WO2010134061A1 - Indicateurs à code-barres destinés à une gestion de qualité - Google Patents

Indicateurs à code-barres destinés à une gestion de qualité Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010134061A1
WO2010134061A1 PCT/IL2009/001167 IL2009001167W WO2010134061A1 WO 2010134061 A1 WO2010134061 A1 WO 2010134061A1 IL 2009001167 W IL2009001167 W IL 2009001167W WO 2010134061 A1 WO2010134061 A1 WO 2010134061A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
barcode
colorable
unreadable
areas
threshold
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2009/001167
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Yaron Nemet
Ephraim Brand
Original Assignee
Varcode Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from PCT/IL2009/000503 external-priority patent/WO2009150641A1/fr
Application filed by Varcode Ltd. filed Critical Varcode Ltd.
Priority to CN200980160387.4A priority Critical patent/CN102483692B/zh
Priority to EP09844849.1A priority patent/EP2433211A4/fr
Priority to JP2012511406A priority patent/JP2012527635A/ja
Priority to US13/321,467 priority patent/US20120104105A1/en
Priority to CA2762891A priority patent/CA2762891C/fr
Priority to JP2012511407A priority patent/JP5640080B2/ja
Priority to CA2762894A priority patent/CA2762894C/fr
Priority to US13/321,477 priority patent/US8579193B2/en
Priority to EP10777451.5A priority patent/EP2433236A4/fr
Priority to CN201080030956.6A priority patent/CN102483770B/zh
Priority to PCT/IL2010/000205 priority patent/WO2010134062A1/fr
Publication of WO2010134061A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010134061A1/fr
Priority to IL216397A priority patent/IL216397A/en
Priority to IL216396A priority patent/IL216396A/en
Priority to US14/055,422 priority patent/US9317794B2/en
Priority to JP2014218223A priority patent/JP6039627B2/ja
Priority to US14/528,186 priority patent/US9384435B2/en
Priority to US15/063,804 priority patent/US9710743B2/en
Priority to US15/169,851 priority patent/US9646237B2/en
Priority to US15/587,684 priority patent/US10089566B2/en
Priority to US15/632,916 priority patent/US10049314B2/en
Priority to US16/036,401 priority patent/US10417543B2/en
Priority to US16/124,107 priority patent/US10572785B2/en
Priority to US16/534,603 priority patent/US10789520B2/en
Priority to US16/775,005 priority patent/US10885414B2/en
Priority to US17/134,946 priority patent/US11341387B2/en
Priority to US17/736,319 priority patent/US11704526B2/en
Priority to US18/204,046 priority patent/US12039386B2/en

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01K—MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G01K11/00—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00
    • G01K11/06—Measuring temperature based upon physical or chemical changes not covered by groups G01K3/00, G01K5/00, G01K7/00 or G01K9/00 using melting, freezing, or softening
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/06009—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking
    • G06K19/06018—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking one-dimensional coding
    • G06K19/06028—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code with optically detectable marking one-dimensional coding using bar codes

Definitions

  • Patent Application No. PCT/IL2009/000503 filed May 20, 2009 and entitled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators” and from US Patent Application Serial No. 12/469,309, filed May 20, 2009 and entitled “A System And Method For Quality Management Utilizing Barcode Indicators", and under 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i) from US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/231,799, filed August 6, 2009 and entitled "Barcoded Indicators For Quality Management”.
  • the present invention relates to quality management and to indicators useful in quality management.
  • the present invention seeks to provide improved indicators useful in quality management systems and methodologies.
  • a barcoded indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter
  • the barcoded indicator including at least a first barcode including at least a first set of initially uncolored, colorable areas including at least one initially uncolored colorable area, positioned at locations between bars of the first barcode when the first barcode is in a first barcode readable state prior to exceedance of the at least one threshold, and at least a second barcode including at least a second set of initially uncolored, colorable areas including at least one initially uncolored colorable area, positioned at locations of bars of the second barcode which appear only when the second barcode is in a second barcode readable state following exceedance of the at least one threshold, the at least a second barcode being in a second barcode unreadable state prior to exceedance of the at least one threshold wherein as the result of the at least a second set being uncolored, more than a single narrow barcode bar is missing
  • the barcode indicator includes a coloring agent located at a first location on the indicator and a coloring agent pathway operative to allow the coloring agent to move, at a rate which is at least partially a function of time, from the first location to the first and second sets of colorable areas for coloring thereof.
  • the coloring agent pathway is operative to allow the coloring agent to move by diffusing from the first location to the first and the second sets of colorable areas.
  • the first set of colorable areas continues to be colored following exceedance of the at least one threshold.
  • the at least one threshold includes at least one time threshold.
  • the at least one threshold includes at least one time and temperature threshold.
  • the quality indicator is operative to provide indications of exceedance of several different thresholds.
  • At least one colorable area forming part of one of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas has a width of a single narrow barcode bar.
  • colorable areas forming part of at least one of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas become colored sequentially.
  • At least one of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas includes at least two colorable areas. Additionally, each of the first set of colorable areas and the second set of colorable areas includes at least two colorable areas.
  • the barcoded indicator further including at least a third barcode including at least a third set of initially uncolored, colorable areas including at least one initially uncolored colorable area, positioned at locations of bars of the third barcode which appear only when the third barcode is in a third barcode readable state following exceedance of the at least one additional threshold, the at least a third barcode being in a third barcode unreadable state prior to exceedance of the at least one additional threshold wherein as the result of the third set of colorable areas being uncolored, more than a single narrow barcode bar is missing from the at least a third barcode, the at least a second barcode including at least a fourth set of initially uncolored, colorable areas including at least one initially uncolored colorable area, positioned at locations between bars of the at least a second barcode when the at least a second barcode is in the second barcode readable state prior to exceedance of the at least one additional threshold, and upon exceedance of the at least one additional threshold the at least a second barcode becoming unreadable as the result
  • Figs. IA - IK together are a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of an example of the quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in temperature history;
  • Figs. 2 A - 2K together are a simplified illustration of the structure and operation of another example of the quality indicator constructed and operative in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention for indicating elapsed time in temperature history;
  • the present invention provides changeable barcode indicators operative to provide a readable, preferably barcode-reader-readable, indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter.
