Mobile Device Tracking via Group Dynamics and Distance Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location tracking applications for mobile devices require complex configurations and inflexible rules, leading to unnecessary alerts and user dissatisfaction, as they focus on specific geographic locations rather than the dynamics of a group's movement.
Innovation Solution
A technique that utilizes group dynamics to determine if a mobile device is safely within a designated group, sending alerts only when the device exceeds a defined distance threshold from the group, using GPS data and wireless communication to monitor proximity and calculate distances based on group membership percentages or clusters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complex configuration rules and fixed geographic boundaries are used to monitor location, then location security monitoring capability is improved, but system flexibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from static geographic boundary monitoring to dynamic group-based monitoring. Instead of fixed coordinates, the system defines a target individual's safety based on their proximity to a dynamic group of individuals. The monitoring boundary automatically adapts as group members move, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration of geographic zones while maintaining reliable security monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the fundamental parameter from fixed geographic coordinates to dynamic group membership and proximity thresholds. By monitoring distance to group members rather than static boundaries, the system achieves flexibility in adapting to different scenarios without requiring complex rule configurations. The threshold distance parameter can be adjusted to match different safety requirements.
2Measurement precision
If fixed geographic boundaries and time-based rules are enforced, then location violation detection accuracy is improved, but adaptability to group dynamics deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces static geographic boundaries with dynamic group-based monitoring that automatically adapts to group movements. The monitoring area is defined by the spatial distribution of group members rather than fixed coordinates, allowing the system to naturally adapt to field trips, gatherings, or any group activity without requiring rule updates. This maintains detection accuracy by continuously tracking relative positions within the moving group context.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of defining where an individual should be (fixed boundaries) and detecting violations, the system inverts the approach by defining where the group is and monitoring whether the target individual remains within that dynamic space. This inversion allows the system to adapt to group dynamics while maintaining precise monitoring of the target's location relative to the group.
3Reliability
If constant rule updates and configuration changes are required, then monitoring accuracy is maintained, but user time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service monitoring by automatically tracking group member locations and dynamically adjusting the monitoring boundary based on group spatial distribution. No manual rule updates or configuration changes are needed - the system automatically adapts to group movements and maintains accurate monitoring through continuous GPS tracking of all group members, eliminating the time burden of constant configuration maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration by defining the group composition and target individual once, then automatically maintains monitoring accuracy through continuous automated tracking. The initial setup includes selecting the target individual and defining the group members, after which the system autonomously handles all subsequent monitoring adjustments without requiring user intervention for rule updates or boundary reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
Any number of mobile devices each execute an application allowing them to subscribe to a group. Alternatively, the devices subscribe at a Web server. A percentage of the group and a distance threshold from a target device are defined. Each device sends its GPS data to a Web server or to one of the designated mobile devices. Alternatively, the target device calculates its distance to the other devices using wireless signals. The designated device or the Web server calculates the distance from the target device to the other devices. If the distance is over the threshold then an alert is generated and sent from the Web server to designated recipients, or sent from the designated device to the recipients. Distance from the target device to the group members may be calculated based upon a majority, a percentage of the group, or a special cluster of the group.