HUE031232T2

HUE031232T2 - Eljárás egy RFID-támogatású rádiós kommunikációs hálózat mûködõképességének ellenõrzésére térben kiterjedt területen

Info

Publication number: HUE031232T2
Application number: HUE12006492A
Authority: HU
Inventors: Schwiers Stefan; Wehus Frank
Original assignee: Identec Solutions Ag
Priority date: 2012-09-15
Filing date: 2012-09-15
Publication date: 2017-06-28
Also published as: US20140077934A1; US9405948B2; EP2709081B1; EP2709081A1

Description

eljárás egy RRD-támogatású rádiós kommunikációs háioeat működőképességének etlenörxésére térben kiterjedt területen

State or the art is an RFID-based radio communications system having a plurality of RFID tags which are in radio communication contact, with one or more readers. The RFID fags transmit via radio communication their ID codes arid further data to a stationary reader.

Such an RFID system is used., far example for mors koring the presence of workers on oil platforms, in extended industrial areas or in container terminais, wherein in the latter case, each container is equipped with a tag carrying an individual code, In this RFID system, the type and arrangement of the containers m the extended area Is recorded,

On os! platforms, continuous monitoring of the presence of the workers employed there is necessary, each employee therefore carries an RRD tag carrying his individual code with him. The radio communication between the plurality of tags and the one or more stationary readers permits reliable recording of the presence and of location and of stay of the worker.,

The disadvantage in the state of the art is that é cannot always he ensured that each tag is in operationally secure and functional radio communication with the reader. For example if may be that ars RFID system terminates its radio communication with the tag because there is a defect in the system., or for different reasons if. no longer communicates with the tag. An undesirable false alarm ?s then triggered but which stems only from termination of radio communication, but does not mean an accident to the worker carrying the tag on the oil platform.

Hitherto it Is known only to restrict monitoring to a few components Of this Rl'iD system, for example to the functionality of RFID readers or of individual components which cooperate with the RFID reader. Wö 2ÖO7/MIB90 M discloses for example a method for monitoring the functionality of an RFID-based radio communications network In a spatially extended area, in which a plurality of RFID tags effect a radio communication wen a reader, There Is at least one réfereoca RFID tag which is arranged in a fixed IddMson Irvthn afdi of the RFID systeni and effects a cyclic radio communication -with file reader and the data of which is compared with data sent previously in a central teilt; WO 97/48081. discloses a method for monitoring individual people from a plurality of people. Fach person is fitted with a fag. wherein the functionality of data transmission is detected using lor example a period of time.

However, the disadvantage of the known arrangements Is that if has been possible to check only selectively a few components of the RFID system for functionality, However, hitherto it was not known to check the functionality of the entire PRD system and to ensure the function thereof.

The object of thé invention Is therefore to avoid falsa alarma when monitoring the radio sgmmimlsatidn.

Therefore the invention is concerned with checking the functionality of an extended RRD system continuously to establish whether the system itself has broken down and radio communication with the individual tags Is no longer possible or whether only one or a few of the tags have failed or are no songer raaohabfe*

The invention thus starts from a spaf.-aliy expended RFID system in which the underlying problem is besag able to continuously check the functionality of the entire wireless and wired Infrastrueture.

The invention therefore provides a method and -m arrangement for ensuring the functionality of a complete RFID system.

To achieve the object posed,,: the Invention is characterised by the iteefynicai teaching of claim i,

An RFID system according to the present invention consists at least of an RRD reader., ihe associated radio components, the locally wide spread arrangement of tags which maybe stationary and/or mobile and am activated by the reader and the antenna arrangement upstream of the RFID reader. Furthermore the RFID system consists of the data lines from the receiving antennas to the centrai unit, and the recording end evaluating devices arrengeti there.

An importáru feature- of the invention ;s that. there: 5¾ a so-called reference PRD tag which is arranged in a fixed location In the area of the RFID system, which means that it is arranged in a fixed location at a certain point of the RFID Reid and has only the tank of effecting a cyclic communication with the reader and to refease an alarm to the monitoring system according to the cyehc communication effecting that it has produced the repaired radio communication with the reader and therefore the entire system is in order. The reference RFID tag of the invention monitors as if were the state of health of the entire RFID system and indeed not only the wireless components, hot also the wired components.

