Wearable Barcode Scanner for Crop Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current produce tracing systems for specialty crops face challenges in capturing fine-grained item traceability data at the harvesting location, particularly due to the reliance on manual labor and inefficiencies in data collection, which affects productivity and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a personal mobile data collection device (PMDC) that is hands-free and wearable, allowing harvest workers to collect and transmit data on location, item traceability, and environmental conditions wirelessly, synchronizing with a cloud-based system for aggregation and analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual labor is used for data collection at harvesting location, then traceability data can be captured, but productivity decreases and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical data collection methods with an automated electronic system. The PMDC device uses barcode scanners, GPS receivers, and wireless communications to automatically capture and transmit traceability data, eliminating the need for manual recording and processing while maintaining data accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The PMDC device is designed to be worn by harvest workers and automatically collects data without requiring separate manual intervention. The device self-activates upon detecting motion or specific conditions, automatically scans barcodes, records GPS location, and transmits data wirelessly, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring dedicated data collection personnel.
2Measurement precision
If data collection is performed at actual picking location, then fine-grained item traceability is achieved, but additional burden on harvest workers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the data collection function with the harvesting activity itself. The PMDC device combines barcode scanning, GPS tracking, and wireless communication capabilities into a single wearable unit that harvest workers already carry or wear, integrating data collection into the existing harvesting workflow without requiring separate actions or tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual data recording operations with automated electronic capture. The barcode scanner automatically reads and records item identifiers, the GPS receiver automatically tracks location, and the wireless interface automatically transmits data, eliminating the need for workers to manually record or process traceability information.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual traceability systems are used, then implementation is simple, but data aggregation and analysis efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous data transmission and processing. The PMDC device continuously collects traceability data and transmits it wirelessly in real-time or near-real-time to the central server, eliminating batch processing delays. The system maintains continuous operation throughout the harvesting process, ensuring data flows continuously without interruption or manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual data aggregation and analysis processes with automated electronic systems. The central server automatically receives, stores, and processes traceability data from multiple PMDC devices, using database systems and algorithms to aggregate and analyze data efficiently without requiring manual compilation or interpretation.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wireless electronic device is used to collect produce data during harvest. The wireless electronic device includes an auto-sensing barcode scanner to detect a worker barcode badges, tray barcode labels on trays, and clamshell barcode labels on produce clamshells that are stored in the trays; a location determining unit; a record generator to generate scan records when the auto-sensing barcode scanner detects one of the clamshell barcode labels, each of the scan records including a clamshell barcode label value, a most-recent tray barcode label scan value, a most-recent worker barcode badge scan value, a clamshell barcode label scan time, and location information; a local memory to store the scan records; a wireless client application interface to automatically upload the scan records when the wireless electronic device detects a network connection with a client application; and a fastener to removably secure the wireless electronic device to a person or object.