Batchless Inventory Management via Documentary Number Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inventory management systems that track material batches are overly complex and costly, making them undesirable for manufacturers like car makers and food producers who need traceability without the complexity of batch management.
Innovation Solution
A method that assigns a documentary batch number to material batches, allowing actions before receiving this number to go untracked, reducing data entry and complexity, and using these numbers only for tracing without managing inventory in batches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batch tracking is implemented for all material actions, then traceability is improved, but system complexity and data entry requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking requirement into two parts: batch identification (affixing documentary batch numbers) and batch management (tracking all actions). Only the identification segment is implemented, allowing traceability without full batch management complexity. This is achieved by affixing documentary batch numbers to materials and registering them only when removed from warehouse, rather than tracking every action taken with the materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential traceability function from the complex batch management system. By removing the requirement to track all material actions and keeping only the documentary batch number registration at warehouse removal, the system achieves traceability with minimal complexity. The documentary batch number serves as a simple identifier without requiring full batch management procedures.
2Reliability
If batch management is implemented, then traceability is improved, but data entry and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary traceability data (documentary batch number) from the comprehensive batch management data set. By registering only the documentary batch number when materials are removed from warehouse, rather than tracking all actions, the system minimizes data volume while maintaining traceability capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies traceability tracking selectively rather than universally. Documentary batch numbers are registered only when materials are removed from warehouse, not for every action taken with the materials. This localized approach reduces data entry requirements while maintaining traceability where it is most needed.
3Reliability
If rigorous batch tracking is implemented, then product quality control is improved, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments quality control into essential traceability (documentary batch number registration) and non-essential batch management (tracking all actions). By implementing only the essential segment through simple documentary batch number registration at warehouse removal, the system maintains product quality control without the high costs of comprehensive batch management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses simple documentary batch numbers as inexpensive identifiers rather than implementing expensive comprehensive batch management systems. The documentary batch number serves as a low-cost traceability mechanism that provides quality control without the substantial investment required for full batch management infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Inventory may be managed by affixing to material batches respective documentary batch numbers that are associated with the material batches in a computer system. The material batches may be placed as inventory in a warehouse. The documentary batch number of any of the material batches that is removed from the warehouse may be registered, wherein the documentary batch numbers are not used in managing the inventory. A material batch may be managed by affixing to the material batch a documentary batch number that is associated with the material batch in a computer system. Upon a predetermined action being taken with regard to the material batch, the documentary batch number may be received in the computer system. The documentary batch number may be read from the material batch, wherein any action taken with regard to the material batch before receiving the documentary batch number upon the predetermined action is not tracked.