Machine-Readable Product Traceability for Supply Chain Rule Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional distribution systems fail to provide farm-specific, traceable, and sustainable product sourcing, leading to inefficiencies and difficulties in integrating siloed records across the supply chain, especially for locally sourced and responsibly raised agricultural products, and lack the ability to enforce client rules regarding food safety and sourcing criteria.
Innovation Solution
A distributed computing system utilizing networked computing technology and machine-readable indicia to track products from providers to clients, integrating centralized data records with distributed updates, and applying geographic and sustainable sourcing rules to ensure compliance and traceability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional distribution systems are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but product traceability and source identification capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the supply chain into distinct participants (farmers, distributors, retailers) with separate computing systems, each maintaining independent records. This segmentation allows each participant to focus on their specific operations while the networked structure enables overall traceability through shared access to product identification records.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized database as an intermediary that stores product identification records and links between products and participants. This intermediary enables traceability without requiring complex integrated systems at each participant's location, resolving the contradiction by centralizing information management rather than distributing complex processing capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If siloed computer systems are used by each participant, then operational independence is maintained, but inter-compatibility and record integration deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes standardized parameters for product identification records, including consistent data formats, identification field names, and record structures. This standardization enables different participants' siloed systems to interchange and integrate records smoothly, improving adaptability without requiring complex compatibility layers.
3Reliability
If centralized data records are used, then data consistency is improved, but network communication requirements and system coordination complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each participant's computing system automatically updates the centralized database with their local records without requiring manual intervention or complex coordination protocols. The system self-maintains consistency through automated data exchange, reducing coordination complexity while ensuring data reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed computing system is disclosed that practically applies networked computing technology and machine-readable indicia to support traceability of products from providers to clients, the system comprising a plurality of distributed computers for communication over a network regarding a product identified by machine-readable indicia, for which a record is maintained in memory, and which is distributed through a supply chain that includes at least the provider, a distributor, and the client. The distributed computers include first, second, third, and fourth computers that cooperate with each other to support compliance with client rules and tracing of the order from the provider to the client through the participants in the supply chain via the machine-readable indicia and associations that are created in the memory to link the product with its passage through the supply chain.