Field Device Asset State Tracking for Operating-Inventory Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current device asset management systems face challenges in accurately understanding and managing the storage and discard states of field devices, leading to mismatches between operating and inventory asset states, which can hinder effective asset management and maintenance planning in industrial plants.
Innovation Solution
A device asset management apparatus and method that includes an operating asset manager, inventory asset manager, and device asset manager, which acquire and store maintenance records, collect and display asset states, detect mismatches, and predict state changes, facilitating accurate asset management by transitioning and displaying asset states based on maintenance and warehousing information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If maintenance records are used to report details of maintenance operations, then maintenance information is captured, but it becomes difficult to understand storage states or discard states of field devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments asset management into two distinct modules: operating asset manager for field devices in service and inventory asset manager for spare devices in storage. Each module independently tracks specific state information, preventing confusion between operational and storage states while maintaining comprehensive records.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an asset state display as an intermediary component that translates and presents device states in an understandable format. This intermediary layer processes raw maintenance records and inventory data to clearly show storage states, discard states, and operational status, making the information accessible and comprehensible.
2Ease of operation
If healthy devices are stored separately from unused spare devices, then device organization is improved, but asset management coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal asset management system where the inventory asset manager handles both unused spare devices and healthy confirmed devices through a unified interface. The system provides common functionalities including state tracking, lifecycle management, and reporting for all inventory items regardless of their specific status, while still allowing separate organizational categories.
3Loss of information
If device asset management tracks both operating and inventory states, then comprehensive asset visibility is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the asset management system into two independent but coordinated modules: operating asset manager for active field devices and inventory asset manager for spare devices. Each module manages specific state transitions independently, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive visibility through their coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where maintenance records from operating assets feed into the inventory asset manager when devices are replaced or retired. This automatic feedback loop ensures consistent state tracking across both modules without requiring complex manual synchronization, reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A device asset management apparatus includes an operating asset state storage which stores an operating asset state representing an asset state of a field device as an operating state, an inventory asset state storage which stores an inventory asset state representing the asset state as an inventory state, an asset state changer configured to change at least one of the operating asset state and the inventory asset state based on at least one of information on a maintenance operation performed to the field device and information on warehousing and releasing of the field device, and an asset state display configured to display the operating asset state and the inventory asset state.