Electronic Tag Self-Pairing via Integrated Scanner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic tag technologies are inefficient and error-prone when pairing electronic tags with corresponding identification information, especially in large-scale commercial settings, requiring manual processes and increasing costs due to the need for additional devices like PDAs and barcode reprinting.

Innovation Solution

An electronic tag system with a scanner, controller, communicator, and storage unit that allows for internal storage and display of article identification information, enabling automatic pairing and updating of product information, reducing reliance on external devices and minimizing manual errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual pairing processes are used for electronic tags with identification information, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but operational efficiency decreases and error rates increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing efficiencyVSAvoidmanual operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The electronic tag performs self-pairing by automatically scanning its own identification information through the slit and communicating with the server, eliminating the need for manual intervention with PDAs. The tag autonomously completes the pairing process by transmitting its ID and receiving confirmation from the server.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (using PDAs to scan and pair tags) with an automated optical scanning system integrated into the tag itself. The scanner optically reads the ID through the slit and automatically transmits it via communicator, substituting human-operated mechanical processes with an integrated automated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional devices like PDAs are used for pairing electronic tags, then pairing capability is achieved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing capabilityVSAvoidsystem device quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the pairing functionality directly into the electronic tag by integrating a scanner and communicator within the tag itself. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate external devices like PDAs, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining pairing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic tag is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the display device and as the scanning/communication device for pairing. The single tag unit performs multiple functions (displaying information, scanning its own ID, and communicating with the server), eliminating the need for specialized external pairing devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If barcode reprinting is performed for updated identification information, then accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of physically reprinting barcodes with an electronic update mechanism. The communicator electronically transmits updated identification information to the server, which then updates the database, eliminating the need for physical reprinting operations while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating physical copies through reprinting, the system uses electronic copying and transmission of identification information data. The updated ID is digitally transmitted and stored in the server database, providing accurate updates without the time and cost of physical reproduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Speed

If electronic tags store identification information internally, then pairing speed is improved, but storage requirements and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepairing speedVSAvoidinternal storage structure

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential identification information needed for pairing and stores it in a dedicated storage unit within the tag. By storing only the critical ID data rather than complete product information, the storage requirements remain minimal while enabling rapid pairing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS11436426B2Electronic tag and control method thereof, system including electronic tag and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2022.09.06 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of electronic tagging technology. An electronic tag may include a scanner configured to scan an article identification information associated with one of a plurality of categories of articles; a controller configured to acquire the article identification information from the scanner; a communicator configured to, based on a pairing of the article identification information with an identification information associated with the electronic tag, acquire a product information corresponding to the article identification information; a storage unit configured to store the identification information associated with the electronic tag; and a display screen configured to display the product information corresponding to the article identification information.