Abstract:
An identity and possibly integrity based communication system is disclosed as a broad conceptual realization of a system especially useful with a disposable product packaging and its machinery which enables receipt of identification data incorporated into the packaging, or otherwise incorporated into the product. The receipt of information may be acknowledged to the user or surreptitiously acknowledged, and includes cases where the identification data carried may be either preserved, destroyed, or changed upon opening, or consumption of the contents in the package. The existence of the identification data may be either shown on the packaging or hidden from view regardless of whether the identification data is placed on the outside surface of the packaging, inside surface of the packaging, or within the packaging material. An integrated packaging used without further package removal is also included. Identification data includes, and is not limited to packaging number, packaging or product type contained within the packaging, size, and may include instructions on treating, using or otherwise dealing with the material or object contained in the packaging.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to the field of device operation with recordation of event capability and more particularly to processing appliances which utilize materials to be processed and especially for identifying the grade, source, amount, characteristics of, and associated data especially as carried by containers bearing the materials to be processed.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Corresponding to the reduced cost of microprocessor and sensor components, apparatus of every type have been increasingly automated over the past 30 years. Areas of greatest use have been in securing operator control over equipment, followed by use of digital circuitry for diagnostic purposes. In the vast majority of utilization, such circuitry is used to enable greater user control, or to enable users and technicians to probe the internals of equipment without having to take the equipment apart.  
         [0003]     Other microprocessors and sensors have been utilized in the entry access system. Entry access systems include card swiping, retinal identification, fingerprint recognition systems, as well as keypad entry. Entry access systems can be made to have a high level of security with the main focus upon identification and lack of ability to circumvent the system.  
         [0004]     One major concern for equipment is its proper use. When a business purchases, owns and maintains equipment, the business owner has the responsibility to see that proper operation is achieved. Complex programs for periodic maintenance are implemented, and policies are developed to insure the long life of the equipment and to conserve operability and to minimize major repair events like overhaul. Overhaul is a partial re-building of, and in some instances a re-manufacture of all or a major portion of the equipment.  
         [0005]     Where ownership and responsibility for operation of equipment is unified the need for a more automated manner of insuring the mode of operation is lessened, and the responsibility, honesty and control of employee agents may be sufficient. In instances where responsibility for equipment integrity exists apart from its ownership or operation, the need for additional controls presents itself.  
         [0006]     Instances where responsibility departs from operation which may further depart from ownership are many. Where a manufacturer predicates warranty upon limiting a mode of operation or quality of process inputs, the manufacturer typically has no effective control of the equipment once it leaves the factory. Control inputs might include a minimum number and level of periodic maintenance activity, a minimum quality or grade of raw material or energy inputs, a limitation on process cycle times, a limitation on speed where speed is a variable, a limitation on temperature or a limitation on other operational characteristics.  
         [0007]     The number and variability of restrictions or minimum requirements are boundless and highly dependent upon the type of equipment and its mode of operation. A few number of user inputs equates with the need to monitor or control based upon a correspondingly few number of parameters. Where control is completely automated, the need for extended control is can be virtually eliminated by providing completely automated operation.  
         [0008]     However, most equipment has at least some user specified inputs. Where control of the equipment is performed through the computer interface, the operation can be intrinsically limited. Other circuitry and structures can be added to protect the equipment from external conditions. For example, interruptions in power can be minimized or eliminated for extended periods of time. One of the main inputs which cannot be intrinsically controlled for equipment are process inputs.  
         [0009]     The nature, quality, quantity, and purity of process inputs are difficult to control even where a user tries diligently to control this input to a known standard. Further, where standards such as purity or concentration of process inputs can be advantageously adjusted, there is no suggestion that other process inputs can be compensatably adjusted to take advantage of the process material input improvement.  
         [0010]     Even where the process input material is provided in bulk and automatically metered, there is no insurance that a lesser quality product cannot be substituted. In some cases the manufacturer can limit the process input material packaging to create a mis-match with regard to its connection to the process equipment. Such specialized process input material packaging is not always possible nor economically feasible. In most cases it is circumventable in the long term. Bulk systems are especially tempted to be circumvented because user modification will enable a mass substitution of different material.  
