Movement-Powered RFID Reader for Tractor Identification Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current monitoring systems, such as the Orbcomm GT-1100, fail to detect the RFID tag of a tractor unit towing a chassis or trailer equipped with a GT-1100, making it difficult for interested parties to verify the correct tractor unit towing a shipment and detect potential misuse or theft.
Innovation Solution
An RFID tag is mounted on the tractor platform, and an RFID reader is mounted on the towed transport platform to detect the tractor platform's RFID identifier, using signal strength analysis to differentiate it from other tags in cases of multiple tags being within range, and communicating this information through various wireless modems for monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If an RFID reader is mounted on the towed transport platform to detect tractor platform RFID tags, then the ability to identify the towing tractor platform is improved, but the system fails to detect the correct tractor unit when multiple tags are within range due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from simple RFID tag presence to RFID signal strength. By measuring the strength of the RFID signal rather than just detecting presence, the system can differentiate between the correct towing tractor and other tractors in the vicinity, resolving the identification reliability issue in convoy scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional RFID system (which only detects presence) with an enhanced RFID reading system that measures signal strength. This substitution allows the system to not only detect RFID tags but also to evaluate and compare their signal strengths to identify the correct towing tractor platform
2Measurement precision
If signal strength analysis is used to differentiate RFID tags in convoy scenarios, then the identification accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the RFID reader multi-functional by enabling it to perform both standard RFID tag detection and signal strength measurement. This allows the same device to operate in simple scenarios (detecting any tag) and complex scenarios (identifying the correct tag among multiple), reducing the need for separate systems and minimizing additional complexity
3Reliability
If RFID monitoring is implemented to track tractor platform towing, then the ability to detect misuse or theft is improved, but the loss of information occurs when the system cannot reliably identify the correct tractor unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring RFID signal strengths and using this information to identify and track the correct towing tractor platform. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system maintains accurate information about which tractor is towing the shipment, preventing information loss even in complex convoy scenarios
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
Enables accurate identification of the tractor platform towing a towed transport platform, even in convoy scenarios, and alerts for misuse or theft by analyzing RFID signal strengths and transmitting the identifier to interested parties via different wireless networks.
Implementation Method 1
an RFID reader is mounted on the towed transport platform to detect the tractor platform's RFID identifier
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, interested parties would like to know the identity of various assets in a transportation environment. In some examples, the asset could be a tractor platform. In other examples, the asset could be cargo associated with a transport platform. Some of the examples described herein utilize the motion of a transport platform to power an RFID reader to read an identifier stored within an RFID tag that is coupled to an asset. In some examples, the system utilizes the identifier to identify the asset, which may be transmitted to an electronic device that is accessible to the interested parties. In further examples, a geolocation of the asset may also be transmitted to an electronic device that is accessible to the interested parties.