RFID Electronic Label with Visual Display for Inventory Rebranding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The labor-intensive and error-prone process of rebranding mobile communication devices in inventory fulfillment, where human operators need to open and re-label boxes and pallets, increases the likelihood of mislabeling and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A visually readable electronic label system using RFID components that derive power from radio frequency signals, allowing for remote rebranding and visual indication of brand changes via radio frequency command signals, eliminating the need for manual re-labeling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual re-labeling is used for rebranding inventory, then flexibility to change brands is maintained, but labor intensity and error rate increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrand change flexibilityVSAvoidrebranding efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical re-labeling operations with an automated RFID-based electronic label system. The RFID labels can be remotely programmed and updated via radio frequency signals, eliminating the need for physical label removal and application. This substitution of mechanical manual processes with electromagnetic automated processes directly resolves the contradiction by maintaining brand change flexibility while dramatically improving rebranding efficiency and reducing labor intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual re-labeling is used for rebranding inventory, then brand changes can be made, but human error and mislabeling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrand change capabilityVSAvoidlabeling accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID electronic label system replaces manual labeling operations with automated radio frequency programming. The electronic labels can be remotely updated with new brand information through wireless signals, eliminating human operators' potential for errors in reading, writing, or applying labels. This automated electromagnetic process ensures higher reliability and accuracy in brand assignment while maintaining the flexibility to change brands as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If RFID electronic labels with visual displays are used, then brand indication is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebrand visibilityVSAvoidlabel system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates visual display elements into the RFID labels that can change color or display visual indicators to show brand information. This allows the labels to provide clear, immediate visual feedback about the current brand assignment, improving brand visibility and reducing information loss. The visual display capability is integrated into the RFID label structure, allowing the information display function to be added without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

4Productivity

If remote rebranding via radio frequency is implemented, then labor costs are reduced, but power requirements for the labels increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverebranding efficiencyVSAvoidlabel power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID electronic labels are designed to harvest power from the incoming radio frequency signals used for communication and programming. The labels contain energy harvesting circuits that convert the RF energy from the reader/writer device into electrical power to operate the display and memory functions. This self-powered approach eliminates the need for separate power sources or batteries, allowing remote rebranding operations to proceed without adding external power requirements to the label system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Facilitates efficient and error-reduced rebranding of inventory pallets and boxes, reducing labor costs and minimizing human error by enabling remote brand changes and visual confirmation of brand assignments.

Implementation Method 1

an antenna coupled to the radio frequency identity component that is operable for deriving electrical power from an incident radio frequency field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9286594B1Visually readable electronic label

Publication Date: 2016.03.15 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A visually readable electronic label is disclosed. The system comprises a radio frequency identity (RFID) component that is operable to store data, an antenna coupled to the radio frequency identity component that is operable for deriving electrical power from an incident radio frequency field, where the derived electrical power is the sole electrical power available to the electronic label and a display coupled to the radio frequency identity component that is operable to present a visual indication of the data when commanded by the radio frequency identity component and when electrical power derived from an incident radio frequency field is available.