         [0011]     Equipment which has any outside input, including process input material packaging inputs, are subject to error. The equipment can fall out of calibration and uneven inputs of process input material can readily occur. The objective desired which is rarely achieved is the elimination of error in amount, quality and type of process input material, along with elimination of error in equipment process operation.  
         [0012]     The case of equipment warranty obligation separate and apart from equipment ownership and control is problematic, but in the case of loaned equipment where ownership, responsibility for proper equipment maintenance and use is separate both physically and locationally from the equipment&#39;s operation poses a particular problem. This often occurs where the more important or valuable aspect of operation is the product produced by the process input material, and where the equipment is provided for proper treatment of the process input material.  
         [0013]     Examples of this type of arrangement are numerous, and occur more often either when the process input material is expensive relative to the sunk cost of the process equipment, or by industry standard. For example, surgical tools may be provided for use with surgical implants even though the tools may cost ten times the implant, because the tools are somewhat resistant to damage and where the number of implants to be used with the tools are many. However in the case of implants and surgical tools, much of the processing is at the discretion of the surgical practitioner.  
         [0014]     In other cases, the equipment is provided to enable a product yield of the highest quality. In essence, the supplier of the product knows that the ultimate test for a product is its quality “as provided” even if the determination of the ultimate product quality must be provided on a business site remote from the manufacturing facility. The provider of the process input material will often provide the process equipment with a mind toward providing the highest quality product. The equipment provider knows that the use of suboptimal equipment will cause the production of an inferior product, and that if an inferior product is produced, the product consumer will blame the process input material and prefer other products.  
         [0015]     As a result, producers of process input material will select equipment which is the best match for the process input material in terms of capability for specific products and capability to handle the variety of products the producers manufacture. Where equipment is provided, and regardless of ownership, the producer has an interest (1) in determining that the equipment has the operational capability to handle and adequately process the input material, (2) that the equipment is able to adjust to the particular type and amount of product presented, (3) that the use product which is incompatible or deleterious to the equipment is prevented or detected, (4) that all other processing variables are minimized, and (5) that the support of final product quality is accomplished at a minimal and competitive cost.  
         [0016]     What is therefore needed is a system which enables equipment processing of process input material in a way which insures highest product quality and minimizes the potential for error resulting from causes ranging from inadvertent to deliberate. The needed solution should also contribute to the industry trend of enabling operation by persons with lesser skill levels. The needed solution should reduce the actions needed by operators, as much as possible, to the physical transport and loading of the process input material. The needed system should be as foolproof and non-circumventable as possible. The needed system should also be enabled to detect and report any instances of operation in which the intended mode of operation is circumvented.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     An identity and possibly integrity based communication system is disclosed as a broad conceptual realization of a system especially useful with a disposable product packaging and its machinery which enables receipt of identification data incorporated into the packaging, or otherwise incorporated into the product. The receipt of information may be acknowledged to the user or surreptitiously acknowledged, and includes cases where the identification data carried may be either preserved, destroyed, or changed upon opening, or consumption of the contents in the package.  
         [0018]     The existence of the identification data may be either shown on the packaging or hidden from view regardless of whether the identification data is placed on the outside surface of the packaging, inside surface of the packaging, or within the packaging material. Identification data includes, and is not limited to packaging number, packaging or product type contained within the packaging, size, and may include instructions on treating, using or otherwise dealing with the material or object contained in the packaging.  
         [0019]     The process contemplated herein includes receipt of the identification data by computer hardware and associated peripherals which can be at least one of (1) devices to enable the identification data to be accessed, displayed or observed on site or remotely to obtain a record of such identification data with other associated data including time, machine operation data and user information, all of which may be associated or un-associated with such identification data, (2) devices to control such machinery which may include control aspects of access to the machinery by users, details and specification of machinery processing steps, audible or visual warnings or instructions to users, supplemental acceptance of machine processing commands or environmental information from users. The realization of the product and process also includes both software, computer processors and hardware as are necessary to achieve the above aspects including electromagnetic, sonic, electrical and mechanical transmitters and receivers.  
