Lost Device Notification System Using Nearby Device Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Millions of mobile devices are lost annually, resulting in significant costs for consumers and insurance companies, as existing tracking methods are not effective in recovering all lost devices.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a processor to determine when a device has been separated from its user and sends notifications to nearby devices, utilizing GPS, wireless connections, and predictive analytics to locate the device and alert the owner, with notifications displayed on nearby devices such as airport screens or wearable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If device tracking methods are used to locate lost devices, then the ability to find lost devices is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a notification system that acts as an intermediary between the lost device and potential finders. Instead of complex tracking, the system places the lost device's location information on nearby devices' screens, allowing anyone to report the device without requiring sophisticated tracking infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the lost device's location and identification information that can be displayed on multiple nearby devices. This copying approach eliminates the need for continuous active tracking while preserving the essential information needed for device recovery.
2Reliability
If comprehensive device tracking is implemented, then device recovery capability is improved, but the time and resources required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares notification information in advance that can be immediately displayed on nearby devices when a device is reported lost. This preliminary preparation of notification data enables instant alerts without requiring time-consuming tracking analysis when the device is actually lost.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows any device in proximity to automatically display notification information about lost devices. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized tracking processing, enabling immediate local notifications without time delays associated with comprehensive tracking systems.
3Reliability
If notification systems are deployed to alert owners of lost devices, then device recovery is improved, but energy consumption and system resource usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The notification system operates periodically by checking for lost device reports and updating nearby devices only when necessary. This periodic operation rather than continuous monitoring reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective notification delivery to device owners.
Data Source
AI summary
In an approach for notifying a user of a location of a device, a processor receives a first location of a first device. A processor determines that the first device has been separated from a user of the first device. A processor determines a second device located at, within a first predetermined threshold, the first location. A processor sends a first notification to the second device, wherein the notification includes, at least, that the first device is located nearby.