Virtual Beacon Identifier Translation for Dynamic Entity Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing proximity beacon systems require manual updates when the associated entity changes, making it difficult and time-consuming to update the beacon identifier to reflect changes in location or association, such as from a retail store to a restaurant.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a user device that translates the beacon identifier to virtual beacon identifiers associated with different entities, allowing the association of the beacon device to be changed without manual updates to the beacon device itself.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual updates are used to change beacon identifier association, then the beacon device can be reprogrammed, but it is difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to change entity associationVSAvoidtime to update beacon identifier

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a translation device that acts as an intermediary between the beacon device and user devices. This translation device stores mappings between beacon identifiers and virtual beacon identifiers, allowing the beacon device to continue transmitting the same identifier while the translation device redirects to different virtual beacon identifiers based on current entity associations, eliminating manual reprogramming needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates virtual beacon identifiers as copies or representations of the physical beacon identifier. These virtual identifiers can be independently updated and mapped to different entities without changing the physical beacon device, allowing rapid association changes through software-based virtual copies rather than hardware reprogramming

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual reprogramming is performed to update beacon identifier, then the beacon device reflects new association, but the process is complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeacon identifier update capabilityVSAvoidmanual reprogramming process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The translation device serves as a mediator that handles the complexity of identifier management. Instead of reprogramming the beacon device itself, the translation device manages the mapping between beacon identifiers and virtual beacon identifiers, simplifying the update process to configuration changes in the translation device rather than complex reprogramming operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the identifier translation and management functionality from the beacon device and places it in a separate translation device. This separation allows the beacon device to remain simple while the translation device handles the complexity of maintaining and updating identifier associations with different entities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If beacon identifier is updated manually, then association changes are reflected, but it requires direct access to beacon device

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveentity association flexibilityVSAvoidbeacon identifier update operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The translation device acts as an accessible intermediary that can be configured and updated without requiring physical access to the beacon device. Operators can update entity associations by modifying the translation device's mapping tables, which then automatically affect all beacon identifier translations, simplifying the operational process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9565528B2Providing a message based on translating a beacon identifier to a virtual beacon identifier

Publication Date: 2017.02.07 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A system may receive a beacon identifier. The system may translate the beacon identifier to a virtual beacon identifier. The virtual beacon identifier may be associated with an entity. The system may determine message information based on the virtual beacon identifier. The message information may include information associated with a message to be provided for display to a user and may be associated with the entity. The system may provide, for display to the user, the message associated with the message information.