Proximity-Based Message Exchange Using Access Point Address Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing message exchange systems, like Twitter, face high loads when users need to transmit and browse messages based on geographical proximity, as they require the message server to recognize and group users by location, which is inefficient and difficult to implement with simple structures.

Innovation Solution

A system where access points transmit annunciation signals with their addresses, allowing portable terminals to search for nearby access points, send message acquisition requests to a message server, and receive messages sorted by similarity based on address proximity, enabling users to exchange messages only with others within a specific range without forming intentional groups.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the message server recognizes and groups users by location to enable geographical message exchange, then message exchange based on proximity is achieved, but server load increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage exchange based on geographical proximityVSAvoidserver load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the message exchange function into two parts: the message server handles only message storage and retrieval, while the terminal devices perform location-based filtering and message selection. This segmentation reduces the server load by eliminating the need for it to recognize and group users by location.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Terminal devices autonomously acquire their own location information, compare it with stored location data, and select appropriate messages without server intervention. The terminals serve themselves by performing the location-based filtering function that would otherwise require server processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the message server groups users by location, then localized message exchange is enabled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocalized message exchangeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex location recognition and user grouping function is extracted from the message server system and relocated to terminal devices. The server retains only simple message storage and retrieval functions, while terminals handle the complex tasks of location acquisition, comparison, and message selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If intentional group relationships are formed for message exchange, then message targeting is precise, but user interaction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage targeting precisionVSAvoiduser interaction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines message recipients based on location proximity without requiring users to manually form groups or establish relationships. Terminals autonomously compare location information and select messages from nearby devices, eliminating the need for intentional group formation while maintaining precise local targeting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3026567B1Method and system for exchanging messages on the basis of current position
Publication Date: 2018.06.20 TAP AROUND
  • EP3026567B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3026567B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3026567B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a method for exchanging messages only between the users in a predetermined range around the current position, without intentionally grouping the users. A message server stores a message table where a message is associated with each set of addresses of a plurality of access points. A portable terminal searches for access points near the portable terminal and receives annunciation signal including the address of the access point from each access point. The portable terminal transmits, to a message server, a message acquisition request including, as a query, the set of the addresses included in the annunciation signals. The message server compares the set of the addresses as the query with a plurality of sets of addresses recorded in the message table, extracts messages corresponding to the sets of the addresses ranking high arranged in descending order of similarity, and transmits the messages to the portable terminal.