RFID Tag IC Self-Generating Unique Identifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RFID systems face challenges in efficiently managing and ensuring uniqueness of serial numbers for RFID tags, particularly in passive tags, which requires complex and costly ISN management systems due to the limitations of finite serial number sizes and potential duplication issues.

Innovation Solution

The integration of an RFID tag IC that can self-generate its item instance identifier (III) using a cryptographic function applied to its tag serial number (TSN), allowing for on-demand generation and reduction in the need for extensive ISN management systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional RFID systems use finite serial numbers for tag identification, then the system can operate with simple tag structures, but serial number duplication and rollover issues occur over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserial number uniquenessVSAvoidISN management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID tag autonomously generates its own item instance identifier by applying a cryptographic function to its tag serial number, eliminating the need for external ISN management systems. This self-service approach ensures unique identification without requiring complex centralized management infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/centralized ISN management system with a cryptographic mathematical function executed locally on the tag. The cryptographic function inherently ensures uniqueness without requiring external coordination or management overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If RFID tags use cryptographic functions to generate identifiers, then identifier uniqueness is ensured, but the tag processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentifier uniquenessVSAvoidtag processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tag serial number, which serves as input to the cryptographic function, is assigned during tag manufacturing. This preliminary assignment of the seed value enables the tag to autonomously generate unique identifiers without requiring complex processing during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If passive RFID tags are used to reduce cost, then tag deployment expense decreases, but the system requires more complex ISN management to ensure uniqueness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetag costVSAvoidISN management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Passive RFID tags independently generate their own unique item instance identifiers using cryptographic functions on their tag serial numbers, eliminating the need for expensive centralized ISN management systems. This enables cost-effective passive tag deployment while maintaining identifier uniqueness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9911018B1RFID tags with digital signature subportions

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 IMPINJ

AI summary

A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag integrated circuit (IC) stores a subportion of a digital signature and a subportion indicator that may be used to authenticate the IC, a tag including the IC, and/or an item associated with the tag. The subportion of the digital signature is generated, at least in part, by applying a cryptographic function to an identifier associated with the IC, the tag, and/or the item.