Printed Authentication Circuit for Smart Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current identification and authentication technologies, such as RFID, are expensive, inadequate for assessing characteristics beyond identification, and increase the size and weight of devices, making them unsuitable for efficient smart packaging applications.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing a printable substrate with a first circuit that completes an incomplete circuit in a receiving device, incorporating sensors to sense electrical characteristics and compare them to stored listings for authentication, allowing for unique actions based on identified characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID technology is used for identification and authentication, then authentication capability is provided, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive active RFID tags with inexpensive passive printed circuit elements that can be easily applied to packaging. These simple circuit elements cost fractions of a cent to manufacture and eliminate the need for expensive active electronics while providing sufficient authentication capability through circuit completion and sensor interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the active electronics and power requirements from the identification element, leaving only the essential passive circuit functionality. By removing the expensive active components and using simple passive circuit elements that complete a circuit when activated, the system achieves authentication without the cost burden of full RFID technology.
2Reliability
If RFID technology is used for identification and authentication, then authentication capability is provided, but device size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces heavy active RFID tags with lightweight passive printed circuit elements that can be easily applied to packaging. These simple circuit elements have minimal mass compared to active RFID components, significantly reducing the weight penalty while maintaining authentication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent removes the heavy active electronics and power systems from the identification element, retaining only the essential passive circuit functionality. This extraction of unnecessary components dramatically reduces the weight of the packaged element while preserving the core authentication capability through circuit completion.
3Loss of information
If RFID technology is used for identification, then identification capability is provided, but ability to assess characteristics beyond identification is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the printed circuit element to serve multiple functions: identification, authentication, and characteristic sensing. The same circuit completion mechanism that provides identification also enables sensors to detect characteristics such as temperature, humidity, and product status, eliminating the need for separate RFID systems and expanding functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the identification circuit with sensing capabilities and characteristic assessment functions into a single integrated system. By combining circuit completion for identification with sensor interfaces for characteristic detection, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate identification and sensing systems.
4Reliability
If RFID readers and active electronics are included in the system, then authentication capability is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex active electronics and power systems from the packaged element, using only simple passive printed circuit elements. This simplification dramatically reduces the complexity of the element itself, requiring only basic circuit completion and sensor interaction rather than complex active processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the complex active electronics, power management systems, and processing circuits from the identification element, retaining only the essential passive circuit functionality. This extraction significantly simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining authentication capability through simpler means.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus, system and method for authenticating a physical element suitable for electromechanical association with a receiving device, including at least a printable substrate associated with the physical element; a first circuit printed on the printable substrate and suitable to receive at least one electrical characteristic of the physical element; an incomplete circuit associated with the receiving device, wherein an interface of the first circuit to the receiving device completes the incomplete circuit to form a functional circuit; at least one sensor within the open circuit and suitable for sensing the at least one electrical characteristic via the functional circuit upon completion of the incomplete circuit; and at least one comparative listing stored within a non-transitory memory of the receiving device, wherein the at least one sensed electrical characteristic is compared to the at least one comparative listing to provide the authentication, and wherein the authentication provided is indicative of a unique action.