US20040249499A1 - Time-and-temperature sensitive material tracking - Google Patents
Time-and-temperature sensitive material tracking Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040249499A1 US20040249499A1 US10/454,419 US45441903A US2004249499A1 US 20040249499 A1 US20040249499 A1 US 20040249499A1 US 45441903 A US45441903 A US 45441903A US 2004249499 A1 US2004249499 A1 US 2004249499A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- information
- container
- storage unit
- frequency identification
- sensitive material
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- 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
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G01K3/00—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature
- G01K3/02—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving means values; giving integrated values
- G01K3/04—Thermometers giving results other than momentary value of temperature giving means values; giving integrated values in respect of time
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
- G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
- G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to manufacturing management and, more specifically, to material tracking during manufacturing.
- Production operations for the manufacturing of a product may use various sensitive materials having expiration dates, such as sealants, adhesives and paints.
- Current practice is to label the container of the sensitive material with the expiration date and place containers in freezers or flammable cabinets in production areas.
- personnel must check the expiration date labels prior to use and must periodically check freezers and cabinets to purge expired materials.
- personnel physically visit each storage unit and count remaining items to determine needed re-ordering quantities for that material.
- the present invention provides a system and method for tracking sensitive materials.
- the system includes a radio frequency identification component and a reporting system.
- the radio frequency identification component includes frequency identification labels that are attached to container units of sensitive material. Each frequency identification label includes at least one of information about the material or identification information of the material within the corresponding container unit the label is attached to.
- the radio frequency identification component also includes one or more antenna for reading the information from the radio-frequency identification labels on each container at a storage unit.
- the reporting system receives at least a portion of the information read from the radio-frequency identification labels from the radio frequency identification system and generates at least one report based on the received information.
- the frequency identification labels include expiration date information of the sensitive material within the container.
- the reporting system generates an alert if the expiration date information indicates that the associated material is within predefined threshold values.
- one of the generated reports includes information about the status of sensitive materials in the manufacturing system and sends the generated report with the status of sensitive materials to a materials tracking agency.
- the system includes a purchasing component that receives at least a portion of the information read from by the antenna and performs automatic purchasing and tracking of materials based on the received information.
- the automatic purchasing includes automatically sending a request to a supplier for more material based on the received information.
- storage units house the container units of sensitive materials.
- the antenna may be mounted near an opening of the storage unit and may be coupled, to an interior wall of the storage unit, to an interior base of the storage unit, or to a shelf of the storage unit.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system formed in accordance with the present invention
- FIG. 2 illustrates a component of a system shown in FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 3-8 illustrate various radio-frequency identification configurations
- FIG. 9 illustrates a floor diagram of the present invention.
- the present invention provides a system and method for providing automatic environmental reporting, automated material tracking and replenishing for sensitive and non-sensitive materials.
- Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-9 to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments.
- One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, or that the present invention may be practiced without several of the details described in the following description.
- an example system 20 of the present invention includes a materials management database 24 , a purchasing system 26 , and an environmental reporting system 28 .
- the materials management database 24 is coupled to a radio frequency identification (RFID) system 32 .
- RFID radio frequency identification
- the purchasing system 26 and the environmental reporting system 28 are coupled to the materials management database 24 .
- the RFID system 32 provides information about materials used in a process, such as manufacturing or production, to the materials management database 24 , the purchasing system 26 , and the environmental reporting system 28 .
- the materials management database 24 keeps track of each container of material held by a storage unit.
- the materials management database 24 tracks whether an item is present in the storage unit or has been removed from the storage unit.
- the materials management database 24 may contain a threshold value for re-ordering more material and send that order to the purchasing system 26 .
- the materials management database 24 also tracks cumulative number of items (i.e., amount) of materials having been stored in each storage unit by date/time and sends that information to the environmental reporting system to enable reporting material usage for prescribed time periods.
- the RFID system 32 includes three main components; a tag or transponder, an antenna, and a reader.
- the reader is connected to a host controller (e.g., PC or server).
- a host controller e.g., PC or server.
- tags passive and active. Passive tags get their energy from the antenna. Active tags have a battery or other powering device.
- the reader passes this information (id number or additional information) to the host controller to filter and monitor the tag information.
- the host controller is then generally connected to a database to store and track tag reads at various antenna locations and over periods of time.
- the database is constantly updated as tags enter and exit antenna fields.
- the present invention includes two alternate methods for recording the pertinent information about time-and-temperature sensitive material using radio-frequency identification.
- One technique is to use RFID tags with sufficient memory storage to encode the information (material type, vendor name, batch number, manufacturing date, etc.) on a microchip of the tag.
- the second method is to use RFID tags that only contain a unique ID number encoded in the microchip and then to utilize a separate database that stores an association between a unique ID number and an item's attributes.
- the microchip is queried by the antenna and the encoded information is read.
- the microchip is queried by the antenna and the encoded ID number is read.
- the system then consults a database to ascertain what the item is via the ID number association noted above.
