Sensor Web System for Asset Tracking via Data Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tracking systems, such as bar codes and RFID tags, are costly and inefficient in providing comprehensive sensor data for asset management, as they require manual scanning and do not leverage environmental information effectively.
Innovation Solution
A context-based sensor web system that integrates sensor data from multiple devices to provide richer information, using item tracking devices, beacon devices, and a tracking center to share and manage sensor data, reducing duplication and costs through rule-based logic and environmental sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor-based tracking systems are used to provide comprehensive environmental information, then measurement precision and information quality are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensor types (temperature, humidity, light, motion detectors) into a unified sensor web infrastructure that serves multiple tracking devices. Instead of each device having dedicated sensors, the system merges sensor resources so that one sensor can serve multiple items, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive environmental monitoring capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor web creates universal sensing infrastructure where sensors can detect and report data for multiple different items simultaneously. A single temperature sensor, for example, can monitor the environment for multiple packages or assets passing through the same location, making the sensing system multi-functional and applicable to various tracking scenarios without requiring item-specific sensors.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive sensor data is collected for each item, then information completeness is improved, but data redundancy and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges sensor data collection at the infrastructure level rather than at the individual item level. Multiple items share the same sensor network, and the central server consolidates readings from sensors that serve multiple items. This approach maintains complete environmental information for each item while avoiding redundant data collection, as the same physical sensor reading is shared across multiple items rather than being duplicated through separate measurement processes.
3Device complexity
If manual scanning methods are used for tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and tracking efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system implements self-service automation where sensors automatically detect items and generate tracking data without human intervention. RFID readers, weight sensors, and environmental detectors continuously monitor and report item locations and conditions automatically. This eliminates the need for manual scanning operations while maintaining system simplicity through the use of straightforward sensor-reading mechanisms that require minimal operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for providing sensor data may comprise receiving a request for sensor data, the request including a triggering parameter. Furthermore, the system and method for providing sensor data may comprise searching for information identifying devices that meet the triggering parameter. Devices are selected from a plurality of item tracking devices, where the plurality of item tracking devices correspond to a plurality of items. Moreover, the system and method for providing sensor data may retrieve the requested sensor data that corresponds to the devices that meet the triggering parameter, and return the requested sensor data.