DE19955120A1 - Product documentation and identification method for transportable objects, by applying data carrier connected to sensors - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves using a data carrier such as a chip card or smart label attached to the object. Product identification data are stored in the memory of the data carrier. The data carrier is also connected to sensors, which securely provide data relating to the environmental conditions after the object has left a certain stage of its production or manufacture, or when it has arrived at its final manufacturing stage. The values detected by the sensors are stored in the memory of the data carrier when thresholds are exceeded or not reached. The data may include humidity, temperature, gas or chemical compounds, or GPS data.

Description

The invention relates to a method for accompanying the product Documentation and / or labeling as well as for later identification tification of transportable objects or things under Use of a contactlessly writable and / or readable Data carrier, such as. B. a chip card or a smart label, which is connected to the object or thing, on this attached or with such a data carrier send wrapping or packaging is provided, according to Oberbe handle of claim 1.

From the German utility model DE 297 01 976 U1 is a Identification system for slaughter cattle known, which in manipulation-proof determination of the origin of the Slaughter cattle at the time of slaughter, but also for example at the time of a resale.

According to the solution there, it is provided that the identifica tion system at least one electrical code reader and one comprises electronic code carrier, the code carrier as a unit that can be implanted in the animal body is formed and wherein the code reader for detecting the abge in the code carrier put codes externally the code carrier with electrical energy provided in such a way that this is prompted accordingly the stored code via a wireless transmission link passes further evaluation and display to the code reader.  

For this purpose, the transponder systems are known handles, such as with the MOBY system from Siemens File company are available on the market. The manipulations This should ensure security for the implanted code carrier be guaranteed that this is at least partially with a undercuts and / or open stitch-forming layer is covered, with a multilayer embodiment the mesh size decreases with increasing spatial depth.

DE 43 35 316 A1 describes a method and an arrangement for marking, identification and verification of driving testify known, using known Bordcom there computer, identification data carrier and display elements misuse of a vehicle is to be made more difficult. For this purpose, at least one ver can be specified with display elements changeable content provided electronic identifier seen that even with an electronic storage element contains several vehicle-specific identification data. This is connected to the on-board computer by an identity comparison of this data with that stored in it Identification data and one with the identification data separate data carrier via the data input device can be entered. That within the electronic Label arranged electronic storage element is as Transponder designed like an ID tag.

In the control system and the procedure for the control of Objects according to DE 43 41 880 A1 are provided, in which data is stored as an identification code, with external devices record this data and a computer supported data processing can be supplied.

The system presented there serves to counteract this legitimate imitation of branded goods, each brand article about a forgery-proof identification code of a Data carrier can be distinguished from a plagiarism. The the control system there sees the arrangement of data carriers at least manufacturer-specific data as an identification code on each article, which at any time and as often as required  special from customers and customers with devices for data version and computer-aided data processing can be checked and can be changed in a controlled manner if necessary. As a data carrier can use HF transponder modules, but also magnetic strips and cards or chip cards are used.

In one embodiment of the teaching according to DE 43 41 880 A2 a possibility of evaluating sales transactions or other handover of the branded articles in that the data of the Identification codes read out with data acquisition devices and be stored in a central computer as a control code. If the item is sold or transferred, the Identity checked by the identification code of the data carrier with an external data acquisition device, which ins works particularly non-contact, read and with the im Central computer stored control code is compared. The Manufacturer-specific data can be obtained from data during shipping, delivery, accounting and sales be expanded in such a way that a barcode or an OCR code a usual sticker or tag with the Identifi cation code of the electronic data carrier by a combination Readable reader can be read out simultaneously and almost in parallel are. Furthermore, write protection for the whole Memory area or a defined area of memory of the electronic data carrier can be activated to avoid unwanted Prevent tampering.

DE 30 24 068 A1 describes a storage device and disclosure of information resulting from a Encoder, a portable memory and at least one deco that exists. This device is intended to provide information be storable and forwardable, which ensures or confirms that certain activities or measures were carried out. For example, in one Manufacturing facility provided several encoders at important To install points along the way of guards, where each encoder has a special division of existing duration contains magnets that identify its specific location. The  Security guards use a memory module and bring the case of the memory module during the inspection tour in succession with the the respective encoder installed on site. about special reed switches then read out the im Encoder existing information by arranging the magnets. This information is then stored in the memory module using a electronic memory module. By reading the Data in electronic storage can then be the way of the watch personnel are subsequently tracked or checked.

