Food Item Tracing by Correlation Windows in Non-Sequential Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for tracing food items fail to accurately identify items that fall out of sequence during non-sequential processing, leading to potential contamination tracing issues due to mechanical failures or human errors.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a correlation window, based on time or distance estimates, to ensure reliable tracing of food items, including correction factors for attribute changes, to prevent accidental matching and ensure accurate labeling of origin and processing history.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If sequential processing is used for food item tracing, then tracing accuracy is improved, but processing flexibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracing accuracyVSAvoidprocessing flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the correlation window size based on processing conditions and item characteristics. The correlation window can expand or contract to accommodate sequential processing (narrow window) or non-sequential processing (wide window), allowing the system to adapt between high accuracy and high flexibility modes as needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of correlation window size to resolve the contradiction. By adjusting this parameter, the system can achieve high tracing accuracy when using sequential processing (small window) or accommodate non-sequential processing when flexibility is needed (large window), thus resolving the trade-off between accuracy and flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If non-sequential processing is allowed, then processing flexibility is improved, but tracing reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoidtracing reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from attribute data collected at multiple positions to verify item identity. Even when processing is non-sequential, the system continuously monitors attributes and compares them against expected ranges, providing feedback that confirms or corrects item identification, thus maintaining reliability despite processing flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary attribute measurement at the first position before processing. This preliminary data serves as a reference that can be compared against subsequent measurements, allowing the system to verify item identity even when the item's position or sequence changes during non-sequential processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If correlation window size is increased to handle non-sequential processing, then processing flexibility is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing flexibilityVSAvoiditem identification precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the correlation window into multiple attribute dimensions (weight, size, shape, color, etc.). Instead of using a single large window that reduces precision, the system divides the verification into multiple independent attribute checks, each with its own tolerance range, thereby maintaining precision while accommodating flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Measurement precision

If attribute data is collected at multiple positions, then tracing accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracing accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal attribute measurement capabilities that can function at multiple positions. The same types of sensors and measurement techniques are deployed throughout the system, allowing multi-position data collection without proportionally increasing complexity. Each position uses the same multi-functional measurement approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2928308B1A method and a system for automatically tracing food items

Publication Date: 2022.06.15 MAREL ICELAND EHF

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AI summary

This invention relates to a method and a system for automatically tracing food items transported by a transporting mechanism such as a conveyor, where at least one first attribute data is acquired for the food items at at least one first position. The acquired at least one first attributed data is associated to the food items. A second attribute data of the same type(s) as the first attribute data for the food items at at least one second position and associated to the food items. A correlation is performed between the at least one first attribute data and the at least one second attribute data for the food items, where a match between the at least one first attribute data and the at least one second attribute data indicates that the food item having the associated at least one first attribute data and the associated at least one second attribute data is one and the same food item. The step of performing the correlation between is performed within a pre-defined correlation window around an estimated arrival point at said at least one second position.