         [0020]     The packaging or its attached communication circuits can be set to accept inputs which were pre-set at the time the process input material and its packaging was provided, or which have been triggered by the user&#39;s deliberate manipulation of the packaging, or which have been triggered by the user&#39;s inadvertent manipulation of the packaging. Further, depending upon the inputs above, the equipment receiving identity data from the packaging or product, can mark, add data to, or destroy the data ability of the packaging. This is particularly useful in instances where potential persons seeking to circumvent the system might save old packaging for use as a data tag for attempting to circumvent the quality controls and proper instructions which have been implemented for best product production.  
         [0021]     The method of communication may be electromagnetic at frequencies ranging from optic to radio wave, and may involve proximity triggering or deliberate triggering. Sonic, electrically conductive and mechanical contact transmitters and receivers can also be used. Further, equipment manipulation of the packaging is also possible, as in cases where the equipment opens, empties, and then alters the spent packaging or product. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The invention, its configuration, construction, and operation will be best further described in the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one example of a unit of equipment seen as a brewer and batch product container;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a material package with exposed foiled conductor circuitry and optional microchip;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is an overall view of a material package with a peripheral tear notch and peripheral conductor;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of an integrated unit including both raw material package and transducer for identifying the product;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional cut away of the brewer seen in  FIG. 1  and showing the integrated unit in a flow through container with the location of sensors shown;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of one possible realization for a proximity link controller for appliances and product; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a simplified serial logic flow diagram which includes possible numbers of logic. flow and control indicia which may be utilized for the controller and system of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]     The process and apparatus described herein will in concentrate on the rudimentary application of using a food service brewing apparatus in conjunction with a minimalist level interaction between the brewer equipment and process material input packaging to illustrate the advantages obtainable even where low controllability of the process material input is present.  
         [0031]     One realization of a proximity link controller for appliances and product is shown as a brewer  21 , such as may typically be utilized with coffee or tea is a device which introduces a controlled flow of hot water through a flow through container  23  and into a batch storage container  25  which may be enabled for further dispensing. In this configuration, the flow through container  23  is completely accessible by the user since it can be removed, cleaned, have the nature and quality of any filtration specified and installed, as well as the coffee or tea process material introduced into it.  
         [0032]     Brewer  21  may have a variety of structures mounted high and in view on an access panel  27 . Typically an on/off switch  31 , indicator lights  33  and  35  may be present. One or more sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  may be present as stand-alone structures or they may be hidden behind the panel.  
         [0033]     Sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  may be optical, electromagnetic, sonic or may be in the form of a mechanical key. In the case of an antenna, any sensor structures also usually double as a transmitter structure. Preferably, and for purposes of illustration, the structures shown will be related to an electromagnetic system, especially in the radio-frequency domain, and will take advantage of energy induction, frequency transduction and alterations to logic and circuitry as may be obtained by such structures and energies. As by example, an electromagnetic sensor structure may be in the form of an antenna structure embedded inside the material of the dielectric front panel. The choice of specific frequency, and structure for sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  will be dictated by factors including communication, location on the equipment (brewer  21 ) and the need for user convenience and based upon the type of interaction needed.  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a material package  51  is shown as an envelope  53  having a foil added conductor set  55 , and an optional digital chip  57 . Foil added conductor set  55  may have structures which are resonant over certain frequencies. Where the structures operate in a purely analog manner, the information can be impressed by cutting out certain lengths of conductor to cause one or more resonant frequencies to shift. The conductors set  55  is shown as having two small pieces of the central lattice missing to create some analog frequency selective effect. Other structures seen are shaped and located in places to create a characteristic set of frequencies or frequency responses which may alone carry the information necessary. It is preferable that the envelope  53  be made from a material having characteristics which are compatible with the operation of the conductor set  55 . Where the realization of the material package  51  is that of a completely analog circuit, the lengths, orientation and placement of the conductor set  55  may completely specify the information data, especially by a combination of analog frequencies. In addition or in the alternative, the conductor set  55  may be strobed with a number of frequencies with one or more output response frequencies occurring only in response to certain input frequencies. This would create another analog dimension in which digital logic could be filled in based upon input frequencies with the presence of output frequencies indicating a logical “1” and the absence of a response indicating a logical “0”.  
