Indoor Warning Notifications via Beacon Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor navigation systems are inefficient and inaccurate for large buildings, particularly when many areas look similar, and existing warning methods for hazardous conditions are cumbersome and unreliable.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing beacons and a server to provide accurate indoor positioning and generate notifications by determining device locations and paths, transmitting warnings to devices within predefined zones of hazardous areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual location tracking and verbal warning methods are used for hazardous conditions, then the system complexity is low, but the reliability and accuracy of warning notification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces wireless devices (mobile phones, tablets, wearables) as intermediary carriers between the hazard warning system and employees. These devices receive push notifications from the server and display visual/audible warnings, serving as a reliable mediator that eliminates the need for manual verbal warnings while maintaining system feasibility through widely available technology infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/manual warning system (verbal alerts, physical signs) with an electronic information system comprising beacons, wireless communication modules, and a server. This substitution enables automated, accurate, and real-time warning notifications based on precise location tracking, significantly improving reliability over manual methods
2Measurement precision
If beacons and wireless devices are used for location tracking and warning notification, then the reliability and accuracy of hazard warning improves, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the universality of wireless devices that employees already carry (mobile phones, tablets, wearables) to perform multiple functions: location tracking via beacon reception, receiving push notifications, and displaying warning alerts. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated specialized equipment, reducing infrastructure complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through the existing ecosystem of smartphones and tablets
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs employees' own personal wireless devices for hazard warning and location tracking purposes. Employees essentially serve themselves by using their existing devices to receive warnings, eliminating the need for the organization to provide and maintain specialized warning equipment for each employee, thereby reducing overall infrastructure complexity
3Productivity
If automated push notification system is implemented for hazard warning, then the productivity and efficiency of safety management improves, but the device complexity and implementation cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual safety management processes (physical monitoring, verbal warnings, paper-based tracking) with an automated electronic system using beacons, wireless communication, and server-based push notifications. This substitution dramatically improves safety management efficiency by enabling real-time, automated warning delivery to multiple employees simultaneously, while the implementation leverages existing smartphone technology to minimize additional infrastructure costs
4Measurement precision
If real-time location monitoring and path determination are implemented, then the accuracy of warning notification improves, but the use of energy and computational resources worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic location updates and warning notifications rather than continuous real-time monitoring. Beacons transmit location information at intervals, and the server processes position data periodically to determine when employees are in hazard zones. This periodic approach maintains sufficient warning accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption and computational resource usage compared to continuous monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for generating warning notifications using wireless indoor navigation technology is disclosed. The method comprises determining a location for an individual and a transportation device by receiving device identifiers (e.g., distinctive combination of numbers and/or characters uniquely identifying receiving devices associated with the individual and the transportation device) and location information, received from one or more beacons, from the receiving devices. The method comprises determining a location associated with the individual and the transportation device based on the location information and/or the device identifiers. The method also comprises receiving a destination location and determining an intended path for the transportation device. The method comprises warning the individual upon determining that the location associated with the individual is within a predetermined proximity to the transportation device or its intended path.