System and method for tracking clothes and textile articles and an RFID reading clothes dryer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current garment tracking systems in industrial laundry facilities are inefficient and costly due to the need for manual labor and limited capability of RFID tags to read multiple tags simultaneously, leading to inaccurate tracking and increased processing times.
Innovation Solution
Implementing multiple RFID reading modules throughout the garment processing system, including in commercial dryers, to enhance exposure and reading of RFID tags, allowing for accurate tracking of individual garments within bundles without adding processing stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If RFID tags are used to track garments, then tracking capability is improved, but reading accuracy deteriorates due to limited capability to read multiple tags simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the reading process into multiple segments by placing RFID reading modules at different locations (entry, drying, folding, exit). Each module reads a subset of garments, and the system aggregates results to achieve complete tracking with high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point reading approach to a multi-dimensional reading network by distributing RFID reading modules across multiple locations and time points in the garment processing flow, enabling comprehensive tracking through spatial and temporal distribution.
2Measurement precision
If manual identification of each garment is implemented, then tracking precision is improved, but labor costs and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-identification of garments through RFID tags that are read by distributed reading modules. Each garment carries its own identifier and is automatically detected at multiple points without requiring manual intervention, achieving both high precision and efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical identification processes with automated RFID electromagnetic reading. This substitution eliminates the need for physical handling and manual data entry while maintaining accurate tracking of individual garments throughout the processing system.
3Device complexity
If a single RFID reading location is used, then device complexity is reduced, but tracking reliability deteriorates due to inadequate tracking through laundry processing
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tracking function across multiple reading modules positioned at different stages (entry, drying, folding, exit). This segmentation provides redundant verification points, ensuring that garments are reliably tracked throughout the entire processing sequence without requiring a single complex reading system.
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 enables reliable and comprehensive tracking of garments, reducing labor costs and processing inefficiencies, and providing customers with more accurate reporting and data confidence.
Implementation Method 1
tracking individual garments by radio frequency identification (RFID) devices
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method offer a garment provider the ability to automatically scan and track garments at multiple locations without adding processing stations. Various embodiments of this invention allow garment providers to achieve greater processing efficiencies and implement reporting and tracking protocols to provide customers with important data regarding garments in their program with a higher level of confidence. This invention is implemented in various embodiments with a system and/or method for tracking clothes and other textile articles utilizing multiple RFID reading modules throughout the system or method to achieve greater accuracy for reporting and tracking the items. One aspect of various embodiments of this invention is the reading of RFID tags on articles being dried in a commercial dryer. The movement of the articles induced by the action of the dryer provides for increased exposure of the RFID tags on the articles for more reliable detection.