Electronic Device Status Tracking via Connection State Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies face challenges in efficiently tracking and determining the status of thousands of electronic devices, including which employee has each device, whether it is in use, its physical location, and whether it is being repaired, retired, or awaiting disposal, which is time-consuming and affects decision-making.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for tracking multiple electronic devices by accessing connection states and determining device statuses using computer processors, automatically updating a database with allowable status changes, and preventing prohibited changes, while providing real-time status information to clients.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tracking methods are used to determine device status and location, then employees can provide information about their devices, but productivity is reduced and the process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables devices to automatically report their own status, location, and connection state without requiring employee intervention. The tracking system queries device information directly through APIs and automatically updates the database, allowing the system to serve itself rather than relying on manual employee reports.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of employees reporting device status is replaced with an automated electronic system that uses APIs, databases, and computer processors to automatically track and determine device statuses, locations, and connection states.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive device status tracking is implemented for all devices, then accurate real-time information is obtained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a database storing device information, API interfaces for data access, computer processors for status determination, and logic for evaluating status changes. This modular segmentation manages complexity while maintaining comprehensive tracking capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
APIs serve as intermediaries between the tracking system and various data sources, providing standardized access to device information without requiring the system to directly interface with complex underlying systems. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture.
3Speed
If automatic status change determination is implemented, then real-time updates are achieved, but risk of erroneous status changes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where status changes are automatically evaluated against predefined criteria and rules. The computer processor determines whether status changes are allowable based on feedback from the current device state, connection status, and tracking database information, reducing erroneous changes while maintaining rapid updates.
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.