Three-dimensional measurement based on radio frequency identification

Abstract

A method for obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object using a collection of radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in a medium includes placing the object in a container with the collection of RFID chips in the medium. The method also includes capturing a plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, a set of coordinates of the plurality of coordinates corresponding to each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips. The method also includes plotting the plurality of coordinates of the collection of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, the plotting of the plurality of coordinates providing a three-dimensional image of the object.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to three-dimensional metrology, and particularly to the use of radio frequency identification chips to generate three-dimensional metrology data. [Background technology]

[0002] A common approach to obtaining three-dimensional measurements of physical objects involves utilizing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). A typical CMM is a device capable of measuring the geometry of a physical object by sensing multiple points on the object's surface using a touch probe. However, as CMMs have become more developed, other techniques have been introduced, including visual / optical, laser, and X-ray CT measurements of the object's geometry. Techniques based on probe, visual / optical, and laser systems are limited in their measurement focal length, and components on a physical object may contain dimensions with depths or features greater than the focal length of a given technique. Techniques based on X-ray CT systems can provide dimensions for various depths or features of a component, but require a large amount of imaging and analysis to reconstruct a three-dimensional model and accurately measure the dimensions of the physical object. Summary of the Invention

[0003] One aspect of an embodiment of the present invention discloses a method that includes placing an object in a container containing a plurality of radio-frequency identification (RFID) chips in a medium. The method further includes capturing a plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, a set of coordinates among the plurality of coordinates corresponding to each RFID chip among the plurality of RFID chips. The method further includes plotting the plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, the plotting of the plurality of coordinates providing a three-dimensional image of the object.

[0004] Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention discloses a method that includes initializing a plurality of RFID chips in a medium. The method further includes receiving an initial plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, where a set of coordinates from the initial plurality of coordinates corresponds to each RFID chip of the plurality of RFID chips. The method further includes receiving an updated plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium after placing an object in the medium containing the plurality of RFID chips, where a set of coordinates from the updated plurality of coordinates corresponds to each RFID chip of the plurality of RFID chips. The method further includes plotting a set of coordinates from the updated plurality of coordinates for each RFID chip of the plurality of RFID chips to create a three-dimensional image of the object.

[0005] The following detailed description is given by way of example and is not intended to limit the disclosure thereto only, and will be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a method for obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object utilizing a radio frequency identification chip in an impression medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 illustrates a method for obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object utilizing a radio frequency identification chip in a liquid medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for initializing and obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object utilizing a radio frequency identification chip in a medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram of components of a computer system for executing a method for initializing and obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object using a radio frequency identification chip in a medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object using radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in a medium, where the medium is a mold material or a liquid. RFID chips, often referred to as RFID tags, include a microchip with integrated circuits for modulating and demodulating radio frequency signals and storing and processing information. RFID chips also include an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals and a substrate, allowing the RFID chip to provide coordinates of the object to which it is attached. The dimensions of RFID chips have steadily decreased with advances in semiconductor lithography technology, reaching 0.15 x 0.15 millimeters and a thickness of 7.5 micrometers for a rectangular RFID chip. An embodiment of the present invention utilizes a collection of RFID chips in a medium to surround a sample of interest, where the sample of interest is the object positioned with the medium. Using RFID chips with the smallest available dimensions allows for a larger collection of RFID chips in the medium, thereby increasing the density of RFID chips in the medium and increasing the number of measurements of topographical features of an object positioned in the medium. An embodiment of the present invention is able to receive and distinguish between each RFID transmission among several RFID transmissions associated with a collection of RFID chips in a medium.

