WO2007096105A1 - Method and system for detecting and/or locating transport units in transport areas - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for detecting and/or locating transport units (12) in transport areas (10), the transport areas (10) being equipped with detection routers (18), each of which has at least one interrogation transmitter/receiver (20), and the transport units (12) to be detected are each equipped with an RFID transponder (14) on which relevant information about the assigned transport unit (12) is stored; having the following steps: the RFID transponder (14) receives interrogation signals from the interrogation transmitter/receiver (20) as said transport units (12) pass through the detection routers (18), and said RFID transponder (14) transmits response signals to the interrogation transmitter/receiver (20); the interrogation transmitter/ receiver (20) passes on the response signals of the RFID transponder (14) to an electronic data processing system (22); the response signals are evaluated by the electronic data processing system (22). In a further method according to the invention for detecting and/or locating transport units (12), the transport units (12) move within a radio network of interrogation transmitter/receiver stations (28) which are installed on the transport areas (10) and are connected to the RFID transponders (14) of the transport units (12). In addition, the invention relates to a system for detecting and/or locating transport units (12), with detection routers (18) which are provided on the transport areas (10) and each have at least one interrogation transmitter/receiver (20), transport units (12) which are each equipped with an RFID transponder (14), and an electronic data processing system (22) to which the at least one interrogation transmitter/receiver (20) passes on relevant information from the RFID transponder (14).

Description

 Method and system for detection and / or location

of transport units on traffic areas

The invention relates to a method and a system for detecting and / or locating transport units on traffic areas.

In order to be able to use existing resources and capacities as efficiently as possible, many companies are interested in the most detailed possible recording of these resources and capacities. The collection and location of transport units at airports presents a particular challenge in this context due to the large area and the complex traffic and goods flows.

The invention provides a method for detecting and / or locating transport units on traffic areas, wherein the traffic areas are equipped with detection locks, each of which has at least one query transmitter / receiver, and wherein the transport units to be detected are each equipped with an RFID transponder on which relevant information about the assigned transport unit is stored, with the following steps:

The RFID transponder receives interrogation signals of the interrogation transmitter / receiver as it passes through the detection channels and transmits

Response signals to the interrogator / receiver;

- The query transmitter / receiver forwards the response signals of the RFID transponder to a computer system;

the response signals are evaluated by the computer system.

By this method can be with little effort the

Identify transport units and locate them via detection locks. This identification and geographical positioning is possible using passive RFID transponders especially in transport units without their own power supply. - -

Preferably, by means of the evaluated by the computer system

Response signals Measures for the control and installation of

Transport units initiated. In terms of the entire fleet of

Transport units this leads to a better utilization of transport capacities.

In a variant of the method, at least one detection lock on two inquiry transmitter / receiver, which are arranged on the traffic area along a traffic route of the transport unit, so that the computer system via the order of the incoming from the two interrogating transceivers response signals a direction of movement Can determine transport unit. In addition to the position of a transport unit, the EDP system can thus also be used to determine whether the transport unit is entering or leaving a certain area of the traffic area.

In addition, a method according to the invention for detecting and / or locating transport units on traffic areas is provided, wherein the

Transport units on the traffic areas within a radio network of

Move query transmitter / receiving stations, the transport units are each equipped with an RFID transponder on the relevant

Information about the assigned transport unit is stored; with the following steps:

The RFID transponder sends its information at predetermined intervals to one of the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations;

- The query transmitter / receiver station forwards the received information of the RFID transponder to a computer system;

- the information of the RFID transponder is transmitted by the EDP

System evaluated.

This method offers the advantage that an exchange of information between the RFID transponder and the EDP system is possible not only at fixed detection locks, but everywhere on the traffic areas within the radio network. - O -

The RFID transponder is in particular an active RFID transponder. Under active RFID transponder is a transponder with its own power supply, such as a battery or a battery to understand. Active RFID transponders have a much greater transmission range, so that larger distances between the individual stations possible and thus a total of fewer stations are necessary to form a radio network of query transmitter / receiver stations.

Preferably, the RFID transponder is combined with a radio receiver of a satellite-based location system, wherein the radio receiver detects current position data and passes the RFID transponder. As a result of this measure, the RFID transponder regularly receives data relating to the position of the assigned transport unit, which it passes on to the EDP system at predetermined time intervals via one of the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations.

