RFID Absorbent Article Association System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing absorbent article systems face challenges in accurately associating the identity and location of users with their absorbent articles, leading to potential mix-ups and erroneous data in medical records, particularly when using RFID tags for user identification and sensor detection of soiling events.
Innovation Solution
A system that integrates machine-readable information for both user identity/location and absorbent article identification, using a reader to store and associate this information in memory, ensuring correct matching of users with their absorbent articles, and employing sensors like RF tags or wetness-detecting sensors to indicate soiling events without human inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If RFID tags are used for user identification and sensor detection in absorbent articles, then user identification and soiling event detection are enabled, but the risk of mix-ups between users and absorbent articles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the RFID tag that identifies the user with the sensor that detects soiling events into a single integrated system within the absorbent article. This merging ensures that both identification and detection functions are permanently associated with the correct absorbent article, eliminating the risk of mix-ups between different users and articles.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag system is designed to perform multiple functions: it identifies the user, links to their medical records, and associates with the specific absorbent article. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate identification systems and ensures consistent tracking across all absorbent articles used by a particular user.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate RFID tags are used for user identification and absorbent article identification, then identification flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a universal RFID tag system that can serve multiple purposes: identifying the user, identifying the absorbent article, and linking between them. This single system performs what would otherwise require multiple separate identification mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining identification flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the user identification tag and absorbent article identification tag into a single RFID system. Instead of requiring separate scanning and matching processes for different tags, the system uses one integrated RFID tag that contains all necessary identification information, simplifying the overall architecture.
3Device complexity
If manual inspection is used to determine when absorbent articles need changing, then system simplicity is maintained, but labor time and potential for error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system automatically detects soiling events and generates notifications without requiring manual inspection by caregivers. The system serves itself by monitoring its own status and initiating change notifications, thereby eliminating the time and labor required for manual checking while maintaining simple operation through automatic triggering.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor provides continuous feedback about the absorbent article's status (clean or soiled) to the system, which then automatically generates notifications when changing is needed. This feedback loop eliminates the need for manual inspection while keeping the system simple through automatic decision-making based on sensor data.
4Measurement precision
If sensors are integrated into absorbent articles for automated detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses disposable absorbent articles with integrated sensors that are designed to be discarded after a single use or short period. This approach allows for the integration of complex sensing capabilities without worrying about long-term durability or reusability, as each new article comes pre-configured with fresh sensors, simplifying the manufacturing process for high-precision components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor is merged with the absorbent article during manufacturing, creating a single integrated unit. This combining of components streamlines the manufacturing process by eliminating the need for separate assembly of sensor and article, and allows for automated production lines that can efficiently produce the integrated units at scale.
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
This system reduces the risk of incorrect absorbent article distribution, provides accurate data for medical records, and allows for automated notification of when absorbent articles need changing, enhancing user safety and administrative efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The RF tag selectively absorbs energy from an excitation signal at its resonant frequency. This absorption produces a unique change in the excitation signal, which can be detected.
Implementation Method 2
In the energy absorption mode, the RF tag selectively absorbs energy from an excitation signal at its resonant frequency.
Implementation Method 3
In the energy radiation mode the RF tag starts to oscillate at its resonant frequency in response to receiving an excitation signal.
Implementation Method 4
When the magnetic field is switched off, the magneto-elastic material oscillates with a specific frequency called the magneto-acoustic resonant frequency.
Implementation Method 5
When excited by an external magnetic field, a magneto-elastic material stores magnetic energy in a magneto-elastic mode.
Data Source
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AI summary
System (23) for associating a particular absorbent article (12) with the identity and/or the location of a user (10) of said absorbent article (12), comprising an absorbent article (12), and machine-readable information (16) concerning the identity and/or the location of a user (10) of the absorbent article (12). The system comprises machine-readable information (18) identifying the absorbent article (12) and a reader (22) to read the information (18) identifying the absorbent article (12) and the information (16) concerning the identity and/or the location of a user (10) of the absorbent article (12). The system also comprises a memory (24) that is arranged to store information (18) identifying the absorbent article (12) and information (16) concerning the identity and/or the location of a user (10) of the absorbent article (12) in a form such that on retrieval of information (16,18) from the memory (24), information (18) concerning the absorbent article (12) is automatically associated with information (16) concerning the identity and/or location of a user (10) of the absorbent article (12).