Hog Production Line Tracking via Subcutaneous Emission Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking methods for hog production lines, particularly in ham production, fail to provide complete and real-time control, are susceptible to fraudulent manipulation, and can cause health issues and complications during device recovery and meat processing.
Innovation Solution
A tracking method involving the subcutaneous insertion of emission devices under the skin of hogs' hind legs, with a complex alpha-numerical identifying code system, allowing real-time monitoring and easy recovery, while minimizing health risks and fraud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tattoos or marking tags are applied to piglets, then identification is achieved, but the tracking is incomplete and susceptible to fraudulent manipulation
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into multiple phases: piglet identification phase using tattoos/tags, and meat processing phase using code reading devices. This segmentation allows each phase to use the most appropriate tracking method, ensuring complete coverage from birth to processing while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A central database serves as an intermediary that links the physical identification markers (tattoos/tags on live animals) with the processing records (codes on meat products). This intermediary enables continuous tracking across the entire production chain, preventing fraud by ensuring traceability from animal to final product.
2Reliability
If electronic emission devices are inserted in hogs, then real-time tracking is improved, but the devices migrate and get lost in the hog's body
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable identification markers (tattoos and tags) for the animal phase that do not require recovery. These low-cost, short-duration markers are sufficient for their intended purpose of identifying the animal during its life, eliminating the need for complex recovery operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical insertion and recovery of electronic devices with a chemical/biological marking system (tattoos and tags) for animal identification. This substitution eliminates migration issues and recovery complexity while maintaining tracking reliability through the complementary code reading system at processing facilities.
3Reliability
If tags are applied to piglets, then identification is possible, but tags can be detached through violent contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies multiple identification markers (tattoos and/or tags) to piglets at birth, establishing redundant identification before any potential detachment issues can occur. This preliminary application ensures that even if one marker is lost, others remain to maintain identification continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system accepts that tags may be detached during the animal's life but recovers identification continuity through the central database that records all identification events. The complementary use of tattoos (which cannot be detached) and tags provides backup identification, and the database maintains the link between the animal and its markers throughout the production chain.
4Reliability
If electronic devices are inserted in hogs, then tracking capability is improved, but the insertion causes pathologies requiring pharmacological treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses disposable, non-invasive identification markers (tattoos and external tags) that do not require insertion into the animal's body. These markers provide sufficient tracking capability for their intended purpose without causing the pathologies associated with implanted electronic devices, eliminating the need for pharmacological treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the invasive mechanical insertion of electronic devices with non-invasive chemical (tattoos) and mechanical (external tags) marking systems. This substitution eliminates health pathologies while maintaining tracking capability through the complementary code reading system at processing facilities that reads the identification markers.
Data Source
AI summary
Tracking method for the tracking of a hog production line, in particular one for the production of raw/cooked ham, especially if denominated from a protected/controlled origin, and structure of an identifying code for carrying out such a method, which provides a sequence of operating phases wherein a phase of inserting emission devices into a hog at the milk piglet stage allows associating a particular identifying code to each hind leg of such a hog and a general identifying code for such a hog composed of a combination of these particular identifying codes. This system allows achieving a complete and real-time tracking of a hog production and processing line. The invention also concerns the structure of an identifying code for carrying out such a method ( Fig. 4 ).