Container RFID Antenna Bus for Dense Asset Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods fail to accurately scan and maintain an up-to-date inventory of a large number of ID tagged assets within containers during transport, and there is no efficient way to economically interconnect multiple containers for centralized data collection and transmission.

Innovation Solution

The use of a multi-antenna container system with an antenna bus and DEMUX technology allows for accurate reading of ID tags by adjusting antenna spacing and connectivity, enabling a single master device to collect and transmit data from multiple containers, including environmental and location data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional RFID tag reading techniques are used at container portals, then some assets can be detected, but accurate scanning of large numbers of densely packed tagged assets fails to occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of asset scanningVSAvoidnumber of assets in container

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into multiple zones with dedicated readers and antennas for each zone. Each reader handles a specific portion of the container, allowing simultaneous scanning of multiple assets in different locations without signal interference, thereby enabling accurate detection of large numbers of densely packed RFID tags

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple readers and antennas are nested within the container structure itself, with readers mounted on interior surfaces and antennas positioned to maximize coverage. This nested arrangement allows the container structure to serve dual purposes: containing assets and housing the monitoring infrastructure needed to scan them accurately

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If manual updating of asset lists is performed, then inventory can be maintained, but human intervention is required and efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory accuracyVSAvoidautomation of inventory updates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically performs inventory updates through RFID scanning without human intervention. Readers continuously scan assets, automatically update the inventory database, and trigger alerts when discrepancies are detected, allowing the system to maintain accurate inventory records autonomously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where readers scan assets, compare current inventory against the database, and automatically trigger updates or alerts. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures inventory accuracy while eliminating manual intervention, as the system self-corrects and notifies stakeholders of any discrepancies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If multiple containers are monitored independently, then each container can be tracked, but centralized data collection and transmission becomes inefficient and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata collection accuracyVSAvoidsystem interconnection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple container monitoring systems are merged into a centralized network architecture. Individual container readers communicate with a central hub that aggregates data from all containers, enabling unified inventory management and coordinated monitoring across the entire fleet while reducing overall system complexity through standardization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Loss of information

If continuous monitoring of all assets is performed, then real-time inventory data is available, but energy consumption and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory data availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption of monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The monitoring system operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. Readers activate at scheduled intervals to scan assets, then enter low-power sleep mode between scans. This periodic operation maintains real-time inventory capability while dramatically reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs partial monitoring by focusing scanning resources on high-priority zones or assets that require closer attention, rather than uniformly monitoring all assets at maximum intensity. This selective approach maintains adequate inventory visibility while reducing overall energy consumption and system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7538681B1Method and apparatus for monitoring containerized ID tagged assets

Publication Date: 2009.05.26 INTELLECTUAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A method and apparatus is provided for strategically arranging ID tag antennas in a container to accommodate various sizes of tagged assets and to assure a reading of all assets in the container when the tagged assets have different packing densities. An antenna bus in each container, that is connected to a container ID tag reader, allows bus connector insertable antennas to be strategically placed for accommodating various asset packing densities. The containers are designed to readily interconnect the data outputs of all the tag readers when the containers are stacked in any of three dimensions whereby a single master unit collects data from all the readers and transmits the data to a central data collection point.