WLAN Proximity Recognition for Indoor Visitor Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to accurately detect and report visitor behavior in retail and public spaces, particularly between visits, due to limitations in GPS and mobile communication network positioning, and lack effective means to understand customer behavior using mobile devices indoors.

Innovation Solution

A proximity recognition system that utilizes WLAN-enabled mobile devices to detect and analyze interactions, providing improved location accuracy through trilateration techniques and correlating data with loyalty incentive systems to understand visitor behavior, including arrival rates, visit duration, and frequency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If GPS is used for location detection, then location information can be obtained, but it does not work well indoors or in areas with obscured sky view

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocation detection reliabilityVSAvoidGPS signal blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses WLAN access points as intermediary objects to enable location detection in areas where GPS is blocked. Instead of directly using GPS satellites, the system mediates location detection through local WLAN infrastructure that is accessible indoors and in urban canyons.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the satellite-based GPS mechanical system with a WLAN-based electromagnetic signal system for location detection. This replacement allows location services to function in environments where the original GPS system fails.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If mobile communication network base stations are used for positioning, then macro location can be obtained, but accurate positioning is difficult due to large coverage area and signal fluctuations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidbase station coverage area

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using multiple WLAN access points within a localized area to provide positioning information. Each access point provides local signal strength data that, when combined, creates accurate local positioning without requiring large coverage areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds signal strength as an additional dimension to the positioning system. By incorporating RSSI measurements from multiple access points, the system creates a multi-dimensional positioning space that improves accuracy beyond what single-point base station coverage can provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If WLAN access point sensing is used for location determination, then location can be determined independently of mobile communication network, but accuracy decreases with lower AP density

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindependent location determinationVSAvoidlocation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple WLAN access point signals into a unified location determination system. By combining data from multiple APs and integrating it with mobile communication network information, the system achieves both independence and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal positioning system that can function independently of any single network infrastructure. The system can use WLAN APs when available, fall back to mobile network base stations, or combine both, providing multi-functional location determination adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If thermal cameras and video cameras are used for visitor detection, then visitor presence can be detected, but behavior between visits cannot be accurately detected and reported

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisitor presence detectionVSAvoidbehavior information between visits

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous useful action by using WLAN proximity recognition to continuously track visitor behavior between physical visits. Instead of only detecting presence at specific moments with cameras, the system continuously monitors mobile device proximity and interaction patterns over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses mobile devices as intermediaries to capture and report visitor behavior information. The mobile device continuously provides data about visitor actions, preferences, and patterns between visits, which would be impossible to capture with periodic camera snapshots alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9392409B2Method and system for wireless local area network proximity recognition

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 INPIXON

AI summary

A method and system for proximity detection, recognition and classification of a wireless local area network (WLAN) enabled device without a WLAN infrastructure. The proximity recognition system monitors WLAN communications at one or more known locations. The proximity of a WLAN device (transmitter) is sensed by examining signal strength received therefrom as the device engages in a sequence of protocol data unit exchanges seeking WLAN association.