Context-Aware Item Tracking via Virtual World Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional tracking systems for tangible items often suffer from discrepancies due to flawed manual data input and system limitations, providing a distorted and fragmented view of reality, with limited scope and resolution, unable to distinguish between individual items.
Innovation Solution
A context-aware and real-time tracking system that uses tagged items with globally unique identifiers, communicating with devices to receive context information, and processing this data to maintain virtual representations of items and circumstances in a virtual world, enabling accurate tracking and interaction detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional tracking systems use manual data input and basic tracking mechanisms, then system complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability of item status information deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of physical items in a virtual world, where each physical item is represented by a virtual item with identical status attributes. This copying mechanism allows the system to track items automatically without direct manual input, improving measurement precision while the virtual representation handles the complexity of data management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a virtual world as an intermediary layer between the physical items and the tracking system. This virtual world receives status information from physical items through tags and sensors, processes it, and maintains accurate records, thereby improving data accuracy without requiring direct complex interactions with physical items
2Loss of information
If conventional systems track only basic item information with limited resolution, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases due to inability to distinguish between individual items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments item identification at the individual item level by assigning unique identifiers to each physical item. This segmentation allows the system to track and distinguish between individual items rather than grouping them, preventing information loss while maintaining manageable system complexity through standardized tracking protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a virtual dimension to item tracking by creating virtual representations of physical items. This dimensional transition from physical to virtual space enables detailed individual item tracking without increasing physical system complexity, as the virtual world handles the high-resolution tracking requirements
3Productivity
If conventional systems use basic tracking capabilities, then ease of operation is maintained, but productivity decreases due to discrepancies between actual and recorded item status
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service tracking where physical items with tags automatically provide their status information to the virtual world without requiring manual intervention. This automation improves productivity by eliminating discrepancies between actual and recorded status, while the system maintains ease of operation through automatic data collection and processing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback loop where the virtual world continuously receives status updates from physical items and reflects accurate real-time information. This feedback mechanism ensures high tracking productivity and reliability while keeping operations simple, as the system automatically maintains accurate records without complex user intervention
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for real-time and context-aware tracking of items. Tags bound to items are read and information read from the tags and location information about the tags is provided by at least two enterprises and used to maintain disposition information about the items, which is made visible to enterprises in the supply chain. The disposition information can be mapped to a world model that tracks the items and circumstances affecting the items, for example, geo-spatial events and traffic delays. Visibility of the disposition information can be controlled through authorization. Visible information can include relationships between particular items and business documents such as order and shipping documents.