Customizable Beacons for Location-Based Services
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Solution Overview
Problem
Infrared communication systems require special hardware for location-based services, which is expensive and impractical for widespread use, especially in scenarios like theme parks where guests need IR-enabled devices to enhance their experience.
Innovation Solution
A communication system using Bluetooth LE advertisements with customized beacons that transmit location information, allowing users to receive location-specific content on their personal devices without the need for IR-enabled hardware, utilizing a beacon module with an antenna and transmitter configured to broadcast data at radio frequencies greater than 1.5 GHz, enabling dynamic payload data and formatting indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If infrared communication is used to transmit location data, then location-based services can be provided, but special hardware is required which increases cost and reduces accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical infrared communication system with an electromagnetic radio frequency system (Bluetooth Low Energy). This substitution allows location data transmission using common smartphone hardware rather than requiring specialized infrared transceivers, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining location-based service capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the communication parameter from infrared wavelength to radio frequency (1.5 GHz and above). This parameter change enables the use of existing RF hardware in smartphones that is already optimized for wireless communication, eliminating the need for additional specialized hardware while preserving the ability to provide location-based services
2Adaptability or versatility
If customized beacon payloads are used to provide context-aware content, then user experience is enhanced, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon payload is segmented into distinct fields including a data type indicator field and corresponding data fields. This segmentation allows the receiving device to efficiently parse and process only the relevant information based on the indicated data type, reducing processing complexity while enabling versatile context-aware content delivery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data type indicator that mediates between the diverse payload formats and the receiving application. This intermediary enables the system to handle multiple data types (location, timestamp, scene information) through a unified structure, simplifying the receiving end's task while maintaining adaptability
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 location-based services on common devices like smartphones, reducing costs by eliminating the need for specialized hardware and allowing for enhanced user experiences with precise location tracking and context-aware content delivery.
Implementation Method 1
The beacon transmitter is configured to transmit a customized beacon using a communication protocol that transmits data at one or more radio frequencies greater than 1.5 GHz
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein use customized beacons embedded in Bluetooth low-energy advertisements to transmit information between a user device and a beacon module. In one embodiment, the beacon module transmits the advertisement to the user device. The user device then parses the data contained within the advertisement to identify a customized beacon. Based on the information contained in the beacon, the application may provide an audio and/or visual presentation to the user. For example, the beacon may inform the user device that it is within close proximity to a particular geographic location (e.g., a point of interest). In response, the beacon application may present a visual presentation about the geographic location using a display screen within the user device.