Proximity-Based Theft Alert for Mobile Devices
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Smartphones and other mobile devices are frequently stolen before tracking apps can be used to locate them, as thieves often disable or remove the devices, rendering tracking ineffective, and existing Bluetooth alarms are too far-reaching to be useful.
Innovation Solution
A device called ALPAT and software called ALPAS that activate a visual and noise alarm if the mobile device is moved beyond a user-defined distance, such as 2 meters, to immediately alert the owner and others of theft, with features like secure communication, GPS tracking, and customizable alerts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If tracking apps are used to locate stolen mobile devices, then the device location can be found, but the theft occurs too quickly for the tracking to be effective and thieves can disable or remove the tracking functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing a trusted proximity relationship between the mobile device and auxiliary device before theft occurs. The alarm condition is pre-configured to trigger when devices separate beyond a threshold distance, enabling immediate detection without requiring post-theft intervention or thief cooperation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by creating an alarm condition that activates before the thief can disable tracking or remove the device. The proximity-based alarm triggers immediately upon separation, counteracting the thief's potential actions to disable or remove tracking functionality.
2Measurement precision
If Bluetooth alarm range is extended to 100 m, then the alarm can detect device separation, but the alarm activates too far from the owner's range of vision or control to be useful
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the parameter of alarm distance threshold from a fixed large value (100m) to a configurable small value (default 2m). This parameter adjustment ensures the alarm activates within the owner's visual range while maintaining accurate distance measurement capability through Bluetooth signal strength detection.
3Ease of operation
If a small ALPAT device is created for proximity tracking, then the device can be carried conveniently, but the device requires power consumption and additional hardware components
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies universality by implementing the alarm functionality in the mobile device itself (which already has Bluetooth, GPS, and alarm capabilities) rather than requiring a separate powered device. The ALPAT auxiliary device can be a passive tracker that leverages the mobile device's resources, eliminating the need for additional power consumption in a separate portable device.
Data Source
AI summary
The solution is to create a device, where if the mobile device or important small item is removed beyond a user-defined distance, such as 2 meters, a visual and noise alarm will activate, thus immediately letting the owner and others know that a theft has occurred.One embodiment of the invention is a device called an Automatic Loss Prevention Alert Trigger (ALPAT) and software on a mobile device called Automatic Loss Prevention Alert Software (ALPAS).The ALPAT can be in the form of a small device that a person can keep with them and optionally secure to a keychain. The ALPAS will then keep track of whether the ALPAT is more than a user defined distance from the mobile device.If the mobile device is removed beyond a user determined distance, such as a distance of 2 m from the device, a visual and noise alarm will activate from the mobile device and possibly form the ALPAT, depending on user settings. This will immediately let the owner and others know that a theft has occurred.