US20090256680A1 - Container for receiving articles - Google Patents

Container for receiving articles Download PDF

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Publication number
US20090256680A1
US20090256680A1 US12/419,176 US41917609A US2009256680A1 US 20090256680 A1 US20090256680 A1 US 20090256680A1 US 41917609 A US41917609 A US 41917609A US 2009256680 A1 US2009256680 A1 US 2009256680A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
container
rfid
containers
antenna
articles
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Abandoned
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US12/419,176
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English (en)
Inventor
Dieter Kilian
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Individual
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Individual
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Publication of US20090256680A1 publication Critical patent/US20090256680A1/en
Priority to US13/459,418 priority Critical patent/US8659395B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
    • G06K7/10158—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves methods and means used by the interrogation device for reliably powering the wireless record carriers using an electromagnetic interrogation field
    • G06K7/10178—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves methods and means used by the interrogation device for reliably powering the wireless record carriers using an electromagnetic interrogation field including auxiliary means for focusing, repeating or boosting the electromagnetic interrogation field

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container for receiving articles such as, for example, a shopping cart for receiving goods, a sea freight container for transporting goods, a roll container which can be used in passenger aircraft for holding food and drink, a “rack” (e.g. IT server rack) for installing electrical and electronic devices etc.
  • a container for receiving articles such as, for example, a shopping cart for receiving goods, a sea freight container for transporting goods, a roll container which can be used in passenger aircraft for holding food and drink, a “rack” (e.g. IT server rack) for installing electrical and electronic devices etc.
  • a rack e.g. IT server rack
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • An RFID system consists of at least one reader for reading out data which are stored in a transponder, wherein the data transmission between transponder and reader takes place by means of electromagnetic waves. At lower frequencies, this takes place inductively via the near field, at higher frequencies via the electromagnetic far field.
  • the reader like the transponder, also can function as a transmitter and as a receiver for electromagnetic radiation.
  • Inductively coupled systems possess a comparatively small range. Typical representatives of this variant are, for example, contactless chip cards and automatic access systems.
  • systems with electromagnetic far-field coupling have a comparatively large range. Common frequencies of RFID systems with far field coupling lie in the order of magnitude of several hundred MHz. Frequently, quite specific frequency ranges are legally prescribed such as, for example, 865-869.5 MHz or 2.45 GHz.
  • a first series of problems relates to the reliability of the technology.
  • this is prevented by, for example, interference of a plurality of RFID readers among one another, interference due to spontaneous radio emissions in the environment, interference due to other radio equipment and sometimes due to sabotage by interfering transmitters.
  • Another range of problems is data security.
  • Communication between an RFID reader and transponders is substantially comparable to a normal radio link between a transmitter and a receiver.
  • An external eavesdropper can listen in on, falsify, simulate individual bit patterns or make the receiver unserviceable by overloading information in a manner similar to a denial-of-service (DoS) attack.
  • DoS denial-of-service
  • the container can, for example, comprise a component of an RFID system.
  • the invention in particular provides a container for receiving articles each provided with at least one RFID transponder, comprising an RFID antenna device for communication with the transponders, which is located in a shielded region of the container.
  • the invention makes particularly simple and reliable communication possible between a reader and the individual RFID transponders which, together with the RFID antenna device, are located in a shielded receiving compartment of the container.
  • the invention simplifies unique assignment of the data exchanged between reader and RFID transponders to the individual physical objects. This is particularly important in many cases of application.
  • transponders which can be used, which can be attached, for example, in the form of labels (“RFID tags”) or the like on or in goods or articles, or which can be integrated in their packaging
  • RFID tags labels
  • active transponders have their own power supply e.g. in the form of a battery.
  • Passive transponders use the radiation energy of an RFID transponder (which, for example, can be integrated in the reader) for transmitting their own information to the reader.
  • the invention can be used in particular very advantageously for this type of transponder.
  • So-called semi-passive transponders represent a mixed form which, for example are merely equipped with a weak support battery which is used for transmitting their own information as soon as the transponder has been “woken from sleep” by the RFID system (e.g. by the reader).
  • a first advantage for example, consists in that the antenna device (comprising one or more antennae) is located in the immediate vicinity of the articles (and therefore transponders) without interposed shielding, which simplifies communication.
  • a further advantage consists in avoiding interferences between identification processes which are carried out on different containers which are, however, located in spatial proximity to one another.
  • a further advantage consists in that the communication is not impaired by spontaneous radio emissions in the surroundings or other external noise sources.
  • another advantage consists in that unauthorized listening-in to the communication is considerably simplified.
  • the shielding surrounds the receiving compartment used to receive the articles for the most part, in particular substantially completely.
  • the shielding is configured in such a manner that this absorbs at least 50%, in particular at least 60% of the radiation power of the RFID antenna device.
  • RFID systems as radio engineering installations are subject to very restrictive legal regulations. These regulations can relate, for example, to the frequencies of the electromagnetic radiation used and/or the power at which the transmitter or transmitters of the system are operated.
  • a surprising advantage of the invention is that depending on the design, the RFID antenna device can be operated almost independently of such legal regulations.
  • the RFID system can advantageously be implemented throughout the world, at any location, at any time and with any radio wavelength and power.
