System, device, and process for tracking product

Abstract

A system configured to track, trace and monitor product. In some aspects, the system is configured to track product and capture product related information and includes a network interface configured to receive product related information over a network from a plurality of tracking devices located at a plurality of facilities. The system also includes a database configured to store the product related information from the plurality of tracking devices located at the plurality of facilities. The system also includes a processor configured to be responsive to and control at least the database and the network interface. The system also includes the processor and the database being further configured to implement blockchain technology with respect to the product related information to generate a blockchain ledger of the product related information.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tracking device configured to track product and capture product related information comprising:
 a machine-readable code reader configured to read a machine-readable code located with a product, the machine-readable code comprising an identification of the product and the machine-readable code being implemented with at least one of the following: a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, a barcode, a QR (Quick Response) code, and a data matrix (DM) code;   at least one sensor configured to sense a physical characteristic of the product including at least one of the following: a temperature of the product and a temperature of an environment of the product;   a detection unit configured to receive information from the sensor;   a processor configured to implement and control the detection unit and the machine-readable code reader; and   a transceiver configured to transmit product related information over a network to a data collection system, the product related information comprising a location of the product, the identification of the product, and at least one of the following: the temperature of the product and the temperature of an environment of the product.   
     
     
         2 . The tracking device of  claim 1  wherein:
 the machine-readable code reader comprises a radio frequency identification reader device; and 
 the machine-readable code comprises the radio frequency identification (RFID) device. 
 
     
     
         3 . The tracking device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of radio frequency antennas connected to the machine-readable code reader, the plurality of the radio frequency antennas arranged in different locations of a facility; and 
 the plurality of the radio frequency antennas configured to receive the identification of the product in different locations of the facility, 
 wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors; and 
 wherein the detection unit is further configured to receive information from the plurality of sensors. 
 
     
     
         4 . The tracking device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a camera device configured to capture an image of at least one of the following: the product, an environment where the product is located, and the machine-readable code, 
 wherein the product related information further comprises the image captured by the camera device; and 
 wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit over the network the product related information to the data collection system that comprises the image captured by the camera device. 
 
     
     
         5 . The tracking device of  claim 1  wherein the product related information comprises a location of a product, an identification of the product, and at least one of the following: a temperature of the product, remaining product shelf life, identifying characteristics, and a temperature of an environment of the product. 
     
     
         6 . The tracking device of  claim 1  wherein the product related information comprises a location of a product, an identification of the product, a temperature of the product, remaining product shelf life, identifying characteristics, and a temperature of an environment of the product. 
     
     
         7 . The tracking device of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of radio frequency antennas connected to the machine-readable code reader, the plurality of the radio frequency antennas arranged in different locations of a facility; and 
 the plurality of the radio frequency antennas configured to receive the identification of the product in different locations of the facility, 
 wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors; 
 wherein the detection unit is further configured to receive information from the plurality of sensors; 
 wherein the machine-readable code reader comprises a radio frequency identification reader device; and 
 wherein the machine-readable code comprises the radio frequency identification (RFID) device. 
 
     
     
         8 . The tracking device of  claim 1  further comprising a location determination device configured to estimate a location of the device based on a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). 
     
     
         9 . The tracking device of  claim 1  further comprising a user interface configured to receive physical input and comprising one or more buttons, switches, and/or a touchscreen. 
     
     
         10 . The tracking device of  claim 1  further comprising a user interface configured to receive from a user entry of the product related information. 
     
     
         11 . The tracking device of  claim 1  wherein the data collection system comprises:
 a database configured to store the product related information received from a network interface from the device; 
 a processor configured to be responsive to and control at least the database and the network interface; and 
 the processor and the database being further configured to implement blockchain technology with respect to the product related information received from the device to generate a blockchain ledger of the product related information. 
 
     
     
         12 . A process of operating a tracking device configured to track product and capture product related information comprising:
 reading a machine-readable code located with a product with a machine-readable code reader, the machine-readable code comprising an identification of the product and the machine-readable code being implemented with at least one of the following: a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, a barcode, a QR (Quick Response) code, and a data matrix (DM) code;   sensing a physical characteristic of the product with at least one sensor including at least one of the following: a temperature of the product and a temperature of an environment of the product;   receiving information from the sensor with a detection unit;   implementing and controlling the detection unit and the machine-readable code reader with a processor; and   transmitting product related information over a network to a data collection system with a transceiver, the product related information comprising a location of the product, the identification of the product, and at least one of the following: the temperature of the product and the temperature of an environment of the product.   
     
     
         13 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  wherein:
 the machine-readable code reader comprises a radio frequency identification reader device; and 
 the machine-readable code comprises the radio frequency identification (RFID) device. 
 
     
     
         14 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  further comprising:
 implementing a plurality of radio frequency antennas connected to the machine-readable code reader, the plurality of the radio frequency antennas arranged in different locations of a facility; and 
 configuring the plurality of the radio frequency antennas to receive the identification of the product in different locations of the facility, 
 wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors; and 
 wherein the detection unit is further configured to receive information from the plurality of sensors. 
 
     
     
         15 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  further comprising:
 implementing a camera device configured to capture an image of at least one of the following: the product, an environment where the product is located, and the machine-readable code, 
 wherein the product related information further comprises the image captured by the camera device; and 
 wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit over the network the product related information to the data collection system that comprises the image captured by the camera device. 
 
     
     
         16 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  wherein the product related information comprises a location of a product, an identification of the product, and at least one of the following: a temperature of the product, remaining product shelf life, identifying characteristics, and a temperature of an environment of the product. 
     
     
         17 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  wherein the product related information comprises a location of a product, an identification of the product, a temperature of the product, remaining product shelf life, identifying characteristics, and a temperature of an environment of the product. 
     
     
         18 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  further comprising:
 implementing a plurality of radio frequency antennas connected to the machine-readable code reader, the plurality of the radio frequency antennas arranged in different locations of a facility; and 
 configuring the plurality of the radio frequency antennas to receive the identification of the product in different locations of the facility, 
 wherein the sensor comprises a plurality of sensors; 
 wherein the detection unit is further configured to receive information from the plurality of sensors; 
 wherein the machine-readable code reader comprises a radio frequency identification reader device; and 
 wherein the machine-readable code comprises the radio frequency identification (RFID) device. 
 
     
     
         19 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  further comprising implementing a location determination device configured to estimate a location of the device based on a global navigation satellite system (GNSS). 
     
     
         20 . The process of operating a tracking device of  claim 12  wherein the data collection system comprises:
 a database configured to store the product related information received by a network interface from the device; 
 a processor configured to be responsive to and control at least the database and the network interface; and 
 the processor and the database being further configured to implement blockchain technology with respect to the product related information received from the plurality of tracking devices to generate a blockchain ledger of the product related information.