Article Tracking

For product tracking and identification, industry is increasingly demanding robust and reliable technologies that seamlessly integrate into various materials and withstand the rigors of different environments. Industries such as textiles, manufacturing, and supply chain management require precise and durable methods to monitor and authenticate products throughout their lifecycle. Traditional identification methods like labels, barcodes, and RFID tags often fall short in providing the necessary durability and integration flexibility, especially for items that undergo significant wear and tear or require discreet embedding within the material. Current approaches to article tracking face several significant challenges. Labels and barcodes, which are prone to physical damage, fading, and detachment, experience data loss and reduced traceability. RFID systems, while more durable, can be cost-prohibitive for large-scale implementation and may suffer from interference issues. Additionally, many existing technologies lack the capacity to encode comprehensive product information, such as material composition, manufacturing details, and care instructions, leading to inefficiencies in data management and retrieval. These limitations hinder the ability to achieve seamless, long-term tracking and authentication, underscoring the need for more advanced and integrated solutions.

Technology Description

The technology utilizes embedded identifier fibers containing intricate photonic structures that generate specific optical responses when illuminated. These fibers are seamlessly integrated into articles such as textiles and other materials, encoding a variety of characteristics, including material composition, product information, manufacturing details, shipping data, and care instructions. The photonic structures are typically one-dimensional photonic crystals with nano- to micro-scale features, functioning as Bragg reflectors to reflect precise wavelengths across the infrared spectrum. Multiple fibers can be embedded within a single article to enhance information capacity and redundancy, allowing each fiber to encode distinct characteristics. The system comprises a Fiber Read System for illumination and detection, Fiber Read Logic for managing scanning and data extraction, and Fiber Lookup Logic for processing and matching optical parameters against a database. Manufacturing involves designing photonic structures, assembling preforms, and controlling fiber dimensions through drawing or extrusion techniques, ensuring consistent feature sizes.

This technology distinguishes itself by providing a more durable and reliable tracking solution compared to traditional labels and barcodes. The embedded photonic structures are resistant to environmental wear and degradation, ensuring long-term functionality and data integrity. The ability to encode multiple distinct characteristics within separate fibers increases information density and redundancy, enhancing data reliability and security. Additionally, the versatility in material choices and precise control over photonic features allow operation across various spectral regions, including extended infrared ranges. The flexible system architecture supports diverse implementation scenarios, from mobile devices to large-scale industrial sorting systems, while cost-effective manufacturing processes enable scalable production. These unique attributes make the technology a significant advancement in automated processing and authentication throughout an article's lifecycle.