  • a radiation wavelength of the RFID antenna device lies in a range of 0.8 to 8 GHz.
  • a radiation wavelength of the RFID antenna device lies in a range which is legally prohibited for the operation of radio engineering installations.
  • a radiation power of the RFID antenna device is so high that the operation of the RFID system would be legally prohibited without the shielding.
  • This radiation power can, for example, be at least a factor of 2, in particular at least a factor of 5 higher than the permissible radiation power (without shielding).
  • the transmission power of the RFID antenna device is at least 5 W, in particular at least 10 W.
  • the shielding is achieved by means of at least one electrically conducting housing structure of the container.
  • a flat extensive, electrically conductive material layer e.g. a metal sheet or a metal film is considered as shielding (alternatively, for example, conducting plastic or conducting composite materials).
  • shielding alternatively, for example, conducting plastic or conducting composite materials.
  • the principle of the Faraday cage can be advantageously used within the scope of the invention and the shielding formed from an electrically conductive grid or network structure.
  • the structure for example, comprises metal rods and/or perforated metal sheet and/or wire mesh and/or wire netting.
  • individual elements spanned with wire mesh e.g. metal frame
  • shielding walls or entire shielding cages of different size can be composed from the prefabricated components in a modular fashion using the aforesaid shielding components.
  • a characteristic structural spacing e.g. the mutual spacing of metal rods, the mesh width of a wire mesh, or a hole diameter of a perforated metal
  • a characteristic structural spacing is preferably at least a factor of 2, in particular at least a factor of 5 smaller than the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation of the system.
  • a characteristic spacing e.g. mesh width
  • 15 cm or less e.g. 3 cm
  • the shielding comprises a plurality of successively disposed shielding layers, e.g. two or three grid or network structures of the aforesaid type.
  • a multilayer shielding structure makes it possible, for example, to achieve increased absorption of radiation power in the shielding material.
  • the plurality of shielding layers can in this case be provided to be of the same type or of different type (e.g. with different characteristic spacing such as, for example, mesh width).
  • a multilayer structure of the shielding or individual shielding components also has a completely different essential importance; if the mutual spacing of successively arranged shielding layers is approximately of the order of magnitude of the relevant radiation wavelength, which can easily be accomplished in the cases of application of particular interest here, the shielding effect can be drastically varied in a specific manner by selecting a specified mutual spacing. Depending on the specific dimensioning of this mutual spacing, electromagnetic waves reflected at the various shielding layers can interfere, for example, destructively or constructively. In the first case, a minimal reflection and maximal absorption is achieved whereas in the second case the shielding effect includes a maximum reflection component. The damping i.e. the reduction in the radiation power due to passage through the shielding remains unaffected thereby.
  • Maximum reflection can be appropriate, for example, when no “dead angle” is desired from the radio engineering viewpoint within a detection zone in the container interior delimited by the shielding.
  • identification (of transponders) is to be understood very broadly in the sense of the present invention and should comprise all types of information and/or data transmission from the transponder to the reader. In the simplest case, this comprises, for example, “1 bit information” (transponder in the container or not). Of greater practical importance, however, are more complex data which are stored in the area of the transponder and are at least partially read out (e.g. so-called EAN code of an article or “tracking code” of a production in the production material flow). In this case, it is in no way excluded and frequently even preferred that during the “identification process”, an information or data transmission takes place in the reverse direction.
  • At least part of the shielding is configured as a gate which in an open position allows the insertion and removal of articles provided with transponders and which shields in a closed position.
  • gate is to be understood very widely here and for example, comprises plate-shaped or door-shaped movable shielding components such as, for example, flaps, pivotable doors, sliding doors, and swing doors.
  • the container further comprises an externally accessible connection device.
  • a connection device can fulfill various purposes.
  • the actual RFID reader can thus be arranged externally and connected via the electrical connection device to the RFID antenna device located in the receiving compartment of the container.
  • An application example for this is, for example, a shopping cart to which the checkout operator in a supermarket connects a cable which connects the antenna located in the shopping cart to a reader located in the checkout area.
  • an externally accessible electrical connecting device can be of practical benefit, i.e. for example, to supply the reader with electrical energy and/or to accomplish a cable-bound data communication with an external device.
  • an electrical connecting device can also be provided to connect the articles contained in the container to an external device, for example, if the articles are electrical or electronic appliances. In this case, a power supply and/or communication with the appliances can be accomplished via the connection device and an external cabling.
  • an electrical connecting device can also be provided or supplying and/or for communication with devices which, according to further developments of the invention, can be integrated on or in the container. An example of this is a sensor device explained in further detail below.
  • the electrical connection device of the container at the same time serves a plurality of the aforesaid purposes.
  • the electrical connection device can be provided in particular as a plug connection device (plug or socket).
  • respective electrical connection devices can also be used to construct a “bus system”.
  • bus system For example, individual readers integrated on or in the containers can be controlled by means of such a bus system or their detection data transmitted to a central device which is also connected to the bus system.
  • the container is configured as a retaining device with retaining means for accommodated articles.
  • a container so-called “rack” specially provided for accommodating electrical or electronic appliances.
