Bluetooth Locating System Using Multi-Device Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for locating lost electronic devices, such as those with Bluetooth functionality, face limitations, including reliance on call functions, poor GPS precision in small areas, and inability to establish connections over long distances, making them inefficient for quickly finding devices in home environments.
Innovation Solution
A locating system that involves a control center and multiple electronic devices communicating to assist in searching, where one device generates an instruction for searching, and another performs a Bluetooth scan to determine the location of the lost device, enhancing the search range and efficiency by utilizing multiple devices within the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If Bluetooth scanning is performed by a single electronic device, then the locating method is simple, but the search range is limited and locating efficiency is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the search task into multiple segments by assigning different electronic devices to scan in different locations or time periods. Each device performs partial scanning, and results are aggregated to achieve comprehensive coverage of the entire search area, thus expanding the effective search range without requiring a single device to cover everything alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the scanning capabilities of multiple electronic devices into a unified search system. By merging the search efforts, coverage areas, and detection results of multiple devices, the system achieves an expanded effective search range and improved locating efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through centralized coordination.
2Productivity
If multiple electronic devices are used to assist in searching, then locating efficiency is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control center as an intermediary that coordinates the locating system. The control center receives instructions from the user's electronic device, distributes scanning tasks to other available devices, collects scanning results, and returns the final location information. This intermediary structure enables efficient multi-device coordination while abstracting the complexity from the user side.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the control center pre-coordinate and distribute scanning tasks before the actual search begins. Electronic devices are prepared and positioned in advance, and scanning operations are scheduled optimally, which improves locating efficiency while keeping the system organized and manageable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If GPS module is used for locating, then the solution works for any electronic device with GPS, but the positioning precision is poor in small areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based positioning system with a local Bluetooth scanning system. Instead of relying on satellite signals that have limited precision in small areas, the system uses Bluetooth technology to scan for and identify electronic devices in the immediate vicinity, achieving much higher positioning precision for indoor and small-area locations while maintaining broad device compatibility.
4Ease of operation
If call function is used to locate electronic device, then the method is simple to implement, but it is not applicable when device is muted or in do-not-disturb state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the audio-based call function with a radio-frequency-based Bluetooth scanning system. The Bluetooth scanning method detects devices through wireless signal exchange rather than audio output, so it remains effective even when the target device is muted or in do-not-disturb mode. This substitution maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to various device states.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a locating system. The locating system includes a control center and a plurality of electronic devices. A first electronic device in the plurality of electronic devices is configured to: generate an instruction for assisting in searching and send the instruction for assisting in searching to the control center; the control center is configured to: receive the instruction for assisting in searching, generate a first instruction for searching based on the instruction for assisting in searching, and send the first instruction for searching to at least one second electronic device in the plurality of electronic devices; the second electronic device is configured to: receive the first instruction for searching and scan for a to-be-searched-for electronic device based on the first instruction for searching; the control center is further configured to receive a scanning result, and the control center is further configured to send a searching response to the first electronic device, where the searching response is obtained based on a Bluetooth scanning operation of the second electronic device; and the first electronic device is further configured to: receive the searching response, and obtain location information of the to-be-searched-for electronic device based on the searching response. This application further provides a locating method, a computer-readable storage medium, and a related device, to improve locating efficiency.