Tracking Manager Integrating Business Intelligence for Asset Monitoring
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing asset tracking systems, such as GPS and RFID technologies, do not provide location data in a useful format nor automatically evaluate this data according to industry-specific rules, limiting their effectiveness in managing assets efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A status tracking system that integrates business intelligence, using a tracking manager to assess event information from RFID tags and GPS receivers, and generate alerts based on predefined rules, providing an intuitive interface for real-time monitoring and operational insights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If GPS and RFID technologies are used for asset tracking, then location information can be obtained, but the data is not presented in a useful way and does not automatically evaluate according to industry-specific rules
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (tracking software/business intelligence layer) that sits between the GPS/RFID hardware and the user interface. This intermediary automatically evaluates location data against industry-specific rules, transforms raw data into actionable insights, and generates alerts when conditions are met, thereby resolving the contradiction between data utility and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by enabling automatic evaluation of location data against predefined rules without requiring manual intervention. The business intelligence layer autonomously processes tracking data, applies industry-specific logic, and generates alerts, allowing the system to serve itself in transforming raw location information into useful operational insights
2Productivity
If tracking systems only provide location data without business intelligence integration, then the system remains simple, but operational efficiency cannot be optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges tracking functionality with business intelligence capabilities into a unified system. By combining GPS/RFID tracking with rule-based evaluation, alert generation, and integration with legacy business systems, the patent creates a consolidated platform that simultaneously improves operational efficiency and manages system complexity through integrated architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a location tracking platform and as a business intelligence engine. The system universally handles multiple functions including data collection, automatic evaluation against industry rules, alert generation, and integration with various business legacy systems, thereby improving operational efficiency across diverse applications without requiring separate specialized systems
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient tracking and management of assets by providing actionable insights and alerts, optimizing asset utilization and reducing operational inefficiencies.
Implementation Method 1
global positioning systems (GPS) use wireless signals transmitted by earth-orbit satellites to calculate the position of a receiving device
Implementation Method 2
radio frequency identification (RFID) systems have been developed in which 'tags' wirelessly communicate with readers
Data Source
AI summary
A tracking manager, in communication with a status tracking structure and one or more client, provides event information regarding a plurality of objects, received from the status tracking structure, and alert information to the clients. Immediate rules and periodic rules are assessed in light of event information, which rules are stored in a rule storage component such that any of the rules may be modified independently of a rule execution component within the tracking manager. When the conditions defining any of the business rules are met, alert events are generated, stored and provided to the clients. Additionally, a map control operating in the clients allows selected portions of the event information to be provided to the clients. A data structure corresponding to a map schema is provided such that specialized map images may be readily provided and associated with each other.