Abstract:
A method and service that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track and monitor vehicles that are being service is presented. Each vehicle has an attached RFID tag that contains detailed information about that vehicle. A customer can log onto a website hosted by a service department. The website is populated with real-time data showing the current service area in which the vehicle is located.

Description:
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/062,685 (Atty. Docket No. END920040196US1), filed on Feb. 22, 2005, and entitled, “Product Locating Method and System,” which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention relates in general to the field of computers, and in particular to computer systems that use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a method and service for physically locating a product, such as a vehicle, that is being serviced.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     A customer&#39;s experience in purchasing a major product, including a vehicle such as a car, truck or boat, is typically a difficult ordeal. In a usual scenario, the customer tells a sales representative generally what he is looking for, and the sales representative then physically looks over inventory on the lot to find a likely match. The sales representative locates keys for a selected vehicle, often after first speaking with a sales manager, and then takes the customer onto the lot to look at the selected vehicle. The customer often decides that the selected vehicle does not meet his needs/desires, and the cycle starts over again with another vehicle.  
         [0006]     Likewise, after the sale is it difficult for the customer to check on a status of the vehicle when being serviced (maintenance, repairs, etc.). The customer must contact his service representative, who is often on another call or otherwise unavailable, who must then track down the vehicle to determine the completion status of the service work being performed.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     What is needed, therefore, is a method and system that locates and tracks a product that is being serviced.  
         [0008]     Thus, the present invention is directed to a method and service that uses radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to track and monitor vehicles that are being serviced. Each vehicle has an attached RFID tag that contains detailed information about that vehicle. A customer can log onto a website hosted by a service department. The website is populated with real-time data showing the current service area in which the vehicle is located.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, the service department has a specific service procedure that describes the order in which service steps will be performed on each vehicle, and in which physical areas of the service shop, thus allowing the customer to know how many more stations are needed to be visited by that vehicle before the service is completed.  
         [0010]     The above, as well as additional purposes, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     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 purposes 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, where:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system that may be used by a wireless tablet computer and by a wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) controller/server according to the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a inventory lot having RFID interrogators for identifying and locating vehicles that match the requirements of a customer;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 3   a - c  show sequential graphical user interfaces (GUIs), displayed on the wireless tablet computer, that describe choices and results based on the customer&#39;s requirements;  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3   d - e  shows GUIs offering an option to special order an unavailable vehicle using the wireless tablet computer;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4   a  illustrates a transport vehicle having an ability to provide real time data regarding a location of a specific vehicle in transit;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4   b  is a GUI on a computer screen showing a map and location of the transport vehicle in real time;  
         [0018]      FIG. 5   a  is a map of a service department showing a routing order for a vehicle being serviced;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5   b  depicts a block diagram of a network that allows a customer to remotely access a website showing a real time location of the vehicle being serviced;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5   c  is a GUI showing the status of the vehicle being serviced; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred embodiment of the present invention for locating and tracking a vehicle.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0022]     With reference now to the figures, and in particular to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a block diagram of an exemplary data processing system  100  in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be implemented. Specifically, data processing system  100  describes in general terms hardware that may be used by a wireless radio frequency identification (RFID) controller/server  208  and by a wireless tablet computer  210  shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0023]     Data processing system  100  includes a central processing unit (CPU)  102 , which is connected to a system bus  108 . In the exemplary embodiment, data processing system  100  includes a graphics adapter  104 , which is also connected to system bus  108 , for providing user interface information to a display  106 .  
         [0024]     Also connected to system bus  108  are a system memory  110  and an input/output (I/O) bus bridge  112 . I/O bus bridge  112  couples an I/O bus  114  to system bus  108 , relaying and/or transforming data transactions from one bus to the other. Peripheral devices such as nonvolatile storage  116 , which may be a hard disk drive, optical drive, or similar mass storage device(s). Also attached to I/O bus  114  is an input device  118 , which may include a conventional mouse, a trackball, or the like, as well as a keyboard or similar device.  
         [0025]     Also coupled to I/ 0  bus  114  is a wireless interface  120 , which provides wireless communication with wireless devices, including radio frequency identification (RFID) tags (such as RFID tags  204  shown in  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0026]     Also coupled to I/O bus  114  is a network interface  122 , which provides network communication via a network  124  to remote computing systems. Coupled to network  124  is an inventory server  126 , which contains a database of inventory that is available on a local lot, a remote lot, or is in transit, as well as products that can be ordered from the manufacturer.  
