Methods for Correlating First Mile and Last Mile Product Data

Abstract

Traceability codes on perishable products facilitate the correlation of product data from the origin of a distribution chain to quality assessments of the perishable products made at points along the distribution chain. The product data is initially associated with the code, the product is marked with the code, and then the product is distributed. Receipt of a code after the perishable product enters the distribution chain establishes an elapsed time. Location information submitted with the code can also establish a traversed distance. A quality assessment submitted with the code can be associated with both time and distance. Consumers, for example, may submit codes, provide assessments and locations, and in return access product data linked to the specific products they consider in retail stores, purchase, and use. Inspectors can likewise submit quality assessments from locations earlier in the distribution chain as well as in retail stores.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, with a first computing system, a traceability code in association with lot-specific product data including a first time and a first location;   storing the lot-specific product data in association with the traceability code in a computer-readable memory device;   receiving the traceability code at a second time;   receiving a quality assessment about a product contemporaneously with receiving the traceability code;   storing the quality assessment in association with the traceability code; and   determining, with a second computing system, an elapsed time between the second time and the first time and associating the elapsed time with the quality assessment.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the step of receiving the traceability code at the second time is performed with the second computing system. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the quality assessment includes accessing a record associated with the traceability code to determine non-lot-specific product data that identifies a type of perishable product, and then sending a grading scale for the type of perishable product. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the quality assessment includes receiving location information contemporaneously with receiving the quality assessment. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  further comprising storing a second location, derived from the location information, in association with the quality assessment and the traceability code. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising sending at least some of the lot-specific product data in response to receiving the traceability code at the second time. 
     
     
         7 . A method comprising:
 receiving, with a first computing system, a traceability code in association with lot-specific product data including a first time and a first location;   storing the lot-specific product data in association with the traceability code in a computer-readable memory device;   receiving the traceability code in association with a second time, a quality assessment, and location information;   storing the quality assessment in association with the traceability code; and   determining, with a second computing system, a time difference between the second time and the first time and associating the time difference with the quality assessment.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the step of receiving the traceability code in association with the second time is performed with the second computing system. 
     
     
         9 . A device comprising:
 a housing including a hand grip and trigger;   a bar code reader configured to be activated by the trigger;   a touchscreen display disposed on the housing;   a communication interface disposed within the housing; and   logic disposed within the housing and configured to
 receive a scanned traceability code from the bar code reader, 
 determine the location of the device, 
 receive a first user input from the touchscreen display, and 
 send the traceability code in association with both the location and the first user input through the communication interface. 
   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a digital camera disposed on the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  wherein the logic is configured to receive a second user input from the touchscreen and in response display a grading scale for a perishable product on the touchscreen. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the first user input comprises a quality assessment and the second user input comprises a UPC code.