1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and incorporation of the tags into a system for managing a automobile dealer's vehicle sales, for vehicle tracking, for keeping service records and for facilitating good customer relations.
2. Description of the Problem
RFID tags are a key element of what has been called ubiquitous computing. RFID tags, particularly passive RFID tags, provide an inexpensive tag which can be: (1) applied to an object; (2) powered from the impinging interrogatory signal, thus requiring no internal power source; and (3) sensed remotely up to several meters distance without the necessity of locating the tag. Each RFID tag carries a permanent, unique identifying numeral, which may be associated with the object to which the tag is attached. The advantages of RFID tags over bar codes and other electronic tagging devices are widely recognized for various asset and inventory management and tracking systems. Generally, the tags have been seen as a way of tracking inventory, particularly as it moves through a distribution system, and adding additional value through electronically readable freshness dates in the case of perishable commodities.
More elaborate RFID tags include writeable, persistent memory and may be considered to be a type of peripheral memory device in a distributed data storage system. The tags are written to and interrogated by a computing system through an associated reader, using a radio frequency interrogation signal. Such an RFID tag incorporates sufficient logic circuitry to write data blocks passed with the interrogation signal to memory and to fetch the contents of blocks of memory. The RFID tag logic usually returns data by load modulation of the radio frequency interrogation signal which originates with the reader or by electromagnetic backscatter at its antenna which is done by varying the reflectance characteristics of the antenna. In either case a modulated return signal is received and read by the computing system. A given RFID tag may be encountered by a computer system once, or a number of times, depending upon the application. Such tags are not however, permanent parts of the computer system, though the tags can function as secondary storage for database records.
RFID tags may be active (battery powered) or passive (deriving energization power from impinging radio frequency signals) devices consisting of an antenna, an AC/DC filter (if passive), a capacitor (if passive), logic and addressable memory. The memory comprises both writable and permanent sections where the permanent section includes an identifier unique to the specific tag. Typically all of the components are bonded onto a acrylic substrate and sealed.
According to the invention there is provided a system for the management of a group of vehicles. The vehicles can be part of a dealer's inventory or vehicles which the dealer services. The system comprises at least a first radio frequency identification (RFID) tag attached to a member vehicle of the group. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a wide area network (WAN) provides a coverage area over an area frequented by member vehicles of the group of vehicles, for example, a new vehicle showroom, a lot and a service area. Alternatively, portable units may be periodically synchronized with a central database through a two way batch update process by connection of the unit to a network docking port. Employees of the dealership are provided with RFID tag readers for interrogating the RFID tags. A portable WAN client or portable computer associated with the RFID tag reader provides for the exchange of data between an employee's handheld device and a central database. The WAN host or portable computer comprises a data processing facility for accessing and updating a database relating to the member vehicles of the group. A database may include time related information as to the location of the vehicle if within the coverage area, vehicle features information and ownership status. The WAN client/portable computer includes a user input/output interface allowing a user to access the database to determine vehicle location, vehicle features and ownership status.
Additional effects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description that follows.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the figures and in particular to
Typically, although not necessarily, RFID tag reader 100 and its associated components are portable and can be moved relative to the plurality of RFID tags 102 installed on vehicles 16. Motor vehicles 16 are movable within, and in and out of coverage area. As a consequence of the portability of the readers 100 and the mobility of the vehicles 16, changing subsets of the RFID tags 102 will fall within a coverage area 13 in which reader 102 can read data stored on the RFID tags 102. Contention access of RFID tags 102 to reader 100 is handled by the reader using techniques already known to the art. Reader 100 which may be simultaneously in communication with an RFID tag 102 and WAN host and database manager (host) 18 may be used as a conduit for information between the host and a given tag and may locally use information derived from either source to effect management functions relating to a member vehicle of the vehicle group. An RFID tag reader 100 thus may be used to report the approximate position of a motor vehicle 16 for incorporation in a database maintained on host 18. If reader 100 is stationary the reported position can simply be the same as that for the reader. Host 18 may be programmed to accept position reports as a matter of course only from stationary readers scattered about a dealers lot and repair facilities. Of course, more complex systems may be imagined incorporating global positioning system monitors associated with readers which could report positions correlated through a look up table with identifiable locations on the lot. The object is to be able to quickly locate a vehicle matching a customer's desires or to locate a customer's vehicle, if returned to the facility for repairs. A vehicle may also be marked as out of the facility if checked out for a test drive. If all data is located on the RFID tags 102, the WAN may be dispensed with.
Referring to
The logic section 204 includes analog circuits which function as an interface between the RF receiver/transmitter and the digital circuit for reading and writing to the memory 206. The RF receiver portion of the RF section 203 converts an RF signal from the antenna 202 to a DC voltage, which powers RFID tag 102. The digital circuit portion of the logic section 204 generally executes all of the functions of the RFID data tag 102, such as retrieving stored data from the memory 206 and providing a modulating signal to the RF sections to transmit the retrieved data. While the data tag 102 shown is a passive device, a self-powered active device (powered by a battery) can be employed.