- the present invention includes two alternate methods for identifying the presence of RFID tags.
- One method is to monitor “state”, the other is to monitor “events.”
- the state method is set-up such that the antenna is placed in a location to monitor what RFID tags are present in its field.
- the antennas are placed in the freezer or storage unit. As items are removed from a storage unit, the antenna will note the missing tag and the system records the item as having left the storage unit. Subsequently, when an item is placed in the storage unit and its tag is read, the antenna records the item as having been placed (or placed back) into the storage unit.
- the events method is set-up such that the antenna is placed in a location to monitor RFID tags as they move across its field, hence, monitor the event of a tag moving in or out.
- the antennas are placed at the opening of the storage unit (i.e., portal placement). As items cross the field of the antenna as the items are placed in or removed from the storage unit, the antenna notes the presence of the tag through the portal and the system records the item as having been placed in or removed from the storage unit.
- the purchasing system 26 may use the information provided by the materials management database 24 to alert a buyer to a need for a particular material, or even to automatically request more materials from suppliers.
- the materials management database 24 provides information that shows that the amount of a solvent used in a process is low or a number of batches of the solvent are about to expire.
- the purchasing system 26 sends a request to a supplier to send more solvent based on the provided information.
- the environmental reporting system 28 may receive information from the materials management database 24 and may automatically generate reports of used, recycled or safely disposed of quantities of sensitive materials based on information provided by the materials management database 24 . Alternately, such reports may be provided upon request.
- the information provided by the materials management database 24 includes storage location or time information of batches of various sensitive materials, or expiration dates of each batch of sensitive materials.
- the generated reports may be sent to an agency that tracks sensitive materials, such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
- FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary components of the RFID system 32 .
- the RFID system 32 includes a reader 40 that receives wireless signals from wireless antennas 42 and 44 that are located at sensitive material storage units, such as, without limitation, a cabinet 48 and a freezer 50 .
- the antennas 42 and 44 receive information from RFID tags 56 that are located on containers that include sensitive materials that are stored within the respective storage units.
- the read information is sent to a computer (PC, handheld, etc.) (not shown).
- the RFID tags 56 may include information such as, without limitation, a material code (internal identification number), a MIDVAR number (international identification number), a batch or lot number, a mixed date, an expiration date, and a storage unit or associated department or area that is using the sensitive material that is labeled.
- the reader 40 sends the information received from the RFID tags 56 to the materials management database 24 , the purchasing system 26 , and the environmental reporting system 28 .
- FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate storage units 60 and 66 that include respective antennas 62 and 68 that are located outside the units 60 and 66 near the openings of the respective units 60 and 66 .
- the antennas 62 and 68 are suitably positioned to read the RFID tags 56 on material containers or packages within the respective storage units 60 and 66 .
- the antennas 62 and 68 can also be configured to read RFID tags 56 on containers as the containers are being placed in or removed from the storage units 60 and 66 .
- FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate storage units 70 and 76 that include antennas 72 and 78 that are positioned along an interior wall of the storage units 70 and 76 .
- the antennas 72 and 78 wirelessly read the RFID tags 56 of the material containers stored within the respective storage units 70 and 76 and transmit the relevant information to one or more of the materials management database 24 , the purchasing system 26 , and the environmental reporting system 28 as described above.
- FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate storage units 80 and 86 that include antennas 82 and 88 that are positioned horizontally within the storage units 80 and 86 .
- the antenna 82 is placed at the base of the interior of the storage unit 80 .
- a plurality of antennas 88 are placed on or below shelves within the storage unit 86 .
- the antennas 82 and 88 perform the same functions as the previously described antennas.
- FIG. 9 illustrates a non-limiting example process 100 performed by the system 20 shown in FIG. 1.
- a tag RFID label
- the details of an item are associated with the placed tag within the materials management database 24 .
- the RFID system 32 reads the RFID label of an item that was placed into or removed from the storage unit, or periodically reads the RFID labels of all the items within the storage unit.
- the information that is read off the RFID labels is sent to the materials management database 24 .
- the materials management database 24 automatically tracks and/or monitors item usage.
- reports are generated as needed regarding item usage.
- the materials management database 24 determines if any items are improperly located. In other words, some materials should not be placed in the same storage unit as other materials due to safety concerns (e.g., risk of explosive or flammable hazards). If yes, then, at block 140 the materials management database 24 , such as a computer-based system, informs personnel to remove improper items from the storage unit. If no, then, at decision block 146 , the materials management database 24 determines if any item expiration dates fall within predefined threshold values. If they do, then, at block 148 , the materials management database 24 informs personnel to use or dispose of item before the expiration date.
- safety concerns e.g., risk of explosive or flammable hazards
- the materials management database 24 determines if any item threshold inventory level has been reached or has a time interval for re-ordering been reached. If yes, then, at block 152 , the materials management database 24 sends usage data to the purchasing system 26 that, at block 154 , sends a purchase order to a supplier. If no, then, the process 100 returns to block 124 .
