Configurable Geofences with Inherent Aspects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locator devices for fleet operations and asset tracking lack flexibility in responding to varying functional requirements and geofence conditions, as they typically require custom software and firmware for each application, leading to high design and support costs, slow implementation times, and limited ability to take configurable actions based on geofence aspects.
Innovation Solution
A dynamically configurable locator device system that defines events, triggers, and event profiles to allow user-configurable actions based on geofence classes and attributes, enabling flexible responses to geofence entries and exits by processing device commands and changing operational parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom software and firmware are developed for each customer and application, then functional requirements are met, but design and support costs increase and implementation time slows down
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal event profile architecture where a single locator device can serve multiple applications and customers through configurable event profiles. The system defines standardized events, triggers, and profiles that can be customized via parameters rather than requiring custom software development for each application, enabling one device to perform multiple functions across different fleet management and asset tracking scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic configuration where event profiles, triggers, and device commands can be modified at runtime without requiring software updates. This allows the locator device to adapt to varying functional requirements through parameter changes rather than software reconfiguration, reducing implementation time and costs while maintaining versatility
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom software is integrated into existing software for each requested feature, then functionality is improved, but request-to-implementation time increases and device upgrading becomes necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-defines a comprehensive set of events, triggers, and event profiles that cover multiple applications and scenarios. These configurations are prepared in advance and can be selectively activated through parameter settings, eliminating the need for time-consuming software integration and device upgrading when new features are requested
3Ease of manufacture
If a single locator device is designed for a specific market, then physical requirements are met, but flexibility to operate different feature sets is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal event profile system that allows a single locator device design to serve multiple markets and applications. By implementing configurable events, triggers, and profiles with customizable parameters, the same hardware platform can be adapted to different feature sets and operational requirements without requiring market-specific device variants
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device for facilitating GPS-based asset tracking. The wireless device includes dynamically configurable event profiles which allow the wireless device to be dynamically reconfigured and to perform certain actions based on a dynamically configurable combination of received events. In addition, geofences with inherent aspects are used to trigger certain actions of the wireless device based on classes and attributes that define the inherent aspects.