Proximity Services Using Wireless Sensor Beacons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current location-based services struggle to accurately determine the physical location of client devices in complex environments and efficiently provide relevant information without significant power consumption or data overload.
Innovation Solution
A proximity detection system utilizing wireless sensor beacons that emit identifying information, allowing client devices to estimate their location through proximity detection, and a network engine that tracks and analyzes location data to provide location-based services, optimizing power usage and data exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional GPS-based location determination is used, then location services can be provided, but accuracy deteriorates in complex environments such as indoor areas or urban canyons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination system into multiple components: wireless sensor beacons deployed throughout the environment, client devices with proximity detection capability, and a network engine for data processing. This segmentation allows the system to overcome the limitations of traditional GPS by using distributed local reference points instead of satellite-based positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wireless sensor beacons as intermediary elements between the client device and the location determination process. These beacons emit identifying information that serves as a mediator for proximity detection, enabling accurate location determination in environments where direct satellite signal reception is blocked or degraded.
2Productivity
If continuous location tracking and data exchange are implemented, then location-based services can be provided, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by having wireless sensor beacons emit identifying information at regular intervals rather than continuously. Client devices detect these periodic emissions to determine proximity, which significantly reduces the power consumption compared to continuous transmission and monitoring, while still maintaining effective location-based service provision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-service mechanisms where client devices autonomously detect beacon emissions and determine their own location based on proximity to detected beacons. The network engine processes location data and provides relevant services without requiring constant client-device-initiated communications, reducing overall system power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive location data collection is performed, then accurate location determination is achieved, but data overload and processing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential identifying information from wireless sensor beacons that is needed for proximity detection and location determination. The network engine extracts relevant location data from detected beacons and processes only the necessary information to determine client device location, avoiding data overload while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses copying by having client devices detect and process copies of beacon identifying information rather than analyzing raw sensor data. The network engine creates processed location representations based on detected beacon proximities, simplifying data handling while preserving location accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, data specifying (i) identification information, (ii) a beacon identifier associated with a wireless proximity beacon, and (iii) a proximity of a client device to the wireless proximity beacon is received. A path of movement is determined based on the received data. Data specifying a pattern of movement that is associated with an action is accessed. The path of movement of the client device is determined to satisfy a particular pattern of movement associated with a particular action. An application instance operating on the client device is authorized to perform the particular action based at least on determining that the path of movement of the client device satisfies the particular pattern of movement associated with the particular action. Data enabling the application instance operating on the client device to perform the particular action is transmitted.