Backscatter X-Ray Activated RFID Tag Authentication
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID systems are cost-prohibitive and prone to introducing counterfeit objects into the supply chain, making manual inspection laborious and inefficient, especially for assemblies with potentially counterfeit components.
Innovation Solution
A backscatter x-ray activated RFID system that uses calibrated x-ray beams to power and authenticate passive RFID tags, ensuring only legitimate tags emit a signal with predetermined characteristics, allowing for secure and efficient identification of authentic objects by comparing multiple sources of identifying information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If known RFID systems are used to track and manage objects, then object tracking and management is improved, but cost increases making the system prohibitive for some manufacturers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs passive RFID tags that are inexpensive, disposable components attached to objects for tracking and authentication. These tags lack internal power sources and are designed to be low-cost replacements for expensive active RFID systems, enabling widespread adoption without prohibitive costs while maintaining reliable object tracking and authentication capabilities
2Reliability
If security systems are added to RFID systems to prevent tampering, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines authentication security directly into the passive RFID tag itself rather than adding separate security systems. The tag integrates unique identification codes and authentication protocols, merging the tracking and security functions into a single simple component that maintains high security while avoiding increased system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag performs self-authentication by providing unique identifying information that the interrogation system verifies against a database. The tag itself serves the security function through its embedded identification data, eliminating the need for additional external security devices or complex authentication hardware
3Measurement precision
If manual inspection of potentially counterfeit objects is performed, then authentication accuracy is improved, but productivity decreases due to laborious task
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with an automated interrogation system that uses electromagnetic fields to communicate with RFID tags. The system automatically reads identification data from tags, verifies authenticity against a database, and identifies counterfeit objects, providing both high accuracy and rapid processing speeds that manual inspection cannot achieve
4Ease of manufacture
If passive RFID tags are used instead of active tags, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but power source requirements change requiring electromagnetic transmissions from reader
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the power source from the RFID tag itself, removing batteries and power management components that increase cost and complexity. The passive tag design eliminates internal power requirements by harvesting energy from the electromagnetic field generated by the reader during communication, reducing the tag to a simple, inexpensive identification device while maintaining full functionality
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
The system effectively identifies and removes counterfeit objects from the supply chain by ensuring only authentic objects meet predetermined specifications, enhancing security and reducing inspection costs through automated authentication.
Implementation Method 1
a backscatter x-ray source configured to discharge backscatter x-ray beams towards the object. The backscatter x-ray source is calibrated such that the backscatter x-ray beams cause the radio-frequency identification tag to emit a signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system for use in authenticating an object is provided. The system includes a radio-frequency identification tag coupled to the object and an interrogation system. The interrogation system includes a backscatter x-ray source configured to discharge backscatter x-ray beams towards the object. The backscatter x-ray source is calibrated such that the backscatter x-ray beams cause the radio-frequency identification tag to emit a signal. The system also includes a radio-frequency detector configured to receive the signal from the radio-frequency identification tag and a computing device in communication with the radio-frequency detector. The computing device is configured to obtain first identifying information of the object from the signal and authenticate the object from the first identifying information.