User Medium Identification via Optical Code and RFID

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing identification systems require physical presence of user media at a central location for initialization, which is inconvenient for decentralized systems and may not be feasible in all organizational setups, and existing alternatives like RFID programming are not universally supported.

Innovation Solution

An identification system that uses user media with integrated circuits and optically readable codes, allowing for authorization updates without physical modification, using a user management device to communicate with reading devices via radio waves or other means, enabling authorization without physical presence through optically readable data transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If user media are initialized at a central location using RFID programming, then authorization can be managed centrally, but physical presence is required and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized authorization managementVSAvoidphysical presence requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses optical copies (barcodes or QR codes) of the identification code as a substitute for the physical RFID tag itself. Instead of requiring physical presence for RFID programming, the system creates an optical replica that can be scanned and processed remotely, eliminating the need for physical contact while maintaining the authorization management function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/physical RFID programming process with an optical scanning and image processing system. The physical act of programming via RFID contact is substituted by optical detection of barcodes/QR codes followed by digital image processing and data extraction, eliminating the need for physical presence at a centralized RFID programming location

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

2Ease of operation

If RFID tags are programmed for decentralized user media, then physical presence at central unit is avoided, but not all standards support this function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedecentralized initializationVSAvoidstandard compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the user media universally compatible by adding multiple identification systems: both RFID tags and optical codes (barcodes/QR codes). This multi-functional approach ensures that the user media can be processed by various systems - optical scanners for decentralized initialization and RFID readers for authentication - making the solution adaptable to different standards and platforms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If user media contain only RFID tags, then contactless data exchange is enabled, but optical verification and remote registration are not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontactless data exchangeVSAvoidremote registration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two different data carrier technologies - RFID tags and optical codes (barcodes/QR codes) - into a single user medium. This combination allows the system to leverage the contactless data exchange capability of RFID while simultaneously enabling optical verification and remote registration through the barcode/QR code, achieving both functions in one integrated solution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 easy addition of new user media to the system without compromising security, allowing remote authorization and reducing the need for physical presence or centralized infrastructure, thus enhancing flexibility and scalability.

Implementation Method 1

the reading device is capable of reading the identification code from the integrated circuit of a user medium from among the plurality of user media using radio waves for the authentication process

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadio waves: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

each user medium has an optically readable code containing unique identification information. The identification system is capable of registering each user medium recognized via its optically readable code

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical reading: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3192014B1Identification system, method and user medium
Publication Date: 2021.07.07 KABA AG
  • EP3192014B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3192014B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An identification system is described that has: a plurality of user media (1), each of which has an integrated circuit (2) having memory means and an identification code (8) stored in the memory means; at least one reading device; wherein the reading device (41) is capable of contactlessly reading data for an authentication process from the integrated circuit (2) via radio waves; and wherein the identification system additionally has a user management device (31) and is capable of initiating or not initiating a process on the basis of whether the read user medium is recorded as authorised in the user management device. The system is distinguished in that each user medium additionally has an optically readable code (7) that contains an identification information item individually identifying the user medium in question, wherein the identification system is capable of recording a user medium recognised via the optically readable code in the user management device.