Passive RFID Digital Identity for Unpowered Physical Items
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 'Internet-of-Things' framework does not effectively include a majority of everyday items lacking electrical power sources, limiting their network connectivity.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing passive RFID technology with ICs that harvest power from the environment to provide digital identities and network connectivity to unpowered items, integrating an identifier and secret for access control and information management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If passive RFID technology is used to provide network connectivity to unpowered items, then network presence and access control are enabled for items without power sources, but the system complexity increases due to the need for environmental power harvesting and digital identity management infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system comprising RFID readers, digital identity databases, and power harvesting infrastructure that mediates between unpowered items and the network. These intermediaries enable network connectivity for passive items without requiring the items themselves to have complex power management or communication hardware.
2Reliability
If RFID tags with digital identities are implemented for all physical items, then tracking and identification capability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to additional components and programming requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification system into two parts: a simple RFID tag component attached to the item, and a separate digital identity database stored remotely. This segmentation allows the physical item to have minimal manufacturing complexity while the comprehensive tracking and identification data are maintained in external databases, reducing the burden on item manufacturing.
3Device complexity
If passive RFID tags are used instead of active tags with power sources, then the device complexity and power requirements are reduced, but the ability to perform complex operations and store large amounts of data is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the data storage dimension from the RFID tag itself to an external network database. The passive tag only needs to store a minimal identifier, while comprehensive item information, history, and attributes are stored in remote databases accessible via RFID readers connected to the network. This dimensional shift resolves the contradiction between simplicity and information capacity.
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 network presence and access control for items without power sources, allowing secure and controlled retrieval and update of digital identity information.
Implementation Method 1
passive RFID technology with ICs that harvest power from the environment
Implementation Method 2
The tag either generates the transmitted back RF wave originally, or by reflecting back a portion of the interrogating RF wave in a process known as backscatter
Data Source
AI summary
RFID technology may be used to provide digital identities for physical items. An RFID IC attached to or integrated into a physical item contains an identifier for the physical item. Digital identity information associated with the item, such as ownership information, history, properties, and the like, may be located on one or more networks. An entity, after authenticating itself and/or the item, may use the identifier to locate, retrieve, and/or update the item's digital identity information on the network.