Printable ID Tags for Real-Time Tracking of Small Items

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inventory control systems face challenges in tracking small, portable, and frequently misplaced items like eyeglasses and keys due to their changing locations and the bulkiness and cost of existing tracking devices, which are not easily customizable or producible on demand.

Innovation Solution

The development of printable ID tags using conductive ink that can be attached to products, allowing for real-time location tracking through a unique identification code and a resilient passive communication circuit, enabling adhesively backed tags to be bendable and attachable to small items without increasing their size or weight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing tracking devices are used to track small portable items, then real-time location tracking is achieved, but the devices increase the size and weight of the items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time location trackingVSAvoidweight of tracked item

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses thin film RFID tags that can be adhered to the surface of small portable items. These flexible thin film tags provide tracking functionality without adding significant weight or bulk to the tracked items, resolving the contradiction between reliable tracking and minimal weight increase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If existing tracking devices are used to track small portable items, then real-time location tracking is achieved, but the devices increase the size of the items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time location trackingVSAvoidsize of tracked item

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The thin film RFID tags are designed to be extremely thin and flexible, allowing them to be applied to small portable items without significantly increasing their size. The tags can conform to the surface of the item while maintaining tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a simplified version of traditional RFID tags by using printed conductive ink circuits on thin substrate material. This copied approach to RFID tag construction achieves the same tracking function with dramatically reduced size compared to conventional RFID devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If traditional RFID tags are used, then tracking functionality is provided, but the tags cannot be easily customized or produced on demand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking functionalityVSAvoidcustomizability and on-demand production

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical RFID tag manufacturing processes with digital printing technology. Conductive ink is printed directly onto flexible substrate material using standard printing equipment, enabling easy customization and on-demand production of RFID tags with specific identification codes and designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing approach from rigid factory production to flexible digital printing. This allows parameters such as identification codes, tag designs, and quantities to be easily adjusted based on specific needs, enabling customization and on-demand production while maintaining tracking functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If existing tracking systems are used for non-electronic products, then tracking is achieved, but additional components must be attached to the products

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoidnumber of attached components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the RFID circuit, identification code, and adhesive backing into a single integrated thin film tag. This merged design eliminates the need for multiple separate components that would need to be attached to non-electronic products, simplifying the overall system while maintaining tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient and cost-effective real-time tracking of small items by allowing users to create and attach lightweight, flexible ID tags, improving the accuracy and convenience of inventory management without the need for bulky or expensive tracking devices.

Implementation Method 1

printable with a home computer using conductive ink to form a trackable tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectConductive ink: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS11508226B2Inventory control system with integrated ID tags

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 WORTHWHILE PRODS

AI summary

The inventory control system process includes steps for printing a circuit to a sheet stock having at least one ID tag formed therewith such that the circuit is carried by the ID tag, assigning a unique identification code to the circuit associated with the ID tag, removing the ID tag carrying the circuit from the sheet stock, associating the removed ID tag with a product, and entering the product into an inventory control system secured in connection with a user account accessible only by an authorized user associated with the user account, for real-time location tracking of the product thereof by way of the circuit.