Systems and methods for tracking product environment throughout a supply chain

Abstract

Systems, methods and apparatus for monitoring and reporting on the condition of individual items of sale throughout a supply chain are disclosed. An example method may include associate a micro-climate sensor with a corresponding individual item of sale at an early point in the supply chain and generating, via the micro-climate sensor, product flow data. The example method may further include determining flow analysis data from the product flow data. An example apparatus may include a SOP data processing circuit to interpret SOP data and a SOP deviation circuit to determine deviation data based on product flow data and SOP data.

1 . A method for monitoring and reporting on a condition of a plurality of individual items of sale throughout a supply chain, the method comprising:
 associating at least one micro-climate sensor with a corresponding individual item of sale in the plurality;   generating, via the plurality of micro-climate sensors, product flow data for each corresponding item of sale;   determining flow analysis data from the product flow data; and   transmitting the flow analysis data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flow analysis data is for an individual item of sale. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the flow analysis data is for a type of product represented by the individual item of sale. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating, via the plurality of micro-climate sensors, subsequent product flow data for each of a subsequent plurality of items of sale flowing through the supply chain; and   determining subsequent flow analysis data from the subsequent flow data;   wherein each micro-climate sensor of the plurality corresponds to a different item of sale of the subsequent plurality.   
     
     
         6 .- 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising:
 generating, based at least in part on the flow analysis data, a graphical user interface that depicts a contiguous view of the flow analysis data for at least one of the items of sale of the plurality along the supply chain. 
 
     
     
         13 - 14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the items of sale of the plurality is a produce product. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the flow analysis data comprises an indication that an item of sale of the plurality has experienced at least one of a product-life shortening event or a product-quality reduction event. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 storing standard operating procedure (SOP) data for at least one of the items of sale of the plurality.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 determining a deviation from the SOP data based on least in part on the flow analysis data. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein determining the deviation comprises:
 comparing the flow analysis data to the SOP data.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time of transit of the at least one item of sale along the supply chain. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time period of at least one:
 unloading the at least one item of sale at a point along the supply chain; or   a stocking event corresponding to the at least one item of sale.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the deviation is based at least in on a temperature of the at least one item of sale of the plurality along the supply chain. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the deviation comprises an indication that an item of sale of the plurality has experienced at least one of a product-life shortening event or a product-quality reducing event. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 in response to determining the deviation, generating a sale-improvement action for the at least one item of sale.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the sale-improvement action is at least one of:
 moving the at least one item of sale to a location; or   discounting the at least one item of sale.   
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising:
 generating an alert message in response to determining the deviation from the SOP, wherein the alert message comprises an indication of the deviation; and 
 transmitting the alert message. 
 
     
     
         30 .- 61 . (canceled) 
     
     
         62 . A system comprising:
 a plurality of reusable micro-climate sensors each structured to generate and transmit product flow data for an individual item of sale to which each reusable micro-climate sensor of the plurality is associated, the plurality of items of sale flowing through a supply chain;   a server structured to:
 interpret the product flow data; and 
 determine and transmit flow analysis data from the product flow data; and 
   wherein the server is in communication with an electronic device structured to:
 interpret and display the flow analysis data. 
   
     
     
         63 . (canceled) 
     
     
         64 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein:
 the server is further structured to determine and transmit deviation data from a standard operating procedure (SOP) based at least in part on comparing the flow analysis data to the SOP data, wherein the deviation data indicates a deviation from the SOP data; and   the electronic device is further structured to interpret and display the deviation data.   
     
     
         65 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the deviation data comprises an indication of a location in the supply chain. 
     
     
         66 .- 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time of transit of at least one of the items of sale of the plurality along the supply chain. 
     
     
         71 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the deviation is based at least in part on a time period of at least one of:
 unloading at least one items of sale of the plurality at a point along the supply chain; or   a stocking event corresponding to at least one item of sale of the plurality.   
     
     
         72 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein the deviation data comprises an indication that at least one item of sale of the plurality has experienced at least one of a product-life shortening event or product-quality reducing event. 
     
     
         73 . The system of  claim 72 , wherein at least one of the product-life shortening event or the product-quality reducing event is at least one of:
 an environmental temperature that is out of compliance with the SOP data;   moisture present within a product packaging of the at least one item of sale; or   damage to a product packaging of the at least one item of sale.   
     
     
         74 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein:
 the server is further structured to generate and transmit, in response to the deviation data, a recommended action value corresponding to a sale-improvement action to be taken with respect to at least one item of sale of the plurality; and   the electronic device is further structured to interpret and display the recommended action value.   
     
     
         75 . The system of  claim 74 , wherein the sale-improvement action is at least one of:
 moving the at least one item of sale to a location; or   discounting the at least one item of sale.   
     
     
         76 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein:
 the server is further structured to generate and transmit, in response to the deviation data, a recommended action value indicating that at least one item of the plurality is to be disposed; and   the electronic device is further structured to interpret and display the recommended action value.   
     
     
         77 . The system of  claim 64 , wherein:
 the server is further structured to generate and transmit, in response to the deviation data, alert data comprising an indication of the deviation; and   the electronic device is further structured to interpret and communicate the alert to a user.   
     
     
         78 . (canceled) 
     
     
         79 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein:
 the server is further structured to generate and transmit visualized flow data for depicting a contiguous view of the flow analysis data for at least one of the plurality of items of sale along the supply chain; and   the electronic device is further structured to interpret the visualized flow data and display a visualization based at least in part on the visualized flow data.   
     
     
         80 - 85 . (canceled) 
     
     
         86 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the supply chain includes:
 a source;   a distribution center;   a transport vehicle;   a store;   a transport to a customer location; and   locations therebetween.   
     
     
         87 . The system of  claim 79 , wherein the supply chain includes a location in a store. 
     
     
         88 - 89 . (canceled) 
     
     
         90 . The system of  claim 62 , wherein at least one of the items of sale of the plurality is a produce product. 
     
     
         91 - 291 . (canceled)