Traceability Code System for Perishable Product Quality Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Perishable consumer goods, such as fresh meats, dairy, and produce, degrade rapidly, leading to significant waste due to the inability to effectively correlate quality at the end of the distribution chain with conditions at the beginning and along the distribution chain.

Innovation Solution

A method using traceability codes to link quality assessments back to lot-specific product data by associating these codes with time, location, and other relevant information, allowing for the determination of elapsed time and traversed distance, and utilizing hand-held devices for data collection and communication to facilitate a two-way exchange of information between consumers and producers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If quality assessments are made at the end of the distribution chain, then product quality can be evaluated, but the ability to correlate quality with distribution conditions is lost due to lack of traceability data

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality assessment correlationVSAvoidtraceability data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures and stores traceability data (location, time, temperature) at the beginning and throughout the distribution chain before the product reaches the consumer. This preliminary data collection enables later correlation with quality assessments by maintaining a complete historical record of distribution conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where quality assessments made at the end of the distribution chain are correlated with the previously captured traceability data. This feedback mechanism allows producers to understand how distribution conditions affected product quality, enabling continuous improvement of distribution processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If traceability data is collected throughout the distribution chain, then quality correlation is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequality assessment correlationVSAvoiddata collection system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal data collection protocols and standardized data structures that can be implemented across multiple distribution points and product types. This multi-functionality allows the same system architecture to handle diverse traceability requirements without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computing system that acts as a mediator between various data collection points and the final quality assessment analysis. This intermediary consolidates and standardizes data from multiple sources, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining comprehensive traceability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If elapsed time and traversed distance are tracked, then distribution conditions can be analyzed, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedistribution condition analysisVSAvoiddata processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates elapsed time and traversed distance in real-time as data is collected during distribution, rather than computing these values later from raw data. This preliminary calculation reduces the processing burden during quality assessment correlation and enables faster analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Loss of substance

If comprehensive product data is stored and analyzed, then waste can be reduced through better quality management, but information storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperishable product wasteVSAvoidstored data

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts and stores only the most critical traceability data elements (location, time, temperature) that have the greatest impact on product quality and waste prevention. By selectively capturing essential data rather than all possible information, the system reduces storage requirements while maintaining effectiveness in quality correlation and waste reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS8825516B2Methods for correlating first mile and last mile product data

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 PTX TRIMBLE LLC

AI summary

Traceability codes on perishable products facilitate the correlation of product data from the origin of a distribution chain to quality assessments of the perishable products made at points along the distribution chain. The product data is initially associated with the code, the product is marked with the code, and then the product is distributed. Receipt of a code after the perishable product enters the distribution chain establishes an elapsed time. Location information submitted with the code can also establish a traversed distance. A quality assessment submitted with the code can be associated with both time and distance. Consumers, for example, may submit codes, provide assessments and locations, and in return access product data linked to the specific products they consider in retail stores, purchase, and use. Inspectors can likewise submit quality assessments from locations earlier in the distribution chain as well as in retail stores.