Tracking Standby Mode for Community-Located Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tracking systems are limited in their ability to locate tracking devices when the user's mobile device is out of range, and there is a need for a centralized system that can leverage a community of users to assist in finding lost or stolen tracking devices.
Innovation Solution
A tracking system that integrates with a community of mobile devices to locate lost or stolen tracking devices by setting a flag for the missing device and utilizing community mobile devices to relay its location to the user, leveraging a cloud server to manage user profiles and device associations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized tracking system leverages a community of users to assist in finding lost or stolen tracking devices, then the tracking range and reliability are improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple mobile devices from different users into a unified tracking network. Each mobile device in the community contributes its location data and sensing capabilities to collectively track lost devices, transforming individual limited-range tracking into a system-wide reliable tracking solution that spans geographic boundaries.
Solution Approach 2:
The tracking system is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only tracks designated lost devices but also enables any community member's mobile device to participate in tracking, provides location information to both device owners and community members, and operates across diverse device types and platforms within the ecosystem.
2Measurement precision
If the mobile device determines location via GPS receiver and provides it to a cloud server, then the location accuracy is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic location updates rather than continuous GPS tracking. Mobile devices determine their location at intervals and transmit this data to the cloud server, maintaining adequate location accuracy for tracking purposes while significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with continuous GPS operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses location data from community mobile devices even when these devices are not the primary tracking device. By leveraging location information from nearby devices that happen to be in the vicinity, the system achieves sufficient tracking accuracy without requiring every device to continuously activate its high-power GPS receiver.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device with a primary functionality and a tracking functionality can be used in a centralized tracking system. A controller configures the electronic device to operate in one of a set of: an “on” mode, an “off” mode, a first standby mode, and a tracking standby mode. While configured to operate in the “on” mode, the primary and tracking functionality of the electronic device are enabled, and while configured to operate in the “off” mode, both are disabled. While configured to operate in the first standby mode, the tracking functionality is enabled and the primary functionality is limited. While configured to operate in the tracking standby mode, the primary functionality is disabled but the tracking functionality is enabled, enabling the electronic device to be located while the primary functionality is disabled and saving power relative to the first standby mode and the “on” mode.