Location-Based Interaction System Using External Alert Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of systems that enable users to communicate and interact with others who share common ties or similarities, particularly in proximity-based situations such as transit, lines, or other circumstances where face-to-face interaction is challenging due to lack of confidence or unknown commonalities.
Innovation Solution
A location-based interaction system that includes a server storing user data and preferences, coupled with user computing devices and external devices, which processes location information to identify and alert users within proximity who match specified preferences, allowing for automatic communication initiation through visual, audio, or haptic alerts, and provides a user interface for selecting and communicating with compatible users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a location-based interaction system is implemented to enable users to communicate with others in proximity, then social interaction capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external device as an intermediary component that bridges the user computing device and the server. This external device receives alert signals from the server and presents them to users through simplified interfaces (visual, audio, or haptic alerts), thereby enabling complex location-based social interactions without requiring the user's computing device to handle all system complexity directly.
2Loss of information
If the system processes location information to identify matching users, then interaction relevance is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring and processing location information in the background before users actively seek interactions. The server proactively identifies matching users based on proximity and user preferences, and prepares alert signals in advance, so that when a user opens the application, relevant interactions are already identified and ready for immediate presentation.
3Ease of operation
If automatic alert signals are sent to external devices, then user engagement is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic action by sending alert signals only at specific intervals or trigger events rather than continuously. The external device receives and processes alert signals periodically when matching users are identified, and the system allows users to control alert preferences and timing, thereby reducing unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining effective user engagement through timely notifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Described is a location-based interaction system. The system includes a server having a memory storing user data and a user computing device coupled to the server. The server may be programmed to receive and process a signal that user computing devices coupled to external devices have accessed the system and are within a predetermined proximity of each other. The system operates to send alert signals to the external devices, wherein the alert signals may be visual, audio or haptic. The system allows users to communicate through the use of external devices and/or through a communication interface.