DE102007036938A1 - Radio frequency identification transponder for automatic identification of function and/or parameter of e.g. bicycle, has core module variably expandable by functional modules, which are arranged at core module - Google Patents

Abstract

The radio frequency identification transponder (1) has a core module (1.1) variably expandable by functional modules (1.2-1.4), which are arranged at the core module. The functional modules are fastened at the core module in an application and/or process-oriented manner, where the functional modules are connected with each other over interfaces. The core module is provided with a carrier unit, a control unit and a memory unit.

Description

The The invention relates to a transponder for automatic identification of functions and / or parameters of an associated object, e.g. B. one in a manufacturing process to be machined workpiece.

Usually Transponders are used to locate and identify objects and are used, for example, for theft prevention or locating the Object used. In this case, by means of the transponder information about functions or Parameter sent or received by the transponder signal answered. The transfer The information is generally wirelessly via a Radio interface. Such a contactless and automatic A method for identifying objects is also called RFID for short (= Radio Frequency Identification).

Out In the prior art, the RFID method for the automatic identification of objects known. In addition to the contactless Identification and localization of objects RFID for the automatic collection and storage of data. The English Term "radio Frequency Identification (RFID) means in German "identification via radio waves".

Of the Construction of an RFID transponder, also referred to as an RFID tag sees in principle, an antenna, an analogue circuit for receiving and transmitting (transceiver), as well as a digital circuit and a permanent memory before. RFID tags can be rewritten over multiple times Have memory, in the while Lifetime information can be stored. By application area also differ the other ratios, such. B. radio frequency, transmission rate, Lifetime, cost per unit, storage space, read range and Functions.

in principle does the RFID communication work as follows: The Reader generates a high-frequency alternating electromagnetic field, which the antenna of the RFID transponder receives. In the antenna coil arises as soon as close to it of the electromagnetic field comes, induction current. This activated the microchip in the RFID tag. The induced current is at Passive tags also charge a capacitor, which is durable Power supply of the chip provides. This takes over one active tag built-in battery. Once the microchip is activated, it receives commands which modulates the reader into its magnetic field. By the day an answer in the reader modulated field sent, it sends its serial number or other from the reader requested data.

From the DE 10 2006 033 225 A1 a tamper detection system for vehicle parts is known, wherein a identification chip for wireless identification is attached to the vehicle part.

From the US Pat. No. 6,898,489 B1 is known a detection system of vehicle parts for a motor vehicle, wherein the vehicle parts are identified as RFID tags with unique alphanumeric codes. The RFID tags are interconnected with a control unit in the vehicle and evaluated.

From the US 2007/0008121 A1 is an RFID transponder (also known as RFID tag) known, which is attached to the object and detects a change in state of the object. The detection of the state change serves, for example, theft prevention, wherein an unauthorized opening of a provided with the transponder packaging of the object can be transmitted as information. For another application, other transponders are provided with corresponding functions. Thus, it is known from the document to provide a vehicle with a plurality of transponders for identification and identification of various vehicle parts.

One RFID transponder is also used for process control in a manufacturing process used. The blank is provided with an RFID transponder, which all information about contains the process history. At the stations in the manufacturing process, this information becomes available queried by the machines. Depending on the information content a corresponding processing and / or forwarding.

In The production is known for different process steps different transponders with different Construction and / or memory contents to use. Disadvantageous is that throughout the production process, the transponder replaced and, if necessary, retransmit information. to Avoiding these problems it is known to have a multifunction transponder, All functions are cross-process includes use. Such an RFID transponder is very complex and elaborate built and costly.

Of the The invention is therefore based on the object to show an RFID transponder, which is easy and inexpensive is constructed.

