Inventory Tracking via Bluetooth Beacons and Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organizations face challenges in managing inventory across multiple facilities due to unclear storage locations, leading to incorrect storage, over-ordering, and under-ordering issues, especially in large facilities with diverse product ranges.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that automatically associates items with location information within a facility using mobile devices and Bluetooth beacons, allowing for accurate tracking and storage of inventory, and providing users with interfaces to manage storage, verify inventory, and update quantities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual inventory tracking is used in large facilities, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision of item locations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Bluetooth beacons serve as intermediary devices placed throughout the facility to transmit location information. The mobile device receives signals from multiple beacons and uses triangulation to determine precise item locations without requiring complex manual tracking systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with electronic Bluetooth signal transmission and digital processing. The mobile device uses software algorithms to calculate positions based on signal strength from multiple beacons, substituting physical tracking mechanisms with electronic sensing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If centralized inventory management is implemented, then information reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory information accuracyVSAvoidmanagement system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service inventory management where the mobile device automatically performs location tracking, inventory verification, and database updates without requiring centralized manual intervention. The Bluetooth beacons autonomously transmit location data, and the system automatically reconciles inventory records

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as a scanner for Bluetooth beacons, a database for inventory records, a communication interface with the central system, and a user interface for staff interaction. This consolidates multiple specialized devices into a single universal tool

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If real-time location tracking is implemented, then productivity improves, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory management efficiencyVSAvoidmobile device energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous tracking, the system uses periodic updates triggered by specific events such as when an item is picked up, returned, or when the mobile device enters a new beacon zone. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining productivity by updating locations only when necessary

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

This solution enhances inventory management by ensuring accurate tracking and storage of items, reducing errors, and optimizing ordering processes by providing real-time location information and inventory updates, thereby improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

receiving, from the mobile device, identifying information associated with a transmitting device, wherein the transmitting device is associated with a first location within the facility; determining, based on the identifying information associated with the transmitting device, a second location within the facility corresponding to a location of the mobile device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadio frequency signal transmission and detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS12175427B2Systems, methods, and media for managing inventory associated with a facility

Publication Date: 2024.12.24 DIRECT SUPPLY INC

AI summary

In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms (which can, for example, include systems, apparatuses, methods, and media) for managing inventory associated with a facility are provided. In some embodiments, a method is provided comprising: receiving identifying information of items; causing a mobile device to present a subset of items in a user interface; receiving transmitting device identification information, the device associated with a first location; determining, based on the transmitter identifying information, a location of the mobile device within the facility; receiving an indication items are being stored at the location of the mobile device; associating the items with the location; causing a computing device to present a user interface that includes identifying information associated with the items in connection with a location of the items.