NFC Badge and Radio Reader System for Autonomous Product Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for facilitating commercial transactions in supermarkets, such as using labels or near-field communication badges, face challenges like high costs, long reading times, and the need for customers to carry personal terminals, which can lead to risks and additional costs.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing radio readers associated with products and an NFC badge carried by customers, where the readers communicate with a centralized platform to create a virtual basket, allowing for fast and autonomous transactions without the need for cashier interaction or additional customer devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical labels (barcode, QR code) are placed on each product, then product identification is enabled, but reading time increases significantly and errors increase when the number of products is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical label reading systems with RFID/NFC radio frequency identification systems. Instead of using optical scanners that require line-of-sight and manual positioning, the system uses radio waves to automatically identify products through their RFID tags, eliminating the time-consuming manual scanning process while maintaining accurate product identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RFID tags that contain digital copies of product identification information. Rather than reading physical optical labels on each product, the system reads wireless signals from RFID tags that carry the same identification data, enabling faster and more reliable product recognition especially when products are stacked or obscured.
2Ease of operation
If RFID labels are placed on each product, then automatic reading is enabled, but the cost of labels and handling increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification system into two parts: permanent RFID tags embedded in product packaging (for individual product identification) and temporary virtual shopping baskets created in the customer's mobile device (for transaction management). This segmentation allows the expensive RFID infrastructure to be used only for identification while keeping the transaction system lightweight and low-cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the customer's mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as an RFID reader for product identification, a database for storing the virtual shopping basket, and a communication device for interacting with the server. This eliminates the need for dedicated expensive scanning equipment at each checkout point, as the customer's own smartphone performs all these functions.
3Ease of operation
If customers carry personal terminals (smartphone, tablet) with NFC reader, then transaction facilitation is enabled, but risks of theft, dropping, or loss increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional RFID system architecture. Instead of placing RFID readers at fixed points in the store and having products passively present themselves, the system equips customers with mobile RFID readers that actively seek out and read product tags as they shop. This inversion gives customers control over when and where identification occurs, reducing the need for fixed infrastructure and minimizing exposure to theft or loss risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a self-service system where customers use their own mobile devices to identify products, manage their virtual shopping baskets, and complete transactions without assistance from store staff or reliance on fixed store equipment. The system leverages the customer's existing personal terminal rather than requiring them to carry additional store-provided devices, thereby reducing risks associated with store-issued equipment.
4Loss of information
If video images and facial recognition techniques are used for customer identification, then customer tracking is enabled, but significant hardware and software infrastructure is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex video imaging and facial recognition systems with simple NFC/RFID badge identification. Instead of using cameras and sophisticated image processing algorithms to identify and track customers, the system uses wireless radio frequency tags that provide reliable customer identification with minimal infrastructure, dramatically reducing both hardware and software complexity.
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 solution saves customer time, reduces management costs for retailers, and provides detailed customer behavior statistics, all while minimizing the need for expensive equipment and customer device handling.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of radio readers 10 1, 10 2...10 i are provided, each associated with a particular product... Each reader can be associated with a product... When the badge presented is not compatible or cannot be read for any reason
Data Source
Figure 1~2d
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for conducting a transaction on a set of products available in a geographical area, comprising a plurality of radio readers (101, 102...10i, 10i+i, 10i+2...10j...10N), and a centralized platform (30), in which - each of said readers is associated with a product, and adapted to, when reading a radio badge (40), transmit to said centralized platform, a message (50) containing at least one identifier of said product and an identifier associated with said badge; - and said platform is associated with said geographical area and adapted to receive said messages and store a virtual basket associating with the identifier of the badge, the identifier(s) of products contained in the messages, and to present said virtual basket by means of a human-machine interface (32,33).