Intelligent label processing system

• US 10,043,127 B1
• Filed: 09/30/2015
• Issued: 08/07/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chromera, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Chromera, Inc.
• Inventors: Atkinson, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Frech, Karl D
• Application Number:
  US14/871,556
• Time in Patent Office: 1,042 Days
• Field of Search: 23546246, 235383, 235487, 235491
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/145 at least one of the further markings being adapted for galvanic or wireless sensing, e.g. an RFID tag with both a wireless and an optical interface or memory, or a contact type smart card with ISO 7816 contacts and an optical interface or memory
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0832 Special goods or special handling procedures, e.g. handling of hazardous or fragile goods
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

Briefly, a new network processing system is provided that collects and coordinates key indicators regarding a product'"'"'s quality as that product moves from supplier to end user. By doing so, the processing system provides robust, authentic, and trustworthy data that (1) reports the time period when any custodian had the product, (2) identifies what timing or environmental condition caused the product to go bad, and (3) verifies which custodian acted to make the product defective. In use, an intelligent label is attached to a product, and the intelligent label has a timer as well as one or more sensors for monitoring environmental conditions. Upon exceeding timing or environmental rules, a visual alarm indicator is activated on the label. Since the label has electronically retrievable data, electronically scannable data, and human readable date, the network process can collected key data regarding the product along the entire distribution chain.

Claims

1. A method for determining product status using an intelligent label, the intelligent label being provided with an irreversible bi-stable visual indicator and wireless communication capability, the bi-stable indicator having a first visual state and a second visual state, the second visual state being irreversible, comprising:

wirelessly receiving data reflected in one of the states of the bi-stable visual indicator.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is event data.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the event data comprises an event message that is indicative of the current state of the bi-stable visual indicator.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the event data comprises data indicative of an environmental condition that was sensed by the intelligent label.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the event data comprises time data indicative of when an event occurred.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the received date reflects the first state or the second state of the irreversible bi-stable visual indicator.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is private data that is not visually perceptible from the intelligent label.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is public data that is visually perceptible from the intelligent label.

9. A method for determining product status using an intelligent label, the intelligent label being provided with an irreversible bi-stable visual indicator and wireless communication capability, the bi-stable indicator having a first visual state and a second visual state, the second visual state being irreversible, comprising:

associating an item with a unique intelligent label;

collecting wirelessly event data from the label, the event having caused the visual indicator to irreversibly transition from the first state to the second state; and

determining status of the item.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the status identifies a quality, a distribution path, or custody of the item.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising collecting wirelessly time data.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the event data comprises data indicative of an environmental condition that was sensed by the intelligent label;

time data indicative of when an event occurred;

or an event message that is indicative of the state of the bi stable visual indicator.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of notifying a third party of the status of the item.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of authenticating the item or the event data.

15. A method for distributing a product through a distribution path that has multiple parties, comprising:

associating the product with an intelligent label, the intelligent label having an irreversible bi-stable visual indicator, the bi-stable indicator having a first visual state and a second visual state, the second visual state being irreversible;

initiating in the intelligent label a clock;

collecting time data from the clock from time to time as the product is moved through the distribution path;

generating an event message, the event message being responsive to an event;

irreversibly changing the bi-stable indicator from the first state to the second state according to the event message; and

determining a time that the event occurred.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein collecting the time data further comprises interrogating a wireless communication device in the intelligent label.

17. The method according to claim 15, further comprising generating event data regarding the event.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the event message or the event data is collected by interrogating a wireless communication device in the intelligent label.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the event occurs outside the label and is communicated to the intelligent label using a wireless communication device in the intelligent label.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the intelligent label comprises a sensor, and a condition sensed by the sensor is the event.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the intelligent label is attached to the product or is integrated into the product or its packaging.

22. The method according to claim 15, wherein the bi-stable visual indicator is constructed to be irreversible and permanent.