WO2005081174A1 - Procede et systeme de poursuite d'expeditions et de receptions - Google Patents

Procede et systeme de poursuite d'expeditions et de receptions Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005081174A1
WO2005081174A1 PCT/US2005/005152 US2005005152W WO2005081174A1 WO 2005081174 A1 WO2005081174 A1 WO 2005081174A1 US 2005005152 W US2005005152 W US 2005005152W WO 2005081174 A1 WO2005081174 A1 WO 2005081174A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
item
items
distribution chain
carton
recited
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2005/005152
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Richard J. Campero
Keyur P. Patel
Original Assignee
Meadwestvaco Corporation
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Meadwestvaco Corporation filed Critical Meadwestvaco Corporation
Publication of WO2005081174A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005081174A1/fr

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/08—Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
    • G06Q10/087—Inventory or stock management, e.g. order filling, procurement or balancing against orders

Definitions

  • Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems typically use one or more reader antennae to send radio frequency (RF) signals to items ta_gged with RFID tags.
  • RFID tags In response to the radio frequency (RF) signals from an RFID reader antenna, the RFID tags, when excited, produce a disturbance in the magnetic field (or electric field) that is detected by the RFID rea der antenna.
  • RFID tags are passive tags that are excited o-r resonate in response to the RF signal from a reader antenna if the tags are within the antenna's range. The excited RFID tags produce a disturbance . in the electro-magnetic field that is detected by the reader antenna.
  • the detection range of RFID systems is typically limited by signal strength to short ranges. Therefore, portable reader units may be moved past a group of tagged items in order to detect all the tagged items, particularly where the tagged items are stored in a space significantly greater than the detection range of a stationary or fixed single RFID reader antenna. Alternately, a large RFID reader antenna with sufficient power and range to detect a larger number of tagged items may be used. However, such an antenna may be unwieldy and may increase the range of the radiated power beyond acceptable limits. Furthermore, RFID reader antennae are often located in retail stores or other locations where space is at a premium and it is expensive and inconvenient to use large RFID reader antennae.
  • RFID reader antennae may be designed so that a sufficient read range may be maintained between the RFID reader antenna and associated RFID tags, without exceeding FCC limitations on radiated emissions.
  • a method of and system for item management and processing is provided.
  • a method of and system for facilitating the shipment or other distribution of items or objects e.g., manufactured products
  • one or more products may be uniquely identified (e.g., using an RFID tag) for shipment in a distribution chain.
  • the identified products may be monitored or tracked at one or more stages of the distribution chain, and the products and/or shipment itself may be verified or authenticated in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting an exemplary item management system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIGs. 2 A and 2B illustrate process flows of an exemplary shipping and receipt method (and system) in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary shipping and receipt method (and system) in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • FIGs.4-12 illustrate exemplary commercial implementations of an item management process or system as applied to a retail pharmacy environment in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • an item management system may be incorporated into the overall flow of an item that is transported from a manufacturing facility to its ultimate destination (e.g., consumer).
  • an initial Packing Center 205 may be a facility used by a manufacturer to pack items for shipment in a box, container, pallet, or other packaging (hereinafter "carton"). A record of the items packed into each carton may be created.
  • one or more machine-readable identifiers may be attached to, affixed to, integrated with, included within, or otherwise coupled to each item to be shipped, as described in more detail in the '892 and '941 patent applications, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
  • a record of the association between the identifier and the shipping carton can be formed and stored on a remote/local computer system or other storage mechanism, as symbolically represented by Server 220.
  • Server 220 is preferably configured to communicate information with (to and from) the Packing Center 205.
  • Server 220 may, for example, communicate information for writing to the individual RFID tags respectively attached to the items being packed, communicate the record of items packed in each carton, as well as communicate any other information that may be useful in the tracking or other management of the items to be shipped. Server 220 may also be used to communicate information (e.g., identifiers associated with the record of items to be shipped, the record itself, etc.) for writing to one or more identifiers (e.g., RFID tags or other recording mechanisms) that may be coupled to the shipping carton.
  • information e.g., identifiers associated with the record of items to be shipped, the record itself, etc.
  • identifiers e.g., RFID tags or other recording mechanisms
  • a carton may be shipped directly from Packing Center 205 to a Receipt Center 215 (e.g., a retailer, ultimate consumer, etc.). Alternatively, a carton may be shipped to one or more distribution centers (e.g., distributors, wholesalers, aggregators, etc.) symbolically represented in FIG. 1 as Packing/Receipt Centers 207, 210 before reaching Receipt Center 215.
