Plant Sample Tracking via RFID Barcode Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large-scale commercial agricultural operations, identifying and tracking individual plants among thousands is complex, time-consuming, and costly, especially when genetic marker information is needed for selection and quality control, as existing methods are difficult to implement on-site and lack efficient tracing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that uses a database of virtual plants with unique machine-readable features like barcodes or RFID tags to identify and track each plant, allowing samples to be taken and processed while maintaining traceability through a controller and magazine system that ensures sample integrity and origin tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual identification and tracking methods are used for individual plants in large-scale operations, then plant identification can be accomplished, but the process becomes complex, time-consuming, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical identification methods with an automated system using machine-readable tags (barcodes or RFID tags) attached to plants. A reader device automatically scans and identifies plants, eliminating the need for manual recording and tracking, thereby significantly improving identification efficiency and reducing time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of each plant in a database that mirrors its physical characteristics and genetic information. This digital twin allows for efficient tracking and analysis without requiring physical inspection of each plant, reducing time loss while maintaining accurate identification and monitoring capabilities.
2Reliability
If complex tracking systems are implemented to trace samples back to source plants, then sample traceability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces machine-readable tags as an intermediary between the physical plant and its digital record in the database. These tags serve as a simple bridge that enables reliable tracing of samples back to source plants without requiring complex tracking infrastructure. The tags store or link to unique identifiers that facilitate straightforward data retrieval and sample tracking.
3Loss of information
If traditional sampling methods are used without integrated tracking, then sampling process is simple, but the ability to trace samples back to source plants is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sampling process with the tracking system by integrating sample collection with automated plant identification. When a sample is collected, the system automatically records the plant's unique identifier from its tag, ensuring sample origin information is captured without adding manual steps. This combination maintains operational simplicity while preventing information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for processing, i.e., sampling and tracking, plant material requires the ability to identify each plant in a plurality of plants. Initially, samples are taken from selected plants and are collected in respective storage locations in a magazine. During sampling, the identity of the plant source for each plant sample is stored. Further, the identity of each storage location receiving a plant sample is stored. Subsequently, the samples are transferred from the storage locations and are placed in respective wells of a receiving member for further downstream processing. Again, the identity of each well receiving a plant sample is stored. As a result, a plant sample in a well can be traced back to its plant source.