METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SERIALIZING A PLURALITY OF PRODUCTS

Abstract

An apparatus for tracking inventory is described. The apparatus includes a plurality of labels with pre-printed indicia, such that each label in the plurality of labels includes a unique indicia representing a unique serial number. Each of the plurality of labels is applied to one of a plurality of the same products. Each product in the plurality of the same products uses the same machine-readable data. An imaging device reads the machine-readable data used by the plurality of the same products and the unique pre-printed indicia on the label applied to each product. A computing device is coupled to the imaging device. Software executing on the computing device associates the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association. The association is stored in a memory.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is related to and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/168,650, filed Mar. 31, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for serializing a plurality of the same products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, high value goods, such as electronic products include serial numbers that are used to manage and track inventory and for registering the product for warranty purposes. Low cost products, such as consumer packaged goods (CPG) are generally not serialized. However, these low cost products generally use product identifying codes, such as Universal Product Codes (UPC). The nature of low cost goods makes serializing them costly and burdensome. The present invention provides a low-cost method to serialize lower cost products for managing and tracking such products.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention is embodied in a method for associating machine-readable data with unique pre-printed indicia. The method includes applying one of a plurality of labels to one of a plurality of the same products. Each label includes a unique pre-printed indicia representing a unique serial number. Each product in the plurality of the same products uses the same machine-readable data. The method also includes reading the machine-readable data used by the product and the unique pre-printed indicia on the label applied to each product with an imaging device coupled to a computing device. The machine-readable data is associated with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association. The association is stored in a memory.

In one embodiment, the machine-readable data includes a product identifier for the product. The product identifier can be a universal product code (UPC) or a stock keeping unit (SKU). In one embodiment, the imaging device reads the machine-readable data and the unique pre-printed indicia substantially simultaneously.

The method can also include managing at least one of the plurality of products with the stored association of the machine-readable data and the unique pre-printed indicia. The method can include determining an inventory status of each product using the association. In one embodiment, the memory includes a database.

In one embodiment, each of the labels can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit for storing the unique indicia. The radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit can include a Near-Field Communication (NFC) circuit.

In one embodiment, the unique serial numbers of the unique pre-printed indicia of a plurality of labels includes sequential values. The method can also include reading both the lowest value unique serial number and the highest value unique serial number of a plurality of sequential labels and inferring all serial numbers in between.

In another aspect, the invention is embodied in an apparatus for tracking inventory. The apparatus includes a plurality of labels with pre-printed indicia, such that each label in the plurality of labels includes a unique indicia representing a unique serial number. Each of the plurality of labels is applied to one of a plurality of the same products. Each product in the plurality of the same products uses the same machine-readable data. An imaging device reads the machine-readable data used by the plurality of the same products and the unique pre-printed indicia on the label applied to each product. A computing device is coupled to the imaging device. Software executing on the computing device associates the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association. The association is stored in a memory.

In one embodiment, the machine-readable data includes a product identifier for the product. The product identifier can be a universal product code (UPC) or a stock keeping unit (SKU), for example. In one embodiment, the memory includes cloud storage. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of labels includes a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit for storing the unique indicium. The radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit can include a Near-Field Communication (NFC) circuit.

In one embodiment, the software tracks a product with one of the plurality of labels by using the association of the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia. In one embodiment, the association enables the software to determine an inventory status of the product.

In another aspect, the invention is embodied in a system. The system includes a plurality of labels. Each label in the plurality of labels includes a unique indicia representing a unique serial number. The unique serial numbers for a sequence of labels in the plurality of labels include sequential values. Each of the plurality of labels is applied to one of a plurality of the same products. Each product in the plurality of the same products uses the same machine-readable data. The machine-readable data is a product identifier for the products. An imager reads the machine-readable data used by each product and reads the unique pre-printed indicia on each label applied to each product. A computer associates the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association. A storage device stores the association. The storage device can be local to the computing device or remote, such as cloud storage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help improve understanding of various embodiments. In addition, the description and drawings do not necessarily require the order illustrated. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. Apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the various embodiments so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Thus, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, common and well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment may not be depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments.

The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. Skilled artisans will appreciate that reference designators shown herein in parenthesis indicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion. For example, talking about a device (10) while discussing Figure A would refer to an element, 10, shown in figure other than Figure A.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial representation of a plurality of labels according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pictorial representation of a printer having a plurality of labels according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a mobile device and four (4) identical products according to the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a pictorial representation of an RFID label according to the invention.

