Granted Patent B2

US 12,619,949 · App. 18/193,869 · Granted May 5, 2026

Inventors: Laurent Meersseman (Wielsbeke, BE); Bart Van Der Stockt (Wielsbeke, BE); Benny Schacht (Wielsbeke, BE)

Assignee: UNILIN, BV

G06Q10/087G06Q30/018

Abstract

Claims (40)

1 . A system for tracking at least one panel product for making a floor covering, the system comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one computer storage media storing computer-traceable data managed by the at least one processor, the computer-traceable data comprising digital data regarding the at least one panel product;

at least one computer-readable code displayed and disposed in a visual and physical medium on the at least one panel product, the at least one computer-readable code providing a link to the digital data stored on the at least one computer storage media; and

at least one scanner device configured to read the at least one computer-readable code and transfer code-specific information of the at least one computer-readable code to the at least one processor, the computer-traceable data comprising the code-specific information of the at least one computer-readable code;

wherein, after installation, the at least one computer-readable code is carried by a surface of the at least one panel product;

wherein the at least one processor, the at least one computer storage media, and the at least one scanner device are communicatively coupled by a network to transfer the computer-traceable data;

wherein the link to the digital data provides access to information of one or more parameters of the at least one panel product to check against the at least one panel product;

wherein the information of one or more parameters of the at least one panel product comprises one or more physical parameters, manufacturing parameters, or both physical and manufacturing parameters of the at least one panel product.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one computer-readable code of the at least one panel product is concealed after installation of the at least one panel product for making the floor covering.

3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the information of one or more physical parameters of the at least one panel product comprises a measurement defining a mutual distance between a first code and a second code.

4 . The system of claim 3 , wherein the mutual distance is made to vary between panel products.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the information of one or more physical parameters comprises a photographic image corresponding to the at least one panel product.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the information of one or more physical parameters of the at least one panel product comprises a physical dimension of the at least one panel product, the physical dimension being a length, a width, or a thickness of panel product or a physical portion of the at least one panel product.

7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the information of one or more physical parameters of the at least one panel product comprises a nominal physical dimension of the at least one panel product corresponding to a predetermined nominal total surface area that can be covered with the at least one panel product.

8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the information of one or more physical parameters of the at least one panel product comprises an actual physical dimension of the at least one panel product corresponding to a predetermined actual total surface area that can be covered with the at least one panel product.

9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable code comprises at least one security feature.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system comprises first and second processors and first and second computer storage media located at first and second locations different from one another.

11 . A system for tracking at least one panel product for making a floor covering, the system comprising:

at least one processor;

at least one computer storage media storing computer-traceable data managed by the at least one processor, the computer-traceable data comprising digital data regarding the at least one panel product;

a plurality of computer-readable codes displayed and disposed in a visual and physical medium on the at least one panel product, the plurality of computer-readable codes being identical and/or providing a, preferably identical, link to the digital data stored on the at least one computer storage media; and

at least one scanner device configured to read at least one code of the plurality of computer-readable codes and transfer code-specific information of the at least one code to the at least one processor;

wherein the at least one code is carried by a surface of the at least one panel product, the surface and/or said code being concealed at least after installation of the at least one panel product for making the floor covering;

wherein the at least one processor, the at least one computer storage media, and the at least one scanner device are communicatively coupled by a network to transfer the computer-traceable data;

wherein, in response to the at least one code being read by the at least one scanner device, the processor compares the code-specific information to the digital data stored on the at least one computer storage media to verify authenticity of the at least one code;

wherein the link to the digital data provides access to information of one or more physical parameters of the at least one panel product to verify authenticity of the at least one panel product.

12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the physical medium is provided by at least one of: machine etching, laser etching, printer device, thermal transfer, hologram, magnetic strip, chip with microprocessor enabling near-field communication, and RFID tag.

13 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the information of one or more physical parameters of the at least one panel product is provided to verify authenticity of the at least one panel product.

14 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable code is concealed on a surface that is in itself visible in use.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the surface that is in itself visible in use comprises a decorative pattern, wherein the computer-readable code forms part of the decorative pattern.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable code is concealed within the decorative pattern.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the at least one panel product comprises a substrate, a printed carrier sheet and a wear layer on top of said printed carrier sheet.

18 . The system of claim 17 , wherein the at least one panel product comprises a relief or structure available at the surface that is in itself visible in use.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the at least one panel product comprises coupling parts at at least one pair of opposite edges, wherein said coupling parts in a coupled condition of two such panels bring about a locking between the respective edges in a vertical direction perpendicular to a plane of coupled panels and/or in a horizontal direction in said plane and perpendicular to the coupled edges;

wherein the coupling parts are formed in one piece with material of the at least one panel product; and

wherein the coupling parts are formed as a tongue and a groove.

20 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the at least one panel product is a floor or panel product containing PVC and an amount of additives, wherein the floor or panel product comprises a substrate of a filled synthetic composite.

21 . The system of claim 19 , wherein the computer-readable code is applied by means of an inkjet printer.

22 . The system of claim 21 , wherein the computer-readable code is configured to be scanned by means of a smartphone.

Assignments (2)

Priority Claims (1)

Continuity (2)

References Cited (14)