An electronic ID tag is, for example, from the US 5,469,363 previously known, the data transmission between one Programming reader and a corresponding memory module inductive, d. H. done contactless.

All of the above-mentioned facilities and processes make it possible saving one or more times certain, e.g. B. product-specific data, which are used for control purposes in can be read out appropriately, but cannot be checked whether such marked products, things and / or Items according to the manufacturer's instructions or specified further processing instructions treated or transported were what z. B. for foods that have a closed Cold chain transport are serious problems for the end user.

It is therefore an object of the invention to develop one Procedures for product documentation and / or identification drawing and for later identification of transportable Objects or things using a contactless specify writable and readable data carrier, the Possibility should exist, retrospectively or from transport stage to check transport stage, whether from the supplier or final producers given conditions, such as B. temperature or Pressure loads were observed, so that for example causers of damage can be determined for insurance companies and ultimately the consumer is protected.  

The object of the invention is achieved with a Ver drive as defined in claim 1, wherein the Subclaims at least useful configurations and Training includes.

According to the invention, a chip card, a smart label or a the same contactlessly writable data carrier and there intended storage not only for storage product identification used data, but the memory or the data carrier is connected to a sensor system which is programmed in barely after leaving a certain production or Production stage and / or upon reaching a final ferti data on environmental conditions via a prep certain time tamper-proof, the time of values recorded by the sensor system when exceeding and / or falling below limit values that can also be specified in the memory of the data are stored protected. The detected surroundings conditions can affect both the environment of a B. implanted Sensors, but also the other natural or artificial Environment.

The contactlessly writable and readable data carrier, e.g. B. a Transponder, which is an electronic memory module contains, is attached to the object or semi-finished product, the transponder being an electronically readable, individual has dual identification. Manufacturing and / or typrele vante identification data, but also the sensor data are then stored in the transponder's memory. With Reaching a next production step, but also with Start of a next transport stage within a ferti chain or from freight forwarder to freight forwarder identifying the object or semi-finished product be carried out, it being possible to check whether at the time previous treatment or the previous one Transport step specified environmental or environmental conditions regarding the product.  

According to the invention, the sensors are stored recorded values in a data record together with the respective Time and / or place where the limit was exceeded Template. To record the location there is the possibility that the transponder with a satellite-based positioner system (GPS) interacts with each other Data is operable.

In a transport chain, it goes from transport stage to transport this is particularly the case with changing freight forwarding responsibilities Compliance with specified environmental conditions by reading the Checked the storage of the disk to only then a new one To initiate the transport stage or the relevant item or the Object or product for further transport draw, hereby from an insurance perspective Causes of damage can be identified. Each of Forwarding to forwarding selected and checked data can be prepared on the Internet or a special intranet be placed and retrieved.

As already mentioned, there is the possibility of a single program mierens of thresholds from that in the disk integrable sensors are monitored.

In addition, a forwarding code can be stored in the memory, the forwarding code free a defined memory area switches which of the storage of sensor data is responsible area of the corresponding forwarding agency. Terminals for Programming, e.g. B. Writing new threshold values, but also for The software can be used to read out the history using modified software Be adapted to the application and intended access rights, which increases the security against manipulation. More like that Way, users can have a different access calculation be assigned. If the threshold value is there is the possibility of an internal blocking of the Data carrier, which, together with the associated product, is a further processing or z. B. delivery to the customer is withdrawn. Only an individual determination of the given  A minimum quality by authorized bodies enables subsequent approval. The above procedure can for example wise in the quality assurance of the production of air vehicles are used in which a variety of Suppliers exist. Another application of the presented Teaching is the safe transportation of organs, also with the aim of prevent illegal trafficking of organs. The sensors can in this case also medically relevant data or Record information and register threshold violations strate.

The sensors are used in particular to record environmental data, such as ambient humidity, ambient temperature, gaseous composition determination of the surrounding atmosphere, air pressure, and / or the Monitoring acceleration values. In addition, Sen sensors are provided that monitor the electrical and / or allow magnetic field or for Radiation in the visible, ultraviolet and / or infrared Area are selective.

