID device so that the RFID device operates according to the operating requirements.

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

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

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

[0011] In another aspect, the method further includes determining the geographic location and the operating requirement from one or more sources located on the vehicle.

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

[0013] One aspect relates to a method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device on a vehicle. The method includes: determining a geographic location of the vehicle; determining a country code corresponding to the geographic location; determining a frequency range of operation of the RFID device corresponding to the country code; and operating the RFID device within the frequency range when the vehicle is in the geographic location.

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

[0015] In another aspect, the method further includes determining an event that has occurred with 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 corresponding to the geographic location.

[0017] In another aspect, the method further includes determining a current frequency of the RFID device, determining whether the current frequency is within a frequency range, adjusting a setting of the current frequency of the RFID device to be outside the frequency range; and operating the RFID device within the frequency range.

[0018] In another aspect, determining a frequency range of operation of the RFID device corresponding to the country code includes determining UHF spectrum management operating requirements for operating the RFID device in the country where the vehicle is located.

[0019] One aspect relates to a computing device configured to operate an RFID device. The computing device includes a memory circuit storing program instructions and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to execute the program instructions to cause the computing device to: determine a geographic location of a vehicle; determine a code corresponding to the geographic location; determine an operating frequency range of the RFID device corresponding to the code; and operate the RFID device within the frequency range.

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

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

[0022] In another aspect, the processing circuit is further configured to transmit a command to adjust an operating characteristic of the RFID device to operate within the frequency range.

[0023] In another aspect, the processing circuit is configured to determine that the one or more RFID devices are operating within a frequency range and to prevent adjusting the one or more RFID devices.

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

[0025] The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various aspects or may be combined in yet other aspects, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle equipped with a computing device and an RFID system.

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a computing device connected to an RFID system.

[0028] Figure 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device on a vehicle.

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing a computing device communicatively coupled to a navigation system and an RFID system.

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a computing device for operating an RFID system in compliance with operational requirements.

[0031] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method of operating an onboard RFID device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Figure 1 An embodiment of a vehicle 100 traveling to different geographic locations is shown. A wide variety of vehicles 100 are suitable for use with the disclosed aspects. In this embodiment, the aircraft 100 is an airplane configured to fly routes to various different geographic locations. The vehicle 100 can be equipped to transport passengers and / or cargo. The vehicle 100 is equipped with a radio frequency identification (RFID) system 20 that provides passive reading of identification information. The RFID system 20 can be used for a variety of different functions. Embodiments include, but are not limited to, monitoring luggage or cargo, monitoring life jackets or other safety devices, and monitoring directional components such as overhead doors and building doors. The computing device 30 is configured to control the operation of the RFID system 20 to ensure compliance with geographically relevant operating parameters.

[0033] The RFID system 20 operates according to the requirements of the geographic location where the vehicle 100 is located. The size of the geographic location may vary from embodiment to embodiment, including but not limited to a country (e.g., Germany), a state (e.g., North Carolina, United States), a region (e.g., Europe), and a city (Paris). The operating requirements may vary. In some embodiments, the operating requirements include a frequency range with minimum and maximum allowable levels. Specific embodiments include the United States operating in the frequency range of 902MHz-928MHz, France operating in 865.6MHz-867.6MHz, and China operating in 920.5MHz-924.5MHz. One specific requirement is the ultra-high frequency (UHF) spectrum management operating requirements for operating the RFID device 21. Other embodiments of the operating requirements include, but are not limited to: the power level of operation, which includes the maximum wattage allowed and calculated as effective radiated power (ERP) or equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP); and reader tag communication technologies such as frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), listen before talk (LBT), and European Telecommunication Standards (ETSI).

[0034] Figure 2 Schematically illustrated is an RFID system 20 operably connected to a computing device 30. The connection can be in different ways, such as but not limited to a wireless network or through 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 a computing device 30 that processes the information. In other embodiments, the information is transmitted to a different system for processing.

[0035] The computing device 30 is configured to determine the geographic location of the vehicle 100 and to operate the RFID system 20 according to one or more operational requirements of the geographic location. Figure 3 A flow chart of the operation of the computing device 30 is shown. The computing device 30 determines the geographic location of the vehicle 100 (block 200). This may occur when the vehicle 100 experiences events such as, but not limited to, arrival, departure, power-on, and taxiing. The computing device 30 determines the operating requirements of 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 operating requirements (block 204).

[0036] Figure 4 A computing device 30 is shown 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 a combination thereof. The memory circuit 32 includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions 70 that configure the processing circuit 31 to implement one or more of the techniques discussed herein. The memory circuit 32 may include different memory devices such as, for example, read-only memory, and flash memory. The memory circuit 32 may be, for example, Figure 4 A separate component as shown, or may be combined with processing circuit 31.

