Location-Based Attractor Signals for Group Coordination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In large gatherings, individuals often struggle to find and connect with friends or acquaintances due to the inefficiency of traditional methods, such as manually calling or messaging, which can be time-consuming and burdensome, and may inadvertently bother those not present.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of 'attractors' – location-specific invitations or messages that can be sent from one mobile communications device to others in the vicinity, allowing users to discover and join groups at events, using a mobile communications device with a transceiver, location device, and processor to send and receive signals, including location-based information and instructions for meeting points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual calling or messaging is used to find acquaintances at large gatherings, then individuals can contact others, but the process becomes time-consuming and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting which acquaintances are already at the gathering location through location tracking, and pre-preparing contact information before the user initiates contact. This eliminates the need for users to manually search through contact lists or guess who might be present.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the mobile communication device with location services) that mediates between users and their acquaintances by automatically matching locations and facilitating connections. This intermediary handles the complex task of identifying who is present, allowing users to simply respond to prompts rather than actively searching.
2Productivity
If users send calls or messages to all potential acquaintances, then more people can be reached, but those not present are bothered unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by making contact attempts location-specific rather than universal. It determines exactly which acquaintances are physically present at the gathering location and limits contact attempts only to those individuals, ensuring that no absent persons are disturbed while maximizing connections among those actually present.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from location services to continuously monitor which acquaintances are at the gathering, and only initiates contact when location data confirms presence. This feedback mechanism ensures that contact attempts are always targeted at the right people without bothering those who are absent.
3Ease of operation
If traditional contact methods are used at large gatherings, then individuals can attempt to find others, but the process interferes with enjoyment of the event
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically handling the complex tasks of location detection, acquaintance matching, and contact initiation without requiring active user intervention. The mobile device autonomously monitors locations, identifies potential connections, and presents contact options, allowing users to passively benefit from the system rather than actively managing the search process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying which acquaintances are at the gathering and preparing contact information before the user needs it. This advance preparation eliminates the need for users to spend time searching or deciding who to contact, allowing them to immediately engage with pre-identified connections.
Data Source
AI summary
Individuals carrying a mobile communications device may send and/or receive attractor signals that specify where pre-defined groups are meeting at large gathering such as sporting events or concerts. The groups may be open to the public or may be private. The attractor signals are sent to those mobile communications devices of the group that are currently present at the event location rather than to all potential members of the group. The attractors may present information regarding where the meeting point is, who initiated the attractor signal, which individuals have responded to the attractor or are already at the meeting point, and so forth. The attractors maybe updated to with more current information including new guidance data as the user receiving the attractor changes location in an attempt to find the meeting point.