Multi-level Signal Transmission for Wireless Device Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in accurately determining the location of wireless portable devices, particularly in situations where devices are mobile or assets are scattered throughout facilities, due to limitations in signal strength and the need for expensive infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A multi-level signal transmission system that involves a wireless portable device receiving signals from Bluetooth beacons and transmitting repeater signals through a mesh network, with the signal strengths processed by neural networks to classify precise locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Bluetooth BLE beacons are used to determine location, then location determination is enabled for growing applications, but limited signal strength and range limits the usefulness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces signal repeaters as intermediary devices that receive weak beacon signals and retransmit them with enhanced strength. The repeaters act as mediators between the original beacon and the portable device, extending the effective range and improving signal reliability without requiring higher power beacons
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges multiple signal sources (original beacons and repeater signals) into a unified location determination process. The portable device receives and processes signals from both direct beacons and repeaters, combining these multiple signal inputs to achieve more reliable and precise location tracking
2Measurement precision
If expensive infrastructure such as RFID readers, scanners, and cameras is deployed, then accurate location determination is achieved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex infrastructure (RFID readers, scanners, cameras) with inexpensive Bluetooth Low Energy beacons and repeaters. These low-cost devices provide sufficient location accuracy for most applications, dramatically reducing infrastructure costs while maintaining acceptable precision
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameters of wireless communication by using Bluetooth Low Energy technology with extended range and improved signal strength through repeaters. This parameter change enables accurate location tracking without requiring expensive specialized infrastructure
3Measurement precision
If signal strength is used to locate cell phones and WiFi devices, then location can be determined, but limited signal strength reduces effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Repeaters serve as intermediary signal amplifiers that receive weak beacon transmissions and retransmit them with restored and enhanced signal strength. This intermediary action compensates for signal attenuation over distance, maintaining effective signal strength across larger areas without increasing the energy consumption of the original beacon
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to systems and methods for measuring signal strength emitted by a wireless portable device to determine the location of the wireless portable device. The wireless portable device may be located within a designated geographical location, premise or facility. The measurement involves two levels of transmissions. A first level involves a user's wireless portable device receiving signals from a plurality of beacons in the vicinity. The second level involves transmission of repeater signals from a mesh network. The payload of these signals, which may include a duress signal, includes the strength of the received beacon signals, so that when the duress signal is received by a controller, the signal strengths of both levels/types of transmissions can be determined. This two-level collection of signals is then processed by a neural network which have been previously trained to classify the signal collections into precise locations.