Compact BLE Beacon RSSI Distance Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a compact, low-power, and efficient location tracking solution that can be easily attached to various objects or individuals, enabling real-time monitoring and alerting features through a mobile device, particularly in scenarios where traditional tracking methods are cumbersome or ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A coin-sized beacon equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication, adhesive for easy attachment, and a companion mobile application providing features like a radar screen, Virtual Leash, Find It, and Task Launcher, which utilize Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values to determine distance and direction, and trigger alerts or actions based on proximity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a compact beacon design is used, then ease of attachment and portability are improved, but battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from Classic Bluetooth to Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, changing the communication protocol parameter to achieve significantly lower power consumption. This allows the compact beacon to operate for over a year on a single battery charge despite its small size, resolving the contradiction between compact form factor and battery life
Solution Approach 2:
The beacon uses periodic advertising intervals rather than continuous transmission, where the radio wakes up at scheduled intervals to broadcast its presence and then returns to sleep mode. This periodic operation pattern dramatically reduces average power consumption, enabling extended battery life in the compact device
2Use of energy by moving object
If Bluetooth Low Energy is used instead of Classic Bluetooth, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range and data transfer capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different communication capabilities to different operational contexts: BLE is used for low-power presence advertising and proximity detection, while GPS on the mobile device provides location data when needed. This localized application of appropriate technology for each function resolves the contradiction between low power consumption and adequate communication capability
3Measurement precision
If traditional tracking methods are used, then location accuracy is maintained, but device complexity and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beacon's BLE radio with the mobile device's GPS and accelerometer capabilities into an integrated tracking system. The beacon provides presence detection while the mobile device provides location data, merging multiple functions into a unified system that maintains accuracy while simplifying operation through a single companion app interface
Solution Approach 2:
The companion mobile application serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of tracking operations, presenting a simplified user interface with features like radar screens, virtual leash, and find it functions. This mediator absorbs the system complexity while maintaining ease of operation for the end user
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate tracking and alerting of attached objects or individuals within a range of 100 to 160 feet, with a battery life of over a year, allowing for efficient location determination and notification without the need for frequent battery replacement.
Implementation Method 1
utilize Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values to determine distance and direction
Data Source
AI summary
A device, system and method for providing (a) a wireless communications component, configured to send and receive wireless signals such that the device is locatable via a wireless means; the wireless communications component including: (i) a Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) module for measuring signal strength of a wireless signal received at the wireless communications component, wherein the device is configured to be tracked by a mobile computing device (MCD) running a mobile application wherein the distance of the device from the MCD is calculated by the mobile application upon receiving between one and three RSSI values, measured by the RSSI module, and sent in a signal by the device to the MCD, wherein the distance is calculated based an average of the received RSSI values.