Movable Geofence Tracking for Indirect Transportable Asset Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RTL systems for locating transportable assets in large areas, such as warehouses, are costly and prone to inaccuracies, leading to impaired automation systems due to incorrect location determinations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method involving a movable geofence that activates location tracking upon entry of a transportation device into the geofence, using the transportation device's RTL components to indirectly determine the asset's location, thereby reducing errors and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If RTL systems are used to track a large number of assets in a large area, then location coverage is improved, but system costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements geofences that define specific zones of interest within the larger area. Location tracking is activated only when assets enter these geofenced zones, rather than continuously tracking all assets across the entire area. This localized approach maintains comprehensive area coverage capability while reducing the actual tracking workload and system costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses event-triggered tracking where location determination is activated periodically based on geofence entry events rather than continuously. When an asset enters a geofenced area, tracking is activated; when it leaves, tracking is deactivated. This periodic activation pattern reduces overall system resource consumption and costs while maintaining necessary location coverage.
2Reliability
If continuous location tracking is activated for all assets, then location availability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates location tracking only when needed - specifically when an asset enters a geofenced area. The tracking is deactivated when the asset leaves the geofence. This periodic activation based on geofence events ensures location information is available when relevant while minimizing continuous resource consumption during periods when tracking is not needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically activates and deactivates tracking based on asset movement relative to geofences without requiring manual intervention. The geofence entry/exit events trigger the tracking state changes autonomously, ensuring location availability is maintained when needed while resources are conserved when not needed, all through self-service automation.
3Measurement precision
If location tracking is activated for all transportation devices, then tracking accuracy is improved, but false location determinations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent associates location information with specific geofenced zones rather than tracking all transportation devices across the entire area. When a device enters a geofence, its location is determined and recorded with reference to that specific zone. This localized approach improves accuracy by focusing tracking resources on relevant areas and reduces false determinations by not attributing locations to devices that are merely passing through without interacting with geofenced assets.
Solution Approach 2:
Geofences serve as intermediaries between the transportation devices and the location tracking system. Rather than directly tracking all devices, the system uses geofences as intermediate zones that trigger and contextualize location determinations. This intermediary layer ensures that location information is only generated when a device actually enters a relevant zone, improving accuracy and reducing false determinations from devices that would otherwise be tracked continuously.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for locating a transportable asset (120). To facilitate locating a transportable asset (120) and e.g., to avoid false location, the following steps of a computer-implemented method for locating a transportable asset (120) are suggested: • providing a movable geofence (122) which is defined in relation to the transportable asset (120); • activating location tracking of the transportable asset (120) upon entry of a transportation device (124) into the movable geofence (122); and • determining a location (L-120) of the transportable asset (120) while the transportation device (124) is located inside the movable geofence (122).