Machine-Readable Physical Identifier Encoding for Supply Chain Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for tracking manufactured products lack machine-readable identifiers that associate specific product information with manufacturing, testing, shipping, and delivery data, and do not include error-correction for damaged identifiers.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing machine-readable physical identifiers, such as Data Matrix or QR codes, encoded with error-correcting codes, affixed to products to track manufacturing, testing, and shipping information, linked to a tracking file that updates with each operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual work is used to decipher information from identifiers, then no machine-readable identifier is needed, but tracking efficiency is reduced and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual deciphering of identifiers with machine-readable codes (barcodes, QR codes, Data Matrix codes) that can be automatically scanned and read by imaging devices. This substitution eliminates manual work in tracking operations and significantly improves productivity by enabling automated data capture throughout the supply chain.
2Reliability
If existing physical identifiers are used without error-correction, then the identifier structure is simple, but the identifier cannot be reliably read when damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates error-correction codes into the machine-readable identifier structure in advance, before damage occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if the identifier is partially damaged during manufacturing, shipping, or handling, the imaging device can still reliably read and decode the information, maintaining high reliability.
3Loss of information
If alphanumeric codes are written on product surfaces, then individual product marking is achieved, but information after manufacturing cannot be associated with the identifier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal machine-readable identifier system that serves multiple functions throughout the product lifecycle. The same identifier used for individual product marking at manufacturing can also be used to associate testing results, shipping information, delivery data, and warranty information, eliminating information loss and providing comprehensive tracking capability.
4Loss of time
If tracking information is not systematically recorded, then record-keeping is simple, but tracing products and discovering manufacturing issues becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based tracking system where information about manufacturing, testing, shipping, and delivery is systematically recorded and associated with each product's machine-readable identifier. This creates a complete feedback loop that enables rapid tracing of products and quick discovery of manufacturing issues by retrieving stored information, significantly reducing loss of time.
Data Source
AI summary
A manufactured product may include a machine-readable physical identifier and the machine-readable physical identifier may be stored in a tracking file. The machine-readable physical identifier may be encoded with manufacturing information related to the manufactured product, including but not limited to manufacturing location, lot number and manufacturing date. The tracking file may be updated based on one or more supply chain operations, including but not limited to a testing operation, a shipping operation or a delivery operation. The tracking file may include information on testing results, shipping origin and destinations and delivery locations. The tracking file may be delivered to a customer along with the manufactured products listed in the tracking file.