Patent Application
20140159873
This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods for communicating between Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags to initiate voice and/or data communications between frequency-modulated radios installed in an automobile and a building.
Businesses may accommodate their customers' need for timely and efficient service by providing access to the business without a customer having to leave their automobile. Customer service may be impacted by communications equipment that is located outside and that, may be exposed to the elements (e.g., wind, rain, snow, heat, cold). Similarly, customers may have to roll down their windows and expose themselves to the elements to interface with the communications equipment. Exposure to the elements may be impact the ability of the business to clearly communicate with their customers. In certain instances, poor communication may negatively affect the business. Accordingly, business may want to minimize the impact of poor communications.
The features within the drawings are numbered and are cross-referenced with the written description. Generally, the first numeral reflects the drawing number where the feature was first introduced, and the remaining numerals are intended to distinguish the feature from the other notated features within that drawing. However, if a feature is used across several drawings, the number used to identify the feature in the drawing where the feature first appeared will be used. Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein:
Embodiments of the disclosure are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art.
Embodiments described in this disclosure may provide systems, methods, and devices for establishing a voice and/or data communications between a business operating in a building and a customer in their automobile. Generally, a customer will drive up to within 10-50 feet of the building to initiate a transaction with the business.
In one embodiment, the building and the automobile may each include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag and a frequency-modulated (FM) radio that transmits and receives electromagnetic signals.
The RFID tags may be active RFID tags that may transmit and receive information from each other when they come within proximity of each other. The building RFID tag and the automobile RFID tag may come within range of each other when the automobile drives up and approaches the building.
The building RFID tag may broadcast a communication request periodically to solicit responses from other RFID tags (e.g., the automobile RFID tag). Upon receiving a response, the building RFID tag may send communication information (e.g., voice communication frequency) related to using the FM radio for voice communications. The communication information may also include an encryption key for voice communications, data communication capability of the FM radio, business hours, and/or voice communication credential information. The automobile RFID tag may respond to confirm the automobile has a FM radio capable of transmitting and receiving voice communications. The automobile RFID response may also include data communications capability of the FM radio, an alternate voice communication frequency, and/or customer identification information.
When the FM device capability and voice communication frequency are confirmed, the building FM radio may initiate communication with the automobile FM radio at the frequency encoded within the RFID tag. After opening a voice communication channel, the business and customer may initiate a business transaction using voice communications. For example, the transaction may include, but is not limited to, a banking transaction, a pharmacy order, or a food order. In another embodiment, the frequency may be dynamically changed between other frequencies to improve signal quality or to account for interference issues. The alternative frequencies may also be encoded in the RFID tag. The RFID tag may also encode protocols for making dynamic changes between different frequencies. For example, the protocol may state that a different frequency may be used when, communications are not established within a period of time. Another protocol may change frequencies when the quality of the signal and/or strength of the signal fall below a certain threshold.
In one embodiment, the automobile's FM radio may be integrated into the automobile's computer and speakers. The automobile RFID tag may provide the communication information to the computer or the FM radio directly to initiate FM radio voice communication. In the computer embodiment, the computer may direct the voice communication to the speakers installed in the automobile. In another embodiment, the computer may receive the voice communication over the FM radio and direct the voice communication to a Bluetooth headset worn by the driver/occupant of the automobile. In yet another embodiment, the computer may direct the voice communication to a cellular phone of the driver/occupant of the automobile.
Example embodiments of the disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.
Although only one building 102 and one automobile 104 are illustrated in
In another embodiment, the RFID communications may be initiated between two or more RFID tags within proximity of each other under any circumstance. The RFID tags may be programmed to pair a radio link between any two entities over one or more frequencies. In one another instance, the RFID tags may include a programmable chip or chip set that may be updated over a network or by directly interfacing with the RFID tag.
In another embodiment, the RFID tags may conduct a handshake protocol in which one RFID tag provides a radio frequency and the second RFID tag acknowledges receiving the frequency either by an acknowledgement message or by programming the second RFID tag to send the frequency back to the first RFID tag. In another embodiment, the handshake protocol may be implemented by the radio devices by initiating communications using the frequency or frequencies exchanged between the RFID tags.
In one specific embodiment, two vehicles (e.g., car, truck, construction equipment, etc.) may include an RFID tag that may be used to exchange frequency information while the vehicles are moving or standing still. The vehicles may use the frequency information to establish a radio link that enables the vehicles to exchange voice and/or data communications.
At block 106, the building 102 may use a RFID tag (not shown) to send communication information to the automobile's 104 RFID tag (not shown). The communication reformation may include a query on whether the automobile 104 is capable of supporting voice communications using a FM radio (not shown). The communication information may also include a frequency to use for voice communications. The building RFID tag may send the communication periodically or intermittently to determine when a capable participant is in proximity of the building 102.