         [0035]     The presence or absence of a combination of analog frequencies out of a set number of possible analog frequencies can correspond to a digital numeric representation. In the alternative, a mixture of analog and digital data may be used to further help prevent circumvention of the proper operation, proper identification and access. Digital chip  57  could be used to switchably delay the response frequencies as a further method of impressing data on a return signal.  
         [0036]     The foil added conductor set  55  and optional digital chip  57  will likely not be self powered and therefore may be configured to react as a transponder fashion. A transponder is typically a device for which active interrogation must be initiated in order that data may be received from it. Initiation is typically performed under the control of the receiving unit. The mode of transpondence at its simplest may be energization in one form of energy which is conductively transduced into another form or forms of energy which indicate identity.  
         [0037]     Even a completely passive foil added conductor set  55  can have a unique identifier. Each foil pattern can be altered to give a unique response which can be decoded to show a unique identification. Such alteration can include the simple omission of one of a number of conductors at the time the foil added conductor set  55  is added to a supporting structure. Alteration can also include the varying of lengths of conductors formed as antennas so that they radiate at a different frequency. The energy for the radiation will typically include energy at another frequency which is received from another subset of the foil added conductor set  55  which was transmitted from a receiving unit. The receiving unit may typically synchronize an energy output strobe to the expected timing of receipt of the transponded signal.  
         [0038]     In more complex realizations, a provided form of energy may energize an optional digital chip  57  which may then, under conditions of power, operate to communicate the identity of the package  51  in a variety of communication modes. In this case, the receiving unit which receives the information may further instruct the optional digital chip  57  to disable itself once the information is confirmed as having been received from the receiving unit.  
         [0039]     A powered optional digital chip  57  may be used, but may be cost prohibitive for instances where it is disposed with the packaging. A powered optional digital chip  57  will more likely be used for products and raw materials which are of greater value than bulk food raw materials, and especially where it is desired to have a record of the process conditions prior to utilization.  
         [0040]     Some of the analog indicia which can be transmitted from the packaging includes a mix of frequencies which have a binary meaning; a mix of impedances causing logic delays in the echo signal; a differing set of frequencies or delays in response to being strobed by a series of frequencies and more. Further, it is known that energy from the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  can be used to power transmission of identifying signals from the packaging  51 , and that the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  can also input analog signals which can alter the signal output of the conductor set  55  of the material package  51 .  
         [0041]     Alteration can be accomplished by inputting selected frequencies of energy into the conductor set  55  to cause resistive heating and failure in one or more of the conductors. Failure of conductive continuity can cause a range of cessation characteristics from changes in conductor length to alterations of conductor path. In the microwave frequency domain, the change of a conductors length alone is enough to change its resistive , inductive and capacitive impedance. Short circuiting or open circuiting conductors lying adjacent to other conductors can also affect impedance.  
         [0042]     Where the optional digital chip  57  is used, the ability to logically respond is also added. At its most rudimentary, the digital chip  57  may be used as a switch for controlling the conductor set  55  to control the conductive states of the conductor set  55  to indicate different responses. At a more advanced level, the digital chip  57  may be used as a switch for controlling the conductor set  55  to control the conductive states of the conductor set  55  to indicate different responses. Still more advanced would be the ability to respond with stored information in a memory which does not lose information in the un-powered state.  
         [0043]     If the integrated circuit carries its own power supply, it could report the conditions of its environment including temperature, and time in transit as well as any other sensors mounted on board. This is simply to illustrate the range of options available, but for most products simple identification information is all that is needed. The cost and benefit of using a full powered microprocessor must be weighed against the benefits.  
         [0044]     The fact that capabilities are present in the product packaging should not detract from the heart of the system herein, which is placing the data collection function with the equipment, and in the possible incorporation of some gatekeeper function and preferably some intelligence function in terms of product recognition and the provision of a process response based upon the type of product provided. In accord with the example given, the brewer  21  may be enabled to recognize a material package  51  for coffee different than ever for a material package  51  for tea and to change the rate and temperature of water addition best for the coffee or tea product. Further differences in operation could be attained in reaction to the volume of process material in the packaging. For a large package  51  (and correspondingly large amount of process material) the brewer  21  would allow a larger volume of hot water to pass through the flow through container  23  than would be the case for a smaller package  51 .  