[0008] The medium in which the collection of RFID chips and the object are positioned can be a molding material or a liquid material. Examples of molding media include, but are not limited to, agarose, silicone, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, and acrylic glass. Examples of liquid materials include, but are not limited to, agarose, polyacrylamide, gelatin, and carrageenan. An embodiment of the present invention receives three-dimensional measurements of an object positioned with the medium in the form of x, y, and z coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips, and the location of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips provides measurable data. When the object is placed in the medium, it occupies a first volume in the medium. The remaining volume of the medium is occupied by the collection of RFID chips, which conform to the topographical features of the object placed in the medium. After receiving three-dimensional measurements from each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips, the object is removed from the medium, and the collection of RFID chips is recycled and reused for subsequent measurements of another object placed in the medium.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a method for obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object utilizing a radio frequency identification chip in an impression medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] The method includes providing a set of RFID chips (102) for placement in a container containing an impression medium. The number of RFID chips in the set depends on the size of each RFID chip in the set. Utilizing RFID chips with the smallest available dimensions allows for a larger set of RFID chips in the impression medium, thereby increasing the density of RFID chips in the impression medium and increasing the number of measurements of the relief features of the object placed in the impression medium. In this embodiment, the object placed in the impression medium is a printed circuit board assembly. Providing the set of RFID chips also includes initializing the set of RFID chips to ensure that each RFID chip is identifiable based on a unique identifier when associated with the x, y, and z coordinates of each measurable data point.

[0011] The method includes placing the molding medium in a container (104). The container is selected based on the volume of the object to be immersed in the molding medium (e.g., the volume of a printed circuit board assembly). The dimensions of the container are such that the object is completely immersed when placed in the molding medium. Before solidifying, the molding medium is typically in a liquid state until an external variable (e.g., heat) is introduced into the molding medium. An example of a molding medium is an agarose material, which can mold around various components and features of an object. When heat is applied to the agarose material, the agarose material melts and becomes a liquid consistency, which can occupy various volumes surrounding the object immersed in the molding medium. As the agarose material cools, the liquid consistency transitions to a gel consistency, preventing the movement of the object and the collection of RFID chips through the molding medium. The agarose material can be removed by peeling it off the object and / or by reapplying heat to change the agarose material from a gel consistency back to a liquid consistency. Other examples of casting materials include, but are not limited to, silicone, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, and acrylic glass.

[0012] The method includes placing the collection of RFID chips in a container containing a molding medium (106). The sum of the volume of the molding medium, the volume of the collection of RFID chips, and the volume of the object is less than or equal to the volume of the container defined by the dimensions of the container. In an alternative embodiment, the collection of RFID chips is placed in the container before the molding medium is placed in the container. To ensure uniform distribution of the collection of RFID chips, the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium are mixed in the container. In an alternative embodiment, the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium are mixed in a mixing tank before being placed in the container. A vibrating mixer device can mix the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium in the container to achieve uniform distribution of the RFID chips in the molding medium. The method can verify uniform distribution by capturing initial coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips and plotting the initial coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips to determine an appropriate level of dispersion of the mixture of the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium.

[0013] The method includes placing the printed circuit board assembly in a container containing the collection of RFID chips and a molding medium (108). As described above, the volume of the molding medium is such that the object is completely immersed in the molding medium when placed in the container. In this embodiment, three-dimensional measurement data of the printed circuit board assembly is obtained, and the printed circuit board assembly is placed in the container and completely immersed in the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium. When the molding medium has a liquid consistency, the molding medium surrounds various components on the printed circuit board assembly when the printed circuit board is placed in the container containing the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium. The method may include using a vibratory mixer device to transmit vibrations to the container containing the collection of RFID chips, the molding medium, and the immersed printed circuit board assembly to remove air pockets between the molding medium and the printed circuit board assembly. Eliminating air pockets between the impression medium and the printed circuit board assembly ensures that the collection of RFID chips and impression medium conforms to all surfaces of the printed circuit board assembly, providing more accurate three-dimensional data points about the topographical features of the printed circuit board assembly.

[0014] The method includes molding the printed circuit board assembly with the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium (110). Molding the printed circuit board assembly with the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium includes transitioning the molding medium from a liquid consistency to a solidified consistency (e.g., gel). The solidified consistency prevents movement of both the collection of RFID chips and the object (i.e., the printed circuit board assembly) immersed in the molding medium. In the above example, an agarose material is used as the molding medium, and the method molds the printed circuit board assembly with the collection of RFID chips by cooling the agarose material from a preheated state. Cooling the agarose material may include returning the container containing the collection of RFID chips, the molding medium, and the printed circuit board assembly to room temperature, or placing the container containing the collection of RFID chips, the molding medium, and the printed circuit board assembly in a cooling bath (e.g., a refrigerator), or both.

