Hybrid RFID Tag Tracking via Active-Passive Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current supply chain and asset management systems face challenges in real-time tracking of passive identification tags, particularly in environments like manufacturing and repair facilities where radio signals are easily reflected, limiting the ability to track assets as they move.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that assigns passive identification tags to active identification tags, allowing real-time tracking by associating the passive tags with the active tags' location, using a monitoring device to store associations and track the passive tags based on the active tag's movement, enabling accurate asset tracking throughout a facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If passive identification tags are used for asset tracking, then cost and power consumption are reduced, but real-time tracking capability is lost in environments with radio signal reflections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines passive RFID tags with active tracking transponders into a hybrid tag system. The passive tag provides low-power identification while the active transponder enables real-time location tracking when energized, merging the advantages of both tag types to resolve the contradiction between power consumption and tracking reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary active transponder component that acts as a mediator between the passive tag and the tracking system. This transponder can be energized by external readers to provide active signaling for real-time tracking, while the passive tag continues to provide low-power identification, allowing the system to switch between passive and active modes as needed
2Device complexity
If passive identification tags are used, then system complexity is reduced, but the ability to track assets as they move throughout the facility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic tag system that can switch between passive and active states based on operational needs. The tag remains passive by default to maintain low complexity, but can be activated temporarily when real-time tracking is required, providing dynamic adaptability that resolves the contradiction between system simplicity and tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic activation of the active transponder component at designated tracking zones or at scheduled intervals, rather than maintaining continuous active operation. This periodic action provides necessary tracking data points while keeping the system mostly passive, thus maintaining low complexity while improving tracking capability
3Reliability
If active monitoring systems with transceivers are deployed throughout the facility, then real-time tracking is enabled, but infrastructure cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service tracking approach where the mobile device's existing camera and processing capabilities are used to detect and read passive RFID tags. This eliminates the need for dedicated active transceivers at every tracking point, as the mobile devices themselves perform the detection function, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining real-time tracking capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system makes mobile devices serve multiple functions: they act as both the tracking infrastructure (replacing dedicated transceivers) and as the user interface for asset management. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized tracking infrastructure, lowering overall system complexity while enabling real-time tracking
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 enables real-time tracking of passive identification tags, enhancing supply chain and asset management by allowing the monitoring of assets as they move, improving inventory control and reducing the need for manual tracking methods.
Implementation Method 1
receiving, with the monitoring device, one or more signals indicative of location of the active identification tag
Implementation Method 2
The passive tag may then be energized by the signal and send a response
Data Source
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Figure 2B
AI summary
A monitoring device assigns at least one passive identification tag to an active identification tag, and stores, in a memory, associations between the active identification tag and the at least one passive identification tags assigned to the active identification tag. The monitoring device then receives one or more signals indicative of location of the active identification tag, and, based on the received one or more signals, tracks location of the active identification tag as the active identification tag moves in an active tracking area. The monitoring device further tracks location of the at least one passive identification tags, assigned to the active identification tag, based on i) the tracked location of the active identification tag and ii) the association between the active identification tag and the assigned passive identification tag.