After an evaluation of the information of the RFID transponder by the

EDP system, it is possible to locate the associated transport unit and / or track their movement within the traffic areas. For this purpose, the EDP system determines (repeatedly) the geographical position of the respective transport unit and displays it, for example, by cartography. Thus, the position of a specific, identifiable transport unit can also be determined at any time between the fixed detection locks.

The time intervals at which the RFID transponder transmits its information to one of the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations can be determined by means of a motion sensor which detects a movement of the transport unit and is in communication with the RFID transponder. For example, when the transport unit is at a standstill, the RFID transponder sends its information to one of the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations at significantly greater intervals than when the transport unit is moving. Energy is saved by this adapted transmission mode, so that a rechargeable battery or a battery can maintain the power supply of the RFID transponder over a longer period of time.

Alternatively, the intervals at which the RFID transponder transmits its information to one of the interrogation transceiver stations may be via a - -

the interrogator / receiver stations are determined by the computer system. In this process variant, the information of the RFID transponder, for example, depending on predetermined parameters in the computer system, demand-oriented and thus also be obtained energy-saving. In addition, can be dispensed with an equipment of transport units with motion sensors.

To further reduce the energy consumption of the RFID transponder, the transmission frequency of the RFID transponder is preferably selected so that a

Information transmission over the maximum necessary range with minimal energy consumption takes place. The maximum necessary range depends on the

Density of the interrogator / receiver stations on the traffic areas.

In a preferred variant of the method, the information is exchanged between the EDP system and the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations via a local area network (LAN or WLAN).

Furthermore, the invention relates to a system for detecting and / or locating

Transport units on traffic areas, with detection locks, which are provided on the traffic area and each have at least one query transmitter / receiver, transport units, each equipped with at least one RFID T ransponder on which relevant information about the associated transport unit are stored, and an EDP system to which the at least one interrogation transmitter / receiver forwards the relevant information of the RFID transponder during a movement of the transport unit through the respective detection lock. Such a system can be based on the existing infrastructure with relatively little effort. The detection locks can be easily integrated into existing gates of buildings, in barriers or passageways. In addition, the existing transport units only need to be equipped with RFID transponders.

In one system implementation, at least one detection lock has two interrogation transceivers located along the traffic surface along a

Transport path of the transport unit are arranged. By this simple

System extension can be based on the signal sequence at the two Query transmitter / receivers determine the direction of movement of the transport unit.

In this case, at least one interrogation transmitter / receiver can be arranged in the bottom of the detection lock. This underground construction means that no disturbing devices with interrogation transceivers on the traffic area have to be provided.

In particular, the interrogation transmitter / receiver arranged in the bottom of the detection lock is designed with an induction loop. With a small distance between the RFID transponder and the interrogation transmitter / receiver, this represents a particularly simple and reliable way of detecting transport units.

Preferably, the RFID transponder is formed and / or on the

Transport unit mounted so that it is largely protected from the weather and / or mechanical stress. The risk of a functional failure of the RFID transponder is thereby greatly reduced, which increases the reliability of the detection or location system.

In a further system variant, several interrogation transmitter / receiver stations, which form a radio network, are arranged on the traffic areas, with the transport units moving within this radio network. This offers the advantage that communication between the RFID transponder and the EDP system is possible not only via the interrogation transmitter / receiver in the area of the detection locks but also via the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations in the entire radio network.

The RFID transponders used are in particular active RFID transponders. This increases the transmission range of the RFID transponder, so that a greater distance between the individual interrogation transmitter / receiver stations is possible. The number of polling station / receiving stations to be established on the traffic area can be reduced accordingly.

In a further system embodiment, each transport unit is equipped with a passive RFID transponder for communication with the interrogation transceivers of the detection locks and an active RFID transponder for communication with the interrogation transceiver stations. Since the - -

active RFID transponder sends information only between the detection locks and particularly preferably only in a movement of the transport unit information in this embodiment, the entrained energy supply of each transport unit is only slightly claimed. This lengthens the period until a necessary exchange of batteries or batteries for the active RFID transponder of the transport units.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawings. In these show:

- Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the system according to the invention in a schematic outline diagram;

- Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through an embodiment of a transport unit; and

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of a gate to be equipped with detection locks.

