Terminal Loss Detection via Feature Matching and Server Mediation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smartphone theft is a common issue due to the device's high value and the potential for significant economic losses, as users often store sensitive information, and existing solutions do not effectively alert the owner of a stolen device in a timely manner.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that compare feature information (such as fingerprint, iris, or voice features) between a current user and a predetermined user to determine if the device has been stolen, prompting a related terminal to alert the owner with location and facial information, thereby enabling swift action.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If feature information comparison is implemented to detect terminal loss, then the ability to detect terminal theft is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal loss detection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that performs the complex feature information comparison and loss determination tasks. The terminal device itself remains relatively simple, while the server handles the computational complexity of comparing first feature information with second feature information stored in the database, thereby resolving the contradiction between detection capability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the complex processing from the terminal device dimension to the server dimension. By distributing functionality across multiple dimensions (terminal and server), the system achieves high reliability in loss detection without overcomplicating the terminal device architecture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Loss of time

If real-time feature information comparison is performed, then the response time for loss notification is reduced, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification response timeVSAvoidterminal energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous real-time monitoring that would consume excessive energy, the system uses periodic feature information comparison triggered by specific events (such as login attempts or location changes). The terminal sends feature information to the server on demand, and the server performs comparisons periodically or event-driven, reducing energy consumption while maintaining timely notification capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The server autonomously performs the energy-intensive feature comparison and loss determination tasks without requiring the terminal to continuously monitor and compare features. The terminal simply sends feature information when needed, and the server handles the computationally intensive matching process, allowing the terminal to conserve energy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3249570B1Method and device for providing prompt indicating loss of terminal
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3249570B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3249570B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP3249570B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for providing a prompt indicating a loss of a terminal. The method includes: obtaining a matching relation between first feature information of a current user and second feature information of a predetermined user; and controlling a related terminal to output a loss prompt if the matching relation indicates that the first feature information and the second feature information do not match. If the current user is different from the predetermined user, it is necessary to control the related terminal to output the loss prompt so as to enable the owner of the target terminal to know the loss of the target terminal in time and to take corresponding actions as soon as possible, such that more economic losses brought to the owner of the target terminal due to the loss of the target terminal may be avoided.