WO2007022802A1

WO2007022802A1 - Method and installation to monitor the content of a storage area

Info

Publication number: WO2007022802A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/002414
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rafael Pous Andres
Original assignee: Aida Centre, S.L.
Priority date: 2005-08-24
Filing date: 2006-03-16
Publication date: 2007-03-01
Also published as: ES2285905A1; ES2285905B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and an installation for the remote monitoring of the content of a storage area, such as a transport container, a truck or a warehouse. By the use of RFID technology, the invention makes it possible to know at all times the content of a container or a truck, without requiring the intervention of any operator and including the loading and unloading of goods carried out during the route of the truck or container. By processing the sequence of readings from RFID identification system reader antennas (5, 6) , the direction of passage of the objects (2) is determined. The present invention has its field of application in radio frequency identification systems RFID.

Description

METHOD AND INSTALLATION TO MONITOR

THE CONTENT OF A STORAGE AREA DESCRIPTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method and an installation for the remote monitoring of the content of a storage area, such as a transport container, a truck or a warehouse. The invention has the object of a method and an installation which makes it possible to know at all times and in real time the content of a truck or a container, without requiring the intervention of any operators and including the loading and unloading of goods carried out during the route of the truck or container.

The present invention has its field of application in radio frequency identification systems RFID. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Radio frequency identification systems (RFID) are known for the identification of objects provided with an electronic tag, so that when the tag enters in the electromagnetic field generated by a reading device, the object is identified by reading the code saved in the tag. The electronic tag has an antenna coupled to an electronic module which allows the signals received to be processed and others to be retransmitted, which comprise, in particular, an identification of the tag code and, therefore, of the object to which it is connected. The reading device interrogates the tag and receives therefrom the signals containing its data to later be processed.

In recent years, fleet monitoring systems have become widespread, having a real time and remote control of the position of the carriers, using GPS technology and as a return channel of the information, radio or mobile telephony infrastructures (SMS, GPRS, UMTS). Nevertheless, the most relevant information in the transport, the vehicle's content, is not automatically monitored, and in the best of cases uses barcode controls which always require the manual intervention of the driver or another operator, which means that they are subject to fortuitous or malicious human errors.

Systems exist wherein the content of the truck body is continuously monitored. Nevertheless, this alternative is expensive, redundant and unreliable, as it is practically impossible to detect with high reliability the products positioned in any corner of the truck body, and, in turn, it is practically impossible to guarantee that no object positioned on the outside is detected through the walls of the body. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION More specifically, a first aspect of the invention relates to a method to monitor the content of a storage area, such as, for example, a transport container, a truck, a warehouse or a building. The method comprises arranging at least one external radio frequency reader antenna, so that it can detect the presence of at least one electronic tag in an external area whereby the objects one wants to detect access an internal area where they are going to be stored, for which reason said areas are preferably adjacent.

The method further comprises arranging at least one internal radio frequency reader antenna, so that it can detect the presence of at least one electronic tag in said internal area. The method determines the order in which said external and internal antennas detect the presence of the same electronic tag, during its transfer from one area to the other.

The detection of each electronic tag allows the objects present in the internal area or in the external area to be discriminated, as each electronic tag is physically joined to an object and it is linked to the object's identity since it has an identification code thereof stored. The method comprises storing information on the identity of the objects present in the internal storage area, in an electronic processing unit, so that an inventory is taken in real time of the objects stored in said internal area.

The method object of the invention comprises arranging said external and internal antennas so that their respective coverage beams are respectively oriented towards said external and internal areas, and be able to correctly detect said electronic tags. To do this, said coverage beams define an angle of inclination between them, which, for example, can be between 15° and 45°. Information is stored in said processing unit corresponding to the objects present in the access area from the (or going towards the) internal area, so that the inventory of the objects present in the internal area is updated based on that information. In this phase the objects are detected which exit the (or enter the) internal area due, for example, to a partial loading or unloading of the contents of a truck, which are taken off the inventory of the objects present in the internal storage area. In this way, the inventory is updated each time that objects enter or exit the internal area, which means that the list of objects present in said internal area is permanently and automatically known. In the method, information corresponding to the objects present in the internal area is transmitted to a remote control station, such as, for example, a central fleet control station wherefrom the routes of multiple carriers and the exact content of each vehicle are monitored in real time throughout their distribution route. Similarly, an inventory can be taken of the objects loaded or unloaded from a vehicle at a specific point in its route, and this information is transmitted to the central control station, e.g. together with a code which identifies the location of the loading or unloading, date, time and other details of interest. Another aspect of the invention relates to an installation to monitor the content of a storage area, which comprises a portal structure which delimits an external area and an internal area, and at least one external antenna able to detect by radio frequency the presence of at least one electronic tag present in said external area. The installation further comprises at least one internal antenna able to detect by radio frequency the presence of an electronic tag present in said internal area. Electronic processing means are in communication with said external and internal antennas, so that said electronic processing means are able to determine the order in which said external and internal antennas detect the presence of the same electronic tag during its transfer from one area to the other.