  • a Receipt Center 215 e.g., a retailer, ultimate consumer, etc.
  • distribution centers e.g., distributors, wholesalers, aggregators, etc.
  • the record of the specific items that were packed in the shipped carton (e.g., shipped from Packing Center 205) as communicated to its destination (e.g., Packing/Receipt Center 207, 210, Receipt Center 215, etc.) by the Server 220 or otherwise obtained (e.g., read from, activated link to access record, etc.) through an identifier of the shipped carton.
  • its destination e.g., Packing/Receipt Center 207, 210, Receipt Center 215, etc.
  • the contents of the shipped carton can be verified.
  • the items for example, may be read by exposing the carton (as shipped) to an RFID reader, unpacking the items and exposing the items to a reader, etc. As the items are read, the items can be checked against the record of packed items.
  • a user interface may be provided to indicate the status of items packed in the carton (e.g., whether an item has been unpacked, if items are missing, if an item was incorrectly included in the shipment, etc.).
  • a record of the receipt of the items and the shipped carton can be prepared and stored (e.g., in Server 220, in (or accessible using) an identifier coupled to the shipped carton, etc.).
  • the items may be thereafter unpacked and further distributed into (smaller/bigger) groups for further distribution (e.g., to Packing/Receipt Center 210, to Receipt Center 215, to consumer, etc.).
  • the items may be repacked in one or more cartons.
  • a record of the items as repacked in one or more cartons can also be stored in Server 220, as well as recorded on (or accessible using) an identifier coupled to a carton.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates only one of many possible configurations for the system.
  • Packing Center 205, Packing/Receipt Center 207, Packing/Receipt Center 210, and Receipt Center 215, may each have at least one tracking system (as indicated by blocks 105, 107, 110 and 115, respectively) or other processing device for performing the functions and operations described above. Items within a carton may be sent to an infinite number of Packing/ Receipt Centers 207, 210 either directly from the Packing Center 205 or from another Packing/Receipt Center, or may be sent directly to one of any number of Receipt Centers 215.
  • Packing/Receipt Centers may receive cartons of items from any number of Packing Centers or Packing/ Receipt Centers.
  • the process implemented in FIG. 1 may be implemented using RFID tagged items, wlierein the tags are read during packing and unpacking to create a record of which items are received or sent. This information may also be used to create a packing list.
  • the cartons may be RFID tagged and, as the items are packed into a carton, the item RFID tags may be associated with the carton RFID tag to create the record of packed items.
  • one application of the system of FIG. 1 is in the shipment and receipt system illustrated in FIGs. 2A and 2B.
  • This implementation of the item management system particularly employs RFID technology to aid in the tracking and authentication of RFID tagged items or products in a retail environment.
  • RFID reading and writing capabilities may be incorporated into tracking systems (not shown) that may be in place in different parts of a package distribution process 400, particularly at one or more of the distribution points along a chain, as symbolically represented by: Manufacturer 410; Wholesale Distribution Center 420; Retail Distribution Center 430; Retail Outlet 440; and Consumer 450.
  • Such tracking systems may be, for example, implementations of one or more embodiments described in the '892 and '941 patent applications, which are incorporated herein by reference in their respective entireties.
  • an item or product e.g., drug
  • the product is packaged for shipment (typically with other products) from the Manufacturer 410 to the next stage in the distribution chain.
  • Manufacturer 410 may attach, affix, integrate, include within, or otherwise couple an RFID tag with each product to be shipped.
  • Manufacturer 410 may write information about the product to the individual RFID tags, including information regarding a "licensed" (valid) or "assigned" serial number.
  • the serial number (or other information) to be written may be received from a local, remote, or centralized entity, as symbolically represented by write process 418 output from Application and Data Server [0018]
  • the serial number may include the manufacturer's product code (PC) of the product.
  • Information including the PC number and other data, may be transmitted to and from the Application and Data Server 480.
  • the product may be shipped or otherwise distributed to other portions of the distribution chain (e.g., Wholesale Distribution Center 420, Retail Distribution Center 430, Retail Outlet 440, Consumer 450, etc.). As shown in this illustrated implementation, the products are shipped to a Wholesale Distribution Center 420.
  • a "pick" (or unpacking) operation may be performed, as symbolically represented by block 424.
