Automated Location Synchronization for Movable Service Hubs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently synchronizing the locations of movable items to which services are associated and delivered, especially when these items are moved from their mapped locations, requiring manual intervention and struggling with non-standard configurations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a system that uses wirelessly-detectable devices, such as Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) beacons, coupled with fixed receivers to monitor and automatically update the locations of movable items, generating a synchronized map that associates services with item identifiers and ensures accurate service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual reconfiguration of item locations is used, then the system can adapt to nonstandard item location configurations, but the system requires manual intervention and does not easily cope with dynamic movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service location tracking where movable items equipped with wireless devices automatically report their locations to the central server without manual intervention. The items themselves provide the location information through their embedded wireless devices, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration while maintaining adaptability to any item position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical location updating with an automated electronic system. Wireless devices on items transmit location data electronically to the central server, which automatically updates the map and associates services with current item locations, eliminating manual intervention in the location tracking process.
2Extent of automation
If automated location tracking with wireless devices is implemented, then the system automatically synchronizes item locations without manual intervention, but the device complexity increases due to additional wireless devices and infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless devices serve multiple functions: they act as location transmitters, item identifiers, and communication nodes in the tracking system. By combining these functions into a single device, the system reduces overall complexity compared to having separate components for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The central server acts as an intermediary that receives location data from wireless devices, processes the information, and automatically updates the service location associations. This intermediary approach simplifies the architecture by centralizing the complex processing logic in one system component rather than distributing it across multiple nodes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing mapping systems are used with fixed item locations, then the map structure remains simple and stable, but the system fails when items are moved from their mapped locations
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static map to a dynamic, living map that automatically updates as item locations change. The map structure maintains its organizational framework while its content dynamically adapts to reflect current item positions, allowing the system to handle both stability and adaptability requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives feedback from wireless devices about item locations and automatically updates the map accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures the map remains accurate and up-to-date without requiring manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between map stability and adaptability to item movements.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods include determination of a location of each of a plurality of movable service hubs, generation of a first map depicting the determined locations of each of the hubs, association of a first service with a first location of the depicted locations, wherein the first service is provided to a first hub located at the first location based on the first map, determination that one or more of the hubs has moved more than a threshold distance, determination of a second location of each of the hubs and generate a second map depicting the determined second locations of each of the hubs, and association of a second service with a third location of the depicted second locations, wherein the second service is provided to a second hub located at the third location based on the second map.