System and method for position awareness for minimizing power consumption in sensor network environment
First Claim
1. A method for position awareness, comprising the steps of:
- (a) calculating initial position coordinates using beacon information received from adjacent beacons in response to a broadcast beacon solicitation signal, sending a synchronization signal to the beacons, and synchronizing the beacons;
(b1) periodically broadcasting a start message, which is an ultrasonic signal, and activating the adjacent beacons;
(b2) receiving the ultrasonic waves generated in time frames assigned in order of numbered identifications (IDs) of beacons after the activated beacons are synchronized by time compensation;
(b3) updating information on a distance between a receiver and a beacon using the received ultrasonic waves, transmitting the distance information to a user device and a context awareness server, and calculating the position coordinates; and
(c) when the calculated position coordinates correspond to a predetermined hand-off threshold position, transmitting a hand-off process message to a newly activated beacon, and executing a hand-off process routine.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are a system and method for position awareness that can be used indoors in a large-scale environment and can minimize generation of radio frequency (RF) and ultrasonic waves in a wireless sensor network including low-priced sensor nodes capable of precise position measurement, thus improving energy efficiency by reducing unnecessary power consumption. The method includes the steps of: (a) calculating initial position coordinates using beacon information received from adjacent beacons through a broadcast beacon solicitation signal, sending a synchronization signal to the beacons, and synchronizing the beacons; (b) receiving ultrasonic waves generated from the adjacent beacons activated by a broadcast start message, and calculating position coordinates; and (c) when the calculated position coordinates correspond to a predetermined hand-off threshold position, transmitting a hand-off process message to a newly activated beacon, and executing a hand-off process routine.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for position awareness, comprising the steps of:
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(a) calculating initial position coordinates using beacon information received from adjacent beacons in response to a broadcast beacon solicitation signal, sending a synchronization signal to the beacons, and synchronizing the beacons; (b1) periodically broadcasting a start message, which is an ultrasonic signal, and activating the adjacent beacons; (b2) receiving the ultrasonic waves generated in time frames assigned in order of numbered identifications (IDs) of beacons after the activated beacons are synchronized by time compensation; (b3) updating information on a distance between a receiver and a beacon using the received ultrasonic waves, transmitting the distance information to a user device and a context awareness server, and calculating the position coordinates; and (c) when the calculated position coordinates correspond to a predetermined hand-off threshold position, transmitting a hand-off process message to a newly activated beacon, and executing a hand-off process routine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for position awareness, comprising:
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a plurality of beacons installed at fixed positions at predetermined intervals and transmitting ultrasonic signals activated and synchronized by periodically broadcasting a start message; and a receiver capable of position movement, updating information on a distance between the beacons through the ultrasonic signals received from the activated beacons, and generating position measurement information on a moved position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification