Extended Status Indicators Using Beacon Proximity Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current online status indicators fail to effectively convey a user's availability for both online and offline interactions, particularly in collaboration and social media platforms, as they do not account for in-person interactions or provide sufficient information about a user's physical location and availability for in-person engagement.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method for extended status indicators that uses beacons to detect a user's proximity to specific locations and updates their status based on their current activity, allowing for the display of extended status indicators that reflect both online and offline availability, incorporating machine learning to determine appropriate status updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional online status indicators are used, then the system is simple to implement, but the information provided about user availability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple data sources including beacon location data, application state information, and device activity data into a unified status indicator system. This merging of information sources provides comprehensive user availability information while managing complexity through integrated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The status indicator system is designed to serve multiple functions: indicating online presence, physical location, application usage state, and overall availability for interaction. This multi-functionality addresses information loss by providing a comprehensive status picture while the system manages complexity through a unified approach.
2Loss of information
If extended status indicators with beacon integration are implemented, then user availability information is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacon technology as an intermediary component that provides location information without requiring complex tracking infrastructure. The beacons act as simple transmitters that enable the system to determine user physical location and infer availability without adding significant complexity to the core status indicator system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing device capabilities and data sources (application states, device activity, location services) to generate status information without requiring additional dedicated hardware or complex external systems. Each component contributes data that the system processes autonomously to determine user status.
3Ease of operation
If manual status selection options are provided, then user control is improved, but the accuracy of availability indication deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors multiple data sources including application states, device activity, and location information to automatically determine and update user status. This feedback mechanism provides accurate real-time availability indication while still allowing users to override the automatic status when needed, combining accuracy with user control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system proactively determines user status by monitoring application states and device activity before users need to manually update their status. This preliminary action provides accurate availability information automatically, reducing the need for manual status selection while still allowing user override when the automatic determination is incorrect.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for extended status indicators can include receiving a signal indicating a first computing device associated with a first user is proximate to a beacon at a particular location; determining a current status of the first user associated with the first computing device; generating an updated status of the first user based on the signal indicating the first computing device is proximate the beacon and the current status of the first user; and directing the updated status to requesting client devices for display as a status indicator of the first user.