Embedded Command Execution in RFID Data Carriers

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Solution Overview

Problem

The proliferation of RFID devices leads to performance issues due to the lack of efficient means to transport commands between devices, necessitating time-consuming and costly user intervention and raising compatibility concerns.

Innovation Solution

Embedding commands within the message or data signal of a machine-readable data carrier, allowing an automatic data collection system to extract and execute these commands for communication with other data carriers, leveraging extended-channel techniques and symbol formats like bar codes and RFID tags.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If user intervention is used to pass commands between RFID devices, then compatibility issues are addressed, but the process becomes time consuming and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecompatibilityVSAvoidtime consuming
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds commands within the data structure of machine-readable data carriers (bar codes, RFID tags) in advance. This preliminary encoding allows automated data collection systems to execute commands without real-time user intervention, resolving the contradiction between ensuring compatibility through user oversight and reducing time loss through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If commands are passed manually between devices, then system control is maintained, but operational efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem controlVSAvoidoperational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables machine-readable data carriers to contain self-executing commands that automate the interaction between devices. The embedded commands allow the system to serve itself by automatically controlling communication and data exchange between RFID devices and other data carriers, eliminating manual operations while maintaining system control and improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Extent of automation

If embedded commands are used in machine-readable data carriers, then automation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveautomationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent leverages existing machine-readable data carrier formats (bar codes, RFID tags) and extends their functionality by embedding commands within their data structures. This universal approach allows the same data carrier infrastructure to perform both traditional data storage functions and new command execution functions, achieving automation without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Loss of information

If extended-channel techniques are used to embed commands, then command transport capability is enhanced, but parsing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommand transportVSAvoidparsing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data structure of machine-readable data carriers into distinct portions, with specific fields or characters designated for embedded commands. This segmentation allows commands to be transported efficiently using extended-channel techniques while enabling systematic parsing and interpretation, reducing the complexity burden by organizing command data in structured, identifiable segments within the overall data carrier format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8002173B2Automatic data collection device, method and article
Publication Date: 2011.08.23 INTERMEC IP CORP
  • US8002173B2 patent drawing
  • US8002173B2 patent drawing
  • US8002173B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A first machine-readable data carrier comprises an embedded command to control communication with a second machine-readable data carrier. An automatic data collection system is configured to extract the embedded command from the first machine-readable data carrier and to execute the command with respect to the second machine-readable data carrier.