RFID Tag Strap for Marijuana Plant Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID systems face challenges in tracking and tracing marijuana plants and products due to adverse RF propagation characteristics, particularly with materials like soil and water, and require effective solutions for regulatory compliance and efficient tracking throughout the plant's life cycle.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an RFID tag system that includes a strap and waterproof, chemically resistant RFID labels, allowing for attachment to plants or their pots, and utilizing RFID buy cards for transaction control and tracking, enabling serialization and central serialization for regulatory compliance and tax collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags are used to track marijuana plants through soil and water environments, then tracking capability is improved, but RF signal propagation is degraded by adverse characteristics of soil and water materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a waterproof chemically resistant label as a mediator between the RFID tag and the adverse soil/water environment. This label protects the RFID tag from direct exposure to harmful materials while maintaining tracking functionality, allowing the system to operate reliably in challenging agricultural environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the physical and chemical properties of the label material to be waterproof and chemically resistant. This changes the environmental parameters (water exposure, chemical exposure) that the RFID tag experiences, thereby improving signal propagation and tag reliability in soil and water environments.
2Reliability
If RFID tags are attached to plants through their life cycle from seed to sale, then tracking completeness is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for durable attachment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a waterproof chemically resistant label that serves multiple functions: it protects the RFID tag, provides durable attachment to plants through various growth stages, and maintains functionality across different environmental conditions. This multi-functional design reduces the need for multiple separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining RFID tag technology with waterproof chemically resistant label material. This composite structure integrates the electronic tracking component with a protective and adhesive material system that can withstand plant handling, washing, and environmental exposure throughout the plant's life cycle.
3Reliability
If centralized RFID tag provisioning is implemented for regulatory compliance, then regulatory control is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing centralized RFID tag provisioning that pre-serializes and pre-configures tags before they reach end users. This advance preparation ensures regulatory compliance is built into the system from the outset, and the ordering subsystem automatically manages tag distribution and tracking without requiring complex real-time regulatory decision-making at each usage point.
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 ensures reliable tracking of marijuana plants from seed to sale, enhances regulatory compliance, and facilitates efficient inventory management and tax collection, while maintaining security and consistency in RFID tag production.
Implementation Method 1
RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is an identification technology that is commonly used to identify, track, and/or trace goods... Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology enables automatic identification of unique items by using radio frequency (RF) signals.
Implementation Method 2
Passive RFID tags do not contain an on-tag power source. Passive tags harvest all of the tag's operational energy from the RFID reader's communication signal and use this harvested power to send back a signal with the information on the tag.
Data Source
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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 RF1D label and a strap; provisioning the RFID label; 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.