Portable Device Sensor Logic for False Positive Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable electronic device locating systems are prone to false positive signals and require dedicated radio signal transmitters, which can be misplaced, leading to inefficiencies in locating misplaced devices.
Innovation Solution
A portable electronic device with a circuit that uses sensors such as light, microphone, temperature, and accelerometer to automatically enable and disable a locating function based on predetermined conditions, preventing false positives and eliminating the need for a separate transmitter by integrating the functionality into the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated radio signal transmitter is used to generate searching signals, then the locating function can be activated, but the transmitter itself may be misplaced and require a separate locating mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the transmitter and receiver functionalities into a single integrated device. The portable electronic device contains both the sensor for detecting searching signals and the locator signal emitter, eliminating the need for a separate dedicated transmitter. This integration ensures that the locating capability travels with the device being searched for, preventing the transmitter from being misplaced.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable electronic device performs multiple functions: it serves as both the target device to be located and as the locating system itself. The device can detect searching signals via its sensor and emit locator signals through its integrated emitter, making it a universal locating solution that eliminates the need for separate specialized transmitters.
2Ease of operation
If the locating function is always active in response to sensor input, then the device can be located, but false positive signals may be generated due to malfunction or environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary verification by requiring multiple sensor detections within a specified time window before activating the locating function. This preliminary action filters out false positives caused by environmental factors or isolated malfunctions, ensuring that the locating signal is only emitted when genuinely needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the sensor continuously monitors for searching signals and the processor analyzes the pattern of detections. The feedback loop evaluates whether multiple signals are detected within the predetermined time period, and only then triggers the locating function, preventing false activations while maintaining responsiveness to legitimate search attempts.
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
The solution effectively reduces false positives and eliminates the risk of misplaced transmitters by integrating sensor-activated logic to control the locating function, ensuring accurate and reliable device location without additional hardware.
Implementation Method 1
The portable device may include a light sensor, microphone, temperature sensor, accelerometer, and/or radio receiver coupled to its control circuit
Implementation Method 2
The portable device may include a light sensor, microphone, temperature sensor, accelerometer, and/or radio receiver coupled to its control circuit
Implementation Method 3
The portable device may include a light sensor, microphone, temperature sensor, accelerometer, and/or radio receiver coupled to its control circuit
Implementation Method 4
The portable device may include a light sensor, microphone, temperature sensor, accelerometer, and/or radio receiver coupled to its control circuit
Data Source
AI summary
A portable device is equipped with a signaling circuit that responds to a searching signal (e.g., hand clap, light flash, RF signal, infrared light) generated to locate the portable device when it is misplaced or lost. The device generates a location signal to enable the user to find the device. The location signal may be an audible, light, vibration, or other signal that calls attention to the device to enable the user to find it. The device may also sense events which cause it to disable the sensor, render it less sensitive, or suppress the generation of the location signal. The sensed event is any event, e.g., heat, motion, which indicates that the device is not, in fact, lost.