- some materials are kept in refrigerated storage units to extend their shelf life (e.g., sealants, adhesives, composite pre-preg material).
- Some items must be tracked based on the amount of time they are out of the freezer environment.
- the time they are out of the freezer is recorded and cumulatively tracked until the material reaches a maximum “out-time” or otherwise expires based on time since the manufacturing date.
- This recording and tracking has traditionally been done by either hand written log-sheets or by manual entry into an electronic database.
- This embodiment automatically records when items enter and leave a storage unit as the antennas register the presence of the RFID tag on the item. The record can then be automatically fed to an electronic database and tracked over time.
- the system can generate an alert when the item reaches some predefined threshold cumulative “out-time” value.
Abstract
A system and method for tracking sensitive materials in a manufacturing system. The system includes a radio frequency identification component and a reporting system. The radio frequency identification component includes frequency identification labels that are attached to container units of sensitive material. Each frequency identification label includes expiration date information about the material within the container unit that the label is attached to. The radio frequency identification component also includes one or more antenna for reading the information from the radio-frequency identification labels on each container. The reporting system receives at least a portion of the information read from the radio-frequency identification labels from the radio frequency identification system and generates at least one report based on the received information.
Description
- This invention relates generally to manufacturing management and, more specifically, to material tracking during manufacturing.
- Production operations for the manufacturing of a product may use various sensitive materials having expiration dates, such as sealants, adhesives and paints. Current practice is to label the container of the sensitive material with the expiration date and place containers in freezers or flammable cabinets in production areas. To ensure expired materials are not used in production, personnel must check the expiration date labels prior to use and must periodically check freezers and cabinets to purge expired materials. To stock and replenish needed materials, personnel physically visit each storage unit and count remaining items to determine needed re-ordering quantities for that material.
- The current process does not sufficiently prevent the use of expired material due to misplaced materials, unnoticed expired materials, and lack of discipline in checking storage units. Internal and external audits occasionally reveal expired material in freezers and cabinets. Lack of real time visibility and tracking of material usage results in inefficient use, extra costs, and excess material disposal.
- Therefore, there exists an unmet need for a process and system that identifies expired material, prevents expired material use in production and tracks and optimizes purchase, usage, and disposal of sensitive materials.
- The present invention provides a system and method for tracking sensitive materials. The system includes a radio frequency identification component and a reporting system. The radio frequency identification component includes frequency identification labels that are attached to container units of sensitive material. Each frequency identification label includes at least one of information about the material or identification information of the material within the corresponding container unit the label is attached to. The radio frequency identification component also includes one or more antenna for reading the information from the radio-frequency identification labels on each container at a storage unit. The reporting system receives at least a portion of the information read from the radio-frequency identification labels from the radio frequency identification system and generates at least one report based on the received information.
- In one aspect of the invention, the frequency identification labels include expiration date information of the sensitive material within the container.
- In another aspect of the invention, the reporting system generates an alert if the expiration date information indicates that the associated material is within predefined threshold values.
- In still another aspect of the invention, one of the generated reports includes information about the status of sensitive materials in the manufacturing system and sends the generated report with the status of sensitive materials to a materials tracking agency.
- In yet another aspect of the invention, the system includes a purchasing component that receives at least a portion of the information read from by the antenna and performs automatic purchasing and tracking of materials based on the received information. The automatic purchasing includes automatically sending a request to a supplier for more material based on the received information.
- In still another aspect of the invention, storage units house the container units of sensitive materials. The antenna may be mounted near an opening of the storage unit and may be coupled, to an interior wall of the storage unit, to an interior base of the storage unit, or to a shelf of the storage unit.
- The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system formed in accordance with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 illustrates a component of a system shown in FIG. 1;
- FIGS. 3-8 illustrate various radio-frequency identification configurations; and
- FIG. 9 illustrates a floor diagram of the present invention.
- The present invention provides a system and method for providing automatic environmental reporting, automated material tracking and replenishing for sensitive and non-sensitive materials. Many specific details of certain embodiments of the invention are set forth in the following description and in FIGS. 1-9 to provide a thorough understanding of such embodiments. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, or that the present invention may be practiced without several of the details described in the following description.
