Device Association-Based Locating System for Mobile Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing device tracking methods, such as GPS and cell tower triangulation, are resource-intensive in terms of bandwidth and energy consumption, particularly for mobile devices, which can quickly drain their batteries.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a first mobile device broadcasting a signal with an identifier, which is received and measured by second mobile devices, and then transmitted to a computing system for location estimation, allowing for less resource-intensive tracking while maintaining accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS or cell tower triangulation is used for accurate device location tracking, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy by moving object deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate devices (second mobile devices) that act as mediators between the target device (first mobile device) and the computing system. These intermediary devices receive and measure signals from the target device, then transmit measurements to the computing system for location estimation, thereby eliminating the need for the target device to perform resource-intensive GPS or triangulation calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the active mechanical/computational system (GPS receiver and triangulation algorithms running on the mobile device) with a passive signal broadcasting system. Instead of the mobile device actively determining its location through complex calculations, it simply broadcasts signals and relies on external devices to perform measurements and computations.
2Measurement precision
If frequent device locating by GPS or cell tower triangulation is performed, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy by moving object deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediate devices (second mobile devices) that act as mediators between the target device (first mobile device) and the computing system. These intermediary devices receive and measure signals from the target device, then transmit measurements to the computing system for location estimation, thereby eliminating the need for the target device to perform resource-intensive GPS or triangulation calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements periodic signal broadcasting at controlled intervals rather than continuous transmission. The first mobile device broadcasts signals periodically, and the computing system processes measurements at discrete time points, reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate location tracking accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If device tracking is performed using traditional methods, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of substance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive signal processing and location calculation functions from the mobile device and relocates them to the computing system. The mobile device only performs simple signal broadcasting, while the computing system handles complex measurements, triangulation calculations, and location determination, thereby reducing bandwidth requirements on mobile networks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses signal copies transmitted by the first mobile device that are captured by multiple second mobile devices. These signal copies contain identifier information that allows the computing system to process multiple measurements without requiring the original device to repeatedly transmit location requests or maintain continuous high-bandwidth communication channels.
Data Source
AI summary
A device locating method includes broadcasting by a first mobile device a signal comprising an identifier associated with the first mobile device. A second mobile device receives and measures the signal broadcast by the first mobile device to produce one or more signal measurements. The second mobile device transmits the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements to a computing system. The computing system receives the identifier associated with the first mobile device and the one or more signal measurements from the second mobile device. The computing system estimates a location of the first mobile device based on the one or more signal measurements, and the location is transmitted to a user associated with the first mobile device. A traffic flow determination method, product ordering method and associated systems are also provided.