Dynamic Beacon Rate for Misplaced Device Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for locating misplaced electronic devices often consume excessive battery power, leading to reduced device lifespan and an inferior user experience, especially when devices are separated or inactive.
Innovation Solution
Implementing hybrid beaconing, where devices transmit beacons at a slower rate when inactive and switch to a faster rate when being rediscovered, optimizing power usage and improving user experience without significant battery impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If devices transmit beacons at a fixed fast rate to improve device discovery speed, then the device can be located more quickly, but battery power is consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon transmission rate is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system adjusts the beacon transmission interval based on connection status: transmitting at a first (slower) rate when disconnected and at a second (faster) rate when connected, thereby optimizing both power consumption and discovery speed according to actual operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission parameter (beacon interval) is changed based on system state. When the device is disconnected, beacons are transmitted at a longer interval to conserve battery; when connected, the interval is reduced to enable faster discovery and communication, thus adapting the parameter to operational needs
2Use of energy by moving object
If devices transmit beacons at a slower rate to conserve battery power, then battery life is extended, but device discovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts beacon transmission based on connection state. When connected, it transmits at a faster rate for quick discovery; when disconnected, it slows down transmission to conserve battery, making the discovery process efficient only when actually needed
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon transmission uses periodic intervals that are adjusted based on connection status. The system employs different periodic rates: a longer period when disconnected to save energy, and a shorter period when connected to enable rapid discovery and response
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods of locating a misplaced electronic device using a mobile computer are disclosed herein. In certain examples, the misplaced device is configured to transmit a first plurality of beacons at a first rate, operate in a receive mode between at least one pair of adjacent beacons, receive a wake-up message from the mobile computer over a wireless communication network during the operation in the receive mode, and transmit a second plurality of beacons following receipt of the wake-up message, wherein each beacon in the second plurality of beacons is transmitted at a second rate, the second rate being faster than the first rate. The mobile computing device is configured to receive the first plurality of beacons from the misplaced electronic device, transmit the wake-up message, and receive the second plurality of beacon signals in order to assist in locating the misplaced device.