RF Tag Seat Occupancy Detection via Signal Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat occupancy detection technologies are complex and expensive, making them difficult to use for general purposes, and have low versatility, particularly requiring temperature measurement or embedding sensors in seats.
Innovation Solution
An information processing system using a radio tag with unique identification information attached to a seating unit, which transmits signals when a user is not seated, allowing for easy detection of occupancy through signal acquisition or non-acquisition by an information processing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature measurement sensors (infrared sensors or capacitive sensors) are used for seat occupancy detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection function from complex temperature sensing systems and implements it through a simple radio frequency blocking mechanism. The radio tag on the seat blocks RF signals when occupied, providing occupancy detection without requiring infrared sensors, capacitive sensors, or temperature measurement capabilities, thus significantly reducing system complexity while maintaining detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical/physical sensing systems (infrared detection, capacitive sensing, temperature measurement) with an electromagnetic field-based RF blocking mechanism. This substitution eliminates the need for complex sensor arrays and processing systems while achieving reliable occupancy detection through simple signal transmission and reception
2Area of stationary object
If temperature measurement systems are deployed for multiple seats, then coverage is improved, but cost and complexity increase proportionally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection system into independent radio tags attached to individual seats, each capable of autonomous RF signal blocking. This segmentation allows each seat to be monitored independently with a simple tag rather than requiring complex centralized temperature sensing systems, enabling scalable deployment across multiple seats without proportional increase in system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal detection mechanism where any seat can be monitored using the same simple RF blocking principle, regardless of seat type or location. The radio tag serves multiple functions: occupancy detection, signal blocking, and identification, eliminating the need for different sensor types for different seating arrangements and enabling flexible deployment across various areas
3Measurement precision
If capacitive sensors with insulative films are embedded in seats, then detection capability is improved, but versatility decreases due to installation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detection functionality from the seat structure itself (no embedding required) and places it in a separate attachable radio tag. This allows the detection capability to be separated from the seat manufacturing process, enabling deployment on existing seats without modification while maintaining detection capability through the RF blocking mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static embedded sensor system to a dynamic attachable tag system. The radio tag can be attached to, removed from, and reattached to different seats as needed, providing flexibility and adaptability. This dynamic attachment mechanism allows the same tag design to serve multiple seats and applications without requiring permanent embedding or modification of the seat structure
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention is an information processing system including a first radio tag and an information processing device. The first radio tag stores unique tag identification information and is configured to be attached to a seating surface or a backrest surface of a seating unit. The information processing device includes a storage that stores information on a user of a seating unit and tag identification information of a radio tag attached to the seating unit, in an associated manner. The information processing device also includes an acquisition unit and a control unit. The acquisition unit is configured to acquire the tag identification information when the first radio tag transmits a signal containing the tag identification information. The control unit is configured to determine whether the user is seated on the seating unit, based on acquisition or non-acquisition of the tag identification information.