Declarative Inventory Collection via Event-Triggered Validation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing information handling systems lack an efficient method for instantaneous inventory collection across a network, leading to potential inaccuracies and inefficiencies in tracking and managing inventory items.

Innovation Solution

An inventory system that includes information handling systems and an inventory manager, which manages an inventory object to collect and validate inventory information from inventoried devices, utilizing cloud-based applications and a back-end inventory manager to automate and validate the inventory collection process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional inventory collection methods are used, then inventory tracking is performed, but accuracy and efficiency are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory accuracyVSAvoidcollection efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inventory system enables self-service through automated inventory collection where the inventory manager autonomously collects, validates, and updates inventory information from multiple information handling systems without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically triggers inventory collection based on events such as inventory object creation or modification, and autonomously reconciles inventory data across the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional manual or mechanical inventory collection methods with an automated electronic system. The inventory manager uses software-based mechanisms including event triggers, inventory objects with execution information, and automated validation logic to substitute human-operated mechanical processes with electronic automation, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual inventory collection is performed, then inventory data is gathered, but time consumption and error rates increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory collection speedVSAvoidcollection time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inventory system implements periodic action through event-triggered inventory collection. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system periodically collects inventory data based on specific events such as creation or modification of inventory objects, addition or removal of inventory items, or scheduled intervals. This approach reduces unnecessary data collection while ensuring inventory accuracy is maintained at critical moments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-configuring inventory objects with execution information that specifies when and how inventory collection should occur. Inventory collection is triggered in advance by event conditions defined in the inventory object, allowing the system to prepare and execute collection tasks proactively before inventory discrepancies arise, thereby reducing response time and improving collection efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If centralized inventory management is implemented, then inventory control is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management reliabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inventory management system is segmented into distributed components across multiple information handling systems. Each system maintains local inventory information while the inventory manager coordinates collection and validation. This segmentation allows centralized control functionality to be distributed across the network, improving reliability through redundancy while managing complexity by breaking down the centralized management function into manageable modular components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inventory manager implements multi-functionality by combining multiple inventory management capabilities within a single system component. It performs inventory collection, validation, reconciliation, and update operations across diverse information handling systems using a unified approach. This universality reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple specialized functions into one versatile inventory manager rather than requiring separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250124401A1Declarative instantaneous inventory collection

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

An inventory system is provided for inventorying inventory items on a plurality of information handling systems. The inventory system includes the plurality of information handling systems and an inventory manager. Each information handling system includes a plurality of inventory items. The inventory manager manages an inventory object, and collects an inventory of the inventory items based on the inventory object. The inventory object identifies inventory information related to the inventory items that are to be collected in the inventory, and identifies execution information related to the collection of the inventory.