Server Inventory Tracking via Proximity Connection and Image Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual inventory of servers in data centers is time-consuming, error-prone, and becomes outdated quickly due to frequent equipment movements or replacements.

Innovation Solution

Establishing a proximity-based data communications connection with a server's service processor, capturing a digital image of the server using a mobile device's camera, and identifying the server's location within a server rack, which is then stored in association with its identifier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual inventory methods using spreadsheets are used to track server locations, then the process is simple to implement, but the data entry is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking speedVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical data entry processes with automated optical scanning and image recognition systems. The camera captures images of server racks, and image processing algorithms automatically extract and record server location information, eliminating the need for manual spreadsheet entry and reducing both time consumption and errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies of physical server rack environments through photography. By capturing images of the actual server locations and using image recognition to extract information, the system creates an accurate digital representation of the physical inventory, which can be stored and updated automatically without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual spreadsheets are used to maintain server inventory, then the system is easy to maintain, but the data becomes stale quickly when equipment is moved or replaced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata freshnessVSAvoidtime to update inventory

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables continuous or frequent updating of inventory data by capturing images of server racks and automatically processing them. This allows the inventory system to adapt continuously to changes in equipment placement, ensuring data freshness without requiring manual updates each time equipment is moved or replaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary capture of server location information through photography before any changes occur. By having the capability to quickly capture and process images, the system is prepared to update inventory data immediately when equipment is moved or replaced, maintaining data accuracy without delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If automated image recognition is used to capture server locations, then data accuracy improves, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation identification accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a universal camera device that can capture images of server racks from various angles and lighting conditions. The image processing algorithms are designed to handle diverse scenarios and extract location information accurately regardless of specific environmental variations, making the system robust without requiring multiple specialized devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces image processing algorithms as an intermediary between the physical server rack environment and the digital inventory system. These algorithms automatically extract location information from captured images, serving as a mediator that translates visual data into structured inventory records without requiring direct manual intervention or complex hardware modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9929780B2Capturing physical inventory in a data center

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 LENOVO GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES SWITZERLAND INTERNATIONAL GMBH

AI summary

Capturing physical inventory in a data center includes: establishing a proximity-based data communications connection with a service processor of a server, the server installed at a location within a server rack; retrieving an identifier of the server via the proximity-based data communications connection; capturing, with a camera of the mobile computing device, a digital image of the server in the server rack; identifying, from the digital image, the location of the server within the server rack; and storing the identified location of the server within the server rack in association with the retrieved identifier.