[0015] The method includes capturing (112) coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips. RFID readers positioned around the container transmit signals to each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips, and the method captures a set of x, y, and z coordinates for each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips based on the known locations of each of the RFID readers and the dimensions of the container. Each RFID chip includes a unique, non-editable tag identifier (TID) that allows the method to associate each RFID chip with the captured set of x, y, and z coordinates. The method includes plotting (114) the coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips. Plotting the captured set of x, y, and z coordinates for each RFID tag in the collection of RFID chips creates a three-dimensional image of the object, which in this embodiment is a printed circuit board assembly encapsulated in an impression medium. Because each captured set of x, y, and z coordinates of each RFID tag in the collection of RFID chips corresponds to a physical point in the molding medium, all dimensions of the various components and features of the printed circuit board assembly can be obtained through the captured coordinates. The volume of the molding medium in the container not occupied by the collection of RFID chips is occupied by the printed circuit board assembly immersed in the molding medium. As a result, the collection of RFID tags surrounds and encapsulates the various components and features of the printed circuit board assembly.

[0016] The method includes separating the printed circuit board assembly from the mold (116). In one example, the molding medium in a solidified state encapsulates the printed circuit board assembly but does not bond to the surface of the printed circuit board assembly. As a result, the molding medium can be peeled from the printed circuit board assembly without damaging the components or features on the printed circuit board assembly. In another example, a solvent is used to remove the molding medium in a solidified state encapsulating the printed circuit board assembly, and the solvent is non-corrosive to the components or features on the printed circuit board assembly. In yet another example, the molding medium in a solidified state encapsulating the printed circuit board assembly is transitioned to a liquefied state. The method can include applying heat to a container containing the printed circuit board assembly within the molding medium, where the heat transitions the molding medium (e.g., an agarose material) containing the collection of RFID chips from a solidified state to a liquefied state. The heat applied to the molding medium is such that the components or features on the printed circuit board assembly, along with the collection of RFID chips within the molding medium, remain undamaged and intact.

[0017] The method includes recycling the collection of RFID chips from the mold (118). In examples where the molding medium is peeled from the printed circuit board assembly without damaging components or features on the printed circuit board assembly, the method may include applying heat to the molding medium containing the collection of RFID chips. Applying heat to the molding medium containing the collection of RFID chips transitions the molding medium from a solidified state to a liquefied state. Once the molding medium containing the collection of RFID chips reaches a liquefied state, the method may include filtering the molding medium in the liquefied state to separate the collection of RFID chips from the molding medium. The collection of RFID chips may be washed and reused in subsequent moldings. Depending on the type of molding medium (e.g., an agarose material), the filtered molding medium may also be reused in subsequent moldings. In examples where a solvent is used to remove the molding medium from the printed circuit board assembly, the method may include filtering the solvent-laden molding medium to separate the collection of RFID chips from the molding medium. The collection of RFID chips can be washed and reused in subsequent mold making. In instances where heat is applied to transition the mold making medium to a liquefied state, the method can include filtering the mold making medium in the liquefied state to separate the collection of RFID chips from the mold making medium. The collection of RFID chips can be washed and reused in subsequent mold making or liquid media. Depending on the type of mold making medium (e.g., agarose material), the filtered mold making medium can also be reused in subsequent three-dimensional measurements of the object.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a method for obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object utilizing a radio frequency identification chip in a liquid medium, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] The method includes providing (202) a collection of RFID chips for placement in a container containing a liquid medium. The number of RFID chips in the collection depends on the size of each RFID chip in the collection. Utilizing RFID chips with the smallest available dimensions allows for a larger collection of RFID chips in the liquid medium, thereby increasing the density of RFID chips in the liquid medium and increasing the number of measurements of topographical features of the object placed in the liquid medium. In this embodiment, the object placed in the liquid medium is a printed circuit board assembly. Providing the collection of RFID chips also includes initializing the collection of RFID chips to ensure that each RFID chip is identifiable based on a unique tag identifier (TID) when associated with the x, y, and z coordinates of each measurable data point.

