DATA MANAGEMENT

• US 20090057421A1
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Suorsa, Peter A., Roth, Joseph D., Holz, John B.
• Granted Patent: US 9,460,948 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/494
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/442 using lasers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/00 Decoration means, markings, information elements, contents indicators
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 75/327 and forming several compartments
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/13 delivered from dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/67242 Apparatus for monitoring, sorting or marking testing or measuring during manufacture H01L22/00, marks per se H01L23/544; testing individual semiconductor devices G01R31/26

Abstract

A package is provided for use with a track-and-trace data management system. The package comprises a base defining a plurality of compartments, each compartment containing an item, and a cover enclosing the compartments to retain each item inside a respective compartment. Each item carries a unique item code, and the package includes at least one unique security code. The relationship between the unique item code and the at least one unique security code is maintained by the data management system.

Claims

1. A package comprising:

a base defining a plurality of compartments, each compartment containing an item;

a cover enclosing the compartments to retain each item inside a respective compartment;

each item carrying a unique item code, and the package including at least one unique security code;

where the relationship between the unique item code and the at least one unique security code is maintained by a database.

2. A package according to claim 1, wherein the items are pharmaceuticals.

3. A package according to claim 1, wherein the package cover comprises a frangible cover.

4. A package according to claim 1, wherein the package includes a unique security code associated with each compartment.

5. A package according to claim 4, wherein the security code is located outside the compartment.

6. A package according to claim 4, wherein the security code is located inside the compartment.

7. A package according to claim 1, wherein the unique item code carried by each item is created by a laser beam.

8. A package according to claim 6, wherein the unique item code includes the name of a pharmaceutical.

9. A package according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a plastic approved by the FDA for use with pharmaceuticals.

10. A package according to claim 1, wherein the base is optically transparent to allow a reader to read the unique item code and the associated unique security code by aligning the reader with a compartment.

11. A package according to claim 1, wherein the unique security code comprises a luminophore.

12. A package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one unique security code is provided on the base.

13. A package according to claim 1, wherein the at least one unique security code is provided on the cover.

14. A method of marking an item to allow validation and tracing of that item, the method comprising:

providing a package having an optically transparent base defining a plurality of compartments;

inserting individual items into each of the compartments;

writing a unique item code on each item; and

applying a unique security code in registration with each compartment, to allow association of the item code and the security code for each compartment.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of applying a unique security code in registration with each compartment includes applying the unique security code to the base.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of applying a unique security code in registration with each compartment includes applying the unique security code to a cover enclosing the base.

17. A package comprising:

a sealed container defining an optically transparent portion and including at least one unique security feature; and

an item located within the container, and carrying a unique item code, where the item code is aligned with the optically transparent portion to facilitate reading of the item code from outside the package;

wherein a remote database stores the relationship between the unique security feature and the unique item code to allow authentication of the item.