Automated Transport Bag Tracking via RFID and Central Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling the transport of transport bags filled with value notes require numerous manual scans, leading to inefficiency, error susceptibility, and inadequate tracking, as they rely on manual identification and verification of transport bags and cases.

Innovation Solution

A method where data about transport cases and bags is transmitted automatically to a central control unit, allowing for automated assignment and monitoring, reducing manual efforts and errors, and enabling secure, efficient tracking throughout the transport process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual scanning of transport cases and bags is performed, then identification and tracking can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical scanning operations with automatic optical or RFID-based detection systems. Sensors mounted on the vehicle automatically read identification markers on transport cases and bags during normal transport operations, eliminating the need for manual scanning while maintaining accurate tracking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport bags and cases are equipped with self-identifying features such as barcodes, RFID tags, or other machine-readable markers that automatically transmit their identification information to the control system without requiring human intervention. The system autonomously performs identification and tracking functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual data entry and verification is performed, then transport information can be recorded, but errors increase and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidmanual operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit continuously receives automatic identification data from sensors and compares it with the transport plan stored in memory. Any discrepancies are immediately detected and can trigger alerts or corrective actions, ensuring high data accuracy through real-time feedback verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Manual data entry operations are completely replaced by automatic optical or RFID reading systems that capture identification information directly from transport cases and bags. The control unit automatically processes this data, eliminating human error sources while reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If individual transport bags are handled separately, then each bag can be tracked, but the handling process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetracking precisionVSAvoidhandling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple transport bags are grouped within single transport cases, and the system tracks cases and bags hierarchically. The control unit maintains records of which bags are contained in which cases, enabling efficient group handling while preserving individual bag traceability through the hierarchical data structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking system is segmented into hierarchical levels: transport cases at the outer level and individual bags at the inner level. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently track groups of bags within cases while maintaining the capability to identify and monitor individual bags when needed, optimizing both handling efficiency and tracking precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2479729B1Method for controlling the transport of secure bags
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 WINCOR NIXDORF INT GMBH
  • EP2479729B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2479729B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The method involves allocating a selected order to a transport case (16) by a central control unit (11) i.e. computer, which stores corresponding data. Transport bags (20, 22) are removed from a handling device (18) for handling value tokens that are removed from the bags according to the selected order, and introduced into the transport case. Data with information about the bags is transmitted to the control unit by the handling device over a data transmission link. The bags are assigned to the transport case and/or the selected order, and the data is stored by the control unit. The information about the bags is stored in a radio frequency identification (RFID) chip.