Wireless Asset Tracking Device for Food Beverage Inventory Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

The food and beverage industry faces inefficiencies and high error rates in supply chain logistical operations and inventory management, particularly in the manual identification and tracking of items, leading to incorrect orders, inventory inaccuracies, and increased labor costs.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing beverage and food asset tracking and monitoring devices with embedded wireless communication, GPS, and user interfaces that transmit real-time telemetry data for automated inventory management, enabling accurate tracking, reordering, and efficient picking and packing operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual identification and tracking of food and beverage items is performed by humans, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but error rates increase and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of item identificationVSAvoidspeed of item identification and tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual human identification and tracking with automated electronic devices including RFID tags, GPS trackers, and wireless communication systems. These electronic systems automatically identify, track, and communicate item locations and inventory status without human intervention, eliminating human error while maintaining high-speed operation throughout the supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking devices are equipped with autonomous capabilities to automatically identify items, track their locations, monitor inventory levels, and communicate status information without requiring human operation. The system self-manages the identification and tracking processes, freeing workers from manual tasks while ensuring consistent accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated tracking devices are implemented, then productivity and accuracy improve, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of supply chain operationsVSAvoidcomplexity of tracking and monitoring system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking devices are designed as multi-functional units that simultaneously perform identification, location tracking, inventory monitoring, and wireless communication functions. By consolidating these capabilities into single devices attached to items or containers, the system achieves high productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication devices and network infrastructure as intermediaries that facilitate data exchange between tracking devices and central management systems. This intermediary layer simplifies the connection between numerous individual trackers and the central system, enabling efficient data collection and processing without requiring complex direct connections from each device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If manual inventory counting is performed periodically, then labor costs are reduced in the short term, but inventory accuracy deteriorates and ordering efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of inventory countsVSAvoidtime required for inventory management

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tracking devices continuously monitor and update inventory status in real-time as items are moved, stored, or consumed. This continuous tracking eliminates the need for periodic manual counting, providing always-up-to-date inventory accuracy while freeing time for other value-added activities throughout the supply chain.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides real-time feedback on inventory levels, item locations, and stock status to distributors and resellers. This immediate feedback enables automatic reordering when thresholds are reached, eliminates delays in inventory awareness, and ensures accurate, up-to-date inventory information is always available for decision-making.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10915860B2Food and beverage item identification and tracking device and system for improving supply chain logistical operations and inventory management

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 BITCORK INC

AI summary

A food and beverage item identification and tracking device, and system for improving supply chain logistical operations and inventory management are disclosed. Multiple food and beverage item identification and tracking devices may be attached to corresponding beverage containers or food containers. Each of the food and beverage item identification and tracking devices includes a wireless communication device and a user interface. The user interface includes an LED to emit light responsive to an instruction received wirelessly, so that the food or beverage container is visually identifiable. The user interface may also include a speaker or buzzer so that the food or beverage container is audibly identifiable. A remote computing device may control the food and beverage item identification and tracking devices so that a subset of the tracking devices can be identified, and packaged for shipment. The system is designed to operate within either a distributor location or a reseller location.