Mobile Location Cache for Latency Reduction

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile communication device locator applications experience noticeable wait times and undesirable user-visible consequences, such as billing events and privacy notifications, which can negatively impact user experience.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that enables autonomous scheduling of location requests for mobile devices based on predetermined criteria, allowing for pre-emptive location data retrieval and storage, which is then provided to users with reduced latency and minimized user-visible consequences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional locator applications initiate a chain of events to triangulate location upon user request, then location information can be obtained, but noticeable wait time occurs which negatively impacts user experience

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewait time for location informationVSAvoidlocation information retrieval efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary location requests at scheduled intervals or based on predetermined criteria before users actually need the location information. Location data is pre-retrieved and stored in a cache, so when a user requests location information, the system can immediately provide previously obtained data without initiating a new triangulation chain, thereby eliminating wait time while maintaining location accuracy through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If conventional locator applications process each location request through a full chain of events, then accurate location data is obtained, but the frequency and visibility of request consequences (billing events, privacy notifications, throttling) increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation information accuracyVSAvoiduser-visible consequences from location requests

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary location requests at scheduled intervals or based on predetermined criteria before users actually need the location information. Location data is pre-retrieved and stored in a cache, so when a user requests location information, the system can immediately provide previously obtained data without initiating a new triangulation chain, thereby eliminating wait time while maintaining location accuracy through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a location cache as an intermediary layer between the location request interface and the triangulation system. This cache stores pre-retrieved location data and serves requests from storage without triggering the full request chain, thereby reducing the frequency of billing events, privacy notifications, and throttling actions while still providing accurate location information to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the system pre-requests location information to reduce wait times, then user experience improves, but additional location requests are generated beyond user needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experience in location retrievalVSAvoidnumber of location requests

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary location requests at scheduled intervals or based on predetermined criteria before users actually need the location information. Location data is pre-retrieved and stored in a cache, so when a user requests location information, the system can immediately provide previously obtained data without initiating a new triangulation chain, thereby eliminating wait time while maintaining location accuracy through periodic updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of continuously requesting location data, the system implements periodic location requests at predetermined intervals or based on specific criteria. This reduces the total number of requests compared to continuous monitoring while still maintaining up-to-date location information in the cache for rapid user access, balancing user experience improvement with reduced request volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS8965405B2System and method for disseminating user location information

Publication Date: 2015.02.24 SMITH MICRO SOFTWARE LLC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for disseminating user mobile device location information is provided. The method includes enabling a first request for location information of a mobile device based on at least one of a particular schedule and a particular criterion. Mobile device location information is received responsive to the first request. The mobile device location information received responsive to the first request is stored. A second request for the mobile device location information is received from a requester. Responsive to the second request, the requester is provided the location information received responsive to the first request, and at least one user-visible consequence is initiated responsive to the second request, wherein the at least one user-visible consequence is not initiated responsive to the first request.