Programmable Beacon Payloads for Precise Location Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location-based services face challenges in accurately determining the precise location of mobile devices using wireless transmitters, as they rely on signal strength and known transmitter locations, which can be inconsistent and lack detailed area differentiation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a beaconing protocol with Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) beacons that transmit programmable payloads, including calibrated transmission power, allowing mobile devices to determine their location and geofence entry with increased accuracy by using measured signal strength and UUIDs, majors, and minors for detailed area identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wireless transmitters use signal strength for location determination, then location can be determined without additional hardware, but the location accuracy is inconsistent and lacks precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces calibrated transmission power as a new parameter in the beacon payload, replacing reliance on raw signal strength measurements. This calibrated value is pre-determined and stored in the beacon, allowing mobile devices to calculate accurate distances by comparing received signal strength against this known reference, thereby resolving the inconsistency of using signal strength alone for location determination
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a calibration process as an intermediary step between beacon deployment and location determination. A calibration device measures the actual transmission power of each beacon and stores this calibrated value in the beacon's payload. This intermediary calibration step eliminates the unreliability of raw signal strength by providing a reference value that accounts for individual beacon variations
2Adaptability or versatility
If beacons transmit basic identification information, then the beacon payload is simple and easy to transmit, but detailed area differentiation cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location identification system into hierarchical levels: beacons are organized into groups (areas), and each beacon within a group is further identified by a unique index. This segmentation allows detailed area differentiation through the combination of group ID and beacon index, enabling precise location identification without requiring each beacon to transmit extensive individual information
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal beacon payload structure that can serve multiple functions: basic identification, area differentiation through group IDs, and precise beacon identification through indexes. This multi-functional payload design allows the same beacon system to provide both broad area coverage and fine-grained location differentiation without increasing complexity
3Productivity
If beacons use default transmission power settings, then deployment is faster and easier, but distance determination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary calibration action during the beacon deployment process. Before beacons are deployed to their final locations, a calibration device measures each beacon's actual transmission power and stores this calibrated value in the beacon's payload. This preliminary measurement and storage of accurate transmission power data enables precise distance determination later without requiring slower post-deployment calibration procedures
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a beaconing protocol can be used to broadcast beacon information to mobile devices. The beaconing protocol can be used by a Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) (e.g., Bluetooth 4.0) beacon to transmit a package of information that identifies the beacon and indicates the calibrated transmission power (e.g., measured power) of the beacon. The package of information can be configured by beacon providers and/or beacon installers at the locations where the beacons are installed. When a mobile device receives the beacon package, the mobile device can use the beacon identification information and/or the measured power of the beacon to determine a location (e.g., precise location, geofence location) of the mobile device. In some implementations, the mobile device can transmit the beacon information to a server and the server can determine the location of the mobile device and send location and/or content information back to the mobile device.