RF Beacon Location Determination for Building Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing building automation systems do not fully leverage the capabilities of current generation smartphones and tablets, particularly in terms of short-range communication technologies like NFC and Bluetooth 4.0, for providing robust control systems.

Innovation Solution

A system utilizing RF beacons and portable electronic devices to establish individualized control by broadcasting control processor IDs and beacon IDs, allowing for location determination via signal strength and trilateration, and executing control actions based on user and location data.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If short-range communication technologies (NFC, Bluetooth 4.0) are integrated into portable devices for building automation control, then device control capability and user interaction are improved, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice control capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The portable device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a standard control interface for building automation and a location determination system using RF beacons. The same device that controls lights and HVAC also determines user location through signal strength measurement, eliminating the need for separate location tracking hardware and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

RF beacons are introduced as intermediary elements between the portable device and the building automation system. These beacons facilitate location determination through simple signal strength measurements without requiring complex infrastructure changes, acting as a mediator that enables location-aware control while maintaining system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If location determination via RF beacons and trilateration is implemented, then location-specific control accuracy is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation determination accuracyVSAvoidlocation detection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex mechanical or infrastructure-based location determination methods with wireless RF signal measurements. Instead of using physical position encoders or complex sensor arrays, the system uses standard RF signal strength detection already present in portable devices, significantly reducing measurement difficulty while maintaining acceptable accuracy for location-specific control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The portable device uses its own existing RF communication capabilities to determine location, without requiring external specialized equipment. The device performs self-location determination by measuring signal strength from known beacon positions, leveraging its inherent hardware rather than adding complex external measurement systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If multiple RF beacons are deployed throughout the facility for accurate location tracking, then location determination reliability is improved, but system cost and infrastructure complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation determination reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of RF beacons

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements location determination using a limited number of strategically placed RF beacons rather than deploying beacons throughout every area. By concentrating beacons in key locations and using trilateration mathematics, the system achieves sufficient location accuracy for control purposes without the excessive cost and complexity of complete coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 intuitive and location-specific control of devices through smartphones and tablets, enhancing the functionality of building automation systems by leveraging NFC and Bluetooth 4.0 for improved device control and user interaction.

Implementation Method 1

The one or more RF beacons periodically broadcast a control processor ID and a beacon ID

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

NFC is a set of standards for short-range wireless communication technology that employs magnetic field induction to enable communication between electronic devices in close proximity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9204291B2User identification and location determination in control applications

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 CRESTRON ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A system in which a portable electronic device communicates with an external device to determine a location. Upon determining its location, the portable electronic device transmits this information as well as identifying information to a control processor. The control processor controls one or more controllable devices according to the location and identifying information. The portable electronic device may determine the location via NFC tag or via one or more RF beacons transmitting information according to the Bluetooth 4.0 protocol.