Portable Device Location via Multi-Device Wireless Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often ignore prompts from their mobile terminals when their portable devices go missing, leading to them being too far away to be found when they realize the loss, as existing methods lack effective location determination and assistance mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that receive a location searching request for a target portable device, acquire location information from another device that detected a wireless signal of the target device, and send a location indicating message to a communication terminal bound with the target device, optionally including account identification for assistance and time information for improved accuracy and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile terminal sends a prompt message to remind the user about the lost electronic device, then the user can be notified about the lost device, but the user often ignores the prompt message and the device is lost permanently

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice recovery rateVSAvoiduser response to prompt
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system establishes a feedback loop where location information is continuously collected from multiple devices and fed back to the user's mobile terminal. This continuous feedback mechanism ensures the user is repeatedly informed about the device's location, increasing the likelihood of user response and device recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by proactively collecting location information from multiple devices before the user realizes their device is lost. This advance preparation ensures that when the user does notice the loss, location data is already available and can be immediately provided to assist recovery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If the mobile terminal determines distance based on wireless signal strength, then the device can provide location information, but the distance calculation becomes inaccurate when the user is too far away

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoidtime delay in location determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the location determination task by using multiple independent devices (smartwatches, smartphones, tablets) to collectively track the lost device's location. Each device independently measures distance and transmits its data, allowing the system to aggregate information from multiple sources to achieve accurate location determination even when individual devices are far from the target.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from single-point distance measurement to multi-point spatial mapping by collecting location data from multiple devices at different positions. This dimensional expansion allows the system to triangulate the device's location more accurately and provide real-time location information even when the user is distant from the lost device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enables users to easily find their lost portable devices by providing precise location information and allowing assistance from the account holder, enhancing the effectiveness of location determination and reducing the likelihood of devices being lost permanently.

Implementation Method 1

The electronic device of a user can send a wireless signal to the mobile terminal (such as a mobile phone)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless signal transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3179790B1Method and apparatus for determining location of target portable device
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 XIAOMI INC
  • EP3179790B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3179790B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3179790B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for determining a location of a target portable device, pertaining to the field of computer technology. The method includes: receiving (101) a location searching request corresponding to a target portable device, the location searching request carrying a device identification of the target portable device; acquiring (102), according to the device identification of the target portable device, location information of the target portable device sent by another device when said another device detects a wireless signal of the target portable device; and sending (103), according to the location information, a location indicating message regarding the target portable device to a communication terminal bound with the target portable device. Through the present disclosure, it can be convenient for the user to find an electronic device.