Three Dimensional RF Tag Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio Frequency (RF) tags currently only indicate the presence of an article but not its location or state, making it difficult to determine if the article has been altered or damaged since the last sensing.
Innovation Solution
Three-dimensional RF tags with non-coplanar power coils allow for orientation determination relative to the reader, and multiple RF tags on an article provide a signature that can be compared over time to detect changes, enabling the tracking of articles' states and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If directional antennas are used to determine relative position of RF tags, then position information is improved, but the ability to detect presence of RF tags outside the directional antenna beam deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional planar coils to three-dimensional non-coplanar coils, adding a vertical dimension to the coil arrangement. This 3D configuration enables the system to determine both position and orientation of RF tags while maintaining omnidirectional detection capability, resolving the contradiction between precise positioning and comprehensive detection coverage
2Reliability
If standard RF tags are used, then presence detection is achieved, but location and state information are not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coil structure into multiple non-coplanar components (at least two coils in different planes), where each coil contributes specific spatial information. This segmentation allows the system to extract both presence detection and location/orientation data from the combined response of multiple coil segments, preventing information loss
Solution Approach 2:
By transitioning from planar to three-dimensional non-coplanar coil arrangements, the system gains access to additional spatial dimensions in the electromagnetic response. This enables extraction of orientation and location information that would be unavailable with standard two-dimensional tags, while preserving presence detection capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the determination of an RF tag's orientation and detects alterations in articles by comparing signatures, enhancing tracking and security applications by providing additional information beyond mere presence detection.
Implementation Method 1
a coil 12 that will be used to capture electromagnetic radiation to produce a current. As is well known, changing an electromagnetic field relative to a coil will cause an electrical current to flow in the coil.
Implementation Method 2
two or more power coils disposed in non-coplanar planes, enables the coils to experience different levels of excitation from an electromagnetic field associated with the RF tag reader
Data Source
AI summary
Method and systems to detect tampering in a physical article are described herein. A method includes receiving, at a first point in time, at least two response signals from at least one RF tag in a set of RF tags associated with the physical article; forming a first response signature for the physical article based on the received response signals; receiving a second response signal from at least one other RF tag in the set of RF tags associated with the physical article at a second point in time; assessing a relative spacing between the RF tags associated with the physical article has changed from the first point in time to the second point in time; and determining tampering of the physical article as a result of the spacing assessment.