Proximity Grid Tracking System for Privacy-Controlled Location Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for tracking individuals are cumbersome, requiring extensive form-filling and questioning to set up tracking preferences, which can impede the establishment of tracking relationships.
Innovation Solution
A system that allows individuals to opt-in or opt-out of tracking by being 'on' or 'off' a proximity grid, using a simple button to connect or disconnect from a server, with location updates sent only when desired, enabling tracking without continuous monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive form-filling and questioning is required to set up tracking preferences, then tracking precision and control are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into two distinct modes: active tracking mode and passive tracking mode. Users can switch between these modes based on their needs, rather than being forced to configure extensive preferences. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing precise tracking control through mode selection while maintaining ease of operation through simple on/off switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The system inverts the traditional approach by defaulting to active tracking mode and requiring explicit user action to switch to passive mode, rather than defaulting to passive mode and requiring explicit action to enable tracking. This inversion simplifies the user experience while maintaining tracking precision when needed.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring is implemented, then tracking reliability is improved, but loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts its monitoring behavior based on the user's selected mode. In active tracking mode, the device continuously monitors location and sends updates, ensuring high reliability. In passive tracking mode, the device only transmits location data when explicitly requested by another user, significantly reducing energy consumption. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between reliability and energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous monitoring in passive mode, the system uses periodic action by only transmitting location data at specific moments when another user requests it. This approach maintains tracking reliability when needed while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods.
3Measurement precision
If detailed tracking preferences are configured in advance, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the complex preference configuration from the user interface and replaces it with simple mode selection. The detailed tracking parameters and preferences are pre-configured within the system itself, rather than requiring users to specify them. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining tracking precision through internal configuration while eliminating configuration complexity for users.
Data Source
AI summary
This specification generally relates to a method for tracking one or more persons in a relationship between a tracker and the one or more participants. The method can include using an event stamp function to activate the tracking system. The person being tracked determines when they are trackable by connecting to a proximity grid. When the person being tracked wants to be tracked, that person connects to a proximity grid, and when the person being tracked does not want to be tracked, that person disconnects from the proximity grid, thereby simplifying setting up rules for when the person being tracked can be tracked.