The message which the reference RFID tag commu Picotes to the centrai emit therefore contains at. least the following components: 1. the ID of the reference tag 2. the time of the radio communication 3. optionally the field strength (imark signal) of a marker field, 4. optionally Die field strength of the tag signal (Is recorded fry the reader} 5. optionally the remaining life of the battery being used

At which location the stationary reference RFID tag Is located,, -s known to the central unit. This location has bean stored In the central urnt for the particular reference RFID tag with its location coordinates so that the central unit always knows,, m addition to the evaluation of the umquely occurring ID code, with which reference RFID tag at. which location it Is particularly communicating.

What is important Is the indirect monitoring of the reception field strength of thé reference RFID tag. The centra! unit namely stores during each radio communication with toe reference RFID tag,, the field strength received by -;t (from the reader! and compares the currently received field strength with values received carper, if there is a drop m the currently received field strength, tips means that, there Is a disturbance in communication with the reference RRD tag, It. is not Inevitable that there is only a disturbance sn radio communication, Equally if may he that there: Is a disturbance (for example undesirable attenuation) in the line cables or the network components., via which the signals and data are transmitted from the reader to the central unit. The central unit will therefore introduce: further diagnosis steps to clarify the disturbance detected by a drop in reception held strength of the reference RFID tag.

In a prafiriÂ fhSfcMiMPhfc,: îM reference RFID iâ§ œ-.QpM&téà in e power-sévidg mdde:i which is associated With the advantage of particular »durability of the built-in battery. For tags used otherwise in the RFID field, the battery must be replaced after a period of a few weeks.

The reference RFID tag of the invention is on the other hand kept permanently m a power-saving mode and the power-saving· mode is changed to «η operating mode only io effect the brief Information contact with the central unit. This leads to the battery of me RFID fag lasting up to several years.

It is additionally preferred if it is equipped to be protected agamat expigsiOfy Äh application, which starts at regular Intervals the radio communication with the reference RFID tag, evaluates the data received via the reader and as a function of this data provides a diagnosis about the state of health of the entire system, is started in the central unit monitoring the reference RFID tag.

In a development of the present invention, ptwisibn Is furthermore mads that in addition a so-called marker is monitored. Such a marker Is a marking clev-ce which generates a spatially delimited electromagnetic field so a certain geographically delimited area of the RFID field. Hence, by Intsrrogatmg the reference RFID tag, further information may be recovered about the functionality of the marker field,

Using such a marker therefore a geographically narrowly limited electromagnetic field nv created in the RFID system and the marker sends a characteristic ïmark signai to <ul RFID fags wtuch are located in this marker held. The reference RFID tag located in tins field thus sends to the reader additional information which includes that it ;s located in thé marker field. Of course information may also be sent that the RFID tag has just left the marker held or that If is located outside of the marker field. Loss or reception of a weakened imark signal gives a diagnosis about the quality or the functional state of the marker field.

The niafRer thus generates an additional local component or space component, wherein the RFID: tags located1 in this space component' deliver additions!, information to the reader.

An important, feature of the invention Is that also the presence of the marker field is monitored by the reference fag of the invention, in that it is ensured that the reference RFID tag of the invention so arranged sn the marker Held. Hence if. is checked that the reference RFID tag delivers the information that It Is located m the marker field to the reader,

Hence, two advantages are achieved mono the arrangement of the reference RFID tag m the marker field. Firstly, the complete infrastructure of the RFID system is monitored and checked, and secondly,, it is checked whether or not the marker held is still present and working. Therefore not. only the airborne radio communication paths, but furthermore also the functionality of the antennas, the cable connections and the hardware and software design of the centra! unit arid ail components associated therewith, belong to the monitored infrastructure.

The subject matter of the present invention can be seen not only from the object of the individual patent daims,, but also from the combination of intliyiduai potent claims with one another.