  • Barcode readers operative to read the barcode indicators and to provide output indications, and product type responsive indication interpreters operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product quality status outputs are described in US Patent No. US 7,562,811 and in the publications WO/2007/129316, WO/2008/135962, WO/2009/063464 and WO/2009/063465.
  • barcode is used herein to refer to a machine-readable optical code.
  • linear, or one-dimensional barcodes are illustrated. It is appreciated that the invention may be applicable to two dimensional barcodes as well.
  • Each barcode standard includes rules which govern the proper reading of the barcode.
  • a typical barcode includes start indicia representing the start of the barcode, stop indicia representing the end of the barcode and digital indicia representing digits positioned therebetween.
  • Each digit of the barcode is indicated by a series of bars and spaces each having a predetermined width. For example, in the 2 of 5 Interleaved barcode standard, each digit is indicated by two wide bars and three narrow bars.
  • the UPC and the EAN128 barcode standards include middle indicia with different rules for indicating digits on either side of the middle indicia. Additionally, some barcode standards employ a checksum digit, which is calculated according to a mathematical formula based on the barcode symbol digits and is used as a control for the validity of the barcode. Accordingly, a readable barcode can be rendered unreadable in several different ways. For example, the series of bars forming the start or the stop indicia can be changed by adding or deleting bars or spaces, or by changing the width thereof. Such a change can cause the barcode reader not to recognize the start or the end of the barcode symbol resulting in the barcode not being readable.
  • Another possibility is adding or deleting bars or spaces of the digital indicia or changing the width thereof so that a series of bars and spaces indicating a digit no longer indicate a digit according to the standard employed.
  • Yet another possibility is making the above changes to a series of one or more bars and spaces indicating a digit such that a different digit is indicated after the change and calculating the checksum digit including the changed digit results in a checksum digit different from the checksum digit indicated in the barcode, thereby causing the barcode to become invalid.
  • a similar change causing invalidity of the barcode can also be made to the bars indicating the checksum digit itself.
  • an unreadable barcode can be rendered readable by adding or deleting bars or spaces or changing the width thereof.
  • bars forming the start or the stop indicia in a barcode where the start or the end are not properly indicated can be changed as explained above in order to properly form start or stop indicia.
  • an unreadable series of bars can be made to indicate a digit by adding or deleting bars or spaces or changing the width thereof.
  • each digit is indicated by two wide bars and three narrow bars. If, for example, a readable barcode was rendered unreadable by changing a wide bar into a narrow bar, then changing a narrow bar into a wide bar can render the barcode readable. Similarly, if a barcode is unreadable because the checksum digit does not match the other barcode digits, then the bars indicating one of the digits or the checksum digit can be changed as explained above to restore barcode validity.
  • the quality indicator may incorporate a product code such as an EAN
  • the quality indicator may incorporate a 2 of 5 interleaved barcode or any other suitable barcode or readable methodology. It is appreciated that bars of one dimensional barcodes correspond to cells in Data Matrix two dimensional barcodes and instead of the "start" and “stop” indicia of one dimensional barcodes, two adjacent borders defining a "finder pattern" are used in the Data Matrix two dimensional barcodes to locate and orient the symbol.
  • the quality indicator includes barcodes complying with GSl (General Specifications) standards, which are outlined at www.gsl.org.
  • GSl General Specifications
  • the three left-most digits are usually assigned to a country.
  • Israel the seven, nine or ten left-most digits, including the country code, represent the supplier's code and the remaining right-most digits are used by each supplier.
  • the three left-most digits are 729, the GSl country code assigned to Israel.
  • the ten left-most digits, including the country code represent a supplier's code and the three right-most digits are changeable by the supplier and combinations thereof are used in this application for indicating exceedance of thresholds.
  • a short time period means a time period of less than fifteen minutes.
  • the quality indicator of USSN 12/469,309 includes at least two variable barcodes, such as a first barcode and a second barcode, preferably arranged in a stacked arrangement.
  • Each of the at least two variable barcodes includes at least one colorable area and has at least two visible states.
  • One of the colorable areas in the first barcode is operative to become colored or uncolored at the same time as one of the colorable areas of the second barcode.
  • the coloring or the uncoloring occurs, for example, upon exceedance of a time in temperature threshold.
  • a group of colorable areas which are operative to become colored or uncolored at the same time is referred to as a colorable common area.
  • the coloring of the colorable common area which forms part of the first and the second barcodes in a quality indicator causes the visible state of the first barcode, which is initially readable, to become unreadable and, at the same time, causes the visible state of the second barcode, which is initially not readable, to become readable. Accordingly, the quality indicator of USSN 12/469,309 presents a single readable barcode both before and after exceedance of a threshold.
  • the colorable common areas disclosed in USSN 12/469,309 preferably include a single colorable area per barcode and preferably have the width of a single barcode bar. Accordingly, the difference between the readable state and the unreadable state of the barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309 is preferably a single barcode bar.
  • a problem may occur if a barcode is read by a barcode reader when the barcode is in an unreadable state.
  • a barcode reader erroneously reads either the first or the second barcode in the quality indicator of USSN 12/469,309 when that barcode is in an unreadable state, the barcode reader may read a barcode presenting incorrect information. This problem can occur in situations such as described below, with reference to the embodiment disclosed on page 14, paragraph [0051] of USSN 12/469,309:
  • the second barcode which is not readable prior to exceedance of a threshold, is erroneously read by a barcode reader notwithstanding that the colorable common area has not yet become colored.
