Triggered ID System with Magnetic Wake-Up for Battery Life Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ID systems, particularly RFID tags and interrogators, face challenges in conserving energy and extending battery life, especially when remotely located without access to a mains power source, requiring efficient control of signals and operation to minimize power consumption.
Innovation Solution
An energy-conserving triggered ID system where a mobile assembly without a power source activates a reader assembly with on-board battery power or mains connection only when within a triggering range, enabling brief power and data transfer via wireless or wired means, and deactivating to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If the interrogator is battery-powered and operates continuously, then it provides uninterrupted ID verification, but battery life is depleted quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The interrogator operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active interrogation mode and low-power standby mode. The system activates the radio interface only when a tag is detected within triggering range, then returns to sleep mode after completing the identification transaction, thereby extending battery life while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a magnetic trigger mechanism that detects the presence of a tagged object before full interrogation begins. This preliminary detection activates the interrogator only when needed, preventing unnecessary power consumption and extending battery operation duration.
2Reliability
If the radio interface remains active for continuous monitoring, then detection responsiveness is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radio interface operates periodically rather than continuously, switching between active and sleep states. During active periods, the system monitors for tagged objects and responds immediately when detected. During sleep periods, power consumption is minimized while maintaining the ability to wake up quickly when triggered by a magnetic field change.
Solution Approach 2:
A magnetic trigger mechanism serves as an intermediary between the physical presence of a tagged object and the activation of the power-consuming radio interface. The magnetic trigger detects object proximity and activates the radio interface only when needed, bridging the gap between continuous monitoring requirements and power conservation needs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the interrogator is installed remotely without mains power access, then installation flexibility is improved, but battery life becomes a limiting constraint
Solution Approach 1:
The battery-powered interrogator uses periodic operation with extended sleep cycles, activating only when a tagged object enters the triggering range. This allows the system to be installed remotely without mains power while maintaining operational duration through minimized power consumption during standby periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic trigger provides preliminary detection of tagged objects before the radio interface activates. This preliminary action allows the interrogator to remain in low-power mode for extended periods, only consuming significant power when actually needed for communication, thereby extending battery life in remote installations.
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 approach extends battery life and standby time of the ID system, allowing for efficient operation in battery-powered interrogators and reducing overall power consumption, suitable for applications like security and personnel management systems.
Implementation Method 1
a magnetic unit configured to generate a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
one or more magnetically-sensitive switches configured to trigger the triggered subassembly when triggered by the magnetic field of the magnetic unit
Implementation Method 3
one or more magnetically-sensitive switches configured to trigger the triggered subassembly when triggered by the magnetic field
Implementation Method 4
Power transfer 45 from reader assembly 20 to mobile assembly 24 takes place following activation of reader assembly by the triggering subassembly
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
An energy-conserving triggered ID system, comprising: a reading assembly (20) having a normally no?-activated state and having a triggered subassembly (26) configurable to activate the reading assembly; and a mobile assembly (24) having no power source and having a triggering subassembly (28) configurable to activate the triggered subassembly when the mobile assembly is located within a triggering range, wherein the reading assembly is operable to transfer power to the mobile assembly and wherein data transfer is effected between the mobile assembly (24) and the reading assembly (20) within a data transfer range.