Inductance-Based Asset Tracking for Attachment Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing asset tracking systems fail to accurately detect the physical attachment or detachment of tracking tags to assets, leading to inaccuracies in location tracking and inefficient energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A tracking device with an inductor that varies its inductance based on physical association with an asset, using a processor to detect inductance changes and wirelessly notify a master computing device of detachment or attachment events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional radio signal-based tracking systems are used, then the location of assets can be estimated, but the system cannot accurately detect physical attachment or detachment events

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracy of attachment eventsVSAvoidaccuracy of asset location tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an inductor as an intermediary component that mediates between the physical attachment state and the detection system. The inductor's inductance changes in response to the presence or absence of the asset, providing a reliable intermediate signal that accurately reflects the physical attachment state, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and location tracking reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the radio signal-based detection system with an electrical measurement system using an inductor. This substitution allows for direct detection of physical attachment through inductance changes, providing precise detection of attachment events and improving the reliability of asset location tracking simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If continuous monitoring of asset-tag association is implemented, then location accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of asset location trackingVSAvoidenergy consumption of tracking device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic measurement of inductance values instead of continuous monitoring. The processor measures the inductance at intervals and detects changes between measurements, which maintains the reliability of asset location tracking while significantly reducing the energy consumption of the tracking device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enhances the accuracy of asset location tracking by providing real-time monitoring of physical connections and reducing energy consumption through periodic measurements.

Implementation Method 1

an inductor having an inductance and configured to vary the inductance depending on whether the tracking device is physically associated with the asset or not

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInductance variation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4625285A1Asset tracking device and system

Publication Date: 2025.10.01 NAGRAVISION SRL

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Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

The tracking device (100) is configured to be physically associated with an asset (200) and configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one master computing device (400). It comprises: - an inductor (L1) having an inductance (L) and configured to vary the inductance (L) depending on whether the tracking device (100) is physically associated with the asset (200) or not, and - a processor (110) configured to detect an inductance variation of the inductor (L1) that is indicative of an event of physically separating the tracking device (100) and the asset (200) and to wirelessly notify said detected event to the master computing device (400).