  • the roll container already mentioned initially, which can be used in an aircraft for receiving food and/or drinks in predefined receiving positions for the individual articles.
  • it can be provided for the relevant RFID system that not only the articles located in the container but also their positions are identified.
  • the container itself is provided with an RFID transponder so that the individual containers can also be identified in an RFID container operated for several containers.
  • the antenna device likewise provided in the shielded region can advantageously be used for communication with this transponder. It is however also possible to provide the transponder of the container outside the shielded region and use an external RFID antenna device for identification of the container. Finally, the transponder of the container can also be arranged so that its identification can be made both with an external antenna device located inside the shield receiving compartment and also an external antenna device. This is achieved, for example, with an arrangement of the transponder in a “recessed area” of an otherwise flat extensive shielding.
  • the container can be provided with a plurality of transponders distributed in the receiving compartment.
  • Transponders arranged in individual receiving positions according to such a division of the receiving compartment can be used, for example, to detect the occupancy of the individual receiving positions.
  • the position in the accommodating compartment can also be detected for that identified article.
  • a transponder is provided in the accommodating compartment which in the case of an accommodated article in the relevant position is shielded by this article from the radio engineering point of view.
  • the articles to be received are electrical or electronic appliances.
  • Such appliances can be connected electrically to one another, for example, inside the container (e.g. for power supply and/or for data exchange).
  • the articles to be accommodated can, for example, be IT (information technology) appliances, for example, network components such as so-called blades, switches, routers, patch panels etc. or telecommunications equipment or electrical components for building installation (e.g. controllers, transformers, fuses, consumption meters, distribution panels, solar power plant components etc.)
  • IT information technology
  • telecommunications equipment e.g. controllers, transformers, fuses, consumption meters, distribution panels, solar power plant components etc.
  • Such devices for use in information technology, telecommunications technology and/or electrical installation engineering for buildings are usually accommodated and wired in special racks or receiving cabinets (e.g. switchgear cabinets for electrical installation engineering).
  • Racks and cabinets can be achieved according to the invention by means of a rather slight and therefore simple modification.
  • an inventory relating to the appliances provided in an organization can be taken in an advantageously simple and reliable manner.
  • At least a part of the RFID antenna device is simultaneously formed, for example, by a supporting element of a mechanical container structure.
  • a supporting element of a mechanical container structure for example, an elongate strut or a flat extended side part (e.g. side wall or bottom wall or top wall) can be formed and used as an RFID antenna.
  • the antenna device can, for example, comprise a rod antenna or a flat extended antenna (“patch antenna”).
  • lateral, upper and lower wall sections of a mechanical container structure can advantageously be used as patch antennae.
  • Coil windings integrated in (let into) a container wall can also function as antenna (for an inductive coupling to the transponder).
  • the RFID antenna device comprises a plurality of antennae.
  • a plurality of antennae can be operated simultaneously or, for example, operated simultaneously or sequentially via a suitable multiplex device.
  • the container and/or an article further comprises a sensor device.
  • the sensor device can in particular comprise a sensor for detecting at least one physical quantity in the receiving compartment.
  • An air humidity, a temperature, a gas concentration etc. can be considered, for example, as physical quantities.
  • Such quantities including their time evolution can be of major importance particularly when the container is used for storage and/or for transporting the articles contained therein.
  • the specific type of appropriate sensors is deduced ultimately from the type of articles concerned.
  • detection results of the sensor device can be transmitted, for example, via the electrical connection device already mentioned above to an external device.
  • a plug connection can be provided via which both the antenna device is operated and the sensor data transmitted.
  • an “electronic seal” can be provided as such an external device to which sensor data are transmitted.
  • the latter can be provided, for example, primarily to detect and store any opening and closing or corresponding times for this.
  • an additional storage of sensor data e.g. temperature, shock, vibration etc
  • such an electronic seal can additionally have the function of the “RFID reader”.
  • the articles to be accommodated themselves or their transponders have a sensor device for detecting physical quantities.
  • the sensor data can be detected simultaneously with the identification of the individual transponders by the RFID reader.
  • a particularly preferred use of the RFID system or method according to the invention is the automatic identification of goods or articles, in particular, for example, in the field of procurement and distribution logistics, in trade, in production operations or other material flow systems.
  • the invention can advantageously be integrated in conveying technology in the field of production and/or logistics and can be used in specially adapted variants (e.g. also in transport).
  • the container can, for example, be a mechanical structure, in particular a chassis of a vehicle, wherein the articles to be accommodated therein are formed by vehicle components which are installed in the vehicle.
  • vehicle components which are installed in the vehicle.
  • an RFID system of this type it is possible to detect components in the engine compartment of an automobile (e.g. brake shoes, alternator, hydraulic pump, air filter, hoses etc.).
  • the reader for identifying the vehicle components installed in the vehicle constitutes part of vehicle electronics provided in any case (data readout e.g. by workshop staff).
  • An RFID system comprises at least one container of the type explained previously and at least one reader for identifying the transponder located in the container. In a further development of the RFID system this is incorporated in a network of a data processing device.
  • FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a server rack according to a first exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 2 shows a front view of the server rack
  • FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a server rack according to a further exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 4 shows a front view of the server rack
  • FIG. 5 shows a plan view of a server rack according to a further exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 6 shows a front view of the server rack
  • FIG. 7 shows a connecting configuration for connection of a plurality of containers to a common RFID reader
  • FIG. 8 shows a connecting configuration for connection of containers provided with a plurality of antennae to an RFID reader
  • FIG. 9 shows an RFID system for continuous detector of an inventory of a computer department in a company
  • FIG. 10 shows a container wall modified to form a patch antenna
  • FIG. 11 shows a container wall modified to form a plurality of patch antennae
  • FIG. 12 shows an RFID system for stacked containers
  • FIG. 13 shows a vehicle fitted with an RFID system according to one exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 14 shows a vehicle according to a further exemplary embodiment
  • FIG. 15 shows a vehicle according to a further exemplary embodiment.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show a plan view of a front view of a container 10 in the form of a so-called “server rack” for accommodating articles 12 - 1 to 12 - 13 in the form of IT components (e.g. patch panels, blades, switches etc.).
  • IT components e.g. patch panels, blades, switches etc.
  • the articles 12 are in each case provided with an RFID transponder 14 (“RFID tag”) in which article-specific data such as, for example, the type of article, a serial number, an inventory number etc. are stored and can be read out by means of RFID (and optionally also modified).
  • RFID tag RFID transponder 14
  • article-specific data such as, for example, the type of article, a serial number, an inventory number etc. are stored and can be read out by means of RFID (and optionally also modified).
  • the container 10 has a mechanical container structure consisting of an outer housing structure and an inner supporting structure.
  • the housing structure substantially consists of metal walls 16 - 1 to 16 - 6 which define a receiving compartment 18 for accommodating the articles 12 (in the example shown, completely enclose them).
  • the front wall 16 - 4 is configured as a swing-open door to create access to the receiving compartment 18 .
  • an upper-side wall 16 - 6 is omitted and in FIG. 2 the front wall (door) 16 - 4 is omitted.
  • articles 12 can be placed into or removed from the container 10 .
  • the inner supporting structure of the container 10 is not shown in detail. It is used for mechanical stabilization of the entire structure and possesses retaining means or forms such retaining means which allow secure fastening of the articles 12 accommodated in the container 10 (e.g. by means of a screw connection).
  • the inner supporting structure of the container 10 can advantageously also provide electrical conducting and/or contact means which simplify a power supply and/or electrical connection of the appliances to one another.
  • FIG. 2 four areas of the receiving compartment 18 not currently in use are indicated by the dashed lines as an example.
  • Containers such as the server rack 10 show are used in many computer departments of companies. As a result of more or less frequent changes in the computer structure, the content of each container is subject to continuous change. Many organizations and companies therefore rapidly lose the overview relating to the presence and actual use (installation site) of their computer components. This gives rise to high costs for the rapid provision of components currently required and/or an increased expenditure on staff for regular stocktaking and updating inventory listings.
  • an RFID antenna 20 for communication with the transponders 14 is located in the receiving area 18 .
  • the antenna 20 is connected in a suitable manner (not shown) to an RFID reader which can be located inside the container 10 or also (preferably) outside the container 10 .
  • this structure does not impair the radio engineering communication between antenna 20 and transponders 14 .
  • the disadvantageous shielding effect of a metal housing structure in the prior art is transformed into a number of major advantages.
  • this shielding reduces the risk of impairments of the communication by external interference sources.
  • the shielding makes it possible to operate an RFID system with several containers 10 parallel and in the spatial vicinity without the communications taking place in the individual containers having a mutual adverse effect. A unique allocation of the detected objects is therefore possible, which had not been possible in the case of general three-dimensional detection as practiced hitherto in the prior art.
  • the antenna 20 shown for example, comprises a rod antenna by which means very simple short-range data acquisition is achieved.
  • an antenna is formed by an element of the mechanical container structure otherwise provided. This optionally requires a slight modification of the element concerned such as, for example, electrical insulation from other metallic container sections.
  • the antenna 20 shown in FIG. 2 can, for example, at the same time form a reinforcing strut of the internal supporting structure of the container 10 . In other words, such a reinforcing strut, optionally after slight modification, can be used as an antenna. It is therefore not absolutely essential that an antenna is manufactured separately as an “additional component” and installed subsequently in the container in order to achieve the RFID method described.
  • the container 10 itself is also provided with am RFID transponder 22 .
  • the transponder 22 holds RFID-readable data relating to the container 10 in readiness (e.g. container type, receiving compartment capacity, inventory number etc.) and is located inside the shielded receiving compartment 18 in the exemplary embodiment shown.
  • the data stored in the transponder 22 can be read or written by means of a communication using the antenna 20 .
  • the transponder 22 could, for example, be integrated in one of the walls 16 in such a manner that communication is possible both with the internal antenna 20 and also with an external antenna (not shown).
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a container 10 a according to a further exemplary embodiment.
  • the container 10 a and its function within an RFID system substantially correspond to the example from FIGS. 1 and 2 described above.
  • a particular feature of the container 10 a is that the retaining means of the inner supporting structure provide fixedly predefined receiving positions for the articles 12 a to be accommodated as desired in the receiving compartment 18 a and that respective further transponders 24 a - 1 to 24 a - 13 allocated to each of these receiving positions are disposed in the receiving compartment 18 a .
