Proximity Detection Using Bluetooth Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for device proximity detection rely heavily on GPS, which is power-intensive and less accurate indoors, and often switches to less accurate WiFi or cellular methods.
Innovation Solution
A system using a processor and memory to determine user device context, query other devices via Bluetooth, filter based on proximity, privacy settings, and connections, and notify users of nearby devices, reducing the need for GPS and minimizing battery drain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for proximity detection, then location data can be obtained, but power consumption increases and data may become stale
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces Bluetooth as an intermediary technology between GPS and the final proximity detection. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices act as intermediaries that can provide location-like proximity information with much lower power consumption than GPS, while still enabling the system to determine which devices are nearby without requiring continuous high-power GPS operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action by employing Bluetooth for routine proximity checks instead of continuously using GPS. Bluetooth provides sufficient information for determining device proximity in many cases without the excessive power consumption of GPS, reserving GPS for when more precise location data is actually needed
2Reliability
If GPS is used indoors, then location detection can continue, but signal availability decreases and accuracy drops
Solution Approach 1:
Bluetooth serves as an intermediary solution for indoor proximity detection where GPS signals are unavailable. The system uses Bluetooth device discovery and connection status as a mediator to determine proximity indoors, maintaining reliability of location detection while avoiding the accuracy problems of indoor GPS
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the detection parameter from GPS satellite signal strength to Bluetooth signal presence and connection status. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to indoor environments where GPS parameters become unreliable, using Bluetooth parameters instead to determine proximity
3Reliability
If WiFi or cellular means are used for location detection, then GPS alternatives are available, but accuracy decreases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions Bluetooth as a superior intermediary for proximity detection compared to WiFi or cellular methods. Bluetooth provides a middle ground that maintains better accuracy than WiFi/cellular while consuming less power than GPS, serving as an optimal intermediary technology for this application
4Measurement precision
If Bluetooth is activated manually for device discovery, then device proximity can be detected, but user interaction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically managing Bluetooth device discovery and proximity detection without requiring manual user activation. The Bluetooth subsystem operates autonomously, continuously discovering devices and providing proximity information to the application layer, freeing users from the burden of manually enabling Bluetooth for each proximity check
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure includes a system and method for detecting proximity between users. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed cause the system to: determine a context associated with a first user device; query other user devices based on the context to create a set of other user devices that satisfy a query; generate a list of filtered devices by filtering the set of other user devices; notify the first user device of the list of filtered devices; and query for the list of filtered devices to determine which filtered devices are within proximity to the first user device.