FIG. 5. illustrates a database table according to the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process according to one embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any express or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

Techniques and technologies may be described herein in terms of functional components and various processing steps. It should be appreciated that such components may be realized by any number of hardware components configured to perform the specified functions.

The following description may refer to elements or features being “connected” or “coupled” together. As used herein, unless expressly stated otherwise, “connected” means that one element/feature is directly joined to (or directly communicates with) another element/feature. Likewise, unless expressly stated otherwise, “coupled” means that one element/feature is directly or indirectly joined to (or directly or indirectly communicates with) another element/feature. The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example, instance, or illustration” rather than “model,” or “deserving imitation.”

Technologies and concepts discussed herein relate to apparatus and methods to track inventory. The apparatus includes a plurality of labels each having a unique pre-printed indicia representing a unique serial number. Each label having the pre-printed indicia can also include a radio-frequency identification (RFID) circuit included thereon. The RFID circuit can be programmed to include information corresponding to the unique pre-printed indicia.

Each of the plurality of labels is applied to one of a plurality of the same products. Each product in the plurality of the same products uses the same machine-readable data. An imaging device reads the machine-readable data used by the plurality of the same products and the unique pre-printed indicia on the label applied to each product.

A computing device is coupled to the imaging device. Software executing on the computing device associates the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association. The association is stored in a memory. The memory can be local to the computing device or remote, such as cloud storage.

FIG. 1 illustrates a pictorial representation of a plurality of labels 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The plurality of labels 100 includes label 100a-f. The labels 100a-f are affixed to a backing paper 102 using adhesive. The backing paper 102 can include holes 104 or other alignment features, such as notches or marks, for example.

Each label 100a-f is pre-printed with unique pre-printed indicia, such as a 2D barcode image or QR (Quick Response) code 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116. In practice, the pre-printed image could alternatively be a one-dimensional barcode or any machine readable image that can represent serial number information. In one embodiment, the QR codes 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116 on each successive label 100a-f, respectively, can represent a unique serial number. The serial numbers can be printed in ascending order on adjacent labels 100a-f. In practice, the QR codes 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116 can include other information in addition to the serial number information. For example, the QR codes 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116 can include information about the product item (e.g., date of manufacture) or information about the company ordered the labels 100.

In one embodiment, the QR codes 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116 can be placed in any one of the four corners of the label to leave the remaining print area free for further printing. For example, a company logo or other identifier could also be printed on the label. In practice, the QR codes 106, 108, 110, 112, 114, and 116 can be positioned in any suitable location on the labels 100a-f.

In one embodiment, the label is an RFID label. An RFID label is sometimes referred to as a smart label and can include common types of passive RFID tags. RFID labels are generally fabricated from paper or plastic (usually vinyl) and include an embedded RFID inlay. Smart labels usually include adhesive for affixing the label to a package and are used with RFID printers/encoders.

In one embodiment, the serial number information from the labels 100 is stored in a database for future use by a company that affixes the labels 100 to a plurality of the same product items. The database can reside in a local memory on a mobile computing device that captures the serial number information, or remotely on a memory in a server, for example.

In certain embodiments involving many labels 100, it is advantageous to capture images of the labels 100 prior to applying the labels 100 to the products (not shown). In one mode of operation, a user utilizes an imager (not shown) to capture both the lowest value unique serial number and the highest value unique serial number of a plurality of sequential labels and software (not shown) infers all serial numbers between the lowest value unique serial number and the highest value unique serial number. For example, in a plurality of one hundred labels starting at serial number one and ending with serial number one hundred, a user could merely capture the first label corresponding to serial number one and capture the last label corresponding to serial number one hundred. The software is capable of inferring the serial numbers of the ninety eight remaining labels. This technique saves the user the time and effort it would require to capture the serial number from each label.

The unique serial numbers printed on the plurality of labels 100 can be stored in a memory of a computing device. Each label can then be applied to each product using the same product identifier. The product identifier can be a universal product code (UPC) or a stock keeping unit (SKU), for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a pictorial representation of a printer 200 having a plurality of labels 202 according to one embodiment of the invention. The plurality of labels 202 is configured in a different format than the plurality of labels 100 of FIG. 1. For example, each label 202a-g in the plurality of labels 202 is affixed to a backing paper 204 so as to be printed in a substantially horizontal direction; whereas each label 100a-f in the plurality of labels 100 (FIG. 1) is affixed to a backing paper 102 so as to be printed in a substantially vertical direction. In practice, the labels 100, 202 can be spooled on rolls, provided in a fanfold configuration or provided in sheet form. Additionally, the backing paper 102, 204 can be fabricated from any suitable material.

