Chemical Indicator Barcode Labels for Product Condition Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional barcode reading systems are limited to external characteristics of a product and cannot detect non-visual factors such as environmental exposure, leading to potential errors in determining the condition of perishable items, which may not be immediately visible or accounted for by expiration dates.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating chemical indicators into barcode labels that react to environmental stimuli, allowing an imaging device to detect and analyze parameters like temperature, humidity, sunlight exposure, and chemical exposure by changing color or shading, and providing accurate information about the object's condition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional barcode reading systems are used, then the system structure remains simple, but the system cannot detect environmental exposure factors leading to measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces chemical indicators as intermediary elements that mediate between environmental factors and the imaging device. These indicators chemically react to environmental stimuli (temperature, humidity, sunlight, chemicals) and transform invisible environmental parameters into visible color changes that the imaging device can detect, thereby enabling environmental factor detection without directly exposing the imaging device to complex environmental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color changes of chemical indicators as the primary detection mechanism. Different chemical indicators change color in response to specific environmental factors (e.g., thermal indicators for temperature, photo indicators for sunlight exposure). The imaging device captures these color changes and analyzes them to determine environmental exposure, converting chemical responses into detectable visual signals
2Measurement precision
If chemical indicators are added to barcode labels, then the detection capability for environmental factors is improved, but the label complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the barcode label into distinct functional segments: the decode indicia (barcode) and one or more chemical indicators positioned at specific locations. Each chemical indicator can be associated with specific environmental factors through markers or positioning. This segmentation allows the label to maintain its primary identification function while adding environmental monitoring capabilities in a modular, organized manner
Solution Approach 2:
Markers serve as intermediary elements that link the imaging device to the chemical indicators. The markers (arrows, shapes, digits) provide directional or positional information that guides the imaging device to the correct chemical indicator locations, simplifying the detection process and reducing the complexity of label design by providing clear, standardized positioning cues
3Reliability
If manual inspection is used for non-visible defects, then no additional detection equipment is needed, but human error increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical indicators perform self-service by automatically reacting to environmental factors and providing visual warnings without human intervention. The indicators continuously monitor their respective environmental parameters and change color when thresholds are exceeded, enabling automatic detection and eliminating the need for manual inspection of environmental exposure conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system establishes a feedback loop where chemical indicators provide real-time visual feedback about environmental exposure conditions. The imaging device captures this feedback and can trigger alerts or actions when adverse conditions are detected, creating a closed-loop monitoring system that continuously informs the system state without requiring manual checking
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
Enhances the ability to determine the actual condition of products, reducing inefficiencies and errors by detecting changes that would otherwise go undetected, allowing for better inventory management and supply chain visibility.
Implementation Method 1
chemical indicators... by changing color or shading, and providing accurate information about the object's condition
Data Source
AI summary
Imaging devices, systems, and methods for determining parameters of an object based on chemical indicators detected during a decode event are described herein. An example device includes: a housing; one or more processors; an imaging assembly at least partially disposed within the housing, the imaging assembly including: an imaging sensor operable to capture an image of an object in a FOV; and a computer-readable media storing machine readable instructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors to: after capturing the image of the object in the FOV, determine whether a decode indicia is present in the image of the object; initiate a decode event for the decode indicia present in the image of the object; detect a chemical indicator in proximity to the decode indicia in the image of the object; and determine, based on the chemical indicator, one or more parameters associated with the object.