RFID Reader Visual Filtering for Inventory Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current RFID systems face challenges in accurately counting inventory due to interference from metal fixtures and environmental factors, leading to unreliable scans and registration of unwanted items.

Innovation Solution

An RFID reader terminal equipped with a processor, motion sensing device, camera system, and communication interface, which uses a combination of RFID scanning and image processing to filter and display only relevant inventory items, allowing users to select categories and filter results visually through images.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If RFID scanning is used to count inventory items, then the speed of inventory counting is improved, but the measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from metal fixtures and environmental factors causing unreliable scans and registration of unwanted items

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory counting speedVSAvoidinventory counting accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces images as an intermediary element between the RFID scanning process and the final inventory count. The camera captures images of items, and image processing serves as a mediator to verify and filter the RFID scan results, ensuring that only correctly identified items are counted. This intermediary step resolves the contradiction by maintaining high-speed RFID scanning while improving accuracy through visual verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces purely electronic RFID detection with a combination of optical imaging and image processing. The camera system and image analysis algorithm substitute for the unreliable RFID-only approach, providing a more accurate method to identify and count items while maintaining the speed benefits of RFID scanning for initial item detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If RFID interrogation signals are emitted to scan items, then the coverage area is increased, but the measurement precision deteriorates because it is impossible to know the depth of a particular scan or where the signals are going

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan coverage areaVSAvoidscan depth knowledge

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by using the camera to capture images and determine which items are actually within the scan area. The image processing analysis provides feedback information about the physical location and depth of items, allowing the system to verify which RFID signals correspond to actual target items rather than unwanted items from adjacent areas. This feedback loop resolves the uncertainty about scan depth and coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If pre-determined lists of expected inventory are used to check against RFID scans, then the reliability of inventory counts is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to the complexity of setting up and maintaining these lists

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory count reliabilityVSAvoidsystem setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses images as a copy or visual representation of the actual inventory items. Instead of requiring complex pre-determined lists, the system captures actual images of items during scanning and uses image processing to identify and count them. This copying approach simplifies operation because the system automatically learns what items are present through visual capture rather than requiring manual setup of expected inventory lists.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

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

Enhances the accuracy and efficiency of inventory counting by reducing interference and allowing users to filter items effectively, improving user experience and reducing errors in inventory management.

Implementation Method 1

Radio-frequency identifier (RFID) methods are widely used for a number of tasks... An RFID tag can be attached, e.g., to an inventory object. An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can be configured to read the memory of an RFID tag attached to an inventory object.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency identification: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage capture: Photography

Data Source

PatentEP3557509B1Filtering inventory objects using images in an RFID system

Publication Date: 2020.09.30 HAND HELD PRODS INC

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AI summary

A method for filtering scanned objects displayed on a reader is provided. The reader may scan one or more transponders, and obtain, from a database, an image for each scanned transponder. Each transponder may be associated with an object (e.g., an item of retail inventory). The obtained image for each object may be presented on an interface, and a selection of an object category may be received using the obtained images. A determination may be made as to which objects are associated with the selected object category. A display screen may display data associated with only the objects associated with the selected object category.