         [0045]     The gatekeeper function could be exemplified by the provision of a package of instant tea, for example. Where a package of instant tea lacks the foil added conductor set  55  the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  will either detect a package which is unauthorized or will not react at all. If detection is required for operation, the brewer  21  will not operate. Where the presence of a package is sensed, such as a requirement that the package be brought in close proximity to the access panel  27  where the proximity of a package is sensed but no identifying information is received by sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39 , brewer  21  will not operate, and may send produce a message to the user to select another package. The use of a proximity indicator, such as the covering of a light sensor can be used to “train” personnel to challenge the brewer  21  with product packaging. Audio can further be utilized to remind personnel of any actions which are needed to be taken.  
         [0046]     For example, where a user selects a material package  51  and places it in close proximity to the access panel  27 , it may recite some acknowledgment to the user, such as a recitation of the type of contents in the packaging, or some recitation relating to the amount of product which will be produced. It may state that the packaging  51  is not allowed where it should be used with a different machine or brewer  21 . In the event that the material package  51  is proper, the brewer  21  may also audibly set forth instructions for use, an especially valuable function which may be switched on for training new users.  
         [0047]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a package  61  is shown in which a peripheral conductor  63  extends about the periphery of the package  61 , especially in the area in which an easy opening nick  65  is placed. As can be seen, the peripheral conductor  63  is positioned so that opening the package  61  at the nick  65  will cause a break in the continuity of the peripheral conductor  63 . This configuration will work well in instances where it is desired not to include the ability to have energy from the access panel  27  to alter the foil added conductor set  55 . It also insures the foil added conductor set  55  is disabled upon the opening of the package.  
         [0048]     In one possible normal mode of use, the brewer  21  may be either turned off or placed in standby. In this mode the hot water warmer will be disabled while enabling the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  and a central processor (not shown) within the brewer  21  to receive data. The package  61  is brought within a close enough proximity to the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39 , as well as any sensors behind the front panel  27  to enable the data from the package  51  to be “read” or transmitted from the package  51  to the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39 .  
         [0049]     It may be preferable to instruct that the storage for the packages  51  be remote from the brewer  21  to insure that multiple readings are not encountered. In the alternative, a place may be provided for the package  51  to fit, with the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  or sensor behind the front panel  27  oriented to make a more direct or more limited communication with the foil added conductor set  55  and or the optional digital chip  57 . The use of positioning will help to reduce the possibility of multiple data pickup and also enable the lessening of output energy for energization of the foil added conductor set  55 . In the configuration of  FIG. 1 , the package  51  may be presented within an inch or two of the front panel  27  to obtain a reading.  
         [0050]     The next step could be the initiation of further audible or visual instructions to the user. In the alternative, the next step could be the automatic enablement of the brewer  21  while giving the user time to open the package  51 , prepare a filter (not shown) for the flow through container  23 , fill the filter, and load the flow through container  23  into the brewer  21 . The next step would then be activation of the brewer  21  by a manual switch which was activated based upon proper identification of the package  51 .  
         [0051]     Further, the brewer  21  will begin its processing in response to the amount and type of product in the package  51 . The processing of the brewer  21  in response to the identity of package  51  will be optimized to produce the highest quality product. For each process cycle, a microprocessor (not shown) within the brewer  21  will record the type and amount of product produced. The use of the peripheral conductor  63  to disable the ability of the package  61 , or the use of energy to either disable or change the foil added conductor set  55  to indicate that the identifying information has been read once and so that the package  51  cannot be used to again transmit information. This prevents a user from re-using a spent package  51  to fool the brewer  21  to mis-process input material in the same manner as the input material which was within the package  51 .  
         [0052]     The negative impacts from enabling operation of any equipment in a manner mis-matched from the product are many. From an advertising perspective many types of processing equipment are placed for prominent view by customers. Where the input material is mis-process from not being identified and processed properly, the poor product is ascribed to either the advertised product or advertised machine, such as brewer  21 . Companies and business who promote brand recognition will not be served by not being unable to produce the best product possible through the loss of control at the processing point. Further, a producer may produce the best product possible, but by allowing the product to be treated without restriction, the producer could just as well produce a sub-standard product as its reputation will suffer just as much.  
