RFID Tag Strap Attachment for Cannabis Plant Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID systems face challenges in tracking marijuana plants and products due to difficulties in attaching RFID tags to small pots and plants with adverse RF propagation characteristics, such as metal and water, which affect signal strength and readability, especially during the plant's life cycle from seed to sale.
Innovation Solution
The use of RFID tags with straps and waterproof, UV-resistant labels that can be positioned on the plant or its pot, allowing for attachment at various stages of growth, and RFID buy cards for tracking transactions, ensuring accurate inventory management and compliance with regulatory metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags are attached to small pots and plants, then tracking capability is improved, but signal strength and readability deteriorate due to adverse RF propagation characteristics of metal and water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary RFID tag attachment system that positions the RFID tag away from the problematic metal and water environments. The tag is attached to the exterior surface of the growing medium container or to a support structure, rather than being in direct contact with the metal tray or water reservoir, thereby mediating the adverse RF propagation effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the RFID tag from a two-dimensional plane close to the plant base into a third-dimensional space above or away from the metal and water sources. By positioning the tag vertically or spatially separated from the adverse materials, the system exploits dimensional separation to improve signal propagation while maintaining tracking association.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If RFID tags are attached to plants during growth, then tracking throughout life cycle is improved, but attachment difficulty increases due to plant movement and repotting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal attachment system that can be applied at multiple stages of plant development and adapts to different container types. The RFID tag attachment mechanism is designed to work with various pot sizes, growing medium containers, and plant configurations, allowing consistent tracking from seedling through harvest without requiring different attachment methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic attachment system that can accommodate plant growth and repotting activities. The attachment mechanism allows for easy removal and reattachment of RFID tags as plants are moved between containers, enabling the system to adapt to the changing physical state of the plant throughout its life cycle.
3Measurement precision
If RFID tags are positioned close to plants for tracking, then tracking accuracy is improved, but signal readability worsens due to interference from water and metal in the growing environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the RFID tag on an intermediary surface (exterior of container or support structure) rather than in direct proximity to the plant and adverse materials. This intermediary positioning maintains the associative tracking capability while physically separating the tag from sources of RF interference.
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 reliable tracking of marijuana plants from seed to sale, improving inventory management and compliance with regulatory requirements by ensuring consistent RFID signal strength and data accuracy throughout the plant's life cycle.
Implementation Method 1
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is an identification technology that is commonly used to identify, track, and/or trace goods
Data Source
AI summary
This invention is for tracking at least one plant. A method of this invention comprises: putting at least one seed or at least one stem in a corresponding at least one pot; positioning a corresponding at least one RFID tag with respect to the seed or stem in a manner, wherein the RFID tag comprises a strap; packaging a harvested material into a packaged product and attaching the RFID tag from the potted plant, or a product RFID tag that is associated with the plurality of tags to the packaged product; confirming a request for authorization by a RFID buy card; and after confirming ID information, transferring at least one product.