Object Finding Device Using Surrounding Device Intermediaries

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electronic devices with loss prevention functions are ineffective in locating missing items if they are broken, as they cannot upload location information once damaged, rendering pre-existing location information useless for retrieval.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device attached to an object detects device-relevant information of surrounding devices upon preset loss events, such as location range exceedance or unauthorized access, and sends this information to a server for object finding, allowing continued tracking even if the device is broken.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the loss preventer only provides location information, then the information is simple and easy to obtain, but the information becomes useless once the device is broken

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeffectiveness of object finding informationVSAvoidloss of location information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces surrounding devices as intermediary elements to witness and report the location information. When the loss preventer is broken, these surrounding devices (which were detected during normal operation) serve as mediators to provide the location data, preventing total information loss. The core innovation is using the detected surrounding devices as backup information sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary detection and recording of surrounding devices before the loss event occurs. During normal operation, the loss preventer continuously detects and records information about surrounding devices. This preliminary action ensures that when the device is later broken or stolen, the pre-recorded surrounding device information is already available to provide location data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the loss preventer continuously monitors location, then location accuracy is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation information accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption of loss preventer
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuously monitoring and transmitting location data, the system uses partial action by only recording surrounding device information during normal operation and transmitting it only when triggered by a loss event. This reduces energy consumption while maintaining the ability to provide accurate location information when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements periodic detection of surrounding devices during normal operation rather than continuous monitoring. The detected information is stored and transmitted only when a loss event occurs, converting continuous high-energy operation into periodic low-energy operation while preserving measurement precision when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3113131B1Method and device for providing object finding information
Publication Date: 2018.09.26 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3113131B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3113131B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3113131B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and device for providing object finding information, which belongs to the field of electronic technology. The method is applied in an electronic device and includes: when detecting that a preset loss event occurs, detecting (101) device-relevant information of a surrounding device around a location of the electronic device; and sending (102) the detected device-relevant information of the surrounding device to a first preset device as object finding information. The present disclosure may improve the effectiveness of the provided object finding information.