Location-Based Wireless Tracking via Collaborative Search Party
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems are limited by the need for paired user equipment to be within communication range to locate tracking devices, and they often have restricted compatibility, allowing only specific client applications to receive location information, which restricts the ability to locate items or individuals outside of this range.
Innovation Solution
A tracking service framework that assembles a search party of user equipment based on real-time location and privilege levels, enabling tracking devices to automatically enter a lost mode and transmit signals to nearby devices, allowing a network of user equipment to collaborate in locating the item or individual, even when outside the initial communication range, and providing alerts and notifications to assist in recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tracking device uses paired user equipment within communication range to transmit location information, then location accuracy is improved, but device compatibility and locating capability outside communication range deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that receives location information from tracking devices and distributes it to multiple user equipment. This mediator enables users to access tracking device locations even when outside direct communication range, resolving the contradiction between maintaining location accuracy and expanding device compatibility beyond paired devices only.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed to work with multiple types of user equipment (smartphones, tablets, computers) through a universal server interface, not just paired devices. The server acts as a universal platform that handles location data from any tracking device and makes it accessible to any authorized user equipment, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining accurate location tracking.
2Reliability
If tracking device relies on paired user equipment for location transmission, then communication reliability is improved, but locating capability outside communication range deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from direct peer-to-peer communication (single dimension) to a networked communication model involving a server (multiple dimensions). Tracking devices communicate with the server, which then distributes location information to multiple user equipment across different locations and devices, enabling locating capability beyond the original communication range while maintaining reliability through established server communication protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The server serves as a mediator that receives reliable communication from tracking devices and redistributes location information to multiple user equipment. This intermediary ensures communication reliability is maintained through standardized protocols while dramatically expanding locating capability to anyone with server access, not just paired devices within range.
3Reliability
If tracking system uses specific client application on paired user equipment, then data security is improved, but system accessibility and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the system into distinct functional components: tracking devices that collect location data, a server that secures and manages the data, and user equipment that accesses the data. This segmentation allows the server to implement centralized security measures while enabling multiple types of user equipment to access the system through standardized interfaces, thereby maintaining data security while improving system accessibility and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described herein for tracking an item of interest by implementing a search party that includes a plurality of user equipment. The technique includes receiving, from a first user equipment, a lost notification indicating that a tracking device associated with a target item is lost, the first user equipment paired with the tracking device and the tracking device having a unique tracking device identifier; obtaining a location information corresponding to a second user equipment in response to receiving the lost notification; determining based at least partially on the location information of the second user equipment whether the second user equipment is available to participate in a search party; and if the second user equipment is available to participating in the search party, transmitting a search request to the second user equipment to locate the target item, the search request comprising the unique tracking device identifier.