  • the first barcode remains readable because the first barcode becomes unreadable only upon coloring of the colorable common area.
  • the barcode reader reads a barcode presenting incorrect information.
  • the first barcode which is readable prior to exceedance of a threshold, is erroneously still read by a barcode reader following exceedance of the threshold, notwithstanding that the colorable common area became colored and rendered the first barcode unreadable.
  • the second barcode becomes readable by virtue of the coloring of the colorable common area.
  • the common colorable region preferably has a width of a single narrow barcode bar. Alternatively, the common colorable region is wider than a single narrow barcode bar.
  • the present application provides an improvement to the quality indicator described in USSN 12/469,309. This improvement alleviates the above problem by preferably including as part of a barcode at least one additional set of colorable areas, in addition to the common colorable region.
  • Each additional set of colorable areas preferably includes at least one colorable area, forms part of a single barcode and is configured to reduce the barcode readability level of the barcode of which it forms a part.
  • an additional colorable region includes more than one colorable area.
  • an additional colorable region includes a single colorable area.
  • barcode readability level or "BCR level” of a barcode in an unreadable state reflects the likelihood that a barcode reader will erroneously read the barcode when it is in that unreadable state. Accordingly, an unreadable barcode having a low BCR level is not likely to be erroneously read by a barcode reader.
  • the additional colorable region forms part of the initially unreadable second barcode, and includes an initially uncolored set of colorable areas.
  • the initially uncolored set of colorable areas is preferably positioned at location of barcode bars which appear in the second barcode in its readable state.
  • more than a single narrow barcode bar is missing from the second barcode.
  • the BCR level of the unreadable second barcode decreases and becomes lower than the BCR level of the unreadable second barcode in USSN 12/469,309, wherein only a single barcode bar is missing.
  • “more than a single narrow barcode bar” means more than one barcode bar, the barcode bars being narrow or wide.
  • “more than a single narrow barcode bar means more than a portion of a wide barcode bar, the portion being at the same width as a narrow barcode bar. It is appreciated that portions of barcode bars can be missing as a result of set of colorable areas not being colored.
  • the additional colorable region forms part of the initially readable first barcode and includes an initially uncolored set of colorable areas.
  • the initially uncolored set of colorable areas is preferably positioned in spaces between barcode bars which form part of the first barcode in its readable state, and when uncolored do not interfere with the readability of the first barcode.
  • colorable areas forming part of the common colorable region and of the additional colorable region become colored, thereby causing the first barcode to become unreadable.
  • the coloring of the additional colorable region results in multiple spaces between bars of the first barcode becoming filled in, thereby decreasing the BCR level of the first barcode and causing it to be lower than that of the unreadable state of the first barcode described in USSN 12/469,309, which has only a space having a width of a single barcode bar filled in relative to the readable state thereof.
  • a space which is wider than a single narrow barcode bar can become filled in.
  • the colorable areas forming part of the additional colorable region and the common colorable region become colored sequentially.
  • the colorable areas forming part of the additional colorable region and of the common colorable region become colored generally simultaneously. It is appreciated that a plurality of spaces between barcode bars which become filled in as a result of coloring of a set of colorable areas can include spaces which are partially filled in.
  • a colorable area can be initially colored and become uncolored.
  • barcode bars or portions thereof appear and spaces between barcodes or portions thereof become filled in.
  • barcode bars or portions thereof disappear and spaces or portions thereof form between barcode bars.
  • the quality indicator may be operative to provide an indication of exceedance only following actuation thereof.
  • the quality indicator may be operative to provide an indication of exceedance without actuation.
  • barcodes forming part of a quality indicator are each capable of indicating any numerical or alphanumerical sequence. Additionally or alternatively, barcodes forming part of a quality indicator are each capable of complying with any suitable barcode standard, including but not limited to EAN, UPC, 2 of 5 Interleaved, code39, code 39 extended, code 93, code 93 extended, code 128, code 128 A, B and C, ISBN, Code bar and Data Matrix. Accordingly, different barcodes forming part of the same quality indicator can comply with different barcode standards.
  • a quality indicator can include a first barcode complying with the EAN 13 standard and a second barcode complying with the 2 of 5 Interleaved standard.
  • the barcode reader of a checkout scanner is operative to read only the EAN 13 barcode standard, then, once the first barcode becomes unreadable, the indicator no longer presents a readable barcode to the checkout scanner. However, the indicator is still readable by a barcode reader operative to read the 2 of 5 Interleaved standard.
  • Figs. IA - IK are a simplified illustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of a quality indicator for indicating a combination of elapsed time and temperature.
  • the quality indicator described in Figs. IA - IK is operative to provide separate indications of exceedance of two different time durations, one hour, and three and a half hours, at a temperature of at least 21 degrees Celsius.
  • the quality indicator 100 appears both in an exploded view at the top left portion of the drawing and in a planar view at the bottom right portion of the drawing.
  • the quality indicator here indicated by reference number 100, preferably includes a barcode defining layer 102, which is preferably printed on a transparent substrate.
  • the printing on the transparent substrate preferably defines a background area 103, which is preferably printed with black ink and overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars 104 forming part of barcodes I, II and HI which are preferably printed with black ink, and a plurality of transparent areas 105, which are preferably printed with light blue ink, such as Pantone No. 645, which has a visual appearance similar to that of the black ink overprinted with white ink.
  • the background area 103 and the plurality of bars 104 are printed in such colors so as to define high contrast therebetween.
  • transparent areas is defined so as to include within its scope areas that are either transparent or translucent.
