Embedded Device Localization for Asset Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Movable assets on a manufacturing facility floor, deployed intermittently, become unavailable due to unreported or unidentified malfunctions, leading to downtime and delays in operational deployment.
Innovation Solution
A localization-based system using sensors and a server computing device to detect movement, localize, and signal anomalies in embedded devices within host asset devices, ensuring rapid identification and availability for operational use by determining their position relative to known nominal positions and signaling any anomalies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If asset devices are deployed intermittently and moved freely on the factory floor, then operational flexibility and ease of deployment are improved, but the ability to detect malfunctions and maintain availability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the position of embedded devices relative to their host asset devices using localization technology. When a device is detected at a nominal position (indicating the host is present and operational), this feedback confirms proper deployment. When movement is detected or the device is no longer at the nominal position, the system generates an anomaly signal, providing continuous feedback on asset status without restricting movement during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
An embedded device acts as an intermediary between the movable host asset and the monitoring system. The embedded device remains with the host asset and provides localization data that indicates the host's position and operational status. This intermediary approach allows the host asset to move freely while the monitoring system tracks its status through the embedded device's position reports.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring of asset devices is implemented to detect malfunctions, then asset availability and reliability are improved, but system complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded device performs self-service monitoring by continuously determining its own position using onboard sensors and localization capabilities. The device autonomously compares its current position against the stored nominal position and self-generates anomaly signals when deviations are detected, eliminating the need for complex external monitoring infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of monitoring the physical asset directly, the system uses a digital copy or representation of the asset's position data. The nominal position is stored as reference data, and the current position is continuously captured and compared against this copy, enabling monitoring through data comparison rather than physical inspection.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If embedded devices are placed within host asset devices for tracking, then malfunction detection capability is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded device performs multiple functions: it serves as a tracker for the host asset, a localization node for position determination, a comparator for detecting position deviations, and a signal generator for anomaly notification. By consolidating these functions into a single multi-functional device, the system improves detection capability without proportionally increasing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces complex mechanical monitoring or inspection mechanisms with electronic sensors and software-based position determination. Instead of physical sensors on the host asset or manual inspection procedures, the solution uses electronic localization technology and software algorithms to detect malfunctions, reducing mechanical complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system of signaling an anomaly state associated with a host asset device. The method, executed in a processor of a server computing device, comprises detecting, using one or more sensors, movement of an embedded device, the embedded device placed within the host asset device in an indoor facility, localizing the embedded device, determining, based on the localizing, that a position of the host asset device is substantially identical to a known nominal position of the embedded device, and signaling, based on the determining, that an anomaly state is associated with the host asset device.