Cognitive Navigation System Using BLE Beacons for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing location services, particularly in transit hubs and tourist attractions, face challenges such as inaccuracy in GPS coordinates, language barriers, and difficulty in navigating chaotic environments, which can lead to confusion and missed information, especially for individuals with disabilities or those without expert guidance.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that provides cognitive navigational guidance through tourist attractions and beacon-based communication with vehicles, using site-specific information, user profiles, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons to offer personalized, accurate, and multilingual services, ensuring users receive relevant information and navigate efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS coordinates are used for location detection, then the system can provide basic location services, but the accuracy is insufficient (error of 10 meters or less) leading to incorrect vehicle summoning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple location detection technologies (GPS, Wi-Fi positioning, Bluetooth beacons, and cellular tower triangulation) into a hybrid location system. This merging of different positioning methods allows the system to achieve higher accuracy (within 10 inches) by compensating for the weaknesses of individual technologies, particularly GPS's 10-meter error margin.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons as intermediary devices deployed throughout the facility. These beacons act as mediators between the user's mobile device and the vehicle summoning system, providing precise location data that bridges the gap between GPS-level accuracy and the sub-foot accuracy required for reliable vehicle summoning.
2Productivity
If public announcement systems are used in transit hubs, then information can be broadcast to multiple users, but the announcements are inaudible or in languages not understood by given travelers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements location-specific personalized messaging where the system detects the user's precise location and delivers customized announcements in their preferred language and format. Instead of uniform public announcements, each user receives locally-relevant information tailored to their language preferences, accessibility needs, and current location within the transit hub.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting user preferences (language, accessibility requirements) and current location before delivering announcements. This advance preparation ensures that when information needs to be communicated, it is already customized to the user's specific needs, making it immediately comprehensible and actionable.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cognitive navigational guidance is provided through tourist attractions, then personalized service can be offered, but the system complexity increases requiring user profiles and behavior tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the system automatically creates and updates user profiles by observing behavior patterns without requiring explicit user input. The cognitive system infers user preferences, interests, and viewing habits by analyzing navigation patterns, time spent at exhibits, and interaction data, thereby personalizing the experience while minimizing the burden on users to manually configure complex settings.
4Measurement precision
If beacon technology is used for precise location detection, then accurate vehicle summoning can be achieved, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the BLE beacon infrastructure to serve multiple functions simultaneously: precise location detection for vehicle summoning, navigation guidance for users within facilities, and data collection for cognitive personalization. This multi-functionality justifies the infrastructure investment by making the same beacon network support several critical services rather than requiring separate systems for each function.
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
The system enhances user experience by providing precise location services, adapting to individual preferences, and ensuring accurate vehicle summoning within 10 inches, improving navigation and communication in complex environments, especially for those with disabilities.
Implementation Method 1
facilitating communication with a user's vehicle, e.g. to summon a vehicle to a precise location at a precise time using beacon technology
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, systems, computer program products, and computer implemented methods for cognitive location and navigation services for custom applications are disclosed. More specifically, the cognitive location and navigation services include, but are not limited to cognitive navigational guidance through a tourist attraction. For instance, a method includes receiving a request for cognitive navigational assistance through a tourist attraction; obtaining site-specific information about the tourist attraction from a site-specific server; determining whether a user profile describing user viewing preferences exists; and either: directing the user to navigate through the tourist attraction according to a path based on the existing user profile; or recommending a first exhibit to visit based at least in part on crowding levels at the tourist attraction and recording user behavior observed while viewing the first exhibit. Corresponding systems and computer program products are also disclosed.