System for providing service by using beacon device

Abstract

A system for providing a service by using a beacon device is disclosed. The system for providing a service by using a beacon device may include: a beacon device for broadcasting beacon data including a beacon location identifier including location information of the beacon device and identification information of the beacon device; a user terminal for receiving the beacon data from the beacon device; and a server device for communicating with the user terminal, wherein: the user terminal device generates a beacon identification identifier based on location information of the user terminal device on the basis of the received beacon data, stores the received beacon data when it is determined that the beacon location identifier included in the beacon data corresponds to the beacon identification identifier, and transmits the stored beacon data to the server device; the server device receives the beacon data from the user terminal device, and transmits service provision content for providing a service to the user terminal device in response to the reception of the beacon data; and the user terminal device provides the service provision content received from the server device to a user through an application.

Description

Service provision system using beacon devices

[0001] The disclosure below relates to a service provision system using a beacon device.

[0002] Store operators offering the service can use self-ordering kiosks instead of taking orders in person. Self-ordering kiosks can accept orders from customers using kiosks, tablet ordering, or mobile kiosk apps. Self-ordering kiosks eliminate unnecessary steps between store staff and customers. Instead of using self-ordering kiosks, beacon devices can be used to take orders. Beacon devices use short-range wireless communication using Bluetooth.

[0003] According to one embodiment, a service providing system using a beacon device includes a beacon device that broadcasts beacon data including a beacon location identifier including location information of the beacon device and identification information about the beacon device, a user terminal that receives the beacon data from the beacon device, and a server device that communicates with the user terminal, wherein the user terminal device generates a beacon identification identifier based on the location information of the user terminal device based on the received beacon data, and, when it is determined that the beacon location identifier included in the beacon data corresponds to the beacon identification identifier, stores the received beacon data, and transmits the stored beacon data to the server device, the server device receives the beacon data from the user terminal device, and, in response to receiving the beacon data, transmits service providing content for providing a service to the user terminal device, and the user terminal device can provide the service providing content received from the server device to a user through an application.

[0004] The location information of the beacon device may include range information generated based on the latitude and longitude of the beacon device, and the location information of the user terminal device may include range information generated based on the latitude and longitude of the user terminal device.

[0005] The user terminal device can generate a plurality of beacon verification identifiers distinguished by different location information, and store the beacon data when at least one of the generated plurality of beacon verification identifiers is determined to correspond to the beacon location identifier.

[0006] The beacon device includes at least three beacon devices, and the user terminal device determines distances to each beacon device from the user terminal device based on signal sizes of beacon data received from the at least three beacon devices, and the server device receives the determined distances from the user terminal device and determines the location of the user terminal device within the store based on the determined distances.

[0007] According to one embodiment, a service providing system using a beacon signal includes a user terminal device, a location detection device, and a server device, wherein the user terminal device broadcasts a beacon signal for identifying the user terminal device during a time when an app for providing the service is executed, the location detection device detects the broadcasted beacon signal through a beacon signal detector and transmits the detected beacon signal to the server device, the server device receives the detected beacon signal and determines location information about the user terminal device based on the received beacon signal, the location detection device detects the broadcasted beacon signal through at least three beacon signal detectors at a predetermined time interval, determines a distance from the beacon signal detectors to the user terminal device based on a magnitude of the detected beacon signal, and transmits the determined distance to the server device, and the server device receives the determined distance, determines a location of the user terminal device based on the received distance, and determines a movement path of the user terminal device based on the determined location.

[0008] The server device receives an authentication request of the user terminal device from the location detection device, and transmits a generation signal for generating a user authentication beacon signal to the user terminal device in response to the received authentication request, the user terminal device receives the generation signal, and broadcasts the user authentication beacon signal in response to the received generation signal, and when the user location detection device detects the broadcasted user authentication beacon signal, the user terminal device can determine that authentication is complete.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a service provision system according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining beacon data according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining determining the position of a user terminal device according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a drawing for explaining determining a movement path of a user terminal device according to one embodiment.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating authentication of a user terminal device according to one embodiment.

[0014] Specific structural or functional descriptions of the embodiments are disclosed for illustrative purposes only and may be modified and implemented in various forms. Therefore, the actual implementation is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and the scope of this specification includes modifications, equivalents, or alternatives within the technical concepts described in the embodiments.