  • the transponders 24 a are each disposed on the inner side of the right-hand housing wall 16 a - 3 at a height corresponding to the relevant receiving position. Since the antenna 20 a is disposed adjacent to another housing wall (here: on the opposite, i.e.
  • any article 12 a accommodated in a specified receiving position impedes direct communication between the antenna 20 a and the transponder 24 a corresponding to the receiving position.
  • a metal housing structure of the articles 12 provided here (as electronic IT components) possesses a shielding effect for this communication.
  • this effect can be used to detect “empty receiving positions” inside the receiving compartment 18 a.
  • FIG. 4 four such unoccupied receiving positions are shown as an example by the dashed lines.
  • a particularly good communications link can be set up between the transponders 24 a - 5 , 24 a - 7 , 24 a - 11 and 24 a - 12 assigned to these positions on the one hand and the antenna 20 a on the other hand, whereas the communication between the other transponders 24 a and the antenna 20 a is substantially inferior or not possible at all. This difference can easily be determined by means of the RFID reader used and used to detect the unoccupied receiving positions and the occupied receiving positions.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate some possible modifications of the server racks 10 and 10 a described so far, i.e., with regard to the specific arrangement of an RFID antenna device in the interior of the container and the RFID transponder at the articles to be accommodated.
  • the RFID antenna device comprises two antennas 20 b - 1 and 20 b - 2 which, when viewed from above are located in mutually opposite edge zones of the receiving compartment 18 b .
  • the reliability of the communication can be improved by such an arrangement of a plurality of antennas.
  • a greater freedom of design is obtained in regard to the arrangement of transponders 14 b on the individual articles 12 b .
  • Alternative positions for the transponders 14 b assigned to the articles 12 b are indicated by the dashed lines in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
  • the precise arrangement of the transponders 22 b is not critical. This arrangement of the transponders 22 b need not be fixedly predefined but can also vary from one article to another (cf. transponder positions depicted by the dashed lines).
  • an aforementioned arrangement of the transponders 22 b characterizing the container 10 b itself is selected in such a manner that a connection can be made to this transponder starting from an external RFID antenna.
  • FIG. 7 illustrates a connecting configuration of an RFID system 1 c in which the content of a plurality of containers can be identified with a reader 26 c .
  • One of these containers is depicted in the figure and designated by 10 c .
  • This container can, for example, be a container of the type which has already been described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 .
  • the reader 26 c is connected via a conducting connection to a multiplex device 28 c , which in turn is connected electrically via a plurality of conducting connections to the individual containers like the container 10 c.
  • a time multiplex method can be accomplished with the configuration shown, in which the antennas of the containers connected thereto can be operated temporally successively for RFID communication.
  • the data determined by the reader 26 c relating to the content of the individual containers and optionally relating to the containers themselves are relayed to a computer bus system 30 c (network) to which the reader 26 c is connected.
  • the reader 26 c and the multiplex device 28 c could also be combined structurally to produce a reader which, in a multiplex method, is capable of operating a plurality of RFID antennas connected via a conducting connection.
  • the reference numeral 32 c designates an electrical connecting device (e.g. plug socket) which, passing through a wall of the housing structure 16 c , allows contact with the antenna 20 c disposed in the interior of the container 10 c .
  • This connecting device 32 c can comprise a “composite device” which not only serves for connection of the RFID antenna(s) but also for electrical contacting of any other components of the container 10 c . If the container 10 c is, for example, provided for accommodating articles in the form of electrical or electronic appliances, these appliances can also be contacted via the connecting device 32 c (e.g. for connection to an electrical power supply network and/or to a data transmission network).
  • FIG. 8 shows a modification of the configuration described with reference to FIG. 7 in which a reader 26 d with connection facilities for a plurality of antennas is used.
  • Respectively one antenna can be connected to the individual connections of the multiple reader 26 d .
  • a container 10 d depicted in FIG. 8 four antennas 20 d - 1 to 20 d - 4 are provided in the receiving compartment 18 d , which however are not connected individually to the reader 26 d via a conducting line but are connected to a multiplex device 28 d which is integrated on or in the container 10 d .
  • the multiplex device 28 d is in turn connected to the reader 26 d.
  • An electrical connecting device 32 d like the aforementioned connecting device 32 c ( FIG. 7 ) is preferably configured as an electrical plug connection device.
  • FIG. 9 illustrates an RFID system 1 e for the automatic detection of the IT inventory in computer rooms 2 e - 1 , 2 e - 2 , and 2 e - 3 of a company.
  • Each of the rooms 2 e is provided with a transponder 3 e - 1 , 3 e - 2 or 3 e - 3 characterizing the respective room. Furthermore, a plurality of RFID antennas 4 e - 1 to 4 e - 4 are distributed over the rooms 2 e , which are connected in a manner not shown in detail to a central RFID reader 26 e and can communicate, for example, with the said transponders 3 e 01 to 3 e - 3 .
  • Distributed in the rooms is a plurality of computer cabinets 10 e - 1 to 10 e - 18 , which accommodate the IT components of a larger computer system.
  • the individual containers 10 e can, for example, each be configured as already described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 .
