Lost Device Beacon With Reception Window Indicator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Searching for lost mobile computing devices is a time-consuming, manual process, and existing methods that use audio signals to aid in location can drain the device's battery and limit the duration of the signal, as they require active receiver capabilities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where a lost device broadcasts a signal with an indicator of a designated reception window, enabling the receiver only during this window to conserve battery life, and allowing a searching device to issue commands to generate an audio signal or modify the broadcast signal when nearby, thereby reducing power consumption and signal traffic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the receiver is kept active to receive discovery commands from searching devices, then the device can be located more reliably, but the battery drains faster and the signal duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The receiver is enabled periodically during designated reception windows rather than continuously. The lost device broadcasts signals containing indicators of when the receiver will be active, allowing searching devices to send commands only during these windows. This periodic activation maintains location reliability while dramatically reducing battery consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the receiver state between active and inactive modes based on whether a discovery command is received during a reception window. The receiver transitions from inactive to active state temporarily when needed, then returns to inactive state, optimizing energy usage while maintaining functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the lost device continuously broadcasts signals to advertise presence, then the device can be found more easily, but the battery drains faster and signal traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lost device broadcasts presence signals periodically rather than continuously. Each broadcast includes an indicator of the next reception window timing. This periodic broadcasting maintains discoverability while reducing energy consumption and signal traffic compared to continuous broadcasting.
Solution Approach 2:
The lost device pre-broadcasts information about upcoming reception windows before they occur. This allows searching devices to prepare and send commands at the appropriate time, eliminating the need for continuous signal monitoring and reducing overall signal traffic.
3Ease of operation
If audio signals are generated to aid in locating the lost device, then the location process becomes more intuitive, but the battery drains faster and the signal duration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Audio signals are generated periodically during designated reception windows rather than continuously. The lost device responds to discovery commands with audio signals or modified broadcast signals during these windows, providing intuitive location feedback while extending overall signal duration through efficient periodic operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile computing device includes: a beacon transmitter; a receiver; a controller connected with the beacon transmitter and the receiver, the controller configured to: control the beacon transmitter to broadcast a lost device signal, the lost device signal configured for locating the mobile computing device and including an indicator of a designated reception window; during the designated reception window, enable the receiver; and in response to receiving a discovery command from a searching device, control the beacon transmitter to transmit a response signal for locating the mobile computing device.