Personal Locator Device Dual-Mode Geolocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Employees in hospitality environments face increased personal security risks due to limited existing security measures in multi-room settings, necessitating improved systems for awareness and safety.
Innovation Solution
A geolocationing system and personal locator device that communicate with a server via gateway devices within coverage areas and proximate wireless-enabled interactive devices outside coverage, providing enhanced awareness and safety through beacon transmission and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a wired network infrastructure is deployed throughout the hospitality environment, then location determination accuracy is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gateway devices as intermediaries that bridge the personal locator devices and the server. These gateways are strategically positioned throughout the hospitality environment and relay location data between the locators and central server, enabling location tracking without requiring comprehensive wired network infrastructure throughout the entire facility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides the hospitality environment into multiple coverage zones, each served by individual gateway devices. This segmentation allows the location system to function in a distributed manner, where each gateway independently manages its local zone, reducing the complexity of deploying and maintaining a unified wired network across the entire facility.
2Area of stationary object
If gateway devices are deployed throughout the environment, then coverage area is improved, but loss of substance increases due to infrastructure requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Gateway devices serve as intermediary nodes that extend coverage to areas without direct wired network access. By positioning gateways at strategic locations such as hallways, lobbies, and common areas, the system achieves broad environmental coverage while minimizing the need for extensive wired infrastructure penetration into every room and corridor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements coverage in a phased manner, initially deploying gateways in high-traffic and critical safety areas rather than attempting to cover every square foot of the facility. This partial coverage approach provides meaningful safety and tracking capabilities while minimizing infrastructure investment, with the option to expand coverage gradually as needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dual operational modes are implemented, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The personal locator devices dynamically switch between two operational modes based on their environment: wired mode when connected to the network infrastructure, and wireless mode when operating independently. This dynamic adaptation allows the same device to function effectively across diverse locations without requiring different hardware configurations, managing complexity through software-based mode switching rather than physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The personal locator devices are designed as universal units capable of operating in multiple modes (wired and wireless). Rather than creating separate device variants for different deployment scenarios, the system uses a single multi-functional device design that automatically selects the appropriate operational mode, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A geolocationing system, personal locator device, and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment, a personal locator device includes a first operational mode that determines an estimated location of the personal locator device by communicating with a server via an array of gateway devices defining an area of coverage. The personal locator device also has a second operational mode that determines the estimated location of the personal locator device by communicating with a server via a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device. The second operational mode may be utilized when the personal locator device is out of the area of coverage.