Multi-path Location Tracking Normalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems struggle to compare the progress of different users who traverse unique paths, as paths have different configurations and orders of segments, making direct comparison challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method for multi-path location tracking and normalization, where each path is normalized to have an equivalent value by assigning parity values to segments and using these values to calculate path scores, allowing for comparison across different paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different users traverse different paths with different segment configurations, then individual tracking is enabled, but direct comparison of user progress becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The path is divided into discrete segments with assigned parity values. Each segment represents a distinct geographical or functional unit that can be independently tracked and compared. By segmenting the paths and assigning standardized parity values to each segment type, the system enables comparison of users on different paths through a common segmentation framework.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms different path configurations into a standardized parameter space using parity values. Instead of comparing raw path geometries directly, the system converts path progress into normalized parity score comparisons. This parameter transformation allows apples-to-apples comparison across diverse path configurations by mapping them to a common scoring metric.
2Reliability
If known activities are included between geographical waypoints, then complete activity tracking is achieved, but path comparison complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges geographical segments and known activities into a unified path structure where both types of elements are represented as segments with parity values. This consolidation allows the system to treat geographical traversal and activity completion as comparable units, simplifying the overall comparison process while maintaining comprehensive activity tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The parity value system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it quantifies geographical segment completion, measures activity completion progress, and provides a basis for inter-user comparison. This multi-functional scoring mechanism reduces system complexity by consolidating multiple tracking and comparison functions into a single unified approach.
Data Source
AI summary
Tracking a plurality of users. A method includes, for a plurality of paths obtaining a normalization normalizing each of the paths to each other. Each of at least some segments of a path has an assigned a parity value. Location signals are received from a plurality of location hardware devices, each corresponding to a user in a plurality of users. Each of the users encounters a different path from among the plurality of paths than other users. The location hardware signals are used to track the plurality of users' progression through at least a portion of the segments. For each of the users, a path score is determined based on the normalization and parity values for segments. A correlation of the path scores in the plurality of path scores is created and sent over a computing network to a plurality of computing devices located at different locations.