Hybrid Optical RFID Tag Synchronization for Product Tracing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring and labeling biological and pharmaceutical products are not reliable and efficient, particularly when labels are wet, frozen, deteriorated, or mislaid, leading to difficulties in product identification and tracing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that uses a combination of optical tags readable by computer vision and RFID tags to compare and synchronize information, emitting indication signals for matching or non-matching data, and allowing additional information to be added or updated in the RFID tag memory, ensuring accurate product identification and tracing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If optical tags (barcodes) are used for product identification, then the system is simple and cost-effective, but the reading reliability deteriorates when labels are wet, frozen, deteriorated, or mislaid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two identification systems - optical tags (barcodes) and RFID tags - into a hybrid labeling system. The optical tag provides simple, cost-effective visual identification, while the RFID tag provides reliable wireless identification that works regardless of label condition. Both tags are attached to the same product, allowing the system to leverage the strengths of both technologies and compensate for their individual weaknesses.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag acts as an intermediary backup system when the optical tag fails. The system attempts to read the optical tag first, and if reading fails (indicating the label is wet, frozen, deteriorated, or mislaid), it automatically switches to reading the RFID tag, ensuring continuous product identification capability.
2Productivity
If RFID tags are used for product identification, then reading efficiency and productivity are improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses RFID technology partially - not for all identification tasks, but only as a backup when optical reading fails. This allows the system to benefit from RFID's high reading efficiency and wireless capability without fully committing to the complexity and cost of a pure RFID system. The optical tag remains the primary identification method for normal operations.
3Reliability
If redundant identification tags are used, then identification reliability is improved, but the labeling complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid labeling system serves multiple functions: the optical tag provides visual identification for manual verification and simple optical scanning, while the RFID tag provides wireless automated identification and serves as a backup when the optical tag is compromised. This multi-functionality justifies the use of redundant tags by ensuring comprehensive product identification under various conditions.
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
This approach enhances the reliability and efficiency of product identification and tracing by automating the comparison and synchronization of information between optical and RFID tags, providing redundant data storage and ensuring accurate product monitoring and labeling, even in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
reading (at least one) optical tag attached to a biological or pharmaceutical product via a device including an optical reader
Implementation Method 2
reading a RFID tag attached to the biological or pharmaceutical product via a RFID reader
Data Source
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AI summary
A method, a system and a device for monitoring and labelling biological and pharmaceutical products are provided. The method comprises reading an optical tag attached to a biological or pharmaceutical product via a device including an optical reader with computer vision capabilities and a RFID tag via a RFID reader. A comparison of the information read is performed by a processor, the latter further determining if the information of both tags coincides or not, emitting a first indication signal if the information coincides or a second indication signal if the information does not coincide. The processor can determine whether additional information included in the optical tag has to be added to the RFID tag.