Manual Entry Timing System for RFID Read Failures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RFID tag reader systems often fail to read 100% of RFID tags during sporting events due to interference and other factors, leading to incomplete timing data and potential impact on event outcomes.

Innovation Solution

The development of a Manual Entry Timing System (METS) that allows for manual data entry of participant times, which can be transmitted to an RFID system as backup data, ensuring complete and accurate timing information collection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If RFID tag reader systems are used to automatically detect and record participant times, then timing efficiency and speed are improved, but reliability deteriorates due to interference and failure to read 100% of tags

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming efficiencyVSAvoidtag read success rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The timing system is segmented into multiple independent components: primary RFID tag readers for automatic detection and secondary RFID readers positioned at different locations for backup detection. This segmentation ensures that if one reader fails to detect a tag, another reader can capture the timing data, thereby maintaining high reliability while preserving timing efficiency through automated detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements beforehand cushioning by deploying redundant RFID readers at multiple positions before the timing point. These readers are positioned to provide overlapping detection zones, ensuring that if the primary reader fails due to interference or other issues, the backup readers are already in place to capture the timing data, thus cushioning against potential failures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If multiple RFID readers are deployed to improve reliability, then tag read success rate is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetag read success rateVSAvoidsystem configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary RFID readers are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as backup timing devices and as additional data collection points. They can operate independently or in conjunction with the primary reader, and the system can selectively use data from either or both readers based on detection success, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary data processing layer that receives timing data from multiple RFID readers and automatically reconciles the information. This intermediary layer manages the complexity by providing a unified interface for data integration, filtering out duplicates and resolving conflicts, thus simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high tag read success rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If manual entry systems are used as backup, then reliability is improved by capturing missed times, but productivity decreases due to manual data entry requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming data completenessVSAvoiddata collection speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces the mechanical manual entry process with an automated electronic data collection and reconciliation system. The secondary RFID readers automatically detect and record timing data, and the data processing layer automatically reconciles information from multiple sources, eliminating the need for manual data entry while maintaining complete and accurate timing records, thus preserving productivity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10157505B2Automated timing systems and methods having multiple time event recorders and an integrated user time entry interface

Publication Date: 2018.12.18 INNOVATIVE TIMING SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods for timing of a passing of an object past a monitored location using a timing system and an automated object detection system detecting the passing of the object at the monitored location, and also having a remote entry computer system being positionable at a current location selected from a plurality potential locations each of which is set apart and different than the monitored location and having a clock determining a present time, a user interface receiving user input data, and a memory storing an offset time value, and the remote entry computer system receiving the user input data, receiving a user data input time associated with the receipt of the user input data, and storing the received user input data and the user data input time, and determining of an adjusted time value responsive to the determined remote time value and the stored offset time value.