Light Fixture Beacon Module for Indoor Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning technologies, such as wireless beacons, are unreliable and require setup, maintenance, and are limited by battery life, while also being part of closed ecosystems that restrict functionality and require proprietary solutions, making them inefficient and impractical for large-scale deployments.
Innovation Solution
Integration of wireless beacons into light fixtures and bulbs, using an advanced control beacon (ACB) that broadcasts a unique identifier and can adjust lighting based on user presence and environmental inputs, providing accurate positioning without setup and offering a tamperproof, maintenance-free solution that leverages existing lighting infrastructure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If wireless beacons are deployed for indoor positioning, then positioning functionality is provided, but device complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the beacon functionality with existing light fixtures by integrating a beacon module that communicates with the lighting system. The beacon module shares power and communication infrastructure with the lighting system, eliminating the need for separate beacon hardware and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light fixture is designed to serve multiple functions: providing illumination and broadcasting positioning signals. The beacon module integrates with the lighting system to enable both lighting control and indoor positioning capabilities through a single infrastructure, reducing device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If separate beacon hardware is installed, then positioning accuracy is achieved, but installation and maintenance effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon functionality is merged with existing light fixtures rather than installing separate beacon hardware. The beacon module communicates with the lighting system through existing wiring and power infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate installation and reducing maintenance effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing lighting infrastructure to provide beacon functionality. The light fixtures themselves serve as the positioning infrastructure, using their existing power and communication connections to broadcast signals without requiring separate installation or maintenance of dedicated beacon devices.
3Ease of operation
If battery-powered beacons are used, then wireless broadcasting is enabled, but battery replacement and maintenance are required
Solution Approach 1:
The beacon module draws power from the existing lighting system's power infrastructure rather than using batteries. This eliminates the need for battery replacement and maintenance, as the beacon functionality is sustained by the permanent electrical connection already present in hardwired light fixtures.
Solution Approach 2:
The battery component is extracted from the system entirely. Instead of using battery-powered wireless beacons, the patent hardwires the beacon module to the lighting system's power supply, removing the maintenance burden of battery replacement while maintaining wireless broadcasting capability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If proprietary beacon ecosystems are implemented, then positioning functionality is provided, but system adaptability and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a standardized communication protocol that allows the beacon module to integrate with existing lighting systems regardless of manufacturer. This universal approach eliminates the need for proprietary ecosystems, reducing deployment costs and increasing adaptability across different lighting infrastructures.
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
This approach provides accurate and granular user location data, enhances user engagement, optimizes building systems, and reduces energy consumption, while eliminating the need for separate beacon hardware and maintenance, creating a scalable and cost-effective indoor positioning system.
Implementation Method 1
The device can include one or more solar cells that are configured to be exposed to the light from the light tube upon the device being securely attached via the one or more clips adjacent to the portion of the light tube
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed systems, methods, and apparatus for light enabled indoor positioning and reporting. In some embodiments, a device of the present disclosure includes a housing that includes a processor and a wireless radio. The device includes a clip that secures the housing adjacent to and a predetermined distance from a portion of a light tube that produces light. The device includes a solar cell that is configured to be exposed to the light from the light tube upon the housing being securely attached via the one or more clips adjacent to the portion of the light tube. The device includes a circuit by which power is converted from the solar cell to the processor and the wireless radio via at least one switch. The wireless radio can broadcast a beacon provided by the processor.