Short-Range Wireless Beacon Location Tracking for Indoor Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customer service experiences in commercial establishments are hindered by the limitations of GPS-based navigation and check-in systems, which are ineffective in enclosed spaces due to signal blocking by building structures, and lack interactive and personalized features.
Innovation Solution
A mobile station equipped with wireless transceivers for Bluetooth and WiFi signals, combined with MEMS sensors, detects entry and location within a premises using short-range wireless beacon signals, enabling automated check-in, location tracking, and personalized communication, including map updates and promotional information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If GPS-based location detection is used for automated check-in and navigation, then location tracking can be automated, but GPS signals are blocked by building structures in enclosed spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces short-range wireless beacons as intermediary devices deployed throughout the premises. These beacons act as mediators between the mobile station and the location server, enabling indirect location determination through wireless signal detection when direct GPS signals are blocked by building structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with a local short-range wireless beacon system. This substitution enables location detection to function independently of external satellite signals, allowing automated check-in and navigation to work reliably within enclosed commercial spaces.
2Loss of information
If manual check-in processes are used, then customer information can be collected, but labor costs increase and customer experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated check-in where the mobile station automatically detects beacon signals and transmits customer information to the location server without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for staff to manually collect customer information, reducing labor costs and improving customer experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual check-in processes with an automated wireless detection and communication system. The mobile station's wireless transceiver automatically detects beacon signals and communicates customer location information, substituting human labor with automated electronic systems.
3Ease of operation
If interactive maps are provided to customers, then navigation assistance can be improved, but customers must repeatedly return to the map location
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback by having the mobile station periodically detect beacon signals and automatically update the map display to reflect the customer's current location. This real-time feedback mechanism eliminates the need for customers to manually return to the map, as the system proactively provides updated navigation information.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring beacon signals and preparing updated location information before the customer needs to view it. The map is proactively updated with current location data, so when the customer views the map, the information is already current without requiring them to return to the original map location.
4Adaptability or versatility
If personalized customer interactions are implemented, then customer experience is enhanced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the mobile station universal by utilizing its existing wireless transceiver and processor for multiple functions: location detection through beacon signal detection, customer identification, map display, and personalized information delivery. This multi-functionality enables personalization without adding dedicated hardware complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The location server acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of personalized interactions. It receives customer information, determines location based on beacon detection, and delivers personalized communications and map information, thereby isolating system complexity from the mobile station while enabling rich personalization capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile station is configured to detect entry into a premises of an enterprise in response to short range or near field radio-frequency signals. The mobile station receives signals from one or more short range wireless beacons located in the premises, and the mobile station sends identifiers from the beacon signals to a location server. The location server processes the identifiers to determine location of the mobile station within the premises and sends information to the mobile station, for presentation to the user of a map of the premises showing the determined location of the mobile station within the premises. Entry detection also may be used to automatically check-in a customer/user of the mobile station with a system of the enterprise used by personnel of the enterprise at the premises to enable the personnel to customize interactions the customer while the customer is at the premises.