In another embodiment, the building 102 may detect when a customer is approaching or is in range of the building RFID tag. The detection may be based, at least in part, on the automobile's 104 RFID tag coming within the broadcast range of the building 102 RFID tag. In another embodiment, the automobile 104 may be detected by a motion or visual detection sensor installed in or near the building 102. Following the detection of the automobile, the building RFID tag may begin to solicit a response from the automobile 104.
At block 108, the automobile 104 may acknowledge the solicitation by transmitting a response from the automobile's 104 RFID tag. The response may include, but is not limited to, the automobile's 104 FM radio capability to send and receive voice communications. The automobile's 104 RFID tag may also send a message to prepare for voice communications to the automobile's 104 computer and/or FM radio. The frequency range for the FM radio may include 65 Megahertz and 108 Megahertz. In another embodiment, the radio may include an amplitude modulated (AM) radio that may operate in the 150 Kilohertz to 1700 Kilohertz range
In another embodiment, the response may also include an alternate frequency that may be used instead of the frequency provided by the building's 102 RFID tag. In another embodiment, the response may include a frequency range that is supported by the automobile's 104 FM radio.
At block 110, the building's 102 FM radio may open a voice communication channel with the automobile's 104 FM radio. The employee may use the voice communication channel to query the customer about how they may help them or what type of transaction they hope to complete.
In one embodiment, the business may be a bank and the employee may solicit what type of banking transaction the customer may want to complete. The transactions may include, but are not limited to, making a deposit, making a withdrawal, or checking an account balance. The employee may ask the customer fill out the forms that may be provided to customer via a conveyor system that enables the transfer of documents from the building 102 to the automobile 104.
In another embodiment, the business may be a pharmacy and the employee may solicit what type of pharmacy transaction the customer may want to complete. The pharmacy transactions may include, but are not limited to, submitting a prescription, refilling a prescription, and/or picking up a tilled prescription. Again, the prescription documents and/or the filled prescriptions may be sent from the building 102 to the automobile 104 via a conveyor system.
In another embodiment, the business may be a restaurant and the employee may solicit an order from the customer. The employee may prepare the order and provide the food to the customer in their automobile 104.
At block 112, the automobile's 104 FM radio may be tuned to the frequency provided by the business and may open the voice communication channel for the customer. When the customer hears the employee's request for information, the customer may respond with an answer by speaking normally within the confines of the automobile 104. The automobile 104 may include a microphone that converts the customer's voice to an electrical signal that is transmitted by the FM radio to the building 102. As noted above, the customer and employee may exchange information over the voice communication channel to complete a transaction as needed. The voice communication channel may be closed at the discretion of the customer or the employee or when the automobile 104 drives away from the building 102 and is outside the range of the building's RFID tag or FM radio.
At block 202, the building 102 may use a RFID tag to send communication information to the automobile's 104 RFID tag. The communication information may include a query on whether the automobile 104 is capable of supporting voice communications using a FM radio. The communication information may also include a frequency to use for voice communications. The building RFID tag may send the communication periodically or intermittently to determine when a capable participant is in proximity of the building 102.
The building's 102 RFID tag may include a voice communication frequency for FM radios or wireless network information, for wireless devices that may be used to exchange voice and/or data communications.
At block 204, the automobile 104 may acknowledge the solicitation by transmitting a response from the automobile's 104 RFID tag. The response may include, but is not limited to, the automobile's 104 FM radio capability to send and receive voice communications. The automobile's 104 RFID tag may also send a message to prepare for voice communications to the automobile's 104 computer and/or FM radio. The response may also include a wireless network capability that may include Wi-Fi (e.g., IEEE 802 devices) devices that may be used to open a communication channel to the automobile's FM radio or a wireless network hosted by the building 102.
At block 206, the building's 102 FM radio may open a voice communication channel with the automobile's 104 FM radio. The employee may use the voice communication channel to query the customer about how they may help them or what type of transaction they hope to complete. In another embodiment, the building 102 may also host a wireless network (not shown) that may open a voice communication channel with a wireless device (e.g., Bluetooth™ headset, cellular phone, tablet, . . . etc.) in the automobile 104.
