Light-Based Messaging Units for In-Store Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging systems fail to adequately consider the locations of individuals communicating and are inadequate in personalizing or individualizing messages, while also facing challenges in cost and implementation effort for location tracking and security systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of light-based messaging systems that utilize messaging units with light sources and modulation controllers to broadcast digital messages based on the location and characteristics of recipients, enabling precise location-based and characteristic-based message targeting, spatial tracking, and enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS-based location tracking systems are used, then location information can be obtained, but cost and implementation effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning with a local optical messaging system using LEDs and light sensors. Instead of relying on complex satellite infrastructure, the system uses simple light emission and detection within the target space, substituting a mechanical/optical system for a space-based electromagnetic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local copies of location information through messaging units distributed throughout the space. Each messaging unit broadcasts location codes that replicate the spatial information that would otherwise require GPS to obtain, allowing receivers to determine position without external satellite dependency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional messaging systems are used, then messages can be transmitted, but location-based personalization is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements location-based message personalization by assigning different messages to different spatial locations through messaging units. Each messaging unit broadcasts messages tailored to its specific location, allowing receivers to receive personalized content based on their precise position within the space rather than receiving generic messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback by having receivers report their received messages and locations back to the central server. This allows the system to learn about receiver behavior patterns and optimize message delivery, ensuring that location-based personalization effectively reaches the intended audience while reducing information loss.
3Measurement precision
If light-based messaging is implemented, then location-based message targeting precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the messaging system into discrete messaging units, each responsible for a specific location or zone. Each unit contains a simple LED and controller combination that broadcasts location codes and messages independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high targeting precision through spatial distribution while keeping individual unit complexity low.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging units serve multiple functions: they provide illumination, broadcast location codes for positioning, transmit messages, and enable tracking. By making each simple LED-based unit multi-functional, the system achieves high message targeting precision without requiring complex dedicated devices for each function.
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 precise location-based and characteristic-based message targeting, effective spatial tracking, and enhanced security, overcoming the limitations of existing systems while reducing costs and implementation efforts.
Implementation Method 1
messaging units disposed at different locations within a space, each including at least one light source (e.g., light-emitting diode or LED)
Implementation Method 2
a receiving unit that includes: (i) a light sensor, and (ii) a processor coupled to the light sensor. The messaging units are configured to broadcast different location codes via their corresponding light sources, and the processor is configured to (1) receive the location codes through the light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an in-store dual-mode communication system in which shelves are disposed within a commercial space. A server is coupled to the Internet and/or a wide-area network and is configured to send and receive communications. Also provided are light-based messaging units that are located on and/or attached to such shelves, each: 1) having a light source, 2) receiving a communication from the server, and 3) in response to receipt of such communication, turning the light source on and off so as to broadcast a digital message that was included within such communication, as a binary-encoded digital signal corresponding to on/off states of the light source. A user device: (i) receives, via its light sensor, and then decodes the binary-encoded digital signal from a light-based messaging unit in order to obtain the digital message that corresponds to it; and also (ii) communicates with the server via its wireless interface.