Beacon Broadcast Range Constrained by Interaction Zone
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for delivering context-aware services to mobile devices often result in unsolicited push notifications due to unconstrained beacon broadcast ranges, leading to user confusion and inefficient service selection processes.
Innovation Solution
A communications system with beacons that constrain their broadcast range within an indicated interaction zone, using electromagnetic shielding, directional antennas, and visual indicators to ensure users can easily select services by positioning their devices within a marked area, preventing overlap and unwanted service delivery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If beacons use unconstrained broadcast ranges to deliver services, then service delivery coverage is improved, but user confusion and unwanted service delivery increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the broadcast range into distinct, non-overlapping zones by using directional antennas to create sectorized coverage areas. Each beacon serves a specific segment of the overall service area, preventing broadcast overlap and enabling users to easily identify which beacon corresponds to which service zone, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage area and user confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing visual indicators (such as signage or display elements) at specific locations within the broadcast range that convey service information and beacon identity. This localized information quality helps users understand which beacon is active and what services are available in that specific area, reducing user confusion while maintaining broad service coverage.
2Ease of operation
If beacons use short broadcast ranges to prevent overlap, then unwanted service delivery is reduced, but user control and service accessibility worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of visual indicators and information display elements that mediate between the beacon and the user. These intermediaries provide service information, beacon identification, and selection guidance without requiring the user to physically approach or manually configure the device, thereby maintaining user control and service accessibility even with short broadcast ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by providing service information and beacon identification to users before they initiate service registration or interaction. Visual indicators and display elements present service details in advance, allowing users to make informed decisions about which services to select, thus maintaining adaptability and user control despite constrained broadcast ranges.
3Area of stationary object
If beacons use unconstrained broadcast ranges, then service coverage is improved, but interference between beacons increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the overall service area into distinct zones, each served by a beacon with a directional antenna creating a sectorized broadcast pattern. This segmentation ensures that each beacon's coverage area is spatially separated from others, eliminating broadcast overlap and interference while maintaining comprehensive service coverage across the entire area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetric directional antenna patterns that broadcast in specific directions rather than uniformly in all directions. This asymmetric coverage pattern allows beacons to be positioned in proximity to each other without causing interference, as each beacon's broadcast is directed toward its intended service zone while minimizing radiation into adjacent zones served by other beacons.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If beacons use short broadcast ranges, then broadcast interference is reduced, but user understanding of beacon location and proximity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing visual indicators, signage, or display elements at specific physical locations that correspond to the beacon's position and broadcast zone. These localized visual cues provide users with clear information about which beacon is active and whether their device is within the appropriate proximity, compensating for the reduced broadcast range and eliminating user confusion about beacon location.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces visual indicators as intermediaries that convey beacon location and proximity information to users. These indicators act as a communication bridge between the beacon system and the user, providing clear spatial reference points and proximity feedback without requiring the user to interpret technical broadcast parameters, thus resolving the difficulty of detecting and measuring beacon proximity.
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 allows users to interact with services in a straightforward manner, reduces interference between beacons, and empowers users to choose services without accidentally registering for unwanted offers, enhancing user control and reducing unnecessary notifications.
Implementation Method 1
a beacon device for providing interactive services, the beacon device capable of wireless transmissions according to a communications protocol over a broadcast range
Data Source
AI summary
A communications system is described wherein consensual push of services from radio beacons (30, 32, 33) to a user's portable device (14) is enabled. The consent process comprises a user registering the portable device (14) at a registration beacon (30) to consent to data delivery from other relevant beacons (32, 33) in a network. The registration beacon (30) has a broadcast range which is constrained within, and highlighted to a user as, an indicated interaction zone (16). The range is preferably constrained and highlighted using electromagnetic shielding (18), or by using a directional antenna, or a combination of both. In use, the user must position their portable device (14) within the indicated interaction zone (16) to register for service delivery.