         [0053]     Further, without the restrictions placed on the processing machinery, and particularly where the machinery is prominently placed, palming off will be more likely to occur. Where the operator is able to introduce a lesser quality product, and especially a product which may be mis-matched with the processing cycle, the user denigrates and destroys product quality, defrauds the public, and in some cases defrauds the provider of the processing equipment, in this case brewer  31 . As a result of this, it is important to alter the package  51 ,  61  to insure that only one activation of the process machinery is possible, or at least practicable for each package  51 ,  61  of the raw material consumed.  
         [0054]     Raw sabotage is always possible. Users could misappropriate the raw material from the package  51 , 61  and substitute a lower quality material. Users could also fail to use all of the materials in the package  51 , 61 . Large scale counterfeiting of the identity information of the packages  51 , 61 , could be made. An electronic transducer could be made to mimic the information on a package  51 , 61 . However, all of these methods would likely not be able to completely emulate the production numbering system of the manufacturer. At length, the utilization of the brewer  21  would not match the proper manufacturing codes and sequence of product delivered to the location. In the long term, the system of  FIGS. 1-3  would not be easily circumvented. Further, since the incentive to deviate from normal practice is not overwhelming, the utilization of the system of  FIGS. 1-3  should be sufficient to result in very little cheating and a statistical guarantee of proper processing for manufacturers.  
         [0055]     In some instances, a closer or more automatic control may be desired. It should be noted that the foil added conductor set  55  can be added to almost any sort of substrate. Some process material is provided in its own mesh bag either with or without a sealed exterior package. In the case of coffee or tea, an outer packaging wrapper is desirable in order to maintain product freshness. Referring to  FIG. 4 , an integrated unit  71  including a mesh bag  73  enclosing a powder product  75  is shown. A transducer  79  can be a foil added conductor set  55  directly to the mesh bag  73  material, or it can include a microprocessor  57  encased in a water proof container or melt welded to the mesh bag  73  material.  
         [0056]     The provision of a more direct connection between the identity structure and the product to be processed will enable a more automatic processing, with greater elimination of user intervention between identity and processing, and it will either allow a mode of information disablement more directly related to processing or it will somewhat eliminate the practical need for information disablement.  
         [0057]     Integrated unit  71  can also have an optional peripheral conductor  63  to help prevent the transducer  79  from being removed from the remainder of the integral unit  71 . In lieu of a conductor, the same principles can be achieved by providing conductance connections between the mesh bag  73  and the transducer  79  which would render the transducer  79  inoperative upon removal from the remainder of the mesh bag  73 . Where the material in the mesh bag  73  is dissolved completely through, the mesh bag  73  and transducer  79  might be used again. However, where identification numbers either for each integral unit  71  or for production lots of integral units  71  are used and recorded by the process equipment such as brewer  21 , repeated use of a same identity datum would expose the circumvention. Where the equipment such as brewer  21  is set up to dis-sallow operability, some method to indicate use is desirable. Where integral units  71  have individual identifiers, the equipment such as brewer  21  can be programmed to permit one use per individual identifier.  
         [0058]     In the structures of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the packaging and product were separable before use. The integrated unit  71  is dropped directly into the flow through container  23 , as will be shown. This enables integrated unit  71  to be in place before processing begins. In the process of brewing, the integrated unit will experience moisture and a temperature rise. In addition to the possibility of using individual identifiers for which equipment such as brewer  21  would prohibit re-utilization, these two environmental effects can be used to disable the ability for re-use by disabling the information data capabilities of the transducer  79 .  
         [0059]     As examples of disablement which may occur as a direct and natural consequence of being exposed to process conditions, the transducer  79  may contain a moisture sensor, or it may include a water soluble connection break or a temperature acting connection break so that both the product and the transducer  79  may not be re-used or the data again extracted.  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a sectional view of the front of the brewer  21  illustrates not only how an in-place reading of the identifying information might take place, but also how physical isolation and a requirement for physical isolation can enhance the security of the system of brewer  21 . The front access panel  27  is seen, along with a sectional view of flow through container  23  which is contains the integrated unit  71 . The transducer  79  is shown as simply resting to one side.  
         [0061]     Above the flow through container  23 , a window  81  is supported by what is normally expected to be a metal wall  83 . The entire wall  83  could be made of the same material as window  81 , but window  81  enables an isolation and focussing of the entry of electromagnetic energy if needed, as well as a minimization of the amount of non-metallic material if necessary or advantageous to the processing structure.  