[0015] Although terms such as "first" or "second" may be used to describe various components, these terms should be interpreted solely to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may also be referred to as a first component.

[0016] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this document, phrases such as "A or B", "at least one of A and B", "at least one of A or B", "A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", and "at least one of A, B, or C" can each include any one of the items listed together in that phrase, or all possible combinations thereof. In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify the presence of a described feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0017] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted to have a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the description with reference to the attached drawings, identical components are assigned the same reference numerals regardless of the drawing numbers, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0019]

[0020] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a service provision system according to one embodiment.

[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a service providing system can provide a service using a beacon device (110). The service providing system can include a beacon device (110), a user terminal device (120), and a server device (130). When the user terminal device (120) detects beacon data (e.g., beacon data (200) of FIG. 2) broadcast by the beacon device (110), the user terminal device (120) can transmit the detected beacon data to the server device (130). The server device (130) that receives the beacon data transmits information about the service to the user terminal device (120), and the user terminal device (120) can provide the information received through an app to the user.

[0022] The beacon device (110) is a communication device that utilizes Bluetooth communication technology. The beacon device (110) can broadcast beacon data (e.g., beacon data (200) of FIG. 2) (or beacon signal). For example, the beacon device (110) installed inside a restaurant can broadcast beacon data. The beacon device (110) will be described in detail in FIG. 2.

[0023] The user terminal device (120) can receive beacon data from the beacon device (110). The user terminal device (120) can generate a beacon verification identifier based on the location information of the user terminal device (120) based on the received beacon data. The user terminal device (120) can compare the generated beacon verification identifier with a beacon identifier (e.g., the beacon identifier (210) of FIG. 2) to determine whether to store the beacon data. For example, the user terminal device (120) can compare a pre-stored beacon verification identifier with a beacon identifier broadcasted from an in-store beacon device (110) (hereinafter referred to as a “store beacon identifier”) to determine whether to store the beacon data. The user terminal device (120) can store the beacon data based on the beacon identifier and the beacon verification identifier, and determine whether to transmit the stored beacon data to the server device (130). The user terminal device (120) can determine whether to store the beacon data as described in detail in FIG. 2.

[0024] The server device (130) can communicate with the user terminal device (120). The server device (130) can receive beacon data from the user terminal device (120). For example, the server device (130) can receive a store beacon identifier from the user terminal device (120). In response to receiving the beacon data, the server device (130) can transmit service provision content for service provision to the user terminal device (120). For example, in response to receiving the store beacon data, the server device (130) can transmit the store's service provision content (e.g., food menu and prices, recommended menus, etc.) to the user terminal device (120).

[0025] The user terminal device (120) can provide service provision content received from the server device (130) to the user through an application of the user terminal device (120). For example, the user terminal device (120) can provide the user with content regarding food menus and prices or recommended menus received from the server device (130) through an application. Beacon technology can be used to receive user orders for service provision. Businesses operating stores can reduce the burden of labor costs, kiosks, etc., and users can reduce the time required to select and order menus.

[0026]

[0027] FIG. 2 is a drawing for explaining beacon data (200) according to one embodiment.

[0028] Referring to FIG. 2, a beacon device (110) can broadcast beacon data (200). According to one embodiment, the beacon device (110) can broadcast the beacon data (200) using Bluetooth communication. For example, the beacon device (110) can broadcast the beacon data (200) using Bluetooth low energy (BLE).

[0029] Beacon data (200) according to one embodiment may include a beacon identifier (210), a major (220), a minor (230), and / or a signal strength measurer (240).

[0030] The beacon identifier (210) may include a beacon location identifier (211) and a unique identification number (212). The beacon location identifier (211) may include location information of the beacon device (110). The unique identification number (212) is a unique number assigned to the beacon device (110) to identify the beacon device (110), for example, a 32-digit hexadecimal number. The beacon location identifier (211) may be a value or range assigned based on the location where the beacon device (110) is installed. For example, the location information of the beacon device (110) may include information about a range generated based on the latitude and longitude of the beacon device (110). The latitude and longitude of the beacon device (110) may be obtained through the address of the store where the beacon device (110) is installed or a measuring device.