  • a "pick" operation 424 may involve reading (as symbolically represented by reading process 422), for each RFID tag, the tag identification serial number, date, time, or other information, and transmitting the read information to the Application and Data Server 480.
  • the pick operation 424 may also, where applicable, involve the reading of one or more identifiers or other storage devices (e.g., RFID tags) associated with any carton used to ship or distribute products (e.g., to Wholesale Distribution Center 420).
  • the Application and Data Server 480 may likewise be configured to return information to the Whole Distribution Center 420 to assist in the management and processing of the received products (e.g., verifying that the product and/or carton is authentic).
  • products may be packed (or grouped), if applicable, into the same or new packaging (or groupings), during a packing operation (as symbolically represented by block 426). The products may be split into multiple new packaging/groupings for distribution.
  • the repacking process 426 may also involve the coupling of one or more new RFID tags to each product or new grouping of products, as well as to any original (or new) cartons that may be used to further distribute the products.
  • Inf ormation from the Application and Data Server 480 may be received (as symbolically represented by writing process 428) during this process.
  • a new PC number could be written to the old RFID tag, or alternatively, a new PC number could be written to a new RFID tag.
  • the products can then be distributed to other portions of the distribution chain (e.g., Retail Distribution Center 430, Retail Outlet 440, Consumer 450, etc.).
  • the repackaged products are shown distributed directly to Retail Outlet 440.
  • the products are shipped to Retail Distribution Center 430.
  • the packaged products undergo a "pick" operation, as symbolically represented by block 434.
  • Pick operation 434 may be implemented in the same fashion as pick operation 424 to perform the same or similar acts such as reading of RFID tags, processing the products, verifying and authenticating products.
  • information may be communicated (as symbolically represented by reading process 432) with the Application and Data Server 480 to facilitate the operation.
  • a repackaging operation (as symbolically represented by block 436), which may be implemented in the same fashion as repackaging operation 426, performs acts such as repacking products into one or more new groups, coupling new RFID tags to products, groupings, and/or cartons, etc.
  • This repacking operation 426 likewise involves communicating (as symbolically represented by writing process 438) with the Application and Data Server 480 to facilitate these acts.
  • the products can then be distributed to other portions of the distribution chain (e.g., Retail Outlet 440, Consumer 450, etc.). In this illustrated implementation, the products are shipped to Retail Outlet 440.
  • a pick/file operation occurs, as symbolically represented by block 444.
  • This operation 444 may involve unpacking products from cartons (or groupings) and filing them appropriately (e.g., on product display shelves, in awaiting customer bins, in stock rooms, etc.).
  • the pick/file operation 444 may perform some of the same acts as those performed in pick operations 424, 434.
  • the pick/file operation 444 thus, may involve acts such as reading the RFID tags on the products, groupings, and/or cartons, communicating (as symbolically represented by reading process 442) with the Application and Data Server 480, verifying and authenticating the products and/or cartons received, and other acts of processing and management of the products.
  • the retrieve/sell operation (as symbolically represented by block 446) may be executed.
  • tracking systems within Retail Outlet 440 may monitor the location of each product in an effort to more efficiently and securely manage the distribution of the product.
  • Retrieve/Sell operation 446 may involve communicating (as symbolically represented by reading process 447) with the Application and Data Server 480.
  • the product having been tracked and authenticated throughout the distribution process 400, may be distributed to the customer or consumer, as symbolically represented by block 450.
  • the products may be authenticated during any or all of the pick operations 424, 434, and 444 described herein.
  • the determination of authenticity of a product, grouping, and/or carton may utilize a serial number embedded in each RFID chip during manufacture of the RFID chip.
  • an RFID tag RFID chip and antenna
  • RFID tag cannot be copied without the extremely difficult process of manufacturing a new RFID chip and assigning the identical serial number.
  • the RFID chip serial number may be stored, along with the tag EPC number written to the RFID tag, in one or more records stored in Application and Data Server 480.
  • a record may also be stored on an RFID tag or other storage device coupled to a grouping or carton. The authenticity of any given product, grouping, and/or carton can thus be determined by comparing the ECP and serial number of a given RFID tag with the ECP and serial numbers stored in records stored in the Application and Data Server 480 (or other storage devices).
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart of a shipping and receipt system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
  • This process flow (or others) may be implemented in any of the embodiments illustrated in FIGs. 1, 2 A and 2B or any other embodiments, implementations, or applications of the invention.
