Geolocationing System Using Gateway Array for Multi-Space Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Employees in hospitality environments face increased personal security risks due to limited existing security measures in multi-room settings, necessitating improved systems for awareness and safety.
Innovation Solution
A geolocationing system comprising a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices with wireless transceivers that receive beacon signals from personal locator devices, processing them to determine the location and send gateway signals to a server for enhanced awareness and safety, including alert notifications and video/audio feeds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a geolocationing system with vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is deployed, then location determination accuracy and real-time awareness are improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the monitoring space into multiple zones using a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices. Each gateway device independently determines its position and monitors its local zone, segmenting the overall system into manageable units that collectively provide comprehensive coverage and accurate location determination throughout the facility.
Solution Approach 2:
Gateway devices serve as intermediary elements between personal locator devices and the central server. These gateways receive beacon signals from personal locators, determine their own positions, and forward location data to the server, acting as distributed mediators that enhance measurement precision without requiring direct communication between all system components.
2Area of stationary object
If gateway devices are arranged in vertical and horizontal arrays throughout the environment, then coverage area and monitoring capability are improved, but installation difficulty and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
Each gateway device is designed as a universal unit that performs multiple functions: determining its own position, receiving beacon signals from personal locators, and communicating with the central server. This multi-functionality allows identical devices to be deployed in vertical and horizontal arrays throughout the facility, expanding coverage area without requiring different device types for different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
Gateway devices are pre-configured with positioning capabilities and communication protocols before deployment. The system establishes the array configuration in advance, with each gateway device pre-programmed to determine its position and communicate with others in the array, facilitating easier installation and faster deployment across the facility.
3Loss of time
If beacon signals are continuously transmitted and processed by multiple gateway devices, then real-time location tracking is improved, but energy consumption and data processing load increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous transmission, personal locator devices transmit beacon signals at periodic intervals. Gateway devices receive these periodic signals and update location information accordingly. This periodic action maintains real-time location tracking capability while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous transmission and processing.
Solution Approach 2:
Gateway devices autonomously determine their own positions using the same positioning infrastructure, eliminating the need for centralized position management. Each gateway independently processes beacon signals and calculates locations, distributing the data processing load across multiple devices rather than concentrating it at a central server, thereby reducing overall system energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines an estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal locator device.