Bluetooth Beacon Indoor Location Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies fail to provide fine-grained user location information in indoor environments, as GPS and cellular network methods are inadequate for distinguishing between rooms or offices, and existing Bluetooth beacon systems primarily focus on location-based advertising rather than user location sharing.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Bluetooth beacon identification information to obtain and publish fine-grained user location information, including a Bluetooth beacon location server that maps identifiers to descriptive location data, a mobile device client for querying and publishing this information, and a publish-subscribe server for distributing location updates to authorized users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS location information is used, then location accuracy in outdoor environments is improved, but location determination fails in indoor environments without GPS satellite access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Bluetooth beacons as intermediary devices that relay location information between the mobile device and the indoor environment. These beacons act as mediators that enable location determination in indoor environments where GPS satellites are inaccessible, thus resolving the contradiction between outdoor GPS accuracy and indoor location availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the location determination system into multiple components: GPS for outdoor macro-location, Bluetooth beacons for indoor micro-location, and a hybrid integration layer that combines both. This segmentation allows the system to use the appropriate method for each environment, maintaining reliability across both indoor and outdoor settings.
2Reliability
If cellular network derived location information is used, then location information is available when base station connection is available, but location granularity is insufficient to distinguish between rooms or offices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments location information into two levels: macro-location from cellular networks (building level) and micro-location from Bluetooth beacons (room or office level). This hierarchical segmentation enables the system to maintain reliability through cellular coverage while achieving fine-grained precision through beacon triangulation within specific indoor spaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of spatial resolution by introducing Bluetooth beacons that operate at a finer granularity level than cellular towers. While cellular networks provide coarse-grained location data at the building or neighborhood level, Bluetooth beacons add a finer dimension of precision that can distinguish between specific rooms or offices within the same building.
3Measurement precision
If retail iBeacon systems are used for location targeted advertising, then Bluetooth beacon location capability is provided, but user location sharing functionality is not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the specialized retail iBeacon system into a universal location platform that supports multiple functions: retail advertising, user location sharing, navigation, and presence detection. By making the system multi-functional, it maintains the precise indoor location capability while adding versatile user-centric features like selective location sharing with friends and co-workers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the traditional retail-centric iBeacon model by shifting the primary function from merchant-driven advertising to user-driven location sharing. Instead of using beacons solely for pushing ads to customers, the system enables users to actively share their precise indoor locations with their social networks, thus adapting the technology to user needs rather than commercial needs.
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject matter described herein includes methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing Bluetooth beacon identification information to obtain and publish fine grained user location information. One method includes storing a plurality of Bluetooth beacon identifiers in a mobile device. The method further includes, receiving, from a Bluetooth beacon, a Bluetooth beacon identifier. The method further includes determining whether the received Bluetooth beacon identifier corresponds to one of the stored Bluetooth beacon identifiers. In response to determining that the received Bluetooth beacon identifier corresponds to one of the stored Bluetooth beacon identifiers, the method includes querying a Bluetooth beacon location server for location information corresponding to the Bluetooth beacon identifier. The method further includes receiving Bluetooth beacon location information from the server and publishing the Bluetooth beacon location description to subscribers of a user of the mobile device.