RFID System Architecture for Mobile Device Tag Interrogation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices lack the ability to communicate with RFID tags using the traditional RFID over-the-air interface, limiting their functionality as RFID readers and hindering efficient RFID tag location and data retrieval.
Innovation Solution
An RFID system architecture that enables mobile devices to function as 'virtual' RFID readers by offloading RFID tag reading tasks to an RFID system controller, which communicates with RFID readers through various network architectures, allowing tag data to be sent to the mobile device for display and processing, and utilizes a reference RFID tag for accurate tag location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile devices use traditional RFID over-the-air interface for direct communication with RFID tags, then RFID tag reading capability is achieved, but energy consumption increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fixed RFID reader as an intermediary device between the mobile device and RFID tags. The mobile device communicates with the fixed RFID reader through wireless data communication interfaces (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular), which then performs the actual RFID tag interrogation. This mediator approach allows mobile devices to gain RFID reading capability without directly transmitting or receiving RFID radio frequency signals, thereby avoiding substantial energy consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If mobile devices lack RFID interrogation capabilities, then energy consumption is reduced, but functionality as RFID readers is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile device multi-functional by combining its existing wireless data communication capabilities (WiFi, Bluetooth, cellular) with the fixed RFID reader's RFID interrogation capability. The mobile device serves both as a user interface/control unit and as an RFID reader through the fixed reader, eliminating the need for dedicated RFID hardware while maintaining energy efficiency and functionality.
3Measurement precision
If fixed RFID readers are used for tag interrogation, then RFID tag reading accuracy is maintained, but device mobility and portability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the RFID reading system into two functional segments: a fixed RFID reader that provides stable, accurate RFID tag interrogation, and a mobile device that provides user interface, control, and data processing capabilities. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function - the fixed reader ensures reading accuracy while the mobile device provides portability and ease of operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method of operating a radio frequency identification (RFID) system is provided. The method interrogates RFID tags with an RFID reader and provides at least some of the collected tag data to a mobile device that is unable to communicate with RFID tags using the over-the-air interface. In some situations, the RFID system obtains the current location of the mobile device and determines the location of a target tag relative to the current location of the mobile device. Locating the target tag in this manner involves the interrogation of a reference tag located at the mobile device, along with the target tag, using one RFID reader. The position of the target tag relative to the reference tag is calculated in response to the tag response signals obtained from the target and reference tags. Moreover, location of the target tag can be independently determined relative to the location of a mobile reader, by using a reference tag attached to a fixed reader or to the mobile reader.