The data carrier in the manner of a smart label or trans ponders is only destructive to the object or thing removably connected to this so that an exchange of the Data carrier with a manipulated data carrier is not or is only possible in a conspicuous manner. After a Initial programming is essential, e.g. B. product relevant Content, namely threshold values, location and time information or the like, protected and stored or activated unchanged. When taking over the manufacturing or transport stage to next is the presence of an initial programming or a minimum labeling requirement for the acceptance of the Intermediate or the goods.

The design is made when a destination or transport destination is reached of the final manufacturing step a reading of the saved Data made and the transport history including environmental conditions for insurance or  Control purposes reconstructed and in a corresponding manner logged.

The invention is illustrated below with the aid of an embodiment be explained in more detail.

A smart label transponder contains a semiconductor chip an antenna coil, with additional sensors, e.g. B. a Accelerometer and a temperature sensor in half conductor chip are integrated.

The smart label also includes a thin plastic carrier film evaporated antenna sink structure and attached there, thinned semiconductor chip that rests on a carrier contact strip is located and contacted with the antenna coil ends is. The label can now be used in packaging for frozen products integrated or with this packaging by a heavy releasable adhesive to be connected, with the shock freezing of the product the monitoring process with regard to to be observed Ambient temperature conditions. In the data store the semiconductor chip contains product-specific identification data filed, programming the temperature sensors in such a way that the cold chains are exceeded temperature recorded and this exceeding together with the Saves the time of exceeding.

The energy supply for the sensors or the semiconductor chip can either by miniature primary or secondary cells, e.g. B. Thin film batteries, and / or by rectifying surrounding High-frequency energy using the antenna coil structure, but also by inductive coupling in the NF range or capacitance tive coupling.

With delivery of the frozen food including packaging and Smart label attached there can now move from transport stage to Transport stage are checked whether in the previous one Transport step below the desired freezer chain was broken, whereby the  concerned goods at a wireless reception and Evaluation station are led past. Will be a significant one Exceeding a programmed maximum ambient temperature temperature determined over a specified period of time, the goods in question selected, labeled and out of circulation drawn.

For products that are high in terms of mechanical influences sensitive, the semiconductor chip of the smart label have a micromechanical acceleration sensor. In In this case, exceeding certain negative or positive acceleration values including the time the exceeding of the threshold value is recorded and stored, what for otherwise difficult to detect transport damage and its Is helpful. In addition, the transponders supplied with externally obtained position data from a GPS system be, so that at least selectively in the memory of one specific location of the product can be stored so that a later reconstruction of the The course of a transport process is simplified.

Claims (11)

1. Process for product-related documentation and / or labeling and for later identification of transportable objects or things using a contactlessly writable and readable data carrier, such as. B. a smart card or a smart label, which is connected to the object or thing attached to it or provided with such a data carrier wrapping or packaging, characterized in that in addition to a product-characteristic storage of data in the memory of the data carrier this is connected to a sensor system which, in a programmable manner, provides tamper-proof data about ambient conditions over a predetermined time after leaving a specific production or manufacturing stage and / or when the final production step has been reached, the values recorded by the sensor system during over and over / or falling below limit values are stored in the memory of the data carrier. 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that storing the recorded values in common in a data record sam with the respective time and / or the place where the Limit exceeded, was done. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in a transport chain from transport stage to transport stage, especially with changing transport or forwarding agency word, compliance with specified environmental conditions Reading the memory of the data carrier is done to a new one To initiate the transport stage or the relevant item or the to withdraw the relevant item from further transport.   4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that product-specific threshold values monitored by the sensors are programmed. 5. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that additionally a forwarding code is stored in the memory, whereby the forwarding code clears a defined memory area switches which of the storage of sensor data is responsible area of the corresponding forwarding agency. 6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensors environmental data, such as ambient humidity, ambient temperature temperature, gaseous or chemical composition of the atmosphere, pressure, air pressure and / or acceleration values recorded. 7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that at least parts of the sensors are integrated in the data carrier. 8. The method according to claim 2 or 6, characterized in that Data from a global positioning system or a differential Hand over the Global Positioning System (GPS / DGPS) to the data carrier become. 9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data carrier only destroys the object or the thing or a corresponding packaging removable with this connected is.   10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upon reaching a destination or the final one The stored data is read out in the manufacturing step and the Transport process including the surrounding area to be observed conditions for insurance or control purposes becomes. 11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that depending on the intended application and / or application conditions a plurality of sensor modules and at least one modified power supply unit can be configured, the data exchange of the modules, in particular via a Bus system or contactless.