Wireless Information Capture for Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Travelers face difficulties in efficiently and reliably capturing and processing information from signage, such as billboards, while on the move, due to the tediousness and unreliability of manual note-taking, memorization, or returning to the location.

Innovation Solution

A system that wirelessly transmits source information and advertising information from transmitters associated with buildings or billboards to mobile devices, allowing automatic storage based on predefined conditions, enabling convenient and reliable access to information without prior solicitation, using a mobile device's processor to compare and store relevant data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual note-taking methods (pen and paper, typing) are used to capture information from signage, then information can be recorded, but the process is tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation capture reliabilityVSAvoidtime spent capturing information

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical note-taking methods with an automated electronic system. A mobile device with a camera captures images of signage, and optical character recognition (OCR) technology automatically converts the visual information into text data, eliminating the need for manual writing or typing while significantly reducing time consumption and improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service information capture where the mobile device autonomously performs multiple functions: capturing images of signage, processing the visual data through OCR, filtering relevant information based on user-defined criteria, and storing the extracted data without requiring continuous manual intervention from the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Loss of information

If all information from signage is transmitted to mobile devices, then complete information is available, but the amount of information becomes overwhelming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinformation management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the relevant information from the overwhelming amount of signage data by implementing filtering mechanisms. The system allows users to define specific criteria (such as business type, location, or keywords) and automatically extracts only the information that matches these criteria, separating useful data from irrelevant information while maintaining completeness of relevant details.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the overwhelming information stream into manageable categories and portions. Information is divided by type (advertising, directional, informational), by location, by relevance level, and by user preferences, allowing users to process and view information in organized segments rather than as an undifferentiated mass.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If travelers attempt to memorize information from signage, then no external tools are needed, but the process is unreliable and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation capture easeVSAvoidinformation retention reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates digital copies of signage information by capturing images with the mobile device camera and using OCR to convert visual content into editable text. These digital copies are stored in the device's memory, providing a reliable and easily accessible record of the information without requiring human memory, thereby significantly improving both ease of operation and retention reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

4Measurement precision

If information is captured manually by returning to the location, then accurate information can be obtained, but significant time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidtime for information verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary information capture and verification at the moment the signage is first encountered. The mobile device captures the image, processes it through OCR, and stores the extracted information immediately, eliminating the need for later return visits to verify or record information, thus maintaining accuracy while saving significant time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10540676B2Information access management

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to transmit applications to mobile devices. The applications may operate to enable the reception of source and advertising information from a wireless transmitter. Reception may occur at a wireless receiver in a mobile device, as part of a single transmission and without prior solicitation by the mobile device. The source information can identify a source associated with the advertising information. The advertising information is stored in the mobile device when the source information and/or distance information associated with the source information comply with conditions included in a storage policy associated with the mobile device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.