RFID Tag Elapsed Time Tracking for Perishable Goods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current article management systems using RFID tags struggle to accurately track the elapsed time since an article was placed in an environment, making it difficult to manage the state of articles effectively, especially regarding expiration dates and quality control.
Innovation Solution
An article management apparatus that repeatedly acquires identification information from RFID tags attached to articles at predetermined intervals, tracks the elapsed reading time, and manages this information to determine if the article has exceeded a set threshold for quality control, such as expiration dates or storage time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID tags are used to store best-before dates, then article expiration management is improved, but the ability to track actual elapsed time since placement is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously reads the RFID tag and compares the current time with the recorded placement time, creating a feedback loop that continuously updates the elapsed time information. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining accurate real-time elapsed time data while continuing to use RFID tags for storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system records the placement time in the RFID tag in advance, before the article is actually placed in the storage environment. This preliminary action enables subsequent accurate calculation of elapsed time, combining the storage capability of RFID tags with precise time tracking.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented to track elapsed time accurately, then article state management is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag stores its own placement time information, and the management apparatus simply reads this information and performs time calculation automatically. The system serves itself by using the existing RFID infrastructure for time tracking without requiring additional specialized hardware, thus improving reliability while minimizing complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag is used for multiple purposes: storing article identification, best-before dates, and placement time. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable article state management without adding separate dedicated time-tracking devices, thereby avoiding excessive system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If frequent reading intervals are used to track elapsed time, then time tracking accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reading interval is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the reading frequency based on the article's proximity to its best-before date or threshold values, reading more frequently when critical and less frequently when stable. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining necessary time tracking accuracy while minimizing energy consumption during stable periods.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodic reading at predetermined intervals. This periodic action provides sufficient time tracking accuracy for most applications while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring, as the RFID reader is activated only at scheduled intervals.
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 approach enables efficient management of article states by accurately tracking elapsed times and providing timely notifications when thresholds are exceeded, thereby improving the monitoring and maintenance of articles like vaccines or perishable goods.
Implementation Method 1
a radio tag such as a radio frequency identifier (RFID) tag is attached to an article, and information stored in the radio tag is read
Data Source
AI summary
An article management apparatus includes a processor configured to repeatedly acquire, at a predetermined interval, identification information from a radio tag attached to an article. The identification information is capable of identifying the article. The processor is also configured to track an elapsed reading time during which the identification information is repeatedly acquired. The processor is also configured to manage the elapsed reading time in association with the identification information.