RFID-RF Wireless Gateways for Active Asset Tracking in Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RFID and barcode technologies lack active communication capabilities, making it difficult to perform advanced tracking and locationing functions for assets within containers.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing RFID-RF tags with integrated RF communication circuits, processors, memory, and energy sources, enabling active communication and tracking of individual assets within containers through a gateway that broadcasts interrogation signals and establishes Bluetooth connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional RFID tags are used, then unique identifier transmission is achieved, but active communication and advanced locationing functions are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RFID circuitry with additional communication capabilities (such as Bluetooth Low Energy) into an integrated wireless tag. This merging allows the tag to perform both traditional RFID identification and advanced active communication functions, resolving the contradiction between limited communication capability and device complexity by creating a unified multi-functional tag structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless tag is designed with multiple communication protocols and capabilities, enabling it to serve multiple functions including RFID identification, active broadcasting, locationing, and data transmission. This multi-functionality approach allows a single tag device to replace what would otherwise require multiple separate components, improving adaptability while managing complexity through integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If RFID tags with additional communication circuits are added, then active communication capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple communication circuits (RFID, Bluetooth Low Energy, and other RF communication interfaces) into a single wireless tag unit. This merging of circuits allows the tag to perform advanced tracking and communication functions while presenting a unified, manageable device structure rather than multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway serves as an intermediary device that coordinates between the wireless tags and the central system. It manages the complex interactions between multiple communication protocols and tags, effectively mediating the complexity so that individual tags remain relatively simple while the overall system achieves advanced tracking capability.
3Productivity
If gateways broadcast interrogation signals to multiple wireless tags, then tracking of multiple assets is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway broadcasts interrogation signals at periodic intervals rather than continuously, and wireless tags are configured to respond only during these periodic windows. This periodic action allows multiple tags to be tracked efficiently while significantly reducing the energy consumption of each tag compared to continuous transmission, as tags can enter low-power states between interrogation cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless tags are designed to harvest energy from the RFID interrogation signals received from the gateway, using this energy to power their additional communication circuits and memory. This self-service energy harvesting approach reduces the need for large onboard batteries, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining tracking efficiency for multiple assets.
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
Enables precise tracking and monitoring of individual assets within containers, ensuring they are not lost or damaged during transportation by establishing communication connections and broadcasting identifiers.
Implementation Method 1
The wireless tag comprises a radio frequency identifier (RFID) circuit operable to broadcast the identifier associated with the RFID circuit to the gateway
Implementation Method 2
the RF circuit is a Bluetooth Low Energy circuit, and the communication connection is a Bluetooth connection
Data Source
AI summary
A system is disclosed for tracking and monitoring sets of assets in or on a container using RFID-RF tags associated with the assets. The system comprises a specimen holder bin or similar container and a wireless tag affixed to the specimen holder bin. The specimen bin holder is configured to hold a plurality of assets. The wireless tag comprises a radio frequency identifier (RFID) circuit, a radio frequency (RF) circuit, a processor, a memory storing an identifier (ID) associated with the RFID circuit, and an energy source electrically connected to the RFID circuit, the RF circuit, and the processor. The wireless tag is configured to broadcast the identifier associated with the RFID circuit responsive to an interrogation signal by one or more gateways associated with the system. In some embodiments, each asset of the plurality of assets additionally comprises an RFID tag.