Trace Code Database for Produce Origin Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The produce industry faces challenges in quickly tracing the origin of produce due to disparate recording techniques and lack of standardized methods, making it difficult to comply with food safety regulations and customer demands for real-time access to information.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a central database to collect and store inspection, grower, field, and packing information, assigning trace codes for each purchase order, and integrating Global Standards One (GS1) standards to facilitate real-time access to information through a web-based application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If paper-based recording techniques are used for shipping and inspection information, then recording is simple and familiar, but traceability speed and real-time access are severely limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based recording systems with automated electronic data capture systems. Barcode scanners, RFID readers, and digital inspection tools automatically record and transmit data to a central database, eliminating the need for manual paper entry and enabling real-time traceability without significantly increasing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of physical produce information through barcodes, RFID tags, and electronic records. These digital copies contain all necessary traceability data and can be instantly accessed and transmitted, replacing the need to physically handle and search through paper documents while maintaining data accuracy
2Reliability
If multiple disparate recording techniques are used across different facilities, then each facility can use its preferred method, but data standardization and quick tracing become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data standard that can accommodate multiple input methods and formats. The system accepts data from various sources (paper forms, electronic systems, mobile devices) and converts everything to a standardized format in the central database, allowing facilities to maintain their preferred recording methods while ensuring data consistency across the entire supply chain
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central database as an intermediary between different recording systems. This database acts as a mediator that receives data in various formats from different facilities, standardizes it according to GS1 protocols, and provides unified access to all participants, thereby maintaining both flexibility and standardization
3Productivity
If real-time access to produce information is provided to customers, then customer satisfaction and regulatory compliance improve, but system complexity and data security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables customers to independently access their own produce information through a user-friendly web portal. Customers can enter purchase order numbers or scan barcodes to retrieve traceability data without requiring customer service intervention, providing real-time self-service access while keeping the system architecture relatively simple through standardized web technologies
Data Source
AI summary
A commodity inspection method, including gathering inspection information from a commodity lot; collecting grower, field, and packing information associated with the commodity lot; recording purchase orders associated with the commodity lot; assigning a trace code to each of the purchase orders; entering the inspection information, the grower, field, and packing information, the purchase orders, and the trace codes into a central database; updating a content of a web-based application with the inspection information, the grower, field, and packing information, the purchase orders, and the trace codes within the central database; and allowing the customer to access the inspection information, and the grower, field, and packing information, by entering one of the trace codes into the web-based application; wherein each of the purchase orders associated with the commodity lot is linked within the web-based application; and wherein the method incorporates Global Standards One (GS1) standards.