[0020] The method includes placing a liquid medium in a container (204). The container is selected based on the volume of the object to be immersed in the liquid medium (e.g., the volume of a printed circuit board assembly). The dimensions of the container are such that the object is completely immersed when placed in the liquid medium. Examples of liquid media include, but are not limited to, agarose, polyacrylamide, gelatin, and carrageenan.

[0021] The method includes placing (206) the collection of RFID chips into a container containing a liquid medium. The sum of the volume of the liquid medium, the volume of the collection of RFID chips, and the volume of the object is less than or equal to the volume of the container defined by the dimensions of the container. In an alternative embodiment, the collection of RFID chips is placed into the container before the liquid medium is placed into the container. To ensure uniform dispersion of the collection of RFID chips, the collection of RFID chips and the liquid medium are mixed in the container. In an alternative embodiment, the collection of RFID chips and the liquid medium are mixed in a mixing tank before being placed into the container. A vibratory mixer device can mix the collection of RFID chips and the liquid medium in the container to achieve uniform dispersion of the RFID chips in the liquid medium. The method can verify the uniform dispersion by capturing initial coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips and plotting the initial coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips to determine an appropriate level of dispersion of the mixture of the collection of RFID chips and the liquid medium.

[0022] The method includes placing (208) the printed circuit board assembly in a container containing a collection of RFID chips and a liquid medium. As previously described, the volume of the liquid medium is such that the object is fully immersed in the liquid medium when placed in the container, surrounding various components and features on the printed circuit board assembly. In this embodiment, three-dimensional measurement data is obtained for the printed circuit board assembly, and the printed circuit board assembly is placed in a container and fully immersed in the collection of RFID chips and the liquid medium. The method may include using a vibratory mixer device to impart vibrations to the container containing the collection of RFID chips, the liquid medium, and the immersed printed circuit board assembly to remove air pockets between the liquid medium and the printed circuit board assembly. Removing air pockets between the liquid medium and the printed circuit board assembly ensures that the collection of RFID chips and the liquid medium conform to all surfaces of the printed circuit board assembly, providing more accurate three-dimensional data points for topographical features of the printed circuit board assembly.

[0023] The method includes capturing (210) coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips. RFID readers positioned around the container transmit signals to each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips, and the method captures a set of x, y, and z coordinates for each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips based on the known locations of each of the RFID readers and the dimensions of the container. Each RFID chip includes a non-editable, unique tag identifier (TID) that allows the method to associate each RFID chip with the captured set of x, y, and z coordinates. The method includes plotting (212) the coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips. Plotting the captured set of x, y, and z coordinates for each RFID tag in the collection of RFID chips creates a three-dimensional image of the object, which in this embodiment is a printed circuit board assembly encapsulated in a liquid medium. Because each captured set of x, y, and z coordinates of each RFID tag in the collection of RFID chips corresponds to a physical point in the liquid medium, all dimensions of the various components and features of the printed circuit board assembly can be obtained through the captured coordinates. The volume of the liquid medium in the container not occupied by the collection of RFID chips is occupied by the printed circuit board assembly immersed in the liquid medium. As a result, the collection of RFID tags surrounds and encompasses the various components and features of the printed circuit board assembly.

[0024] The method includes removing the printed circuit board assembly from the liquid medium (214). The method may also include rinsing the printed circuit board assembly to remove any remaining RFID chips adhering to the surface of the printed circuit board assembly and drying the printed circuit board assembly (e.g., with heat, compressed air). The method includes recycling the collection of RFID chips from the liquid medium (216). The method may include filtering the liquid medium to separate the collection of RFID chips from the liquid medium. The collection of RFID chips may be washed and reused in a subsequent liquid medium or molding medium. Depending on the type of liquid medium (e.g., an agarose material), the filtered liquid medium may also be reused in subsequent three-dimensional measurements of the object.

[0025] 3 illustrates a method for initializing and obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object using a radio frequency identification chip in a medium according to one embodiment of the present invention. Metrology process 300 is a program capable of initializing and obtaining three-dimensional measurements of an object using a radio frequency identification chip in a casting medium or a liquid medium.

