Bluetooth Proximity Alert System Using Motion Sensor Toggle Byte

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Bluetooth-based proximity detection systems face challenges in accurately maintaining social distancing between operators/employees in indoor environments, particularly due to false proximity alerts triggered by idle devices, which can lead to incorrect records of social distancing breaches.

Innovation Solution

The system uses mobile devices equipped with processors and sensors to transmit and receive beacon signals. It determines whether a social distancing alert should be generated based on conditions such as the payload of the beacon signal and the distance between devices, using a motion sensor toggle byte and received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to assess device activity and proximity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If Bluetooth-based proximity detection is used to monitor social distancing, then location and position of operators can be identified, but false proximity alerts are triggered by idle devices leading to incorrect records

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of social distancing monitoringVSAvoidaccuracy of proximity alert records
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by checking motion status before generating proximity alerts. The motion sensor toggle byte is evaluated in advance to determine if a device is active or idle, preventing false alerts from idle devices before they occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The motion sensor toggle byte serves as an intermediary indicator between the device state and the proximity alert generation. This intermediary element provides additional information about device activity status, allowing the system to distinguish between active and idle devices that may be in proximity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If continuous monitoring of beacon signals is performed to maintain social distancing, then accurate location tracking is achieved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of location trackingVSAvoidenergy consumption of monitoring devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic beacon signal transmissions instead of continuous monitoring. Devices transmit and monitor beacon signals at regular intervals, maintaining location tracking accuracy while reducing energy consumption by keeping devices in low-power states between intervals

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts monitoring behavior based on device state. When motion is detected, the device transitions to active monitoring mode; when no motion is detected, it transitions to idle mode with reduced monitoring, optimizing energy consumption based on actual needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This approach effectively reduces false proximity alerts by differentiating between active and idle devices, ensuring accurate social distancing monitoring and maintaining compliance with social distancing norms.

Implementation Method 1

a motion sensor toggle byte indicating whether the byte value corresponds to the device being in an active state or an idle state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection: Accelerometer

Implementation Method 2

receiving a first beacon signal from the second device... determining a second condition associated with a distance between the first device and the second device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP4047960B1Methods and systems for social distancing
Publication Date: 2025.04.02 HAND HELD PRODS INC
  • EP4047960B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4047960B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4047960B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for generating an alert in case of a social distancing breach in a facility including a first device and second device, each including a processor and a memory. The memory stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, facilitate performance of operations. The operations including receiving a first beacon signal from a second device and determining that a first condition associated with a payload of the first beacon signal is satisfied, determining that a second condition associated with a distance between the first device and the second device is satisfied. The operations further comprising generating an alert related to a social distancing warning in response to the first condition and the second condition being satisfied and in response to at least one of the first condition or second condition not being satisfied, not generating the alert.