[0037] The program instructions 70 include an RFID sensor orchestrator 71 that provides for configuring the RFID system 20, which includes one or more RFID devices 21, to operate according to applicable geographic requirements. The program instructions 70 also include one or more application programming interfaces (APIs), which are software modules that can be executed 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. Figure 4 In one embodiment shown, the program instructions 70 include a GPS API 72 , a geolocation conversion API 73 , and a UHF conditioning API 74 .

[0038] The communication circuit 33 provides communication with a computing system 60 located on and / or remote from the vehicle 100. The communication circuit 33 also provides communication with the RFID system 20. In some embodiments, the communication is through a network 50 located on the vehicle 100. The network 50 includes a medium configured to provide a communication link between different 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 transferring data between devices and / or systems.

[0039] In some embodiments, the communication circuit 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, which is generally referred to as a WiFi interface. In some embodiments, the communication circuit 33 includes a personal area network interface, such as a Bluetooth interface. In some embodiments, the communication circuit 33 includes a cellular interface capable of communicating with a mobile communication network (e.g., a WCDMA, LTE, or WiMAX network).

[0040] User interface 34 provides personnel, such as flight crew, technicians, or other personnel, with the ability to control one or more aspects of computing device 30. User interface 34 includes one or more input devices 35, such as, but not limited to, keyboards, touch pads, scroll balls, and joysticks, for providing input commands to processing circuitry 31. User interface 34 may also include one or more displays 36 for displaying information.

[0041] Computing device 30 communicates with computing system 60 onboard vehicle 100. Computing system 60 may include a single system that controls one or more functions of vehicle 100, or two or more separate systems interconnected by network 50. Examples of system 60 include, but are not limited to, flight control systems, flight control surface systems, navigation systems, engine systems, autopilot systems, collision avoidance systems, and weather radar systems.

[0042] Figure 4 Embodiments are included in which the 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, which 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 location information.

[0043] Figure 5The computing device 30 is shown to operate the functionality of the RFID device 21 of the RFID system 20 according to applicable geographic requirements. The computing device 30 operates according to the instructions of the RFID sensor organizer 71. The RFID sensor organizer 71 issues a read command for the geographic location of the vehicle 100. The request may occur in response to an event of the vehicle 100, such as, but not limited to, the arrival (e.g., landing), departure, taxiing, and power-on of a portion or all of the computing system 60 on the vehicle 100. In other embodiments, this occurs on a periodic basis, such as, but not limited to, every hour, every six hours, and at the same time or times every day (e.g., noon, midnight). The GPS API 72 returns the geographic location based on the GPS unit 65 of the computing system 60. In some embodiments, the response from the GPS API 72 is a floating point value pair representing the current latitude and longitude reading.

[0044] When GPS data is received, the RFID sensor orchestrator 71 polls the geolocation conversion API 73 to obtain a code corresponding to the current geolocation. Polling includes providing the geolocation data obtained from the GPS API 72. In turn, the geolocation conversion 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 conversion API 73 returns one or more alpha-2, alpha-3, or numeric country codes.

[0045] The RFID sensor orchestrator 71 then queries the UHF regulation API 74 with the one or more codes. The UHF regulation API 74 returns one or more operating requirements for operating the RFID system 20 corresponding to the one or more codes. In some embodiments, the operating requirements include a frequency range including minimum and maximum allowable levels. Other embodiments of operating requirements include, but are not limited to, the power of operation, including the maximum wattage allowed and the reader tag communication technology.

[0046] RFID sensor orchestrator 71 determines whether RFID system 20 is operating according to one or more operating requirements. Settings on RFID device 21 are adjusted as necessary to operate within the requirements of the identified country.

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

[0048] The process of determining geographic location, country code, operational requirements and determining the frequency settings of the RFID device 21 and changing them as needed is saved in an event log recording system maintained in the flight system. This log can be used for different reasons, such as for maintenance, operational compliance, inspections, etc.

[0049] Figure 6 A method of operating an RFID device 21 on a vehicle 100 is shown. The method determines a geographic location of the vehicle 100 (block 250). A country code corresponding to the geographic location is then determined (block 252). A frequency range of operation of the RFID device 21 corresponding to the country code is determined (block 254). When the vehicle 100 is at the geographic location, the RFID device 21 is operated within the frequency range (block 256).

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

[0051] The computing system 60 and RFID system 20 include processing circuits, memory circuits, and communication circuits to perform these functions and communicate with the 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 so that computer program code embodied as one or more computer software applications (such as applications resident in the memory) includes instructions executed by the processor. In some embodiments, the processor directly executes the application program, in which case the operating system can be omitted.