The The object is achieved by the achieved in claim 1 features. Advantageous developments The invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The transponder according to the invention summarizes a core module, which can be extended variably by this function module can be arranged. Due to the variable arrangement of different functional modules to the core module, the RFID transponder for various processes and / or applications can be expanded or reduced modularly. The function modules can be temporarily attached to the core module. In this case, the core module for the variable and / or temporary arrangement of the various functional modules corresponding interfaces, which are designed for example as a communication and / or hardware interface. The respective functional module is at least kept at the core module via the hardware interface. In a wired embodiment of the communication interface data and / or information are also exchanged via the hardware interface. As an alternative to the wired version of the communication interface, this can also be wireless, z. B. as a radio or optical interface, be formed.

• – mindestens einen Speicher,
• – mindestens eine Steuereinheit,
• – eine Trägereinheit mit oder ohne Gehäuse,
• – optional mindestens einen Sensor,
• – optional mindestens eine Energiequelle,
• – optional eine Antenne

A core module of the RFID transponder is to be understood as the component of the RFID transponder that is used across all applications and / or process steps. Functional modules are to be understood as those components of the RFID transponder which are used only intermittently, ie only for one or more and not all applications or process steps. The RFID transponder comprises at least one or more of the following components:

• - at least one memory,
• At least one control unit,
• A carrier unit with or without housing,
• Optionally at least one sensor,
• Optionally at least one energy source,
• - Optionally an antenna

to fulfillment various functions, such as information storage, Information transfer, information acquisition with sensors, manipulation and vandalism protection, temperature resistance, readability of the information dependent on of usable frequencies, distances, antennas, energy storage, Energy supply, the components of the RFID transponder are accordingly educated.

there is dependent from that in the respective application or in the respective process step requested function an associated Function module on the core module can be arranged, for example, releasably plugged or clipped. Preferably, the RFID transponder is over the Core module on the object, eg. As a workpiece, a bicycle or a garment attached. Thus, one is over all functions, applications and / or process steps attached to the object Given RFID transponder.

Between the core module and the individual function modules are interfaces, in particular formed communication interfaces. Through this Interfaces will be an exchange of data between core module and Function modules and possibly also between the function modules allows. Function modules that use the same interface are interchangeable. It can the function modules repeated for same applications and / or process steps are used, thereby the costs for reduce the use of RFID transponders.

embodiments The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings.

there demonstrate:

1 1 is a schematic plan view of an object having an RFID transponder arranged thereon with a core module and a plurality of functional modules;

2 schematically a longitudinal section through the object according to 1 .

3 schematically an embodiment of a use of an RFID transponder with a usable for all applications core module and several usable for different applications function modules.

1 schematically shows a plan view of a with an RFID transponder 1 provided object 2 For example, in a production in a plurality of process steps A1 to An to be machined workpiece, for. B. a shell of a vehicle. For example, another application may be a bicycle or garment to be secured.

The RFID transponder 1 includes a core module 1.1 and several, at the core module 1.1 releasably arranged functional modules 1.2 . 1.3 . 1.4 , The RFID transponder 1 is therefore also known as "Modular Tag".

As in 2 shown is the core module 1.1 at the object 2 , in particular in a recess 3 , z. B. a hole, arranged and held there. The functional modules 1.2 to 1.4 For example, can be attached to the workpiece, in particular plugged, screwed or clamped using a tool.

The core module 1.1 protrudes over the surface of the object 2 out. This protruding part is not shown in detail interfaces for connection of the function modules 1.2 to 1.4 ver see. In other words, around the protruding part of the interfaced core module 1.1 are the functional modules 1.2 to 1.4 arranged on the surface of the workpiece. The interfaces are, for example, hardware and / or communication interfaces. In the process, the function modules become 1.2 to 1.4 via the hardware interface on the core module 1.1 held. The function modules can be used via the communication interface 1.1 to 1.4 with each other and / or with the core module 1.1 Exchange data. Also, external devices, such. A reader, the data and information from the core module 1.1 and / or the functional modules 1.2 to 1.4 read. For this purpose, the communication interface is designed, for example, as an optical interface, a radio interface or in another suitable manner. Also, one or more of the interfaces may be wired.

