Electronic Label with Battery and Location Tracking for Product Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for product registration and identifying end recipients of manufactured products are inefficient, as they rely on consumer participation through QR codes, text messaging, or RFID systems, which have low adoption rates and are not designed for post-delivery product registration or warranty services.
Innovation Solution
An electronic label with a substrate, battery component, and electronic circuit, including an antenna and location determining means, that is activated when removed from a product, capturing location data and transmitting it via a communication network to a remote server for identifying the product and its recipient using AI techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID technology is used for product identification, then product tracking capability is improved, but consumer adoption rate deteriorates due to lack of consumer RFID scanners and inclination to use them
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic label performs self-service by automatically transmitting product identification and location data to the manufacturer's server without requiring consumer action beyond initial placement. The label independently manages data collection, processing, and transmission, eliminating the need for consumers to operate RFID scanners or perform registration actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic label is pre-configured with product identification data during manufacturing and is automatically activated when removed from the packaging. Location determining means are pre-installed and begin tracking immediately upon activation, performing all identification and tracking functions before the consumer needs to interact with the product.
2Measurement precision
If smart labels with location information are used for shipment tracking, then location tracking capability is improved, but product registration capability deteriorates due to being designed solely for shipment tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic label is designed as a multi-functional device that performs both shipment tracking and product registration functions. It includes communication circuitry capable of transmitting to multiple types of servers (logistics servers and manufacturer servers), location determining means for tracking, and product identification capabilities, making it universally applicable to various post-delivery needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic label dynamically adapts its function based on its operational phase. During shipment, it transmits location data to logistics servers for tracking. After product delivery, when removed from packaging, it automatically activates and transmits product identification and location data to manufacturer servers for registration and warranty services, transitioning between different functional modes.
3Device complexity
If manual product registration methods are used, then system complexity is reduced, but product registration rate deteriorates due to requiring conscious consumer participation
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic label performs self-service by automatically transmitting product identification and location data to the manufacturer's server without requiring consumer action beyond initial placement. The label independently manages data collection, processing, and transmission, eliminating the need for consumers to operate RFID scanners or perform registration actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical registration processes (filling out registration cards, scanning QR codes, text messaging) with an automated electronic system. The electronic label uses electronic communication circuitry to automatically transmit data via communication networks, substituting physical manual actions with electronic automation.
4Reliability
If RFID tags are embedded in products, then product identification capability is improved, but ease of use deteriorates because consumers do not have RFID scanners
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic label performs self-service by automatically transmitting product identification and location data to the manufacturer's server without requiring consumer action beyond initial placement. The label independently manages data collection, processing, and transmission, eliminating the need for consumers to operate RFID scanners or perform registration actions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the consumer to scan the product (consumer-initiated identification), the system inverts the approach by having the product identifier actively transmit its own data to the manufacturer's server. The electronic label initiates communication and sends product identification data automatically, reversing the traditional scan-direction paradigm.
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 convenient and effective identification of product recipients, increasing product registration rates and facilitating warranty services by automatically capturing and transmitting location and product information upon label activation.
Implementation Method 1
the antenna component is caused to transmit an electronic signal containing the circuit identification number and geographic location information
Implementation Method 2
a battery component provided on the substrate. An electronic circuit having an antenna component is provided on the substrate wherein the electronic circuit is preferably provided with an identification number
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing an electronic label for an article, such as a manufactured product. The label includes a substrate adapted to affix to the article and a battery component provided on the substrate. An electronic circuit is provided on the substrate wherein the electronic circuit is provided with an identification number and a location determining component. A switch component is further provided that couples the electronic circuit and the battery component for energizing the electronic circuit, such that when energized, the electronic circuits is caused to transmit an electronic signal containing the circuit identification number and location information associated with the electronic label to a remotely located computer for performing analytics on the received data.