Asset Tracking via Mobile Signal Profiles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking systems require costly equipment, consume significant energy, and have short battery life, making them impractical for large-scale deployments in environments with thousands or tens of thousands of assets, especially in settings like hospitals where quick and accurate location determination is critical.
Innovation Solution
The integration of asset tracking systems with existing location-determination systems using mobile devices that detect electromagnetic signals from resident devices and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags, allowing for cost-effective and energy-efficient tracking of assets by determining their location based on signal profiles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RFID tags and RFID readers are deployed for asset tracking, then asset location can be determined, but the system becomes prohibitively expensive for large-scale deployments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices (smartphones, tablets, wearables) as copies or substitutes for dedicated RFID readers. These mobile devices already contain the necessary radio frequency capabilities to detect RFID tags, eliminating the need to deploy separate expensive RFID reader infrastructure throughout the facility. The mobile device's existing hardware is leveraged to perform asset tracking functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes mobile devices serve multiple functions: they act as both location determination devices for the user and as asset tracking readers. The same mobile device that a user carries for communication and productivity purposes is also used to detect RFID tags and determine asset locations, eliminating the need for dedicated tracking hardware.
2Measurement precision
If traditional transmitters and receivers are used for asset tracking, then asset locations can be tracked, but battery life becomes short and requires frequent charging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the asset tracking transmission function with the mobile device's existing communication infrastructure. The mobile device uses its built-in radio frequency transmitters and receivers (already powered for communication purposes) to detect RFID tags, rather than relying on separate battery-powered tracking transmitters that would require frequent charging.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves itself by using its own existing power supply and communication hardware to perform asset tracking functions. The device that is already being charged and powered for its primary communication functions is simultaneously used for asset tracking, eliminating the need for separate power sources.
3Measurement precision
If manual scanning methods are used for asset tracking, then asset locations can be identified, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous automated detection of RFID tags by the mobile device as the user moves through the facility. Rather than requiring manual scanning actions at discrete intervals, the system continuously monitors for RFID signals in the vicinity, automatically updating asset locations without interrupting the user's workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback about asset locations to the user through the mobile device interface. As the mobile device detects RFID tags, the system immediately processes and communicates asset location information back to the user, enabling quick decision-making without manual intervention or delayed updates.
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 accurate and efficient tracking of assets with longer battery life and reduced costs, facilitating quick deployment in environments with existing infrastructure, such as hospitals, hotels, and other facilities.
Implementation Method 1
the mobile device can detect signals emitted from resident devices within its vicinity. The resident devices can include, for example, any of various devices that emit electromagnetic signals
Implementation Method 2
The systems provided herein can include a plurality of asset-tracking devices that emit Bluetooth low energy (BLE) signals that are collected by the mobile devices of the system
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are asset tracking systems for determining a location of an asset, comprising a mobile device comprising one or more detection antennas and a transmitter, and a device associated with an asset and emitting Bluetooth low energy signals, wherein the system is configured to: detect a plurality of electromagnetic signals of the environment and one or more Bluetooth low energy signals from the one or more Bluetooth low energy devices; generate a signal profile based on the plurality of electromagnetic signals; determine, based on a comparison of the signal profile to data of signal profiles at a plurality of locations in the environment, a mobile-device location in the environment; and determine, based on the mobile-device location and based on the one or more Bluetooth low energy signals, one or more asset locations in the environment.