ES1251050U - System for the traceability and control of industrial packaging, based on QR-and Micro-QR codes (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

System to achieve the traceability and control of the containers used in the industrial sector, in each of the internal and external processes to which they are subjected The information necessary for the control and traceability of each container is obtained by accessing a computer platform dynamic, by reading the QR or Micro-QR codes associated with each container. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

System for the traceability and control of industrial packaging, based on QR and Micro-QR codes.

Technical sector

This system, object of the invention, has innumerable applications in the industrial sector.

Background of the invention

As a reference to the state of the art, it should be noted that the existence of QR codes is widely known and Micro-QR ( quick response code, «rapid response code») is a module to store information in a 5-point matrix or a Two-dimensional barcode created by the Japanese company Denso Wave. It is characterized by the three squares that are in the corners and that allow the reader to detect the position of the code.

These codes have undergone a constant evolution in their usefulness in recent years, reaching an important boom thanks to the development of innumerable software applications for reading these codes and the generalization of the use of Smartphones and tablets that incorporate this software. This allows a large part of the general population to have immediate access to information accessible through these codes.

It should be noted that it is not the object of this patent to claim the use of QR or Micro-QR codes as a novelty, but rather the novelty of the dynamic, accessible, global and easy-to-implement system that is a solution to the lack of systems that allow manage information necessary to control the state and situation of the containers used in the industrial sector.

There are patents such as PCT / ES2012 / 070297 that refer to a product identity verification and traceability system. This system is based on encrypted QR codes that are not accessible to any user. The purpose of this system is to verify the authenticity of a product of high acquisition value to avoid its falsification: According to its description, "it is not the object of this invention to present information on a product, whatever it may be, but rather to include it in the product a system through which it can be verified by computer, therefore by auxiliary means, and through the decryption with all its procedure, the veracity of the product, since by comparing the decrypted code of the product with the database we can guarantee the authenticity The information of the code is not accessible to the general public, since it is encrypted, therefore it is necessary to rely on complementary elements, which means that the person interested in the falsification cannot change the codes or the information ".

The object of the previous patent, although it uses QR codes for its application, proposes a different solution, framed in the field of security for luxury products, in order to avoid counterfeiting.

Patent P200402036 refers in its description to a system based on RFID tags for the management of industrial containers by means of an electronic tag. For the implementation of this system it is necessary to use "a combination of electronic labels with radiofrequency identification located in each and every one of the containers, transmitting and receiving antennas located in the passage or storage areas of the containers, and a computer system based on a local area network, managed by a characteristic and specific software ”.

The system that we propose does not require the installation of transmitting or receiving antennas and its scope of action is global without having to act in a specific local area equipped for this purpose. On the other hand, RFID systems emit radio frequency waves between 125MHz to 2.45 GHz to achieve the reading of electronic labels and its application in a multitude of containers that contain products, especially chemicals, that may react to this emission is totally inadvisable. . In addition, the implementation costs of these systems are very high compared to the system we propose, as it is a passive system based on an image of a QR or Micro-QR code that, when scanned, uses the resources of the device that executes the reading. anywhere in the world without the need for the installation of various receiving and transmitting antennas or expensive electronic tags.

Patent ES-2400144_A1 whose description is "The procedure for obtaining information about a product during its traceability, is intended to obtain information about a product that is contained within a product unit, which is located in turn together with other units of product within at least one box containing several of those units of product, while such boxes constitute at least one batch of product they are supported by at least one "pallet". It involves identifying each product unit, box, batch or pallet by means of the static information contained in a barcode that is generated after having previously entered the corresponding information using a computer program. The purpose of this procedure is to gain access to pre-registered information for each unit or group of products from manufacture to the end consumer.

