Beacon-Based User Location Detection for Automatic Merchant Check-In
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transaction methods at merchant locations, such as drive-throughs, require manual account identification and interaction with multiple devices, increasing user and merchant input requirements.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a user computing device and a merchant beacon device to determine location and signal strength, enabling automatic check-in and transaction initiation without direct user interaction at the point of sale.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual account identification and device interaction are required for transactions, then user and merchant input requirements increase, but transaction processing becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic check-in and transaction initiation by detecting the user computing device's presence at the merchant location through beacon signal strength and geolocation data. The user device automatically identifies the merchant, checks in, and initiates transactions without requiring manual account identification or interaction with merchant devices, allowing the system to serve itself by autonomously performing identification and transaction setup functions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical interactions (physical card insertion, magnetic stripe swiping, NFC tapping, and device-to-device communication) with automated wireless detection systems. Beacon devices transmit signals that are received by user computing devices, which then automatically determine location and initiate transactions through wireless communication, substituting the mechanical manual processes with automated electronic detection and communication systems
2Productivity
If automatic check-in and transaction initiation are implemented, then user and merchant input are reduced, but location detection precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple location detection methods by combining beacon signal strength measurement with geolocation data from the user computing device. This hybrid approach integrates wireless signal detection with GPS and other location services to achieve accurate location determination, allowing the system to meet precision requirements through the complementary strengths of multiple detection technologies working together
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the user computing device continuously monitors beacon signal strength and compares it against threshold values to determine check-in status and transaction readiness. The device receives feedback from the beacon device about signal strength and uses this feedback to automatically adjust its check-in state, ensuring accurate location detection and automatic transaction initiation when the user is at the appropriate location
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
Reduces user and merchant input by allowing seamless transaction processing through geolocation and signal strength detection, facilitating efficient and contactless transactions.
Implementation Method 1
a beacon signal strength of a beacon device... based on location data of the user computing device and a (beacon) signal strength of a beacon device
Data Source
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AI summary
The proposed solution in particular relates to a computer-implemented method to identify user computing device locations based on location data and beacon signal strength in which a user computing device receives a beacon signal comprising a beacon device identifier from a beacon device via a wireless network scan and determines that a second location of the user computing device is within a geofence boundary and is less than a predefined distance from a location of the beacon device based on a beacon signal strength of the beacon device. The beacon signal strength is based on at least one of the received beacon signal and further signals received from the beacon device via the wireless network scan. In response to determining that the second location is less than the predefined distance from the location of the beacon device, the user computing device transmits a next in line status message indicating the location of the user computer device and a user identifier associated with the user computing device to a computing device associated with the beacon device.