The invention can be equally applicable to any installation wherein it is necessary to monitor the direction of passage of objects in a specific area of the installation.

With the method and the installation object of the invention, economic losses due to possible human errors are reduced, the procedures necessary for the preparation of delivery notes/ invoices are speeded up, the efficiency of the loading and unloading is increased and waiting times of the trucks at the destinations are reduced.

Detection during loading and unloading enables having real time control of the truck's movements, which means that not only the distributor but also the client can immediately receive confirmation of delivery, with the consequent acceleration of the companies' internal processes with regard to order processing. The loading and unloading information transmitted in real time by means such as SMS, GPRS, UMTS, etc, allows the companies to bring forward the billing by several days, at the same time as obtaining the automatic, independent confirmation of the deliveries, minimizing errors. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description being made and with the object of aiding towards a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with a preferred example of embodiment thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description, wherein the following has been represented, with an illustrative, non-limiting character:

Figure 1 shows a schematic, perspective representation of the installation object of the invention. The arrows (D) indicate the direction of passage of the objects, which have been represented in three different positions.

Figure 2 shows a schematic, perspective representation of the arrangement of two pairs of antennas in a portal structure of the installation. Figure 3 shows a representation of the inclined arrangement of a pair of antennas mounted in one of the parts of the portal structure object of the invention.

Figure 4 shows in figure 4a a schematic representation of the arrangement of the coverage beams corresponding to different pairs of antennas covering the passing area of objects through a portal structure. Figure 4b shows a side view of the representation of figure 4a and figure 4c consisting of an upper plan view of figure 4a. In figures b and c, the beams have been represented in a different shade to be able to differentiate them. PREFERED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The method object of the invention determines the order in which an external antenna (6) and an internal antenna (5) detect the presence of the same electronic tag (3) during its transfer from an external area (A) to an internal area (B) or vice-versa. In this way, it allows the objects that are loaded and unloaded from an internal storage area (B) to be detected, which is performed by implementing a reader antenna system with the possibility of detecting the direction of passage. This direction of passage is detected by at least two antennas suitably positioned to allow the objects to be correctly identified. In particular, the antennas are positioned with a certain angle between them, e.g. 90°.

The external antenna (6) and the internal antenna (5) detect said electronic tags (3) by their respective coverage beams (H1),(H1 ') respectively oriented towards said internal area (A) and external area (B), so that said coverage beams define an angle of inclination between them. Preferably, said angle of inclination is between 15 and 45°. The sequence of readings of the external and internal antennas is processed with a suitable algorithm, to determine the direction of passage of the objects. As an example of algorithm implementation, supposing that four antennas are used, 1 and 2 external, and 3 and 4 internal, and we receive the following sequence of reading for a determined tag:

11212113113134113421314414414441444

By simple inspection, it can be deduced that the sequence corresponds to a load. A possible implementation of the algorithm may convert the sequence in a sequence which only distinguishes between internal (I) and external (E) readings: E E E E E E E I E E I E I I

The comparison between the "mean time" or "temporal centre of gravity" of the internal and external readings may result in the decision algorithm.

In another embodiment, values +1 can be assigned to the internal readings and -1 to the external readings giving: -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 -1 +1 -1 -1 +1 -1 +1 +1

Applying a regression, the sign of the resulting gradient can be used for the decision algorithm. This algorithm admits multiple variations, depending on whether the exact instant or only the order is taken into consideration, depending on the observation time window, etc. The person skilled in the art knows how to program a programmable electrical unit, to determine in which order, the external or internal, detect the same object and thus deduce the same the direction of passage thereof.

The installation to monitor the content of a storage area has been represented in figure 1 where it is observed that a portal structure (1) delimits an external area (A) whereby a series of objects (2) access an internal area

(B) wherein they are stored. In an appropriate position of said portal structure

(1) at least one external antenna (6) able to detect by radio frequency the presence of at least one electronic tag (3) present in said external area (A) is arranged. The electronic tag (3) is fixed to an object (2) to allow said object to be identified.

At least one internal antenna (5) is suitably arranged in said portal structure (1 ) to detect by radio frequency the presence of an electronic tag (3), present in said internal area (B). In a preferred embodiment of the invention as has been represented in figure 2, two pairs of antennas are arranged on the crossbeam (7) of the portal structure (1 ) adjacent to the portal structure corners, so that the entire object access area can be effectively covered.

