Automatic Asset Tag Registration via Crowd-Sourced Mobile Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual tracking of assets in enterprise environments is laborious and inefficient, while complex hardware solutions are often impractical due to cost and feasibility concerns.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for automatically registering asset tags using crowd-sourced data from mobile devices to determine the location of asset tags and pair them with associated assets, eliminating the need for manual registration by leveraging wireless communication networks and indoor positioning systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual tracking of assets is used, then implementation is simple, but productivity is reduced and labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveworkplace productivityVSAvoidtracking system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic asset tag registration where mobile devices self-organize to form positioning clusters without manual intervention. The mobile devices automatically detect asset tags, determine their locations, and register them in the database, eliminating the need for manual tracking while maintaining simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking processes with wireless communication-based automatic detection and registration. Mobile devices use wireless signals to detect asset tags and automatically register them, substituting human labor with automated electronic systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If complex hardware for tracking assets is installed, then measurement precision is improved, but cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset location accuracyVSAvoidhardware complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses universal mobile devices that employees already possess and use for other purposes. These multi-functional devices serve both as communication tools and as asset tracking sensors, eliminating the need for dedicated tracking hardware while maintaining location accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of installing specialized tracking hardware, the system creates a virtual model of the asset tracking capability using existing mobile devices. The mobile devices copy the functionality of dedicated tracking sensors, providing sufficient measurement precision without additional hardware complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If automatic registration using crowd-sourced data is implemented, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of information may increase due to reliance on wireless signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset registration easeVSAvoidasset tag location accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where mobile devices continuously report asset tag detections and location data to the server. The server processes this feedback to refine location accuracy and maintain reliable asset tracking information despite the distributed and intermittent nature of crowd-sourced data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enables efficient and automated tracking of assets within indoor facilities, reducing the burden of manual registration and providing accurate location data without the need for expensive hardware installations.

Implementation Method 1

the tag identifier is transmitted to the at least one mobile device in wireless signals broadcast by the asset tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWireless signal transmission: Electromagnetic Propulsion

Implementation Method 2

at least one mobile device configured to detect wireless signals broadcast by the asset tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS10810545B2Automatic registration of asset tags based on crowd sourcing asset context

Publication Date: 2020.10.20 BLACKBERRY LTD

AI summary

A server-implemented method for automatically registering an asset tag in a database is disclosed. One or more asset tag collision reports are received from at least one mobile device connected to the server, each report including a tag identifier of the asset tag that is wirelessly broadcast by the asset tag. A location of the asset tag is determined based on the one or more received asset tag collision reports. A first asset is selected from a set of unregistered assets that are identified as being deployed in the indoor facility based on determining that there is a match between the location of the asset tag and location information associated with the first asset. The asset tag is then registered in association with the first asset in the database.