EPO published Caterpillar Inc.'s patent application EP4423687A1, titled "Detecting a Missing Asset Based on Amount of Work Cycles." The patent covers asset tracking technology using work cycle data to identify when equipment or assets are missing. Four inventors are named: Nicholas Adam Hanauer, Chad Timothy Brickner, Manaswini Nama, and Bradley K. Bomer. The technology is classified under IPC classifications G06Q 10/06, G06Q 10/04, and G06Q 10/08.

Patent publications are informational notices with no compliance requirements. Companies in asset-heavy industries such as construction, mining, and logistics should review this patent to understand Caterpillar's intellectual property claims in asset detection technology. Legal teams assessing freedom-to-operate or developing similar solutions should evaluate licensing needs. The designated states cover all EU member states plus numerous other European jurisdictions.