In particular, an external antenna (6) and an internal antenna (5) are arranged in the same position of one of the upper corners, and an external antenna (6') and an internal antenna (5^') are arranged in the same position in the other corner.

Said portal structure (1 ) may consist of an access door to an enclosed area, such as, for example, the loading door of a truck or other type of carrier, the door of a warehouse or building, a transport container etc.

Preferably, as is shown in figures 2 and 3, the external antenna (6) and the internal antenna (5) are mounted in the same position of the portal structure (1 ) forming an angle between them of 15° and 45°, so that the coverage beam of the external antenna (6) is oriented towards the external area (A) and the coverage beam of the external antenna (6) is oriented towards the internal area (B). The two antennas may cover the same access area, with only a small gap, one pointing towards the external area and another pointing towards the internal area, so that an algorithm may deduce the direction of passage of the object. Logically, in other preferred embodiments a greater number of reader antennas can be arranged, positioned in other positions which are considered suitable, e.g. on the side beams of the portal structure (1 ).

Figure 4 has represented the preferred arrangement of the coverage beams of each one of the pairs of antennas (5,6), (5^',6^') represented in figure 2. The external antenna (6) generates a coverage beam (H1 ) oriented towards the external area (A) within which it is capable of detecting electronic tags. In a similar fashion, the internal antenna (5) generates a second coverage beam (H 1 ^'). The coverage beams cover the same central area, but due to their inclined arrangement one covers part of the external area and the other part of the internal area.

Figure 1 shows how in a loading operation, objects (2) in a first position (4) are displaced in the external area (A) towards the portal structure (1 ), so that when they enter in the coverage beam (H1) of the external antenna (6), the electronic tags (3) are detected and read by said antenna. In a second position (4^') the objects (2), are passing right under the portal structure (1) and are simultaneously detected by both antennas (5) and (6). When the objects (2) reach position (4^") in the internal storage area (B), they are only detected by the internal antenna (5) when they are within the electromagnetic radiation of said second coverage beam (HV). When unloading objects (2) from the interior to the exterior, this sequence of readings is repeated in reverse order.

Said external and internal antennas (5),(6) are in communication with electronic processing means (PU), which are able to determine the order in which said external and internal antennas (5),(6) detect the presence of the same electronic tag (3) during their passage from one area to the other. These electronic processing means (PU) may consist of any type of programmable electronic equipment, wherein an algorithm is implemented via a program which permits detecting the sequence of passage of an object. A person skilled in the art knows the form of implementing an algorithm by a program which enables determining if the same object passes first through one antenna or another.

Said electronic processing means (PU) can have a memory area intended to store data corresponding to the identity of an object associated to each electronic tag. Furthermore, the installation may have a data communication unit (CU) communicated with said electronic processing means (PU), so that said communication unit (CU) is able to transmit data stored in said memory area to a remote control station, preferably via a wireless communication network.

In the invention it is considered that the relevant event in the transport is not the content of a truck but, for example, the loading and unloading, which are what affect the billing, and wherein the goods becomes the responsibility of another individual or corporate body. When the transport has special requirements such as temperature, this change of responsibility becomes even more vital, and the information on the exact time and place of the loading and unloading, together with the additional information of temperature or other parameters of the body, make using systems sensitive to the direction of passage in the truck door the most suitable strategy.

In this way, the invention provides a reading system sensitive to the direction of passage of the objects, for example, in the truck door which activates by itself when the doors are opened. As the reader is only activated when the doors are opened, which is the only time when the load may vary, any spurious reading that occur while the truck is closed, which is the immense majority of the time, are eliminated. For this, the installation has detection means of the closing and opening of the doors, which act on the external and internal antennas so that these operate only when said means detect the opening or closing of the doors.

In this application, by the use of RFID technology the installation allows the identification of objects even when some are within others and cannot be distinguished by a person, and further allows a higher number of simultaneous readings to be carried out.

The device sensitive to the direction of passage is achieved by placing one or more antennas slightly focussed on the outside of the body (external antennas), and one or more focussed towards the inside (internal antennas). In this way, when an object is loaded on the truck, it will normally be detected first by the external antennas and then it will be detected by both, and finally it will only by detected by the internal antennas, until it is no longer detected when it has been completely introduced in the truck. In unloading, the sequence is the opposite. By applying a decision algorithm to the reading sequence, we can determine if the reading corresponds to a loading, an unloading or neither of the two. In this way, any spurious reading of an object in the proximity of the truck, but neither loaded nor unloaded will not be taken into account and with all probability only the object unloaded and loaded will be read, and these alone.

The detection of the loading and unloading allows real time control of the truck's movements, which means that not only the distributor but also the client can immediately receive a delivery confirmation, with the consequent acceleration of the companies' internal processes with regard to order processing.

