Beacon deployment for use with location based services (LBS)

• US 9,674,684 B1
• Filed: 01/03/2017
• Issued: 06/06/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gamba Group Holdings LLC
• Original Assignee: Gamba Group Ltd
• Inventors: Mendelson, Ehud
• Primary Examiner(s): GONZALES, APRIL GUZMAN
• Application Number:
  US15/397,685
• Time in Patent Office: 154 Days
• Field of Search: 455 412
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/101 Bluetooth
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/103 Near field communication [NFC]
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2325/205 Mobile phones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 25/20 Means to switch the anti-theft system on or off
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/04 Details
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/46 the supplementary measurement being of a radio-wave signal type
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0231 Emergency, distress or locator beacons
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 2240/00 Transportation facility access, e.g. fares, tolls or parking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/40 for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/44 for communication between vehicles and infrastructures, e.g. vehicle-to-cloud [V2C] or vehicle-to-home [V2H]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/244 using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

An infrastructure of Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi enabled RF tags or beacons deployed within a structure, an urban environment, a residence, buildings, real estate property, in a parking area, etc. The deployed beacons can be integrated with sensors to initiate or trigger an application. The infrastructure being used to recognize a presence of a user within the area to trigger activities, initiate Location Based Services (LBS), provide navigation, provide mapping, convey of information, initiate a link to a server or software, provide support during an emergency, provide assist to E-911 services, trigger an automation function, provide real estate information, and the like.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing at least one beacon for conveying information, the method comprising steps of:

deploying at least one beacon about a localized geographic area, wherein each of the at least one beacon is deployed at an associated known geographic location;

encoding an address into an identification segment of a beacon signal, wherein the encoded address identifies the associated known geographic location of the respective beacon, each geographic location reference being unique;

broadcasting each respective beacon signal from each at least one beacon deployed in the localized geographic area containing the at least one beacon;

scanning to detect any beacon signal, wherein the scanning is accomplished using a mobile device containing a receiver circuit that is compatible with the beacon signal, wherein the detected beacon signal would be a beacon signal transmitted from any of the at least one beacon located proximate the mobile device;

receiving the any beacon signal, wherein the receiving is accomplished using the mobile device containing the receiver circuit compatible with the beacon signal, wherein the received beacon signal would be the beacon signal transmitted from any of the at least one beacon located proximate the mobile device;

decoding the geographic location reference from the received beacon signal to determine the known geographic location of the respective beacon of the at least one beacon located proximate the mobile device;

determining a geographic location of the mobile device using the geographic location reference to determine the known geographic location of the respective beacon of the at least one beacon decoded from the geographic location reference from the received beacon signal; and

activating at least one Location Based Service (LBS) associated with the geographic location of the mobile device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

transmitting the beacon signal using a short range radio protocol, wherein the short range radio protocol is at least one of a Bluetooth signal, a Wi-Fi signal, and a radio frequency identification (RFID) signal.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of determining a location of the mobile device at a location where use of a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver is ineffective for determining the location of the mobile device.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, where the step of determining a geographic location of the mobile device is accomplished using a signal strength of the beacon signal in conjunction with the decoded address acquired from the beacons signal of the respective beacon of the at least one beacon located proximate the mobile device.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of deploying the at least one beacon within at least one of the following:

outdoors,

indoors,

a structure,

a residence,

a building,

a hi-rise building,

a tenant apartment,

a real estate property,

a room,

a hospital, a school,

a classroom within the school,

a university,

a classroom within the university,

a hotel,

a resort,

a hospitality facility,

a municipal facility,

an arena,

a stadium,

a museum,

a theme park,

an office,

part of an urban living environment,

a vehicle,

a bus,

a bus station,

a train,

a train station,

a ship,

a cruise ship,

with a light, and

within a light fixture.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one beacon is integrated into a light.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the at least one beacon is in signal communication with a sensor, further comprising a step of:

triggering an operation associated with the sensor.

8. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

powering each of the at least one beacon using a battery or a power outlet.

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

initiating a link upon receipt of the beacon signal.

10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

initiating a link upon receipt of the beacon signal, wherein the link is associated with the decoded address.

11. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one Location Based Service (LBS) provides a function of at least one of:

determining a location of a user by locating the location of the mobile device,

assisting E-911,

an emergency notification, and

an emergency alarm.

12. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of providing local mapping to the mobile device, wherein the local mapping is based upon the address decoded from the received beacon signal.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of providing navigation to the mobile device when the mobile device is located within an indoor environment,

wherein the navigation is based upon the address decoded from the received beacon signal.

14. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the Location Based Services (LBS) includes at least one of:

a service of determining an address proximate the mobile device based upon the address decoded from the beacon signal,

an enhancement to E-911,

an enhancement to E-911, wherein the service determines and provides E-911 with a location of the mobile device,

an enhancement to E-911, wherein the service determines and provides E-911 with an address proximate the mobile device,

navigation instructions to an emergency exit determined by the location of the mobile device,

providing information associated with an emergency in the location of the mobile device to a user by way of the mobile device,

emitting an emergency signal from the mobile device under an emergency condition,

assisting in locating the mobile device in at least one of an emergency condition and a disaster condition even when a Global Positioning System (GPS) is unable to sufficiently identify the location of the mobile device,

providing location information of the mobile device to emergency personnel,

providing location information of the mobile device to emergency personnel, the process being independent of any operation by the user,

initiating an automated action of a function accomplished by a separate device,

initiating an automated action of a function accomplished by the mobile device,

provide information related to real estate,

notification of an event located proximate the location of the mobile device,

provide social media connections,

provide security,

provide automation,

provide access to secured area,

provide an ability to unlock a locked door,

conveying a message to Police, wherein the message would be associated with an emergency condition,

provide support for security of a structure, and

provide access for passage of a vehicle.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the Location Based Service (LBS) uses the at least one beacon to locate the user by way of the mobile device in at least one of:

a) an emergency situation, or

b) during an E-911 call,

wherein the location of the mobile device is determined using the address decoded from the received beacon signal.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

encoding a remote control input into the identifier portion of the beacon signal,

utilizing the remote control input of portion of the beacon identifier as part of a trigger mechanism to actuate an event.

17. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

interacting with a social networking environment.

18. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

a step of creating a social networking environment based upon a location of each mobile device within a proximity of other mobile devices and a nearest beacon of the at least one beacon,

a step of sustaining a social networking environment based upon the location of each mobile device within the proximity of other mobile devices and a nearest beacon of the at least one beacon.

19. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one Location Based Service (LBS) includes a step of emitting an emergency locating signal from the mobile device in at least one of an emergency condition and a disaster condition,

wherein the emergency locating signal includes an emergency geographic location reference identifying the physical location of the mobile device, wherein the physical location address of the mobile device is determined using the decoded geographic location reference of the received beacon signal from the beacon located proximate the mobile device.

20. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

informing a second party of a presence of the mobile device and a second mobile device within a proximity of one another.

21. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

modifying the encoded information within the identification portion of the beacon signal of one or more of the at least one beacon of the series of beacons to include a Location Based Service (LBS) triggering instruction.

22. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:

modifying the encoded information within the identification portion of the beacon signal of one or more of the at least one beacon of the series of beacons to include a Location Based Service (LBS) triggering instruction; and

automatically initiating the Location Based Service (LBS) associated with the triggering instruction.

23. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

modifying the encoded information within the identification portion of the beacon signal of one or more of the at least one beacon of the series of beacons to include a Location Based Service (LBS) triggering instruction, wherein the encoded information further comprises a security feature.

24. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

modifying the encoded information within the identification portion of the beacon signal of one or more of the at least one beacon of the series of beacons to include a Location Based Service (LBS) triggering instruction; and

automatically initiating the Location Based Service (LBS),

wherein the LBS is associated with at least one of the address and the triggering instruction.

25. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at beacon can operate in accordance with at least one of:

one or more of the at least beacon is configured to operated independently, and

one or more of the at least beacon is configured to operated within a network.

26. The method in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

automatically initiating a link between the mobile device and at least one of;

a. an Internet,

b. a webpage,

c. a website, and

d. a network server,

wherein the initiation of the link is triggered by information provided within the identifier segment of the beacon signal.

27. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

linking the mobile device to at least one of;

a an existing network,

b. an existing system, and

c. an application associated with the at least one beacon.

28. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the Location Based Service (LBS) is associated with the localized geographic area and provides at least one service associated with the localized geographic area, the at least one service being selected from a service group comprising:

linking to a third party application,

linking to existing software,

linking to a website,

initiating an automated action of a function accomplished by a separate device located within the localized geographic area,

communicating with a server accessible through an Internet,

presenting location information,

presenting real estate property information,

presenting property sales information,

presenting specials notification information,

providing the location of the mobile device to a third party, and

providing the location of the mobile device to an emergency service provider, the mobile device being representative of a location of a user, the location being provided during an emergency condition.

29. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:

conveying information obtained from one or more beacon of the at least one beacon to a provider; and

receiving Location Based Service (LBS) related content,

wherein the Location Based Service (LBS) related content is associated with the known geographic location of the respective beacon of the at least one beacon located proximate the mobile device.

30. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:

conveying information obtained from one or more beacons of the at least one beacon to a provider over the Internet; and

receiving content associated with the information obtained from the one or more beacons of the at least one beacon from the provider over the Internet.

31. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

transmitting the geographic location of the mobile device from the mobile device.

32. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:

transmitting a plurality of addresses obtained from beacon signals and decoded by the mobile device over a period of time as the mobile device moves to track the movement of the mobile device.

33. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising steps of:

obtaining a location of the mobile device to

tracking a location of the mobile device using the address information obtained from the beacons signal for at least one of an emergency and a disaster situation.

34. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

utilizing the mobile device to aid in locating a user in at least one of an emergency and a disaster situation.

35. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

use the deployment of the beacon located within a residence as a source to provide application deployment around the residence.

36. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

deploying a plurality of beacons within a plurality of structures,

adapting the deployed plurality of beacons to collectively support a broader area, wherein the broader area is at least one of a city, an urban environment, an urban municipal living, and a commercial environment.

37. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

including a longitude and a latitude in the geographic location reference.

38. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

including a floor of a structure identifier in the geographic location reference.

39. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

emulating a Global Positioning System (GPS) by using the decoding the geographic location reference from the received beacon signal to determine a Global Positioning System (GPS) location.

40. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

a step of supplementing an existing Global Positioning System (GPS), and

a step of interfacing with an existing Global Positioning System (GPS).

41. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of obtaining the geographic location of the mobile device, wherein the geographic location of the mobile device is more accurate than a location of the mobile device as determined by a comparably available Global Positioning System (GPS).

42. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

reprogramming one or more beacon of the at least one beacon to maintain an accurate geographic location reference associated with the current known location of the respective beacon.

43. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

adapting the at least one Location Based Service (LBS) to improve management and control at least one of;

facility support,

building maintenance,

tenant management,

high rise building maintenance,

apartment house maintenance,

hospitality functions,

hospital access,

hospital management,

school access,

school management, and

office management.

44. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

utilizing human behavior to enhance urban living.

45. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising a step of:

adapting the at least one Location Based Service (LBS) to a gaming industry.

46. The method as recited in claim 1, further providing steps of:

providing plurality of beacons for installation in at least one structure, wherein the plurality of beacons are provided by a service provider, and

managing each of the plurality of beacons, wherein the step of managing each of the plurality of beacons is accomplished by the service provider.