The system we propose is not intended to provide information on a batch or unit of consumer products related to a code that contains static, pre-registered and unalterable information. The purpose of our system is to control the flow of industrial packaging within a variable process through a system that dynamically manages and transforms information at each step, sending status and geolocation messages to the different recipients in real time, storing the history of the processes of each container in an accessible database for comprehensive consultation. In each scan of the QR code associated with a container, the system modifies its status and location, automatically updating its status within the process. On the other hand, our system allows the recipients to be informed in real time of each change in status and location and of an eventual incident at a certain point with the option to interact by filling in a text field with the description of the incident and relating it. with an image that will also be registered in the database so that it can be managed.

Explanation of the invention

The invention, as expressed in the statement of this descriptive memory, refers to a system to achieve traceability and control of the containers used in the industrial sector, in each of the internal and external processes to which they are submitted. The information necessary for the control and traceability of each container is achieved through access to a dynamic computer platform, by reading the QR or Micro-QR codes associated with each container. When they are scanned, they allow to register on this platform all the information related to their location and status in a certified way and in real time. In each scan of the code, the system modifies its status and location, updating the status of the container within the process automatically. The system acts when the QR code is read or Micro-QR using a smartphone with an internet connection or any other device suitable for this purpose. The system will be functional in any geographical area, both in internal industrial processes (cleaning, packaging, palletizing, storage, loading, shipping, etc.) and external (such as the logistics phases of distribution and delivery to other companies or industries) and It does not require other auxiliary systems for its implementation since it uses the resources of the device that scans it to perform the function that has been programmed for it. In some cases the containers are returnable, so a shipping and return cycle is created for their reuse, until the end of their useful life.

The QR or Micro-QR codes can be housed on the containers by means of labels, stickers, plates, engravings or screen-printed directly on the container, or by any other element that unequivocally relates the QR code to the container to which it is associated.

The QR or Micro-QR codes will be associated with each container, series or set of containers, depending on the degree of control that you want to establish. This relationship will be carried out by filling in an editable form from a computer platform that will allow the QR or Micro-QR code to be related to those identifying data of the container that each industry requires. It will also allow to include the address or addresses for sending automatic alerts that the system will automatically issue in each phase of the process when the QR or Micro-QR code associated with each container is scanned, to inform in real time of the change in status, geo -location with visual information on map, coordinates and address, or a possible incident.

Once the QR or Micro-QR code has been associated with the container, it will be active. Each time the reading of the QR or Micro-QR code is executed, the system will present an interface where a specific action can be selected: operator identification, packaging (content), stored, loaded, sent, delivered, incident (attach image incidence, descriptive text field), etc. and it will immediately send a message automatically to the pre-registered recipient or recipients with the information, their geo-location of the container at the time of scanning, the system will present the interface corresponding to each stage on the reader device, with the specific options to select.

The system, in addition to sending messages to the recipients of the location and status of the container in each phase, will collect all the information related to each container and will be stored in a database. The authorized person or person in charge of the industrial entity will have exclusive access to an administration panel where they will be able to know the history of each of their containers, or identify the containers that are in each state, location or at a certain stage. In the same way, you can edit the data entered in the association form to modify or update them. The QR or Micro-QR codes may be canceled when the associated container completes the process or when it is discarded due to expiration or deterioration. From the administration panel, the system will offer the possibility of exporting all the collected data, in real time and in compatible formats so that they can be analyzed for study from external platforms.

The system will allow the industrial entity to share the information collected from the containers in real time from the computer platform, with the companies or other industries that are receiving their products, to share certified information on the status and situation of their containers within the cycle or process.

The industrial containers to which we refer can be primary, secondary or tertiary and can contain other containers, raw materials, manufactured or semi-processed products, in solid or gaseous state.

The functionality of the system that we propose represents a series of advantages that represent an innovative solution for the traceability and control of industrial packaging. An accessible system without geographical limitations that is easy and quick to apply since it does not require the installation of auxiliary systems to guarantee its operation. The information collected allows the industrialist to know in real time where and in what state each of his containers is, allowing him to optimize processes, saving time and resources. An innovative system with constitutive characteristics unknown until now that, together with its practical utility, provide it with a foundation to qualify for the privilege of exclusivity that is requested.