  • an identifier e.g., bar code, RFID tag, etc.
  • the system communicates (as symbolically represented by line 516) with Application and Data Server 480'.
  • the system may, for example, communicate a serial number or other identifying information associated with the carton to Application and Data Server 480' for storage and use in later item management functions or other processing.
  • the Application and Data Server 480' may communicate pertinent information (e.g., a licensed EPC number) to the system.
  • pertinent information e.g., a licensed EPC number
  • a carton RFID tag is written, for example, with the pertinent information received from Application and Data Server 480'.
  • data regarding the carton and the items being placed in the carton may be stored in one or more records in the Application and Data Server 480', and/or may be stored locally (e.g., in a storage module accessed by the tracking system, in one or more RFID tags or other storage devices coupled to the carton, etc.).
  • an initial (or, if the step is being repeated, the next) item is selected for processing.
  • the item includes at least one bar code (or other identifier) and at least one RFID tag.
  • the item bar code (or other identifier) is read.
  • an RFID reader reads the RFID tag (e.g., to obtain the unique serial number of the tag) of the item, and the system requests information (as symbolically represented by line 536) from the Application and Data Server 480' .
  • the requested information may include a licensed or valid EPC code that has been (or is concurrently) obtained via an EPC Licensing and Verification System (EPC LANS), which may be incorporated in (or accessed by) Application and Data Server 480'.
  • EPC LANS EPC Licensing and Verification System
  • the information (which preferably includes the EPC code) is written to the RFID tag of an item in step 540.
  • the item can then be placed in the carton (or other grouping) in step 545.
  • the information about the tagged item may be stored in the Application and Data Server 480' and, optionally, in a local memory (or storage device coupled to the carton).
  • step 550 if there are more items to be packed, the process returns to step 525 and repeats the process steps 530, 535, 540 and 545, for the next item. Otherwise, in step 555, a packing list may be generated and optionally printed.
  • the carton may be sealed and shipped to another portion of the distribution chain (e.g., to wholesaler, distributor, retailer, consumer, etc.).
  • step 565 the carton is received.
  • step 570 the carton bar code (or other carton identifier) may be read, including, if applicable, the reading of an RFID tag (as represented by step 571).
  • step 575 a listing of the items in the carton (or grouping) may be obtained. This listing may be obtained from Application and Data Server 480', from a local system of a previous stage in the distribution chain, from a storage device (e.g., an RFID tag) coupled to the carton, or from any other mechanism for storing a record of the items.
  • Application and Data Server 480' from a local system of a previous stage in the distribution chain, from a storage device (e.g., an RFID tag) coupled to the carton, or from any other mechanism for storing a record of the items.
  • the tracking system at this stage may be in communication (as symbolically represented by dashed line 576) with the Application and Data Server 480' to obtain information that the tracking system may use to perform verification of the packing list.
  • the Application and Data Server 480' may receive the packing list data from the tracking system (e.g., as read from a local storage device on the carton) and perform the verification, and pass the verification results to the tracking system.)
  • the results of the verification may be communicated to the Application and Data Server 480' for recording and use in later item management functions or other processing.
  • the carton may be opened at step 580, and in step 585, verification of the first (or the next) item begins. In step 585, if needed to perform the verification, the item may be unpacked.
  • the item's RFID tag may be read (whether within the carton or grouping, or as unpacked, as needed).
  • the tracking system verifies whether the item is authentic.
  • the tracking system communicates (as symbolically represented by line 596) with Application and Data Server 480' to fadlitate performance of the item verification and/or recording of the results of such verification. That is, the tracking system may, for example, receive from Application and Data Server 480' valid serial number and EPC information of items associated with the received carton for comparison with the information read from the given item RFID tag. (Alternatively, or in addition, Application and Data Server 480' may perform the verification from the information provided by the tracking system, and communicate the resxilts of the verification to the tracking system.)
  • the tracking system may verify that the item should be in the shipment, and particularly, within the received carton.
  • the tracking system may communicate (as symbolically represented by line 601) with Application and Data Server 480' for performing the shipment verification and/or recording of such verification. (That is, like other verification process steps in the flowchart, the actual verification may be performed by the tracking system itself and/or by the Application and Data Server 48 O'.)
  • the items may be routed appropriately (e.g., to a storage area, to the retail sales area, etc.) as dictated by a user or other processes/systems (not shown or described herein).
