AU2014100114A4

AU2014100114A4 - System For Providing Product Quality Information And Traceability To Customers Including X-Ray Images Of Can Packed Food Products

Info

Publication number: AU2014100114A4
Application number: AU2014100114A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Qing Ye
Original assignee: GMP DAIRY Ltd
Current assignee: GMP DAIRY Ltd
Priority date: 2014-02-07
Filing date: 2014-02-07
Publication date: 2014-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2022-02-07
Also published as: NZ628188A; CN104835044A

Abstract

A method and a system for providing information relating to a product unit to a client device, comprising: applying a plurality of product unit identification means to a plurality of product units, each product unit identification means comprising a product unit identifier unique to the respective product unit; collecting product unit quality information specific to each of the product units; storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association with the respective product unit identifier; receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; and sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. ' U Application of product unit identification means Collection of product unit quality information 3,, Storage of the product unit quality information 4 ,, Receiving a request for product unit quality information Sending the product unit quality information in response Figure 1

Description

SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PRODUCT QUALITY INFORMATION AND TRACEABILITY TO CUSTOMERS INCLUDING X-RAY IMAGES OF CAN PACKED FOOD PRODUCTS Field of Invention 5 The present invention relates to a system, method and/or apparatus for providing product information to consumers. More particularly, the invention relates to providing product quality information available to consumers for improved product traceability. o Background to the Invention Some products have information about them collected and recorded as they are produced, processed, distributed, sold and sometimes even ultimately used or consumed. The ability to determine such information about a product is known as tracing the product. The degree to 5 which a product's history can be traced is termed product traceability. A high degree of product traceability may be important to many or all of the parties involved with a product in one way or another. The ability to determine a product's origin and details of its history are clear benefits of a highly 0 traceable product. A significant advantage for producers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of a highly traceable product include less costly and more effective problem identification and solving in the event that defects or issues are found with a product. In turn, consumers are more likely to trust a highly traceable product and will have confidence that it is safer or of better quality than similar products, and they benefit from the increased level of 5 safety when using or consuming the product. Some producers or traders make information recorded while tracing a particular product available to the consumer, either accompanying the product or otherwise accessible to the consumer. In some instances such information may be accessible before the customer has 30 made the decision to purchase the product. Such information may include general information relating to the origin and journey of the product, for example its place of manufacture, and the names and locations of parties involved in the distribution of the product. A consumer may find this information useful or interesting, and may feel more trusting of a product accompanied by this information than a similar product from a less identifiable source. 35 However, information relating only to the origin or supply of a type of product or the particular batch may not help the consumer make a choice between two or more individual products that are each of the same type and were each produced in the same batch. 1 It would be advantageous if, before purchase, a consumer was readily able to obtain information on an individual product. It would be even further advantageous if the information relating to an individual product unit was specific to the product in question and provided information on the 5 quality of the product when compared to other individual products from the same batch. Some products, and often those that traced with a high degree of precision, require the consumer to have a high level of trust and confidence in the quality of the product. This is often the case for products that, if defective, can be particularly dangerous or unhealthy. An example 0 of such a product is infant milk powder. Purchasers of infant milk powder are very conscious of quality and safety, as infants may be particularly vulnerable to the effects of a defective milk powder product. 5 While products such as infant milk powder usually undergo rigorous quality checking processes during manufacture, consumers may benefit from increased confidence in the quality of products. It would therefore be advantageous if, when making the decision to purchase a particular unit of product that would have significant negative consequences if it were defective, the purchaser could access information to suggest that the particular unit of product is not 0 defective. Object of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method, system and/or apparatus of 5 providing information about a product unit to a customer. Alternatively, it is an object of the invention to address at least some of the foregoing problems or at least provide the public with a useful choice. 2 Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing information relating to a product unit to a client device, comprising: 5 applying a plurality of product unit identification means to a plurality of product units, each product unit identification means comprising a product unit identifier unique to the respective product unit; collecting product unit quality information specific to each of the product units; storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association 0 with the respective product unit identifier; receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; and sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. 5 Preferably, the product unit identification means comprises a visual code, and the product unit identifier is encoded in the visual code. For example, the product unit identifier may take the form of a number or an alphanumeric string. In some embodiments, the visual code comprises a matrix code or barcode. Preferably, the 0 visual code is a Quick Response (QR) code. In some embodiments the product unit identification means comprises the product unit identifier in the forms of both a visual code and a numeric or alphanumeric marking. 5 In some embodiments, after applying the product unit identification means, the method further comprises the step of identifying the product unit identifier from the product unit identification means at the time of, or prior to, collecting the product unit quality information of the respective product unit and thereby associating the product unit quality information with the product unit identifier of the respective product unit. 30 Preferably, the product unit quality information comprises an image indicative of the quality of the respective product unit. More preferably, the image shows the product unit or a part thereof. More preferably, the image is an x-ray image showing the contents of the product unit. 35 Preferably, the method comprises the step of generating more than one image of each product unit, at least one image being an x-ray image of the product unit. Another image may be a photograph of the product unit. Further images may include images that show specific sections 3 of the product unit that show any one or more of the following: product unit identification means, batch number, expiry date etc. Preferably, the method comprises generating the request identifying the selected product unit 5 identifier using a mobile device, for example a mobile phone or a tablet computer. More preferably, the method comprises reading the visual code using the mobile device. Preferably, the method also comprises collecting and storing other product unit information, including any one or more of the following: manufacturing location, company, distribution info, 0 product content information, batch number, expiry date. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for providing information relating to a product unit to a client device, comprising: means for applying a plurality of product unit identification means to a plurality of product 5 units, each product unit identification means comprising a product unit identifier unique to the respective product unit; means for collecting product unit quality information specific to each of the product units; means for storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association with the respective product unit identifier; 0 means for receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; and means for sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. 5 Preferably, the product unit identification means comprises a visual code, and the product unit identifier is encoded in the visual code. For example, the product unit identifier may take the form of a number or an alphanumeric string. In some embodiments, the visual code comprises a matrix code or barcode. 30 In some embodiments the product unit identification means comprises the product unit identifier in the forms of both a visual code and a numeric or alphanumeric marking. In some embodiments, the system further comprises means for identifying the product unit 35 identifier from the product unit identification means at the time of, or prior to, collecting the product unit quality information of the respective product unit and thereby associating the product unit quality information with the product unit identifier of the respective product unit. 4 Preferably, the product unit quality information comprises an image indicative of the quality of the respective product unit. More preferably, the image shows the product unit or a part thereof. More preferably, the image is an x-ray image showing the contents of the product unit. 5 Preferably, the system comprises means for generating more than one image of each product unit, at least one image being an x-ray image of the product unit. Another image may be a photograph of the product unit. Further images may include images that show specific sections of the product unit that show any one or more of the following: product unit identification means, batch number, expiry date etc. 0 Preferably, the request is made by a mobile device, for example a mobile phone or tablet. More preferably, the request is made by a mobile device that has extracted the product unit identifier from the product unit identification means. 5 Preferably, the system also comprises means for collecting and storing other product unit information, including any one or more of the following: manufacturing location, company, distribution info, product content information, batch number, expiry date. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method for providing information 0 relating to a product unit to a client device comprising: generating a plurality of product unit identifiers; receiving product unit quality information specific to each of a plurality of product units, each product unit having been assigned one of the plurality of product unit identifiers; storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association 5 with the product unit identifier assigned to each respective product unit; receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. 30 In some embodiments, before the step of receiving product unit quality information, the method comprises receiving identified product unit identifiers of a plurality of product units. Preferably, the identified product unit identifiers and product unit quality information are received and stored together in order to associate each product unit identifier with the respective product 35 unit quality information. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for providing information relating to a product unit to a client device comprising: 5 means for generating a plurality of product unit identifiers; means for receiving product unit quality information specific to each of a plurality of product units, each product unit having been assigned one of the plurality of product unit identifiers; 5 means for storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association with the product unit identifier assigned to each respective product unit; means for receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; means for sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. 0 Further aspects of the invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading of the following description which provides at least one example of a practical application of the invention. 5 Brief Description of the Drawings One or more embodiments of the invention will be described below by way of example only, and without intending to be limiting, with reference to the following drawings, in which: 0 Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method according to an embodiment of the invention and Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating a system according to another embodiment of the invention. 5 Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention Preferred embodiments of the invention comprise improved methods and systems of providing 30 to a customer, before or after sale, information on the quality of a particular unit of product (for example a single container or other unit intended for individual sale to consumer or user), and especially information specific to the particular unit of product when compared to other units of the product created in the same batch. 35 Figure 1 is a flow chart showing a method 10 of providing information relating to a product unit to a client device according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The first method step, step 1 comprises application of product unit identification means. More specifically, step 1 comprises applying a plurality of product unit identification means to a plurality of product units. 6 Each product unit identification means comprises a product unit identifier unique to the respective product unit, to facilitate the identification of a particular product unit, which may be a single unit of product intended for individual sale. The product unit identification means may be 5 any means to identify the product unit over all other product units, or at least all other product units to which the method is applied. Examples of product unit identification means are known in the art, for example barcodes, matrix codes, names, numbers, alphanumeric strings, etc., although the invention is not limited to any particular type of product unit identification means. o In order to provide identification of a single product unit over other product units of the same type, the product unit identification means comprises a product unit identifier, which is unique to the product unit to which the product unit identification means is applied. The product unit identifier is comprised by the product unit identification means in some way, for example a numeric, alphanumeric or binary number or string encoded in a barcode or matrix code, or if the 5 product unit identification means is a marking with a name or number, then the product unit identifier may be the name or number represented by the marking. In some embodiments only a part of the product unit identifier is unique to a particular product unit, for example different parts of a product unit identifier may refer to different characteristics of the product, for example a first part of the product unit identifier may refer to the batch, and therefore be consistent for all 0 product units in the batch, and a second part may refer to the product unit, and therefore be unique for each product unit of the batch. Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a system for providing information relating to a product unit to a client device according to another preferred embodiment of the invention. In this example, 5 product unit 20 is a single unit of dairy product, for example a container, a box, a bag or a bottle intended for individual sale to the consumer. In particular, the components shown within Figure 2 that form parts of a system according to the preferred embodiment of the invention may be QR code printer 21, QR code reader 22, camera 23, server 24, data store 241 and X-ray machine 25. 30 A product unit identification means comprising a product unit identifier is applied to the packaging of the product unit 20, which corresponds to step 1 of method 10. In this embodiment the product unit identification means is a Quick Response (QR) code, and the product unit identifier is a hyperlink encoded as an alphanumeric code in the QR code. QR code printer 21 35 applies a QR code to the product unit 20. The particular product unit identifier code encoded in the QR code that is applied to the product unit 20 is unique to the product unit 20. Each QR code, and therefore each product unit identifier, should not be applied to another product unit created within the same system in this embodiment of the invention. 7 At a time after the application of product unit identification means as per step 1 of method 10, the product unit quality information is collected as per step 2 of method 10. The product unit quality information comprises information specific to the particular product unit, meaning product 5 unit quality information on each product unit is collected individually, or if it is obtained collectively, the product unit quality information differentiates between the quality of one product unit and all others. Product unit quality information may be any information that indicates the quality or particular 0 qualities of a product unit. The nature of the quality may vary for different types of product but may include cleanliness, purity, safety, structural integrity, or any other type of quality. Examples of the type of information that may be indicative of the quality of a product unit in different embodiments of the invention include visual information such as a photograph or X-ray image, measured data such as that would be obtained by mass spectrometry, tensile testing, 5 composition or performance analysis, or any other testing or checking of any properties or qualities of a product. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the step of collecting product unit quality information comprises reading the QR code on a product unit using QR code reader 22 to ascertain the product unit 0 identifier and then transferring the identifier to camera 23 and X-ray machine 25. If the QR code reader 22 does not detect a QR code on a product unit then that product unit is rejected, or an alarm is triggered so that further analysis can be made before the process for that product unit is continued. 5 The camera 23 takes a photograph of product unit 20. The photograph may be indicative of the quality of the product unit, for example the photograph shows its outward physical appearance. The photograph is transmitted to server 24 and stored in data store 241 using a file name that associates the photograph with the product unit identifier of the product unit. 30 In one embodiment, the product unit identifier of the product unit takes the form <product type code><product unit sequence number>. For example, "ognilO00002" where "ogni" indicates the type of product and "10000002" indicates the sequence number of the product unit. This identifier is unique to the product unit and forms part of the QR code or product unit identification means. 35 The photograph of the product unit is stored in the data store 241 with file name of the form <product type code><product unit sequence number><photo identifying code>< file extension>. For example, "ognil000002cl.jpg" where "c1" indicates a first photograph taken by the 8 camera. By naming the file name of the photograph in this way, the photograph is stored in the data base in a manner which associates it to a specific product unit. If subsequent photographs of the same product unit are taken, they may include the code "c2" etc. 5 It will be understood that other methods of naming files relating to product quality information in a way that associates that information with the respective product unit may be used, and that the above example is not limiting to the invention. Similarly, the X-ray machine 25 takes an X-ray of the product unit 20, the X-ray showing the 0 internal state of the product unit and therefore being indicative of its quality. The X-ray images may be stored in data store 241 in a similar manner, i.e. with a file name in the form <product type code><product unit sequence number><x-ray identifying code>< file extension>. For example, "ogni1O00002x1.jpg" where "xl" indicates a first X-ray image of the product. 5 Referring to method 10 of Figure 1, after product unit quality information for a product unit has been collected and stored, a request for some or all of the product unit quality information for a selected one of the product units may be received from a client device by identifying the product unit by its product unit identifier, as per step 4 of method 10. Preferably, client device identifies the product unit identifier using the product unit identification means, and transmits the request 0 for the product quality information of the respective product unit to a server, which hosts a website 26 that can be accessed from the client device. The request may be transmitted automatically on identification of the product unit identifier, or the user may select an option on the client device to prompt the request to be transmitted. 5 For example, a product unit may have a product unit identification means in the form of a QR code which encodes a hyperlink in the form <domain name><product unit identifier><file extension>, e.g. http://example.com/ogniOO00002.htm. Reading this QR code results in a request for product quality information relating to the product unit with product unit identifier "ogni10000002". 30 Referring to Figure 2, website 26 is made available to consumers, and is configured to receive from the consumer a request for product unit quality information relating to the product unit 20. Each request identifies the particular product unit by its product unit identifier, which in this embodiment is the alphanumeric string (or unique part thereof) encoded in the QR code applied 35 to each product unit. If a consumer is considering purchasing product unit 20, or if a consumer is in possession of product unit 20 and is considering consuming or using the product's contents, the consumer can 9 use a device to read the QR code on the product unit 20 and use the encoded product unit identifier to make the request. Typically the consumer will use a mobile device such as a phone or a tablet with the ability to read a QR code, such as smart phone 27. Preferably the QR code will be encoded with a hyperlink that the consumer can follow to access website 26. The 5 hyperlink will preferably comprise the product unit identifier, or a unique part thereof. Referring to method 10 of Figure 1, step 5 comprises sending the product unit quality information that corresponds to the product unit identifier identified by the client device to the client device in response to the request. In the example described above, this step involves the 0 server searching data store 241 for information (in the form of photos and X-ray images in this example) whose file names contain the product identifier "ognilO00002". Referring to the embodiment of Figure 2, after receiving the request for product unit quality information for product unit 20, the website 26 receives the relevant product unit quality 5 information from the server 24, including the photograph and X-ray image corresponding to the product unit identifier for product unit 20. The website 26 then presents the product unit quality information including photograph and X-ray image to the customer, preferably in the form of a webpage. In the example described above, the website returns the images with file names "ogni10000002c1.jpg" and "ogni10000002x1.jpg", for example. 