Embedded Microchip Tracking for Tamper-Resistant Construction Products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for checking and tracking construction products are vulnerable to tampering and fraud, compromising traceability and compliance with regulations, and do not ensure immutability of information throughout the product's life cycle.
Innovation Solution
Embedding a microchip with predefined information and a wireless communication protocol in construction products, ensuring irremovable application and enabling real-time tracking and verification using remote-control devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an identification label is applied on the construction product, then the traceability of the construction product is improved, but the label can be tampered with and/or removed, compromising its identification and subsequent traceability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical identification label system with a microchip-based electronic identification system. The microchip contains stored information about the construction product and can be read wirelessly or magnetically, eliminating the need for physical labels that can be tampered with or removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The microchip is embedded within the construction product itself, nesting the identification device inside the product structure. This embedding makes the identification system integral to the product, preventing removal and tampering while maintaining traceability throughout the product's lifecycle.
2Loss of information
If a QR code is applied on the construction product, then the information about the construction product can be stored, but the reading requires a special optical reading device and the QR code can be fraudulently removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the optical QR code system with a microchip-based electronic storage and wireless communication system. The microchip stores product information and enables reading through wireless or magnetic fields, eliminating the need for special optical reading devices and reducing complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the identification label or QR code is applied to the packaging rather than directly on the construction products, then the packaging can be opened during transport, but the possibility of identifying and tracking the construction products in the phases following the transport phase is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The microchip is embedded directly within the construction product, nesting the identification system inside the product itself rather than on external packaging. This ensures that the identification and tracking capabilities remain intact regardless of packaging status, maintaining continuous traceability throughout all phases including transport, installation, and disposal.
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
Guarantees traceability, compliance, and immutability of construction product information, preventing tampering and fraud, and ensuring correct material presence during construction and disposal.
Implementation Method 1
at least one microchip (12) containing predefined information about the specific construction product (10) is irremovably applied to the construction product (10)... each microchip (12) is readable wirelessly or magnetically
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A method for checking and tracking a construction product (10; 100; 200; 300; 400; 500; 600) is described, comprising the following steps: arranging a microchip (12) configured to exchange information with a remote-control device (14); associating predefined information about the construction product to the microchip; irremovably applying the microchip on the construction product; carrying out the check and tracking of the construction product through a predefined communication mode between the microchip and the remote-control device; carrying out a communication between each remote-control device and at least one management server (48) which is configured to communicate with each remote-control device for checking all the predefined information contained on different microchips and concerning a plurality of construction products different from each other. The step of carrying out the check and tracking comprises one or more of the following sub-steps: management control of the production of the construction product; management control of the shipment of the construction product; management control of the delivery of the construction product to the purchaser; checking the construction product at the final customer, after installation of the construction product.