Welding Asset Tracking Using RFID Portals and Travel Path Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large welding environments, it is difficult to locate specific welding assets due to their similarity, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs from lost, misplaced, or stolen assets, as well as inefficient reallocation without tracking their usage.
Innovation Solution
A welding asset tracking system utilizing tags, hubs, and gateways that communicate with an asset tracking server to continuously monitor and update the location, identity, and usage of welding assets, enabling efficient tracking and management through detectors positioned at portals and within the welding area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If welding assets are not tracked, then the system is simpler and costs less to implement, but locating specific welding assets becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RFID tags that create digital copies/representations of welding assets. These tags store and transmit asset identification information, allowing the system to track and locate physical assets through their digital counterparts without requiring complex visual identification or manual tracking methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID readers and databases as intermediary components between the welding assets and the tracking system. The readers detect tag signals, and the databases store and retrieve asset location information, simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling efficient asset location
2Reliability
If welding assets are not monitored, then the system is simpler to operate, but lost, misplaced, and stolen assets become costly to replace
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring where RFID readers detect asset locations and feed this information back to the database. The system provides real-time feedback on asset status and location, enabling immediate detection of lost, misplaced, or stolen assets without requiring complex manual inspection procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tags on welding assets automatically transmit their identification information to readers when in range. This self-service capability allows assets to be automatically tracked and monitored without requiring active participation from operators or complex monitoring infrastructure
3Productivity
If welding assets are not tracked across multiple environments, then the system is easier to manage, but reallocating assets becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal RFID tags that can be read by readers across multiple welding environments and job sites. This universal communication protocol allows assets to be tracked and reallocated across different locations without requiring location-specific tracking systems, improving asset utilization efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent consolidates multiple tracking functions into a single integrated database system that stores and manages information about welding assets across all environments. This merged database enables centralized asset management and efficient reallocation decisions without requiring separate tracking systems for each location
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for welding asset movement tracking are disclosed. In some examples, a welding asset tracking system may comprise an asset tracking network of tags, hubs, and/or gateways retained by welding assets within a welding area. Directions of travel of monitored assets may be determined by comparing the order in which assets are identified by the asset tracking network. The travel directions, travel paths, and/or ingress and egress of tracked assets from welding areas are stored for subsequent analysis and/or retrieval. Additionally or alternatively, functionality of tracked assets may be disabled and/or enabled based on whether the assets are authorized to be removed from a designated area.