The plurality of labels 202 are blank when loaded into the printer 200. The printer is programmed to print the pre-printed indicia, such as the QR codes 206a-g on the plurality of labels 202. In one embodiment, the printer 200 is a standard printer that requires no unique encoding functions (e.g., RFID, NFC . . . ). The printer 200 is shown for illustration purposes only. In practice, any suitable printer could be used.

As previously described, an imaging device (not shown) captures the QR codes 206a-g on the plurality of labels. The imaging device can capture the QR codes 206a-g prior to the labels 202 being applied to the products, or alternatively after the labels 202 are applied to the products.

Typically, each product in the plurality of products is the same. By the same we mean each product shares the same product identifier, such as a Universal Product Code (UPC). The UPC can be located on each product (not shown), such as on the product packaging. In one embodiment, a UPC is not located on each of the products. Instead, the UPC is associated with the products differently. For example, the products can be located in a carton or other container (not shown) and the UPC associated with the products is located on the container.

Software executing on a computing device (not shown) creates an association or link between the two captured images. The resulting association creates a unique ID (serialization) link to the product specific ID (SKU). The association can be stored in a memory (not shown). The memory can be locally situated or can be cloud storage, for example. The association allows labeled products to be uniquely identified and inventoried on an individualized basis.

As previously described, the unique serial numbers corresponding to the QR codes printed on the plurality of labels can include sequential values. As previously described, to improve efficiency, the imaging device can read both the lowest unique serial number and the highest unique serial number printed on the plurality of labels and then software can make an inference as to the remaining serial numbers printed on the plurality of labels.

In one embodiment, the association can also be used to pre-encode and link a radio frequency identification (RFID)-based circuit (not shown). A RFID label (not shown) is created or encoded with a unique serial number. A QR code corresponding to the unique serial number is printed on the RFID label. An imaging device including a RFID reader captures the pre-printed QR code corresponding to the serial number.

The label including the RFID circuit and the QR code can be applied to a product having a UPC code associated with it. A computing device can create an association between the RFID information, the QR code (serial number) and the UPC code. A software application identifies, tracks, and traces the uniquely tagged item by utilizing the scanned UPC code corresponding to the product and/or data from the RFID inlay that is read by the RFID reader.

FIG. 3 illustrates a mobile device 300 and four (4) identical products 302a-d according to the invention. Each product 302a-d includes a label 304a-d having a unique QR code 306a-d, respectively. Additionally, each product 302a-d includes an identical 1D barcode 308 corresponding to a UPC or SKU, for example. The mobile device 300 can be a smart portable cellular telephone (cellphone), tablet or mobile computer, for example.

The mobile device 300 includes an imaging device 310, such as a camera located on the back side of the mobile device 300. The imaging device 310 can have any resolution that is suitable to capture a QR code and a 1D barcode. For example, the imaging device 310 can have a resolution of 2 mega-pixels or above. In practice, any imaging device that is capable of capturing 1D and 2D barcode images can be used.

The mobile device 300 can also include a computer program (software) that executes on the mobile device 300. The software permits a user of the mobile device 300 to capture images of the QR codes 306a-d on the labels 304a-d and the 1D barcodes 308 associated with the products 302a-d.

In operation, a user uses the mobile device 300 to capture an image of a label 304a affixed to the product item 302a. The software can display the captured image 312 from the label 304a, and captured image 314 of the UPC on the display 316 of the mobile device 300. In alternate embodiments, the mobile device 300 can capture the QR code 306a and the 1D barcode 308 either substantially simultaneously or sequentially, depending where the label 304a is applied to the product 302a/product packaging. The software can then associate the captured QR code 306a with the 1D barcode 308 to create an association 318. The association 318 can be displayed on the display 316.

In one embodiment, the software transmits the images 312, 314 of the captured QR code 306a and the 1D barcode 308 to a remote storage device or cloud storage, and software executing on a remote server (not shown) creates the association 318. The association 318 has effectively serialized the product item 302a and such information can be stored in a memory or a database for tracking products and managing inventory, for example.