  • the barcodes I, II and III are preferably arranged in a stacked arrangement and the transparent areas 105 preferably form part of six regions: a common colorable region 110 forming part of barcodes I and II, an additional colorable region 111 forming part of barcode I, an additional colorable region 112 forming part of barcode II, a common colorable region 113 forming part of barcodes II and III, an additional colorable region 114 forming part of barcode II and an additional colorable region 115 forming part of barcode III.
  • barcodes I, II and III need not be positioned on the indicator in any particular order.
  • the common colorable region 110 includes two transparent areas, transparent area 116 forming part of barcode I and transparent area 117 forming part of barcode II.
  • the common colorable region 113 includes two transparent areas, transparent area 118 forming part of barcode II and transparent area 119 forming part of barcode III.
  • the additional colorable region 111 forming part of barcode I, appears to the right of the transparent area 116.
  • the transparent area 116 and the transparent areas 105 which form part of the additional colorable region 111 are preferably positioned in spaces between barcode bars forming part of barcode I in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 140 in Fig. IA.
  • the transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable region 111 are grouped into two pluralities of transparent areas: 121 and 122, as illustrated in Figs. IA - IK.
  • the additional colorable region 112 forming part of barcode II appears to the left of the transparent area 117.
  • the transparent area 117 and the transparent areas 105 which form part of the additional colorable region 112 are positioned at locations of bars which appear when barcode II is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 163 in Fig. IE.
  • the transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable region 112 are grouped into two pluralities of transparent areas: 124 and 125, as illustrated in Figs. IA - IK. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figs.
  • the additional colorable region 114 forming part of barcode II, appears to the right of the transparent area 118.
  • the transparent area 118 and the transparent areas 105 which form part of the additional colorable region 114 are preferably positioned in the spaces between barcode bars forming part of barcode II in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 163 in Fig. IE.
  • the additional colorable region 115 forming part of barcode III appears to the left of the transparent area 119.
  • the transparent area 119 and the transparent areas 105 which form part of the additional colorable region 115 are positioned at locations of bars which appear when barcode III is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 175 in Fig. U.
  • a colorable element 130 Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 102 and preferably adhered thereto is a colorable element 130, such as Whatman No. 3 filter paper commercially available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white.
  • the colorable element 130 preferably extends behind the common colorable regions 110 and 113 and the additional colorable regions 111, 112, 114 and 115.
  • a temperature responsive coloring element 136 such as a pad, for example, K-R; 210/34/28, commercially available from Noam-Urim of Kibbutz Urim, Israel, impregnated with a coloring agent, such as Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31- 8].
  • a coloring agent such as Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5]
  • barcode I is initially in a readable state indicated by reference numeral 140, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115 and barcodes II and III are in unreadable states indicated by reference numerals 141 and 142, respectively.
  • the transparent area 117 and the transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable region 112 forming part of barcode II are initially uncolored.
  • a plurality of bars which appear when barcode II in its readable state are missing from barcode II.
  • the missing plurality of barcode bars results in barcode II in the initial unreadable state 141 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309, in which only a single narrow barcode bar is missing.
  • the transparent area 117 and the transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable region 112 forming part of barcode II are initially uncolored.
  • a plurality of bars which appear when barcode II in its readable state are missing from barcode II.
  • the missing plurality of barcode bars results in barcode II in the initial unreadable state 141 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN
  • barcode III in the initial unreadable state 142 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309, in which only a single narrow barcode bar is missing.
  • a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes II or III in their current state than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Fig. IB when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21 degrees Celsius, such as when the temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent, indicated by reference number 150 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 136 and begins to diffuse through the colorable element 130. The colored portions of the colorable element 130 cannot be seen through the plurality of the transparent areas 105 and, as can be seen in the planar view, barcodes I, II and III remain unchanged.
  • Fig. 1C as can be seen in the exploded view, following the elapse of a certain amount of time at 25 degrees, for example 30 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. As a result, portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the plurality of transparent areas indicated by reference number 124, resulting in the appearance of a plurality of bars indicated by reference numeral 152 forming part of barcode II, as can be seen in the planar view.
  • Barcode I remains in the readable state 140
  • barcode III remains in the unreadable state
  • This missing plurality of barcode bars results in the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 153 being still lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
  • a barcode reader is still less likely to read the unreadable barcodes II or III in their current state than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Fig. ID as can be seen in the exploded view, following the elapse of an additional amount of time at 25 degrees, for example another 25 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. As a result, portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the plurality of transparent areas indicated by reference number 125, resulting in the appearance of an additional plurality of bars 154 forming part of barcode II, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode I remains in the readable state 140, barcode III remains in the unreadable state 142 and the changed unreadable state of barcode II is indicated by reference number 155.
  • barcode II in the unreadable state 155 has a BCR level similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309.
  • a threshold is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 21 degrees Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25 degrees Celsius for a total of at least one hour
  • the coloring agent 150 diffuses through the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the common colorable region 110, including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 116 and 117.
  • a space indicated by reference numeral 160 which is located between bars of barcode I in its readable state, is filled in, thereby causing barcode I to assume an unreadable state 161, as can be seen in the planar view.
  • a single narrow barcode bar indicated by reference numeral 162 appears in barcode II, thereby causing barcode II to assume a readable state 163, as can be seen in the planar view, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139. It is appreciated that because a space preferably having a width of a single narrow barcode bar located between the bars of barcode I in its readable state is filled in, the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 161 is high, similar to the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 155 described in Fig. ID above.
  • the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 161 is similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes I, II and III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Fig. IF as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example 25 degrees Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 121.
  • a plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 165 located between the bars of barcode I in its readable state is filled in, as can be seen in the planar view.
  • Barcode II remains in the readable state 163
  • barcode III remains in the unreadable state 142
  • barcode I assumes a further unreadable state, indicated by reference number 166.
