QR Code Asset Tracking via Mobile Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset management systems face challenges in efficiently tracking and managing business assets, such as printers, due to the logistical difficulties and costs associated with manually updating their locations and usage, especially in large companies.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device with a processor and memory is used to scan and process information from two-dimensional Quick Response (QR) codes that store both business application data and asset identification data, allowing for the tracking and management of assets using existing business procedures without additional steps, and augmenting asset data with location information from a GPS tracker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual tracking methods are used for asset management, then system complexity is reduced, but productivity and tracking efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces communication tags as intermediary devices attached to assets, which automatically capture location and usage data. These tags act as mediators between physical assets and the management system, eliminating the need for manual tracking while reducing overall system complexity through automated data collection and transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking processes with electronic communication tags and automated data processing systems. The mechanical action of manually recording asset locations is substituted with wireless communication and automatic data extraction, significantly improving productivity without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Loss of information
If existing business procedures are used for asset tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges asset identification data with business application data within the communication tags. This consolidation ensures that both asset tracking information and business process data are captured together, preventing information loss while utilizing existing business procedures for data processing without requiring separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication tags serve multiple functions: they identify assets, track locations, capture usage information, and integrate with business applications. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized systems, maintaining data accuracy while avoiding excessive complexity by using a universal tagging approach.
3Reliability
If comprehensive asset data collection is implemented, then reliability of asset management improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The communication tags automatically collect, transmit, and update asset information without requiring manual intervention. The system performs self-service by autonomously capturing location data, usage information, and asset status, thereby improving reliability through consistent data collection while maintaining ease of operation as users simply need to attach tags without complex configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
In some embodiments, a mobile device includes an interface configured to scan information from a communication tag associated with an asset, a memory operable to store the information, and a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The information comprises a header describing the information, business application data, and asset identification data uniquely identifying the asset. The processor is configured to extract the business application data from the information scanned from the communication tag and extract the asset identification data from the information scanned from the communication tag.