[0031] The major (220) is an identifier used to distinguish a specific group among beacon devices (110) having the same unique identification number (212), and the minor (230) is an identifier used to distinguish beacon devices (110) having the same major (220). The major (220) and minor (230) can be set to a decimal number between 0 and 65535. For example, multiple beacons installed in a store can all have the same unique identification number (212).

[0032] The signal strength meter (240) indicates the strength of a signal including beacon data (200). The signal strength meter (240) can be expressed as a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and can be used to determine the location of a user terminal device (120) (e.g., the user terminal device (120) of FIG. 1). Determining the location of a user terminal device (120) using the signal strength meter (240) will be described in detail in FIG. 3.

[0033] The user terminal device (120) may include a scanner capable of detecting beacon data (200) and may detect broadcasted beacon data (200). Before detecting the broadcasted beacon data (200), the user terminal device (120) may generate a beacon identification identifier including location information of the user terminal device (120). The location information of the user terminal device (120) may include information regarding a range generated based on the latitude and longitude of the user terminal device (120). The latitude and longitude of the user terminal device (120) may be acquired using a global positioning system (GPS) of the user terminal device (120).

[0034] If the user terminal device (120) determines that the beacon identifier (210) and the beacon verification identifier correspond, the user terminal device (120) may receive and store the beacon data (200). For example, if the user terminal device (120) determines that the range information of the beacon location identifier (211) (210) and the range information of the beacon verification identifier correspond to each other, the user terminal device (120) may receive and store the beacon data (200). The user terminal device (120) may transmit the stored beacon data (200) to the server device (130).

[0035] According to one embodiment, a user terminal device (120) may generate a plurality of beacon identification identifiers that are distinguished by different location information. If the user terminal device (120) determines that at least one of the generated plurality of beacon identification identifiers corresponds to a beacon location identifier, the user terminal device (120) may receive and store beacon data. For example, before detecting beacon data (200), the user terminal device (120) may generate four beacon identification identifiers based on the latitude and longitude range of the user terminal device (120). If the user terminal device (120) determines that any one of the four beacon identification identifiers corresponds to a beacon location identifier, the user terminal device (120) may receive and store the beacon data.

[0036] When the beacon data (200) includes a beacon location identifier (211) based on location information, it may be possible to prevent service provision to users who are outside the space where the beacon data (200) is broadcast. In a specific operating system (e.g., iOS operating system), a different unique identification number (212) is required to distinguish between beacon devices (110). When using beacon data (200) including a beacon location identifier (211) based on location information, beacon devices (120) having the same unique identification number (212) can be distinguished by the beacon location identifier (211). For example, four beacon data (200) having the same unique identification number (212) can be distinguished by different beacon location identifiers (211).

[0037]

[0038] FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining determining the position of a user terminal device according to one embodiment.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 3, the user terminal device (340) can determine the location of the user terminal device (340) using a plurality of beacon devices (310, 320, 330). According to one embodiment, the user terminal device (340) can determine the location using triangulation. Triangulation is a method of determining the location of an object using at least three reference points. For example, the user terminal device (340) can determine the distances between three beacon devices (310, 320, 330) and determine the intersection of circles having each distance as a radius as the location of the user terminal device (340).

[0040] The user terminal device (340) can determine the distances between the user terminal device (340) and the beacon devices (310, 320, 330) based on the signal strength of the beacon data (e.g., beacon data (200) of FIG. 2) received from each beacon device (310, 320, 330). For example, the user terminal device (340) can determine the distance 1 (311) to the first beacon device (310), the distance 2 (321) to the second beacon device (320), and the distance 3 (331) to the third beacon device (330) based on the signal strength measurer (e.g., signal strength measurer (240) of FIG. 2) included in each beacon data. The distance determined based on the signal strength measurer can be determined using the following formula.

[0041] [Mathematical Formula 1]

[0042]

[0043] Here, c is the speed of light, f is the frequency of the radio signal (Hz), and L is the signal loss magnitude.

[0044] A server device (e.g., server device (130) of FIG. 1) can determine the intersection of circles centered on each beacon device (310, 320, 330) as the location of the user terminal device (340). The radius of each circle is the distance between each beacon device (310, 320, 330) and the user terminal device (340). For example, the server device can determine the intersection of a circle having a first beacon device (310) as the origin and a radius of distance 1 (311), a circle having a second beacon device (320) as the origin and a radius of distance 2 (321), and a circle having a third beacon device (330) as the origin and a radius of distance 3 (331) as the location of the user terminal device (340).

