RFID Reader Positioning via External Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for inventorying objects in a space, such as warehouses, face challenges in accurately determining the position of objects while maintaining low costs and minimal maintenance, as existing methods either lack precision or are expensive and require high maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A system that combines RFID tags with a movable RFID reader and external means for estimating the reader's position and orientation, allowing for accurate determination of object positions by combining these estimations with the reader's position and orientation, using radiofrequency transceivers and light emitters with cameras for enhanced accuracy at lower costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If handheld RFID readers are used for manual inventory, then acquisition cost is low and maintenance is minimal, but position determination accuracy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces external means (such as cameras, LIDAR, or other positioning systems) as intermediaries to measure the position and orientation of the RFID reader. These external means act as mediators that provide accurate positioning data without requiring complex modifications to the RFID reader itself, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines RFID technology with external positioning means into an integrated system. By merging the inventory function (RFID) with the positioning function (external means), the system achieves both accurate position determination and maintains the simplicity of handheld operation, resolving the technical contradiction
2Measurement precision
If RFID readers are mounted on autonomous robots or drones, then position determination capability is improved, but acquisition cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs external positioning means that can be implemented using relatively simple and inexpensive technologies (such as standard cameras or basic LIDAR systems) rather than requiring expensive autonomous navigation systems. This allows accurate positioning to be achieved at lower acquisition costs
Solution Approach 2:
The external positioning means can serve multiple purposes: determining the position of the RFID reader, orienting the reader, and potentially assisting in navigation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, thereby lowering overall acquisition costs while maintaining position determination accuracy
3Measurement precision
If smart shelves with RFID readers are deployed, then continuous inventory and position tracking are achieved, but acquisition cost and maintenance requirements are very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the positioning function from the RFID reader itself and places it in separate external means. This separation allows the RFID reader to remain simple while the positioning accuracy is improved by dedicated external sensors, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional components: the RFID reader for inventory detection and external positioning means for location determination. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, maintaining simplicity where needed while achieving high precision where required
4Measurement precision
If fixed RFID readers with steerable beam antennas are used, then position determination capability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems (such as steerable antennas requiring precise mechanical control) with external electronic positioning means (such as cameras or LIDAR). This substitution maintains position determination accuracy while significantly simplifying the operational complexity of the system
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
This approach enables high-accuracy inventory and position determination of objects while reducing maintenance and acquisition costs, allowing for efficient and flexible inventory management, especially in large warehouses.
Implementation Method 1
RFID tags, according to the invention, comprises at least one RFID reader movable in a given space and suitable for detecting RFID tags in the given space
Implementation Method 2
The means external to the RFID reader for measuring the position and/or orientation of the RFID reader
Implementation Method 3
using radiofrequency transceivers and light emitters with cameras for enhanced accuracy
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3a
AI summary
A system for taking inventory of objects and estimating the position of objects comprising RFID tags, the system comprising: at least one RFID reader moveable in a given space and suitable for detecting RFID tags in the given space; means for estimating the position and/or orientation of the RFID reader in the given space, comprising at least means external to the RFID reader for measuring the position and/or orientation of the RFID reader; means for estimating the position of the RFID tags with respect to the RFID reader; the system being adapted to estimate the position of the objects in the given space using the estimated position of the RFID tags with respect to the RFID reader and the estimated position and/or orientation of the RFID reader in the given space; and the system being adapted to take inventory of the objects using at least information on detected RFID tags.