         [0027]     The exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  is provided solely for the purposes of explaining the invention and those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous variations are possible, both in form and function. For instance, data processing system  100  might also include a sound card and audio speakers, and numerous other optional components. All such variations are believed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0028]     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , there is depicted an inventory lot  200  in which the present invention may be implemented. As discussed below, inventory lot  200  may be a local lot, or it may be a remote lot. Located on inventory lot  200  are vehicles  202 . Attached to each vehicle  202  is a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag  204 . Each RFID tag  204  may be attached to a vehicle  202  by either a manufacturer of the vehicle  202 , or it may be attached “after market” by a sales or service enterprise.  
         [0029]     Each RFID tag  204  contains information specific to the vehicle  202  to which that RFID tag  204  is attached. This information may include, but is not limited to, the vehicle identification number (VIN), make, model, features, color, manufacturer&#39;s suggested retail price (MSRP), dealer&#39;s cost (before and after dealer incentives), availability (how many other similar vehicles are in the dealer&#39;s inventory), staleness (how long the vehicle has been sitting on the dealer&#39;s lot), new, demonstrator or used status, and available financing (including special interest rates offered by the manufacturer) of the vehicle  202 .  
         [0030]     Each RFID tag  204  (also known as an RFID transponder) is interrogated by one or more RFID interrogators  206  (also known as an RFID reader). Each RFID tag  204  includes a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) and an antenna (not shown, but known and understood to those skilled in the art). Each RFID interrogator  206  includes an antenna and a transceiver, which includes a transmitter and a receiver (not shown, but known and understood to those skilled in the art).  
         [0031]     Wirelessly coupled to each RFID interrogator  206  is a wireless RFID controller/server  208 , which includes hardware and software for interrogating and decoding information from the RFID interrogators  206 . Alternatively, the structure and/or function of the RFID interrogators  206  and the wireless RFID controller/server  208  may be integrated into a single package.  
         [0032]     Communication between the RFID tags  204  and the RFID interrogators  206  may be passive, semi-passive, or active. In the passive mode, the RFID interrogators  206  send an interrogation radio frequency signal of appropriate frequency and strength to provide power to the RFID tags  204 . In the semi-passive and active modes, power is supplied to the RFID tags  204  by an on-board battery. In the semi-passive mode, the RFID tag  204  either acts in response to an interrogation from an RFID interrogator  206 , or is on a timer and only periodically sends out information to the RFID interrogators  206 . In the active mode, communication can be initiated by the RFID tag  204 .  
         [0033]     Each RFID interrogator  206  is capable of determining a distance from that RFID interrogator  206  and a specific RFID tag  204 , using techniques known to those skilled in the art, including but not limited to Doppler shifting (change in frequency in an electromagnetic signal being electronically “bounced” off an RFID tag  204 ), and timing delta (measurement of the amount of time required for an RFID tag  204  to respond to an RFID interrogation from the RFID interrogator  206 . By taking a distance measurement from multiple RFID interrogators  206 , then the exact coordinate position of a particular RFID tag  204  (and its attached vehicle  202 ) can be determined by known methods of “triangulation.” This coordinate location is then used to identify, using a look-up table in a database, the specific row and/or space number in which the vehicle is parked, in order to help the sales representative and customer find the vehicle. By this process of triangulation, for example, the location of vehicle  202 - a  may be determined to be on Row A, Space  2 .  
         [0034]     A wireless RFID controller/server  208  contains a database of vehicles stored on a local inventory lot  200 , as well as other vehicles available on other lots or in transit. Information stored in each RFID tag  204  can be updated by the wireless RFID controller/server  208 , and vice versa. Wireless RFID controller/server  208  is able to wirelessly communicate with a wireless tablet computer  210 , as well as a network  124  (either wirelessly or via a wired connection such as an Ethernet). Wireless RFID controller/server  208  and wireless tablet computer  210  can each use the hardware configuration of data processing system  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0035]     Wireless table computer  210 , which alternatively may be any data processing system, either wireless or wired, is preferably available to a sales representative for identifying and locating a vehicle  202  as described in detail below. Note that vehicle  202  is defined as any vehicle, including those for land, air or sea travel, such as cars, trucks, boats, aircraft, etc.  
         [0036]     With reference now to  FIG. 3   a , there is depicted a graphical user interface (GUI)  300   a  displayed on a display (such as display  106  shown in  FIG. 1 ) on a computer (such as wireless tablet computer  210  shown in  FIG. 2 ). GUI  300   a  includes drop down active windows  302   a , which may be actively selected using a stylus pen, cursor controller (mouse), etc. Shown for exemplary purposes, GUI  300   a  shows three choices for a body style of a vehicle, including “Sedan,” “Coupe,” or “SUW.” Similarly, three choices of price ranges are given.  
