Mobile Device Location Personalization via Signal-Based Calculation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing instant-messaging systems lack effective methods for personalizing and updating location information on mobile devices, leading to inaccuracies and inefficiencies in sharing users' current locations with their buddies.

Innovation Solution

A system that calculates and represents a mobile device's geographic location using signals from external devices, such as GPS satellites, and includes this representation in electronic messages, allowing users to confirm and store it for later use, enabling accurate and timely sharing of location information with other users in the communication system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If automatic location updating is implemented, then location information timeliness is improved, but user privacy control and accuracy verification deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation information timelinessVSAvoidlocation accuracy verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where location information is automatically updated and sent to buddies, but users can review and confirm the location before it is finalized. This allows automatic updating to maintain timeliness while giving users a chance to verify accuracy through the confirmation interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary location calculation and preparation before finalizing the location information. The mobile device calculates location in advance and prepares it for transmission, but holds it in a pending state until user confirmation, thus maintaining both timeliness and accuracy control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If location information is frequently updated, then location accuracy is improved, but system resource consumption and user disturbance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation accuracyVSAvoidsystem resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous location updates, the system uses periodic action by triggering location calculations only when the user moves to a new location or after a predetermined time interval. This reduces system resource consumption while maintaining adequate location accuracy by updating only when necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If detailed location information is shared, then user engagement and personalization are improved, but user privacy and security deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagementVSAvoiduser privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by allowing different levels of location information to be shared with different buddies. Users can specify which buddies receive detailed location information and which receive only general area information, thus maintaining user engagement while protecting privacy on a per-contact basis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamics by allowing users to dynamically adjust their location sharing preferences at any time. Users can change which buddies receive location information, modify the level of detail, or pause location sharing entirely, providing flexible control over privacy while maintaining engagement when desired.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution ensures accurate and timely sharing of users' locations, enhancing personalization and user engagement by maintaining up-to-date location information within their electronic content, even as the user's location changes, while prompting confirmation for significant changes or prolonged stays.

Implementation Method 1

receiving signals from external devices. Each signal includes information that specifies a geographic location for the external device that has provided the signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS signal reception:

Data Source

PatentUS8712431B2Personalized location information for mobile devices

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 META PLATFORMS INC

AI summary

Providing location information on a mobile device includes receiving signals from external devices. Each signal includes information that specifies a geographic location for the external device that has provided the signal. A geographic location for the mobile device is calculated by using the information contained in each of the received signals. A representation of the geographic location of the mobile device is generated. The representation of the geographic location is included within an electronic message that provides information describing a user of the mobile device to other users of an electronic communications system. The electronic message is transmitted to another device to provide an indication of the geographic location for the user to one of the other users of the electronic communications system.