Messaging-Based Location Sharing via URL

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing location-based services, such as GPS devices and mobile communication appliances, face limitations due to constrained native memory and outdated data, which affect their capability and accuracy in providing precise positioning.

Innovation Solution

Implementing user-initiated location-based services through messaging systems, where a user's communication device can send its location as a message to a recipient, using GPS data reformatted into a URL for displaying a graphic map, allowing interactive location sharing and updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If GPS devices and mobile communication appliances use native memory for storing location data, then the devices can operate independently, but the memory constraints limit the capability and accuracy of positioning services

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation service capabilityVSAvoidnative memory capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a messaging system as an intermediary between GPS devices and location services. Instead of storing all location data locally in constrained device memory, the system uses message-based communication to transfer and store location information on remote servers, thereby overcoming the memory capacity limitation while maintaining full location service functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions location data storage from the device's local memory dimension to a network-based messaging dimension. By using messaging protocols to transmit location information to remote systems, the solution moves the storage burden to a different dimensional space (network infrastructure) that has substantially larger capacity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If location data is stored statically in device memory, then the data structure is simple, but the data becomes outdated quickly and loses accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoiddata freshness

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic location data updates through the messaging system. Instead of static stored data, the system enables continuous or periodic transmission of updated location information from mobile devices to remote servers, ensuring the location data remains fresh and accurate over time through ongoing data synchronization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If GPS receivers are integrated into phones and PDAs to meet E911 requirements, then location services become accessible through existing devices, but the capability and accuracy are constrained by the device's native memory

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of location servicesVSAvoidpositioning reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The messaging system serves as an intermediary that extends the functionality of mobile devices. It allows phones and PDAs to access enhanced location services beyond their native memory limitations by communicating with remote mapping services, thereby maintaining accessibility while improving positioning reliability through network-based resources

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables efficient and accurate location sharing with dynamic map updates, overcoming memory constraints and data obsolescence issues, by integrating GPS data into messaging protocols and network-based mapping services.

Implementation Method 1

a GPS receiver that is operable to determine a location of the first user communication device 10 at an instant in time based on timing signals received from the GPS satellite constellation 5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite timing signals:

Data Source

PatentUS9020542B2Systems and methods for user-initiated location-based services through messaging

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Systems and methods for user-initiated location-based services through messaging. Using a messaging client running on a communication device, a user transmits location information via a text and/or instant message to a recipient. The location information may be obtained from a GPS program or other location determining program accessible or installed on the user's communication device. A network identifier such as a URL is created based on the location information and is appended into the message. When the recipient selects the network identifier, electronic content such as a graphic map including the sender's location is displayed on the recipient's communication device.