Plant Traceability via Unique ID Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to efficiently trace the origin of plant byproducts back to their original plants throughout the manufacturing process, limiting access to traceability data for manufacturers, vendors, and users.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Auto ID components such as 1-D and 2-D barcodes, RFID tags, and NFC unique IDs is implemented to attach to plants and byproducts, with brand source authenticators and servers to collect and store AutoID information, enabling tracing of plant byproducts back to their source plants through a blockchain-like provenance record.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional lot-based tracking systems are used, then implementation is simpler, but traceability precision deteriorates (cannot trace to individual plants)
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the tracking unit from lot-level to individual plant-level. Each plant receives a unique identifier (UID) that persists through processing, allowing precise tracing to the original plant source. This segmentation enables individual plant tracking while maintaining system manageability through automated data collection at each processing stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies unique identifiers to plants before processing begins and maintains these identifiers through all subsequent processing stages. By establishing individual plant identification upfront and preserving it through processing, the system enables precise traceability without requiring complex retroactive tracking mechanisms.
2Loss of information
If individual plant tracking is implemented, then traceability accuracy improves, but data collection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses universal unique identifiers that serve multiple functions throughout the processing chain. The same plant UID is used for identification, data association, and traceability across all processing stages, eliminating the need for different tracking systems at different stages and reducing overall data collection complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates and maintains digital copies of plant identification and processing data across the supply chain. By using electronic records and database storage rather than physical tracking documents, the system preserves provenance information efficiently without requiring complex physical data management at each processing stage.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive traceability data is collected, then transparency improves, but access restrictions limit usability
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication layer that manages access to traceability data. Authorized users (manufacturers, vendors, users) can access plant provenance information through controlled interfaces, while maintaining data security and integrity. This intermediary mechanism enables broad data availability to authorized parties without compromising system security.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for maintaining identification and traceability about the provenance of finished products that come from selected individual plants through said plant's life cycle, by using the individualized identification data over a period of time, events and processes in order to maintain correlation of individual plants to specific by-products in regard to traits or characteristics of those selected plants.