  • the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state 166 decreases and becomes lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
  • a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes I or III in their current state than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Figs. IE and IF more spaces are filled in between bars of barcode I in the unreadable state 166 than in the unreadable state 161. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of barcode I is lower in the unreadable state 166 than in the unreadable state 161.
  • Fig. IG as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example 25 degrees Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the transparent areas indicated by reference number 122.
  • an additional plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 167 located between the bars of barcode I in its readable state, appears colored, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode II remains in the readable state 163, barcode III remains in the unreadable state 142 and barcode I assumes a further unreadable state 168.
  • the coloring of the additional plurality of spaces 167 the BCR level of barcode I in the unreadable state
  • Fig. IH as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example 25 degrees
  • the coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130.
  • the additional colored portions of the colorable element 130 are not seen through the plurality of the transparent areas 105 and, as can be seen in the planar view, barcodes I, II and III remain unchanged.
  • Fig. II as can be seen in the exploded view, following the elapse of an additional amount of time at 25 degrees, for example another 25 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130. As a result, portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the plurality of transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable region indicated by reference number 115, resulting in the appearance of a plurality of bars 170 forming part of barcode III, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode I remains in the unreadable state 168, barcode II remains in the readable state 163 and the changed unreadable state of barcode III is indicated by reference number 171.
  • the BCR level of barcode III in the unreadable state 171 is higher than that of barcode III in the unreadable state 142 described in Fig. IA - IH above. It is further appreciated that barcode III in the unreadable state 171 has a high BCR level, which is similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309.
  • a second threshold is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 21 degrees Celsius for at least a second predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25 degrees Celsius for a total of at least three and a half hours
  • the coloring agent 150 diffuses through the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the common colorable region 113, including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 118 and 119.
  • the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 173 is high, similar to the BCR level of barcode III in the unreadable state 171 described in Fig. II above. It is further appreciated that the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 173 is similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes I, II and III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Fig. IK as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example 25 degrees Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 150 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 130, such that portions of the colorable element 130 are visible through the transparent areas 105 forming part of the additional colorable region indicated by reference number 114.
  • a plurality of spaces 176 located between the bars of barcode II in its readable state, is filled in, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode I remains in the unreadable state 168, barcode III remains in the readable state 175 and barcode II assumes a further unreadable state, indicated by reference numeral 177.
  • the plurality of spaces 176 becoming filled in causes the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 177 to decrease and be lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
  • Figs. 2A - 2K are a simplified illustration of the construction and operation of one embodiment of a quality indicator for indicating a combination of elapsed time and temperature.
  • the quality indicator described in Figs. 2A - 2K is operative to provide separate indications of exceedance of two different temperatures: 12 degrees Celsius and 21 degrees Celsius, for a time duration of at least one hour at each temperature.
  • the quality indicator 200 appears both in an exploded view at the top left portion of the drawing and in a planar view at the bottom right portion of the drawing.
  • the quality indicator here indicated by reference number 200, preferably includes a barcode defining layer 202, which is preferably printed on a transparent substrate.
  • the printing on the transparent substrate preferably defines a background area 203, which is preferably printed with black ink and overprinted with white ink, a plurality of bars 204 forming part of barcodes IV 5 V and VI which are preferably printed with black ink, and a plurality of transparent areas 205, which are preferably printed with light blue ink, such as Pantone No. 645, which has a visual appearance similar to that of the black ink overprinted with white ink.
  • the background area 203 and the plurality of bars 204 are printed in such colors so as to define high contrast therebetween.
  • the barcodes IV, V and VI are preferably arranged in a stacked arrangement and the transparent areas 205 preferably form part of six regions: a common colorable region 210 forming part of barcodes IV and V, an additional colorable region 211 forming part of barcode IV, an additional colorable region 212 forming part of barcode V, a common colorable region 213 forming part of barcodes V and VI, an additional colorable region 214 forming part of barcode V and an additional colorable region 215 forming part of barcode VI. It is appreciated that barcodes IV, V and VI need not be positioned on the indicator in any particular order.
  • the common colorable region 210 includes two transparent areas, transparent area 216 forming part of barcode IV and transparent area 217 forming part of barcode V.
  • the common colorable region 213 includes two transparent areas, transparent area 218 forming part of barcode V and transparent area 219 forming part of barcode VI.
  • the additional colorable region 211 forming part of barcode IV, appears to the right of the transparent area 216.
  • the transparent area 216 and the transparent areas 205 which form part of the additional colorable region 211 are preferably positioned in the spaces between barcode bars forming part of barcode IV in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 240 in Fig. 2A.
  • the transparent areas 205 forming part of the additional colorable region 211 are grouped into two pluralities of transparent areas: 221 and 222, as illustrated in Figs. 2 A - 2K.
  • the additional colorable region 212 forming part of barcode V appears to the left of the transparent area 217.
  • the transparent area 217 and the transparent areas 205 which form part of the additional colorable region 212 are positioned at locations of bars which appear when barcode V is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 263 in Fig. 2E.
  • the transparent areas 205 forming part of the additional colorable region 211 are grouped into two pluralities of transparent areas: 221 and 222, as illustrated in Figs. 2 A - 2K.
  • the additional colorable region 212 forming part of barcode V appears to the left of the transparent area 217.
  • the transparent area 217 and the transparent areas 205 which form part of the additional colorable region 212 are positioned at locations of bars which appear when barcode V is in its readable state,
  • 205 forming part of the additional colorable region 212 are grouped into two pluralities of transparent areas: 224 and 225, as illustrated in Figs. 2A - 2K.
  • the additional colorable region 214 forming part of barcode V, appears to the left of the transparent area 218.
  • the transparent area 218 and the transparent areas 205 which form part of the additional colorable region 214 are preferably positioned in the spaces between barcode bars forming part of barcode V in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 263 in Fig. 2E.
  • the additional colorable region 215 forming part of barcode VI appears to the right of the transparent area 219.
