Short-Range Wireless Location Service Using Peripheral Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in quickly locating specific items in large environments like libraries and retail stores due to imprecise or excessive location information, leading to increased time expenditure and user effort.
Innovation Solution
A mobile computing device employs short-range wireless communication, such as NFC or Bluetooth, to receive data payloads from peripheral devices, allowing it to select and output high-precision physical location data, enabling users to efficiently locate items through graphical user interfaces and location-based services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS or traditional location systems are used in large environments like libraries and retail stores, then location information can be provided, but the precision is insufficient and search time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large environment into smaller zones by deploying multiple peripheral devices with unique identifiers throughout the space. Each peripheral device represents a specific location segment, allowing the system to provide precise location information by identifying which specific zone the mobile device is near, rather than providing only coarse GPS-level location data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces peripheral devices as intermediary elements between the user and the location information system. These peripheral devices act as mediators that receive short-range wireless signals from mobile devices and provide location data, enabling precise location tracking without relying on traditional GPS infrastructure.
2Measurement precision
If detailed location information is provided to improve precision, then location accuracy increases, but the complexity of the system and user interface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential location identification function from complex navigation systems. By using peripheral devices that simply transmit their unique identifiers when detected by mobile devices, the system provides accurate location information without requiring complex map navigation interfaces or detailed environmental modeling.
Solution Approach 2:
The peripheral devices are self-contained units that automatically detect and respond to mobile devices in their vicinity. Each peripheral device independently manages its own identification and location data, eliminating the need for centralized complex processing and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high location accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If traditional communication methods are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but location precision and reliability in indoor environments deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or infrastructure-based location systems (like GPS satellites or wired positioning systems) with wireless short-range communication technology. This substitution enables precise indoor location tracking using existing mobile device capabilities without requiring complex communication infrastructure or physical positioning mechanisms.
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
This solution provides users with accurate and efficient item location, reducing search time and effort by offering precise location information, even in environments where GPS is unreliable, and minimizing the need for extensive map navigation.
Implementation Method 1
a short-range communication device to receive a data payload provided by a peripheral device using short-range wireless communication
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, aspects of the present disclosure may include techniques to identify a physical location of an item with potentially enhanced precision. In one example, a method includes, receiving an item descriptor that describes one or more physical items. The method also includes receiving a data payload from a peripheral device using short-range wireless communication that includes information usable to locate at least one of the one or more physical items. The further includes selecting physical location data based on the item descriptor and the data payload, wherein the physical location data includes a representation of a physical location of the at least one of the one or more physical items; and outputting the physical location data that is usable to locate the at least one of the one or more physical items.