Locating Lost Computing Devices via Trusted Server and Directional Antennas
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mechanisms for locating lost or stolen computing devices lack the necessary precision for effective recovery, as they often rely on coarse location determination methods that may not accurately pinpoint the device's location.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a combination of WWAN and WLAN communication protocols, involving a trusted server, WWAN provider, WLAN access points, and a WLAN monitoring device with directional antennas to provide precise location determination, allowing for the retrieval of the computing device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If coarse location determination methods are used, then the system complexity is reduced, but the location precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The location determination process is segmented into multiple stages: coarse location determination using WWAN and WLAN infrastructure, followed by fine location determination using directional antennas and signal strength measurements. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high precision without requiring all components to operate simultaneously, thus managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A trusted server acts as an intermediary that coordinates between the computing device, WWAN provider, WLAN access points, and monitoring device. The server manages the complex interaction between multiple location determination methods, processing coarse location data from infrastructure and refining it with directional antenna measurements to produce precise location information.
2Measurement precision
If multiple communication protocols (WWAN and WLAN) are integrated, then the location determination accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges WWAN and WLAN communication protocols into a unified location determination system. The trusted server integrates data from both WWAN providers and WLAN access points, combining their location information to achieve higher accuracy than either protocol could provide alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring device is designed with multi-functionality, capable of operating in both WWAN and WLAN modes depending on the environment. The directional antenna system can function with either protocol, making the device universally applicable across different network infrastructures while maintaining high location determination accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A lost or stolen computing device is recovered. A trusted server is requested to locate the computing device. The trusted server requests coarse location information from the computing device, and the computing device reports its coarse location. The trusted server then requests that the computing device transmit wireless local area networks signal so that it may be recovered.