Location-Based Reminder Triggered by Target Mobile Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users of mobile devices face the inconvenience of repeatedly checking the location status of family and friends to know their whereabouts or when they arrive or leave specific locations, such as schools or home.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for setting a reminder on a target mobile device that is triggered by specific location-based conditions, allowing a requesting device to receive notifications when the condition is met, such as arrival or departure from a designated location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If users repeatedly check location status to know when family or friends arrive or leave, then they can obtain timely location information, but they waste time and effort on constant manual checking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation status informationVSAvoidtime spent on constant checking

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The target mobile device automatically monitors its own location status and triggers reminders based on predefined conditions (arrival at or departure from specified locations). This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for other users to manually check location status, as the system autonomously detects location changes and sends notifications to relevant parties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the target device continuously reports its location status to the server, which then compares current location against predefined conditions and sends notifications back to requesting devices when conditions are met (arrival or departure). This automated feedback mechanism ensures timely information delivery without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If users manually check location status frequently, then they can detect location changes, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of location changesVSAvoidmanual checking process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The target mobile device autonomously performs location monitoring and condition evaluation, eliminating the need for users to manually check location status. The device automatically determines whether it has arrived at or departed from specified locations and triggers appropriate reminders, making the process effortless for all users involved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Users pre-configure reminder conditions (specified locations and conditions for arrival or departure) in advance. The system then automatically executes the monitoring and notification process based on these pre-set parameters, eliminating the need for ongoing manual checks while ensuring reliable detection of location changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Extent of automation

If the system automatically triggers reminders based on location conditions, then users receive timely notifications without manual intervention, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic reminder triggeringVSAvoidreminder system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as an intermediary between the target mobile device and requesting devices. The target device sends location status and condition information to the server, which then evaluates whether predefined conditions are met and sends notifications to appropriate requesting devices. This intermediary approach distributes system complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in a single device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The server performs multiple functions including receiving location status, evaluating conditions, determining which users should be notified, and sending notifications to appropriate devices. This multi-functional approach consolidates complex logic in a centralized system that can serve multiple users and devices simultaneously, reducing the complexity burden on individual mobile devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250080406A1Setting a Reminder that is Triggered by a Target User Device

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 APPLE INC

AI summary

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for setting a reminder triggered by a target device. A requesting device sends a request to a server to set a notification triggered by a target device. The request includes parameters, such as a location and a condition that define when the notification is triggered. The server sends instruction to the target device to set the notification based on the parameters. When the condition such as arrival is met by the target device in relation to the location the target device sends a message to the server that the notification has been triggered. The target device can set a geo-fence to determine the position of the target device in relation to the location, and the requesting user can dictate the size of the geo-fence. The server sends a message to the requesting device that the notification has been triggered.