1 shows a section of a traffic area 10 on which motorized transport units 12 (for example freight tractors) or towed transport units 12 (for example container trailers or pallet trailers or "dollies") move, The transport units 12 are each equipped with an RFID transponder 14. on the relevant information about the associated transport unit 12. In the figure 2 is a so-called "dolly" as an example of a equipped with a transponder 14 transport unit 12 can be seen in section.

On the traffic area 10, a gate 16 is shown by way of example in FIG. 1, which comprises three traffic lanes (illustrated by arrows). Each traffic route or each lane is assigned a detection lock 18 (shown in dashed lines), each detection lock 18 having at least one interrogation transmitter / receiver 20.

The RFID transponder receives when interrogating the detection lock 18 interrogation signals of the interrogator / receiver 20 and sends

Response signals to the interrogator / receiver 20. The interrogator - -

Transmitter / receiver 20 forwards the response signals of the RFID transponder 14 to a computer system 22, which evaluates the response signals.

If the traffic routes are predetermined in terms of direction, that is to say "pure entrances" or "pure exits", an interrogation transmitter / receiver 20 suffices to identify a transport unit 12 via the EDP system 22 and to determine its position and direction of movement. In FIG. 1, the upper or lower traffic route is predetermined in directional sense by an arrow as entry or exit of the illustrated area of the traffic area 10 and accordingly has only one interrogation transmitter / receiver 20.

If the traffic route becomes directionally variable, i. as entrance and

Used exit, so the detection lock 18 must be equipped with two query transmitter / receivers 20 so that the computer system 22 can determine the direction of movement of the transport unit 12 based on the order of the incoming response signals. In FIG. 1, the mean traffic route is an example of a traffic route that is used in both directions.

The query transmitter / receiver 20 are, as indicated in Figure 1, in the bottom of the detection lock 18, preferably formed with an induction loop. As a result, there are no above-ground components that could interfere with the passage of a transport unit 12. Alternatively, the interrogation transceivers 20 are arranged as aboveground antenna units on one side or on both sides of the traffic route. Depending on the position of the RFID transponder 14 on the transport units 12, advantages in reliably receiving the transponder signals are possible in this embodiment. In general, the interrogator / receiver 20 will be implemented as a combined unit; however, embodiments are also conceivable in which the interrogation transmitter is designed separately from the receiver.

The RFID transponder 14 is preferably designed and / or mounted on the transport unit 12 so that it is largely protected from the weather and / or mechanical stress. For example, in the embodiment of the interrogator / receiver 20, an arrangement of the transponder in the region of a transport unit floor is provided as an induction loop (see FIG. - -

In FIG. 1, each RFID transponder 14 is combined with a radio receiver 24 of a satellite-based location system 26 (for example GPS or Galileo), wherein the radio receiver 24 determines current position data and transmits it to the RFID transponder 14.

In order to transmit the corresponding position data to the EDP system 22, interrogation transmitter / receiver stations 28 are provided on the traffic surface 10, to which the RFID transponder 14 sends its information at predetermined time intervals. The interrogation transmitter / receiver stations 28 then pass on the information of the RFID transponder 14 to the EDP system 22 via a local area network (LAN or WLAN).

The predetermined time intervals in which the RFID transponder 14 transmits are preferably variable for reasons of energy saving. They are influenced, for example, by a motion sensor on the transport unit 12. Alternatively, the computer system 22 via the query transmitter / receiver stations 28, the information from the RFID transponders 14 also retrieve demand.

3 shows a plan view of an embodiment of an existing gate 16, which connects two traffic areas 10, for example an airport apron 10 'and an operating area 10 ".There are a total of five traffic lanes, in this case four entrance lanes to apron 10'. and an exit lane from the apron 10 '(illustrated by arrows) .A detection slot 18 must be assigned to each traffic lane or lane in order to be able to detect the passage (and possibly the passage direction) of a transport unit 12.

