Physical Interactive IDs for Mass-Produced Object Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for distinguishing between mass-produced objects are costly and impractical for widespread implementation, as they require digital encoding or advanced sensing technologies, which are not easily embeddable in mass-produced items.
Innovation Solution
Augmenting physical objects with unique physical structures that produce distinct motional or acoustic signals during interaction, allowing for identification through conventional motion or sound sensing, such as accelerometers, without affecting the object's original use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional encoding techniques (barcode, RFID, magnetic strips) are used to identify objects, then object identification capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces digital encoding systems (barcode, RFID, magnetic strips) with a purely mechanical identification system. The identification structure uses physical bumps arranged in unique patterns that create distinctive vibration signatures when interacted with, eliminating the need for electronic tags and complex sensing equipment while maintaining object identification capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive mechanical bump structures that can be easily manufactured and integrated into mass-produced objects. These basic mechanical elements replace expensive digital encoding technologies, making the system cost-effective for widespread implementation across various object types
2Measurement precision
If digital encoding or advanced sensing technologies are used for object identification, then identification accuracy is improved, but cost and ease of manufacture deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex digital encoding and advanced sensing systems with simple mechanical bump structures that create identifiable vibration patterns. This mechanical approach maintains identification accuracy while dramatically improving ease of manufacture, as the bump structures can be integrated into mass-produced objects using conventional manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The identification structure serves dual purposes: it provides the object's primary function while simultaneously enabling identification through its unique vibration signature. The bumps are arranged to encode identification information that is automatically revealed during normal object interaction, eliminating the need for separate identification tags or additional sensing equipment
3Ease of manufacture
If physical interactive ID structures with bumps are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but the complexity of detecting and measuring the identification signal increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages existing, universally available motion and sound sensing technologies (accelerometers, microphones) that are already integrated into smartphones and wearables. By designing the bump structures to create vibrations and sounds that these universal sensors can detect, the system avoids the need for specialized detection equipment while maintaining low manufacturing costs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses mechanical vibrations generated by the interaction between user fingers and the bump structures as the identification signal. These vibrations are naturally produced during normal object interaction and can be captured by conventional accelerometers and microphones, eliminating the need for complex specialized detection systems while maintaining reliable identification
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 cost-effective and efficient object identification by using Physical-Interactive ID structures that encode information in vibrations or sounds, facilitating recognition without the need for digital tags or advanced sensing equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The signal may comprise a vibration produced by pin or tooth rubbing against the bumps or teeth
Implementation Method 2
The signal may comprise a sound produced by pin or tooth rubbing against the bumps or teeth
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention may provide the capability to identify a specific object being interacted with that may be cheaply and easily included in mass-produced objects. In an embodiment, a computer-implemented method for object identification may comprise receiving a signal produced by a physical interaction with an object to be identified, the signal produced by an identification structure coupled to the object during physical interaction with the object, processing the signal to form digital data identifying the object, and accessing a database using the digital data to retrieve additional information identifying or describing properties of the object identified.