Importantly, the memory 206 of the data tag 102 includes at least one of the following fields: a tag ID number field 208, a tag type field 210 and data field 212. The tag ID number field 204 provides a serial number or other identifying number for the data tag 102, which is usually unique to the tag. The data fields 212 may include data stored in the tag 102, such as date, time, and information regarding an object or objects to which the tag may be affixed. Various data related to a motor vehicle 16 will be written to a particular RFID tag 102 upon association of the tag to the vehicle.
Unless described otherwise below, the construction and operation of the various blocks shown in
Referring to
Reader 100 includes a memory 310 coupled to the processor 304. The term “processor” as generally used herein refers to any logic processing unit, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), etc. While the RF section 203, logic section 204 and memory 206 (for the tags), and processor 304, memory 310 and other components are shown as separate blocks, with some or all of these blocks can be monolithically integrated onto a single chip.
The memory 310 includes random access memory (“RAM”) 316 and read-only memory (“ROM”) 312 to provide storage for instructions, parameters and data for the processor 304. As explained below, the memory 310 includes an instructions memory 314 (RAM or ROM) to allow the processor 304 to be programmed to receive, write, and/or manipulate data in an RFID tag 102. Readers for acquiring data from machine-readable symbols, and for acquiring and writing data to RFID tags, and resolving collisions for access are generally known in the relevant art.
ROM 312 is a non-volatile memory having sufficient space to store at least an operating system kernel. As shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
The vehicle management program includes at least 12 modules which are termed: (1) Vehicle Check In; (2) Inventory; (3) Lot security; (4) Sales; (5) Service Bay identification; (6) Loyalty programs; (7) car wash; (8) oil change; (9) body shop; (10) wrecker service; (11) trade-in/appraisal; and (12) asset tracking (part inventory, office furnishings, etc.). To some extent, modules may be separated from one another depending upon the requirements of a particular dealer.
Vehicle Input includes capturing a vehicle VIN for association with an RFID tag applied to a vehicle. Typically a vehicle barcode is scanned to reduce the chance of error associated with manual entry. A series of screens, termed the VIN explosion system, are used to guide the operator to entering all of the data desired for a vehicle. This may include, by way of example, make, model, year, etc., which, for a new car will be entered into an inventory table instance in the database. The RFID tag to be associated with a vehicle is scanned as part of this initiation process to assure accuracy. Once data is acquired linking fields and data are pushed to a standard inventory table and the entry is available for queries.
The sales module is initiated by an operator scanning an RFID tag to construct a database inquiry to obtain vehicle information. A deal initiation icon is generated and the sales process begins with the operator (here a salesman) entering his personal code. Customer fields are generated and filled in, and upon being fully populated, pushed to a customer table forming a record instance.
Loyalty programs, akin to frequent flyer programs, may be incorporated into the system. In one embodiment, customers may be provided with short range, memory writable RFID tags embedded in a key ring fob. The fob may loaded with codes indicating a customer has prepurchased routine service and car washes at reduces prices. Points may be added to the TAG for future discounts or for use at car washes which participate in dealer's program. Salesman may access a customer's information.
Some of the other aspects of the program are more conventional. Lot security for example is analogous to other inventory security programs based on RFID tags. The wrecker module may be made more elaborate. Here the target vehicle may not yet be initiated into the system, as a result, use of the vehicle VIN explosion system may be indicated to the operator. In addition, where a vehicle has been initiated, the operator may take a portable device out of the normal coverage area to scan vehicles for help in locating and verifying the identity of the vehicle to be towed. Screens are provided to indicate locations where vehicles are picked up.
Further referring to
Representative of the “Key Features” accessed by selection of icon 858 is illustrated by screen 862, which opens to a color identification. Tabs 865 across the top of screen 862 allow viewing detailed information about the vehicle's driving features, power features, sound system, safety features and any customization done by the dealer.
Screen 864 is opened upon selection of either the recall or start icons (834 or 836) of screen 830. Here a customer data field table is displayed, which allows entry of new or updated information. This field is recalled from host 18. The fields include the Salesman ID field 866, the customer's first name field 867, a customer last name field 868, a customer street address field 870, a customer resident city field 872, a customer state/province field 874, a customer postal code field 876, a customer phone number field 878, and a last quote field 880. A submit deal field icon 882 provides a commit to memory operation, which may be executed to host 18 or to the vehicle RFID tag 102. An exit icon 884 operates to return the display context to screen 830.
The invention integrates a distributed, database driven vehicle management tool utilizing RFID tags, portable, wireless readers and database management programs operating over a dealer wide WAN. Where no WAN is used, batch updating may be used.
While the invention is shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/578,231, filed 9 Jun. 2004.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60578231 | Jun 2004 | US |