Proximity Notification System Using Configurable Distance Thresholds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies lack effective methods for determining and notifying events of interest, particularly in the context of mobile devices, where monitoring locations and communication status between entities within configurable distances are not efficiently managed.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that monitor the location of computing entities, determine if they are within a configurable distance of each other, and store indications of such proximity or communication events, enabling notifications based on predefined preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If location monitoring and proximity detection are implemented, then event notification accuracy is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures notification preferences and thresholds before events occur. Users set their preferred notification types, distances, and frequencies in advance, allowing the system to automatically respond to events without real-time complex decision-making, thus reducing operational complexity while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
A server-based intermediary processes location data and proximity calculations remotely. Instead of complex client-side processing, the system uses a centralized server to handle monitoring, distance calculations, and notification logic, simplifying the mobile device requirements while maintaining accurate event detection
2Measurement precision
If continuous location monitoring is performed, then event detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs location monitoring at configurable intervals rather than continuously. Users can set update frequencies based on their needs, allowing the system to maintain adequate event detection accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption by sleeping between monitoring cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines when events of interest occur based on pre-set criteria and notifies users without requiring active user involvement during monitoring. The automated event detection and notification process eliminates the need for users to manually check locations or actively manage monitoring, reducing overall system energy usage
3Loss of time
If real-time proximity monitoring is implemented, then notification timeliness is improved, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential information needed for event detection - specifically, whether entities are within the configurable distance threshold - rather than processing all available location data. By focusing processing only on proximity threshold evaluation and not analyzing every location detail, the system maintains real-time responsiveness while reducing data processing requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided. In one embodiment, the location of computing entities can be monitored to determine whether they are within a configurable distance from each other. In another embodiment, direct communications with each other can be monitored. The locations or communications can be used to initiate specific actions/steps.