  • at least one RFID antenna 20 e is disposed in a receiving compartment of each of the containers 10 e in order to communicate in the manner already described above with those transponders which are attached on or in the articles (IT components) located in the containers 10 e.
  • one or more multiplex devices can be provided to connect the plurality of antennas to the reader 26 e , wherein these multiplex devices can be located inside or outside the containers 10 e .
  • each separately located multiplex device is connected to the respective antennas (in each case of one room) and this multiplex device is in each case connected to the reader 26 e via a fixed cabling system in the building.
  • transponders which characterize the individual containers 10 e
  • the individual containers 10 e it is expedient to attach optionally provided transponders, which characterize the individual containers 10 e , to the individual containers 10 e in such a manner that these can be detected by the respective room antennas 4 e .
  • the antennas 20 e located inside the containers 10 e are used to detect the individual contents of the containers 10 e .
  • the external antennas 4 e - 1 to 4 e - 2 can additionally be used to detect changes in location of individual articles (IT components) and individual containers during operation of the RFID system 1 e.
  • FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate as examples the integration of flat extensive so-called patch antennas in side walls provided for the construction of containers according to the invention.
  • FIG. 10 shows a side wall 16 f with a patch antenna 20 f integrated in the middle region thereof.
  • FIG. 11 shows a wall 16 g with patch antennas 20 g - 1 to 20 g - 4 integrated thereon or therein.
  • the antennas 20 f or 20 g - 1 to 20 g - 4 shown are each connected to an electrical connecting device 34 f or 34 g by means of an electrical conducting arrangement likewise integrated in the wall 16 f or 16 g .
  • This connecting device can be used, for example, for further contacting (possibly to other container components) or for external wiring of the container.
  • the antennas 20 g - 1 to 20 g - 4 are operated simultaneously.
  • the walls 16 f and 16 g shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be used, for example, as replacement for a suitably sized wall of a conventional container in order to modify this container according to the present invention.
  • Exemplary embodiments of RFID containers and RFID systems have been described hitherto which comprise one or more containers of the type explained. Subsequently some examples are described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 which are particularly dedicated to the aspect of the RFID technique for identifying the contents of a plurality of containers.
  • FIG. 12 illustrates essential components of an RFID system 1 h comprising a plurality (here, for example, 3) of containers 10 h - 1 , 10 h - 2 and 10 h - 3 , the contents whereof are to be detected by the system.
  • the containers 10 h are each provided for receiving articles as desired, which are provided with suitable RFID transponders. To simplify the diagram these articles and their transponders are not shown in FIG. 12 .
  • a first particular feature of the containers 10 h is that these have an external mechanical housing structure 6 h which allows (vertical) stacking and/or a (horizontal) arrangement of a plurality of several containers 10 h .
  • FIG. 12 shows a stack of three containers of the same type 10 h - 1 , 10 h - 2 , and 10 h - 3 .
  • Another particular feature of the containers 10 h is that electrical contacting of the containers with one another to form an electrical conducting arrangement extending along the entire stack or along the entire arrangement in rows is only effected by the stacking and/or arrangement of the containers in rows.
  • this conducting arrangement consists of conducting sections 36 h - 1 , 36 h - 2 and 36 h - e each running inside the container 10 h.
  • the conducting section 36 h - 3 provided in the container 10 h - 3 runs, starting from a plug connection device 38 h - 3 on one side (here: underside) of the container 10 h - 3 to a counter plug connection device 40 h - 3 on the opposite side (here: upper side) of the container 10 h - 3 .
  • the devices 38 h - 3 and 40 h - 3 are configured to correspond to one another, possibly as an electrical plug and matching socket. It is therefore clear that a continuous conducting arrangement is formed in the stack direction by stacking a plurality of such containers.
  • the running direction of the conducting section 36 h corresponds in this case to the stack direction provided (vertical).
  • the conducting section could also run, for example, horizontally corresponding to a horizontal arrangement in a row.
  • a plurality of conducting sections running in different directions could also be provided in each of the containers 10 h.
  • the conducting sections 36 h form a data transmission bus, for example, of a common standard in the field of computer technology.
  • a corresponding data transmission cable (network cable) 42 h is connected to one of the plug connection devices and counter plug connection devices, which cable is provided at its end with a suitable counter plug connection device or plug connection device 44 h . Since in the example shown, the data transmission cable 38 h - 3 with the device 44 h is contacted on the underside of the container 10 h - 3 with the plug connection device 38 h - 3 , this device 44 h must be configured in precisely the same way as the counter plug connection devices 40 h.
  • the RFID method for identifying the transponders located in the containers 10 h takes place, as already described above for the other examples, with the aid of the RFID antennas 20 h - 1 , 20 h 2 and 20 h - 3 located in the respective receiving compartments 18 h - 1 , 18 h - 2 and 18 h - 3 .
  • the antennas 20 are each connected to a RFID reader 26 h - 1 , 26 h - 2 or 36 h - 3 located in the interior of the relevant container 10 h , which accomplishes the communication between the antennas and the transponders and is connected to the relevant conducting section 36 h of the data transmission bus in order to exchange read data and optionally write data with the computer network.
