Mobile App Location Query for Communication Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face disruptions from repeated cellphone calls at inconvenient times, especially when they need to be contactable in emergencies and cannot silence their phones, due to the lack of a suitable method to determine the appropriateness of communication based on the contact's location.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application that initiates a GPS query to determine the contact's location and displays appropriate icons for communication, allowing users to select the most suitable communication method based on the location, such as driving, dining, or being at a school, thereby enabling informed decision-making about how to contact them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users keep their cellphones on and accessible for emergency contact, then they can be contacted in emergencies, but they experience disruptions from repeated calls at inconvenient times
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically querying the contact's location via GPS before the user initiates communication. This advance location information allows the user to determine whether calling at that moment would be appropriate, preventing disruptive calls while maintaining emergency contact capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the user about the contact's current location and context (e.g., at school, library, driving). This feedback enables the user to make informed decisions about whether to place a call or choose alternative communication methods, thus avoiding disruptions while maintaining emergency accessibility
2Reliability
If users send repeated calls to ensure contact, then the contact is more likely to be reached, but the disruptions and annoyances increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of immediately placing repeated calls, the system performs a preliminary location query to gather context information about the contact's current situation. This preliminary action enables the user to choose appropriate communication methods from the start, avoiding the need for repeated disruptive calls
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts communication recommendations based on real-time location data. If the contact is at a location where calling is appropriate (e.g., home, office), the system recommends calling. If not (e.g., school, library, vehicle), the system suggests alternative methods or waiting, thus maintaining contact reachability without causing annoyance
3Measurement precision
If the application queries location information for every contact, then accurate location data is obtained, but the time and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contacted device's application automatically provides location information in response to the query without requiring manual input or additional processing steps. This self-service mechanism obtains accurate location data efficiently, minimizing the time and energy required for the query
4Ease of operation
If the application provides detailed location information, then the user can make informed communication decisions, but the privacy concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides location information with appropriate granularity for communication decisions without revealing excessive personal details. It displays context-relevant information (e.g., type of location, whether currently active) while protecting unnecessary personal data, thus enabling informed decisions while maintaining privacy
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile application for most appropriate means of communications enables the user to locate a contact and determine the most appropriate way to reach the contact. The user may populate the user's contact list with information such as the names of contacts, their cellphone numbers, and their e-mail addresses. When preparing to communicate with someone on the contact list, the user causes a query to be sent to the contact's electronic device, which in turn sends a GPS query to acquire location information and sends it to the user. The user's application uses the location information to determine the nature of the contact's location and displays an icon corresponding to the type of location, such as a school, a library, a vehicle, or a restaurant. The user may select a communication method which is appropriate for the type of location or pursue some other course of action.