Asset Tracking System with Status-Based Movement Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large industrial, healthcare, or commercial facilities face challenges in tracking and managing the movement of assets across multiple locations, particularly in ensuring that assets follow valid movement paths and are properly maintained or discarded, as existing systems lack effective tracking and status indicator management.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes tracking elements generating location signals and a controller with a processor to identify and manage status indicators (USE, DIRTY, CLEANING, INVENTORY, and SERVICE states) based on predetermined rules, generating displays for valid or invalid movements, and alerting operators to improper asset movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking methods are used for assets in large facilities, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of asset location and status is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking element serves multiple functions: it generates location signals, identifies asset status indicators, and enables rule-based validation of asset movements. This multi-functionality improves measurement precision without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between tracking elements and the asset management system. It processes location signals, determines status indicators, and validates movements against rules, thereby improving tracking precision while managing system complexity through centralized control.
2Reliability
If comprehensive status indicator tracking is implemented for all asset states, then reliability of asset management is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple status indicators and rules
Solution Approach 1:
The asset lifecycle is segmented into distinct status indicators (USE, DIRTY, CLEANING, INVENTORY, SERVICE), each with specific characteristics and valid transitions. This segmentation improves reliability by ensuring proper asset management at each stage while making the complex system more manageable through clear state definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback by comparing actual asset movements against predetermined rules for valid transitions between status indicators. This feedback mechanism ensures reliability by identifying and alerting invalid movements, while the automated rule-based approach manages complexity without requiring manual intervention.
3Productivity
If real-time tracking and validation of asset movements is implemented, then productivity of asset management is improved, but loss of time for processing and validating movements increases
Solution Approach 1:
Predetermined rules for valid asset movements are established in advance, defining which transitions between status indicators are permitted. This preliminary action enables automated real-time validation, improving productivity by eliminating manual approval processes while minimizing time loss through pre-configured validation logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-validation by automatically comparing asset movements against predetermined rules and generating alerts for invalid transitions. This self-service capability improves productivity by eliminating the need for manual verification while minimizing time loss through automated, instantaneous validation.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of a system to manage movement of at least one asset is provided. The system includes at least one tracking element operable to generate a signal representative of a location of the asset, and a controller in communication with the tracking element. The controller includes computer readable program instructions representative of the steps of receiving the signal representative of the location of the asset having a unique identifier; identifying a status indicator for the asset having the unique identifier; comparing a change in the location of the asset in view of the status indicator relative to a predetermined location change rule of an invalid movement of the at least one asset from one state to another without passing through a CLEANING state; and generating a signal representative of the invalid change in the location in response to an output of the comparing step for illustration on a display.