At block 208, the automobile's 104 FM radio may be tuned to the frequency provided, by the building 102 and may open the voice communication channel for the customer. However, the voice communication channel may be routed from the automobile's FM radio to a wireless device inside the automobile 104. The wireless device may include a speaker to broadcast the voice communication and a microphone to capture the voice of the automobile's 104 driver/occupant. The wireless device may include, but is not limited, to, a Bluetooth™ headset, a cellular phone, a tablet, or any other device with a speaker and/or microphone. In this embodiment, the customer may hear the employee's request for information, over the FM radio or the wireless device and the customer may respond with an answer by speaking normally within the confines of the automobile 104.
The building 102 may include a RFID Tag 306 to enable the RFID tag communication channel 302. The RFID tag 306 may be an active RFID tag that may include a power source (e.g., a battery) and may be configurable to broadcast different types of information. The RFID tag 306 may include an antenna to send and receive RF communications to and from other RFID tags. The RFID tag 306 may periodically transmit requests to communicate with other RFID tags or may be listening for broadcasts from other RFID tags that enter into range of the RFID tag 306. In one specific embodiment, the RFID tag 306 may be notified of nearby devices when the building 102 Includes motion or vision detection sensors that may detect the presence of the automobile 104.
In one embodiment, the RFID tag 306 may receive a response from another RFID tag in the automobile 104. The RFID tag 306 may receive FM radio capability information from the automobile's 104 RFID tag indicating the automobile 104 includes at least a FM radio. The automobile's 104 FM radio may be enabled to send and receive voice communications on a frequency or range of frequencies. The RFID tag 306 may provide that information to the FM/AM radio transceiver 308 or the communications module 310 that may manage the FM/AM radio transceiver 308.
The FM/AM radio transceiver 308 may enable the FM radio communication channel 304 from the point of view of the building 102. Although the FM channel may be used throughout the disclosure to enable the voice communication channel, in other embodiments, the AM (amplitude modulation) channel may also be used to enable voice communication between the building 102 and the automobile 104. The FM/AM radio transceiver 308 may be coupled to a microphone and speaker (not shown). The microphone captures the voice of an employee attempting to speak to the customer in the automobile 104 and the speaker broadcasts the customer's voice so the employee may hear the customer. In another embodiment, FM/AM radio transceiver 308 may be coupled to the communications module 310 that controls the microphone and speaker used by the employee.
The communications module 310 may be a component of a computer that includes a computer processor 312, memory 314, and/or interfaces 316.
The computer processor 312 to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 314 that enable the device to execute instructions on the hardware, applications, or services associated with the business. The one or more computer processors 312 may include, without limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex Instruction set computer (CISC), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the computer processor may be based on an Intel(c) Architecture system and the processors) 312 and chipset may be from a family of Intel® processors and chipsets, such as the Intel® Atom® processor family. The one or more processors 312 may also include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or application-specific standard products (ASSPs) for handling specific data processing functions or tasks.
Memory 314 may include an operating system 318 to manage and execute applications stored therein as well as other systems and modules within the computer. The memory 314 may be comprised of one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memory 314 devices including, but not limited to, random access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), double data rate (DDR) SDRAM (DDR-SDRAM), RAM-BUS DRAM (RDRAM), flash memory devices, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), non-volatile RAM (NVRAM), universal serial bus (USB) removable memory, or combinations thereof. The memory 314 may include the communications module 310 and the key module 320
The communication module 310 may manage and direct the RFID and FM radio communication channels 302, 304 between the building 102 and the automobile 104. The communication module 310 may direct RFID tag 306 to periodically broadcast a solicitation message to automobiles that may be in proximity to the building 102. The communication, module 310 may also control motion or visual sensors that may detect an automobile 104 that may need assistance from an employee. Upon detection, the communications module 310 may direct the RFID tag 306 to read the automobile 104 for a RFID tag 306. The RFID tag 306 may provide automobile's 104 RFID tag 306 information to the communications module 310.
In one embodiment, when the tag information indicates the automobile 104 includes a FM radio enabled to send and receive voice communication, the communications module 310 may direct the FM/AM radio transceiver 308 to open a communications channel with the automobile 104. The communications module 310 may alert the employee that a customer is waiting to be assisted. The communications module 310 may enable a microphone and speaker for the employee to use for communicating with the customer. The employee and customer may engage in a business transaction by exchanging information over the voice communication channel. In another embodiment, the voice communications channel may enable a data transfer that may be displayed on the display screen of the automobile's 104 FM radio. The data may include order information, account information, or any other type of information the customer may want to confirm or verify before completing a transaction.
In another embodiment, when the tag information indicates the automobile 104 includes a wireless device in the automobile 104, the communications module 310 may direct the wireless system (to be described below) to open a communications channel with the wireless device in the automobile 104. In this instance, the FM/AM radio transceiver 308 may not be used to open the voice communication channel (e.g., FM radio communication 304). However, the wireless communication channel may enable the employee to communicate with the customer to complete any type of transaction for the business.