0 The consumer can view the photograph and the X-ray image and make a decision about whether or not to purchase or use the product unit 20. The consumer can base the decision on whether or not to purchase or use the product unit 20 on the indication of the quality of the product unit 20 and its contents provided by the photograph and X-ray image. For example, if 5 the X-ray image shows consistency throughout the contents of the product unit 20, this indicates to the consumer that there are no unintended objects within the product unit 20. The consumer could make multiple requests using the website 26, and receive product unit quality information corresponding to multiple products until finding a product unit of which they 30 are satisfied with the quality. There are therefore methods according to embodiments of the invention, of providing information relating to a product unit to a client device, which advantageously provides to, for example a potential customer, information specific to one particular product unit. 35 There are therefore also systems according to embodiments of the invention, that at least comprise means to perform each step of the methods, for example means to apply a plurality of product unit identification means to a plurality of product units each comprising a unique product 10 unit identifier (e.g. QR code on the product unit), means to collect product unit quality information (e.g. camera and X-ray machine), means to store the collected product unit quality information (e.g. image server), means to receive a request from a client device identifying a selected one of the product units (e.g. website), and means to send the relevant product unit 5 quality information to the client device (e.g. website). The systems according to embodiments of the invention may also comprise additional components such as a means to identify the product unit identifier of a product unit before product unit quality information is collected (QR reader). There are also methods according to embodiments of the invention, performed, for example by 0 a central computer, to enable methods of providing information relating to a product unit to a client device to be carried out. Such methods may involve generating a plurality of product unit identifiers, receiving product unit quality information specific to each of a plurality of product units, storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units along with the respective product unit identifier, receiving a request identifying one of the product unit 5 identifiers, and sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the product unit to the client device. Where a method such as described above is carried out by one or more apparatus within a system according to the present invention, it will be clear that the apparatus will be an apparatus 0 according to an embodiment of the invention. An example of such an apparatus could be a general purpose computer configured to perform method steps according to the embodiments described above. Alternative Embodiments 5 In other embodiments, the invention may comprise alternative ways of identifying the product quality information relating to the product unit identifier of the respective product unit, and storing the quality information and identifier in association with each other. 30 In one embodiment of the invention, the product units are processed in order and the quality information and identifiers are related by the order in which they are collected / identifier. This may be an effective method on a conveyor system, although one drawback is that data may be confused if the sequence of products is interrupted for any reason. 35 In another embodiment of the invention, the time of identifying product unit identifier and the time of collecting the product unit quality information is used. This embodiment will be described with reference to the system of Figure 2. 11 The product unit for which product unit quality information is to be collected, may be identified before the information is collected. This may be achieved by identifying the product unit by its product unit identifier. As per the embodiment of Figure 2, at a time after the QR code is applied to the product unit 20, the QR code is read by QR code reader 22 in order to identify the 5 particular product unit. In this embodiment a timestamp is recorded at the time the product unit identifier is detected. The timestamp may be stored in association with the product unit identifier in a data store 241 associated with server 24. Product unit quality information can then be collected. 0 Camera 23 takes a photograph of the product unit 20, which is also given a timestamp, i.e. the photograph of the product unit is stored in data store 241 in association with the timestamp. X ray machine 25 takes an X-ray image of the product unit 20 showing the contents of the product unit 20. The X-ray image is also given a timestamp. In this embodiment there are therefore two types of product unit quality information collected. 5 At the same time that camera 23 takes the photograph of product 20, the QR code on the product 20 may be read again, either by the camera 23 itself or another QR code reader. An additional timestamp may be recorded when the QR code is read at the same time as the photograph is taken. Comparison of these two timestamps helps to ensure that the correct 0 photograph is stored in the data store 241 in association with the correct product unit identifier. Likewise, when the X-ray machine 25 generates the X-ray image of the product unit 20, the QR code may be read again and an additional timestamp recorded. This may make for easier identification of the product unit in a given photograph or X-ray by identifying matching or near matching timestamps recorded for when a product unit is identified by QR code, and when it is 5 photographed or X-rayed. The above advantages notwithstanding, in some embodiments the QR code may only be read once by a standalone QR code reader such as QR code reader 21 in Figure 2, shortly before the product unit quality information is collected. In such an embodiment there may be a small 30 difference between the timestamps recorded, for example as the product unit moved between a QR code reader, camera and X-ray machine. After collection of product unit quality information as per step 3 of the method 10, the collected product unit quality information for each product unit is stored in association with the respective 35 product unit identifier in data store 241. This creates a record of the product unit quality information collected for each product unit. 12 Referring to the embodiment of Figure 2, the product unit identifier, the photograph, the X-ray image and the timestamp(s) for each are stored in data store 241, which is controlled and/or accessible by server 24. 