Group Device Location Tracking for Low-Connectivity Regrouping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electronic communication methods for coordinating group locations, such as text messaging, are prone to inaccuracies, miscommunications, and connectivity issues, leading to user frustration and potential separation within groups, especially in environments with poor network connectivity.
Innovation Solution
A group manager on a mobile device tracks the location of group members and provides a regroup indicator to guide devices back to a designated meeting location, even in low connectivity conditions, allowing for automated coordination and management of subgroups with separate meeting points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If text messaging is used for location coordination, then users can communicate location information remotely, but miscommunications and inaccuracies occur leading to user frustration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual text messaging (mechanical human communication) with automated electronic location tracking and notification systems. The group manager application automatically monitors device locations via GPS and sends electronic notifications when regrouping is needed, eliminating human error in location description and communication timing.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables devices to automatically track and report their own locations without requiring user intervention. The group manager application self-monitors location data, automatically compares it with the meeting location, and initiates regrouping notifications without needing manual user input or attention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual text messaging is used for coordination, then users can make tentative plans, but users may forget to communicate resulting in confusion and uncertainties
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous location monitoring and automatic notification capabilities throughout the group's activity period. Unlike intermittent text messaging that relies on user recall, the group manager application continuously tracks locations and automatically initiates regrouping notifications, ensuring no coordination gaps occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes meeting locations and regrouping criteria before the group disperses. The group manager application has the meeting location stored and configured in advance, enabling it to automatically determine when regrouping is needed without requiring real-time manual coordination or decision-making.
3Ease of operation
If text messaging relies on network connectivity, then remote communication is enabled, but loss of connectivity results in users becoming lost or separated
Solution Approach 1:
Each device independently monitors its own location and the locations of other group members using local GPS and processing capabilities. This distributed self-monitoring approach allows the system to function without continuous network connectivity, as each device can determine regrouping needs locally and notify others when connectivity is restored.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where devices automatically report location status to the group manager, which then determines and communicates regrouping requirements. This automated feedback mechanism ensures coordination continues even during connectivity interruptions, as the system state is continuously monitored and updated.
Data Source
AI summary
In aspects of group device location coordination, a mobile device implements a group manager that establishes the mobile device as an organizer of a group of one or more additional devices. The group manager receives input to designate a geographical meeting location and an associated designated meeting time for the one or more additional devices. The group manager communicates a regroup indicator to the one or more additional devices that includes a displayable indication for the one or more additional devices to return to the geographical meeting location at the designated meeting time.