Code-Based Product Tracking System for Supply Chain Transparency
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of transparency in the manufacturing and sourcing of consumer products, particularly regarding working conditions, certifications, and customs compliance, which hinders accountability and consumer knowledge about the products they purchase.
Innovation Solution
A code-based product tracking system that stores and makes available information on product manufacture, inspection, certification, and customs data, allowing access through a unique code that can be scanned by users, providing a 'story' of the product's origin, manufacturing, and distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If product information is stored and made accessible through a code-based tracking system, then transparency and consumer knowledge are improved, but device complexity and system requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a code (such as QR code or barcode) as a copy that contains encoded information about the product's journey. When scanned, the code provides access to stored product information without requiring physical attachment of complex tracking devices to the product itself. This resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive information access through a simple, lightweight code rather than complex integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The code acts as an intermediary between the product and the consumer/inspector. Instead of directly providing complex tracking systems to all users, the patent uses the code as a mediator that simplifies access to information stored in a database. The code bridges the gap between the product's manufacturing history and the user's need for information, reducing system complexity at the user end while maintaining comprehensive tracking.
2Reliability
If detailed product information is stored and accessed by multiple entities, then accountability and verification capability are improved, but information management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments product information into distinct categories (manufacturing information, inspection information, certification information, shipping information) stored in a centralized database. Each entity (manufacturer, inspector, customs agent, consumer) can access specific segments relevant to their role. This segmentation allows comprehensive verification capability while simplifying information management through structured organization rather than unstructured data storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The code-based system serves multiple functions: it provides product tracking, enables verification by different entities, ensures compliance checking, and maintains a permanent record. The same code structure works for all these purposes without requiring separate systems for each function, thereby improving verification capability while avoiding the complexity of multiple specialized systems.
3Loss of information
If code-based tracking is implemented across the supply chain, then transparency and compliance monitoring are improved, but manufacturing and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a simple code (QR code, barcode, or other machine-readable identifier) that can be easily attached to products during manufacturing. This code serves as a copy carrying the product's identity and tracking information without requiring complex modifications to the manufacturing process. The code can be applied using standard methods already present in most manufacturing lines, thereby achieving transparency with minimal impact on ease of manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for using code based tracking are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a database including a product data structure configured to store (i) information indicative of a manufacturer of a woven carpet, (ii) information indicative of employees of the manufacturer that produced the woven carpet including a name and an age of each employee, (iii) information indicative of a certification inspection of the woven carpet, and (iv) information indicative of the woven carpet passing through customs. The example apparatus also includes a server configured to associate a code with the woven carpet, store the information of items (i) to (iv) to the product data structure, and make the information of items (i) to (iv) available a consumer upon receiving a message from a user device of the consumer indicative that the code was accessed by the user device.