Wireless Device Location Verification via Automatic Media Capture

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Solution Overview

Problem

Parental monitoring of children using wireless communications devices is challenging due to the lack of effective methods to verify a child's location and capture media without falsification, especially in situations where children may resist providing accurate information.

Innovation Solution

A method that prompts a child to capture media (photos, voice samples, or biometric data) on their device, which automatically determines the device's location and sends this information to the parent's device, with the device being partially disabled until compliance, ensuring accurate location verification without child input.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the child manually provides location information, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability is worsened due to potential falsification

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of providing location informationVSAvoidaccuracy of location information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically captures location data using the device's built-in GPS receiver without requiring manual input from the child. The location information is obtained self-service through automatic acquisition by the wireless communications device, eliminating the need for the child to manually provide or potentially falsify location data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical process of a child writing or typing location information is replaced with an automated electronic system. The GPS receiver and processor automatically determine and transmit location coordinates, substituting the manual input mechanism with an automated technical system that cannot be easily falsified.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the device is fully functional, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of monitoring is worsened due to lack of compliance enforcement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability of the deviceVSAvoidcompliance with monitoring requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device functionality is made dynamic rather than static. The system can switch between fully functional mode and partially disabled mode based on compliance status. When the child complies with monitoring requirements (provides accurate location and media), full functionality is restored; when non-compliant, functionality is automatically restricted, creating a dynamic enforcement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by monitoring whether the child has provided required location and media information, then automatically adjusting device functionality in response. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures compliance by linking functional access to compliance with monitoring requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If automatic location determination is implemented, then the reliability is improved by preventing falsification, but the device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of location dataVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless communications device utilizes its existing multi-functional capabilities (camera, GPS receiver, processor, communication interfaces) that are already built into modern smartphones. By making these existing components work together for monitoring purposes, the system achieves automatic location determination without adding significant external complexity, as the device already possesses these universal functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables parents to monitor their children's location and environment effectively, preventing falsification of information by automatically acquiring and transmitting location data along with media, ensuring the child's compliance through device functionality limitations.

Implementation Method 1

the device includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite receiver and obtains latitude and longitude coordinates from orbiting GPS satellites

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGPS satellite signal reception:

Implementation Method 2

the position of a wireless communications device can be determined by means of triangulation algorithms and/or signal delay measurements, making use of Radio Frequency (RF) communications between the wireless device and base station antennae

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTriangulation:

Data Source

PatentUS8027662B1Parental monitoring via cell phones with media capture and location reporting

Publication Date: 2011.09.27 SPRINT SPECTRUM LLC

AI summary

A method for obtaining media at a first communications device (e.g., that of a parent) from a wireless communications device (e.g., one being used by a child), includes steps of receiving a message from the first device at the wireless communications device, the message causing the wireless communications device to display a prompt for the user to capture media (e.g., photo, voice sample, or biometrical sample) with the device, obtaining current location information for the wireless communications device; and automatically transmitting the media from the second device to the first device along with the current location information.