RFID Workpiece Controller for Secure Test Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional production management systems face challenges in efficiently managing test data and device tuning, especially when dealing with unknown products and unstable production volumes, due to restrictive data access and high costs associated with large-capacity RFID tags.
Innovation Solution
A work process management system that employs a tag-type controller attached to workpieces, enabling browsing restrictions on pre-shipment test data from suppliers, allowing easy data usage and exchange, even with unstable trading partners or business volumes, through radio communication and secure data disclosure mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If test data is stored in inexpensive radio IC tags with restricted memory capacity, then cost is reduced, but the amount of data that can be stored is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides data storage into two segments: essential data (product identification, basic attributes) is stored in the inexpensive radio IC tag, while detailed test data and large-volume information are stored externally in a server or cloud database. This segmentation allows the tag to remain low-cost while the system as a whole achieves high data capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data management system (server/cloud database) that acts as a mediator between the radio IC tag and the end user. The tag contains only a reference key, and the intermediary system handles the storage and retrieval of large datasets, resolving the contradiction between tag cost and data capacity.
2Extent of automation
If all presumed products have their user programs and tuning settings pre-stored in PLC, image sensors, and robots, then production setup is automated, but device complexity and initial configuration time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a universal database that stores user programs, tuning settings, and test data for multiple product types in a centralized location. Instead of pre-configuring each device with all possible product data, the universal database serves all devices, reducing individual device complexity while maintaining automation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data organization and storage in a centralized database before production begins. Product information, test specifications, and processing parameters are pre-prepared and stored with their corresponding product IDs, enabling rapid automatic retrieval during production without requiring complex preconfiguration in each device.
3Reliability
If browsing restrictions are applied to pre-shipment test data from supplier side, then data security is improved, but data accessibility and ease of usage on reception side are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different access rights and browsing restriction levels to different portions of test data based on local requirements. Sensitive data fields can be restricted while non-sensitive fields remain accessible, allowing security to be applied selectively rather than universally, thus maintaining ease of operation for permissible data while protecting sensitive information.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized database system acts as an intermediary that automatically manages browsing restrictions and access control. The system handles the complexity of security enforcement, presenting data to users according to their authorized access levels without requiring manual security management, thereby maintaining ease of operation while ensuring security.
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 system effectively applies browsing restrictions from the supplier side to pre-shipment test data, enabling easy usage and exchange on the reception side, reducing man-hours and operational complexity, while maintaining security and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) system and RFID tag
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 4
AI summary
A work process management system includes at least one work device (10) and an individual controller (20) that is directly or indirectly attached to a work object (2) to control the work device (10). Each of the work device (10) includes a work-device-side storage (11), a work-device-side communicator (12), a work part (13), and a work-device-side control part (14). The individual controller (20) includes an individual-controller-side storage (21) in which a work content of a work process performed with the work device (10) and associated setting information are stored, an individual-controller-side communicator (22), and an individual-controller-side calculation controller (24) that transmits the work content of the work process performed with the work device (10) and the associated setting information in which a performance result is reflected to the work-device-side communicator (22), and additionally store the received performance result in the individual-controller-side storage (21).