FIG. 4 illustrates a pictorial representation of an RFID label 400 according to the invention. The RFID label 400 includes an RF circuit 402. The RF circuit 402 is capable of being programmed to transmit data when an RFID reader 404 excites an antenna of the RF circuit 402 with an appropriate frequency. For example, the RF circuit 402 can be an ultra-high frequency (UHF) passive RFID circuit 402. In practice, any suitable RF circuit that operates at a suitable frequency can be used.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that in general, radio-frequency identification (RFID) uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track RFID tags attached to objects. An RFID system consists of a small radio transponder, a radio receiver and transmitter. When triggered by an electromagnetic interrogation pulse from a nearby RFID reader device, the RFID tag transmits digital data, such as an identifying inventory number, back to the RFID reader device. This number can be used to track inventory goods.

Passive RFID tags are powered by energy from the RFID reader's interrogating radio waves exciting the antenna of the RFID tag. Active RFID tags are powered by an on-board battery and thus can be read at a greater range from the RFID reader. The active RFID tag periodically transmits its ID signal. A battery-assisted passive RFID tag has a small battery on board and is activated when in the presence of an RFID reader.

RFID tags can either be read-only, having a factory-assigned serial number that is used as a key into a database, or can be read/write, where object-specific data can be written into the tag using an RFID writing device. Field programmable tags can be write-once, read-multiple times; whereas “blank” tags can be written with an electronic product code by the user.

An RFID tag receives a message from an RFID reader and then responds with its identification and other information. This information can be a unique tag serial number, or can be product-related information such as a stock number, lot or batch number, production date, or other specific information. Since RFID tags can have individual serial numbers, the RFID system can discriminate among several tags that might be within the range of the RFID reader and read them substantially simultaneously. Thus, unlike a barcode, the RFID tag does not need to be within the line of sight of the RFID reader, so it may be embedded in the tracked object.

The RFID label 400 also includes pre-printed indicia, such as a QR code 406. The QR code 406 is printed on the label 400 and contains data, such as a serial number corresponding to the data programmed into the RFID circuit 402.

In operation, each of a plurality of labels 400 include an RFID inlay that is programmed with a serial number corresponding to the QR code 406 that is printed on the associated label. In one embodiment, a label printer can include RFID functionality that allows the printer to not only print the QR code 406 (i.e., serial number), but also to write information, including the serial number to the RFID circuit 402, and to verify that the data contained therein is readable and not corrupted.

In one embodiment, a plurality of products 410a-x can be placed into a container 412. The container 412 includes a machine-readable UPC symbol 414 corresponding to a product identifier. Each of the plurality of products 410a-x uses the UPC symbol 414 as its product identifier. In this embodiment, the UPC symbol 414 is not included on each product 410a-x. The labels 400a-x can be affixed to a plurality of identical product items 410a-x and read by an imaging device (not shown). In practice, the RFID reader 404 can also include an imaging device (imager) which can be used to capture the QR code 406 on the labels 400a-x and the UPC symbol 414. As previously described, the QR code 406 can be associated with the UPC symbol 414 to create an association. Additionally, the data contained in the RFID circuit 402 is also associated with the UPC symbol 414.

The labeled products 410a-x are loaded in the container 412. A user can utilize the RFID reader 404 to interrogate the container 412 to determine which products 410a-x are present and which products 410a-x are not present. Thus, the RFID reader 404 enables the tracking of products that were previously only identified by the UPC symbol 414. In such cases, there was previously no ability to uniquely inventory or scan each product item. The invention allows for unique inventory counts and item level product management. In one aspect, the process offers a way for product items to be serialized uniquely.

FIG. 5. illustrates a database table 500 according to the invention. The table 500 is rudimentary in order to better illustrate certain aspects of the invention. In practice, any suitable table could be used. In one aspect, column 1 of table 500 illustrates a UPC 502. The UPC 502 corresponds to the product item of interest. The UPC 502 can be represented by a 1D barcode used by (or associated with) a product item. Table 500 illustrates sixteen such items associated with the UPC 502.

Column 2 of table 500 illustrates unique serial numbers 504 that can be represented by pre-printed QR codes on a label (not shown). The unique serial numbers 504 are linked to the SKU 502 through a software application to create an association 506. The association 506 is shown in column 3 of table 500.

The association 506 can essentially serialize identical product items. A user can manage inventory of the product items when the association 506 is stored in the database table 500. For example, a simple query 508 can determine how many items do not appear in the database table 500. For example, such items may not have had labels affixed to them, or such items may have been misplaced. The serialization of product items enabled by the association 506 allows a user to track and manage items in the database table 500.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process 600 according to one embodiment of the invention. The process associates machine-readable data with unique pre-printed indicia. In step 602, a user verifies that a plurality of products uses the same UPC or other machine-readable code representing a product identifier.