[0045] Determining the location of a user terminal device (340) using beacon devices (310, 320, 330) can identify the detailed location of a space where a service is provided by reducing location errors. For example, location determination using beacon devices (310, 320, 330) can be used to determine the location of a table within a space where a service is provided.

[0046]

[0047] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating determining a movement path of a user terminal device according to one embodiment. A service providing system can determine a movement path of a user terminal device (e.g., a user terminal device (120) of FIG. 1) using a beacon signal. A service providing system using a beacon signal can include a user terminal device, a location detection device, and a server device (e.g., a server device (130) of FIG. 1).

[0048] In operation (410), the location detection device can detect a beacon signal broadcast by the user terminal device. The broadcasted beacon signal is a signal for identifying the user terminal device while the app for providing the service is running.

[0049] In operation (420), the position detection device can determine the distance to the user terminal device based on the magnitude of the beacon signal. For example, the position detection device can detect a beacon signal broadcasted through at least three beacon signal detectors at predetermined time intervals. The position detection device can determine the distance from the beacon signal detectors to the user terminal device based on the magnitude of the beacon signal at the detected times.

[0050] In operation (430), the position detection device may transmit a beacon signal to the server device. The position detection device may transmit a distance determined based on the size of the beacon signal to the server device. The size of the beacon signal may be determined based on a beacon size identifier included in the beacon signal.

[0051] In operation (440), the server device can determine the location of the user terminal device. The server device can receive the detected beacon signal and determine the location of the user terminal device based on the received beacon signal. The server device can determine the location of the user terminal device using triangulation. The server device can determine the location of the user terminal device at predetermined time intervals using at least three location detection devices and the distance from each location detection device to the user terminal device. The server device can generate location information including the determined locations.

[0052] In operation (450), the server device can determine the movement path of the user terminal device. Based on location information including the determined locations, the server device can determine the location of the user terminal device over time. Based on the determined locations, the server device can estimate the movement path of the user terminal device.

[0053] When broadcasting beacon signals via user terminal devices, location detection devices installed in stores providing services can continuously detect the beacon signals. By estimating the user terminal device's movement path, the user's location can be estimated, and the estimated location can be used to provide notifications regarding service-related content.

[0054]

[0055] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating authentication of a user terminal device according to one embodiment. The service providing system can authenticate the user terminal device using a beacon signal.

[0056] In operation (510), the user location detection device can detect a beacon signal broadcasted by the user terminal device. The broadcasted beacon signal can request authentication of the user terminal device. The user location detection device can transmit the detected beacon signal to a server device.

[0057] In steps (520, 530), the server device may receive an authentication request from a user terminal device from a location detection device and transmit a generation signal for generating an authentication beacon signal. The server device may generate a generation signal for generating a user authentication beacon signal in response to the authentication request received from the location detection device. The server device may transmit the generation signal to the user terminal device.

[0058] In operation (540), the user terminal device can broadcast a user authentication beacon signal. The user terminal device can generate an authentication beacon signal based on a raw signal transmitted by the server device and broadcast the generated beacon signal.

[0059] In operation (550), the server device can determine whether to authenticate the user terminal device based on whether the user location detection device detects the authentication beacon signal. If the user location detection device detects the authentication beacon signal (e.g., “Yes” in operation (550)), the server device can determine that the authentication of the user terminal device is complete. If the user location detection device does not detect the authentication beacon signal (e.g., “No” in operation (550)), the server device can determine that the authentication of the user terminal device has failed.

[0060] User authentication methods using beacon signals (e.g., card authentication, password authentication, biometric authentication, etc.) are simpler than existing authentication methods. Furthermore, user authentication using beacon signals and authentication beacon signals can reduce the risk of authentication method duplication.

