Portable RFID Bollard for Event Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID timing and counting systems for events are not highly portable and configurable, often requiring embedded wires that can interfere with participants and are difficult to set up quickly, especially in dynamic environments like ski rallies.
Innovation Solution
A vertically-standing, portable RFID tag reader called a 'bollard' with internal components such as a processor, tuner, and wireless interface, which provides stability, power management, and communication capabilities, allowing for easy configuration and use in various event settings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires are embedded in the ground or snow as RFID antennae, then the RFID reader can detect tags, but the system loses portability and cannot be quickly reconfigured
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the RFID detection function into separate portable bollard units, each capable of independent operation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain reliable RFID detection while being easily reconfigurable and portable, as each bollard can be independently positioned and moved without affecting the entire system infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire-based antenna system with wireless RFID technology. Instead of physically embedding wires in the ground or snow, the system uses electromagnetic fields for tag detection, eliminating the need for fixed infrastructure and enabling rapid deployment and reconfiguration of portable bollards.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If wires are embedded substantially below the surface to avoid interfering with participants, then participant safety is improved, but the reader loses portability
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the mechanical wire infrastructure with wireless electromagnetic field-based RFID detection. This substitution eliminates the need to embed wires below the surface, allowing portable bollards to be positioned above ground without interfering with participants while maintaining both safety and portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces portable bollards as intermediary detection devices positioned between the RFID tags on participants and the central system. These bollards use wireless communication to detect tags without requiring physical contact or ground embedding, thus avoiding participant interference while maintaining system functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a mat is used as the RFID reader to avoid ground wires, then portability is improved, but the mat can still interfere with participants especially skiers
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection function into multiple small portable bollard units rather than using a single large mat. This allows the bollards to be strategically positioned away from participant paths, reducing interference while maintaining portability and detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mat layout to three-dimensional vertical positioning of portable bollards. The bollards can be positioned at various heights and locations around the event space, allowing detection without requiring participants to step over or around a mat, thus eliminating interference while maintaining portability.
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
The bollard system enables efficient and non-intrusive tracking of participants with enhanced portability and configurability, minimizing interference and facilitating quick setup and use in diverse event conditions.
Implementation Method 1
RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. In most cases, an RFID reader detects and reads an RFID tag in possession of a tracked participant as the tag passes within reading range of the reader.
Data Source
AI summary
A highly portable, vertically-standing RFID tag reader, referred to as a “bollard,” is presented. The bollard includes a vertical element supporting an internal RFID tuner component above the surface on which the bollard rests. Additionally, each bollard includes a base element that provides vertical stability to the vertical element and a plurality of internal components. The internal components include the following: a power system, a processor, a tuner component, and a wireless interface. The power system provides power to the powered components of the bollard. The processor directs and/or executes the functions of the bollard with regard to an event in which the bollard is configured to participate. The tuner component is configured to read RFID tags that come within RFID communication range of the bollard. The wireless interface component is configured to provide wireless communications between the bollard and an operator console.