[0026] The measurement process 300 initializes 302 a collection of RFID chips. Initializing the collection of RFID chips involves the measurement process 300 transmitting a signal to a container containing the impression or liquid medium to identify each RFID chip from the collection of RFID chips in the impression or liquid medium. The measurement process 300 identifies each RFID chip from the collection of RFID chips based on a unique tag identifier (TID) associated with each RFID chip.

[0027] The measurement process 300 receives initial coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips (304). Multiple readers are positioned near the container containing the molding medium or liquid medium to capture the x, y, and z coordinates of each RFID chip to ensure uniform dispersion of the collection of RFID chips in the molding medium. To promote uniform dispersion, the collection of RFID chips and the molding medium are mixed in the container. The container containing the collection of RFID chips in the molding medium or liquid medium can be placed on a vibratory mixer, and the measurement process 300 can instruct the vibratory mixer to mix the molding medium or liquid medium until a desired level of dispersion of the collection of RFID chips is achieved. The measurement process 300 captures the initial coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips and verifies the desired dispersion by plotting the initial coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips to determine an appropriate level of dispersion of the collection of RFID chips in the molding medium or liquid medium.

[0028] The measurement process 300 receives updated coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips after placing the object (306). After placing the object (i.e., a printed circuit board assembly) in the container containing the collection of RFID chips in the molding medium or liquid medium, the measurement process 300 receives new coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips. Multiple readers are positioned near the container containing the molding medium or liquid medium and the printed circuit board assembly to capture the x, y, and z coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips in the molding medium. The multiple RFID readers transmit signals to each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips, and the measurement process receives a set of x, y, and z coordinates for each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips based on the known positions of each of the RFID readers and the dimensions of the container. Each RFID chip includes a unique, non-editable tag identifier (TID) that allows the method to associate each RFID chip with the set of captured x, y, and z coordinates.

[0029] The metrology process 300 plots (308) the coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips. By plotting the sets of captured x, y, and z coordinates of each RFID tag in the collection of RFID chips, a three-dimensional image of the object is created, which in this embodiment is a printed circuit board assembly in a molding or liquid medium. Because the sets of captured x, y, and z coordinates of each RFID tag in the collection of RFID chips correspond to physical points in the molding or liquid medium, all dimensions of the various components and features of the printed circuit board assembly can be obtained through the captured coordinates. The volume of the molding or liquid medium in the container not occupied by the collection of RFID chips is occupied by the printed circuit board assembly immersed in the molding or liquid medium. As a result, the collection of RFID tags surrounds and encompasses the various components and features of the printed circuit board assembly. The metrology process 300 displays (310) a plot of the coordinates of each RFID chip in the collection of RFID chips associated with the object. The measurement process 300 displays a plot of the coordinates of the collection of RFID chips in a user interface on the client device.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a computer system 400 that may include a program stored in persistent storage 408 for executing the metrology process 300 that initializes and acquires three-dimensional measurements of an object using a radio frequency identification chip in a medium. The computer system includes a processor 404, a cache 416, a memory 406, persistent storage 408, a communication unit 410, an input / output (I / O) interface 412, and a communications fabric 402. The communications fabric 402 provides communication between the cache 416, the memory 406, the persistent storage 408, the communication unit 410, and the input / output (I / O) interface 412. The communications fabric 402 may be implemented using any architecture designed to pass data and / or control information between a processor (such as a microprocessor, communication and network processor), system memory, peripheral devices, and any other hardware components in the system. For example, the communications fabric 402 may be implemented using one or more buses or crossbar switches.

[0031] Memory 406 and persistent storage 408 are computer-readable storage media. In this embodiment, memory 406 includes random access memory (RAM). In general, memory 406 may include any suitable volatile or non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. Cache 416 is high-speed memory that improves the performance of processor 404 by holding recently accessed data and data near recently accessed data from memory 406.

