RFID Equipment Management for Test Element Identification

Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical scanning methods for identifying test elements inside a test machine are inefficient and time-consuming, requiring disassembly to read barcodes, especially when dealing with a large number of elements.

Innovation Solution

An equipment management method and system using radio frequency identification (RFID) that binds electronic tags to test machines and elements, allowing for reading and comparison without disassembly, utilizing a low-cost RFID device to reduce computation load and speed up the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If optical scanning method is used to identify test elements, then the identification can be performed, but the test machine must be disassembled which is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoiddisassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical scanning system with an RFID (radio frequency identification) system. Instead of using optical scanners that require line-of-sight access to barcodes, the RFID system uses electromagnetic fields to communicate with tags on test elements through the machine structure, eliminating the need for disassembly while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediaries between the test elements and the identification system. These tags are attached to test elements and can be read remotely by RFID readers positioned outside the machine, serving as a mediator that enables identification without direct optical contact or disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If optical scanning is used to detect test elements inside the machine, then identification is possible, but the process requires disassembly which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidelement replacement efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the optical scanning system with an RFID (radio frequency identification) system. Instead of using optical scanners that require line-of-sight access to barcodes, the RFID system uses electromagnetic fields to communicate with tags on test elements through the machine structure, eliminating the need for disassembly while maintaining identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The RFID system enables continuous identification and monitoring of test elements without interrupting the workflow for disassembly and reassembly. The system can read tags on elements both inside and outside the machine continuously, maintaining productive action throughout the replacement process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If RFID system is used to read test elements, then disassembly is avoided and speed is improved, but computation load increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereading speedVSAvoidcomputation load

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the identification process into two parts: RFID readers positioned at different locations (inside and outside the machine) that can independently read tags on specific test elements. This segmentation allows the system to read only the necessary elements without processing data from all elements, reducing the overall computation load while maintaining high reading speed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If high computing power reading device is used to perform search task, then accuracy is improved, but system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesearch accuracyVSAvoidsystem setup cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediaries between the test elements and the identification system. These tags are attached to test elements and can be read remotely by RFID readers positioned outside the machine, serving as a mediator that enables identification without direct optical contact or disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Enables efficient reading of test elements within a test machine without disassembly, reducing comparison data and computation load, and allowing the use of low-cost RFID devices for faster execution and lower system setup costs.

Implementation Method 1

an equipment management method based on radio frequency identification

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification (RFID): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11507910B2Equipment management method and system based on radio frequency identification

Publication Date: 2022.11.22 INVENTEC PUDONG TECH CORPOARTION

AI summary

An equipment management method based on radio frequency identification comprises binding a first electronic tag and second electronic tags, reading the first electronic tag in a search mode, obtaining an abnormality list of one or more abnormal tags in the second electronic tags according to the first electronic tag, reading one of the second electronic tags in the search mode, and outputting an error signal when the read second electronic tag matches up to the abnormality list. The first electronic tag is set on a test machine, the second electronic tag are respectively set on test elements, and the test elements are disposed in the test machine.