Wireless Tethered Device Tracking with Distance-Based Alerts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device tracking systems often experience delays in detecting a device's loss, leading to potential battery depletion and inability to locate the device effectively due to distance or communication range limitations.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses wirelessly tethered devices to generate alerts based on estimated distance or proximity, allowing users to receive notifications on a monitoring device and initiate actions such as playing an alarm on the lost device, with features like Bluetooth pairing, RF signal broadcasting, and communication through various channels when the devices are out of range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If a user discovers a missing mobile device after a delay, then the user can still attempt to locate it using tracking applications, but the device may have moved too far away or the battery may have depleted resulting in inability to locate the device
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing wireless tethering between devices before loss occurs. The monitoring device continuously tracks the tethered device's location and readiness status in advance, so when loss is detected, immediate alerts can be sent and actions taken without delay in discovering the loss
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the monitoring device receives continuous status information from the tethered device including battery level and location data. This feedback loop enables real-time monitoring and immediate detection when the device becomes unavailable, allowing quick response before battery depletion or excessive distance reduces location reliability
2Ease of operation
If the user is far from the misplaced device, then the user cannot physically retrieve it, but tracking applications require the user to be near the device to effectively locate it
Solution Approach 1:
The monitoring device serves as an intermediary between the user and the misplaced tethered device. It continuously collects location information from the tethered device and relays it to the user, eliminating the need for the user to be physically near the device. The intermediary maintains the communication link and information flow even when distance separates the user from the misplaced device
3Duration of action of stationary object
If the battery on the misplaced device completely depletes, then the device stops providing location data, but tracking applications need the device to be powered on to locate it
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary monitoring of battery status through the wireless tethering connection before complete depletion occurs. The monitoring device tracks battery levels in advance and can alert the user when the tethered device's battery is running low, enabling proactive actions to locate and retrieve the device before it shuts down completely
Solution Approach 2:
The tethered device provides continuous feedback about its battery status to the monitoring device while powered on. This feedback mechanism allows the system to detect declining battery levels and trigger alerts, enabling the user to take action while location data is still available rather than losing information when the battery completely depletes
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 immediate user awareness of a misplaced device, allowing for timely action to locate it, even when the user is far away or the device is about to lose communication, by providing customizable alerts and remote alarm functionality.
Implementation Method 1
broadcasting, by a first wireless device, a radio frequency signal for reception by a second wireless device
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and computer-readable mediums are disclosed for wirelessly tethered device tracking. In some implementations, a method comprises: determining, by a first wireless device, an estimated distance between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, the second wireless device paired with the first wireless device; selecting, by the first wireless device, a first alarm to be generated by the first wireless device based on the estimated distance; and causing, by the first wireless device, the selected first alarm to be generated on the first wireless device.