Procedure EUR tracking monitoring, and preventing fraud in the use of bulk products stored in bags or containers

Abstract

A method for tracking, monitoring and preventing fraud in the use of bulk products stored in containers, wherein said process makes use of RFID chips (20), electronic devices for reading / writing codes on said RFID chips (20) and an IT infrastructure comprising one or more remote servers coordinated in a cloud computing system for recording and storing said codes, wherein said process comprises at least, the following steps : associate an RFID chip (20) with a container (30) of bulk product; - assign, and write a unique code in the RFID chip (20) associated with said container (30) using a writing device (10); - update a database (50) using said IT infrastructure to record the association of the unique code with the container (30); read, using a reader (10 ' ), the unique code stored, in the RFID chip (20), before using the product contained in the container; check, if the unique code has a recognized valid, format, whether that unique code corresponds to one of the codes stored in the database (50); and in the event of a positive result, issue a signal of consent for the use of the product contained in the container (30) with which the unique code is associated.

Description

[0001] "PROCEDURE EUR TRACKING, MONITORING, AND PREVENTING FRAUD IN THE USE

[0002] OF BULK PRODUCTS STORED IN BAGS OR CONTAINERS"

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to a process for tracking, monitoring, and preventing fraud in the use of liquid or solid products, or in general bulk products, stored in bags or containers .

[0005] The invention is particularly useful in sectors such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, and food.

[0006] PRIOR ART

[0007] As is well known, there are many liquid or solid products that are packaged in bags or containers and then distributed in this form to end users, who use them by connecting these bags or containers to appropriate dispensing equipment .

[0008] For example, water can be packaged in containers or bags for various uses, such as distribution in dispensers for drinking water or hand washing machines .

[0009] The distribution and use of water requires that the container be compatible with the dispensing device. If, for example, a water dispenser does not correctly recognize the container, it may not dispense the liquid, or leaks or pressure problems may occur.

[0010] Non-original containers may cause damage or problems to the machines to which they are applied. As another example, consider that in the medical sector, blood packaged in bags must be correctly associated with transfusion machines or monitoring devices .

[0011] It is essential that there is a precise match between the blood intended for a patient and the bag containing it, in order to avoid the risk of incorrect transfusions .

[0012] Technical problems can arise if the barcode or automatic tracking systems do not work properly, compromising the safety of the process .

[0013] Another example is constituted by detergents for industrial dishwashers or washing machines : liquid or powder detergents and cleaning products are often packaged in specific containers to be connected to industrial or domestic washing: machines .

[0014] Compatibility between the machine and the container is crucial to ensure correct dosing and distribution of the product .

[0015] An incorrect connection could result in ineffective washing or excessive use of detergent .

[0016] Other products contained in containers or bags that may be subject to similar recognition problems by the machines for which they are intended, particularly in the case of non-original products, include, for example, saline solutions used in the medical field, printer ink, milk or other liquid foods, soaps and liquid disinfectant, oxygen and medical gases, industrial paints or solvents, dialysis solutions, ground or whole bean coffee, or other food products .

[0017] A purpose of this invention is to provide a technology that prevents misuse or fraud through an advanced tracking and compliance verification system, which is particularly useful in sectors such as medical, pharmaceutical, and food.

[0018] A further purpose of the invention is to achieve this result in a practical and economical manner.

[0019] These purposes are achieved by means of a process for tracking, monitoring and preventing fraud in the use of bulk products stored in containers, wherein said process makes use of RFID chips, electronic devices for reading / writing codes on said RFID chips and an IT infrastructure comprising one or more remote servers coordinated in a cloud computing system for recording and storing said codes, wherein said process comprises at least the following steps :

[0020] - associate an RFID chip with a container of bulk product; - assign and write a unique code in the RFID chip associated with said container using a writing device;

[0021] - update a database using said IT infrastructure to record the association of the unique code with the container;

[0022] - read, using a reader, the unique code stored in the RFID chip, before using the product contained in the container;

[0023] - check, if the unique code has a recognized valid format, whether that unique code corresponds to one of the codes stored in the database; and

[0024] - in the event of a positive result, issue a signal of consent for the use of the product contained in the container with which the unique code is associated. One advantage of the invention is that it provides increased security, ensuring protection against the use of non-compliant or expired products and reducing the risk of human error through the automation of the verification process .