- As shown FIG. 1, an
example system 20 of the present invention includes amaterials management database 24, apurchasing system 26, and anenvironmental reporting system 28. Thematerials management database 24 is coupled to a radio frequency identification (RFID)system 32. Thepurchasing system 26 and theenvironmental reporting system 28 are coupled to thematerials management database 24. TheRFID system 32 provides information about materials used in a process, such as manufacturing or production, to thematerials management database 24, thepurchasing system 26, and theenvironmental reporting system 28. - The
materials management database 24 keeps track of each container of material held by a storage unit. Thematerials management database 24 tracks whether an item is present in the storage unit or has been removed from the storage unit. Thematerials management database 24 may contain a threshold value for re-ordering more material and send that order to thepurchasing system 26. Thematerials management database 24 also tracks cumulative number of items (i.e., amount) of materials having been stored in each storage unit by date/time and sends that information to the environmental reporting system to enable reporting material usage for prescribed time periods. - Generally, the
RFID system 32 includes three main components; a tag or transponder, an antenna, and a reader. The reader is connected to a host controller (e.g., PC or server). There are two types of tags: passive and active. Passive tags get their energy from the antenna. Active tags have a battery or other powering device. As a tag passes or is located in the field of the antenna, the tag is queried (activated for passive) and the information on the tag is transmitted through the antenna to the reader. The reader passes this information (id number or additional information) to the host controller to filter and monitor the tag information. The host controller is then generally connected to a database to store and track tag reads at various antenna locations and over periods of time. The database is constantly updated as tags enter and exit antenna fields. The information from this database can be used in other electronic systems to conduct transactions (ordering, stocking, reporting, etc.). Examples of a suitable RFID system that may be used in the present invention includes one of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,516. - The present invention includes two alternate methods for recording the pertinent information about time-and-temperature sensitive material using radio-frequency identification. One technique is to use RFID tags with sufficient memory storage to encode the information (material type, vendor name, batch number, manufacturing date, etc.) on a microchip of the tag. The second method is to use RFID tags that only contain a unique ID number encoded in the microchip and then to utilize a separate database that stores an association between a unique ID number and an item's attributes. In the first method, the microchip is queried by the antenna and the encoded information is read. In the second method, the microchip is queried by the antenna and the encoded ID number is read. The system then consults a database to ascertain what the item is via the ID number association noted above.
- The present invention includes two alternate methods for identifying the presence of RFID tags. One method is to monitor “state”, the other is to monitor “events.” The state method is set-up such that the antenna is placed in a location to monitor what RFID tags are present in its field. In one embodiment the antennas are placed in the freezer or storage unit. As items are removed from a storage unit, the antenna will note the missing tag and the system records the item as having left the storage unit. Subsequently, when an item is placed in the storage unit and its tag is read, the antenna records the item as having been placed (or placed back) into the storage unit.
- The events method is set-up such that the antenna is placed in a location to monitor RFID tags as they move across its field, hence, monitor the event of a tag moving in or out. In another embodiment, the antennas are placed at the opening of the storage unit (i.e., portal placement). As items cross the field of the antenna as the items are placed in or removed from the storage unit, the antenna notes the presence of the tag through the portal and the system records the item as having been placed in or removed from the storage unit.
- The
purchasing system 26 may use the information provided by thematerials management database 24 to alert a buyer to a need for a particular material, or even to automatically request more materials from suppliers. For example, thematerials management database 24 provides information that shows that the amount of a solvent used in a process is low or a number of batches of the solvent are about to expire. Thepurchasing system 26 sends a request to a supplier to send more solvent based on the provided information. - The
environmental reporting system 28 may receive information from thematerials management database 24 and may automatically generate reports of used, recycled or safely disposed of quantities of sensitive materials based on information provided by thematerials management database 24. Alternately, such reports may be provided upon request. The information provided by thematerials management database 24 includes storage location or time information of batches of various sensitive materials, or expiration dates of each batch of sensitive materials. The generated reports may be sent to an agency that tracks sensitive materials, such as the Environmental Protection Agency. - FIG. 2 illustrates exemplary components of the
RFID system 32. TheRFID system 32 includes areader 40 that receives wireless signals fromwireless antennas cabinet 48 and afreezer 50. Theantennas RFID tags 56 that are located on containers that include sensitive materials that are stored within the respective storage units. The read information is sent to a computer (PC, handheld, etc.) (not shown). In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the RFID tags 56 may include information such as, without limitation, a material code (internal identification number), a MIDVAR number (international identification number), a batch or lot number, a mixed date, an expiration date, and a storage unit or associated department or area that is using the sensitive material that is labeled. Thereader 40 sends the information received from the RFID tags 56 to thematerials management database 24, thepurchasing system 26, and theenvironmental reporting system 28. - FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate
storage units 60 and 66 that includerespective antennas units 60 and 66 near the openings of therespective units 60 and 66. Theantennas respective storage units 60 and 66. Theantennas storage units 60 and 66. - FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate
storage units antennas 72 and 78 that are positioned along an interior wall of thestorage units antennas 72 and 78 wirelessly read the RFID tags 56 of the material containers stored within therespective storage units materials management database 24, thepurchasing system 26, and theenvironmental reporting system 28 as described above. - FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate
storage units antennas 82 and 88 that are positioned horizontally within thestorage units antenna 82 is placed at the base of the interior of thestorage unit 80. As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of antennas 88 are placed on or below shelves within thestorage unit 86. Theantennas 82 and 88 perform the same functions as the previously described antennas. - FIG. 9 illustrates a