[0032] Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention may be stored in persistent storage 408 and memory 406 for execution by one or more of the respective processors 404, via cache 416. In one embodiment, persistent storage 408 includes a magnetic hard disk drive. Alternatively, or in addition to a magnetic hard disk drive, persistent storage 408 may include a solid-state hard drive, a semiconductor storage device, a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, or any other computer-readable storage medium capable of storing program instructions or digital information.

[0033] The media used in persistent storage 408 may also be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be used for persistent storage 408. Other examples include optical and magnetic disks, thumb drives, and smart cards that are inserted into a drive for transfer to another computer-readable storage medium that is also part of persistent storage 408.

[0034] Communications unit 410, in these examples, provides for communication with other data processing systems or devices. In these examples, communications unit 410 includes one or more network interface cards. Communications unit 410 may provide communications through the use of either or both physical and wireless communications links. Program instructions and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention may be downloaded to persistent storage 408 through communications unit 410.

[0035] The I / O interface 412 allows for the input and output of data to and from other devices that may be connected to each computer system. For example, the I / O interface 412 may provide connection to external devices 418, such as a keyboard, keypad, touch screen, or other suitable input device, or a combination thereof. The external devices 418 may also include portable computer-readable storage media, such as thumb drives, portable optical or magnetic disks, and memory cards. Software and data used to practice embodiments of the present invention may be stored on such portable computer-readable storage media and loaded into persistent storage 408 via the I / O interface 412. The I / O interface 412 also connects to a display 420.

[0036] Display 420 provides a mechanism for displaying data to a user and may be, for example, a computer monitor.

[0037] The programs described herein are identified based on the application for which they are implemented in particular embodiments of the invention, with the understanding that any particular program nomenclature herein is used merely as a matter of convenience, and thus the invention is not limited to use solely in any particular application identified and / or suggested by such nomenclature.

[0038] The present invention may be a system, a method, or a computer program product, or a combination thereof. The computer program product may include a computer-readable storage medium (or media) having computer-readable program instructions for causing a processor to perform aspects of the present invention.

[0039] A computer-readable storage medium may be a tangible device capable of retaining and storing instructions for use by an instruction-execution device. A computer-readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the above. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of computer-readable storage media includes portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), static random access memory (SRAM), portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD), memory stick, floppy disk, mechanically encoded devices such as punch cards or grooved structures with instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the above. As used herein, a computer-readable storage medium should not be construed as being a transitory signal per se, such as, for example, radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission medium (e.g., light pulses passing through fiber optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through wires.

[0040] The computer-readable program instructions described herein may be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to each computing / processing device, or may be downloaded to an external computer or storage device over a network, such as the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or a wireless network, or a combination thereof. The network may include copper transmission cables, optical fiber transmission cables, wireless transmission cables, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, or edge servers, or a combination thereof. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing / processing device receives the computer-readable program instructions from the network and transfers these computer-readable program instructions for storage in a computer-readable storage medium within the respective computing / processing device.

[0041] Computer-readable program instructions for carrying out the operations of the present invention may be either source or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or conventional procedural programming languages, such as object-oriented programming languages ​​like Smalltalk® or C++, and traditional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The computer-readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's computer, partially on the user's computer as a standalone software package, partially on the user's computer and partially on a remote computer, or entirely on a remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or a connection may be made to the external computer (e.g., through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, a programmable logic circuit, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or a programmable logic array (PLA) can execute computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information in the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry to perform aspects of the present invention.

[0042] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer-readable program instructions.

[0043] These computer-readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute on the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for performing the functions / acts described in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. These computer-readable program instructions may also be stored on a computer-readable storage medium capable of directing a computer, programmable data processing apparatus, or other device, or combination thereof, to function in a particular manner, such that the computer-readable storage medium on which the instructions are stored comprises an article of manufacture containing instructions that implement aspects of the functions / acts described in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0044] The computer-readable program instructions may be loaded into a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to create a computer-implemented process and cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device, perform the functions / operations described in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and / or block diagrams.

[0045] The flowcharts and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, including one or more executable instructions for implementing the described logical function. In some alternative implementations, the functions described in the blocks may occur out of the order depicted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may be executed in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. It should also be noted that each block in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and / or flowchart diagrams, may be implemented by a dedicated hardware-based system that performs the described functions or operations or executes a combination of dedicated hardware and computer instructions.

