Concentric Contact Lines for Orientation-Agnostic Printed Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices with ferroelectric layers, such as Xerox Printed Memory, face challenges in wear and tear due to repeated physical contact during reading and writing operations, and require precise rotational alignment for successful memory operations, which can lead to functionality issues and increased risk of counterfeiting.
Innovation Solution
A memory device with a substrate, contact pads, wiring lines, and a ferroelectric layer, where concentric, endless contact lines are used to establish an electrical pathway that allows for memory operations without direct physical contact, enabling reading and writing in any rotational orientation and reducing wear, and a reader with a contoured casing and alignment mechanisms for accurate positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct physical contact is used for reading and writing memory operations, then electrical connection is established, but wear and tear occurs on the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical contact-based reading and writing system with a wireless electromagnetic field-based system. The reader device uses electromagnetic fields to read and write data to the printed memory label without physical contact, eliminating mechanical wear on both the reader probes and the label contact pads, thereby improving reliability and extending service life.
2Measurement precision
If precise rotational alignment is required for memory operations, then data access accuracy is improved, but the risk of counterfeiting increases and ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic alignment system where the reader device automatically detects and adapts to the rotational orientation of the printed memory label. The system includes orientation detection circuitry that identifies the label's rotational position and dynamically adjusts the reading and writing operations accordingly, eliminating the need for manual precise alignment while maintaining data access accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The reader device is designed with multi-functional capability to handle multiple rotational orientations of the printed memory label. The system can read and write data in any rotational position (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°) without requiring the user to manually align the label, making the operation universally convenient while maintaining precise data access through automatic orientation compensation.
3Measurement precision
If precise rotational alignment is required, then data access is accurate, but functionality issues arise and anti-counterfeiting measures are weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The dynamic orientation detection and adaptation system ensures that data access remains accurate regardless of the label's rotational position. By automatically detecting the orientation and adjusting the read/write operations, the system prevents functionality issues that would arise from misalignment, thereby maintaining authentication reliability without requiring precise manual alignment that could be easily spoofed.
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 solution enables reliable and secure memory operations regardless of rotational orientation, reducing wear on the device and enhancing anti-counterfeiting measures by ensuring consistent data access and authentication without physical contact, thus improving the durability and security of the memory device.
Implementation Method 1
A memory device includes a printed memory having a substrate, a plurality of contact pads overlying the substrate, a plurality of wiring lines electrically coupled to the plurality of contact pads, and a ferroelectric layer overlying the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic system for identifying an article can include a printed memory having a plurality of contact pads electrically coupled to a plurality of landing pads positioned on a first side of a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. The plurality of landing pads can be electrically coupled to a plurality of endless, concentric contact lines positioned on a second side of the PCB substrate through a plurality of vias that extend through a thickness of the PCB substrate and a plurality of traces that electrically couple the plurality of vias with the plurality of landing pads. To perform a memory operation on the printed memory, contact probes of a reader are physically and electrically contacted with the plurality of concentric contact lines. In some implementations, the memory operation can be performed on the printed memory irrespective of a rotational orientation of the printed memory relative to the reader.