Proximity Tracking Server with Wireless Location Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack an efficient method for tracking the relative location of multiple individuals and providing information based on proximity, particularly in dynamic environments like gaming, social networking, and utility management, where real-time location updates and triggered actions are necessary.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network system comprising devices with location detection, a server that communicates with these devices to detect proximity and send signals when individuals are within a predetermined distance, allowing for customizable distance settings and real-time mapping, enabling various applications such as gaming, social networking, and utility management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a wireless network system with location detection is implemented to track multiple individuals in real-time, then proximity-based information delivery and interaction management are improved, but system complexity and communication overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
A central server acts as an intermediary to receive location data from multiple wireless network devices, process proximity determinations, and manage signal distribution. This mediator approach consolidates the computational complexity on the server side while keeping individual devices relatively simple, resolving the contradiction between real-time tracking capability and system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously receives location indications from wireless network devices, processes this feedback information to determine proximity, and sends appropriate signals back to devices. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables real-time tracking and dynamic interaction management while maintaining systematic control through the server.
2Reliability
If the server communicates with all wireless network devices to obtain location indications and send proximity signals, then tracking accuracy and interaction reliability are improved, but communication overhead and network traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The server performs multiple functions including receiving location data from all devices, determining proximity relationships, and sending signals to appropriate devices. This multi-functional approach consolidates communication operations through a single central entity, improving tracking reliability while managing network traffic efficiently through centralized control.
Solution Approach 2:
The server communicates with all wireless network devices to ensure complete tracking coverage and accurate proximity determination, even though not all devices may be proximate at any given moment. This excessive action approach guarantees reliability by maintaining continuous communication channels with all participants in the tracking system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If customizable distance settings and real-time mapping features are added to the proximity tracking system, then system versatility and user control are improved, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the predetermined distance parameter that triggers proximity signals. This dynamic parameter can be modified based on different application scenarios and user requirements, enhancing system versatility while maintaining a relatively simple core architecture through the server's program control.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided for gaming or for other purposes where tracking of the relative location of a plurality of individuals can be used which includes for each person a wireless network device connected to a network. Each device detects a current location of the device while being carried for communication to a server arranged to communicate through the network with each of the devices having a downloaded program to obtain repeatedly an indication of the current location of the device. The server detects from the current locations when any two or more of the devices are within a predetermined distance and communicates to at least one of the devices when the location is within said predetermined distance. The signal can be used to trigger various events including actions in a gaming situation.