  • the tracking may receive information (e.g., as input from a user or automated inventory management system) regarding the level of stock of the item on the retail sales floor. Based on such information, at step 603, the item may be routed to the sales floor.
  • step 605 if there are more items to be processed, steps 585 through 603 may be repeated. If there are no additional items to be processed, in step 610, the tracking system verifies that all items shipped in the carton have been unpacked.
  • the tracking system may communicate (as symbolically represented by dashed line 611) with Application and Data Server 480' for performing the verification and/or recording of the verification. (This verification may be performed by the tracking system itself and/or by the Application and Data Server 480'.)
  • FIGs. 4-12 illustrate exemplary commercial implementations of a packing and receipt system (and method) in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. These exemplary implementations are particularly directed to the use of the system in a retail pharmacy environment.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary computer display Login screen. Ideally, such a screen is provided as the primary screen, and may be the starting point for each new packing or receipt operation.
  • FIG. 5 shows an exemplary computer display Tagging Items screen. In particular, as RFID tags are written for individual products, this screen may be useful in providing information to indicate whether the RFID tags have been successfully written.
  • FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary computer display Report Screen showing the contents (e.g., items in the form of drugs) of a box or carton before shipping. This information may be incorporated into a packing slip or list.
  • contents e.g., items in the form of drugs
  • FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary Item Receipt Screen.
  • the screen displays all of the items expected to be within a given received carton.
  • the screen also displays the status of the items as the RFID tags on the items within the carton are read. Spedfically, FIG. 7 illustrates the status of the first three processed items on the list (e.g., a darkened plus sign), while the remaining two items on the list have not yet been processed (e.g., a clear plus sign).
  • the processing includes unpacking of items from a given box and placing them in a receiving crate, as reflected on the screen in the indication of the quantity "Crate Qty".
  • FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary Item Receipt Screen in which all of the items in the carton were received during the unpacking operation. All five of the items listed have been received and placed in a receiving crate, and their respective status indicators activated (e.g., plus signs darkened).
  • a report of the process may be generated, as illustrated by the Report Screen in FIG. 9.
  • the Report Screen identifies the? items within a carton received (e.g., by a Distribution Center).
  • the Report Screen may be generated for each carton received and processed.
  • FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary Item Receipt Screen indicating a situation in which incorrect items may -have been received.
  • the receipt of the unexpected item is highlighted by the system (e.g., an "X" appears in the status column on the screen display).
  • FIG. 11 illustrates another exemplary Item Receipt Screen with incorrect items marked in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
  • the fourth item in the list is an unexpectedly received item.
  • the sixth item in the list which is also identified as "Zoloft,” is identified as missing from the received carton (e.g., as indicated by a "1" for the "Box Qty” and a "0" for the "Crate Qty” indications).
  • the system also highlights this unexpected event (e.g., an "X" appears in the status column corresponding to the item that was expected to be in the received carton, but was not actually found in the carton).
  • a report of the results of this process may be generatecd, as illustrated in FIG. 12.
  • the embodiments and implementations may also be modified, for example, to allow the information read from the RFID tags (or other identification devices) to be written (or otherwise encoded) at any known location (e.g., at the manufacturer of the tags, manufacturer of the tagged item, distribution center, etc.).
  • the tags may be "prewritten" with a number that uniquely identifies the tag, information regarding the item (e.g., brand name of product), as wdl as predefined identification information (e.g., manufacturer number, SKU number, serial number, etc.).
  • any known ⁇ wired/wireless technology may be used to implement the various embodiments of the invention such as, for example, PCI bus, Fire WireTM, USB, Internet, intranets, private bulletin boards, individual local or wide area networks, proprietary chat rooms, ICQ, IRC channels, instant messaging systems, WAP, Bluetooth, etc. using realtime or non-real-time systems alone or in combiriation.
  • GUI graphical user interface
  • An individual device or plurality of individual devices such as, network/stand-alone computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), WebTV or Internet-only terminals, set-top boxes, cellular/PCS phones, screenphones, pagers, kiosks, or other known wired or wireless communication devices, etc., may similarly be used to execute one or more computer programs, such as, universal Internet browser programs, dedicated interface programs, etc., to allow users to interface with the systems in the manner described.
  • PDAs personal digital assistants
  • WebTV or Internet-only terminals set-top boxes
  • set-top boxes set-top boxes
  • cellular/PCS phones screenphones, pagers, kiosks, or other known wired or wireless communication devices, etc.
