RFID Tag Location Event Recording via Wireless Signal Reception
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID systems lack the capability to effectively record and store location event information for items as they move through manufacturing processes and supply chains, limiting the ability to track and verify the movement and integrity of goods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where RFID tags receive and store location event information wirelessly transmitted from location ID stations, allowing them to record and store data on their movement, including location, time, and duration at specific stations, enabling subsequent analysis and verification of a package's history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID tags only store unique identifiers and readers are placed at various locations to track movement, then the system structure remains simple, but the capability to record and store location event information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag is pre-configured with memory capacity to store location event information before deployment. Location ID stations are pre-positioned at critical points in the supply chain, ready to transmit location data when items pass through, eliminating the need for complex post-tracking analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag autonomously receives and stores location event information from Location ID stations without requiring external intervention. The tag self-manages its memory to record location, time, and duration data, reducing the need for complex centralized tracking systems
2Measurement precision
If RFID tags store detailed location event information including time and duration at each location, then tracking accuracy is improved, but the memory requirements and data processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system records detailed location event information only at specific critical locations where Location ID stations are positioned, rather than continuously throughout the entire supply chain. This selective recording maintains tracking accuracy at key decision points while minimizing overall data storage requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag stores more location event information than the minimum required (time, location, duration at each station), providing excess data capability that enables comprehensive analysis without requiring proportional increases in system complexity. The memory is allocated to store multiple location events sequentially
3Reliability
If the system wirelessly transmits location event information to RFID tags during transport, then real-time tracking is enabled, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Location ID stations transmit location event information periodically when items pass through their range, rather than continuously monitoring. The RFID tag receives updates at these periodic intervals, maintaining reliable tracking information while minimizing wireless communication events and associated energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces active continuous transmission with passive periodic transmission from Location ID stations. The RFID tag operates in a low-power state between transmissions, only activating to receive location data when energized by the reader's electromagnetic field, thus reducing overall power consumption while maintaining tracking reliability
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
This solution enables accurate tracking and verification of a package's movement, enhancing supply chain management by providing detailed records of location and time spent at various points, thus improving inventory control and integrity assessment.
Implementation Method 1
wirelessly receiving at least one signal at an electronic device associated with a package... the at least one signal including location event information
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to novel systems and methods for transmitting location event information to and/or from an electronic device, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, from and/or to one or more location ID stations. Among other things, a method is disclosed that involves wirelessly receiving at least one signal at an electronic device associated with a package as the package is transported from a source location to a destination location in a manufacturing process, supply chain, and/or distribution network, the at least one signal including location event information that is sufficient to specify a location of the package at a time the at least one signal is received. The method further involves, based upon the at least one signal, storing data representative of the location event information in memory of the electronic device so that the location of the package identified by the at least one signal can be subsequently ascertained by retrieving and analyzing the data.