In an example of embodiment, said installation is implemented in a transport container of any type used to transport goods by boat, aeroplane or train. Preferably the installation is applied to motor vehicles, such as, for example, a truck. The container is provided with a return canal similar to that used by position control systems. Additionally, and since the return channel is established, use is made of it to add information on GPS position, temperature via probes or other parameters of interest. To do this, the container has the necessary sensors, such as, for example, a temperature sensor, humidity sensors, etc.

The loading and unloading information transmitted in real time by means such as SMS, GPRS, UMTS, etc, allows companies to bring forward the billing by several days, whilst obtaining an automatic, independent confirmation of the deliveries, with few errors.

Of course the installation and the method object of the invention are applicable to any environment wherein it is necessary to take an inventory of objects, such as loading bays, warehouse control points, control of individuals, etc. Various possibilities of practical embodiments of the invention are described in the attached dependent claims.

In light of the description and set of figures, a person skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments of the invention which have been described can be combined in multiple ways within the object of the invention. The invention has been described following preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be evident for the person skilled in the art that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments without going outside the object of the invention claimed.

Claims

1. Method to monitor the content of a storage area, characterized in that it comprises: providing at least one external radio frequency reader antenna (6) so that it can detect the presence of at least one electronic tag (3) in an external area (A), providing at least one internal radio frequency reader antenna (5), so that it can detect the presence of at least one electronic tag (3) in an internal area (B), said external area (A) being adjacent to the internal area (B), determining the order in which said external and internal antennas (5), (6) detect the presence of the same electronic tag (3) during its transfer from one area to the other (A), (B).

2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized in that the external antenna (6) and the internal antenna (5) detect said electronic tag (3), via their respective coverage beams (H 1 ), (H1 ') respectively oriented towards said internal area (A) and external area (B), so that said coverage beams define an angle of inclination between them.

3. Method according to claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each electronic tag is associated to the identity of an object (2), and in that information is stored on an electronic processing unit (PU), concerning the identity of the objects (1) present in the internal area (B).

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that information is stored in a processing unit corresponding to the objects present in the external area which come from the internal area, and in that the information corresponding to the object present in the internal area is updated based on that information.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises transmitting the information corresponding to the objects present in the internal area to a remote control station.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the objects are transferred between the internal area and the external area through a portal structure and in that the operation of said external and internal antennas are activated when objects are passed through the portal structure.

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the internal area is defined by an enclosed area selected from: a transport container, a truck, a warehouse, a public carrier or a building.

8. Installation to monitor the content of a storage area, characterized in that it comprises: a portal structure (1) which delimits an external area (A) and an internal area (B), at least one external antenna (6) capable to detect by radio frequency the presence of at least one electronic tag (3) present in said external area (A), at least one internal antenna (7) capable to detect by radio frequency the presence of an electronic tag (3) present in said internal area (B), electronic processing means (PU) in communication with said external and internal antennas (5), (6), said electronic processing means (PU) being able to determine the order in which said external and internal antennas (5), (6) detect the presence of the same electronic tag (3) during its transfer from one area to the other.

9. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the external antenna (6) and the internal antenna (7) are mounted in the same position of the portal structure (1) forming an angle between them of between 15° and 45°, so that the coverage beam of the external antenna (6) is oriented towards the external area (A) and the coverage beam of the internal antenna (6) is oriented towards the internal area (B).

10. Installation according to claim 8, characterized in that said electronic processing means have a memory area and in that said memory stores data corresponding to the identity of an object associated to each electronic tag.

11. Installation according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that it has a communication unit (CU) of data communicated with said electronic processing means (PU), and in that said communication unit (CU) is able to transmit data stored in said memory area to a remote control station.

12. Installation according to any of claims 8 to 11 , characterized in that it has means to detect the passage of objects through the portal structure, and in that said external and internal antennas are operative when said means detect the passage of objects.

13. Installation according to any of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the portal structure has at least one door and means of detection of the closure or opening thereof, and in that said external and internal antennas only act when said means detect the opening or closure of the door.

14. Installation according to any of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the storage area is defined by an enclosed area selected from: a warehouse, a public carrier or a building.

15. Installation according to any of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the communication unit (CU) has means to transmit data via a wireless network.

16. Transport container, characterized in that it has an installation according to any of claims 8 to 15.

17 Transport container according to claim 16, characterized in that it is mounted in a motor vehicle.

18. Transport container according to claims 16 or 17, characterized in that it has therein at least one temperature sensor and in that said communication unit (CU) has means to transmit said sensor reading to a remote station.

19. Transport container according to any of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that it has means which allow its position to be located by GPS.