non-limiting example process 100 performed by thesystem 20 shown in FIG. 1. First, atblock 114, a tag (RFID label) is placed on an item. Atblock 116 the details of an item are associated with the placed tag within thematerials management database 24. Atblock 120, theRFID system 32 reads the RFID label of an item that was placed into or removed from the storage unit, or periodically reads the RFID labels of all the items within the storage unit. Next, atblock 122, the information that is read off the RFID labels is sent to thematerials management database 24. Atblock 124, thematerials management database 24 automatically tracks and/or monitors item usage. Atblock 126, reports are generated as needed regarding item usage. - At
decision block 138, thematerials management database 24 determines if any items are improperly located. In other words, some materials should not be placed in the same storage unit as other materials due to safety concerns (e.g., risk of explosive or flammable hazards). If yes, then, atblock 140 thematerials management database 24, such as a computer-based system, informs personnel to remove improper items from the storage unit. If no, then, atdecision block 146, thematerials management database 24 determines if any item expiration dates fall within predefined threshold values. If they do, then, atblock 148, thematerials management database 24 informs personnel to use or dispose of item before the expiration date. If the decision at block 142 indicates that the expiration date does not fall within the threshold values, then atdecision block 150, thematerials management database 24 determines if any item threshold inventory level has been reached or has a time interval for re-ordering been reached. If yes, then, atblock 152, thematerials management database 24 sends usage data to thepurchasing system 26 that, atblock 154, sends a purchase order to a supplier. If no, then, theprocess 100 returns to block 124. - In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, some materials are kept in refrigerated storage units to extend their shelf life (e.g., sealants, adhesives, composite pre-preg material). Some items must be tracked based on the amount of time they are out of the freezer environment. Thus, as items are removed from refrigerated storage and placed back in storage, the time they are out of the freezer is recorded and cumulatively tracked until the material reaches a maximum “out-time” or otherwise expires based on time since the manufacturing date. This recording and tracking has traditionally been done by either hand written log-sheets or by manual entry into an electronic database. This embodiment automatically records when items enter and leave a storage unit as the antennas register the presence of the RFID tag on the item. The record can then be automatically fed to an electronic database and tracked over time. The system can generate an alert when the item reaches some predefined threshold cumulative “out-time” value.
- While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
Claims (24)
1. A system for tracking sensitive materials, the system comprising:
a radio frequency identification system comprising:
one or more frequency identification labels attached to one or more container units of sensitive material, wherein each frequency identification label includes at least one of information about the material or identification information corresponding to the material within the corresponding container unit; and
one or more antenna for reading the radio-frequency identification labels on each container; and
a reporting system for receiving at least a portion of the information read from the one or more radio-frequency identification labels from the radio frequency identification system, for generating at least one report based on the received information,
wherein one of the generated reports includes information about the status of sensitive materials, and the reporting system sends the generated report with the status of sensitive materials to a materials tracking agency.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein each frequency identification label includes expiration date information of the sensitive material within the container.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the reporting system generates an alert if the expiration date information indicates that the associated material is within a predefined threshold value.
4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the reporting system further generates disposal instructions for expired materials based on the received information and sends the generated disposal instructions to personnel for removing the expired materials.
5. (Canceled)
6. (Canceled)
7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a purchasing system for receiving at least a portion of the information read from by the antenna and performing automatic purchasing and tracking of materials based on the received information.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the purchasing system automatically sends a request to a supplier for more material based on the received information.
9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit for housing the container units of sensitive material, wherein the antenna is mounted near an opening of the storage unit.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit for housing the container units of sensitive material, wherein the antenna is mounted to an interior wall of the storage unit.
11. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit for housing the container units of sensitive material, wherein the antenna is mounted to an interior base of the storage unit.
12. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit for housing the container units of sensitive material, wherein the antenna is mounted to a shelf of the storage unit.
13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit for housing the container units of sensitive material, wherein the reporting system determines at least one of an amount of time the container unit of sensitive material is located within the storage unit or an amount of time the container unit of sensitive material is located outside of the storage unit and generates an alert if the determined amount of time is outside of a predefined threshold value.
14. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a storage unit for housing the container units of sensitive material, wherein the reporting system determines if the container unit of sensitive material is stored improperly and generates an alert if the container unit is determined to be improperly stored.
15. A method for tracking sensitive materials, the method comprising:
attaching a radio-frequency identification label to a container unit of sensitive material, wherein the frequency identification label includes at least one of information about the material or identification information corresponding to the material within the corresponding container unit;
wirelessly reading the radio-frequency identification label on the container at a storage unit;
generating at least one report based on the read information, one of the at least one generated reports includes information about the status of sensitive materials, and sending the generated report with the status of sensitive materials to a materials tracking agency.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein each radio-frequency identification label includes expiration date information of the sensitive material within the container.
17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising generating an alert if the expiration date information indicates that the associated material is within a predefined threshold value.
18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising generating a disposal instruction for a material having an expired date based on the received information and sending the generated disposal instruction to personnel for removal of the expired material.
