Predicting Lost Aerosol Device Locations via Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol provision systems, such as e-cigarettes, often lack a means to determine their location when lost, making it difficult for users to recover them.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that maintain a database of locations where the aerosol provision system has been lost and found, allowing the system to predict the location of the device when it is reported lost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the aerosol provision system is made portable and handheld, then ease of operation and user convenience are improved, but the risk of loss and difficulty in locating the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary between the user and the lost aerosol provision system. This mediator maintains a database of loss locations and provides predicted location information to the user, enabling location tracking without adding tracking hardware to the portable device itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the physical aerosol provision system's location data in a database. By storing and analyzing historical location information in digital form, the system can predict and communicate the device's location without physically tracking the actual device.
2Device complexity
If no location determination means is included in the aerosol provision system, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to locate the device when lost is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The computing device serves as an intermediary that handles all location determination and database management functions externally. This allows the aerosol provision system itself to remain simple without integrated GPS or location tracking hardware, while still benefiting from location prediction capabilities through the external computing device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces physical location tracking mechanisms (such as GPS receivers, sensors, or embedded hardware) with an information-based system using databases and predictive algorithms. Instead of mechanically or electronically tracking the device's position, the system uses historical data patterns to predict location.
3Reliability
If a database of loss locations is maintained and used for prediction, then the ability to locate lost devices is improved, but information storage and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection and storage of loss locations as they occur, building up a database over time. This preliminary action of accumulating location data enables more accurate predictions for future lost devices, as the database grows with each reported loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The computing device and database serve multiple functions: they record loss locations, analyze patterns, predict future loss locations, and provide this information to users. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of the stored data while managing storage requirements efficiently.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method comprises maintaining a database of locations an aerosol provision system has been lost and/or found, and predicting a location of the aerosol provision system in response to receiving an indication that the aerosol provision system is lost.