Intelligent Label Processing System
First Claim
1. 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 a bi-stable visual indicator that is set responsive to a monitored condition;
initiating in the intelligent label a clock that can be related to the time the product was shipped;
collecting time data from the clock from time to time as the product is moved through the distribution path;
receiving an event message presented by the indicator on the label, the event message generated responsive to an event; and
determining a time that the event message was generated.
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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 scanable data, and human readable date, the network process can collected key data regarding the product along the entire distribution chain.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for distributing a product through a distribution path that has multiple parties, comprising:
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associating the product with an intelligent label, the intelligent label having a bi-stable visual indicator that is set responsive to a monitored condition; initiating in the intelligent label a clock that can be related to the time the product was shipped; collecting time data from the clock from time to time as the product is moved through the distribution path; receiving an event message presented by the indicator on the label, the event message generated responsive to an event; and determining a time that the event message was generated. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for distributing a product through a distribution path, comprising:
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loading an intelligent label with rules and a cryptology code; associating the product with the intelligent label, the intelligent label having a visual indicator that is set according to the rules; initiating in the intelligent label a clock that can be related to the time the product was shipped; initiating in the intelligent label a sensor that can monitor an environmental condition; collecting data from the intelligent label from time to time as the product is moved through the distribution path; receiving an event messages presented by the indicator on the label, the event message generated responsive to evaluating the rules; and determining a time that the event message was generated. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification