IoT Attendee Tracking via BLE Relay and Encryption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IoT systems face challenges in securely tracking event attendees and efficiently managing data transmission between IoT devices and hubs, especially when devices are out of range, and in ensuring secure communication channels.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a secure IoT platform that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for local communication, an IoT hub for data management, and a service for accessing and configuring devices, along with advanced encryption techniques and reverse beacon mechanisms for secure attendee tracking, enables secure data exchange and range extension through intermediary mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If IoT devices use direct communication with the hub, then communication security is maintained, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediary elements that relay communication between IoT devices and the hub. When an IoT device is out of direct range of the hub, the system establishes a communication path through one or more mobile devices that are within range, thereby extending the effective communication range while maintaining security through encrypted end-to-end communication.
2Reliability
If the system implements secure encryption and authentication protocols, then communication security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs authentication and key exchange operations in advance before actual data transmission. Devices establish secure communication channels beforehand through preliminary pairing and authentication processes, which simplifies subsequent data transmission while maintaining high security standards.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where mobile devices automatically authenticate with the hub and establish secure channels without manual intervention. The system handles key management, authentication, and channel establishment autonomously, reducing the operational complexity for users while maintaining robust security.
3Measurement precision
If the system tracks attendee location continuously, then tracking accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic location updates rather than continuous tracking. IoT devices transmit their location information at predetermined intervals or when specific events occur (such as entering or leaving designated zones), which maintains adequate tracking accuracy for event management purposes while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Associating each of a plurality of an Internet of Things (IoT) devices with a different attendee at an event, the IoT devices configured to form local wireless connections with one or more IoT hubs or client devices; as a first attendee moves around the event, periodically establishing a local wireless connection between a first IoT device associated with the first attendee and the IoT hubs or client devices within range of the first IoT device; transmitting one or more data packets from the IoT hubs or client devices to an IoT service over the Internet, the data packets including data identifying the first attendee, the first IoT device, and the IoT hubs or client devices to which the first IoT device establishes the local wireless connections, the IoT service storing the data in a database and using the data to determine portions of the event visited by the first attendee.