19. (Canceled)
20. (Canceled)
21. The method of claim 15 , further comprising performing automatic purchasing and tracking of materials based on the read information.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein performing automatic purchasing includes automatically sending a request to a supplier for more material based on the read information.
23. The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining at least one of an amount of time the container unit of sensitive material is located within the storage unit or an amount of time the container unit of sensitive material is located outside of the storage unit and generates an alert if the determined amount of time is outside of a predefined threshold value.
24. The method of claim 15 , further comprising determining if the container unit of sensitive material is stored improperly and generating an alert if the container unit is determined improperly stored.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/454,419 US6829520B1 (en) | 2003-06-03 | 2003-06-03 | Time-and-temperature sensitive material tracking |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/454,419 US6829520B1 (en) | 2003-06-03 | 2003-06-03 | Time-and-temperature sensitive material tracking |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US6829520B1 US6829520B1 (en) | 2004-12-07 |
US20040249499A1 true US20040249499A1 (en) | 2004-12-09 |
Family
ID=33476639
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/454,419 Expired - Lifetime US6829520B1 (en) | 2003-06-03 | 2003-06-03 | Time-and-temperature sensitive material tracking |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6829520B1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070102304A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-05-10 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Application of biosensor chips |
US20070218872A1 (en) * | 2006-03-16 | 2007-09-20 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for automated mapping cell handset location data to physical maps for data mining (traffic patterns, new roads) |
WO2011047167A1 (en) * | 2009-10-16 | 2011-04-21 | Gerber Scientific International, Inc. | Methods and systems for manufacturing composite parts |
US20170285617A1 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2017-10-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Management system, monitoring apparatus, methods therefor, and storage medium |
Families Citing this family (48)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020183882A1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2002-12-05 | Michael Dearing | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
USRE47599E1 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2019-09-10 | Promega Corporation | RF point of sale and delivery method and system using communication with remote computer and having features to read a large number of RF tags |
US7258276B2 (en) | 2000-10-20 | 2007-08-21 | Promega Corporation | Radio frequency identification method and system of distributing products |
US7406439B2 (en) * | 2002-01-31 | 2008-07-29 | International Business Machines Corporation | Inventory controls with radio frequency identification |
JP2004355306A (en) * | 2003-05-29 | 2004-12-16 | Hitachi Ltd | Terminal device, servicing server, and rf tag sheet |
US7478758B2 (en) * | 2003-07-15 | 2009-01-20 | Lsi Corporation | Method and apparatus for automatically tracking and communicating data storage device information using RF tags: operating condition, configuration and location |
WO2005071634A2 (en) * | 2004-01-27 | 2005-08-04 | Richard Turner | Method and apparatus for detection and tracking of objects within a defined area |
US7764183B2 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2010-07-27 | Infratab, Inc. | Apparatus and method for monitoring and communicating data associated with a product |
US7495558B2 (en) | 2004-04-27 | 2009-02-24 | Infratab, Inc. | Shelf-life monitoring sensor-transponder system |
KR20060060343A (en) * | 2004-11-30 | 2006-06-05 | 삼성전자주식회사 | A refrigerator improving recognition rate of a rfid tag |
US20100176918A1 (en) * | 2005-01-21 | 2010-07-15 | Turner Richard H | Identification and tracking of information stored on radio frequency identification devices |
WO2006110189A1 (en) * | 2005-04-07 | 2006-10-19 | Michael Daily | Self checkout kiosk and retail security system |
US7423523B2 (en) * | 2005-08-03 | 2008-09-09 | The Boeing Company | Composite ply layup using electronically identifiable tags |
US7428447B2 (en) * | 2005-09-26 | 2008-09-23 | Innovative Product Achievements, Inc. | Inventory management systems |
US8095435B2 (en) * | 2005-11-08 | 2012-01-10 | American Airlines, Inc. | Method to effectuate point of use control and accountability of monitored articles |
US8285607B2 (en) * | 2005-12-02 | 2012-10-09 | Amerisourcebergen Specialty Group | System and method for pharmaceutical management and tracking |
US7757947B2 (en) * | 2006-03-17 | 2010-07-20 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | R.F.I.D. enabled storage bin and method for tracking inventory |
US7940169B2 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2011-05-10 | General Electric Company | System and method for installed base data maintenance |
US7711515B2 (en) * | 2006-10-26 | 2010-05-04 | Current Energy Controls, Lp | System and method for automated parameter measurement |
US20080128498A1 (en) * | 2006-12-05 | 2008-06-05 | Fausak Andrew T | System, method, and apparatus for high value product management and tracking |