[0046] The description of various embodiments of the present invention has been presented for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the disclosed embodiments. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the described embodiments. The technical terms used herein have been chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, practical applications, or technical improvements over commercially available technologies, or to enable others skilled in the art to understand the embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. 1. A method comprising: placing the object in a container having a plurality of radio frequency identification (RFID) chips in a medium; capturing a plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, wherein a set of coordinates among the plurality of coordinates corresponds to each RFID chip among the plurality of RFID chips; plotting the plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, wherein the plotting of the plurality of coordinates provides a three-dimensional image of the object; A method comprising:

2. placing the medium in the container; placing the plurality of RFID chips in the container containing the medium; mixing the plurality of RFID chips into the medium, wherein the plurality of RFID chips are dispersed throughout the medium; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

3. removing the object from the container containing the plurality of RFID chips in the medium; Separating the plurality of RFID chips from the medium; The method of claim 1 further comprising:

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein a sum of the volume of the medium, the volume of the plurality of RFID chips, and the volume of the object is less than or equal to the volume of the container.

5. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is a molding medium, the molding medium being a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of agarose, silicone, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyester resin, and acrylic glass.

6. placing the molding medium in the container, the molding medium being in a liquefied state; taking a mold of the object using the plurality of RFID chips and the mold-taking medium, wherein the mold-taking medium transitions from the liquefied state to a solidified state; The method of claim 5 further comprising:

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising applying heat to the molding medium until the molding medium reaches the liquefied state.

8. taking an impression of the object using the plurality of RFID chips and the impression medium, The method of claim 7 , further comprising cooling the impression medium containing the plurality of RFID chips and the object until the impression medium reaches the solidified state.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising separating the object from the impression medium containing the plurality of RFID chips.

10. Separating the object from the impression medium The method of claim 9 , further comprising peeling the impression medium in the solidified state containing the plurality of RFID chips from the object.

11. Separating the object from the impression medium applying heat to the impression medium containing the plurality of RFID chips and the object until the impression medium reaches the liquefied state; removing the object from the impression medium in the liquefied state containing the plurality of RFID chips; 10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

12. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising filtering the impression medium in the liquefied state to remove the plurality of RFID chips, wherein the impression medium and the plurality of RFID chips are both reusable for subsequent impressions.

13. 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the medium is a liquid medium, the liquid medium being a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of agarose, polyacrylamide, gelatin, and carrageenan.

14. placing the liquid medium in the container; placing the plurality of RFID chips in the container containing the liquid medium; 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising removing the object from the container containing the plurality of RFID chips in the liquid medium.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising filtering the liquid medium to remove the plurality of RFID chips, wherein both the liquid medium and the plurality of RFID chips are reusable for subsequent impressions.

17. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: initializing a plurality of RFID chips in the medium; receiving an initial plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, a set of coordinates among the initial plurality of coordinates corresponding to each RFID chip among the plurality of RFID chips; receiving, after placing an object in the medium containing the plurality of RFID chips, updated coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, wherein a set of coordinates in the updated plurality of coordinates corresponds to each RFID chip in the plurality of RFID chips; plotting the set of coordinates of the updated plurality of coordinates for each RFID chip of the plurality of RFID chips to create a three-dimensional image of the object; 20. A computer-implemented method comprising:

18. 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, further comprising instructing a vibratory mixer device to mix the medium with the plurality of RFID chips based on the initial plurality of coordinates of the plurality of RFID chips.

19. initializing the plurality of RFID chips in the medium, transmitting a signal to the plurality of RFID chips by an RFID reader; receiving a unique tag identifier for each RFID chip of the plurality of RFID chips in the medium; 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, further comprising:

20. 20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the medium is one of a casting medium or a liquid medium.

21. 1. A system comprising: one or more processors; one or more memory devices coupled to the one or more processors; one or more computer-readable storage devices coupled to the one or more processors, the one or more computer-readable storage devices containing program code executable by the one or more processors via the one or more memory devices to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 20; A system comprising:

22. A computer program product for causing a computer to carry out a method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

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