BTLE Beacon Proximity Detection for Contactless Customer Interaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated customer service systems lack effective proximity detection and communication technologies that utilize mobile devices in a socially distanced and user-friendly manner, especially during situations requiring social distancing.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing Bluetooth Low-Energy (BTLE) beacons and mobile devices for zero-step customer proximity detection, enabling businesses to identify and interact with customers without requiring them to handle their devices, allowing for proximity tracking, table management, and offering incentives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional contactless payment systems are used, then payment security is improved, but customer proximity detection and personalized communication capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon technology with contactless payment systems. The mobile device simultaneously performs payment authentication and proximity detection functions through integrated software modules. When a customer approaches the payment terminal, the system detects proximity via BLE signals and automatically initiates the payment process, merging security verification with location-aware service delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The payment terminal is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a secure payment processor and a proximity detection device. The system can identify customers based on their mobile device signals, provide personalized communications, enforce social distancing protocols, and process payments all through a single unified platform, eliminating the need for separate detection systems.
2Productivity
If automated proximity-based messaging systems are implemented, then customer communication efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system operates autonomously by automatically detecting customer proximity through BLE beacons and triggering appropriate communication actions without manual intervention. When a customer enters the detection zone, the system automatically retrieves their profile information, composes personalized messages, and delivers them through the customer's mobile device, eliminating the need for staff to manually manage communication workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
Customer profile information, preferences, and communication templates are pre-configured in the system database before actual interactions occur. This allows the automated messaging system to quickly generate and deliver personalized communications in real-time based on pre-prepared data structures, reducing processing delays and system complexity during actual customer interactions.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If social distancing protocols are enforced through technology, then customer safety is improved, but operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The social distancing enforcement system is designed to be dynamic rather than rigid. It continuously monitors customer locations through BLE triangulation and provides real-time feedback through mobile devices. When customers violate distancing protocols, the system issues gentle reminders through the app rather than imposing strict physical constraints, allowing operational flexibility while maintaining safety goals. The system can adapt its enforcement level based on business needs and regulatory requirements.
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 seamless, socially distanced customer interactions and proximity management, enhancing customer experience and business operations by allowing customers to focus on the environment rather than their devices, while providing personalized interactions and incentives.
Implementation Method 1
emit a beacon signal with short-range wireless communications; wherein the beacon signal includes identifying information and application information from the short-range low-energy wireless network beacon
Data Source
AI summary
A system and methods for zero-step customer proximity detection using mobile device low emissions beacons, which uses a customer mobile device, a single or plurality of BLUETOOTH™ low-emissions (BTLE) beacons, a network, a server, and an application that may operate separately on a mobile device and the single or plurality of BLUETOOTH™ low-emissions (BTLE) beacons, which allows businesses to detect known customers that come within a specified proximity of any connected BTLE beacons, and provide interactions with them on a zero-step and socially distanced basis, track their proximity to other customers and staff using similar applications, manage table assignments, offer deals or provide incentives to enter or patronize a business establishment.