US7710275B2 (en) * | 2007-03-16 | 2010-05-04 | Promega Corporation | RFID reader enclosure and man-o-war RFID reader system |
US8321303B1 (en) | 2007-04-02 | 2012-11-27 | Checkpoint Systems, Inc. | Retail product out-of-stock detection and dynamic scripting |
US8517760B2 (en) | 2007-08-20 | 2013-08-27 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Cord wrap and power plug receptacle arrangement for inflator |
US8146622B2 (en) | 2007-08-20 | 2012-04-03 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Switch and hose-valve connection arrangement for vehicle temporary mobility kit |
US8115615B2 (en) * | 2007-09-08 | 2012-02-14 | Ford Global Technologies | Status indicator and reminder system for vehicle temporary mobility kit |
US8981921B2 (en) | 2007-09-08 | 2015-03-17 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Status indicator and reminder system for vehicle temporary mobility kit |
US20090102610A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2009-04-23 | The Stanley Works | Rfid antenna selection system and method |
US20090234839A1 (en) * | 2008-03-17 | 2009-09-17 | International Business Machines Corporation | Smart sensor based environment for optimizing a selection of meal plans |
US8364512B2 (en) * | 2010-02-01 | 2013-01-29 | Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd. | Methods and systems for dynamic inventory control |
US8872627B2 (en) | 2010-02-12 | 2014-10-28 | Biotillion, Llc | Tracking biological and other samples using RFID tags |
US9431692B2 (en) * | 2011-04-07 | 2016-08-30 | Biotillion, Llc | Tracking biological and other samples using RFID tags |
US9307756B2 (en) * | 2011-10-26 | 2016-04-12 | Warsaw Orthopedic, Inc. | Portable RFID tagged carrier for sterile implants and biological products |
CN102521557A (en) * | 2011-12-08 | 2012-06-27 | 湖南大学 | Tamper detection method of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) electronic label data |
EP2901431A4 (en) | 2012-10-09 | 2016-03-09 | Infratab Inc | Inference electronic shelf life dating system for perishables |
EP2738720A1 (en) * | 2012-11-29 | 2014-06-04 | Distributrices Medicales B.H.L. Inc. | Method and system for article management |
US9767429B2 (en) | 2012-12-19 | 2017-09-19 | ASD Specialty Healthcare, LLC | Product inventory information sharing system and method |
US20180372398A1 (en) * | 2013-04-23 | 2018-12-27 | Minibar North America, Inc. | Controlled inventory refrigerated dispensing system |
CN103279783B (en) * | 2013-06-27 | 2016-09-07 | 江苏先施智能科技有限公司 | RFID information harvester and workbench |
US9773223B2 (en) | 2013-06-28 | 2017-09-26 | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Inventory cache |
US9916560B2 (en) * | 2013-06-28 | 2018-03-13 | Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. | Inventory tracking |
US10438276B2 (en) * | 2014-04-16 | 2019-10-08 | Ebay Inc. | Smart recurrent orders |
JP6250464B2 (en) * | 2014-04-18 | 2017-12-20 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Reading apparatus and program |
US10360617B2 (en) | 2015-04-24 | 2019-07-23 | Walmart Apollo, Llc | Automated shopping apparatus and method in response to consumption |
MX2018008789A (en) * | 2016-01-19 | 2019-03-28 | Walmart Apollo Llc | Consumable item ordering system. |
EP3208757A1 (en) * | 2016-02-17 | 2017-08-23 | Plataine Ltd. | Tracking production in a production facility, using searchable digital threads |
JP2017228140A (en) | 2016-06-23 | 2017-12-28 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Reading device and program |
US9740897B1 (en) | 2016-08-22 | 2017-08-22 | The Boeing Company | Inventory management system and method |
CN113129524A (en) * | 2020-01-10 | 2021-07-16 | 杭州共享实验科技发展有限公司 | Non-fixed biological reagent freezes management cabinet |
Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5368129A (en) * | 1992-07-23 | 1994-11-29 | Von Kohorn; Henry | Retail facility with couponing |
US5671362A (en) * | 1995-04-04 | 1997-09-23 | Cowe; Alan B. | Materials monitoring systems, materials management systems and related methods |
US5711160A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1998-01-27 | Namisniak; Dianna | Food storage tracking system |
US5802015A (en) * | 1997-05-05 | 1998-09-01 | Rothschild Technology, L.L.C. | Intelligent label |
US5953234A (en) * | 1996-03-12 | 1999-09-14 | Woodson Incorporated | Automated storage facility including a storage and retrieval system and a floor inventory management system |
US6131399A (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 2000-10-17 | Hall; Donald M. | Refrigerated vending machine |
US6204763B1 (en) * | 1999-03-22 | 2001-03-20 | Jujitsu Limited | Household consumable item automatic replenishment system including intelligent refrigerator |
US6294997B1 (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2001-09-25 | Intermec Ip Corp. | RFID tag having timing and environment modules |
US6327576B1 (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2001-12-04 | Fujitsu Limited | System and method for managing expiration-dated products utilizing an electronic receipt |
US6337836B1 (en) * | 1999-06-01 | 2002-01-08 | Arthur F. Eidelson | Programmable electronic label |
US6501390B1 (en) * | 1999-01-11 | 2002-12-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for securely determining aspects of the history of a good |
US6609078B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2003-08-19 | Emerson Retail Services, Inc. | Food quality and safety monitoring system |
-
2003
- 2003-06-03 US US10/454,419 patent/US6829520B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Patent Citations (12)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5368129A (en) * | 1992-07-23 | 1994-11-29 | Von Kohorn; Henry | Retail facility with couponing |
