Beacon-Based Material Package Tracking for Inventory Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
In just-in-time manufacturing, there is a need for efficient tracking and management of material packages, particularly in determining the remaining amount of material, which is challenging due to the manual and inaccurate methods currently used.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of beacons attached to material packages, which transmit location and weight data wirelessly, allowing for real-time tracking and calculation of remaining material through a cloud database and server-based system, considering factors like moisture content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual methods are used to determine remaining material amount, then simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement methods with an automated electronic system that uses beacons, RFID tags, weight sensors, and cloud-based processing to determine remaining material amounts, thereby improving measurement precision while accepting increased system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The material package itself becomes self-monitoring through integrated beacons and sensors that automatically track location, weight, and material consumption without requiring external manual intervention, improving measurement accuracy while reducing operational complexity
2Productivity
If automated tracking systems are implemented, then productivity and information accuracy improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon system performs multiple functions including location tracking, material consumption monitoring, and communication with central systems, thereby improving productivity across multiple operations while consolidating complexity into a single multi-functional device
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cloud-based server as an intermediary that centralizes data processing and communication functions, allowing the tracking system to achieve high productivity through automated information exchange while managing complexity at a centralized level rather than distributed across all components
Data Source
AI summary
It may be determined that a material package has been used by determining that the material package has moved from a previously recorded location based upon location data corresponding to the material package and a beacon code. The location data may correspond to the material package and the beacon code being periodically reported by a beacon located proximate to the material package. Next, a weight of the material package that has been used subsequent to the material package being used may be received and, based upon the beacon code and in response to receiving the weight of the material package; the material database for a material package record may be queried. A remaining amount of material corresponding to the material package may be calculated based upon the received weight and data from the material package record found from the material package record.