RFID Communication Unit for Concurrent Tag Transfer and PLC Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID communication units face challenges in achieving both high-speed data transfer and uniform control periods when handling large data capacities between Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and RF tags, as they must either compromise on transfer speed or control period.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a RFID communication unit with a higher-order communication control part and an RF communication control part that employs either a division transfer method, dividing data into fixed-sized packets for concurrent communication, or a batch transfer method, allowing for efficient data exchange while maintaining a constant control period.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the data exchange capacity between PLC and RFID communication unit is increased, then the data transfer speed is reduced, but if the data exchange capacity is decreased, then the control period cannot be shortened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata exchange capacityVSAvoiddata transfer speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transfer process into multiple communication sessions, dividing large data volumes into smaller manageable packets that can be exchanged within fixed control periods. This allows the system to handle large total data capacities while maintaining short control periods by processing data in incremental steps across multiple sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic communication session management where the number and timing of communication sessions are adjusted based on data capacity requirements. This enables the system to adaptively optimize between transfer speed and control period length depending on the actual data exchange needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If the control period of PLC is made constant and short, then the control precision is improved, but the data exchange capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddata exchange capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides large data volumes into smaller packets that fit within fixed control periods, enabling multiple communication sessions to collectively transfer the complete data set. This maintains short control periods for precision while achieving large overall data exchange capacity through repeated sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables continuous data exchange across multiple communication sessions, ensuring that data transfer operations continue uninterrupted despite the fixed control period constraints. This maintains both the short control period for precision and the ability to handle large data capacities through persistent communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the data exchange capacity is enlarged to achieve acceleration, then the transfer speed is improved, but the control period becomes non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer accelerationVSAvoidcontrol period uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data transfer into fixed-duration communication sessions, ensuring each session completes within a uniform control period. This maintains control period consistency while achieving high overall transfer acceleration through the cumulative effect of multiple standardized sessions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic communication sessions that occur at regular intervals with fixed durations. This periodic structure ensures uniform control periods while enabling accelerated data transfer through the repeated execution of standardized communication cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3816859B1RFID communication unit, method for controlling RFID communication unit, and program
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 OMRON CORP
  • EP3816859B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3816859B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3816859B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

An objective of the present invention is to achieve both acceleration in data transfer and uniformity in PLC control periods. Provided is an RFID communication unit comprising: a higher-order communication control part (11) for carrying out communication with a higher-order controller (50) at a prescribed communication period; and an RF communication control part (20) for carrying out reading and/or writing of data with an RF tag (30) through wireless communication. During the communication period in which communication is performed with the higher-order communication control part (11), the RF communication control part (20) concurrently executes the wireless communication with the RF tag (30).