Giant Magnetoimpedance Sensor Article Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing article identification systems face limitations in security and precision, particularly in differentiating between various magnetic materials and preventing counterfeiting, due to the use of semi-hard magnetic materials and volatile components.

Innovation Solution

A reader system utilizing giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) sensors and solenoids to detect varying magnetic fields generated by marker elements with encoded data features, made from soft-magnetic materials, which are excited by a localized magnetic field, allowing for enhanced security and precision in article identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If semi-hard magnetic materials are used in marker elements, then the magnetic signal can be maintained with higher coercivity, but the ability to differentiate between various magnetic materials and prevent counterfeiting is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic signal stabilityVSAvoidmaterial differentiation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the magnetic parameter (coercivity) from high (semi-hard) to low (soft magnetic material with coercivity less than 100 A/m), enabling the marker element to be easily excited by the reader's magnetic field while maintaining signal stability through the unique soft-magnetic properties that differentiate it from other materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite approach by combining soft-magnetic material with specific geometric configurations (stripes, patterns, or three-dimensional structures) to create a marker element that provides both signal stability and unique material differentiation, making counterfeiting difficult

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Device complexity

If volatile magnetic components are used, then the system can be simplified, but the security and precision of article identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoididentification security

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a simple, inexpensive soft-magnetic marker element that can be easily manufactured and applied to articles. While the marker itself is simple and inexpensive, the overall system achieves high security through the combination of the marker's unique magnetic properties, geometric encoding, and the GMI sensor's high sensitivity, creating a reliable identification system without complex components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Stability of the object's composition

If high coercivity magnetic materials are used, then the magnetic marker can retain information without external fields, but the reader cannot easily excite the marker to generate a detectable signal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic information retentionVSAvoidexcitation energy requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the coercivity parameter to a low value (less than 100 A/m), allowing the marker element to be easily excited by the reader's magnetic field with minimal energy while still providing stable magnetic signal response through the soft-magnetic material's inherent properties

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The system provides improved security against counterfeiting by uniquely differentiating marker elements from other materials and structures, with increased sensitivity and spatial resolution, enabling effective validation of encoded data features.

Implementation Method 1

one or more solenoids upstream of the one or more giant magnetoimpedance sensors configured to generate a magnetic field for locally exciting portions of a marker element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

one or more giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) sensors upstream of the one or more solenoids configured to detect the varying magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGiant magnetoimpedance effect: Magnetoresistance

Data Source

PatentUS10325439B2Article identification reader, marker element for article identification and method of article identification

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 CUSTOM SECURITY IND INC

AI summary

A reader for article identification comprises one or more solenoids configured to generate a magnetic field for locally exciting portions of a marker element carrying at least one data feature as the marker element moves through the magnetic field and for causing the marker element to generate a varying magnetic field; and one or more giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) sensors upstream of the one or more solenoids configured to detect the varying magnetic field and produce output based on the varying magnetic field.