         [0037]     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a sales representative at a car dealership meets with a potential customer. As the customer tells the sales representative what characteristics are important in the type of vehicle he is interested in buying, the sales representative selects the appropriate choice. For example, assume that the customer wants a coupe that costs less than $15,000. The sale representative selects the appropriate active windows  302   a , which causes the wireless RFID controller/server  208  shown in  FIG. 2  to search a database for available vehicles (preferably on a local vehicle lot) that meet the selected criteria.  
         [0038]     Upon locating vehicles, which are preferably presently located in a local inventory lot, that match the needs of the customer, RFID controller/server  208  then sends a new page shown in  FIG. 3   b  as GUI  300   b . Drop down windows  302   b  show available appropriate vehicles. Assume that the customer selects a Blue “Model B” vehicle. After the sales representative activates the appropriate active windows  302   b , wireless RFID controller/server  208  searches its database, and/or interrogates, via RFID interrogators  206 , the RFID tags  204  on the vehicles  202  shown in  FIG. 2 . Wireless RFID controller/server  208  then sends a new page shown in  FIG. 3   c  as GUI  300   c , showing the location (Row B, space  3 ) and price ($27,589) of the selected vehicle. Note also that GUI  300   c  includes locator option buttons  304  that, if selected, will cause wireless RFID controller/server  208  to remotely turn on the horn and/or lights of the selected vehicle (using a remote horn/light activation feature on the vehicle  202 ).  
         [0039]     With reference now to  FIG. 3   d , a GUI  300   d  is shown offering the salesman the option of ordering the desired vehicle from a computer, such as but not limited to the wireless tablet computer  210 . Option buttons  306 , if clicked, will result in an automatic ordering of the “Blue Model B” via the network  124  shown in  FIG. 2 . The inventory server  126  shown in  FIG. 1  can access its databank, determine that the Blue Model B can still be ordered from the manufacturer at the suggested MSRP. If the “Yes” button is selected, then a subsequent GUI  300   e , as shown in  FIG. 3   e , will appear, showing the estimated arrival date of the ordered vehicle. Note also that the Wireless RFID Controller/Server  208  knows which salesman is using the wireless tablet computer  210 , preferably by the salesman logging on with his UserID at the initiation of his use for the day. Thus, the special automatic ordering will be in the name of the salesman. Alternatively, the salesman can enter the name of the interested customer (entry window not shown).  
         [0040]     Next, consider a scenario in which the desired vehicle is not on a local vehicle lot. If the desired vehicle, identified by the database stored in (or otherwise available to) wireless RFID controller/server  208 , is on a remote vehicle lot, then a similar process as described above can be utilized, thus providing locating information to the sales representative when calling or going to the remote vehicle lot. However, there may be times in which the desired vehicle is neither in a local or remote lot, or being test driven, but rather is in transit.  
         [0041]     Referring then to  FIG. 4   a , a transport vehicle  402  is shown. Loaded on transport vehicle  402  are multiple vehicles, each having a unique RFID tag  204  (including the shown RFID tags  204   a - c ) attached to the vehicle. Transport vehicle  402  has on-board an RFID reader  404 , which includes (not shown) a transceiver and decoder for reading information from RFID tags  204 . Preferably, RFID reader  404  has a range that is so limited as to allow RFID reader  404  to only read the RFID tags  204  being transported by transport vehicle  402 .  
         [0042]     Transport vehicle  402  also has on-board a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit  406 , which is capable of identifying exactly where the transport vehicle  402  is located in real time. RFID reader  404  and GPS unit  406  are coupled to a telecommunications system  408 , having an antenna  410 , which allows telecommunication between transport vehicle  402  and, preferably, wireless RFID controller/server  208 , either directly or via network  124 , shown in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0043]     Telecommunication system  408  includes hardware and software that combines information from RFID reader  404  and GPS unit  406  into a real-time packet of data that describes exactly where a vehicle in transit is located. For example, logic in telecommunication system  408  may combine data from RFID tag  204   a  with real-time data from GPS unit  406  to describe the fact that vehicle  202   a  is currently at a real-time truck location  414 , as shown in a GUI  412  in  FIG. 4   b.    
         [0044]     GUI  412 , which may be displayed on wireless tablet computer  210  shown in  FIG. 2 , or on any other computer (preferably) at a local dealership, shows a map that includes the real-time truck location  414  of transport vehicle  402 . An icon  416  shows a direction and location that transport vehicle  402  is traveling. Optionally, icon  416  can be an active field that, when clicked, displays information on some or all of the vehicles  202  being transported on transport vehicle  402 , according to information from their attached RFID tags  204 .  
