GB2412459A - Product life and due diligence management system for goods susceptible to temperature and or humidity - Google Patents

Abstract

A service shared by shippers and receivers to keep independent records of environmental conditions (temperature and / or humidity) in which products are transported and / or stored and to estimate the reduction in life expectancy when these are not ideal. Digital signatures being automatically added to the data protects the integrity of the parameters used and the information collected by the logging device. The service uses the latest information provided by shippers and receivers in selling the parameters used by the logging device and calculating the estimated loss of life expectancy (including monetary valuation). The shipper is automatically advised by e-mail, with an optional attachment of a copy of the recordings, that the logging device has been downloaded. Shippers and receivers can add additional information, e.g. times when the logging device was not with the product, to improve the accuracy of the estimated loss.

Description

1 2412459

DESCRIPTION

PRODUCT LIFE AND DUE DILIGENCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR GOODS

SUSCEPTIBLE TO TEMPERATURE AND / OR HUMIDITY.

The system is an aid to ensure idue diligence, is perfommed through cooperation of suppliers and receivers of products, which are adversely affected by the environment (temperature and/or humidity). The system brings together a number of items currently in use, but adds some methods, which are believed to be unique, either in part or through use in combination.

The system is based on the use of an Internet service and one or more recording devices positioned in the same containers as the goods being controlled. One important factor in the system is the independent recording by the device of the environmental conditions.

The basic operation of the system is that the unit is programmed by the shipper i.e. given parameters relevant to the goods being transported/stored and at a later time the infommation recorded is extracted by the receiver and calculations perfommed to indicate the effect of the conditions on the goods (e.g. reduction in anticipated product life).

Key aspects of the system: Individual products and product variants (e.g. Avocado (bass), Avocado (booth)) have specific settings and calculation parameters. Including the product life expectancy at ideal temperature.

The basis for calculation is that: The rate of loss of life Cage = 4100(at2 + bt + c)/ (aj2 + bi + c)" Where "t" is the temperature, Hi" is the ideal temperature and A, b, c" are the factors for each product.

For results greater than 100% the time is increased using this %age.

The system has a Maximum, minimum and low life limit" temperature settings and time spent above and below these are calculated.

The system has a "time to alarm" seeing used by the logging device and in reports.

. The environmental conditions are monitored as frequently as required (e.g. every ala minute). Each individual period is then analysed and the cumulative effect calculated.

The calculation parameters used can be selected from standard and / or published factors, or can be individually set for each product.

Calculations can be adjusted to ignore readings considered invalid (e.g. recordings made by the recording device during its movement to and from the goods.) Both shipper and receiver can add action notes (corrective actions) to the infommation about the 'shipment' taken as a result of the information calculated (e.g. reduce the . . 'sell by' and / or 'use by' dates, use the goods for alternative purposes).

The shipper can input any product life already expired prior to shipment.

The information can be viewed in the users language and local time zone and preferred temperatures scale.

System access is by the Account User and password, this allows for different users to have access to deferent facilities, (e.g. the individual responsible for downloading the infommation may not have access to setting calculation factors).

Shippers and receivers only have access to those recordings where the logger was specifically programmed and downloaded by them, therefore they are unable to access infommation from loggers programmed and downloaded by other shippers and receivers.

Shippers are automatically advises by e-mail, with an optional attachment of a copy of the recordings, that a logging device has been downloaded.

A third party, ensuring independence of data recorded and calculations performed, administers the system.

Claims (10)

1. A secure shared system for shippers and receivers to keep independent records of environmental conditions in which products are transported and / or stored and to calculate any estimated loss of life expectancy.

2. A system as claimed in claims where shippers and receivers can add additional information, e.g. times when the logging device was not with the product, to improve the accuracy of the estimated loss.

3. A system as claimed in claim1 that automatically advises the shipper by e-mail, with an optional attachment of a copy of the recordings, that a logging device has been downloaded.

4. A system as claimed in claim1 that uses the latest information provided by the shippers and receivers in setting the parameters used by a logging device.

5. A system as claimed in Claims where the integrity of the recordings and parameters are protected using digital signatures.

6. A system as claimed in claim1 that is accessed by account user and password. ë.

7. A system as claimed in claim 1 where the information can be accessed in the user's preferred language, local time zone and temperature scale.

:.

8. A system as claimed in claim 1 where an estimated value is calculated for the estimated reduction in life expectancy. .

9. A system as claimed in claim 1 where the information is presented in graphical and tabular form.

10. A system substantially as herein described and illustrated in the system overview diagram.