IoT Asset Tracking via Client Device Collaboration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In environments with large numbers of assets, tracking devices may lose battery power or experience anomalous conditions, causing assets to become 'lost' or unlocatable, and it is challenging to test infrastructure effectively, especially in busy settings like logistics hubs.

Innovation Solution

A wireless tracking system that leverages client devices to collaboratively locate assets and track infrastructure, where infrastructure nodes communicate with client devices to determine asset states and perform testing, and client devices are assigned to locate assets or test infrastructure, allowing for recharging or refurbishing of tracking devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If tracking devices are deployed in large environments, then asset tracking coverage is improved, but tracking devices may run out of battery or experience anomalous conditions causing assets to become lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetracking coverage areaVSAvoidasset locatability

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary devices (infrastructure nodes, gateway nodes, cloud servers) that mediate between tracking devices and the central system. These intermediaries can relay data, provide power, or facilitate communication, ensuring that assets remain locatable even when individual tracking devices experience battery issues or environmental stressors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes operational parameters such as communication intervals, power consumption levels, and detection thresholds based on environmental conditions and device status. This allows tracking devices to adapt to varying conditions, maintaining reliability across large areas despite battery constraints or environmental stressors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If infrastructure nodes are deployed throughout the system, then asset tracking capability is improved, but it becomes difficult to test infrastructure in busy environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset tracking capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure testing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where infrastructure nodes automatically perform diagnostic tests, health checks, and status reporting without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously monitors its own components, reducing the complexity of testing in busy environments while maintaining high tracking capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates continuous feedback loops where infrastructure nodes report their status, performance metrics, and diagnostic information to central servers. This automated feedback mechanism enables ongoing infrastructure validation without disrupting operations, making testing easier in busy environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If client devices are used to locate assets, then asset location accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases due to coordinating multiple devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveasset location accuracyVSAvoidsystem coordination complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes client devices multi-functional by enabling them to serve both as user interfaces and as active participants in asset location. The same device that users interact with for normal operations also performs triangulation, signal monitoring, and location calculation, eliminating the need for separate specialized hardware and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11776380B2Client device interactions and asset monitoring at checkpoint locations in an IOT device network

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 TRACKONOMY SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A system for tracking assets at a location includes an infrastructure node associated with a tracking system located at the location comprising a wireless communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with other wireless nodes of the tracking system and a plurality of wireless tracking devices, according to some embodiments. The infrastructure node is associated with the location, and each of the wireless tracking devices of the plurality of wireless tracking devices is associated with an asset being tracked by the tracking system. In embodiments, the infrastructure node is used to collect data from the wireless tracking devices, relay the data to client devices, and detect unauthorized removal or addition of assets to the location.