Narrow-beam Infrared Tracking for Precise User Location
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional location determination methods, such as iBeacons and RF-based techniques, lack the granularity to identify specific areas visited or interactions with items or people within a venue, and require user cooperation and mobile device usage, which limits their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A location tracking system using narrow-beam infrared (IR) transmissions, where IR receivers detect signals from IR transmitters with limited range and narrow-beam characteristics, allowing precise determination of user location, orientation, and interactions within a venue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RF-based tracking techniques (iBeacons) are used, then user location can be determined, but the granularity is insufficient to identify specific areas visited or interactions with items or people
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tracking system into multiple fixed IR receivers positioned at specific locations throughout the venue, each capable of independently detecting IR signals. This segmentation allows the system to determine not only that a user is in a general area but also which specific receiver detected the signal, thereby identifying the precise location and nature of interactions with items or people at different positions.
2Measurement precision
If mobile device-based tracking (triangulation of Wi-Fi/GPS signals) is used, then user location can be tracked, but user cooperation and effort are required to load and use applications
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the user's mobile device to actively transmit signals for triangulation, the patent inverts the approach by placing passive IR receivers at fixed locations throughout the venue. The user simply wears an IR transmitter, and the fixed receivers detect signals autonomously, eliminating the need for user cooperation with complex mobile applications while maintaining precise location tracking.
3Measurement precision
If video cameras with vision processing are used, then user location and interactions can be tracked, but deployment costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive video camera systems with inexpensive infrared transmitters and receivers. These IR components are low-cost devices that can be deployed throughout the venue without requiring complex vision processing hardware or software, significantly reducing deployment costs while maintaining the ability to track user location and interactions with sufficient granularity.
4Measurement precision
If RF-based tracking is used, then coarse location determination is achieved, but specific interactions cannot be distinguished
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns specific IR receivers to specific locations and interaction zones within the venue. Each receiver is positioned to detect signals from particular areas, allowing the system to not only determine user location but also reliably identify specific interactions based on which receiver detected the signal. This local quality assignment ensures accurate distinction between different types of interactions at different locations.
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
Enables precise tracking of user location and interactions, reducing non-specific communications and eliminating the need for user cooperation or mobile device usage, while providing detailed insights into venue navigation and user engagement.
Implementation Method 1
A location tracking system using narrow-beam infrared (IR) transmissions, where IR receivers detect signals from IR transmitters with limited range and narrow-beam characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are methods and systems for improved user tracking via the exchange of information over narrow-beam infrared (IR) transmission. IR receivers are positioned around a venue. A limited-range, narrow-beam IR transmitter associated with a user sends IR signals that are received by the IR receiver when the IR transmitter is close enough to the receiver. The receiver then transmits signal data from the received signal to a back-end location tracking system (LTS) that aggregates and processes the received signal data as a detection event. Based on the detection event, the LTS determines the location of the IR receiver hence the location of the user. Because of the limited transmission range of the IR transmitter, analyzing the detection event allows precise determination of the user's location, orientation, and/or movements within the venue. The LTS can also determine the identity of the user.