  • the transparent area 219 and the transparent areas 205 which form part of the additional colorable region 215 are positioned at locations of bars which appear when barcode VI is in its readable state, which is indicated by reference numeral 275 in Fig. 2J.
  • a colorable element 230 Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 202 and preferably adhered thereto is a colorable element 230, such as Whatman No. 3 filter paper commercially available from Whatman International [CAT#: 1003917], which until colored is normally white.
  • the colorable element 230 preferably extends behind the common colorable region 210 and the additional colorable regions 211 and 212.
  • an additional colorable element 232 is disposed behind the barcode defining layer 202 and preferably adhered thereto.
  • the colorable element 232 is preferably adjacent the colorable element 230 and preferably extends behind the common colorable region 213 and the additional colorable regions 214 and 215.
  • an indicator according to the present invention can include a single colorable element separated into two portions by a separator made of a material which is impermeable to ink, such as varnish.
  • a back layer 235 Disposed behind the barcode defining layer 202 and behind the colorable elements 230 and 232 is a back layer 235.
  • a coloring agent such as Sudan Black, a black color dye [CAS: 4197-25-5], dissolved at a ratio of 1 gram per 1 kg in coconut oil [CAS: 8001-31-8].
  • barcode IV is initially in a readable state indicated by reference numeral 240, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115 and barcodes V and VI are in unreadable states indicated by reference numerals 241 and 242, respectively.
  • reference numeral 240 is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804115
  • barcodes V and VI are in unreadable states indicated by reference numerals 241 and 242, respectively.
  • the transparent area 217 and the transparent areas 205 forming part of the additional colorable region 212 forming part of barcode V are initially uncolored.
  • a plurality of bars which appear when barcode V in its readable state are missing from barcode V.
  • the missing plurality of barcode bars results in barcode V in the initial unreadable state 241 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309, in which only a single barcode bar is missing.
  • the transparent area 219 and the additional colorable region 215 forming part of barcode VI are initially uncolored.
  • a plurality of bars which appear when barcode VI in its readable state are missing from barcode VI.
  • the missing plurality of barcode bars results in barcode VI in the initial unreadable state 242 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309, in which only a single narrow barcode bar is missing.
  • a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes V or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Fig. 2B when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 12 degrees Celsius, such as when the temperature reaches 15 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent, indicated by reference numeral 250 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 236 and begins to diffuse through the colorable element 230.
  • the colored portions of the colorable element 230 cannot be seen through the plurality of the transparent areas 205 and, as can be seen in the planar view, barcodes FV, V and VI remain unchanged.
  • Fig. 2C as can be seen in the exploded view, following the elapse of a certain amount of time at 15 degrees, for example 30 minutes, the coloring agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230.
  • barcode IV remains in the readable state 240
  • barcode VI remains in the unreadable state 242
  • the changed unreadable state of barcode V is indicated by reference number 253.
  • This missing plurality of barcode bars results in the BCR level of barcode II in the unreadable state 253 being still lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309. As a result, a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes
  • Fig. 2D as can be seen in the exploded view, following the elapse of an additional amount of time at 15 degrees, for example another 25 minutes, the coloring agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230. As a result, portions of the colorable element 230 are visible through the plurality of transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 225, resulting in the appearance of an additional plurality of bars 254 forming part of barcode V, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode IV remains in the readable state 240, barcode VI remains in the unreadable state 242 and the changed unreadable state of barcode V is indicated by reference number 255.
  • barcode V in the unreadable state 255 has a BCR level similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309.
  • a threshold is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 12 degrees Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 15 degrees Celsius for a total of at least one hour
  • the coloring agent 250 diffuses through the colorable element 230, such that portions of the colorable element 230 are visible through the common colorable region 210, including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 216 and 217.
  • a space indicated by reference numeral 260 which is located between bars of barcode IV in its readable state, is filled in, thereby causing barcode IV to assume an unreadable state 261, as can be seen in the planar view.
  • a single barcode bar indicated by reference numeral 262 appears in barcode V, thereby causing barcode V to assume a readable state 263, as can be seen in the planar view, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804139.
  • the BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 261 is high, similar to the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 255 described in Fig. 2D above. It is further appreciated that the BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 261 is similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes I, II and III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Fig. 2F as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature is at least 12 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example 15 degrees Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230, such that portions of the colorable element 230 are visible through the transparent areas indicated by reference numeral 221.
  • a plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 265 located between the bars of barcode IV in its readable state are filled in, as can be seen in the planar view.
  • Barcode V remains in the readable state 263
  • barcode VI remains in the unreadable state 242 and barcode IV assumes a further unreadable state, indicated by reference number 266.
  • the BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 266 decreases and becomes lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
  • a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes IV or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Figs. 2E and 2F As can be seen from the planar view of Figs. 2E and 2F, more spaces are filled in between barcode bars of barcode IV in the unreadable state 266 than in the unreadable state 261. Accordingly, it is appreciated that the BCR level of barcode IV is lower in the unreadable state 266 than in the unreadable state 261.
  • Fig. 2G as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature is at least 12 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example 15 degrees Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230, such that portions of the colorable element 230 are visible through the transparent areas indicated by reference number 222.
  • an additional plurality of spaces indicated by reference numeral 267 located between the bars of barcode IV in its readable state, are filled in, as can be seen in the planar view.
  • Barcode V remains in the readable state 263
  • barcode VI remains in the unreadable state 242 and barcode IV assumes a further unreadable state 268.
  • the BCR level of barcode IV in the unreadable state 268 further decreases and continues to be lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
  • a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes IV or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • the coloring agent 250 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 230. If, at any time after the temperature reaches 12 degrees Celsius, the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius, then the coloring agent 250 becomes solid and diffusion thereof through the colorable element 230 is suspended until the temperature again reaches 12 degrees Celsius.