In detail represent the core module 1.1 and the functional modules 1.2 to 1.4 the components of the RFID transponder 1 such as a memory, a control unit, an antenna, a carrier unit, a power source and / or a sensor. Depending on the structure of the RFID transponder 1 For example, in a passive embodiment of the RFID transponder 1 with antenna and without energy source by means of an external reader, a high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field are built, whereby the control unit, for. As a microchip, the RFID transponder 1 can be activated and read by means of the reader. This can also be an RFID transponder 1 integrated capacitor, which ensures the power supply of the microchip. In an active embodiment of the RFID transponder 1 this includes its own energy source and components that actively send and receive.

In a production process, eg. As in the manufacture of a vehicle are usually to be processed and / or to be assembled vehicle parts for rapid identification with the RFID transponder according to the invention 1 Mistake. During the production process, not every component of the RFID transponder will be affected 1 needed for each process step A1 to An. In the case of the RFID transponder according to the invention 1 with modular expandable functions (also called "Modular Tag") is called core module 1.1 preferably the component used, which is used in all process steps A1 to An. The only temporarily, ie in individual process steps A1 to An required components are required, as function modules 1.2 to 1.4 to the core module 1.1 arranged and thus extend this to the function in question.

In the embodiment according to 3 serves the core module 1.1 For example, as an information storage of data and information of all the production characterizing process steps A1 to An of the object to be processed 2 - a vehicle part. In this case, all information, ie both object-relevant and process-relevant, information is stored in the information store. The functional modules 1.2 to 1.4 are only temporarily at the core module 1.1 depending on the current process step A1 to An can be arranged. The functional module 1.2 is, for example, the process steps A1 to A2, the function module 1.3 assigned to the process steps A1 to A4. One of the functional modules can do this 1.2 to 1.4 be designed for example as a sensor module. Thus, changes, for. As temperature and humidity, are measured on a transport route. In addition, another functional module 1.2 to 1.4 be designed as a control unit, in particular as a microchip, wherein z. B. in a production line, the subsequent processing step or a data transfer is initiated. The functional modules 1.2 to 1.4 be z. B. called as a function or subroutine, carry out processing steps and give as a result data via the respective interface to the calling program of one of the other function modules 1.2 to 1.4 and / or the core module 1.1 and / or an external reader back.

Also, the data exchange with an external reader can be made only temporarily. In such a case is a separate antenna 4 to the core module 1.1 pluggable or integrated into this or is one of the functional modules 1.1 to 1.4 designed as an antenna, in which case in the core module 1.1 stored data, such as. B. Functions, parameters and / or properties of the object 2 be transmitted to the reader via one of the interfaces, in particular a radio interface or an optical interface.

In summary, the inventive variable and detachable arrangement of the functional modules 1.2 to 1.5 at the core module 1.1 the functional scope of the RFID transponder 1 temporarily extended or reduced by the functions assigned to the respective process step A1 to An. It can by means of the RFID transponder 1 Functions and / or parameters of the associated object 2 be automatically and identically identified and determined by actively or passively transmitting information and data to an external reader.

1

RFID transponder

1.1

core module

1.2

function module

1.3

function module

1.4

function module

2

object

3

recess

4

antenna

A1 until

process steps

Claims (4)

RFID transponder ( 1 ) for the automatic identification of functions and / or parameters of an associated object ( 2 ), characterized by a core module ( 1.1 ), which can be arranged by at this function module ( 1.2 . 1.3 . 1.4 ) is variably expandable. RFID transponder ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional modules ( 1.2 . 1.3 . 1.4 ) application and / or process-related at the core module ( 1.1 ) are fastened. RFID transponder ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the core module ( 1.1 ) arranged functional modules ( 1.2 . 1.3 . 1.4 ) are arbitrarily connectable via interfaces. RFID transponder ( 1 ) according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the core module ( 1.1 ) has at least one carrier unit, a control unit and a storage unit.