Electronic Device Status Tracking With Automated State Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies face challenges in efficiently tracking and managing the status and location of thousands of electronic devices, including determining which employee has each device, whether it is in use, being repaired, or at the end of its life, due to the difficulty in obtaining accurate and timely information from employees and external sources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for tracking electronic devices that uses a device tracking database and computer processors to automatically determine and update device statuses based on external information, preventing prohibited status changes, and providing real-time status updates to clients without requiring additional software on the devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If employees are requested to provide information regarding device use, then device status information can be obtained, but employee productivity is reduced and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by automatically collecting device status information through sensors and software agents embedded in the devices themselves, eliminating the need for employee intervention. Devices automatically report their own status, location, and usage data to the tracking system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual reporting mechanisms with automated electronic monitoring systems. Sensors, GPS trackers, and software agents automatically capture and transmit device information, substituting the mechanical process of employee reporting with an automated digital system.
2Loss of information
If manual tracking methods are used to determine device location and status, then some information can be obtained, but the process is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous monitoring of device status and location through always-on sensors and software agents. Data is collected continuously rather than through periodic manual checks, ensuring up-to-date information is always available without additional time investment.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual tracking processes are replaced with automated electronic monitoring systems that continuously capture and transmit device information, eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual tracking while maintaining complete information.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive device tracking is implemented, then accurate device status information is obtained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into independent functional modules: device sensors capture specific parameters (location, status, usage), software agents process individual device data, and the central system aggregates information. This modular approach maintains high tracking accuracy while reducing overall system complexity through division of functions.
4Productivity
If automated status determination is implemented for multiple devices, then tracking efficiency is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Manual status determination processes are replaced with automated software agents and algorithms that process device data. The system automatically analyzes sensor information, determines device status, and updates tracking records without human intervention, improving efficiency while managing complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system performs self-service by automatically collecting, processing, and analyzing device data without requiring external intervention. Software agents autonomously determine device status and update tracking information, maintaining high productivity while managing processing complexity through self-contained automated workflows.
Data Source
AI summary
An example method of tracking multiple electronic devices is described herein that can include accessing first information regarding the multiple electronic devices with the first information including a connection state for a first plurality of electronic devices of the multiple electronic devices representative of a most recent timestamp that each of the first plurality of electronic devices was active and concurrently determining a first status for each applicable electronic device of the multiple electronic devices dependent upon the first information. The method can further include assigning the first status as a current status for each of the multiple devices in a device tracking database, accessing second information regarding the multiple electronic devices with the second information including the connection state for a second plurality of electronic devices of the multiple electronic devices, and concurrently determining a second status for each of the multiple electronic devices dependent upon the second information.