RFID Reader Tag Score Calculation for Accurate Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RFID reader systems lack selectivity in identifying a specific RFID tag among multiple tags in the vicinity, leading to incorrect communication of product information to centralized inventory systems.

Innovation Solution

An RFID reader system that calculates tag scores using received signal strength indication (RSSI) and occurrence frequency values, with processing circuitry determining a specific RFID tag by comparing differences in tag scores against threshold values, ensuring accurate identification of the desired tag.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If RFID reader transmits RF beam to detect multiple RFID tags in vicinity, then reading efficiency is improved and line-of-sight requirement is eliminated, but selectivity in identifying specific tag deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading efficiencyVSAvoidtag identification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes parameters by introducing multiple measurement dimensions (signal strength, read count, tag score) to differentiate between tags. By calculating composite scores based on these varying parameters, the system achieves both efficient bulk reading and accurate specific tag identification without requiring directional pointing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring signal strength and read count for each tag, then using this feedback to calculate and update tag scores. This feedback loop enables the system to identify the most likely intended tag based on accumulated evidence from multiple readings, resolving the selectivity problem in efficient RFID scanning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Speed

If RFID reader reads all tags within range simultaneously, then scanning speed is improved, but ability to identify specific removed product deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescanning speedVSAvoidproduct tracking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by continuously reading and accumulating data from all tags in range, calculating tag scores in advance based on signal strength and read frequency. When a product is removed, the pre-calculated scores enable rapid identification of the specific tag without requiring slow sequential scanning, thus maintaining both speed and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If multiple RFID tags are read in vicinity, then comprehensive inventory data collection is improved, but data integrity for specific transactions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinventory data volumeVSAvoidtransaction data accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the specific tag information needed for transactions from the comprehensive set of all readable tags by using tag scores as a filtering mechanism. The highest-scoring tag is extracted as the relevant transaction target, separating useful specific information from the broader inventory data set while maintaining both comprehensive monitoring and transactional accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The system effectively isolates and identifies the specific RFID tag associated with the highest tag score, enhancing selectivity and accuracy in inventory management by distinguishing the correct tag from others in the vicinity, thus improving data integrity and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

the RFID reader's antenna transmits electromagnetic energy in the form of an RF beam or radio waves to the vicinity of the RFID tags

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3086258B1System for correctly identifying specific RFID tags
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 VOCOLLECT INC
  • EP3086258B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3086258B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP3086258B1 patent drawingFigure 1B~2

AI summary

A system and method for identifying a specific RFID tag 40 includes RFID reader circuitry 32, such as within an RFID reader 24, configured for sending and receiving RF signals 38 to detect RFID tags 40 and for obtaining signal parameter information associated with the RFID tags 40. Processing circuitry 32 is configured for using the signal parameter information for one or more tags of the RFID tags 40 and cal- culating a tag score for the one or more RFID tags 40. The processing cir- cuitry 32 is further configured for determining a specific RFI D tag 40 us- ing the tag scores for the one or more RFID tags 40.