RFID Refill Cartridge Control for Unauthorized Dispensing Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid dispensers face issues with ensuring the correct type of fluid is installed and preventing unauthorized refilling, leading to inventory and liability problems, as mechanical keying systems are costly and prone to tampering, and RFID systems lack effective communication and reuse prevention.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing system utilizing RFID communication between the dispenser and refill container, with a controller that decodes identification codes and manages dispensing, preventing unauthorized refilling by enabling secure communication and data exchange, ensuring only compatible cartridges are used and allowing for measured dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical keying systems are used to prevent unauthorized refilling, then product integrity is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical keying systems with RFID (radio frequency identification) technology. The dispenser housing contains an RFID reader that communicates with an RFID tag in the refill container, enabling electronic verification of compatibility and authorization. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical keying mechanisms while maintaining product integrity and preventing unauthorized refilling through wireless identification and authentication.
2Loss of information
If RFID communication is implemented in dispensers, then communication effectiveness improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive RFID tags in disposable refill containers and a reusable RFID reader in the dispenser housing. The RFID tags are low-cost components that provide sufficient communication capability for identification and authorization purposes. This approach achieves effective communication without requiring complex RFID infrastructure, as the system uses simple tag-reader interaction suitable for single-use refill containers.
3Reliability
If reuse prevention mechanisms are added to RFID systems, then unauthorized refilling is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prevents reuse of depleted refill containers by changing the RFID tag's authorization parameter. When the dispenser determines the refill container is depleted, it alters the RFID tag's data to prevent future authorization. This simple parameter change in the RFID tag effectively prevents unauthorized refilling and reuse without adding complex mechanical or electronic locking mechanisms, maintaining system simplicity while ensuring reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser that includes low cost electronic components that can read and write to the tag of a refill cartridge. In one embodiment, the reader utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. In another embodiment, the controller utilizes an internal comparator to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal that is processed by a controller to perform a dispensing function representative to the code of the tag. The dispenser in both embodiments also includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag of the refill cartridge. A dispenser according to the invention also includes the capability to read and/or write to tags upon cartridges employed by the dispenser, and augmenting the operation of the dispenser as a function thereof. Additionally, a dispenser of variable size is presented that is adaptable, through adjustable partitions or a telescoping cup, to receive and maintain cartridges of various sizes.