RFID Field Sensor Enclosure for Small Item Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID technologies face challenges in tracking and managing small items like pills or grains, where attaching individual RFID sensors is impractical, and in sensing material levels or pressures in various environments, requiring innovative solutions for efficient inventory management and data collection.
Innovation Solution
The development of RFID-enabled systems and methods that utilize enclosures with collectors and interrogators to generate electromagnetic fields, allowing RFID sensors to transmit identification and signal strength information, which is analyzed by processors to determine influences such as item positions or pressures, including the use of parallel plate waveguides, pressure-sensitive gloves, and capacitive sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual RFID sensors are attached to small items like pills or grains, then tracking capability is improved, but the complexity and impracticality of attachment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the enclosure into multiple zones with distributed RFID field sensors positioned at different locations. Each sensor independently monitors its local zone, and the collective data from all sensors enables comprehensive tracking of small items without requiring individual sensor attachment to each item.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic field as an intermediary medium between the RFID sensors and the small items. The field sensors detect changes in the electromagnetic field caused by the presence, position, or movement of items, enabling indirect detection without direct sensor-item contact.
2Measurement precision
If RFID field sensors are distributed within the enclosure, then monitoring coverage is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed RFID field sensors serve multiple functions: they detect the presence of items, determine item positions, monitor material levels, and sense pressure conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate sensor systems for each measurement type, thereby managing complexity while improving monitoring coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the processor analyzes signals from distributed RFID field sensors and adjusts its interpretation based on patterns recognized from multiple sensor readings. This feedback loop improves monitoring accuracy by compensating for individual sensor limitations and reducing false detections.
3Measurement precision
If electromagnetic fields are used to sense material levels and pressures, then sensing capability is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical level sensors and pressure sensors with RFID field sensors that detect electromagnetic field changes. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact points, moving parts, and complex calibration requirements while maintaining or improving sensing capability for material levels and pressures.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors changes in electromagnetic field parameters (such as signal strength, phase, or impedance) in response to variations in material presence, level, or pressure. By tracking these parameter changes, the system achieves accurate sensing without requiring complex sensor hardware.
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
Enables accurate tracking and management of small items, monitoring of material levels, and pressure sensing without the need for direct sensor attachment, providing fine resolution and remote monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The interrogator is configured to transmit an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure
Implementation Method 2
One or more of the RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting, via the collector, a reflected signal to the interrogator
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and systems for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection are disclosed, including an enclosure, a collector coupled to the enclosure, an interrogator, a processor, and one or more RFID field sensors, each having an individual identification, disposed within the enclosure. In operation, the interrogator transmits an incident signal to the collector, causing the collector to generate an electromagnetic field within the enclosure. The electromagnetic field is affected by one or more influences. RFID sensors respond to the electromagnetic field by transmitting reflected signals containing the individual identifications of the responding RFID sensors to the interrogator. The interrogator receives the reflected signals, measures one or more returned signal strength indications (“RSSI”) of the reflected signals and sends the RSSI measurements and identification of the responding RFID sensors to the processor to determine one or more facts about the influences. Other embodiments are also described.