Beacon-Stuffed WiFi Broadcast Signals for Collision Warning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to provide timely and direct alerts to distracted pedestrians and vulnerable road users about impending collisions, as they rely on traditional sound warnings that may be ignored, and existing infrastructure cannot effectively convey personalized alerts in real-time.
Innovation Solution
A system using beacon-stuffed WiFi broadcast signals to convey urgent pedestrian safety messages between vehicles and pedestrians, allowing for low-delay communication by removing the need for association with a WiFi access point, and including a method to determine impending collisions based on position, speed, and direction information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connection-oriented WiFi approach is used, then communication reliability is improved, but communication delay increases due to association requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the association step from the traditional WiFi communication process. By using beacon-stuffed WiFi broadcast signals, the system enables direct communication between vehicles and pedestrians without requiring device association with access points, thereby eliminating association delays while maintaining communication reliability through the structured beacon format.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding position, speed, and direction information in periodic WiFi beacons before collision detection is needed. This allows receiving devices to continuously track and predict future positions of moving objects, enabling timely collision warnings without waiting for connection establishment.
2Device complexity
If traditional sound warning methods are used, then system simplicity is improved, but alert effectiveness deteriorates as distracted users shut out external sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces smartphone devices as intermediary components between the warning system and distracted users. Instead of directly alerting users through traditional sound horns that they ignore, the system uses WiFi beacons to communicate with smartphones, which then deliver personalized visual and haptic alerts through applications, effectively reaching users even when they are distracted or wearing headphones.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces mechanical sound-based warning methods with electronic WiFi beacon communication. By substituting acoustic signals with wireless data transmission containing position and collision information, the system overcomes the limitation of sound being shut out by distracted users, while maintaining relative simplicity through using existing smartphone infrastructure.
3Reliability
If personalized alerts are implemented, then alert effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using standard WiFi beacon signals that can serve multiple functions: they provide position information, speed information, direction information, and collision warnings all through a single communication mechanism. This multi-functionality allows personalized alerts to be implemented without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same infrastructure handles multiple tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing smartphones to automatically receive beacon signals, process position and collision data, and generate personalized alerts without requiring complex centralized control. Each device independently processes the information it receives and delivers appropriate warnings, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a method, and a computer program for utilizing a WiFi beacon for low-latency communication with smart computing devices. Embodiments of the invention use beacon-stuffed network announcement broadcast signals to promptly convey urgent safety information to pedestrians and other vulnerable road users and to warn them of approaching vehicles. This information can then be used to generate visual or audible alerts that are presented on a smart computing device of the vulnerable road user. Similarly, beacon-stuffed network announcement broadcast signals transmitted by pedestrians' smart computing devices can be used to warn vehicle operators of pedestrians in their path.