Baggage Tracking via BLE Beacons and RSSI Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current baggage tracking systems in the airline industry, such as those using laser-scanned 1D barcode paper tags and RFID, are expensive, complex, and lack precision, making it difficult to efficiently track baggage throughout its journey, especially indoors and outside airport infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing beacons that emit short-range radio signals with unique identifiers and relaying devices with known locations to calculate signal strength and determine proximity, allowing for accurate tracking and integration with existing baggage handling systems, reducing costs and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID scanners are used to track baggage, then tracking capability is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive RFID scanners with inexpensive Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons that can be mass-deployed throughout the airport infrastructure. These beacons cost a fraction of RFID scanners, enabling comprehensive coverage without prohibitive expenses. The beacons are distributed widely to ensure reliable tracking while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the active RFID scanning system with passive BLE beacon technology. Instead of using expensive scanners that actively interrogate tags, the system uses low-cost BLE beacons that continuously emit signals, which are then detected by smartphones or tracking devices. This substitution dramatically reduces hardware costs while maintaining tracking functionality.
2Measurement precision
If RFID scanners are deployed throughout the baggage journey, then tracking precision is improved, but signal conflict resolution complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic broadcasting of unique beacon identifiers at defined intervals rather than continuous scanning. Each BLE beacon emits its unique ID periodically, and the system records the timestamp and location of each detection. This periodic approach reduces signal collisions and makes it easier to resolve conflicts by using temporal information to determine which signal was most recently received or which beacon was closest.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where detected beacon signals are processed to determine proximity based on signal strength and timestamp. The tracking system uses this feedback to continuously update baggage location, resolving signal conflicts by prioritizing the most recent or strongest signals from the nearest beacons, thereby maintaining precise tracking without overwhelming complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If GPS or GSM systems are used for tracking, then global coverage is achieved, but cost and complexity increase and indoor accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tracking system into two complementary segments: BLE beacons for indoor environments where GPS is unavailable, and GPS/GSM for outdoor and global positioning. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the strengths of each technology - BLE provides accurate indoor localization through proximity to known beacon locations, while GPS provides global outdoor coverage, together achieving comprehensive tracking without the limitations of either system alone.
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
This solution provides a low-cost, robust, and precise tracking system capable of accurately locating baggage throughout its journey, both within and outside airport terminals, enhancing tracking efficiency and passenger reassurance.
Implementation Method 1
a beacon associated with an article for emitting a plurality of short-range radio signals
Implementation Method 2
calculating a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) for each detected short-range radio signal
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and method for tracking an article is described. The article may be baggage passing through an airport terminal or another venue. The system comprises a beacon associated with a baggage article, a plurality of relaying bridges, and a tracking service. Short-range radio signals including a beacon identifier and a beacon transmission power are emitted by the beacon associated with a baggage article and detected by a plurality of relaying bridges. The relaying bridges calculate a received signal strength indicator (RSSI), convert the short-range radio signal to a relay signal and transmit the relay signal including a unique relaying bridge identifier and RSSI information via a network. The tracking service receives data from the relay signal, attaches a time stamp to the received data, stores the time-stamped data, and determines from the stored data the time when the article arrives at a point of interest.