5 In an embodiment where the product unit identifier is only identified once before collection of all product unit quality information, for example by QR code reader 21 of Figure 2, the product unit identifier and each product unit quality information, for example the photograph and X-ray image of product unit 20, are matched with each other in the data store 241 by the identification of a predetermined amount of time between timestamps within a predetermined tolerance. 0 In an embodiment where the product unit identifier is identified at the same time as the collection of each type of product unit quality information, the product unit identifier is matched with each collected product unit quality information by the identification of timestamps that match, or match within a predetermined tolerance. 5 Some embodiments may comprise a combination of the above two embodiments, such that the product unit identifier of a product unit is identified before any product unit quality information is collected, and the product unit identifier is also identified each time product unit quality information is collected. Such an embodiment may be useful for avoiding errors. 0 As multiple product unit identifiers, photographs and X-ray images are all stored in server 24 matched to particular product units, a record of the outside and inside appearance of each product unit is kept, preferably along with any other useful information, which may or may not be specific to the product unit, such as manufacturing location, company, distribution info, product 5 content information, batch number, expiry date. This embodiment of the invention is not limited to the distance in time and space between the application of a product unit identification means and subsequent steps. The product units may advantageously be packaged for individual sale at one location and receive a product unit 30 identification means and product unit identifier, and then be distributed elsewhere with the product unit quality information being collected at some point of the journey of the product unit. The invention is not limited to its application to any particular type of product unit. That is, the product unit for which information is collected is not limited to dairy products, and is not limited 35 to food or consumable products. For example, a consumer may find it advantageous to be able to view pictures and verify the quality of the particular tools included in a toolbox, where the toolbox cannot be opened until after purchase. 13 Other examples of products for which it may be useful to assess quality prior to purchasing include safety equipment, sports equipment, electronic equipment, among others. Likewise the product unit quality information is not limited to photographs and X-ray images. 5 Furthermore, where photographs and X-ray images are made available to the consumer, they may not show the finished product. For example, a consumer may find it advantageous or interesting to see photos or videos of the particular product unit being manufactured. Other forms of product unit quality information may include data from testing a sample of the 0 contents of the particular product unit. For example, a consumer may find it advantageous or interesting to see the results of a test for the nutritional contents of a particular container of a food product, especially where the product is purchased for its nutritional value, for example nutritional supplements. 5 Other examples of the type of product quality information that may be useful to assess when purchasing products other than dairy / food products includes internal imagery, structural strength/integrity data, surface condition information, manner of assembly/manufacture, internal appearance, among others. o The methods and systems according to embodiments of the present invention are not limited to situations where the consumer is in possession of or in the same place as the physical product unit. In some embodiments the product unit may be sold online, and the product unit identification means may be a code, number, marking or preferably a hyperlink which the consumer may use to make a request from the website to see the product unit quality 5 information available for a particular product unit. In this case, if the consumer purchases a product unit for which they made a request for product unit quality information or other information specific to that product unit, their order would reflect that particular product unit identifier so that they receive the particular product unit for which they viewed the product unit quality information. 30 Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words "comprise", "comprising", and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense, that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to". 35 The entire disclosures of all applications, patents and publications cited above and below, if any, are herein incorporated by reference. 14 Reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour in any country in the world. 5 The invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of said parts, elements or features. Where in the foregoing description reference has been made to integers or components having 0 known equivalents thereof, those integers are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and 5 without diminishing its attendant advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and modifications be included within the present invention. 15

