Article Position Estimation Using Entry Point Tag Readers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional article position estimating systems require multiple tag readers to be placed in a room, increasing costs and complexity, and rely on users to recall the last known location of items, making it difficult to find lost articles efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An article position estimating apparatus that uses a minimal number of tag readers at entry points to detect articles and track person movement, correlating this data to estimate the likely location of articles, allowing for weighted search results to prioritize potential locations based on historical movement patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple tag readers are placed throughout the room to improve article detection coverage, then the precision of article position estimation is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle position estimation precisionVSAvoidtag reader placement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the detection task into two parts: (1) tag readers at entry points detect articles being carried into the room and record person-article associations, and (2) a minimal tag reader inside the room detects articles placed on surfaces. This segmentation allows accurate tracking without requiring multiple readers throughout the space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection at entry points before articles enter the room. Tag readers at doorways capture article information and associate them with persons carrying them, establishing tracking data before the articles are placed inside the room, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring throughout the space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If tag readers are placed at every location where articles may be placed, then the article position estimation precision is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearticle location precisionVSAvoidsystem deployment ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential detection function to only the most critical locations: entry points and article placement surfaces. By removing unnecessary tag readers from intermediate locations, the system achieves accurate article location tracking with minimal hardware deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Tag readers at entry points serve multiple functions: detecting articles being carried in, associating articles with persons, and recording movement data. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate detection devices at multiple locations, simplifying deployment while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Area of stationary object

If active tags with batteries are used to transmit signals over long distances to multiple sensor units, then the article detection range is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection rangeVSAvoidbattery energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic transmission at entry points where articles are carried through, rather than continuous transmission. Tags transmit information when passing through the detection zone at doorways, reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective tracking coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the person carrying the article as an intermediary to bring the tag into proximity with entry point readers. This eliminates the need for long-distance signal transmission, as the moving person naturally delivers the tag within detection range of the fixed readers at strategic locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 efficient and cost-effective article location without the need for extensive tag reader placement, allowing users to quickly find items by narrowing down possible locations using movement history data, reducing user recall and search time.

Implementation Method 1

a tag reader for reading a tag carried by the person and having a communication range covering an entrance to the room

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identification): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS7545278B2Article position estimating apparatus, method of estimating article position, article search system, and article position estimating program

Publication Date: 2009.06.09 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

An article present region estimating means references information on location and time of an article detected in an article detecting device and stored in an article management database and information on location and time of a person detected in a person detecting device and stored in a person management database to estimate a location where the article is most likely to be present. An article position candidate weighting means may be perform weighting based on information such as movement of the person, location where the article is normally placed.