         [0062]     In a brewer  21 , a drip nipple  91  is mounted in the wall  83  to enable gravity flow of a stream of hot water onto the integrated unit  71 , with brewed product to gravity flow through a lower drip nipple  93  at the bottom of the flow through container  23 . A sensor/transmitter  95  is located behind the window  81 , and is enabled to send and receive into a space  97  within and between the flow through container  23  and the metal wall  83 .  
         [0063]     The sensor/transmitter  95  may be different than the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  as the sensor/transmitter  95  can be set to work within a known environment of known size and surroundings. Having the advantage of completely specifying a micro-environment of space  97  enables the power and frequency to be set to completely bathe the space  97  with the energy necessary to power the transducer  79 , as well as to insure that any signal from either foil added conductor set  55  or optional digital chip  57  is received back through the window  81  by the sensor/transmitter  95 .  
         [0064]     To complete the limited access, a switch  99  operates by closing when the flow through container  23  is in place. Typically a flange  101  supports an edge of the flow through container  23  as the flow through container  23  is slid like a drawer for a short distance rearwardly under the metal wall  83 . Once the flow through container  23  is pressed back into place, optional switch  99  closes to permit the operation of the sensor/transmitter  95  after the flow through container  23  is in place.  
         [0065]     The use of a closed space  97  helps to isolate the electromagnetic signal both transmitted to and received from the transducer  79 . This provides an additional measure of safety and signal isolation, and does not depend upon a worker to place the transducer  79  in any particular position in front of one or more sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39 . Further, where processing is set to start only when recognition occurs, the conditions within the closed space  97  will be known. In addition, where an input of energy is required to disable further use of the transducer  79 , this energy input can be more efficiently introduced. The energy required will be more concentrated within the closed space  97  while being isolated within the closed space  97 .  
         [0066]     Again, the disabling energy can be sonic, optic, or electromagnetic. One electromagnetic possibility is to bathe the closed space  97  with a frequency matched with a resonant network carried among a portion of the foil added conductor set  55  to induce overheating and failure of one or two conductors in much the same way that a resistor burns out. Sonic or optic energy can be used to change conductance or continuity of conductors which are manufactured to have pre-set sensitivity to those disabling forces.  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIG. 6 a  schematic illustrates one possible realization for a proximity link controller for appliances and product. A proximity link controller  111  has some form of housing boundary limit  113  which may vary depending upon the application, the need for mobility, and the physical demand for component separation or compartmentalization. The housing boundary limit  113  is within an effective distance from a separate transducer  115 . This effective distance is achieved by either having a user place the separate transducer  115  in front of a sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  seen in  FIG. 1 , or by providing a more controlled space such as a closed space  97  seen in  FIG. 5 . Where the user controls the separation, some audible signal is preferred to let the user know that the receiving unit has identified the data from the separate transducer  115  and that further processing is now enabled.  
         [0068]     The transducer  115  may be equivalent to the structures shown in  FIGS. 1-5  with respect to the material package  51 , foil added conductor set  55  and/or optional digital chip  57 , but which are shown in  FIG. 6  in schematic form. The housing boundary limit  113  will vary from application to application. Where the processing equipment is extended, as in the case of a skid mounted plant, the housing boundary limit  113  may be simply provided as a user interface. In the case of the brewer  21 , the housing boundary limit  113  will likely be provided compactly just behind the access panel  27 .  
         [0069]     An antenna  121  will have a shape depending upon the choice of materials for the housing boundary limit  113  with due consideration taken for the frequency and mode of modulation chosen to transmit the identifying information. The antenna  121  is connected to a transceiver  123  which may include both a transmitter  125  and a receiver  127 , both of which are shown as connected to the antenna  121 . A modem  129  is shown connected to both the transmitter  125  and receiver  127 , and serves to set the modulation mode for the signal to be transmitted and received.  
