System and method for quality management utilizing barcode indicators

摘要

A quality management system for products including a multiplicity of bar coded quality indicators each operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter, a barcode indicator reader operative to read the barcoded quality indicators and to provide output indications, the barcoded quality indicators being readable by the barcode indicator reader at all times after first becoming readable, including times prior to, during and immediately following exceedance of the at least one threshold by the at least one product quality affecting parameter, and a product type responsive indication interpreter operative to receive the output indications and to provide human sensible, product quality status outputs.

主权项

1. A barcoded quality indicator operative to provide a machine-readable indication of exceedance of at least one threshold by at least one product quality affecting parameter,
said barcoded quality indicator being readable by a barcode indicator reader at all times, after first becoming readable, including times prior to, during and immediately following exceedance of said at least one threshold by said at least one product quality affecting parameter, said barcoded quality indicator providing a first machine-readable indication prior to said exceedance of said at least one threshold and a second machine-readable indication, different from said first machine-readable indication, following said exceedance of said at least one threshold, said barcoded quality indicator comprising:
a barcode comprising black areas and transparent areas arranged along a barcode axis;at least one colorable element at least partially underlying said transparent areas; andat least one coloring agent adapted to color said at least one colorable element in response to exceedance of said at least one threshold, said at least one coloring agent passing along a pathway to said at least one colorable element in a time corresponding to said threshold, said pathway being configured such that said coloring agent progressively colors said colorable element in a direction generally perpendicular with respect to said barcode axis, thereby enabling said barcode to be readable while said colorable element is being progressively colored.