Relay Server Location Inference for Adaptive Device Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for controlling household electronic devices are either tedious and prone to human error in manual operations or sub-optimal due to unpredictable daily routines in automatic operations, making it difficult to achieve consistent desired results.

Innovation Solution

A relay server infers a person's current or future location from data collected by various transmitting devices, aggregates and weights this data to provide intelligent control signals to receiving devices, allowing them to adjust their operations based on location-based rules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual operations are used to control devices, then use flexibility is enhanced, but repeated operations become tedious and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse flexibilityVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables devices to automatically adjust their operation based on location data from transmitting devices. The relay server aggregates location data and sends control signals to receiving devices without requiring manual user intervention, allowing the system to serve itself by automatically adapting device states to user needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The relay server acts as an intermediary between transmitting devices (which provide location data) and receiving devices (which need control adjustments). It aggregates location data from multiple sources, determines appropriate device states, and sends control signals accordingly, eliminating the need for direct manual control while maintaining operational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If automatic operations are used to control devices, then manual operations are freed, but device control becomes sub-optimal due to unpredictable routines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operation reductionVSAvoidcontrol consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts device control based on real-time location data from transmitting devices. Instead of using fixed schedules, the relay server continuously aggregates location information and sends control signals that adapt to changing user routines and unpredictable events, maintaining both automation and control consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses location data from transmitting devices as feedback to automatically adjust receiving device operations. The relay server monitors location information continuously and sends control signals based on this feedback, enabling the system to adapt to unpredictable user routines while maintaining consistent and optimal device control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If location data is collected and processed by relay server, then device control accuracy improves, but power consumption and processing demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocation estimation accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The relay server acts as a centralized intermediary that aggregates location data from multiple transmitting devices and processes control signals for multiple receiving devices. This centralization improves location estimation accuracy through data aggregation while distributing processing demands across the network infrastructure rather than burdening individual devices with heavy computational loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4064653B1Determining location of wireless communication devices / persons for controlling / adjusting operation of devices based on the location
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 APPLE INC
  • EP4064653B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4064653B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4064653B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One or more relay servers can access first data received from one or more first devices (e.g., a phone, tablet computer, vehicle tracking device, or badge reader). The one or more relay servers can aggregate the data and infer a location of a person. The one or more relay servers can transmit second signals including second data to one or more second devices (e.g., lighting systems, security systems, garage-door openers, music controllers, climate controllers, or kitchen appliances), the second data being based at least in part on the estimated location. The second-signal transmission can be pushed to the second devices or pulled by the second devices. Operations of the second devices can be controlled at least in part on the second data.