Cutting Implement Tracking Using Embedded Indicia and Stage Scans
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the food processing industry, there is a need for efficient and cost-effective tracking systems for cutting implements to prevent loss, theft, and ensure compliance with food safety regulations, as the loss of these implements can lead to shutdowns and waste.
Innovation Solution
A tracking computing system that uses tracking indicia embedded on or within cutting implements, scanned by mobile devices to generate state and association data, allowing for the accurate location and assignment of implements, and initiating control actions when a cutting implement is missing, without the need for onboard electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional tracking systems with onboard electronics are used, then tracking reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tracking functionality from the cutting implement itself and places it on separate tracking surfaces (floor, walls, ceilings) that the implement passes over. The implement carries only a simple magnetic tag, while the complex detection and tracking electronics are removed to external infrastructure, thereby reducing implement complexity while maintaining tracking reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces magnetic tags as intermediaries between the cutting implement and the tracking system. The magnetic tag on the implement interacts with magnetic sensors on the tracking surfaces, enabling tracking without requiring complex electronics on the implement itself. This intermediary approach simplifies the implement while maintaining reliable tracking.
2Ease of manufacture
If simple tracking methods are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional tracking (simple presence/absence) to three-dimensional spatial tracking by distributing magnetic sensors across multiple surfaces (floor, walls, ceilings). This dimensional expansion enables precise location determination through triangulation and spatial relationships, achieving high measurement precision with simple magnetic tag components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical tracking systems with magnetic field-based detection. Magnetic tags and magnetic sensors provide contactless, precise tracking without mechanical wear or complex moving parts, achieving high measurement precision while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Reliability
If comprehensive tracking is implemented, then loss prevention is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking system into independent components: magnetic tags on implements, magnetic sensors on tracking surfaces, and a separate processing system. This segmentation allows comprehensive tracking coverage through distributed sensors while keeping each individual component simple and manageable, preventing system complexity from becoming unmanageable.
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking computing system detects tracking indicia provided on or embedded within cutting implements to be deployed at a processing facility. Periodic implement scans can be performed by one or more mobile computing devices to detect tracking indicia and to determine state data associated with the cutting implements. The state data can be determined at different stages within a processing cycle. The absence of state data for a tracking indicium at one or more stages of the processing cycle may be detected and used to initiate a control action with respect to a potentially missing cutting implement.