Ah details and features disclosed m the documents,, including the abstract, In particular the spatial design shown in the drawings, are claimed as essential to the Invention provided they are novel with respect to the state of the art individually or in combination.

The invention is illustrated in more detail below using a drawing showing only one way of carrying it out. Further features and advantages of the invention which are essential to the invention can thus be seen from the drawing and its description.

The following is shown:

Figure 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention, wherein ?t can be seen that, for example in the region of an access t, which may be designed for example as a door or as 8 gate or as another spatial element, a marker field 2 ~ preferably seductively - is generated winch is generated by a marker 3.

The marker 3 therefore generates a spatially narrowly limited electromagnetic fire id and a plurality of RFID tags 15, which are attached for example to a person, are located wèhm and outside of this field in a spatial extension and at a distance not defined in more detail from a reader 6,.

Such ah arrangement may he provided, for example on a ship, an extended industrial plant or simlhar geographical surrounding arpas.

The reader 6 Is connected to a number of antennas 7, 8, wherein it. is sufficient that only one entérina ? or 8 is present.

Provision Is made that the render 6 is connected via a wireless communication or via cable lines 9. 10 with assigned network components 3 1, 12 .which sue preferably: designed css Interfaces which in turn are connected to a central unit I 3, on which an alarm output 14 >s arranged.

It is important that according to the invention, at least one. so-caiied reference Rí·'ID tag 4 Is arranged approximately in the central area of the RFID field and which only has the task of acting as a reference and which continuously - but also preferably periodically * effects a radio connection or radio communication 5 with the reader 6, which ss checked.

In a preferred!-embodiment of the invention, provision is made that not only the identity of the RRO tag 4 is transmitted, hot. that an additional constituent of radio communication 5 is the marker signal (Imark) which is sent by the marker 3 via a radio communication 18 as an Imark signal to the RFID tag 4.

The central unit 13 checks the transmission of the UHF reference ssgnai sent by the reference PFT.D tag 4 to the reader 6 and thus checks the functionality of the entire RFID system in a locally wide spread area. Furthermore., the centrai unit 13 additionally checks the functionality of the marker 3. roe marker 3 sends via its radio communication with the reference RFID tag 4, the Imark signal 18 to the reference RFID tag 4,. which in turn transmits both data blocks (Imark and UHF reference signal) via the radio communication 8 to the reader 6.

Hence, the Imark signal 18 together with the UHF reference signal of the reference RFID tag 4 is transmitted to the reader 6 via thevradlçrconimyplcstlçm $<

Any number of RFID fags 15 ore present which are designed, for example to be mobile and may be connected for example to a person. Here too, a radio communication 16 is produced from each RFID tag 15 to the reader 6. where;π if required, the Imark signal may also he transmitted even dunng this rad-o communication 18. This Is effected m that, the marker 3 via a radio communication 17 transmits the (mark signal 18 to the mobile RRD tag 15, Hence, a decision is transmitted to the reader 6 via the radio communication 16 which stales whether the mobile RFiO tag iS ?s located within or outside of the marker field 2 or fer exemple whether it has just crossed through the marker field 2.

Therefore provision Is also mode here that the mobile RFID tag IS receives an imark .Signal' 18 from the marker field 2 and forwards this Imark signal 18 via the communication 16 to the reader.

The reference RFID tag 4 therefore also serves to check the functionality of the marker 3, By evaluating the data of the reference RFID tag 4 in the centrai unit 3 3, the functionality'· of all antennas 7, d, the functionality of the reader 6 and of course the operating ability of the cable lines 9,. 10, of the network components II, 12 and of the components of the central unit 13 is also checked.

