RFID Sensor Node Management for Environmental Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for managing sensor nodes in observation systems face challenges in environmental resistance and cost, particularly in accessing and manipulating sensor nodes without physical switches, and in transferring logic settings during sensor node exchanges, which can lead to errors in ID correspondence.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a sensor node with an RFID tag for authentication and power management, and a user terminal with an RFID reader/writer for enabling secure and intuitive manipulation of sensor nodes, allowing for remote power control and seamless ID updates during physical exchanges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If switches are disposed inside sensor cases for direct manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but environmental resistance is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manipulationVSAvoidenvironmental resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical switches with contactless RFID communication between the sensor node and terminal device. The terminal device wirelessly transmits operation commands to the sensor node, eliminating the need for physical switches on the sensor case, thereby maintaining environmental resistance while enabling convenient operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an RFID communication system as an intermediary between the user and the sensor node. Instead of directly manipulating physical switches, users interact with the sensor node through wireless RFID signals transmitted by the terminal device, which then executes commands internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If physical switches with covers are used to protect sensor cases, then environmental resistance is improved, but ease of operation is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoidease of manipulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical switches entirely by implementing contactless RFID operation. Users tap their terminal device near the sensor node to issue commands, completely removing the need for physical switches and their protective covers, thus achieving both environmental resistance and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If hardware measures are implemented to protect sensor nodes, then environmental resistance is improved, but device complexity and cost are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental resistanceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex hardware switches and protective mechanisms with a simple RFID communication interface. The sensor node contains an RFID tag that can be wirelessly activated and controlled, significantly reducing hardware complexity while maintaining environmental protection through the sealed sensor case design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If manual ID correspondence is set during sensor node exchange, then adaptability is improved, but error rate increases due to manual operations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiderror rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automatic ID correspondence through RFID communication. When a sensor node is physically exchanged, the terminal device automatically detects the new node's ID via RFID and updates the logical ID mapping without manual intervention, eliminating human errors while maintaining system adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects and confirms ID changes during sensor node exchange through RFID communication. The terminal device receives feedback from the sensor node's RFID tag, verifies the ID correspondence, and automatically updates the mapping, ensuring reliability through automated verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 ensures secure and intuitive manipulation of sensor nodes, maintains environmental resistance, and simplifies the process of updating logic settings during sensor node exchanges, reducing errors and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

the power supply means is started up and allowed to be in an ON state by power generated by the RFID tag due to proximity of the user terminal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3297300B1Sensor management system
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 MIZUNO CORPORATION
  • EP3297300B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3297300B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3297300B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A problem to be solved is to provide a system including a console function enabling a sensor node on an outer surface of which a switch and the like are absent to be manipulated without degrading environmental resistance while making use of the intuitional properties of an operator being immediately in front of the sensor node. A problem to be solved is to also enable a sensor node to be appropriately selected, and allow incorrect manipulation to be prevented by allowing the system to operate only when permission is granted. Provided is the system including, as components: a sensor node that includes a sensor unit including power supply means, an RFID tag, authentication means that performs authentication of a telegram written in the RFID tag, and stop instruction means that sends a stop command to the power supply means when the authentication fails, and that is enclosed in a weather-resistant case; and a user terminal that includes storage means in which the telegram is stored, and an RFID reader/writer.