47. The method as recited in claim 1, further providing steps of:

providing plurality of beacons for installation in at least one structure, wherein the plurality of beacons are provided by a service provider at no charge, and

managing each of the plurality of beacons, wherein the step of managing each of the plurality of beacons is accomplished by the service provider,

obtaining revenue from at least one of;

advertising using the plurality of beacons, and

Location Based Services (LBS).

48. A method of utilizing at least one beacon for conveying information, the method comprising steps of:

adapting at least one existing non-beacon wireless communication device to include a beacon feature, the at least one existing wireless communication device including at least one of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless transceiver circuitry, wherein the adapting is accomplished by introducing a beacon instructions set into the at least one existing wireless communication device;

encoding desired beacon information into an identification segment of a beacon signal, wherein the encoded beacon information presents information to a receiving mobile device using one way transmission;

broadcasting each respective beacon signal from each at least one beacon adapted wireless communication device;

scanning to detect any beacon signal, wherein the scanning is accomplished using a mobile device containing a receiver circuit that is compatible with the beacon signal, wherein the detected beacon signal would be a beacon signal transmitted from any of the at least one beacon adapted wireless communication device located within signal range of the mobile device;

receiving any beacon signal, wherein the receiving is accomplished using the mobile device containing the receiver circuit compatible with the beacon signal, wherein the received beacon signal would be the beacon signal transmitted from any of the at least one beacon adapted wireless communication device located within signal range of the mobile device;

decoding the beacon information from the received beacon signal;

acting upon the decoded beacon information in accordance with at least one of;

a) conveying the decoded beacon information to a user, and

b) initiating at least one Location Based Service (LBS) associated with the information obtained from the decoded beacon information.

49. The method as recited in claim 48, wherein the step of adapted the at least one existing non-beacon wireless communication device to include a beacon feature is accomplished by at least one of:

introducing software for operation as a beacon into the at least one existing non-beacon wireless communication device; and

embedding the beacon into the at least one existing non-beacon wireless communication device.

50. The method as recited in claim 48, the method further comprising a step of communicating the beacon information exclusive of bi-directional communication.

51. The method as recited in claim 48, the method further comprising a step of revising the beacon information automatically based upon a sensor status.

52. A method of utilizing at least one beacon for conveying information, the method comprising steps of:

deploying at least one beacon, the beacon adapted to transmit a beacon signal using at least one of a unidirectional Bluetooth protocol signal and a unidirectional Wi-Fi protocol signal;

encoding desired beacon information into an identification segment of a beacon signal, wherein the encoded beacon information presents information to a receiving mobile device using the unidirectional transmission;

broadcasting each respective beacon signal from each at least one beacon;

scanning to detect any beacon signal, wherein the scanning is accomplished using the mobile device containing a receiver circuit that is compatible with the beacon signal, wherein the detected beacon signal would be a beacon signal transmitted from any of the at least one beacon located within signal range of the mobile;

receiving any beacon signal, wherein the receiving is accomplished using the mobile device containing the receiver circuit compatible with the beacon signal, wherein the received beacon signal would be the beacon signal transmitted from any of the at least one beacon located within signal range of the mobile device;

decoding the beacon information from the received beacon signal;

acting upon the decoded beacon information in accordance with at least one of;

a) conveying the decoded beacon information to a user, and

b) initiating at least one Location Based Service (LBS) associated with the information obtained from the decoded beacon information.

53. The method as recited in claim 52, wherein the step of deploying the at least one beacon deploys the beacon in at least one of:

outdoors,

indoors,

a residence,

a building,

a hi-rise building,

a tenant apartment,

a real estate property,

a room,

a hospital,

a school,

a classroom within the school,

a university,

a classroom within the university,

a hotel,

a hospitality facility,

a municipal facility,

an office,

part of an urban living environment,

a cruise ship,

a transportation facility,

a vehicle,

a road traveling vehicle,

a bus,

a bus station,

a train,

a subway station,

an arena,

a museum,

a light,

a light fixture, and

a light fixture within a structure.