In step 604, a user applies one of a plurality of labels to one of a plurality of the same products. Each label includes a unique pre-printed indicia representing a unique serial number. The pre-printed indicia can be a QR code, for example. Each product in the plurality of the same products uses the same machine-readable data (e.g., UPC symbol or SKU). The label could be glued to the package. Alternatively, the label could be attached to the product using a small plastic tag fastener. In practice, the label could be attached to the product or the product packaging in any suitable way.

In step 606, a user reads the machine-readable data (e.g., UPC) used by the product and the unique pre-printed indicia corresponding to the serial number on the label applied to each product with an imaging device coupled to a computing device. The imaging device can read the UPC and the pre-printed indicia corresponding to the serial number either sequentially or substantially simultaneously. The imaging device can be any suitable mobile device including an integrated imaging device. For example, the mobile device could be a smart cellular phone or a tablet. The captured QR code and 1D barcode (UPC) can be transmitted to a cloud storage or an on-premise storage system.

In step 608, a software program executing on a computer associates the machine-readable data is with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association. The association is stored in a memory. The software program can effectively “attach” a serial number to each individual identical product. The resulting data can be used to identify, track, and trace each individual identical product.

The association can be stored in a memory. The memory can be in the form of a database. The memory can be local memory or can be remote memory, such as cloud storage. A user can access the association to track and manage product inventory.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover, in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”, “having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”, “approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, in another embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another embodiment within 0.5%. A device or structure that is “configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While at least one example embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the example embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subject matter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should be understood that various changes can be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by the claims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents at the time of filing this patent application.

In addition, the section headings included herein are intended to facilitate a review but are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that:

• • a) the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or acts than those listed in a given claim;
  • b) the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements;
  • c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope;
  • d) several “means” may be represented by the same item implemented structure or function;
  • e) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be combined together or separated into further portions unless specifically stated otherwise; and
  • f) no specific sequence of acts or steps is intended to be required unless specifically indicated.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

applying one of a plurality of labels to one of a plurality of the same products, each label including a unique pre-printed indicia representing a unique serial number, each product in the plurality of the same products using the same machine-readable data;

reading the machine-readable data used by the product and the unique pre-printed indicia on the label applied to each product with an imaging device coupled to a computing device; and

associating the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association stored in a memory.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine-readable data comprises a product identifier for the product.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the product identifier is one of a universal product code (UPC) and a stock keeping unit (SKU).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the imaging device reads the machine-readable data and the unique pre-printed indicia substantially simultaneously.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising managing at least one of the plurality of products with the stored association of the machine-readable data and the unique pre-printed indicia.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining an inventory status of each product with the association.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the memory comprises a database.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of labels further comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit for storing the unique indicia.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit comprises a Near-Field Communication (NFC) circuit.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the unique serial numbers of the unique pre-printed indicia of a plurality of labels comprises sequential values.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising reading both the lowest value unique serial number and the highest value unique serial number of a plurality of sequential labels and inferring all serial numbers in between.

12. An apparatus for tracking inventory, comprising:

a plurality of labels with pre-printed indicia, such that each label in the plurality of labels includes a unique indicia representing a unique serial number, each of the plurality of labels being applied to one of a plurality of the same products, each product in the plurality of the same products using the same machine-readable data;

an imaging device reading the machine-readable data used by the plurality of the same products and the unique pre-printed indicia on the label applied to each product; and

a computing device coupled to the imaging device, software executing on the computing device associating the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association and storing the association in a memory.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the machine-readable data comprises a product identifier for the product.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the product identifier is one of a universal product code (UPC) and a stock keeping unit (SKU).

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the memory comprises cloud storage.

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of the plurality of labels further comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit for storing the unique indicium.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the radio frequency identification (RFID) circuit comprises a Near-Field Communication (NFC) circuit.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the software tracks a product with one of the plurality of labels by using the association of the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the association enables the software to determine an inventory status of the product.

20. A system, comprising:

a plurality of labels, each label in the plurality of labels including a unique indicia representing a unique serial number, the unique serial numbers for a sequence of labels in the plurality of labels comprising sequential values;

means for applying each of the plurality of labels to one of a plurality of the same products, each product in the plurality of the same products using the same machine-readable data, the machine-readable data being a product identifier for the products;

imaging means for reading the machine-readable data used by each product and for reading the unique pre-printed indicia on each label applied to each product;

computing means for associating the machine-readable data with the unique pre-printed indicia to create an association; and

storing means for storing the association in a memory.