Automated Asset Location System Using Wireless Transmitters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional asset location systems for car dealerships are inefficient and prone to human error, especially in large lots, leading to time-consuming searches and poor asset management.
Innovation Solution
An interactive asset location and management system that uses wireless communication between assets paired with transmitters, a database, and querying devices to efficiently locate and manage assets across a large area, minimizing human error through automated processes and interactive distance determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional manual searching methods are used to locate assets in large lots, then system simplicity is maintained, but productivity decreases and time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical searching with an automated electronic system using transmitters, receivers, and database queries to locate assets. The system automatically determines asset locations through wireless communication and displays results on querying devices, eliminating the need for physical lot-by-lot searching.
Solution Approach 2:
The asset location system enables self-service functionality where the automated system independently determines and communicates asset locations without requiring human searchers. The transmitters on assets automatically broadcast location information, and the system autonomously processes queries and provides results.
2Reliability
If manual asset searching is performed, then device complexity remains low, but reliability decreases due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces error-prone manual searching with an automated electronic system that uses transmitters, receivers, and database operations to reliably determine asset locations. This substitution eliminates human error in asset identification while managing system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where transmitters continuously broadcast asset location information, receivers continuously monitor for these signals, and the database maintains updated location records. This continuous feedback loop ensures reliable and current asset location data is always available.
3Productivity
If automated wireless communication systems are implemented for asset location, then productivity increases and time loss decreases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functional components where transmitters serve both location identification and communication purposes, receivers handle both signal detection and data extraction, and the database manages both storage and query processing. This universality reduces overall system complexity despite increased automation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides asset location functionality into separate modular components: transmitters on assets, receivers at query points, a central database, and display interfaces. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and maintained, managing complexity through modularity while achieving high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
An asset movement and localization system deploys gateways to communicate with transmitters that are attached to an asset. The transmitters communicate with the system to provide the location of the asset. The system uses the location to determine if the asset is in the proper or desired location for a process or for presentation.