         [0070]     Modem  129  is connected to a computer control  131  which may include a microprocessor  133  which may have full digital capabilities similar to a microcomputer, to record the identity of the signals received through the transceiver  123 , and record other indicia such as time, other processing characteristics, and type and size of raw material used. Where the gate keeper function is enabled, the microprocessor  133  will also connect to a process controller  135  which is connected off site to the physical part of the process machinery, in this case to the remainder of the operable portions of the brewer  21 . The physical part of the process machinery in the case of brewer  21  will include a water flow valve or solenoid, and a water heating apparatus(not shown). A communication module  135  is connected to the microprocessor  133  and enabled to download data and information stored in the microprocessor  133 . Microprocessor  133  may also include peripherals such as floppy drives, CD Rom, tape output and telephonic and Internet communications. Computer control  131  also includes components not shown including process controller  135  connections and power for all the components and devices seen in  FIGS. 1-6 .  
         [0071]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a simplified computer block diagram logic flow menu  151  for use with the devices seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , and especially microprocessor  133 , is shown. Beginning at a “Ready” block  153 , a banner indicated as “Coffee Co.” may be shown, along with a number of brews remaining on the process equipment seen as “XXX” and may include the number remaining before servicing, or the number remaining before being re-set remotely or locally, or in the alternative, it may show the brews for the day or the brews since last servicing.  
         [0072]     The logic may thin flow to a “scan RFID tag” block  155  where RFID (radio frequency identification) scanning may be initiated by simply having the user turn on the on/off switch  31 , or the sensor/transmitter structures  37  and  39  could be set to operate by a change in light when a material package  51  is brought near. In the alternative, a power pulse may strobe every 5 seconds, but this is not the preferred method as it will slow the user down in having to wait for a strobe.  
         [0073]     Here the product code which is returned from package  51  is entered into the microprocessor  133 . In the simplest embodiment, to minimize the information necessary to be carried by the package  51 , a simple product code could be used. The product code could then be compared to a look-up table to indicate the amount, strength, type of product, as well as a list of specific processing steps necessary to treat the raw material product, such as to brew coffee or tea, in this example.  
         [0074]     The logic then flows to an “Entering Programming mode” block  157  and then to a series of blocks including an “Enter Code” block  159 . The code entry is an access code to enable selected users to get into the programming mode. The use of four digits has been found to yield an acceptable number of access possibilities. This allows a user to enter a custom access code so a competitor, unauthorized user or even a non-technician using the same equipment can&#39;t access the programming mode and possibly change the specific programming for a unit of equipment.  
         [0075]     The logic next flows to a Program Menu block where the appropriate program menu is selected based upon the product number. More information could be gathered from the package  51 , but where a system  111  is designed so that the package  51  is simplest, it will also be the least costly in terms of packaging cost.  
         [0076]     Within the program menu, the processing may proceed automatically or the user may be given the opportunity to make some process decisions. Some of the other aspects include the remaining blocks shown underneath the programming menu block  161  and include a “Brew by Volume” block  163 ; a “Brew By Time” block  165 ; a “Temp Select” block  167 ; an “Energy Save” block  169 ; a “Brew Count Odom” block  171  which would have information on the total number of brews (as an odometer count) for different categories of time; a “Brew Count Total” block  173  which give a more global number of brews; a “Master Reset” block  175 , which could be used to re-set the system ill; a “Service Call” block  177  where service may be indicated to the user or an independent communication from the communication module  137  initiated; an “Access Code” block  179  where service or programming access can be entered; a “Banner Name” block  181  where entry of the indicated advertising banner for electronic advertising or simple identification to the user may be had; a “P-Maintenance” block  183  which may indicate the need for periodic maintenance or may result in an independent communication from the communication module  137  be initiated; a “Beeper On/Off” block  185  to either cause an announcement of cycle milestones to be audibly and/or visually communicated to the user; a “Pulse Brew On/Off” block  189  in which a periodic mode of operation may be entered; a “Dilution Delay” block  191  in which dilution of additional hot water through the flow through container  23  is made to make up for evaporation loss; a “Dilution Time ” block  193  in which the flow of dilution water can be controlled by time; a “Dilution Volume” block  195  in which dilution volume can be specified, a “Recipe Select” block  197  in which the recipe type can be specified; and an “Exit” block  199  in which the logic flow is re-directed to the “Ready” block  153  to again make the menu of  FIG. 7  available.  
         [0077]     Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art.