Wireless Tag Segmentation for Asset Recycling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional asset tracking devices are bulky, heavy, and costly to ship for recycling or reuse, making efficient recycling and renovation of wireless tags for tracking assets challenging due to their size and weight.
Innovation Solution
A wireless tracking system that includes rechargeable battery-powered wireless tags with modular components, allowing for recycling and renovation by recharging or replacing batteries, and instructions for users to manage the lifecycle of the tags, enabling efficient tracking and monitoring of assets across multiple shipment stages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional asset tracking devices are used, then tracking functionality is achieved, but the devices are bulky and heavy making recycling costly
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device is segmented into two separate components: a lightweight wireless tag that attaches to the asset and a rechargeable battery that can be removed and recharged separately. This segmentation allows the tag to remain extremely lightweight for tracking purposes while the battery handles the weight and power requirements, resolving the contradiction between tracking functionality and device weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery is extracted as a separate removable component from the wireless tag. This extraction allows the tag itself to be minimized in weight and size for efficient tracking, while the battery can be independently recharged and reused, eliminating the need to ship entire devices for recycling and reducing recycling costs.
2Productivity
If battery operated tracking devices are used, then tracking operations are enabled, but battery life is lost requiring expensive shipping for recycling
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding the entire tracking device when the battery is depleted, the system recovers and recharges only the battery component. The wireless tag remains in use continuously, and the battery is periodically removed, recharged, and reattached, enabling sustained tracking operations without the cost and complexity of shipping entire devices for recycling.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If rechargeable batteries are integrated into wireless tags, then device life is extended, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the battery and tag into separate components, which actually reduces the complexity of each individual component. The wireless tag remains simple and lightweight, while the battery becomes a standalone rechargeable unit. This segmentation avoids the complexity of integrating complex battery management systems into the tag while still achieving extended device life through battery reuse.
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
The system allows for the efficient recycling and reuse of wireless tags, reducing shipping costs and environmental impact by enabling the recharging or replacement of batteries, thus extending the life cycle of the tags and improving asset tracking operations.
Implementation Method 1
the rechargeable battery comprises an internal radio frequency energy receiver that converts received external radio frequency energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless tracking system for tracking and monitoring assets is disclosed herein. The wireless tracking system comprises wireless tags. A wireless tag is configured to track a respective asset during delivery to a shipping address. After the asset has arrived at the shipping address, the wireless tag is released to a delivery service to be delivered to the return address for recycling or renovating an electronic component of the wireless tag, e.g., by wired or wirelessly recharging the energy source. In some embodiments, the wireless tracking system remotely monitors a performance level of the energy source via a wireless communication with the wireless tag and, responsive to the performance level of the energy source being below a threshold level, transmits a notification to a user of the wireless tracking system to ship the wireless tag to the return address for renovation or recycling.