Wireless Access Point Motion Detection via Signal Reflection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional shopping analysis methods in retail environments rely heavily on video cameras, raising privacy concerns for consumers and potentially deterring them from visiting stores, leading to lost sales.

Innovation Solution

A wireless system using wireless access points to transmit signals and detect motion through reflections, allowing for the monitoring of consumer behavior without exposing their faces or body contours, leveraging existing infrastructure and eliminating the need for good lighting or line of sight.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If video cameras are used to monitor consumer behavior, then shopping analysis capability is improved, but consumer privacy is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshopping analysis capabilityVSAvoidconsumer privacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary motion information from the environment by using wireless signal reflections to detect consumer movements without capturing visual images. This separates the useful data (motion patterns, location, behavior) from the harmful data (visual identification, facial features, body contours), thereby maintaining analysis capability while protecting privacy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the optical/mechanical video camera system with an electromagnetic wireless signal-based detection system. Instead of using cameras to visually capture consumer behavior, the system uses wireless access points to transmit signals that reflect off consumers, detecting motion through changes in signal properties. This substitution eliminates the need for visual capture while preserving motion monitoring capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Area of stationary object

If video cameras are deployed throughout the store, then behavior monitoring coverage is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring coverage areaVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes wireless access points multi-functional by enabling them to perform both their traditional wireless communication function and motion detection function simultaneously. Instead of deploying separate video cameras for monitoring, the same wireless infrastructure is used for both network connectivity and behavior analysis, thereby expanding monitoring coverage without adding additional devices or increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If video analytics are used to track consumer motion, then motion detection accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemotion detection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables wireless access points to perform motion detection using their existing transmitted signals and received reflections, without requiring separate power-intensive video processing systems. The wireless signals already being transmitted for communication purposes are repurposed for motion detection, allowing the system to detect consumer motion accurately while avoiding the additional energy consumption that would result from operating separate video cameras and analytics processors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 approach enhances consumer privacy, provides effective behavior monitoring, and offers improved interaction with networked devices, while reducing the need for video capturing systems and enhancing data collection efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Based on reflections of the wireless signals off the person in the network environment, the wireless system monitors attributes such as motion of the person

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the monitor system as discussed herein determines a location of the person in the network environment based on reception of the reflections of the wireless signals at multiple different wireless sensors in the network environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of Flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS20240345220A1Wireless connectivity and motion/gesture monitoring in a network environment

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 CHARTER COMM OPERATING LLC

AI summary

A wireless system as discussed herein transmits wireless signals from a wireless access point in a network environment. Via the wireless signals transmitted from the wireless access point, a management resource detects presence of a person in a network environment. The management resource monitors motion of the person based on reflections of the wireless signals off the person in the network environment.