Claims

1. A method of providing information relating to a product unit to a client device, comprising: 5 applying a plurality of product unit identification means to a plurality of product units, each product unit identification means comprising a product unit identifier unique to the respective product unit; collecting product unit quality information specific to each of the product units; storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in 0 association with the respective product unit identifier; receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; and sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. 5

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the product unit identification means comprises a visual code.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the product unit identifier is encoded in the visual code. 0

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product unit identifier comprises a number or an alphanumeric string.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2-4, wherein the visual code comprises a 5 matrix code or barcode.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2-5, wherein the visual code is a Quick Response (QR) code. 30

7. A method as claimed in any one of claims 2-6 wherein the product unit identification means comprises the product unit identifier in the forms of both a visual code and a numeric or alphanumeric marking.

8. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein after applying the 35 product unit identification means, the method further comprises the step of identifying the product unit identifier from the product unit identification means at the time of, or prior to, collecting the product unit quality information of the respective product unit and thereby associating the product unit quality information with the product unit identifier of the respective product unit 16

9. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product unit quality information comprises an image indicative of the quality of the respective product unit. 5

10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the image shows the product unit or a part thereof.

11. A method as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the image is an X-ray image showing the contents of the product unit. 0

12. A method as claimed in any one of claims 9-11, wherein the method comprises the step of generating more than one image of each product unit.

13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein one of the images comprises a photograph of 5 the product unit.

14. A method as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the images comprise at least one image that shows a specific section of the product unit that shows any one or more of the product unit identification means, a batch number and/or an expiry date. 0

15. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises generating the request identifying the selected product unit identifier using a mobile device. 5

16. A method as claimed in claim 15 wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone or a tablet computer.

17. A method as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the method comprises reading the visual code using the mobile device. 30

18. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the method also comprises collecting and storing other product unit information, including any one or more of manufacturing location, company name, distribution info, product content information, batch number and/or expiry date. 35

19. A system for providing information relating to a product unit to a client device, comprising: means for applying a plurality of product unit identification means to a plurality of product units, each product unit identification means comprising a product unit identifier 40 unique to the respective product unit; 17 means for collecting product unit quality information specific to each of the product units; means for storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association with the respective product unit identifier; 5 means for receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; and means for sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. 0

20. A system as claimed in claim 19, wherein the product unit identification means comprises a visual code.

21. A system as claimed in claim 20, wherein the product unit identifier is encoded in the visual code. 5

22. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19-21, wherein the product unit identifier may take the form of a number or an alphanumeric string.

23. A system as claimed in any one of claims 20-22, wherein the visual code comprises a 0 matrix code or barcode.

24. A system as claimed in any one of claims 20-23, wherein the product unit identification means comprises the product unit identifier in the forms of both a visual code and a numeric or alphanumeric marking. 5

25. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19-24, wherein the system further comprises means for identifying the product unit identifier from the product unit identification means at the time of, or prior to, collecting the product unit quality information of the respective product unit and thereby associating the product unit quality information with the product 30 unit identifier of the respective product unit.

26. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19-25, wherein the product unit quality information comprises an image indicative of the quality of the respective product unit. 35

27. A system as claimed in claim 26, wherein the image shows the product unit or a part thereof.

28. A system as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein the image is an X-ray image showing the contents of the product unit. 40 18

29. A system as claimed in any one of claims 26-28, wherein the system comprises means for generating more than one image of each product unit.

30. A system as claimed in claim 29, wherein the system comprises means for generating at 5 least one photograph of the product unit.

31. A system as claimed in claim 29 or 30, wherein the images comprise at least one image that shows a specific section of the product unit that shows any one or more of the product unit identification means, a batch number and/or an expiry date. 0

32. Further images may include images that show specific sections of the product unit that show any one or more of the following: product unit identification means, batch number, expiry date etc. 5

33. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19-32, wherein the request is made by a mobile device, for example a mobile phone or tablet.

34. A system as claimed in any one of claims 33, wherein the request is made by a mobile device that has extracted the product unit identifier from the product unit identification 0 means.

35. A system as claimed in any one of claims 19-34, wherein the system also comprises means for collecting and storing other product unit information, including any one or more of the following: manufacturing location, company, distribution info, product content 5 information, batch number, expiry date.

36. A method for providing information relating to a product unit to a client device comprising: generating a plurality of product unit identifiers; 30 receiving product unit quality information specific to each of a plurality of product units, each product unit having been assigned one of the plurality of product unit identifiers; storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association with the product unit identifier assigned to each respective product unit; 35 receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit identifiers; sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device.

37. A method as claimed in claim 36, wherein before the step of receiving product unit 40 quality information, the method comprises receiving identified product unit identifiers of a plurality of product units. 19

38. A method as claimed in claim 36 or 37, wherein the identified product unit identifiers and product unit quality information are received and stored together in order to associate each product unit identifier with the respective product unit quality information. 5

39. An apparatus for providing information relating to a product unit to a client device comprising: means for generating a plurality of product unit identifiers; means for receiving product unit quality information specific to each of a plurality 0 of product units, each product unit having been assigned one of the plurality of product unit identifiers; means for storing the product unit quality information for each of the product units in association with the product unit identifier assigned to each respective product unit; means for receiving a request identifying a selected one of the product unit 5 identifiers; means for sending the product unit quality information corresponding to the selected product unit identifier to the client device. 20