Single Barcode Scan Distribution for Pharmaceutical Product Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require multiple barcode scans of pharmaceutical products across different electronic communication devices, leading to inefficiencies and potential errors, especially when handling regulations like the Drug Supply Chain Security Act, and implementing a shared network can be costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A single barcode scan system that includes a transmitter device and receiver devices to distribute scanned product information to multiple electronic communication devices, processing and transmitting relevant subsets of information to each device, supporting both one-dimensional and two-dimensional barcodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple barcode scans are performed across different electronic communication devices, then compliance with regulatory requirements is achieved, but time consumption and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple scanning operations into a single barcode scan. The transmitter device captures product information once and transmits it to multiple receiver devices, eliminating the need for separate scans at each device while maintaining regulatory compliance through distributed information delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The transmitter device performs the barcode scanning action in advance and prepares the product information for distribution. This preliminary scanning action occurs before the information is needed by multiple receiver devices, reducing overall processing time while ensuring all devices receive compliant information.
2Productivity
If a shared network system is implemented to distribute product information, then operational efficiency is improved, but system complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter device serves as an intermediary between the barcode scanner and multiple receiver devices. It receives the scanned product information and actively transmits it to all necessary receiver devices, simplifying the system architecture compared to a full shared network while maintaining efficient information distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the information distribution function into a dedicated transmitter device rather than requiring all devices to be connected to a complex shared network. This segmentation allows efficient information distribution with reduced system complexity by separating the broadcasting function from the receiving devices.
3Loss of information
If multiple manual scans are performed, then product information is collected at each device, but error potential and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transmitter device creates copies of the scanned product information and distributes them to multiple receiver devices. This copying approach ensures each device receives the necessary information without requiring manual scanning at each location, reducing errors and simplifying operations while maintaining complete information availability.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for distributing pharmaceutical product information. The system includes a transmitter device and a receiver device. The transmitter device includes a first electronic processor and first communications interface communicatively connected to both of a barcode scanner and to a first electronic communications device. The receiver device includes a second electronic processor and a second communications interface communicatively connected to a second electronic communications device. The first electronic processor is configured to receive from the barcode scanner, via the first communications interface, scanned product information of a product, and transmit the scanned product information to the receiver device. The second electronic processor is configured to receive the scanned product information, determine, from the scanned product information, a subset of product information relevant to a software application of the second electronic communications device, and transmit, to the second electronic communications device, the subset of product information.