Mesh Network Time Tracking Using BTLE Crew Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in efficiently tracking time for workers at shared job sites, particularly when using diverse mobile devices with different operating systems, and require direct communication with a central server for check-in and check-out processes, leading to increased network traffic.
Innovation Solution
A mesh network is formed among mobile devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) beacons, allowing devices to communicate and authenticate with a crew leader, enabling efficient check-in and check-out without direct server communication, and expanding the network boundary through device-to-device retransmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct server communication is required for check-in and check-out processes, then centralized control and data consistency are improved, but network traffic increases and system scalability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the time tracking functionality by introducing local crew leader devices that can independently authenticate and track worker check-in/check-out events. This segmentation allows the network to process time tracking operations locally without requiring constant server communication, thereby reducing network traffic while maintaining data consistency through periodic server synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary authentication and authorization actions by pre-configuring crew leaders with authentication credentials and permissions. This preliminary action enables crew leaders to independently verify worker identities and manage check-in/check-out processes without real-time server intervention, reducing network traffic while ensuring data reliability through pre-established security protocols.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse mobile devices with different operating systems are supported, then device compatibility and user accessibility are improved, but system complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universal authentication mechanisms that work across diverse mobile devices with different operating systems. By using platform-agnostic protocols and standardizing the authentication interface, the system achieves broad device compatibility without requiring device-specific implementations, thereby reducing system integration complexity while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary authentication layer that mediates between diverse mobile devices and the time tracking server. This intermediary layer handles device-specific protocols and translates them into standardized authentication commands, enabling support for multiple operating systems while simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing integration difficulty.
3Loss of energy
If mesh network communication is implemented among mobile devices, then network traffic to server is reduced, but communication reliability and security requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh network implementation enables devices to perform self-service authentication and time tracking operations locally. Crew leader devices can independently verify worker identities and record check-in/check-out events without requiring constant server validation, thereby reducing network traffic while maintaining communication reliability through decentralized trust mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary security setup by pre-configuring authentication credentials, encryption keys, and trust relationships in the mesh network before operations begin. This preliminary security configuration ensures that subsequent peer-to-peer communications maintain high reliability and security standards while minimizing the need for real-time server verification, thus reducing network traffic.
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 reduces network traffic by allowing devices to form a dynamic mesh network for time tracking, accommodating diverse devices and systems, and ensuring accurate time recording without overwhelming the server.
Implementation Method 1
A mesh network is formed among mobile devices using Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) beacons, allowing devices to communicate and authenticate with a crew leader
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A transceiver of a mobile device may receive a beacon transmitted by a mesh network member mobile device. A processor of the mobile device may extract a crew ID from the beacon. The processor may determine that the crew ID matches a crew ID of a user logged into the mobile device. In response to determining that the crew ID matches the crew ID of the user, the processor may generate a reply beacon. The transceiver may transmit the reply beacon. The transceiver may receive a response to the reply beacon. The response may include a job ID enabling the user to clock into a job. The processor may clock the user into the job. As a result of clocking the user into the job, the mobile device may become a member of the mesh network.