Bluetooth Beacon Indoor Positioning via Mobile Device Triangulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current micro-location and proximity sensing technologies using wireless beacons face challenges in accurately determining the location of mobile devices and assets, especially in indoor environments, and require efficient methods to trigger specific functions based on location and beacon signal detection.
Innovation Solution
The integration of Bluetooth Low Energy beacon devices that broadcast universally unique identifiers, allowing mobile communication devices to detect and process location information, trigger specific applications or notifications, and utilize indoor positioning systems to determine the beacon device's location, enabling precise location tracking and function execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless beacon technology is used for micro-location and proximity sensing, then location-based applications can be enabled, but accurate location determination becomes difficult especially in indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple positioning approaches (GPS for outdoor, Wi-Fi triangulation and cellular tower triangulation for indoor) into a unified positioning system. The mobile device can switch between or combine these methods depending on the environment, thereby achieving accurate location determination both indoors and outdoors while enabling comprehensive location-based applications.
2Reliability
If beacon devices broadcast continuously for location tracking, then location tracking capability is maintained, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous broadcasting, the beacon device transmits location information at periodic intervals. The mobile device receives these periodic updates and maintains location tracking capability without requiring constant communication. This periodic transmission approach keeps the tracking reliable while significantly reducing the power consumption compared to continuous broadcasting.
Data Source
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AI summary
This document discloses a solution for positioning a Bluetooth beacon device. According to an aspect, a method comprises: broadcasting, by the Bluetooth beacon device, a Bluetooth beacon signal comprising an identifier of the Bluetooth beacon device; detecting, in a mobile communication device, the Bluetooth beacon signal; upon detecting the Bluetooth beacon signal determining, by the mobile communication device, an information element indicating a location of the mobile communication device at the time of detecting the Bluetooth beacon signal and transmitting the detected identifier of the Bluetooth beacon device and the information element to a server through a network, wherein the information element is determined by using an indoor positioning system; and determining, by the server, a location of the Bluetooth beacon device on the basis of the received information element and the identifier of the Bluetooth beacon device.