Container-Linked Unit ID Ranges for Secure Item Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for identifying, authenticating, tracking, and tracing manufactured items are inefficient and require excessive data storage, especially when dealing with multiple units within containers, and are vulnerable to security risks due to transmission of actual identification codes over networks.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that associate each unit with a unique identifier, allocate units to containers, determine ranges of unit identifiers, and store container identifiers linked to these ranges, reducing data storage needs and securing transmission by using encrypted production details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all individual unit identifiers are stored in the database for each container, then complete tracking capability is achieved, but data storage requirements become excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification system into two levels: container identifiers for the container itself, and unit identifiers for individual items. The database stores only container identifiers and their associations, while unit identifiers are determined locally by applying range rules to the container identifier, eliminating the need to store all individual unit identifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of identification by using range-based rules that derive unit identifiers from container identifiers through mathematical relationships. This transforms the storage requirement from storing N individual unit identifiers to storing one container identifier plus a range rule, reducing storage from O(N) to O(1).
2Measurement precision
If actual unit identifiers are transmitted over networks for authentication, then verification accuracy is maintained, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the unit identifier system by using range rules that can locally generate unit identifiers from container identifiers. This copy eliminates the need to transmit actual unit identifiers over networks, as the verification can be performed by checking whether the unit identifier falls within the valid range derived from the container identifier.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for identifying manufactured items in containers, where each container is suitable for containing two or more units, and where the method comprises the steps of: associating each unit with a unique unit identifier, uniquely identifying each unit, allocating two or more units to be contained in each container, uniquely identifying each container, for each container, determining one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container, and storing, in a database, a container identifier for each container, each container identifier being coupled, in the database, to the one or more ranges of unit identifiers of the two or more units allocated to the container. There is also provided methods and apparatus for authenticating, tracking and tracing the units.