Beacon Information Embedded in Streaming Media for Content Discovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon technologies lack efficient methods for content discovery and interaction within environments, particularly in targeting and delivering relevant content to users based on their location and context.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a centralized beacon management system that embeds beacon information into streaming media, allowing devices to receive and broadcast this information concurrently, enabling content providers to target users with location-specific content and interact with them through various applications and services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If beacon information is broadcast separately from content, then beacon detection is simple, but content discovery and interaction efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent discovery efficiencyVSAvoidbroadcasting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines beacon information and content into a single unified broadcast stream. The broadcasting device embeds beacon identifiers within content data structures, allowing client devices to simultaneously receive both beacon signals and content without requiring separate reception channels or processing systems, thereby improving content discovery efficiency while maintaining system simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The broadcast stream serves multiple functions simultaneously: it delivers content to users, propagates beacon information for location detection, and enables interaction between users and content providers. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated beacon broadcasting infrastructure, resolving the contradiction between improved productivity and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Loss of information

If beacon information is embedded in streaming media, then content discovery improves, but information processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeacon information deliveryVSAvoidinformation processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments beacon information and content into distinct logical components within the unified broadcast stream. Client devices can selectively extract and process only the beacon identifier portion when beacon detection is needed, or process the entire stream for content consumption, thereby reducing information processing complexity while ensuring complete beacon information delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unified broadcast stream acts as an intermediary that carries both beacon information and content in a standardized format. This intermediary structure simplifies processing by providing a single, consistent data format that devices can parse efficiently, rather than handling multiple separate protocols and data structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple devices broadcast concurrently, then content delivery coverage increases, but signal interference increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontent delivery coverageVSAvoidsignal interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a standardized unified broadcast stream format that all devices use consistently. This homogeneity in data structure and transmission protocol across all broadcasting devices enables receivers to efficiently distinguish between different sources and process signals without confusion, allowing expanded coverage while minimizing interference effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

Data Source

PatentUS10560801B2Beacon applications for content discovery and interaction
Publication Date: 2020.02.11 APPLE INC
  • US10560801B2 patent drawing
  • US10560801B2 patent drawing
  • US10560801B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Beacon applications for content discovery and interaction include triggering features in applications, application discovery, embedding beacon information in streaming media, synchronizing the presentation of content on mobile devices and automatic configuration of mobile devices.