Inductive POS Display for Battery-Free Product Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Point of sale systems face limitations in interacting with products, battery charge loss over time, and the need for improved product identification and automatic reordering, especially in displaying and packaging designs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of inductive systems that include product containers with passive tuned circuits and inductive readers for monitoring product levels, enabling automatic reordering and providing wireless power to heating elements, as well as systems for product alignment and identification using resonant circuits and contactless power supplies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If traditional battery-powered product tags are used for identification and display, then product information can be displayed, but battery charge is lost over time requiring replacement or recharging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces battery-powered electronic tags with passive RFID tags that use electromagnetic induction for power and communication. The RFID system eliminates batteries by using an external reader to induce power in the tag's antenna, thereby removing the energy loss issue while maintaining continuous product information display capability
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag system serves multiple functions simultaneously: product identification, inventory tracking, and wireless communication, all without requiring battery power. This multi-functional approach extends the operational duration indefinitely while eliminating energy consumption concerns
2Device complexity
If inventory control is performed only at check-out, then system complexity is reduced, but visual inspection of product quantities becomes necessary and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID system enables continuous, real-time inventory monitoring as products move through the store and are placed on shelves. Readers continuously detect and track tagged products, providing ongoing inventory visibility without requiring periodic manual checks or complex batch processing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags automatically provide identification and location information to the inventory system without requiring manual scanning or visual inspection. Products essentially report their own status and location, eliminating the need for human intervention in inventory counting while maintaining simple system architecture
3Extent of automation
If passive RFID tags are used in product packaging, then automatic identification and reordering is enabled, but the ability to interact with the product at the point of sale is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag system provides both automatic backend functions (inventory tracking, reordering) and frontend customer interaction capabilities (product information display, promotional content delivery). The same passive tag that enables automated reordering also serves as an interactive information source at the point of sale through integration with display systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates two-way communication where RFID tags not only provide product identification data for automatic reordering but also receive and display dynamic information such as pricing, promotions, and product details at the point of sale, creating an interactive feedback loop between the product and the customer
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
Enhances product interaction, prevents battery charge loss, improves product identification, and enables automatic reordering and wireless power delivery, thereby optimizing product display and inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
an inductive reader having a primary coil to monitor the impedance of the passive tuned circuit
Implementation Method 2
The system can further include a contactless power supply to provide a source of wireless power to a heating element
Implementation Method 3
the heating element can include a ferromagnetic material that reacts to a time-varying electromagnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the identification, powering and control of products and product packaging. The systems can include a point of sale display having a contactless power supply. The contactless power supply can provide a source of wireless power for products and product packaging. The products and product packaging can include light emitting diodes, e-ink displays and printed speaker circuits that activate as the operating frequency of the contactless power supply varies. Other embodiments include product level sensors, inductive reader networks, printed temperature sensors, product alignment systems, passive identification circuits and methods for controlling operation of the same.