  • Fig. 2H when the temperature at the quality indicator exceeds 21 degrees Celsius, such as when the temperature reaches 25 degrees Celsius, the coloring agent, indicated by reference number 269 begins to melt and be released from the coloring element 238 and begins to diffuse through the colorable element 232.
  • barcode VI As can be seen in the exploded view of Fig. 2H, the transparent area 219 and the additional colorable region 215 forming part of barcode VI are still uncolored. As a result, as can be seen in the planar view, a plurality of bars which appear when barcode VI in its readable state, indicated by reference numeral 275 in Fig. 2J, are still missing from barcode VI.
  • the missing barcode bars result in barcode VI in the unreadable state 242 having a BCR level lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes II, III and IV in Fig. 4A of USSN 12/469,309, in which only a single narrow barcode bar is missing.
  • a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes IV or VI in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • Fig. 21 as can be seen in the exploded view, following the elapse of a certain amount of time at 25 degrees, for example 55 minutes, the coloring agent 269 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 232. As a result, portions of the colorable element 232 are visible through the plurality of transparent areas 205 forming part of the additional colorable region indicated by reference number 215, resulting in the appearance of a plurality of bars 270 forming part of barcode VI, as can be seen in the planar view.
  • Barcode IV remains in the unreadable state 268, barcode V remains in the readable state 263 and the changed unreadable state of barcode VI is indicated by reference number 271. Only a single narrow barcode bar, which appears at the location of the transparent area 219 when barcode VI in its readable state, is still missing from barcode VI, and the missing barcode bar renders barcode VI in state 271 unreadable.
  • the BCR level of barcode VI in the unreadable state 271 is higher than that of barcode VI in the unreadable state 242 described in Fig. 2A - 2H above. It is further appreciated that barcode VI in the unreadable state 271 has a high
  • BCR level which is similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in
  • a second threshold is exceeded by the temperature at the indicator being at least 21 degrees Celsius for at least a predetermined cumulative amount of time, such as 25 degrees Celsius for a total of at least one hour
  • the coloring agent 269 diffuses through the colorable element 232, such that portions of the colorable element 232 are visible through the common colorable region 213, including the transparent areas indicated by reference numerals 218 and 219.
  • barcode VI As a result of portions of the colorable element 232 being visible through the transparent area indicated by reference numeral 219, a single narrow barcode bar indicated by reference numeral 274 appears in barcode VI, thereby causing barcode VI to assume a readable state 275, as can be seen in the planar view, which is typically readable by a barcode reader as 7290003804122.
  • the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 273 is high, similar to the BCR level of barcode VI in the unreadable state 271 described in Fig. 21 above. It is further appreciated that the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 273 is similar to the BCR level of the unreadable barcodes described in USSN 12/469,309, for example barcodes I, II and III in Fig. 4E of USSN 12/469,309.
  • the common colorable region 213 and the coloring element 238 are at least equal to the distance between the common colorable region 210 and the coloring element 236, the common colorable region 213 will not become colored prior to the coloring of the common colorable region 210.
  • the colorable elements 230 and 232 are made from different materials such that diffusion along the colorable element 232 is slower than diffusion along the colorable element 230.
  • the second threshold may be exceeded before the first threshold is exceeded, for example, by the second threshold including a temperature higher than that of the first threshold and a time duration shorter than that of the first threshold, an additional colorable area is added in barcode IV such that both barcodes IV and V become unreadable in response to exceedance of the second threshold.
  • the first threshold is exceeded only following exceedance of the second threshold, exceedance of the first threshold will not be indicated.
  • the colorable element is not separated into two portions, and indication of exceedance of the second threshold can also result from exceedance of a second time duration at or above the predetermined temperature of the first threshold.
  • Fig. 2K as can be seen in the exploded view, if the temperature is at least 21 degrees Celsius for an additional amount of time, for example 25 degrees Celsius for an additional 30 minutes, the coloring agent 269 continues to diffuse through the colorable element 232, such that portions of the colorable element 232 are visible through the transparent areas 205 forming part of the additional colorable region indicated by reference number 214. As a result, a plurality of spaces 276, located between the bars of barcode V in its readable state, is filled in, as can be seen in the planar view. Barcode IV remains in the unreadable state 268, barcode VI remains in the readable state 275 and barcode V assumes a further unreadable state, indicated by reference numeral 277. As a result of the plurality of spaces 276 becoming filled in, the BCR level of barcode V in the unreadable state 277 decreases and becomes lower than that of the unreadable barcodes disclosed in USSN 12/469,309.
  • a barcode reader is less likely to read the unreadable barcodes IV or V in their current unreadable states than read the unreadable barcodes of USSN 12/469,309.
  • the coloring agent 269 moves along the coloring element 232 from right to left and therefore the additional colorable region 214, forming part of barcode V, appears to the left of the transparent area 218 and the additional colorable region 215, forming part of barcode VI, appears to the right of the transparent area 219.
  • the coloring agent 269 can move along the coloring element 232 from left to right, and then the additional colorable region 214 would appear to the right of the transparent area 218 and the additional colorable region 215 would appear to the left of the transparent area 219, as illustrated in Figs. IA - IK. It is appreciated that if the temperature increases above a second predetermined temperature before exceedance of a first threshold, which includes a first predetermined time duration at a first predetermined temperature, the coloring agent responsive to the second predetermined temperature melts and starts to be released from the corresponding coloring element before coloring of the common colorable region which is operative to indicate the exceedance of the first threshold. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figs.
  • an indicator according to the present invention can include more than three barcodes, wherein only one barcode is readable generally at any given time and as a result of exceedance of a threshold the readable barcode becomes unreadable and one of the unreadable barcodes becomes readable.
  • the background of the barcode defining layer of the indicator may be printed in a dark color and the bars of the barcode may be printed in a light color.
