GPS Cell Phone Tracking via Slave Master Agents
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location and movement tracking systems for fleets and entities are costly and require specialized hardware, limiting their widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing GPS-enabled cell phones with a slave agent that collects location data and sends it to a master cell phone via wireless networks, allowing for tracking and display of geographically dispersed entities, with features like periodic data transmission, boundary alerts, and secure communication, all implemented through software agents without the need for additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If specialized hardware and software are used for location and movement tracking, then tracking reliability and precision are improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using general-purpose cell phones with integrated GPS receivers instead of specialized tracking hardware. The cell phone serves multiple functions: GPS location tracking, wireless communication via existing networks, and user interface for monitoring. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated tracking devices while maintaining reliable location data collection and transmission capabilities.
2Measurement precision
If specialized tracking hardware is deployed, then measurement precision of location data is improved, but ease of manufacture and deployment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by utilizing the cell phone's existing GPS receiver and wireless communication capabilities that are already integrated into the device. The GPS function autonomously collects location data, and the cell phone's built-in wireless network interface automatically transmits this data without requiring external tracking hardware or complex deployment infrastructure. This self-sufficient approach maintains precise location measurement while dramatically simplifying deployment.
3Ease of operation
If existing cell phones with GPS are used, then system cost and ease of operation are improved, but measurement precision and reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by leveraging widely available, inexpensive cell phones that consumers already own. Rather than requiring expensive specialized equipment, the system uses mass-market devices with integrated GPS that can be readily obtained and deployed. The ubiquity of these devices ensures easy operation and access while the GPS functionality provides sufficient precision for tracking applications.
Data Source
AI summary
A system of tracking location and movement of geographically dispersed entities with a cell phone with a GPS function, has a slave agent operable in the phone that collects location data from the GPS function and periodically sends a time and location data record to a master cell phone using prior art wireless network. The master cell phone has a master agent operable in the master cell phone that receives and saves the location data record, and plots and displays a location plot of each of the entity, enabling the master cell phone to track and display location and movement data of a plurality of entity cell phones that are geographically dispersed. The system requires the entity phone to be attached to or in possession of each of the entities.