Mobile Device Navigation to Dynamic Target Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Mobile Location-Based Services (MLBS) do not allow a requesting device to seamlessly navigate to the dynamic location of a target device, requiring manual input of static locations and repeated navigation updates as the target device moves.

Innovation Solution

A system that enables a first mobile device to persistently lock onto a second mobile device, allowing real-time monitoring and adaptive navigation to the target device's dynamic location, including current location or final destination, through a tag-along or tag-me session, using GPS and Assisted GPS for location updates and turn-by-turn directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If existing MLBS are used to monitor target device location, then location monitoring capability is provided, but seamless navigation to dynamic location is not enabled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation to dynamic locationVSAvoidmanual location input and repeated updates
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives location information from the target mobile device, processes it, and provides updated location data to the requesting device. This mediator automatically handles the complex tasks of location tracking and navigation updates, eliminating the need for manual location copying and navigator re-inputting. The server acts as a bridge between the target device and requesting device, enabling seamless navigation to dynamic locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If static location is copied and input to navigator application, then navigation to current location is achieved, but real-time adaptive navigation to dynamic location is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal-time navigation updatesVSAvoidrepeated manual updates required
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous location monitoring and automatic update mechanisms. The target device continuously provides its location to the server, which in turn continuously provides updated location information to the requesting device. This continuous action eliminates the need for repeated manual updates and enables real-time adaptive navigation. The navigation process becomes a continuous, automated flow rather than a series of discrete manual operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the server receives location data from the target device, processes it, and feeds back updated location information to the requesting device. This feedback mechanism ensures that the requesting device always has the most current location data, enabling real-time adaptive navigation. The automatic feedback cycle eliminates delays and manual intervention, continuously updating navigation directions as the target device moves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If periodic location alerts are used, then location monitoring is provided, but persistent locking onto dynamic location for seamless navigation is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepersistent location trackingVSAvoidseamless navigation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The server acts as a persistent intermediary that maintains continuous connection with both the target device and the requesting device. It reliably tracks the target device's location over time and persistently provides updates to the requesting device. This reliable intermediary ensures that location tracking remains persistent and seamless navigation is maintained, even as the target device moves between locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8762057B2Enabling a first mobile device to navigate to a location associated with a second mobile device
Publication Date: 2014.06.24 CELLCO PARTNERSHIP INC
  • US8762057B2 patent drawing
  • US8762057B2 patent drawing
  • US8762057B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A first mobile device is allowed to persistently lock onto a second mobile device, thereby allowing the first mobile device to not only constantly monitor the dynamic location of the second mobile device but also to adaptively navigate in real-time to the dynamic location associated with the second mobile device. The dynamic location may include a current location of the second mobile device or a final destination for travel of the second mobile device.