Device Location Tracking via MAC Address Change Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current device tracking systems fail to accurately pinpoint the physical location of networked electronic devices, as they often rely on subnet address changes which are not reliable and do not account for physical movements within large areas.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that detect changes in unique identifiers, such as MAC addresses, to trigger notifications and queries upon boot-up, allowing users to input and update the physical location of devices, which are then transmitted to a centralized database, enabling precise location tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tracking is performed using subnet address changes, then device location tracking is implemented, but the precision of physical location pinpointing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location service server as an intermediary between the electronic device and the tracking system. This server receives location information from devices and provides location data to requesting systems, thereby enabling precise physical location tracking without requiring complex modifications to existing network infrastructure or devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where location information is continuously collected from electronic devices and updated in the location service server. This allows the tracking system to maintain current location data and respond to location queries with accurate, up-to-date information about device positions.
2Productivity
If manual tracking methods are used, then location information can be recorded, but the productivity of managing multiple devices deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Electronic devices automatically provide their own location information to the location service server without requiring manual intervention. The devices self-report their physical locations, which are then stored and made available for querying, eliminating the need for manual tracking of each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The location service server acts as a centralized intermediary that automatically collects, stores, and manages location data from multiple devices. This eliminates the need for manual tracking of each device individually, significantly improving productivity when managing large numbers of electronic devices.
3Reliability
If subnet-based tracking is implemented, then device movement detection is attempted, but the reliability of location detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a location service server as an intermediary that receives direct location information from electronic devices rather than inferring location from subnet changes. This intermediary approach enables reliable detection of actual physical locations independent of network addressing schemes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces the mechanical/network-based subnet tracking method with a direct information reporting mechanism. Instead of inferring location from network address changes, devices directly report their physical locations to the location service server, providing more reliable and accurate location detection.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for determining the location of an electronic device, can involve detecting a change in a unique identifier associated with an electronic device connected to a subnetwork, registering a notification on the electronic device, in response to detecting the change in the unique identifier, and receiving data regarding the electronic device including a physical location of the electronic device, after the notification has been registered on the electronic device and in response to a query generated after a subsequent boot up of the electronic device. The subnetwork can include a portion of a network that shares a common address component, and the unique identifier can include a MAC (Media Access Control) address that uniquely identifies the electronic device on the network.