The key module 320 may provide encryption protocols that enable the communications module 310 to encrypt the voice and/or data communication between the building 102 and the automobile 104. The encryption keys may be used to encrypt certain types of information that may be closely held by the business and not readily available or accessible to others not engaged in the business transaction. The encryption keys may be configured to encrypt voice and/or data communications over the FM/AM radio transceiver 308 or the wireless system.
The computer may also include an Input/Output (I/O) interface 316 that enables a user to view content displayed by the device or to interact with the computer using various tactile responsive interfaces such as a keyboard, touch screen, or mouse. The I/O interface 316 may also include a wireless system that may enable the communication key module 320 to communicate wirelessly with the wireless devices in the automobile 104. The wireless system may include the hardware and software to broadcast and receive messages either using the Wi-Fi Direct Standard (See: Wi-Fi Direct specification published in October 2010) and or the IEEE 802.11 wireless standard (See; IEEE 802.11-2007, published Mar. 8, 2007; IEEE 802.11n-2009, published October 2009) or a combination thereof. The wireless system may include a transmitter and a receiver or a transceiver (not shown) capable of operating in a broad range of operating frequencies governed by the 802.11 wireless standard.
The automobile 104 may include an engine 322, a mobile RFID tag 324, a mobile FM/AM transceiver 326, and a computer that includes a computer processor 328, memory 330, and interface 332.
The engine 322 may include, but is not limited to, a combustion engine that may run on gasoline, diesel, or any other petroleum-based product. The engine may provide power to drive a transmission that moves the car backwards or forwards. The engine may also include an electrical system that stores or generates power that may be provided to the computer, the mobile RFID tag 324, and/or the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326. In another embodiment, the engine 322 may include an electrical engine that receives power from batteries or solar panels incorporated into the automobile 104. In another embodiment, the engine 322 may be a combination of a combustion engine and an electrical engine.
The computer processor 328 may execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory 330 that enable the device to execute instructions on the hardware, applications, or services. The one or more computer processors 238 may include, without limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the processor 328 may be based on an Intel(r) Architecture system and the processors) 238 and chipset may be from a family of Intel® processors and chipsets, such as the Intel® Atom® processor family. The one or more processors 328 may also include one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or application-specific standard products (ASSPs) for handling specific data processing functions or tasks.
Similar to those described above, the one or more interfaces 332 allow for the coupling of devices such as displays, keyboards, storage devices, and so forth. Likewise, the one or more interfaces 332 may be configured to couple to other devices over a wireless network.
The one or more memories 330 may store instructions for execution by the one or more processors 328 which perform certain actions or functions. These instructions may include an operating system 334 configured to manage hardware resources, such as the interfaces 332, and provide various services to applications executing on the one or more processors 328.
The memory 330 may also include a radio module 336 to manage FM radio communication 304 and an encryption module 338 to encrypt the communication between the building 102 and the automobile 104.
The radio module 336 may interface with the mobile RFID tag 324 to receive FM frequencies or any other information that may be provided from the building 102 using the RFID tag 306. The radio module 336 may use the information to open a voice/data communication channel using the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326 in the automobile 104. The voice communication from the building 102 may be provided, to a speaker and a microphone may capture the verbal responses from the customer in the automobile 104. In certain instances, the radio module 336 may receive data from the building 102 and that data may be displayed on the display screen of the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326 or another display screen within the automobile 104. In another embodiment, the data may be displayed directly on the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326 without being routed through the radio module 336.
In another embodiment, the radio module 336 may direct the incoming voice communication to a wireless device in the automobile 104 instead of the speaker. The wireless device may include, but is not limited to, a wireless headset, a cellular phone, a tablet, or a laptop. The wireless device may include a speaker to broadcast the voice communications from the building and a microphone to capture the customer's verbal utterances that are sent to the building 102 via the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326.
The encryption module 338 may receive encryption keys from the building 102 or store encryption keys that may be used to encrypt the voice/data communication sent or received over the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326. The encryption module 338 may use the processor 328 to encrypt or decrypt the voice/data communication.
At block 402, the automobile 104 may receive a communication request using a mobile RFID tag 324 installed in an automobile 104. The communication request may include a frequency or range of frequencies that may be used by mobile FM/AM transceiver 326. The communication request may also include, but is not limited to, an encryption key, data compatibility information, and/or wireless capability information.
The encryption key information may be used to secure the voice communications sent over the FM radio communication link 304. The encryption key may be used to encrypt outgoing communications and decrypt incoming communications from the building 102.
