NFC Tag Integration in Tobacco Packaging for Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tobacco-based article packages have limited space for information display, restricting the amount of data that can be communicated to consumers, such as authentication, manufacturing dates, content, and retailer locations.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a near field communication (NFC) tag with an integrated circuit into tobacco-based articles and their packages, allowing wireless communication with computing devices to transfer information like authentication indicia, manufacture dates, content, and retailer locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional packaging is used for tobacco-based articles, then the package structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the information display area is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds an NFC tag within the packaging structure, transitioning from traditional two-dimensional printed information displays to three-dimensional integrated wireless communication components. This allows information to be accessed digitally rather than constrained by physical surface area, effectively expanding the information display capacity without proportionally increasing package size.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC tag serves multiple functions including authentication, information display, tracking, and consumer interaction, replacing what would traditionally require multiple separate packaging elements or extensive printed materials. This multi-functional component increases information capacity while managing structural complexity through consolidation.
2Loss of information
If more information is displayed on the package exterior, then consumer information access is improved, but the available display surface area is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tag acts as an intermediary between the physical package and the consumer's digital device. Instead of attempting to display all information directly on the limited package surface, the system uses the NFC tag to trigger wireless data transfer to a smartphone or computing device with a much larger display capability, effectively bypassing the surface area constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of printed information display with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. This substitution allows information to be transmitted without being constrained by physical display surfaces, enabling comprehensive information delivery through digital channels.
3Reliability
If authentication and tracking information is embedded in the package, then product authenticity and traceability are improved, but the package design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC tag is integrated within the existing packaging structure, nesting the authentication and tracking functionality inside the package rather than adding external components. This approach embeds complex functionality within the existing design framework, minimizing the increase in overall structural complexity while maintaining high authentication reliability.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
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AI summary
An apparatus embodied as a tobacco-based article including a consumable material that is tobacco, or that is made, derived from or incorporates tobacco, or as a package for one or more of the tobacco-based article or the consumable material, includes a housing and near field communication (NFC) tag. The housing is structured to retain the tobacco-based article or the consumable material. The NFC tag is configured to store or generate information related to the article or the material. The NFC tag is coupleable with a NFC reader to enable wireless transfer of the information to a computing device to enable authentication of the apparatus, or display or storage of the information, at the computing device or a service platform in communication with the computing device.