Brief description of the drawings

To complete the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, the present specification is attached, as an integral part thereof, with a set of drawings, in which for illustrative purposes and not limiting, the following has been represented:

Figure 1: Shows the control procedure for industrial packaging from its manufacture to the final delivery to the recipient company.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

In view of the figure 1 described and in accordance with the numbering adopted in it, the process of control and traceability of an industrial container can be observed from its manufacture to the recipient company.

The manufacturing, packaging and warehouse area are within a certain radius (7). The system will discriminate this area by geolocation and will show in each scan of the QR code the options that identify each stage of the process in these facilities: factory (1), packaging plant (2) warehouse (3), dispatch (4). The container, once manufactured, is marked with a QR code that will be previously associated with the container and will remain active. When the container is sent from the factory (1) to the packaging plant (2) it will be scanned (a), and the option "packaging" must be selected from the options that the system interface will present. Subsequently, the container with its content It is sent from the packaging plant (2) to the warehouse (3) and is scanned (b) by selecting the "warehouse" option. Finally, when the container leaves the warehouse (3) on dispatch (4), the QR code (c) will be scanned again and the "dispatch" option will be selected. At this point, within the option "expedition", the system will present a sub - option that will allow to enter the expedition data (registration number, reference, destination, etc.).

When the QR code of the container is scanned outside the manufacturing area, the system will determine by geolocation that the QR code is outside this area and will present a different interface with new options: transshipment (5) or final delivery (6). In the event that the container is transported by more than one vehicle (5), when it is transshipped, the QR code of the container (d) will be scanned by selecting the "transshipment" option. In this option, the data of the container can be entered again. the new shipment, observations and incidents in the event of observing any damage in the container. Ultimately, the container will be delivered to the final destination (6) and the QR code (e) must be scanned by selecting the option "delivery." This last option will allow you to include observations in the event of an incident and attach an image of the damage.

Each time the QR code is scanned, the system will issue a message to the assigned addresses, with real-time information on the change in the state of the container and its geolocation. All data collected by the system during the process will be stored in an accessible database (9) to be able to know the current status, history, incidents or dispatch data of each container.

Claims (7)

1. System to achieve the traceability and control of the containers used in the industrial sector, in each of the internal and external processes to which they are subjected. The information necessary for the control and traceability of each container is achieved by accessing a dynamic computer platform, by reading the QR or Micro-QR codes associated with each container. 2. According to claim 1, the invention refers to a system characterized in that the data is processed in real time and stored in an accessible database, to be able to know the situation and status of a container, in a certified way, in a moment determined, or its complete history from the date of its activation. 3. According to claim 1, the invention refers to a system characterized in that it is applicable to primary secondary and tertiary containers, depending on the degree of control that you want to establish. 4. According to claims 1 to 3, the invention refers to a system characterized in that it can discriminate by geolocation the place of reading the QR or Micro-QR code, presenting on the reader device an interface with the specific options to select, depending on of the place and time of the process where it is. The selected option will be registered and the change of situation and status of the container will be automatically made in the system database. 5. According to claims 1 to 4, the invention refers to a system characterized in that, in the event of an incident being observed, the system will allow it to be recorded in the database. 6. According to claims 1 to 5, the invention refers to a system characterized in that each time the QR or Micro-QR code is scanned, the system will issue a message to the designated recipients with the information regarding the change of state, stage or incidence, as well as the geolocation of the reading in map format, IP, coordinates and address. 7. According to claims 1 to 6, the invention refers to a system characterized in that the industrial entity will have access to the database through an exclusive administration panel, with options for viewing, editing, and the possibility of exporting all the information in real time and in compatible formats so that it can be analyzed for study from external platforms.