RFID Refill Cartridge Dispensing for Secure Fluid Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensers face issues with ensuring proper material installation, preventing unauthorized refilling, and managing inventory due to mechanical keying systems' limitations, which are costly and prone to errors in orientation and compatibility.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a low-cost RFID communication system between refill containers and dispenser housings, using data communication devices with controllers that decode identification codes and operational mechanisms to enable secure and measured dispensing, while allowing for flexible use with various cartridge sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical keying systems are used to ensure proper material installation and prevent unauthorized refilling, then reliability and security are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keying systems with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. Instead of using physical keys and mechanical locking mechanisms, the system uses electromagnetic fields to communicate between the RFID tag in the refill container and the RFID reader in the dispenser. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components while maintaining security and reliability for ensuring proper material installation and preventing unauthorized refilling.
2Reliability
If mechanical keying systems are used to ensure distributor control and prevent competitor stuffing, then business integrity is improved, but inventory costs and tooling requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keying systems with RFID technology, eliminating the need for specialized mechanical tooling and key manufacturing. The RFID tags can be programmed with unique identification codes and cryptographic keys through standard electronic programming methods, avoiding costly mechanical tooling operations. This reduces manufacturing complexity and inventory costs for maintaining multiple key types while maintaining distributor control and preventing competitor stuffing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses RFID tags that can store and transmit variable data parameters including unique identifiers, cryptographic keys, and authorization codes. These digital parameters can be easily modified and programmed without physical retooling, allowing flexible control of distributor permissions and product authentication. The system can dynamically change authorization parameters through software updates rather than requiring new mechanical keys.
3Reliability
If RFID communication system is implemented for secure dispensing, then reliability and inventory cost reduction are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex cryptographic processing and authentication logic from the dispenser hardware and relocates it to the RFID tag. The RFID tag contains the cryptographic keys and authentication algorithms, performing the security-critical functions independently. The dispenser's RFID reader only needs to communicate with the tag and verify authentication results, significantly reducing the complexity of the dispenser's own hardware while maintaining secure dispensing through the tag's embedded security functions.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser is configured to communicate with an RFID tag provided by a refill cartridge utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal. The digital signal read by the dispenser is processed by a controller to enable a dispensing function that is representative of the code associated with the RFID tag. In addition, the dispenser includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag provided by the refill cartridge. The dispenser may also be configured to communicate with the RFID tags that are disposed upon cartridges utilized by the dispenser. In addition, the dispenser may be configured to utilize cartridges that include adjustable or telescoping partitions that allow the size of the cartridge to vary.