The data compatibility information may indicate whether the FM radio communication link 304 can support data that may be displayed within the automobile 104. This may include the data format or the amount of data that may be sent. The data compatibility information may inform the automobile 104 of the type and quantity of data that may be provided over the FM radio communication link 304.
The wireless compatibility information may indicate whether the building 102 may support wireless communication over a network governed by IEEE 802 wireless standard. This network may offer an alternative network to communication with the automobile 104 instead of the FM radio communication link 304.
At block 404, the automobile 104 may provide an acknowledgment to the communication request, using the mobile RFID tag 324. The acknowledgement may indicate that the automobile is capable of supporting the FM radio communication link 304. This may include listing the available frequencies supported by the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326. In one specific embodiment, the acknowledgment may provide an alternate frequency to enable the FM radio communication link 304. The building 102 may elect to use the alternate frequency in place of the frequency provided in the previous step described in description of block 402.
At block 406, the automobile 104 may receive the voice communications using the FM radio communication link 304. The voice communication may be routed to the speaker installed in the automobile 104 or to a wireless device (e.g., headset) used by the driver/occupant in the automobile 104. A microphone installed in the automobile 104 or the wireless device may capture the verbal utterances of the driver/occupant and provide them to the FM radio communications link 304 that enables the business to listen to the utterances.
At block 408, the automobile 104 may provide a voice communication response using the transmitter of the mobile FM/AM transceiver 326 to send the verbal utterances of the driver/occupant to the employee in the building 102. The mobile FM/AM transceiver 326 may be the source of the automobile's 104 contribution to the FM radio communication link 304.
At block 502, the building 102 may provide a communication request to an automobile 104 using a radio identification (RFID) tag (e.g., RFID tag 306). The communication request may include, but is not limited to, a frequency for a FM/AM transceiver 308 that may be used for voice/data communications. In another embodiment, the communication request may also include an encryption key that may be used to encrypt/decrypt the voice/data communications transmitted and. received over the FM/AM radio transceiver 308.
At block 504, the building 102 may receive an acknowledgement to the communication request, using the RFID tag 306. The acknowledgement may indicate that the automobile 104 is capable of establishing the FM radio communication link 304 with the building 102. The acknowledgement may also indicate if the automobile 104 is capable of receiving and displaying data sent over the FM radio communication link 304. The acknowledgement may also indicate if the automobile 104 is capable of sending and receiving voice/data communication over a wireless network governed by the IEEE 802 communications protocol.
At block 506, the building 102 may provide voice communications to the automobile 104 using a frequency-modulated wireless device (e.g., FM/AM radio transceiver 308). The voice communications may be related to completing a transaction between the business in the building 102 and the customer in the automobile 104.
At block 508, the building 102 may receive a voice communication response from the automobile 104 using a frequency-modulated wireless device (e.g., FM/AM radio transceiver 308). As noted above, the driver/occupant of the automobile 104 may be attempting to facilitate or complete a transaction with an employee of the business that resides in the building 102. The business may include, but is not limited to, a bank, pharmacy, or a restaurant.
Embodiments described herein may be implemented using hardware, software, and/or firmware, for example, to perform the methods and/or operations described herein. Certain embodiments described herein may be provided as a tangible machine-readable medium storing machine-executable instructions that, if executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform the methods and/or operations described herein. The tangible machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, any type of disk including floppy disks, optical disks, compact disk read-only memories (CD-ROMs), compact disk rewritables (CD-RWs), magneto-optical disks, semiconductor devices such as read-only memories (ROMs), random access memories (RAMs) such as dynamic and static RAMs, erasable programmable read-only memories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs), flash memories, magnetic or optical cards, or any type of tangible media suitable for storing electronic instructions. The machine may include any suitable processing or computing platform, device or system and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware and/or software. The instructions may include any suitable type of code and may be implemented using any suitable programming language. In other embodiments, machine-executable instructions for performing the methods and/or operations described herein may be embodied in firmware.
Various features, aspects, and embodiments have been described herein. The features, aspects, and embodiments are susceptible to combination with one another as well as to variation and modification, as will be understood by those having skill in the art. The present disclosure should therefore, be considered to encompass such combinations, variations, and modifications.
The terms and expressions, which have been employed herein, are used as terms of description and not of limitation. In the use of such terms and expressions, there is no intention of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described (or portions thereof), and it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Other modifications, variations, and alternatives are also possible. Accordingly, the claims are intended to cover all such equivalents.
While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and various embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included, within the scope of the claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation.
This written description uses examples to disclose certain embodiments of the disclosure, including the best mode, and to enable any person skilled in the art to practice certain embodiments of the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of certain embodiments of the disclosure is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
