Private Wireless Network Communications for Group Tracking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for a system that allows members of a group, such as families or groups of people, to maintain communication and track each other's locations effectively, especially in situations where separation occurs, and to provide monitoring and guidance within a private and secure network.

Innovation Solution

A software-defined private network (SDPN) system using cellular connectivity and cloud-hosted infrastructure, where child minder devices are tethered to parent devices, enabling location tracking, two-way communication, and sensor data sharing, with features like A-GPS, text messaging, and audio messaging, allowing parents or group leaders to monitor and communicate with group members through a dedicated, private virtual network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If conventional cellular technologies are used for group communication and location tracking, then communication capability is provided, but energy consumption is high and battery life is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication technologies (cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Low Energy) into a unified multi-RAT system that can dynamically switch between them based on availability and energy considerations, allowing the device to use lower-power technologies when appropriate while maintaining communication reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its communication strategy by selecting different radio access technologies based on current conditions, transitioning between cellular, Wi-Fi, and BLE modes to optimize the balance between energy consumption and communication reliability in real-time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If continuous location tracking and monitoring features are implemented, then group monitoring capability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring capabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements periodic location tracking and monitoring at configurable intervals rather than continuous monitoring, allowing the device to enter low-power states between measurement cycles while still providing adequate monitoring coverage for group safety applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The monitoring system provides differentiated tracking levels, applying continuous monitoring only when necessary (e.g., when group members are in hazardous conditions or designated safety zones are breached) while using periodic monitoring for normal conditions, thus reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining adequate monitoring capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If a private virtual network with cloud hosting is established, then network security and privacy are improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork securityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a cloud-hosted network manager as an intermediary that handles complex network formation, security management, and device registration tasks, allowing individual devices to maintain simplified local implementations while benefiting from centralized security and coordination services

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex local security implementation with cloud-based security services, where cryptographic operations, certificate management, and security policy enforcement are performed remotely by the cloud host rather than requiring complex local security infrastructure on each device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multi-RAT communication capabilities are integrated, then communication flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communication framework that provides unified access to multiple radio access technologies through a common interface and protocol stack, allowing the device to leverage multiple communication modes while avoiding the complexity of separate independent implementations for each technology

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11495108B2Private wireless network communications systems, methods and devices

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 PB INC

AI summary

An embodiment of a minder device includes a selector and a transceiver. The selector is configurable in one of multiple configurations each corresponding to a respective one of multiple responses. And the transceiver is configured to receive, from a host server via a cellular network, a message from a monitor device associated with the minder device, and to send, to the monitor device via a cellular network and the host server, the one of the responses corresponding to the one of the configurations in which the selector is configured. For example, such a device can be a less-expensive alternative to, and can allow more monitor control, than a smart phone. Furthermore, such a device can be suitable for tracking and locating children too young to have a smart phone, for tracking and locating pets, and for tracking and locating objects.