RSSI Proximity Zones Around Wireless Access Points Indoors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indoor environments present challenges for accurately monitoring the entry and exit of wireless devices due to the limitations of GPS-based geofencing, necessitating computationally intensive techniques like path loss measurements and triangulation for location determination.
Innovation Solution
A network management system (NMS) generates and monitors proximity zones based on Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) thresholds, allowing users to establish zones quickly and efficiently without manual boundary definition, enabling faster event triggering and action invocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based geofencing is used for monitoring wireless device location, then location monitoring capability is improved, but it becomes inapplicable in indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless access points as intermediary devices to enable indoor location monitoring. Instead of relying on GPS satellites that cannot penetrate buildings, the system uses locally deployed access points to transmit wireless signals that serve as intermediaries for determining device proximity and location within indoor premises.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with a wireless signal strength-based proximity detection system. Instead of using mechanical/electromechanical GPS receivers that depend on satellite signals, the system substitutes a simpler wireless signal strength measurement approach that works effectively in indoor environments where satellite signals are blocked.
2Reliability
If path loss measurements and triangulation are used for indoor location determination, then indoor location capability is improved, but computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential functionality needed for proximity monitoring - determining whether a device is within a predefined radius of an access point - while discarding the complex computational methods of path loss measurements and triangulation. This extraction approach maintains indoor location capability by using simple signal strength threshold comparisons instead of complex mathematical calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by implementing only the minimum necessary location monitoring functionality - proximity detection based on signal strength thresholds - rather than implementing full triangulation or path loss analysis. This partial implementation achieves the core goal of monitoring device entry and exit from predefined zones without the excessive computational burden of complete location determination systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual boundary definition is used for establishing proximity zones, then zone precision is improved, but setup time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling proximity zones to be automatically established based on access point locations and predetermined radius parameters. Instead of requiring manual drawing or specification of zone boundaries by users, the system automatically generates zones using the formula distance = radius × speed of light × time, allowing rapid deployment without time-consuming manual configuration while maintaining sufficient precision for occupancy monitoring purposes.
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
RSSI-based proximity zones facilitate quicker setup and adjustment of wireless network zones, reducing data processing requirements and enhancing response times for proximity events compared to location-based methods.
Implementation Method 1
wireless access points (APs) installed throughout the premises to provide wireless network services
Implementation Method 2
path loss measurements
Data Source
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AI summary
Techniques are described by which a network management system (NMS) is configured to generate and monitor an RSSI-based proximity zone for a wireless network using a user interface (UI). The NMS may generate a UI comprising UI elements representing access point (AP) devices configured to provide a wireless network at a site; receive, at the user interface, an indication of a user input selecting one or more UI elements representing selected AP devices; establish a proximity zone for each of the selected AP devices based on an RSSI threshold value; receive network data comprising proximity information of a client device relative to the selected AP devices; generate, based on proximity assessments using the proximity information and the RSSI threshold value of the proximity zone, one or more proximity events indicating the client device relation to the proximity zone; and invoke, based on the proximity events, one or more actions.