US5711160A (en) * | 1993-07-28 | 1998-01-27 | Namisniak; Dianna | Food storage tracking system |
US5671362A (en) * | 1995-04-04 | 1997-09-23 | Cowe; Alan B. | Materials monitoring systems, materials management systems and related methods |
US5953234A (en) * | 1996-03-12 | 1999-09-14 | Woodson Incorporated | Automated storage facility including a storage and retrieval system and a floor inventory management system |
US5802015A (en) * | 1997-05-05 | 1998-09-01 | Rothschild Technology, L.L.C. | Intelligent label |
US6131399A (en) * | 1997-12-04 | 2000-10-17 | Hall; Donald M. | Refrigerated vending machine |
US6501390B1 (en) * | 1999-01-11 | 2002-12-31 | International Business Machines Corporation | Method and apparatus for securely determining aspects of the history of a good |
US6204763B1 (en) * | 1999-03-22 | 2001-03-20 | Jujitsu Limited | Household consumable item automatic replenishment system including intelligent refrigerator |
US6337836B1 (en) * | 1999-06-01 | 2002-01-08 | Arthur F. Eidelson | Programmable electronic label |
US6327576B1 (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2001-12-04 | Fujitsu Limited | System and method for managing expiration-dated products utilizing an electronic receipt |
US6294997B1 (en) * | 1999-10-04 | 2001-09-25 | Intermec Ip Corp. | RFID tag having timing and environment modules |
US6609078B2 (en) * | 2001-02-21 | 2003-08-19 | Emerson Retail Services, Inc. | Food quality and safety monitoring system |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20070102304A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-05-10 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Application of biosensor chips |
US20080165010A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2008-07-10 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Application of biosensor chips |
US7972494B2 (en) | 2005-11-09 | 2011-07-05 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Application of biosensor chips |
US20070218872A1 (en) * | 2006-03-16 | 2007-09-20 | Lucent Technologies Inc. | Method and apparatus for automated mapping cell handset location data to physical maps for data mining (traffic patterns, new roads) |
WO2011047167A1 (en) * | 2009-10-16 | 2011-04-21 | Gerber Scientific International, Inc. | Methods and systems for manufacturing composite parts |
US20110089591A1 (en) * | 2009-10-16 | 2011-04-21 | Gerber Scientific International, Inc. | Methods and Systems for Manufacturing Composite Parts |
US20170285617A1 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2017-10-05 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Management system, monitoring apparatus, methods therefor, and storage medium |
US10739756B2 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2020-08-11 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Management system and method for consumables used to form three-dimensional object |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6829520B1 (en) | 2004-12-07 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6829520B1 (en) | Time-and-temperature sensitive material tracking | |
US11783144B2 (en) | Mobile RFID container and distribution method | |
US10497237B2 (en) | Security tag for inventory and anti-theft alarm system | |
US7513425B2 (en) | Article tracking system and method | |
US8179261B2 (en) | Identification and surveillance device, system and method for individual item level tracking | |
US6305548B1 (en) | Method and system for recycling discarded industrial products | |
US7554449B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for preparing an item with an RFID tag | |
US7267262B1 (en) | Method and apparatus confirming return and/or pick-up valuable items | |
US7520424B2 (en) | Identification storage medium arrangement, a read apparatus and an identification system | |
US20070011041A1 (en) | Systems and methods for communicating within a supply chain | |
US8947235B2 (en) | Inventory and anti-theft alarm system | |
JP2013079146A (en) | Inventory management and anti-theft alarm tag system, and alarm tag method | |
WO2002039357A1 (en) | Rfid recycling system and method | |
US11651181B2 (en) | Methods and systems for managing inventory through the supply chain and lifecycle of a product | |
US20150022359A1 (en) | Inventory and Anti-Theft Alarm System | |
WO2007086808A2 (en) | System and method for monitoring the status of an inventory item | |
WO2004013731A3 (en) | System and method for providing asset management and tracking capabilities | |
KR20070106846A (en) | Process for managing a commodity and system therefor | |
Chowdhury et al. | Challenges relating to RFID implementation within the electronic supply chain management-A practical approach | |
US20030160098A1 (en) | Electronic label and article archiving aid system using same | |
US20090281933A1 (en) | Value managing device and value managing method | |
CN111832989B (en) | Object tracking system and tracking method thereof | |
Idachaba | RFID Applications for Asset Monitoring and Multi-Level Asset Tracking | |
Lozano-Nieto | Radio frequency identification in the smart supply chain | |
Dolgui et al. | Radio-frequency identification (RFID): Technology and applications |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BOEING COMPANY, THE, WASHINGTON Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GREEN, CRAIG B.;REEL/FRAME:014147/0805 Effective date: 20030603 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 8 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 12 |