RFID Manufacturing Status Sharing Without Centralized Databases

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manufacturing processes rely heavily on production execution tracking software, which requires large databases and significant data flows, and there is a need to improve data sharing using RFID tags for enhanced traceability, compliance, and security without fully exploiting their potential.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes RFID tags attached to sub-products to manage manufacturing status data through aggregation, splitting, and merging operations, ensuring secure data sharing and reduced reliance on tracking software by embedding data directly into the tags, with encryption and blockchain technology for secure transactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If production execution tracking software is used to manage manufacturing data, then data traceability and compliance are improved, but system complexity and data storage requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traceabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides manufacturing data into discrete packets stored across multiple RFID tags attached to individual components and sub-assemblies. Each tag contains only the data relevant to its specific component, segmenting the overall data storage burden and eliminating the need for a centralized database system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tags autonomously store and transmit their own manufacturing data without requiring external tracking software to manage or coordinate data collection. Each tag independently maintains its data integrity and can be queried by authorized systems, eliminating the need for complex software infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If centralized database systems are used for manufacturing data management, then data accessibility is improved, but network dependency and vulnerability to outages increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidnetwork dependency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Data is segmented and distributed across multiple independent RFID tags rather than centralized in a single database. This distribution allows any authorized system to access relevant data directly from the tags without requiring network connectivity to a central server, eliminating network dependency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each RFID tag locally stores the manufacturing data specific to its component, making the data immediately accessible at the point of need without requiring remote access to a centralized system. This local storage capability ensures data availability even when network connections are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Loss of information

If all manufacturing data is stored in centralized systems, then data completeness is improved, but security risks and vulnerability to unauthorized modifications increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata completenessVSAvoidsecurity risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Manufacturing data is segmented and distributed across multiple RFID tags attached to different components. This segmentation means that compromising one tag does not expose the entire manufacturing dataset, as each tag contains only a portion of the overall information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

While data is physically distributed across multiple tags, the system logically merges the information from all tags to reconstruct the complete manufacturing history. This merging occurs only when needed for verification or analysis, maintaining both security through distribution and completeness through logical integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If RFID tags are used for component identification, then tracking capability is improved, but the potential of these tags for data storage and sharing is not fully exploited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking capabilityVSAvoiddata sharing potential
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tags perform multiple functions: they serve as component identifiers for tracking purposes and simultaneously function as distributed data storage devices for manufacturing information. This multi-functionality fully exploits the potential of RFID technology beyond simple identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID tags independently store and manage manufacturing data without requiring external systems to actively query or retrieve information from centralized databases. The tags autonomously maintain their data and can be directly accessed by authorized systems, enabling efficient data sharing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP4186015B1Method for sharing data relating to the manufacturing of a product
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 THALES SA
  • EP4186015B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4186015B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for sharing data relating to the manufacturing of a product, the method comprising a step of receiving (EX1) status data (SA, SB; S'A, S'B, SC; S''A, S''B, S''C, SD; S'''A, S'''B, S'''C, S'''D, SE) relating to the manufacturing of the product, a step of generating (EX2) new status data (S'A, S'B; S''A, S''B, S''C; S'''A, S'''B, S'''C, S'''D; S''''A, S''''B, S''''C, S''''D, S''''E) relating to the manufacturing of the product, a step of transmitting (EX4) the new status data to at least two RFID tags (A, B, C, D, E).