Claims

claims A method for detecting and / or locating transport units (12) on traffic areas (10), wherein the traffic areas (10) are equipped with detection locks (18), each having at least one interrogation transmitter / receiver (20), and wherein the transport units (12) to be detected are each equipped with an RFID transponder (14) on which relevant information about the associated transport unit (12) is stored; with the following steps: the RFID transponder (14) receives while passing through the Detection ports (18) polling signals of the polling transceiver (20) and transmitting response signals to the polling transceiver (20); - The query transmitter / receiver (20) passes the response signals of the RFID transponder (14) to a computer system (22) on; - The response signals are evaluated by the computer system (22). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that measures for the control and installation of transport units (12) are initiated by means of the evaluated by the computer system (22) response signals. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one detection lock (18) has two query transmitter / receiver (20), which are arranged on the traffic area (10) along a traffic route of the transport unit (12), so that the EDP system (22) can determine a direction of movement of the transport unit (12) via the sequence of the response signals arriving from the two interrogation transmitter / receivers (20). 4. Method for detecting and / or locating transport units (12) on traffic areas (10), wherein the transport units (12) move on the traffic areas (10) within a radio network of interrogation transmitter / receiver stations (28), wherein the transport units (12) are each equipped with an RFID transponder (14) on which relevant information about the associated transport unit (12) is stored; comprising the steps of: the RFID transponder (14) sending its information at predetermined intervals to one of the interrogation transceiver stations (28); the interrogator / receiver station (28) forwards the received information of the RFID transponder (14) to a computer system (22); - The information of the RFID transponder (14) by the Computer system (22) evaluated. 5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that the RFID transponder (14) is an active RFID transponder. 6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the RFID transponder (14) with a radio receiver (24) of a satellite-based Location system (26) is combined, wherein the radio receiver (24) detects current position data and the RFID transponder (14) passes. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that after an evaluation of the information of the RFID transponder (14) by the computer system (22) locate the associated transport unit (12) and / or their movement within the traffic area (10) to pursue. 8. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the time intervals in which the RFID transponder (14) sends its information to one of the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations (28) are determined by means of a movement sensor, which detects a movement of the transport unit (12) and is in communication with the RFID transponder (14). 9. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the time intervals in which the RFID transponder (14) sends its information to one of the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations (28), via one of the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations (28) be determined by the computerized system (22). 10. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the transmission frequency of the RFID transponder (14) is selected so that an information transmission over the maximum necessary range is carried out with minimal energy consumption. 11. The method according to any one of claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the exchange of information between the computer system (22) and the query transmitter / receiver stations (28) via a local network. 12. system for detecting and / or locating transport units (12) on traffic areas (10), with detection locks (18) which are provided on the traffic areas (10) and each have at least one query transmitter / receiver (20), Transport units (12) each equipped with at least one RFID transponder (14) on which relevant information about the associated transport unit (12) is stored, and a computer system (22) to which the at least one interrogator Transmitter / receiver (20) forwards the relevant information of the RFID transponder (14) during a movement of the transport unit (12) through the respective detection lock (18). 13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that at least one detection lock (18) has two query transmitter / receiver (20), which are arranged on the traffic area (10) along a traffic route of the transport unit (12). 14. System according to any one of claims 12 or 13, characterized in that at least one interrogation transmitter / receiver (20) in the bottom of the detection lock (18) are arranged. 15. System according to claim 14, characterized in that in the bottom of the detection lock (18) arranged query transmitter / receiver (20) is designed with an induction loop. 16. System according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the RFID transponder (14) is formed and / or on the transport unit (12) is mounted so that it is largely protected from the weather and / or mechanical stress. 17. System according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that a plurality of query transmitter / receiver stations (28) are arranged on the traffic areas (10) and form a radio network, wherein the transport units (12) move within this radio network. 18. System according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that at least one RFID T ransponder (14) of each transport unit (12) is an active RFID transponder. 19. System according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the RFID transponder (14) is combined with a radio receiver (24) of a satellite-based location system (26), wherein the radio receiver (24) determines current position data and the RFID Transponder (14) passes. 20. System according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that each transport unit (12) with a passive RFID transponder for communication with the query transmitter / receivers (20) of the detection locks (18) and an active RFID transponder for Communication with the interrogation transmitter / receiver stations (28) is equipped.