Locator Tag Tracking System for Mobile Device Loss Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of misplaced or stolen portable devices due to the difficulty in tracking multiple items owned by individuals, which can result in inconvenience or security risks, especially when sensitive information is involved.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system that uses locator tags to monitor the presence of items within specific ranges and transfers ownership to trusted containers, alerting the owner when an item moves out of range, allowing for timely recovery or reassignment of responsibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple portable devices are carried and tracked manually, then device portability and functionality are maintained, but the risk of misplacement and loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a container management system as an intermediary between the owner and multiple portable devices. The system uses locator tags on containers and devices to automatically track and manage device locations, transferring responsibility for tracking from manual human monitoring to an automated intermediary system that coordinates location data and provides notifications.
2Device complexity
If manual tracking of items is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but the likelihood of misplacement and loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service tracking where containers and devices automatically monitor their own locations through integrated locator tags. The containers perform self-tracking and automatically transfer responsibility to other containers when devices move between them, eliminating the need for manual tracking while maintaining system simplicity for the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where locator tags continuously provide location information to the container management system. When a device moves out of a container's range or enters a new container's range, the system receives feedback and automatically notifies the owner or transfers tracking responsibility, ensuring accurate location awareness without complex manual intervention.
3Reliability
If continuous monitoring of all items is implemented, then loss prevention is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic monitoring through range-based detection rather than continuous tracking. Locator tags transmit location information periodically or when entering/exiting container ranges, and the container management system checks device locations at intervals. This periodic action maintains effective loss prevention while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for providing security for mobile devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes maintaining responsibility for a first item when the first item is in a first range of a first container. Maintaining responsibility for the first item includes monitoring a locator tag associated with the first item when the locator tag is within the first range. The method also includes determining when the first item is in the first range, determining if the first item is in a second range associated with a second container when the first item is not in the first range, and determining if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container if the first item is in the second range. Additionally, the method includes transferring responsibility for the first item to the second container if the second container is trusted with respect to the first container.