  • a common reader located externally from the stack can also be provided for joint operation of all the antennas 20 h .
  • the conducting sections 36 h could be configured, for example, as HF conducting sections. In practice, however, such a modification has the problem that as a result of the unknown stack height or number of stacked or successively arranged container 10 h , the HF technical matching of the individual antennas presents difficulties.
  • the power supply to these readers is preferably also provided with the aid of the electrical conducting connection formed by stacking or successively arranging the containers 10 h which can have individual power supply lines for this purpose in addition to the lines provided for the data transmission.
  • Each of the containers 10 h is further provided with a sensor device 46 h located inside the receiving compartment 18 h .
  • the power supply as well as the relaying of sensor data is accomplished as for the readers 26 h by connecting each of the sensor devices 46 h to the data transmission bus.
  • the sensor devices 46 a could also be provided structurally combined with the readers 26 h.
  • the purpose of the sensor devices 46 h is to detect physical quantities of interest according to the case of application, in particular quantities measured in the receiving compartment 18 h (e.g. temperature, air pressure, humidity, shaking, vibrations etc.).
  • the sensor devices 46 h can be fitted with corresponding sensors or connected to such sensors.
  • the detection of ambient conditions to which the articles are exposed, which is made possible in parallel to the identification of transponders and therefore the contents of individual containers 10 h is particularly advantageous in the area of the storage and/or transport of goods.
  • the containers 10 h are used as freight containers, for example, as is usual for example in international goods traffic, not only can the insertion, the removal, and the current inventory of goods be selectively detected or monitored for each individual container by means of the RFID system but a continuous monitoring of the articles stored and/or transported in the containers can also take place.
  • an automatic and operator-free and therefore simple inventory and updating of inventory data is possible but also effective monitoring with regard to harmful ambient conditions during storage and/or transport.
  • the containers 10 h are each equipped with an electronic memory device for the intermediate storage of RFID read or write data and/or sensor data in order to bridge “time monitoring gaps” in the case of a non-continuously conducted RFID method.
  • an electronic memory device for the intermediate storage of RFID read or write data and/or sensor data in order to bridge “time monitoring gaps” in the case of a non-continuously conducted RFID method.
  • such a memory device could be disposed, for example, between the line sections 36 h on the one hand the readers 26 h and sensor devices 46 h on the other hand or they can be provided integrated in one or both of the latter devices.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates a use of RFID containers 10 i as transport containers which can be located in dedicated receiving areas on board a vehicle.
  • FIG. 13 illustrates this for the example of a motor vehicle 48 i having four loading bays provided in its loading area for accommodating four containers 10 i adapted with regard to their external housing structure.
  • FIG. 13 three such containers 10 i - 1 , 10 i - 2 and 10 i - 3 are actually accommodated in the loading area of the vehicle 48 i .
  • automatic electrical contacting of the relevant containers 10 i is achieved through the arrangement of each container 10 i .
  • the containers are each equipped at a provided point (in this case: on their underside) with an electrical plug connection device 38 i which makes an electrical contact with a vehicle-side counter plug connection device 40 i in the disposed state of the container.
  • the connecting devices 38 i and 40 i are used to make an HF connection between a jointly used RFID reader 26 i and the RFID antennas 20 i located in the respective receiving compartment 18 i of the containers 10 i.
  • FIG. 14 shows a vehicle 48 k , which is slightly modified compared with the vehicle 48 i described with reference to FIG. 13 .
  • a vehicle-side reader 26 k provided for RFID detection at containers 10 k is connected to a multiplex device 28 k , from which separate electrical connecting lines run to each individual one of the counter plug connection devices 40 k - 1 to 40 k - 4 .
  • FIG. 15 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle 48 m having a bodywork 50 m , of which front bodywork wall areas 16 m (e.g. fender, fan grill, engine hood etc.) more or less surround an engine compartment 18 m .
  • a plurality of vehicle components are fixedly installed in the engine compartment 18 m in a manner known per se, in particular an engine block 12 m - 1 shown schematically in the figure and other engine components 12 m - 2 to 12 m - 5 .
  • These components accommodated in the area 18 m comprise, for example, auxiliary equipment of the engine 12 m - 1 (e.g. coolant pump, alternator etc.).
  • An RFID system is integrated in the vehicle 48 m , of which an RFID reader 26 m and antennas 20 m - 1 and 20 m - 2 connected thereto via lines are indicated in the figure.
  • articles built into the engine compartment 18 m and each provided with an RFID transponder 22 m can be simply and reliably identified.
  • the RFID tags on or in the individual vehicle components and other built-in components can replace the barcode labels which are usual today.
  • components each provided with an RFID transponder can easily be detected in the built-in state, checked (e.g. for production batch numbers, model numbers, authenticity etc.) or an inventory taken.
  • rod antennas or patch antennas could be used, these being disposed, for example, on the inner side of metal bodywork parts (e.g. fender etc.)
  • the reader 26 m is connected to an on-board electronics system (e.g. comprising an on-board computer) or is supplied by an electronics system provided in any vehicle electronic component which is connected to a data bus (e.g. CAN bus).
  • an on-board electronics system e.g. comprising an on-board computer
  • an electronics system provided in any vehicle electronic component which is connected to a data bus (e.g. CAN bus).
