Inventory Management via QR Code and User Input Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current inventory management systems using QR codes are limited by data storage capacity and security, particularly when categorizing unique items like gemstones, prepared foods, and artworks, and lack robust encryption and customization options.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that scans QR codes, allows user input codes to be stored in a relational database, enabling flexible and secure inventory management by associating user-defined values with QR codes, with a logic engine for linking or delinking these codes and providing encryption for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If QR codes are used to store inventory data, then data storage capability is improved, but security and privacy protection deteriorate because any scanner can read the data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary authentication mechanism between the QR code and the inventory data. Instead of directly storing sensitive data in the QR code, the system uses an authentication layer that verifies user credentials before allowing access to the actual inventory information. This intermediary layer prevents unauthorized scanners from accessing sensitive data while maintaining the data storage capability of QR codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the inventory data into multiple parts: public information that can be freely accessed via QR code scanning, and sensitive information that requires authentication. By dividing the data structure into authenticated and unauthenticated sections, the system maintains QR code readability while protecting sensitive inventory details from unauthorized access.
2Ease of operation
If standardized QR code encoding modes are used, then ease of operation is improved, but adaptability deteriorates when categorizing unique items like gemstones, prepared foods, and artworks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the QR code system by implementing a hierarchical data structure. Instead of relying solely on the limited character encoding of standard QR codes, the system uses the QR code as a pointer to a richer database structure that can accommodate diverse item categories. This dimensional expansion allows standardized QR scanning while supporting unlimited categorization flexibility for unique items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal authentication framework that works across all QR code scanning scenarios. The authentication system is designed to be category-agnostic, allowing the same technical infrastructure to handle diverse item types (gemstones, food, artworks, etc.) through a unified access control mechanism that adapts to different categorization needs.
3Quantity of substance
If more data is encoded in QR codes, then information capacity is improved, but the QR code size grows beyond mobile camera resolution capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sensitive and detailed inventory data from the QR code itself and stores it in an external authenticated database. The QR code retains only the essential pointer information needed to access the full data set, maintaining a compact size suitable for mobile camera scanning while providing access to extensive inventory information through the authentication system.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a computer-implemented method for inventory management system including a plurality of products associated with Quick Reference (QR) codes. The method scans the QR code of a product via a scanning device being operated by a user. The method then receives an input code from the user for the corresponding QR code. The user input code is stored in a relational database and associated with the QR code in the inventory management system. The association of the user input code with QR code enables the user to locate various products in the inventory by searching with the user input code rather than the QR code. The user generated input code can be shared with other devises utilizing the same application.