         [0045]     Referring still to  FIG. 4   b , assume that a particular vehicle  202  is destined for original destination  418 , which may be another dealership, a remote vehicle lot, etc. The map shown in GUI  412  shows that a selected vehicle  202 , which has not been pre-sold, could be easily re-routed to a new desired destination  420  (such as a dealer&#39;s local lot). This re-routing can be accomplished by manually calling the driver of the transport vehicle  402  (via radio, cell phone, PDA, et al.), or by generating a computer signal to an on-board computer (not shown) on the transport vehicle  402  instructing the driver to divert to the new desired destination  420 .  
         [0046]     Besides needing to locate a vehicle for sale, it is also desirable to track vehicles that are in the process of being serviced. With reference now to  FIG. 5   a , a service department map  502  is shown. Within the service department are a tune-up area  504 , a lube area  506 , a wash rack  508 , and a parking lot  510 , all of which can be monitored from a service office  512  as well as remotely, as described below.  
         [0047]     Assume for exemplary purposes that a specific vehicle is scheduled to sequentially have work done in the tune-up area  504 , lube area  506  and wash rack  508 , and then, upon completion of the service work, is to be parked in the parking lot  510 , as shown by the flow arrows. Also assume that this specific vehicle (not shown) has an attached RFID tag (as described above), and that tune-up area  504 , lube area  506 , wash rack  508 , and parking lot  510  all have adequate RFID interrogators (also described above) to determine which of these areas presently has the vehicle. This determination may be made by the triangulation process described above, or may be through the use of low-power RFID interrogators that, because of their low power, are only able to interrogate RFIDs in their area.  
         [0048]     As shown in  FIG. 5   b , a customer&#39;s browser  514  can access a service department website  516  via a network, such as an Internet  518 . After logging into the base website, and inputting the vehicle&#39;s service number, license plate, or other identifier into an active field, a webpage  520  is sent to the customer&#39;s browser  514 . An exemplary webpage  520 , as shown in  FIG. 5   c , shows the current status of the service work by showing where the vehicle is currently located, as well as when all service should be completed (as calculated by its location). Thus, the customer can check the status of his vehicle&#39;s service on-line without involving a service representative. Alternatively, an electronic message can be sent to the customer, either manually or automatically when the vehicle is in any selected area, informing the customer of the status of his service work. The message can be sent as an e-mail, a cell phone text message, a page signal, or any other electronic message media that is desired.  
         [0049]     With reference now to  FIG. 6 , a flow chart of steps taken in a preferred embodiment to locate a vehicle for purchase is depicted. After initiator block  600 , a sales representative enters the customer&#39;s desired vehicle features into his wireless tablet computer (block  602 ), as described in detail above. Information from all RFID tags on vehicles on the lot are read (block  604 ), and a desired vehicle is located based on a match of the customer&#39;s desired vehicle features with information from one or more RFIDs (block  606 ). If the desired vehicle is on the local inventory lot (query block  608 ), then the sales representative is so notified of the vehicle&#39;s location on his tablet computer (block  610 ), and the vehicle&#39;s horn/lights are optionally flashed on to aid in locating the vehicle. Preferably, the location of the vehicle is described as being on a named row and/or space.  
         [0050]     If the desired vehicle is not on the local lot, then its location is determined (block  612 ) as either being in another lot or else as being in transit (query block  614 ). If it is on another remote lot, then that remote lot has an infrastructure as described above for the local lot, and the specific location of the vehicle is sent to the sale representative. If the desired vehicle is in transit, then the sales representative is so notified and the vehicle is optionally re-routed to the local inventory lot (block  616 ), where the process end (terminator block  618 ).  
         [0051]     The present invention thus provides an effective way for an RFID tag-equipped vehicle to be identified, located, and tracked for sales and service purposes. The invention reduces customer frustration, and also improves inventory control.  
         [0052]     It should be understood that at least some aspects of the present invention may alternatively be implemented in a program product. Programs defining functions on the present invention can be delivered to a data storage system or a computer system via a variety of signal-bearing media, which include, without limitation, non-writable storage media (e.g., CD-ROM), writable storage media (e.g., a floppy diskette, hard disk drive, read/write CD ROM, optical media), and communication media, such as computer and telephone networks including Ethernet. It should be understood, therefore in such signal-bearing media when carrying or encoding computer readable instructions that direct method functions in the present invention, represent alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, it is understood that the present invention may be implemented by a system having means in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware as described herein or their equivalent.  
         [0053]     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while the present invention is described for locating and tracking a vehicle such as an automobile, the present invention is also useful in tracking any product capable of being attached to an RFID tag or any similar wireless device.