Bluetooth Low Energy Beacon Management via Access Point Gateway
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless beacon systems lack centralized control and efficient management methods, leading to challenges in configuring and maintaining large numbers of battery-powered Bluetooth Low Energy beacons, particularly in terms of power conservation and targeted signal range.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of methods for centrally controlling and managing wireless beacons, including receiving requests for status and configuration changes, establishing communication channels, and transmitting instructions to change beacon configurations, using network and wireless communication standards like IEEE 802.3 and Bluetooth, to optimize power usage and signal range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If battery-powered Bluetooth Low Energy beacons are deployed for wireless communication, then power consumption is reduced and battery life is extended, but centralized control and efficient management of large numbers of beacons becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary between the central management system and battery-powered beacons. The gateway receives configuration commands from the central system and relays them wirelessly to beacons, enabling centralized control without requiring direct electrical connections to each beacon. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining low power consumption at the beacon level while enabling efficient centralized management through the gateway.
2Area of stationary object
If transmission power of beacon signals is increased to expand coverage area, then signal range is extended, but power consumption increases and battery life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic transmission power adjustment where beacons can adapt their transmission power levels based on environmental conditions, device density, and coverage requirements. The system allows beacons to operate at lower power levels during normal conditions and automatically increase power only when needed to maintain coverage, thereby extending battery life while ensuring adequate signal range when required.
3Reliability
If beacons operate continuously to maintain constant signal presence, then detection reliability is improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic transmission modes where beacons broadcast signals at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. The system can configure beacons to transmit at different frequencies based on their role in the network and current operational requirements. This periodic action maintains adequate detection reliability by ensuring regular signal presence while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous operation, thereby extending battery life.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are systems, methods and computer program products for controlling operation of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, such as wireless beacons. Multiple BLE devices may be controlled centrally or may work together in a cooperative fashion such that signals can be exchanged between or repeated by BLE devices in order to allow for signals received at one BLE device to reach another BLE device without requiring further central interaction. Power settings of BLE devices may be altered to change power consumption or to change a detectable range of the BLE devices.