Weight Data Integrity in Food Labeling Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods in the food processing industry cannot guarantee the integrity of weight data when label printers are not directly connected to weighing devices, leading to potential manipulation and non-compliance with regulatory standards.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the acquisition of weight data, generation of verification information through encryption or message authentication codes, and verification of weight data integrity ensures that weight data remains unmanipulated from acquisition to labeling, using protected software to ensure compliance and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If weight data is passed from the scale to a computer system for label formatting, then label complexity and flexibility are improved, but weight data integrity and regulatory compliance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by generating a digital signature from the weight data immediately after acquisition, before the data is passed to the computer system for label formatting. This signature is attached to the weight data and verified before the label is printed, ensuring integrity is established in advance before any intermediate processing occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a digital signature as an intermediary mechanism between the weighing scale and the label printer. This signature acts as a trusted mediator that carries verification information through the computer system, allowing the weight data to be processed and formatted without direct connection while maintaining integrity through cryptographic verification.
2Measurement precision
If label printing is delayed until closer to palletization, then item tracking accuracy is improved, but weight data manipulation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the digital signature on the weight data at the time of weighing, creating a verifiable record that travels with the item through the entire process. This allows the label to be printed later with confidence that the weight data has not been manipulated, even though printing is delayed until closer to palletization.
3Reliability
If direct connection between scale and label printer is used, then weight data integrity is maintained, but label formatting flexibility and information completeness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a digital signature as an intermediary mechanism that enables indirect connection between the scale and label printer while maintaining integrity. The signature carries verification information through the computer system, allowing the weight data to be processed and formatted with full flexibility without requiring a direct physical connection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of handling weight data in a data processing system involves acquiring and storing weight data of an item. A verification information is generated for the item based on the weight data, where the verification information is associated to the determined weight, the generation of the verification information including one of the following steps: a) encrypting the weight data where the verification information corresponds to the encrypted weight data, or b) determining a first message authentication code where the verification information corresponds to the first message authentication code, wherein when using the weight data the validity of the weight data for the item is verified by use of the verification information and if the weight data is verified as being valid weight data, a graphic representation of the weight data is generated.