[0025] In addition, the invention provides complete traceability of the monitored products, while creating a history of usage data for future audits and checks .

[0026] Further features of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims .

[0027] Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from reading the following description provided by way of example and without limitation, with the aid of the figures illustrated in the attached tables, in which:

[0028] ■■■ Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a first stage of the process according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] - Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a second phase of the invention’ s process; and

[0030] - Figure 3 is a block diagram of the main steps of the invention process .

[0031] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SCME FORMS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PRESENT

[0032] INVENTION

[0033] With initial reference to Figure 1, schematic representation of a first phase of the process according to an eribodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0034] The process refers to a bag or container of products in liquid form, solid form, or in general bulk form. For simplicity, the term container will be used in all cases .

[0035] In this first phase of the process, a writing device 10 assigns a code comprising a unique alphanumeric serial number.

[0036] This code is created, entered, and programmed by the writing device 10 into an RFID chip 20. For example, the RFID chip may be, but is not limited to, a MIFARE and NFC chip operating at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, affixed to each container 30.

[0037] This RFID chip may, for example, be incorporated into an adhesive substrate which is subsequently applied to the container 30. 'The code is then stored in the database 50 in an appropriate list of codes, and its storage indicates that a container 30 has been filled, sealed, scanned to read the code from the RFID chip 20, and is ready to be received by the end user.

[0038] In this way, by applying each of said RFID chips 20 to a respective container 30, it is possible to assign each container 30 a unique identification code comprising a unique alphanumeric serial number.

[0039] The chip is an OTP (One Time Programmable) device and the code is protected by a multi-byte password, ensuring high levels of security.

[0040] The alphanumeric serial numbers are stored in a database 50 managed using cloud technology 40, i . e . , through an IT infrastructure distributed across one or more remote servers, connected to each other via secure links .

[0041] This database 50 is secure and the data is stored in encrypted form.

[0042] The database 50 is hosted on a remote server 60 or distributed across multiple remote servers .

[0043] When a container 30 is to be used, for example before being inserted into a machine intended to use the product contained in the container, the unique code stored in the RFID chip 20 is read by the reading device 10 ’ and transmitted via a secure connection 70 to the cloud (Figure 2) and then to the database .

[0044] The unique code is then first validated to verify that it is in the correct format.

[0045] Once the correct format of the code has been recognized, the presence of the unique code itself in the database 50 is verified.

[0046] If the code is valid and available in the database, the cloud sends a confirmation to the reading device, authorizing its use and inhibiting future uses of the same code .

[0047] The invention process can be implemented using reception and transmission technologies via the LP WAN NBIoT network.

[0048] The reading device 10 ’ is equipped with a proximity antenna and supports NFC protocols such as ISO 14443 / A / B and MIEARE Classic / Plus, as well as managing RFID TAGS compliant with ISO 18000-6B .

[0049] The flexible interface (SPI, I2C, and UART) facilitates connection with various microcontrollers or Android devices via NFC API, allowing reading and writing without additional drivers , in addition, the device incorporates a low-power mode.

[0050] Figure 3 is a block diagram of the main steps of the invention process . in the diagram in Figure 3, we start with a container 30 containing a specific bulk product, to which an RFID chip 20 has been assigned (block 100) .

[0051] At this point, using the writing device 10, a unique code is assigned to the container 30 and written to the RFID chip 20 (block 110) . Alternatively, the unique code can be written to the RFID chip 20 before associating it with the container 30.

[0052] In any case, the database 50 available in the cloud is updated (block 120) .

[0053] When it is necessary to validate the product container, the code stored in the RFID chip 20 is read using a reader 10 (block 130) .

[0054] If the unique code is invalid, i .e. , if its format does not correspond to a valid code format, an error message is issued (block 140) and the process ends .

[0055] If, on the other hand, the unique code has a valid format, a check is made to see whether this code corresponds exactly to one of the codes already present and stored in the database (block 150) .

