NFC-Enabled Device for Asset Tracking and Adherence
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current event-based field service and medication adherence technologies lack timely information dissemination to stakeholders and have limited assurance of medication consumption, relying on unreliable patient refill processes for adherence measurement.
Innovation Solution
An NFC-enabled electronic device with a processor, memory, and NFC reader that identifies and reports trackable events by accessing unique data from RFID tags, enabling asset tracking, order adherence, and rewards management, with features like data storage, synchronization, and secure payment processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If bar code labels with related content are used for asset tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but information sufficiency for stakeholders deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple identification technologies (bar code scanning, NFC, RFID) into a single integrated tracking system. The mobile device functions as both a bar code scanner and an NFC/RFID reader, merging previously separate tracking methods into one unified platform that captures comprehensive item information including bar code data, NFC tags, and RFID identifiers in a single operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse information requirements. The mobile application can scan bar codes, read NFC tags, detect RFID tags, capture images, and access sensor data from multiple sources simultaneously, making the system universally applicable to various tracking scenarios and stakeholder information needs.
2Measurement precision
If hand held bar code scanner with USB cable or BlueTooth connection is used, then measurement precision is adequate, but speed of information dissemination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical connection methods (USB cable) and wireless protocols (Bluetooth) with direct NFC and RFID communication. The mobile device uses its built-in NFC reader to communicate directly with NFC tags and RFID tags on items, eliminating the need for physical cable connections or Bluetooth pairing, thereby significantly accelerating data transfer speed while maintaining tracking accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NFC tags and RFID tags as intermediary carriers of item information. These tags store identification data and are read wirelessly by the mobile device's NFC/RFID reader, serving as a fast intermediary that enables immediate information exchange without requiring physical connections or complex wireless handshaking protocols.
3Device complexity
If patient refill process is used for adherence measurement, then device complexity is minimized, but reliability of adherence assurance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements immediate feedback by detecting when an item is scanned or its NFC/RFID tag is read. The mobile application records the timing and context of each interaction, providing real-time adherence data. This feedback mechanism captures actual usage behavior rather than relying on delayed refill reporting, significantly improving adherence measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service adherence tracking where the mobile device automatically detects and records item interactions through NFC/RFID scanning. The patient's smartphone autonomously captures adherence events by reading tags on items, eliminating the need for manual refill reporting and providing objective, automated adherence verification.
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
Provides timely and accurate information for stakeholders, ensures reliable medication adherence tracking, and offers efficient rewards management, enhancing decision-making and adherence assurance.
Implementation Method 1
identifying an occurrence of a Trackable Event based on proximity of the NFC reader to an RFID tag containing Unique Data
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device enabled with a Near Field Communications (“NFC”) reading capability may perform event-based asset tracking and/or order adherence, and/or rewards management in conjunction with a Software Service Platform. Assets may be provided with intelligent Radio Frequency Identification (“RFID”) tags in which such is associated with trackable event and such event may be associated with a master order of one or more such events. The electronic device may be programmable such that the various functions may be provided by application programs which may be preloaded on the electronic device as one or more client applications, provided to the NFC-enabled electronic device as a “software as a service” (“SaaS”) delivery, or provided to the NFC-enabled electronic device in any other desired manner.