Hierarchical Wireless Location Detection for Smart Home Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for determining a user's location are often inaccurate, time-consuming, or not specific enough, and do not facilitate dynamic or automated actions based on the user's location, such as within a home environment.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a hierarchical approach with multiple wireless protocols (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and cellular) to determine a user's location, allowing for automated actions like content recommendations, thermostat adjustments, or security system control based on the user's profile and location.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single wireless protocol (e.g., Bluetooth) is used to determine user location, then the system is simple, but the location determination becomes inaccurate or unavailable in certain conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the location determination process into multiple hierarchical levels using different wireless protocols. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is used for fine-grained indoor location, Wi-Fi for medium-range location, and cellular/GPS for coarse-grained outdoor location. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high accuracy when needed while maintaining simplicity by only activating the necessary protocol for each situation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal location determination system that can operate with multiple wireless protocols (BLE, Wi-Fi, cellular, GPS). The system is designed to be multi-functional, capable of determining location using any available protocol, and automatically selecting the most appropriate one based on environmental conditions, device availability, and required precision.
2Reliability
If multiple wireless protocols are used to improve location accuracy, then location determination becomes more reliable, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic location determination system that adapts its complexity based on situational needs. The system dynamically selects which wireless protocols to use based on factors such as indoor/outdoor environment, availability of infrastructure, power consumption requirements, and desired accuracy level. This dynamic approach ensures high reliability when needed while minimizing system complexity during normal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different wireless protocols based on local environmental conditions and requirements. BLE is used for local indoor environments where high precision is needed, Wi-Fi for local areas with medium requirements, and cellular/GPS for broader outdoor areas. This local quality approach ensures that each protocol is used where it provides the best reliability without unnecessarily complicating the overall system.
3Measurement precision
If hierarchical location determination with multiple protocols is implemented, then location accuracy and specificity improve, but the time required for location determination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the hierarchical protocol structure and pre-establishing selection criteria. The system is pre-programmed with knowledge of which protocols to try in sequence (BLE first, then Wi-Fi, then cellular/GPS) and the conditions under which to switch between them. This preliminary preparation enables rapid location determination without requiring complex real-time analysis, thus achieving high specificity without significant time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a skipping strategy where the system rapidly attempts location determination using the most precise protocol first (BLE), and if that fails or is unavailable, it quickly skips to the next level (Wi-Fi, then cellular/GPS). This rushing through the hierarchical levels in sequence minimizes the total time required while still achieving the necessary location specificity by using the most appropriate protocol for the situation.
4Ease of operation
If automated actions are implemented based on user location, then user experience improves, but the system requires more complex processing and decision-making capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically perform actions based on detected user location without requiring explicit user commands. The system autonomously determines location using the hierarchical protocol approach, matches the location against predefined contexts, and executes appropriate actions (such as adjusting smart home devices, providing relevant information, or initiating workflows). This self-service capability greatly improves ease of operation while keeping processing complexity manageable through rule-based decision-making.
Data Source
AI summary
A location of a computing device may be determined by determining the range of a communication. Several different wireless communication protocols and/or wireless networks (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Cellular, and/or GPS) may be used to determine the user's location. When the user's location is determined, one or more actions (e.g., granting access to content) may be performed based on the user's location.