Mobile Device Recovery Using Nearby Intermediaries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for recovering a lost mobile device are ineffective when the battery is low, as they require power for GPS and wireless transmission, which may not be available, making it difficult to locate and recover the device.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power management mechanism that conserves battery life by disabling non-essential features and using nearby devices to transmit the device's location, allowing the device to conserve energy and extend its functionality for recovery purposes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPS and wireless transmission are used to locate a lost device, then the device can be located and recovered, but the battery is depleted quickly making the method ineffective when battery is low

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice recovery effectivenessVSAvoidbattery consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces nearby devices as intermediaries that perform the energy-intensive location detection and transmission functions. The lost device only needs to respond to queries from these intermediary devices, shifting the primary energy burden from the lost device to nearby devices with sufficient battery power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having the lost device actively transmit its location continuously (energy-intensive), the system inverts the approach by having nearby devices actively query and detect the lost device's position, then report it to the owner. This passive response mode conserves battery on the lost device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of information

If the lost device continuously transmits its location, then the location can be tracked, but the battery drains faster reducing the window for recovery

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation tracking accuracyVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic querying by nearby devices instead of continuous transmission by the lost device. Location information is updated at intervals when queries are received, maintaining tracking capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The lost device leverages the presence and computational resources of nearby devices to perform location detection and reporting. The device essentially 'services itself' by responding to queries from the environment rather than actively maintaining communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If non-essential features are kept enabled, then the device remains fully functional, but battery life is reduced compromising recovery efforts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidbattery life

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device applies partial functionality by disabling non-essential features while maintaining core functions needed for recovery (processor, basic communication response). This partial operation mode extends battery life sufficiently to accomplish the recovery objective without requiring full device functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9900733B2Search and recovery of mobile devices

Publication Date: 2018.02.20 AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I L P

AI summary

Search and recovery is performed for a lost or stolen mobile device. When the mobile device is lost or stolen, the mobile device may transmit a recovery signal for receipt by another device. If an acknowledgment is received, the mobile device confirms discovery by sending its current location. Moreover, seeker devices may be conscripted to search for the lost or stolen mobile device.