RFID Reader Intermediary for Database Format Conversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID systems face challenges in reading and writing data from various tags, integrating with proprietary databases, and ensuring data accessibility and security, particularly during transit, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to compatibility issues and the lack of standardization.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a reader with a reading, processing, and transmitting section that can read and write data from multiple RFID tags, convert data into a standard format, and interface with both an intermediate and customer database to ensure seamless data transmission and updating, while maintaining data integrity and security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If manual data entry is used to access RFID tag data, then database modification costs are avoided, but time consumption and data entry errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary device between the RFID reader and the database. This intermediary automatically captures RFID tag data, formats it according to database requirements, and transmits it directly to the database, eliminating manual data entry while avoiding the need to modify the proprietary database structure. The intermediary acts as a buffer that adapts data formats without requiring changes to either the RFID system or the existing database.
2Reliability
If proprietary database formats are used, then database security and control are maintained, but data accessibility and compatibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data handling process into distinct functional layers: RFID tag data capture, data formatting and conversion, and database interaction. The intermediary device handles the conversion between RFID data formats and database formats, allowing the proprietary database to maintain its secure format while still accepting data from multiple RFID manufacturers through standardized conversion processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary device is designed with universal functionality to handle data from multiple RFID tag manufacturers and convert it to formats compatible with the proprietary database. It provides a universal interface that adapts to different RFID data formats while maintaining a consistent output format that the database can process, thus enabling versatility without compromising database control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reader types are used for different RFID manufacturers, then compatibility with various tags is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary device serves as a universal mediator between diverse RFID readers and the database. It receives data from readers of different manufacturers and types, standardizes the data format, and transmits it to the database. This eliminates the need for multiple specialized readers, as the intermediary handles the compatibility layer, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining broad RFID tag compatibility.
4Device complexity
If RFID tags are only read at destination, then system simplicity is maintained, but tracking capability and security during transit are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and recording RFID tag data at multiple points during transit, not just at the final destination. The intermediary device is positioned at strategic locations along the supply chain to read and record tag data proactively, enabling early detection of lost or tampered shipments before they reach their destination, thus enhancing security without requiring a completely complex tracking infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system that includes a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader, said reader includes a reading section, a processing section, memory and a transmitting section; wherein the reading section is configured to read tag data stored on one or more RFID tags, the processing section is configured to process this data and the transmitting section is configured to transmit the result as transmitted data; such that the transmitting section is also configured to transmit updated tag data to the or each of the RFID tags, said updated tag data replacing some or all of the tag data stored on the RFID tag to be updated. The system further includes one or more RFID tags, an intermediate database and a customer database such that the intermediate database is configured to receive the transmitted data, convert it into intermediate data, which is in a format accepted by the customer database, then transmit this to the customer database.