Live Location Sharing Through IM Servers With Configurable Duration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instant messaging (IM) programs lack the ability to facilitate real-time location sharing between users, limiting the information exchange and collaboration capabilities, especially in scheduling and coordinating activities.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a feature in IM programs that allows users to share their real-time location with each other, with customizable duration options and privacy controls, using a server-based architecture for location data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If real-time location sharing is added to IM programs, then information exchange and collaboration capabilities are improved, but device complexity and security concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates location sharing functionality into the existing IM program architecture, allowing the same platform to serve both traditional messaging and location-based collaboration functions. The server acts as a universal mediator that handles both text communication and location data transmission, eliminating the need for separate dedicated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
A server-based intermediary architecture is introduced to facilitate location sharing between mobile devices. The server receives location data from one device, validates it through security protocols, and transmits it to the intended recipient. This intermediary layer simplifies the peer-to-peer complexity by centralizing data handling and security management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If location sharing duration is made user-configurable, then user privacy control is improved, but system configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location sharing duration is made dynamic and configurable by the user rather than fixed. The system allows users to select from predefined duration options (e.g., temporary, until manually stopped, permanent) that automatically adjust the sharing behavior. This dynamic configuration simplifies user interaction while providing flexible privacy control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of sharing duration from a static system default to a user-configurable variable. By allowing users to modify this parameter through simple interface options, the system achieves flexible privacy control without requiring complex configuration procedures. The server respects these parameter changes by adjusting data transmission duration accordingly.
3Productivity
If real-time location data transmission is implemented, then collaboration effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous location transmission, the system implements periodic location updates based on user configuration and movement detection. The server can request location data at intervals rather than maintaining constant connection, reducing energy consumption while still providing real-time collaboration capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to control their own location sharing preferences and duration settings, enabling them to activate or deactivate sharing based on collaboration needs. This self-service approach allows users to balance collaboration effectiveness with energy conservation by only sharing location data when necessary for specific collaborative tasks.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for live location sharing are described. A first mobile device and a second mobile device can communicate with one another using an IM program. The first mobile device can receive a user input to share a location of the first mobile device in the IM program. Sharing the location can include causing the second mobile device to display a location of the first mobile device in an IM program user interface on the second mobile device. Duration of sharing the location can be user-configurable. The second mobile device may or may not share a location of the second device for display in the IM program executing on the first mobile device.