Ail afore-mentioned embodiments also relate to Wifi, UWB, GSM, SATCOM tags or similar identifications. It Is Important for the Invention that an assignment in any of the aforementioned systems between a reference tag and a system management is protected, Independently of the fact that the system described presently has been designed by way of example as an RFID system,

Claims

S z a b a ci a I mi Ig é ny po n to k I 3 (jams egy RRD-támogatású rádiós kommunikációs hálózat működőképességének ellenőrzésére térben keerjedc területen, ahol to Db RRD-Tag (15) rádiós komme nikadót. (áf ló) folytat egy omesóvd (6), ahol sut RF1D-macis ser területén legalább egy boly na? kötötten r helyezett referencia RFfD-tag (4) van elrendelve, amely okbkus rádiós komnumikáciét (51 folytat az olvasóval (61, és annak adatait egy központban (13) korábban elküldött adatokkal hasonlítjuk össze, azzal jellemezve,, hogy a referencia RFlD-tog'-gel (4) egy további hely? komponenst előállító jelölőméit figyelőnk,
2, Az !, igénypont szerinti eljárás, azzal jellemezve, hogy á référeiaóía RRD-tag {4} legalább a következő adatokat továbbítja a központhoz (13); 1. a referencia -tag -ek ÏD-jét 2. a rádiós kommunikáció idejét 3, az alkalmazott akkumulátor maradék élötfartániáb ámehnytben akkumuléfőrt használunk,
3·. Az 3 ' 2, igénypontok egyike szerinti eljárás, azzal jellemezve, hogy a referencia RFIfMag (4) vételi térerősségének indirekt felügyeletét úgy látjuk el, hogy a központ (13) a referencia RFID-taggei (4) folytatott rádiós kommunikáció (5) során a rádiós kommunikáció {$) általa vett térerősségét eltárolja és az aktuálisan vett térerősséget a korábban vett térerősséggel összehasonlítja.
4, Az 1 - 3. igénypontok egyike szerinti eljárás, azzal jellemezve, hogy a referenda RFiD-tao-et (4) áramtakarékos üzemmódban üzemeltetjük, amit. csak az olvasóval (6) ciklikusan soditott rádiós kommunikáció (5) idejére szakítunk meg. -It- Az ! - 4, igénypontok egyike szerinti eljárás,, azzal jellemezve, hogy o referenda RRö-tag (4) ezenkívül egy jelölő mező (2) térerejét. £lmark-S«gna!) is továbbítja a központhoz: (13).
6, Az 1- S. igénypontok egyike szennti eljárás, azzal jellemezve, hogy az RFIDursezŐ területén legalább egy revem rein RFID-lag (4) van elrendezve, amely referenciaként panodikusan rádió» kommunikációt (5) kezdeményez az olvasóval (6-, amit ellenőrzünk. :?< Az I- 6, igénypontok egyike szerimi eljárás, azzal jellemezve,, hogy a referencia RFïD-tag H) az âgés;· RFID-rendszer tartós működőképességét agy helyileg négy kiterjedésű területen ellenőrző és ezenkívül a marker (3) működőképességét 1$, amely rádiós kommunikáción (18) keresetül az IMark-Signei jelet (18) átveszi a r:ffirsncla RFf&~ taghez (4), amely az adatait iUHT-referenckHsi és IMark-Slgnat (18)j a központhoz (13) továbbítja.
8, Berendezés egy RFID-támogatású rádiós kommunikációs hálózat működőképességének ellenőrzésére térben kiterjedt területen., ahol több RRD-Tag ílu) rádiós kommunikációt (5.16) folytat egy olvasóval (5), ahol esz RFlD-rendszer területén legalább egy helyhezkotölten elhelyezett referencia RFlD-teg (4) van elrendezve,, amely ciklikus rádiós kommunikációt (5) folyt at az olvasóval (6)., és annak adatai egy központban (13) korábban elküldött adatokkal összehasonlításra kerülnek., azzal jellemezve, hogy a referenda PFsD-taggel (4j egy további helyi komponenst előállító jelöiőrnezöt figyelünk,
9. Berendezés az t - 7. igénypontok közül legalább egy szerint! eljárás végrehajtására, azzal jellemezve, hogy a referencia RFlD-tag (4) adatainak kiértékelésével a központban (13) ellenőrizhető az antennák {?, 8) üzemképessége, ez olvasó (6) üzemképessége, valamint a hálózati komponensek ( ti, 13) és a központ Π3) komponensek kábelvezetőkéinek (9. 10) üzemképessége.