[0061] The embodiments described above may be implemented using hardware components, software components, and / or a combination of hardware components and software components. For example, the devices, methods, and components described in the embodiments may be implemented using a general-purpose computer or a special-purpose computer, such as, for example, a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing instructions and responding to them. The processing device may execute an operating system (OS) and software applications running on the operating system. Furthermore, the processing device may access, store, manipulate, process, and generate data in response to the execution of the software. For ease of understanding, the processing device is sometimes described as being used alone; however, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the processing device may include multiple processing elements and / or multiple types of processing elements. For example, a processing unit may include multiple processors, or a processor and a controller. Other processing configurations, such as parallel processors, are also possible.

[0062] Software may include computer programs, codes, instructions, or a combination of one or more of these, which may configure a processing device to perform a desired operation or may independently or collectively command the processing device. The software and / or data may be permanently or temporarily embodied in any type of machine, component, physical device, virtual equipment, computer storage medium, or device for interpretation by the processing device or for providing instructions or data to the processing device. The software may also be distributed over networked computer systems and stored or executed in a distributed manner. The software and data may be stored on a computer-readable recording medium.

[0063] The method according to the embodiment may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may store program commands, data files, data structures, etc., alone or in combination, and the program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the embodiment or may be known and available to those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of program commands include not only machine language codes such as those generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc.

[0064] The hardware devices described above may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the embodiments, and vice versa.

[0065] Although the embodiments described above have been described with limited drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various technical modifications and variations can be applied based on the described embodiments. For example, appropriate results can still be achieved even if the described techniques are performed in a different order than described, and / or components of the described systems, structures, devices, circuits, etc. are combined or combined in a different manner than described, or are replaced or substituted with other components or equivalents.

[0066] Therefore, other implementations, other embodiments, and equivalents to the claims also fall within the scope of the claims described below.

Claims

1. In a service provision system using a beacon device, A beacon device that broadcasts beacon data including a beacon location identifier including location information of the beacon device and identification information about the beacon device; A user terminal receiving beacon data from the beacon device; and A server device communicating with the above user terminal Including, The above user terminal device, Generating a beacon verification identifier based on the location information of the user terminal device based on the received beacon data, and if it is determined that the beacon location identifier included in the beacon data corresponds to the beacon verification identifier, storing the received beacon data, and transmitting the stored beacon data to the server device, The above server device, Receive the beacon data from the user terminal device, and in response to receiving the beacon data, transmit service provision content for service provision to the user terminal device, The above user terminal device, Providing the service provision content received from the above server device to the user through an application, Service provision system.

2. In paragraph 1, The location information of the beacon device includes range information generated based on the latitude and longitude of the beacon device, The location information of the user terminal device includes range information generated based on the latitude and longitude of the user terminal device. Service provision system.

3. In paragraph 1, The above user terminal device, Generating a plurality of beacon verification identifiers distinguished by different location information, and storing the beacon data when at least one of the generated plurality of beacon verification identifiers is determined to correspond to the beacon location identifier. Service provision system.

4. In paragraph 1, The above beacon device comprises at least three beacon devices, The user terminal device determines distances to each beacon device from the user terminal device based on the signal size of the beacon data received from the at least three beacon devices, The server device receives the determined distances from the user terminal device and determines the location of the user terminal device within the store based on the determined distance. Service provision system.

5. In a service provision system using a beacon signal, User terminal device; position detection device; and Including server devices, The user terminal device broadcasts a beacon signal for identification of the user terminal device while the app for providing the service is running, The above location detection device detects the broadcasted beacon signal through a beacon signal detector and transmits the detected beacon signal to the server device, The server device receives the detected beacon signal and determines location information about the user terminal device based on the received beacon signal, The above position detection device, Detecting the broadcasted beacon signal at a predetermined time interval through at least three beacon signal detectors, determining the distance from the beacon signal detectors to the user terminal device based on the magnitude of the detected beacon signal, and transmitting the determined distance to the server device, The above server device, Receive the determined distance, determine the location of the user terminal device based on the received distance, and estimate the movement path of the user terminal device based on the determined location. Service provision system.

6. In paragraph 5, The above server device, Receive an authentication request of the user terminal device from the location detection device, and transmit a generation signal for generating a user authentication beacon signal to the user terminal device in response to the received authentication request, The above user terminal device, Receive the above generation signal, and in response to the received generation signal, broadcast the user authentication beacon signal, The above user location detection device, When the user terminal device detects the broadcasted user authentication beacon signal, it determines that authentication is complete. Service provision system.

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