WiFi Sensor Network for Mobile Device Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for effectively measuring the quantity, type, and transmission quality of mobile communication devices within a defined geographical area, as existing methods do not adequately capture and analyze this data for venue-specific insights.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising sensor devices with radiofrequency radio receivers operating in the 2-6 GHz range and a data server that captures, records, and analyzes WiFi protocol management transmissions from mobile devices, including radio identifiers, signal strength, and transmission times, to determine device quantity, type, transmission quality, and visit data within a venue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor devices capture and record WiFi protocol management transmissions from mobile devices, then measurement precision of device quantity and transmission quality is improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the measurement function into distributed sensor devices deployed throughout the venue, each independently capturing WiFi transmissions. This segmentation allows precise local measurements while distributing the complexity across multiple simple units rather than requiring one complex centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensor devices automatically capture, record, and upload WiFi transmission data without manual intervention. The system performs self-service data collection and processing, reducing operational complexity while maintaining high measurement precision through continuous automated monitoring.
2Loss of information
If the system captures comprehensive WiFi transmission data including signal strength and transmission times, then information completeness is improved, but data processing complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential data elements needed for venue analysis (radio identifier, signal strength, transmission time) from WiFi transmissions, rather than processing all possible transmission data. This extraction approach maintains information completeness for measurement purposes while reducing overall data processing requirements and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures more data than strictly minimum required (including multiple transmission instances and detailed signal strength measurements), but processes this data in manageable batches uploaded periodically to the data server, balancing information completeness with energy-efficient operation of distributed sensor devices.
3Reliability
If multiple sensor devices are deployed throughout the venue, then measurement coverage and data reliability are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple distributed sensor devices are merged into a unified system through the data server that collects, consolidates, and processes data from all sensors. This merging approach maintains high data reliability through multiple measurement points while managing system complexity through centralized data handling rather than requiring complex inter-sensor coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor device is designed as a universal, multi-functional unit that can capture various WiFi transmission types, record multiple data parameters, and upload to the central server. This universality allows reliable measurements across diverse conditions while simplifying deployment by using identical standardized devices throughout the venue.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for measuring the quantity, type, transmission quality and visit history of mobile communication devices within a defined geographical area is disclosed herein. A data server is configured to receive new transmission data for mobile devices from each of a plurality of sensor devices and associate the new transmission data with a corresponding sensor device of the plurality of sensor devices. A console application is also configured to display the display information to an end-user operator.