  • the RFID read/write processes as such and/or for example, the retrieval of (temporarily stored) read results can be carried out, for example, by technical staff in a workshop.
  • the on-board RFID system shown is also of interest with regard to protection from counterfeits (the transponder or its function can each represent an authenticity feature of the relevant components).
  • the invention therefore also provides an advantageous method for checking the authenticity of articles.
  • the RFID system of the vehicle 48 m could also comprise an antenna device in the passenger compartment and/or in the loading area (trunk space) (alternatively or additionally to the antennas 20 m - 1 , 20 m - 2 shown in the engine compartment).
  • the RFID system of the vehicle 48 m could also comprise an antenna device in the passenger compartment and/or in the loading area (trunk space) (alternatively or additionally to the antennas 20 m - 1 , 20 m - 2 shown in the engine compartment).
  • a detection or identification of interior components or loading area components could also advantageously be made.
  • RFID antenna devices e.g. specially provided antennas or modified interior components
  • RFID antenna devices for checking the passenger compartment could also be provided, e.g. laterally on the doors and/or under the roof of the relevant vehicle.
  • a motor vehicle of the type shown in FIG. 15 in particular, for example, seats, airbags etc, can be scanned and checked.
  • a check of the safety equipment for example (e.g. warning triangle, expiry date of first aid kit etc.) could advantageously be made.
  • the RFID system can be operated by a user of the vehicle.
  • the RFID system can be integrated, for example, in the vehicle electronics which is present in any case.
  • the vehicle 48 m could also be a watercraft or aircraft, for example, A certain shielding of the container structure (e.g. metal bodywork parts) is essential for the function to achieve the advantages of the invention.
  • RFID radio containers for numerous applications have been described with the above exemplary embodiments. It is essential in this case to take into account a shielding which is advantageously used in the invention.
  • a container structure i.e. a largely or almost closed metal construction having electromagnetic shielding properties in the frequency ranges relevant for the RFID system concerned (e.g. passive RFID at 13.56 or 840-980 MHz).
  • an RFID antenna device provided for communication with transponders is located in the receiving compartment of the container.
  • parts of a metal structure forming the container can be modified such that they act as RFID antennas without impairing the function of the container.
  • complex, space-consuming antennas or RFID readers need not be integrated in known containers but parts of the containers can be modified such that they themselves act as antennas. As a result, the container itself becomes the antenna and therefore a component of the RFID system.
  • antennas can be completely integrated in the side walls or the structure of the respective container.
  • individual or a plurality of walls or partitions can be designed as antennas themselves.
  • Integration of the antennas which are inserted seamlessly into the basic functionality of the individual container is preferably carried out.
  • the required electrical connections can be guided externally by means of commercially available plug connectors (or other electrical connecting means).
  • various transport containers e.g. catering trolleys in aircraft, valuables containers etc.
  • various transport containers e.g. catering trolleys in aircraft, valuables containers etc.
  • a type of bus system a plurality of antennas (containers) can be operated sequentially without major modifications to the existing structure being necessary.
  • the RFID reader itself can be built into the individual container. This has the advantage, for example, that the respective container can be operated independently of external readers.
  • All antenna forms can be integrated directly in one of the side walls or other boundaries of the container or installed subsequently. It should be noted that usually an antenna solution can be found whereby the enclosed volume can be completely “illuminated” electromagnetically. Depending on the dimensions of the container, resonant structures may be formed which very positively influence the detection of the content. For example, at a wavelength of about 33 cm in the UHF range, this can be achieved with relatively small dimensions.
  • antenna forms may be used in particular:
  • the classical trunk radio antenna is also suitable for RFID.
  • Struts, corner or edge reinforcements of a container can expediently be configured as rod antennas.
  • the two-armed dipole antenna in different designs and lengths can bridge large dimensions and completely illuminate a corresponding metal structure.
  • a plurality of antennas can be used if selective detection is required.
  • FIG. 10 shows a design in which substantially the entire side wall acts as an individual antenna
  • FIG. 11 uses an antenna cascade for illuminating the entire container.
  • UHF emitters can be configured, for example as horn emitters and used to feed high-power-density radiation into narrow spaces.
  • Coils in the form of conductor e.g. metal wire
  • boundaries e.g. walls of the container
  • the invention has a very wide spectrum of application. Some examples will be explained again in detail hereinafter.
  • the telecommunications rack should be considered similarly to the IT rack. However, some additional features can be provided.
  • Conventional switchgear cabinets for electrical installation technology in buildings can also be fitted with integrated antennas for identification of the components container therein, e.g. fuses, switches etc.
  • Apparatus for receiving or holding containers is frequently provided in known transport vehicles. If the antenna connections are contacted via locking plug connectors, the content can be detected as soon as the container is in its correct place. If it is removed without authorization, an alarm can be triggered immediately. A certain double function is thereby achieved.
  • Roll containers with catering in aircraft are meant here, for example, which can provide detailed information about the loading using means within the scope of the invention.
  • the preparation cycle e.g. cleaning, maintenance, filling etc. can be displayed at any time for individual containers.
  • Surface, dipole or rod antennas can also be used here.

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US8659395B2 (en) 2014-02-25
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