RFID Key Rotation System for Vendor Lock-in Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID technologies are limited by vendor lock-in, leading to non-integrated applications and increased complexity and costs due to the need for specific applications to access sensor data from vendor-supplied RFID readers, which restricts the use of sensor data to only those items that can be tagged and sensed by those readers.
Innovation Solution
A method for tracking objects using key rotation, where an internal identifier is associated with an RFID tag, and external identifiers are generated and written to the tag based on a policy and rotation scheme, allowing non-vendor specific applications to access sensor data from a variety of devices, and providing privacy by randomly rotating tag IDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vendor-specific RFID readers and applications are used, then sensor data can be accessed from those specific devices, but the system becomes locked into vendor-specific solutions, creating non-integrated applications and increasing complexity and costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a middleware layer that sits between RFID readers and applications, translating vendor-specific protocols into a universal interface. This intermediary component enables applications to access sensor data from any RFID reader without being vendor-specific, thereby reducing application complexity while maintaining reliable data access.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal application layer that can interface with multiple types of RFID readers and sensor devices from different vendors. This universal interface allows a single application to access sensor data across diverse hardware platforms, eliminating the need for separate vendor-specific applications and reducing overall system complexity.
2Ease of operation
If each sensor device requires a specific application to access its data, then data access is straightforward for that device, but the system requires multiple non-integrated applications, increasing management and deployment complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a universal application framework that can access sensor data from multiple device types through a common interface. This framework maintains ease of data access while consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate applications into a single integrated solution, thereby reducing application management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the data access functionality from the application logic by introducing an abstraction layer. This segmentation allows the application to interact with a standardized interface while the underlying vendor-specific details are handled separately, enabling easy data access without requiring multiple specialized applications.
3Productivity
If RFID tags use static identifiers, then tracking is simple and consistent, but privacy is compromised as external parties can continuously track physical items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic identifier rotation where RFID tags periodically change their external identifiers while maintaining an internal mapping to the original identifier. This dynamic approach maintains tracking efficiency through the mapping system while preventing continuous external tracking, as the external identifier becomes obsolete after each rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mapping service as an intermediary between the static internal identifier and the rotating external identifier. This mediator maintains the relationship between identifiers over time, enabling efficient tracking through the mapping system while protecting privacy by decoupling the persistent identity from the externally visible identifier.
Data Source
AI summary
In various embodiments, a method for tracking objects includes receiving an internal identifier associated with an object. A first key or external identifier for a tag is associated with the internal identifier. A second external identifier is generated and the second external identifier is then written to the tag. The second external identifier is associated with the internal identifier associated with the object.