Asset Tracking Control Systems Using Secure Tags and Blockchain
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing risk management systems in complex industrial environments, such as aerospace manufacturing, fail to effectively track and manage assets due to incomplete or inaccurate records, leading to unknown risk factors and potential disasters.
Innovation Solution
A control system utilizing data-bearing tags on assets, combined with blockchain technology and secure identifiers, to track and manage assets, ensuring accurate record-keeping and secure operations, with reconciliation mechanisms for network connectivity issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple actors within an organization alter or fail to properly maintain records of assets, then record accuracy and completeness deteriorate, but asset tracking and risk management become more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary that mediates between multiple actors and the asset records. This control system enforces proper record maintenance, prevents unauthorized alterations, and ensures data integrity, thereby improving record accuracy without requiring each actor to individually maintain records correctly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the control system continuously monitors and verifies record integrity. When records are altered or new information is entered, the system provides feedback to ensure compliance with maintenance protocols, thereby maintaining record accuracy through ongoing verification rather than relying on actor自觉性.
2Reliability
If elaborate risk management systems are implemented, then risk tracking capability improves, but system complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system automatically performs risk tracking functions without requiring manual intervention for each risk assessment. The system self-monitors asset records, automatically detects potential risks, and generates reports, thereby maintaining high risk tracking capability while reducing the operational burden on users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary risk assessment mechanisms where the control system proactively identifies and flags potential risks before they materialize into problems. By performing preliminary actions such as predictive analytics and early warning systems, the complex risk management functions become more accessible and easier to operate.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive asset tracking is implemented across disparate sources, then data completeness improves, but information security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the asset tracking system into modular components, each handling specific data types or asset categories from different sources. This segmentation allows for targeted security measures to be applied to each segment, maintaining comprehensive data collection while reducing overall security risks through localized protection strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system creates a secure, isolated environment for processing sensitive asset data. By implementing robust access controls, encryption, and data protection mechanisms, the system maintains an 'inert' security atmosphere that protects comprehensive data collection from external threats and unauthorized access.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, devices and methods for monitoring and managing parts, enterprise resources and other assets, and alleviating risks, in a complex collaboration environment are provided. A device with a hardware- and software-based control system scans and/or writes unique asset-related information within a plurality of chemical, electromagnetic, or written data-bearing tags within, on or throughout an asset for use in a manufacturing, maintenance and/or tracking process. A system records that asset-specific information (e.g., using secure network(s) and/or a blockchain), providing it for later access and modification by a number of trusted users, to track and control manufacturing-, maintenance-relevant or other factors. An enterprise resource planning system both outputs information to, and receives information from, the control system, reconciling changes in the data.