  • computer programs such as, universal Internet browser programs, dedicated interface programs, etc.
  • the modules described herein, particularly those illustrated or inherent in, or otherwise apparent from the instant disclosure, may be one or more hardware, software, or hybrid components residing in or distributed among one or more local and/or remote computer or other processing systems.
  • the Application and Data Servers 480, 480' may, for example, be implemented as a single remote server, accessible to many users from many locations over one or more networks. It may easily, however, be implemented using multiple (remote and local) servers, or local server(s) (or other processing device(s)) on a single network or dedicated communication line.
  • modules may be shown or described herein as physically separated components it should be readily apparent that the modules may be omitted, combined or further separated into a variety of different components, sharing different resources including processing units, memory, clock devices, software routines, etc., as required for the particular implementation of the embodiments disclosed or apparent from the teachings herein. Indeed, even a single general purpose computer or other processor-controlled device executing a program stored on an article of manufacture in the form of a recording medium (such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, memory cartridge, etc.) may be used to produce the functionality referred to herein, or to otherwise implement the illustrated embodiments.
  • a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, memory cartridge, etc.
  • database, storage, and other memory units described herein may be any one or more of the known storage devices, such as, Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), hard disk drive (HDD), floppy drive, zip drive, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, bubble memory, flash memory, memory card, redundant array of independent disks (RAID), storage accessible network (SAN), network accessible storage (NAS), etc., and may also be one or more memory devices embedded within a controller or CPU, or shared with one or more of the other components. These units may be disposed locally, remotely, distributed, or otherwise logically or physically configured to practice the invention.
  • the flowcharts, operational flows, processes, and methods shown in the various Figures can be performed automatically or through user interaction (e.g., using hand-held scanner for reading identifiers).
  • the flowcharts, operational flows, processes, and methods may be modified to indude additional steps, to change the sequence of the individual steps, as well as combining or subdividing, simultaneously running, omitting;, or otherwise modifying the individual steps in accordance with the invention.
  • steps 530 - 540 may be replaced by a step of reading the RFID tag.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé et un système de gestion et de traitement d'articles. Selon un mode de réalisation préféré, l'invention concerne un procédé et un système permettant de faciliter l'expédition (figure 1) ou la distribution d'articles ou d'objets (par exemple des produits manufacturés). Plus précisément, un ou plusieurs produits peuvent être identifiés de façon unique (par exemple au moyen d'étiquettes RFID) en vue de leur expédition dans une chaîne de distribution. Les produits identifiés peuvent être surveillés ou suivis (205, 207, 210, 215) lors d'une ou de plusieurs étapes de ladite chaîne de distribution, les produits et/ou l'expédition (figure 1) peuvent être vérifiés ou authentifiés selon des modes de réalisation préférés de l'invention.
PCT/US2005/005152 2004-02-17 2005-02-17 Procede et systeme de poursuite d'expeditions et de receptions WO2005081174A1 (fr)

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CH710090A1 (de) * 2014-09-09 2016-03-15 Kaba Ag Identifizierungssystem, Verfahren und Benutzermedium.
US11213773B2 (en) 2017-03-06 2022-01-04 Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc. Genuine filter recognition with filter monitoring system
CN117455326A (zh) * 2023-12-26 2024-01-26 深圳华龙讯达信息技术股份有限公司 一种基于二维码的柔性装箱关联方法及系统

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US6520544B1 (en) * 2000-01-10 2003-02-18 Moore North America, Inc. Radio frequency labels on reusable containers
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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH710090A1 (de) * 2014-09-09 2016-03-15 Kaba Ag Identifizierungssystem, Verfahren und Benutzermedium.
WO2016037295A1 (fr) 2014-09-09 2016-03-17 Kaba Ag Système d'identification, procédé et support d'informations d'utilisateur
US11213773B2 (en) 2017-03-06 2022-01-04 Cummins Filtration Ip, Inc. Genuine filter recognition with filter monitoring system
CN117455326A (zh) * 2023-12-26 2024-01-26 深圳华龙讯达信息技术股份有限公司 一种基于二维码的柔性装箱关联方法及系统
CN117455326B (zh) * 2023-12-26 2024-04-23 深圳华龙讯达信息技术股份有限公司 一种基于二维码的柔性装箱关联方法及系统

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