QR-Based Asset Inventory Mapping for Accurate Network Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inventorying and locating IT and OT assets are labor-intensive, error-prone, and prone to misidentification, with manual labeling leading to conflicts and inaccuracies, and there is a lack of automated systems for maintaining accurate asset inventories in Operational Technology (OT) systems.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing QR codes in conjunction with commissioning and firmware update tools to create and maintain a hierarchical asset inventory database, where QR codes are generated and scanned to associate unique identifiers with assets and their locations, enabling automated metadata collection and IP address indexing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual labeling and tracking methods are used, then asset identification can be implemented, but labor intensity and error rates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processes (writing, printing, affixing labels) with automated electronic systems. Barcode scanners and mobile devices automatically capture asset information and update database records, eliminating the need for manual data entry and reducing human error in asset identification and inventory maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies of asset information through barcodes and database records. Instead of relying on physical labels that can degrade or be misread, the system maintains accurate digital replicas of asset data that can be quickly accessed and updated, significantly improving inventory maintenance efficiency.
2Reliability
If human-readable paper labels are used, then asset identification is possible, but label degradation and misidentification occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical paper labels with digital barcode representations stored in a database. These digital copies are immutable and can be instantly regenerated if needed, ensuring permanent asset identification accuracy without the degradation issues of physical labels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes physical chemical labels with electronic optical barcode systems. Barcode scanners read the visual patterns and retrieve information from the database, eliminating the reliance on physically durable paper labels while improving identification reliability.
3Measurement precision
If automated barcode scanning is implemented, then inventory accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses mobile devices that perform multiple functions: scanning barcodes, capturing asset information, communicating with the database, and providing user interfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized equipment, thereby limiting the increase in system complexity while maintaining high inventory accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a centralized database as an intermediary between the barcode scanning devices and the asset management system. This database layer simplifies the overall system architecture by handling data storage, retrieval, and management, allowing the scanning devices to remain relatively simple while achieving high measurement precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Creating an electronic inventory database for a plurality of assets. Unique identifier information (e.g., a QR code) is obtained that is associated with an asset to be included in an inventory/backend database that is associated with installation at a certain location. Metadata associated with the unique identifier is determined that is indicative of least descriptive information associated with the asset. The asset metadata is stored in an inventory database in correlation with the installation location the asset is installed. A computer network coupled to each asset is scanned to detect the metadata and an IP address associated with each asset coupled to each installation location such that when detected metadata matches metadata stored in the inventory database for an asset, the IP address is indexed in the inventory database with the metadata and the installation location for the asset.