  • the melting of the coloring agent may be caused by a change in ambient parameters other than temperature, such as pH, humidity or the presence of certain chemicals, thereby enabling the use of the indicators described in the present invention for indicating exceedance of thresholds relating to such parameters.
  • ambient parameters such as pH, humidity or the presence of certain chemicals

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Measuring Temperature Or Quantity Of Heat (AREA)
  • Spectrometry And Color Measurement (AREA)
  • Printers Characterized By Their Purpose (AREA)
  • Credit Cards Or The Like (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Unknown Time Intervals (AREA)
  • Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Abstract

A condition qu'il existe une indication de dépassement de seuil, comprenant un premier code-barres comprenant un premier ensemble de zones comprenant une zone non colorée, positionnée entre des barres du premier code-barres lorsque le premier code-barres se trouve dans un premier état lisible avant le dépassement du seuil et un second code-barres comprenant un second ensemble de zones comprenant une zone non colorée, positionnée aux emplacements des barres du second code-barres, apparaissant seulement lorsque le second code-barres se trouve dans un second état lisible suite au dépassement du seuil, le second code-barres se trouvant dans un second état illisible avant le dépassement du seuil. Vu que le second ensemble n'est pas coloré, plusieurs barres étroites du code-barres sont absentes du second code-barres. Lors du dépassement, le premier code-barres devient illisible et le second code-barres devient lisible à la suite de la coloration du second ensemble de zones.
PCT/IL2009/001167 2008-06-10 2009-12-09 Indicateurs à code-barres destinés à une gestion de qualité WO2010134061A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (27)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN200980160387.4A CN102483692B (zh) 2009-05-20 2009-12-09 用于质量管理的条形码化指示器
EP09844849.1A EP2433211A4 (fr) 2009-05-20 2009-12-09 Indicateurs à code-barres destinés à une gestion de qualité
JP2012511406A JP2012527635A (ja) 2009-05-20 2009-12-09 品質管理のためのバーコード付きインジケータ
US13/321,467 US20120104105A1 (en) 2008-06-10 2009-12-09 Barcoded indicators for quality management
CA2762891A CA2762891C (fr) 2009-05-20 2009-12-09 Indicateurs a code-barres destines a une gestion de qualite
PCT/IL2010/000205 WO2010134062A1 (fr) 2009-05-20 2010-03-10 Indicateurs code à barres destinés à la gestion de la qualité
CN201080030956.6A CN102483770B (zh) 2009-05-20 2010-03-10 用于质量管理的条形码化指示器
JP2012511407A JP5640080B2 (ja) 2009-05-20 2010-03-10 品質管理のためのバーコード付きインジケータ
CA2762894A CA2762894C (fr) 2009-05-20 2010-03-10 Indicateurs code a barres destines a la gestion de la qualite
US13/321,477 US8579193B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2010-03-10 Barcoded indicators for quality management
EP10777451.5A EP2433236A4 (fr) 2009-05-20 2010-03-10 Indicateurs code à barres destinés à la gestion de la qualité
IL216397A IL216397A (en) 2009-05-20 2011-11-16 Markers with code for quality management
IL216396A IL216396A (en) 2009-05-20 2011-11-16 Markers with line code for quality management
US14/055,422 US9317794B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2013-10-16 Barcoded indicators for quality management
JP2014218223A JP6039627B2 (ja) 2009-05-20 2014-10-27 品質管理のためのバーコード付きインジケータ
US14/528,186 US9384435B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2014-10-30 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US15/063,804 US9710743B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2016-03-08 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US15/169,851 US9646237B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2016-06-01 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US15/587,684 US10089566B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2017-05-05 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US15/632,916 US10049314B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2017-06-26 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US16/036,401 US10417543B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2018-07-16 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US16/124,107 US10572785B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2018-09-06 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US16/534,603 US10789520B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2019-08-07 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US16/775,005 US10885414B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2020-01-28 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US17/134,946 US11341387B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2020-12-28 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US17/736,319 US11704526B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2022-05-04 Barcoded indicators for quality management
US18/204,046 US12039386B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2023-05-31 Barcoded indicators for quality management

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ILPCT/IL2009/000503 2009-05-20
US12/469,309 2009-05-20
PCT/IL2009/000503 WO2009150641A1 (fr) 2008-06-10 2009-05-20 Système et procédé de gestion de qualité utilisant des indicateurs à code à barres
US12/469,309 US8091776B2 (en) 2008-06-10 2009-05-20 System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators
US23179909P 2009-08-06 2009-08-06
US61/231,799 2009-08-06

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WO2010134061A1 true WO2010134061A1 (fr) 2010-11-25

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PCT/IL2009/001167 WO2010134061A1 (fr) 2008-06-10 2009-12-09 Indicateurs à code-barres destinés à une gestion de qualité
PCT/IL2010/000205 WO2010134062A1 (fr) 2008-06-10 2010-03-10 Indicateurs code à barres destinés à la gestion de la qualité

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EP (2) EP2433211A4 (fr)
JP (4) JP2012527635A (fr)
CN (2) CN102483692B (fr)
CA (2) CA2762891C (fr)
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WO (2) WO2010134061A1 (fr)

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US8500014B2 (en) 2007-11-14 2013-08-06 Varcode Ltd. System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators
US8807422B2 (en) 2012-10-22 2014-08-19 Varcode Ltd. Tamper-proof quality management barcode indicators
US8950664B2 (en) 2007-05-06 2015-02-10 Varcode Ltd. System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators
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CA2762891A1 (fr) 2010-11-25
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IL216396A (en) 2016-12-29
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CA2762894C (fr) 2018-03-13
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IL216396A0 (en) 2012-01-31
JP5640080B2 (ja) 2014-12-10

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