Rotating Identifiers in Light-Based Positioning Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light-based communication systems for indoor navigation face security risks as LCom signals can be decoded by unauthorized devices, allowing unauthorized mapping of indoor environments, which may lead to security breaches such as theft in retail settings.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where luminaires transmit identifiers via light-based communication signals, with a server or local controller rotating these identifiers based on triggers like periodic time intervals, power supply cycles, or dimming level changes, making it difficult for unauthorized devices to create accurate maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If luminaires transmit identifiers via LCom signals for indoor navigation, then navigation functionality is enabled, but security risks increase as unauthorized devices can decode signals and map indoor environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the identifier transmitted by luminaires change over time rather than remaining static. The server rotates identifiers periodically or based on trigger events, so that the same luminaire transmits different identifiers at different times. This dynamic behavior prevents unauthorized devices from creating accurate maps since the identifier-location mapping is no longer constant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic action through scheduled identifier rotation. The server rotates identifiers at predetermined time intervals or based on periodic trigger events. This periodic change in transmitted identifiers ensures that even if unauthorized devices capture signals, they cannot establish reliable location mappings over time, while authorized navigation applications receive updated identifier mappings from the server.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If identifiers are rotated frequently to enhance security, then unauthorized mapping is prevented, but navigation accuracy may be compromised without updated mapping information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback through a centralized server that coordinates identifier rotation and maintains authoritative mapping information. When identifiers are rotated, the server updates the mapping between identifiers and physical locations, then provides this updated mapping information to authorized navigation applications. This feedback loop ensures that navigation accuracy is maintained despite frequent identifier changes, as applications always have access to the current correct mappings.
Solution Approach 2:
The server acts as an intermediary between luminaires and navigation applications. It receives identifier rotation commands, updates mapping information, and distributes this information to authorized applications. This intermediary role resolves the contradiction by decoupling the frequent identifier changes from the navigation application's need for stable location information, allowing both security and accuracy to coexist.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed herein include a light-based communication system. The system includes a plurality of luminaires, in which each of the plurality of luminaires is configured to transmit light-based communication (LCom) signals, and a server communicatively coupled to the plurality of luminaires. The server is configured to assign an identifier to each of the plurality of luminaires, transmit the assigned identifier to each of the plurality of luminaires, in which each of the plurality of luminaires transmits the assigned identifier via LCom signals, rotate, in response to receiving a trigger signal, the assigned identifier for each of the plurality of luminaires, and transmit the rotated identifier to each of the plurality of luminaires, in which each of the plurality of luminaires transmits the rotated identifier via LCom signals.