Lost Tracking Device Feature Disable via Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking devices do not effectively prevent unauthorized use when lost, as they continue to function fully, potentially encouraging theft.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system that allows users to designate a tracking device as 'lost,' enabling the system to disable certain features while maintaining the tracking functionality, thereby reducing the device's usefulness to potential thieves.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tracking device continues to function fully when lost, then the device maintains its usability and tracking capability, but this encourages theft and unauthorized use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tracking device's functionality by separating tracking operations from other functions. When loss is detected, non-essential functions are disabled while tracking operations continue, thus maintaining reliability for location tracking while eliminating the harmful effect of unauthorized use of other features
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts device functionality based on the lost state. Essential tracking functions remain active while non-essential functions are deactivated, creating a dynamic response that balances security needs with tracking capability
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tracking device disables all functions when lost, then theft is discouraged, but the user cannot locate the lost device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments functionality into essential tracking operations and non-essential functions. Only non-essential functions are disabled while tracking operations continue uninterrupted, preventing theft encouragement while preserving the ability to locate the lost device
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts and disables only the non-essential functions from the tracking device when lost, while preserving the core tracking capability. This selective extraction approach prevents unauthorized use without sacrificing location tracking
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the tracking device disables non-essential functions when lost, then theft is discouraged and tracking remains functional, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking device automatically detects its lost state and self-manages the disabling of non-essential functions without requiring complex external intervention. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system architecture while achieving theft prevention and maintaining tracking capability
Data Source
AI summary
One or more features of a tracking device can be disabled if the tracking device is lost. A tracking device is associated with a first mobile device, which can remotely control the tracking device via a tracking server. The tracking server receives an instruction from the first mobile device to disable a feature of the tracking device. The tracking server also receives a notification from a second mobile device that the second mobile device is within a communication range of the tracking device. In response to receiving the instruction and the notification, the tracking server transmits the instruction for the tracking device to disable the feature to the second mobile device. The tracking device receives the instruction to disable the feature from the second mobile device. In response to receiving the instruction to disable the feature, the tracking device disables the feature according to the instruction.