[0056] If this check is negative, the use of the product contained in container 30 is blocked and can no longer be used (block 160) .

[0057] This prevents the non-compliant or non-original container from being used . However, the database is updated (block 180) to record this negative event .

[0058] If the verification is successful, i .e. , if the unique code read corresponds to a code associated with a container in the database, the use of the container is authorized (block 170) .

[0059] In any case, the database is updated (block 180) to take into account that this container is in use and therefore the relevant code will be deleted and rendered unusable.

[0060] If the verification is successful, it is possible to receive a confirmation code which, depending on the application, can provide a simple visual signal on a display (e .g. , a tablet or smartphone) or provide authorization to start the process of using the contents of container 30, ensuring its conformity, originality, and expiration date, as well as recording the entire tracking process for future checks . The process involves a flexible interface, including SPI I2C and UART, which facilitates connection with various microcontrollers or phones with the Android operating system, through the NEU API, allowing data exchange and card reading and writing without additional drivers, and incorporating low energy consumption mode. This technology can be used, for example, in the medical, pharmaceutical, and hospital sectors where drugs are used in liquid solutions (bags) , such as physiological solutions, blood, and plasma, to give just a few example. To ensure correct use, product compliance should not rely solely on the operator ' s reading, but on a scrupulous verification and authorization process that avoids errors, such as the use of a non-compliant fluid solution, one that is past its expiration date, or simply one that is incorrect .

[0061] Another possible application that can be defined as anti-fraud is the use of this technology where consumable fluids, such as liquid soaps, sanitizing solutions, and disinfecting solutions, are used in automatic devices, in order to prevent the use of non-original or non-corapliant products .

[0062] In the food industry, where automatic feeding solutions are used for the production of processed and semi -processed products, including solid products, given the high level of automation, the introduction of such technologies would not be a problem but rather an opportunity to prevent possible human error.

[0063] Obviously, modifications or improvements may be made to the invention as described for contingent or specific reasons, without this falling outside the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Process for tracking, monitoring and preventing fraud in the use of bulk products stored in containers, wherein said process makes use of RFID chips (20) , electronic devices for reading / writing codes on said RFID chips (20) and an IT infrastructure comprising one or more remote servers coordinated in a cloud computing system for recording and storing said codes, wherein said process comprises at least the following steps :- associate an RFID chip (20) with a container (30) of bulk product; - assign and write a unique code in the RFID chip (20) associated with said container (30) using a writing device (10) ;- update a database (50) using said IT infrastructure to record the association of the unique code with the container (30) ;- read, using a reader (10 ’ ) , the unique code stored in the RFID chip (20) , before using the product contained in the container;- check, if the unique code has a recognized valid format, whether that unique code corresponds to one of the codes stored in the database (50) ; and- in the event of a positive result, issue a signal of consent for the use of the product contained in the container (30) with which the unique code is associated.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that if the verification of the unique code is successful, the use of the container(30) is authorized and the database (50) is updated to record that the container is in use and the unique code is deleted and rendered unusable.

3. Process according to claim.characterizea oy the ract that n me verification of the unique code gives a negative result, the use of the container (30) is blocked and the database (50) is updated to record the negative event .

4. Process according to claim 3, characterized by issuing an error message and terminating the process if the unique code is invalid.

5. Process according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the unique code is written into the RFID chip (20) before the RFID chip (20) is associated with the container (30) .

6. Process according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that, following a successful verification of the unique code, a confirmation code can be received as a visual and / or acoustic signal using a tablet or smartphone .

7. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the RFID chip (20) is of the OTP (One Time Programmable ) type, and the unique code is protected by a multi-byte password to ensure high levels of security.

8. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the unique code is stored in an encrypted database (50) hosted on one or more remote servers ( 60) connected via a secure network.

9. Process according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the RFID chip (20) is embedded in an adhesive substrate, which is applied to the container (30) .

10. Process according to any of the previous claims, characterized by the fact that the reading device (10 ’ ) supports NFC and RFID protocols. including standards such as ISO 14443 / A / B, Ml FAR?.; Classic / Plus, and ISO18000-6B.

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