Directional Messaging Platform for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging systems for mobile devices do not allow users to send messages to groups of contacts based on their current location or geographical direction relative to the sender.
Innovation Solution
A directional messaging platform that enables users to send messages to mobile devices within a specified directional range by utilizing a Positioning Determining Entity (PDE) to determine the location of potential receivers and display them on the sender's device, allowing selection and messaging of devices within that range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users select contacts from a contact list or Mobile Directory Numbers (MDN) to send messages, then messages can be sent to selected devices, but users cannot select groups of contacts based on current location or geographical direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the selection parameter from static contact list entries to dynamic location-based criteria. Users can define geographical boundaries (circles, rectangles, polygons) and directional ranges, transforming the messaging selection process from manual contact picking to automated location-based group selection. This resolves the contradiction by enhancing versatility through multiple selection modes while maintaining ease of operation via intuitive map interfaces and automatic contact filtering.
2Productivity
If a user wants to contact technicians in the vicinity of job location or technician's location, then time-sensitive tasks can be addressed, but existing messaging systems lack location-based group messaging capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining geographical areas of interest (job locations, technician locations, service areas) and pre-identifying contacts within those areas. When a time-sensitive task arises, the system automatically retrieves the pre-defined location-based contact groups, eliminating the need to manually search for nearby technicians. This enhances productivity by providing immediate access to relevant contacts while the versatility is maintained through customizable area definitions and multiple contact selection criteria.
3Ease of operation
If messaging systems support sending messages to selected contacts or groups, then communication can be established, but the system cannot filter contacts based on their current location relative to the sender
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location information and geographical boundary definitions as intermediary elements between the sender and the contact selection process. The system acts as a mediator that automatically filters contacts based on their current location relative to the sender's defined area of interest. This maintains ease of operation by presenting pre-filtered contact groups to the user, while preventing loss of location-based information through automated retrieval and comparison of contact locations with the defined geographical boundaries.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for directional messaging among mobile devices. An input is received from a first mobile device, identifying a directional range for sending a message to a second mobile device within the directional range. The second mobile device located in the directional range identified in the input is identified. A location indicator showing the location of the second mobile device within the identified directional range is sent to the first mobile device. A message to be sent to the second mobile device is received from the first mobile device. In response to receiving the message, the message is sent to the second mobile device.