[0052] In some embodiments, program instructions 70 are stored in memory circuit 32. In other embodiments, program instructions 70 are located on a selectively removable computer-readable medium in a functional form and can be loaded or transferred to computing device 30 for execution by processing circuit 31. In some embodiments, program instructions 70 include computer-readable storage media or computer-readable signal media. Computer-readable storage media may include, for example, an optical disk or disk inserted or placed in a drive or other device as part of memory circuit 32. Computer-readable storage media may also take the form of a permanent storage device (e.g., a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flash memory) connected to a computing device. In some embodiments, a computer-readable storage medium is a non-temporary, physical, or tangible storage device for storing program instructions.

[0053] In some embodiments, program instructions 70 are transmitted to computing device 30 remotely using computer readable signal media through a network. Computer readable signal media can be, for example, a propagated data signal containing program instructions 70. In some embodiments, computer readable signal media are electromagnetic signals, optical signals, and / or signals of any other suitable type. These signals can be transmitted through a communication link (e.g., a wireless communication link, an optical fiber cable, a coaxial cable, an electric wire, and / or a communication link of any other suitable type). In other words, in an illustrative embodiment, the communication link and / or the connection can be physical or wireless. In some embodiments, program instructions 70 are downloaded through a network from another device or a data processing system through a computer readable signal medium for use in computing device 30.

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

[0055] The disclosed method can be used on various vehicles 100. The vehicles 100 include, but are not limited to, manned aircraft, unmanned aircraft, manned spacecraft, unmanned spacecraft, manned rotorcraft, unmanned rotorcraft, satellites, rockets, missiles, manned ground vehicles, unmanned ground vehicles, manned ground water vehicles, unmanned ground water vehicles, manned sub-surface water vehicles, unmanned sub-surface water vehicles, and combinations thereof.

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

Claims

1. A method for operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device on a vehicle (100), the method include: Determining the geographic location of a vehicle (100); determining an operating requirement of an RFID device (21) based on the geographic location of the vehicle (100); and The RFID device (21) is operated according to the operation requirement.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: The settings of the RFID device (21) are adjusted so that the RFID device (21) operates according to the operation requirements.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: When the vehicle (100) arrives at the destination, the geographic location of the vehicle (100) is determined.

4. The method according to claim 1, in, Determining the geographic location of a vehicle (100) includes determining the latitude and longitude of the vehicle (100) and determining a country code corresponding to the latitude and longitude.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: determining a current frequency setting of the RFID device (21); determining that the current frequency setting of the RFID device (21) is outside a frequency range; as well as The RFID device (21) is tuned to operate within the frequency range.

6. The method according to claim 1, in, Determining the operating requirements of an RFID device (21) includes determining a power level of the RFID device (21).

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: The geographic location and the operational requirement are determined from one or more sources located on the vehicle (100).

8. The method according to claim 1, in, Determining operating requirements includes determining UHF spectrum regulatory operating requirements for operating the RFID device (21) in a country in which the vehicle (100) is located.

9. A method for operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) device on a vehicle (100), the method include: Determining the geographic location of a vehicle (100); determining a country code corresponding to the geographic location; determining a frequency range of operation of the RFID device (21) corresponding to the country code; as well as The RFID device (21) is operated within the frequency range when the vehicle (100) is at the geographic location.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: include: An onboard computing system (60) on the vehicle (100) is polled and one or more of the geographic location, the country code, and the frequency range is determined.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: include: An event occurring with the vehicle (100) is determined and a geographic location is determined after the event has occurred.

12. The method according to claim 9, in, Determining the country code includes determining an alpha-3 country code corresponding to the geographic location.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: include: determining a current frequency of the RFID device (21); Determining whether the current frequency is within the frequency range; adjusting the current frequency of the RFID device (21) to a setting outside the frequency range; as well as The RFID device (21) is operated within the frequency range.

14. The method according to claim 9, in, Determining a frequency range of operation of the RFID device (21) corresponding to the country code includes determining ultra-high frequency spectrum management operating requirements for operating the RFID device (21) in the country where the vehicle (100) is located.

15. A computing device configured to operate an RFID device (21), the computing device include: a memory circuit (32) storing program instructions (70); as well as The processing circuit (31) is configured to execute the program instructions (70) to cause the computing device to: Determining the geographic location of a vehicle (100); determining a code corresponding to the geographic location; determining a frequency range of operation of the RFID device (21) corresponding to the code; and The RFID device (21) is operated within the frequency range.

16. The computing device according to claim 15, in, The processing circuit (31) is configured to configure one or more onboard systems (60) and obtain the geographic location and the code.

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

18. The computing device according to claim 15, in, The processing circuit (31) is also configured to transmit commands to adjust operating characteristics of the RFID device (21) to operate within the frequency range.

19. The computing device according to claim 15, in, The processing circuit (31) is configured to determine that one or more of the RFID devices (21) are operating within the frequency range and to prevent adjustment of the one or more of the RFID devices (21).

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

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