Beacon protocol advertising bi-directional communication availability window

• US 9,107,152 B1
• Filed: 03/11/2015
• Issued: 08/11/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gimbal, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gimbal, Inc.
• Inventors: Wurster, Charles S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Anh Ngoc
• Application Number:
  US14/645,296
• Time in Patent Office: 153 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/27 Evaluation or update of window size, e.g. using information derived from acknowledged [ACK] packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• 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 40/244 using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A beacon wireless transmits a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier. A portion of the data packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions. The receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window. Thereafter, the receiver is activated during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and articles are also described.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting, by a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein a portion of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

detecting, by software executing on or accessed by a client device, at least one packet transmitted by the beacon;

relaying, by the client device, at least a portion of the transmitted packet to a server;

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to be informed of an identity and metadata of the beacon;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the identifier and metadata for the beacon; and

activating the receiver during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving, by the beacon during the availability window, configuration information for the beacon.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

modifying firmware of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

modifying at least one operating parameter of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein modifying the firmware of the beacon comprises:

opening a connection between the client device and a remote computing device to data encapsulating a firmware update; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon, data encapsulating the firmware update.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

initiating, by the software executed on or accessed by the client device, at least one action using the identifier and the metadata.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to convey configuration information to the beacon; and

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon during the availability window, data comprising the configuration information.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted at least one packet, that the software should modify firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon during the availability window; and

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data for the client device to transmit to the beacon during the availability window which, when received by the beacon, causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change.

16. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by software executing on or accessed by a client device from a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein at least one of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

relaying, by the client device, to a server, data encapsulating at least a portion of a packet transmitted by the beacon so that the server can determine that the software is authorized to be informed of an identity and metadata of the beacon;

receiving, by the client device, data comprising the identifier and metadata for the beacon; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon in response to the received data, data transmissions to the beacon solely during the availability window.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

20. The method of claim 16 further comprising:

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to convey configuration information to the beacon; and

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

22. A method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting, by a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein a portion of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

detecting, by software executing on or accessed by a client device, at least one packet transmitted by the beacon;

relaying, by the client device, at least a portion of the transmitted packet to a server;

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to convey configuration information to the beacon;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon; and

activating the receiver during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon including the configuration information for the beacon.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

24. The method of claim 22, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

25. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

receiving, by the beacon during the availability window, configuration information for the beacon.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising:

modifying firmware of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

modifying at least one operating parameter of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein modifying the firmware of the beacon comprises:

opening a connection between the client device and a remote computing device to data encapsulating a firmware update; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon, data encapsulating the firmware update.

30. The method of claim 22, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated.

31. The method of claim 30 further comprising:

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon during the availability window, data comprising the configuration information.

32. The method of claim 22, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

33. A method comprising:

wirelessly transmitting, by a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein a portion of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

detecting, by software executing on or accessed by a client device, at least one packet transmitted by the beacon;

relaying, by the client device, at least a portion of the transmitted packet to a server;

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted at least one packet, that the software should modify firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon during the availability window;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data for the client device to transmit to the beacon during the availability window which, when received by the beacon, causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change; and

activating the receiver during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon including the configuration information for the beacon.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.

37. The method of claim 33, wherein modifying the firmware of the beacon comprises:

opening a connection between the client device and a remote computing device to data encapsulating a firmware update; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon, data encapsulating the firmware update.

38. The method of claim 33, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated.

39. The method of claim 38 further comprising:

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon during the availability window, data comprising the configuration information.

40. The method of claim 33, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

41. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by software executing on or accessed by a client device from a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein at least one of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

relaying, by the client device, to a server, data encapsulating at least a portion of a packet transmitted by the beacon so that the server can determine that the software is authorized to convey configuration information to the beacon;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon;

receiving, by the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon in response to the received data, data transmissions comprising the configuration information to the beacon solely during the availability window.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

43. The method of claim 41, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

46. A method comprising:

wirelessly receiving, by software executing on or accessed by a client device from a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein at least one of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

relaying, by the client device, to a server, data encapsulating at least a portion of a packet transmitted by the beacon so that the server can determine that the software should modify firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon during the availability window;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data for the client device to transmit to the beacon during the availability window which, when received by the beacon, causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change;

receiving, by the client device, data to causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon in response to the received data, data transmissions including at least a portion of the received data to the beacon solely during the availability window.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

48. The method of claim 46, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

50. The method of claim 46, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.

52. A system comprising:

a beacon comprising at least one data processor and a receiver;

a client device comprising at least one data processor and memory; and

a server comprising at least one data processor and memory;

wherein the beacon, client device, and server perform operations comprising;

wirelessly transmitting, by the beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein a portion of the packets specify an availability window during which the receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

detecting, by software executing on or accessed by the client device, at least one packet transmitted by the beacon;

relaying, by the client device, at least a portion of the transmitted packet to the server;

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to be informed of an identity and metadata of the beacon;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the identifier and metadata for the beacon; and

activating the receiver during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving, by the beacon during the availability window, configuration information for the beacon.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the operations further comprise:

modifying firmware of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein the operations further comprise:

modifying at least one operating parameter of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein modifying the firmware of the beacon comprises:

opening a connection between the client device and a remote computing device to data encapsulating a firmware update; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon, data encapsulating the firmware update.

60. The system of claim 52, wherein the operations further comprise:

initiating, by the software executed on or accessed by the client device, at least one action using the identifier and the metadata.

61. The system of claim 52, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

62. The system of claim 52, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated.

63. The system of claim 52, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to convey configuration information to the beacon; and

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein the operations further comprise:

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon during the availability window, data comprising the configuration information.

65. The system of claim 52, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

66. The system of claim 52, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted at least one packet, that the software should modify firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon during the availability window; and

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data for the client device to transmit to the beacon during the availability window which, when received by the beacon, causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change.

67. A system comprising:

at least one data processor; and

memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, result in operations comprising;

wirelessly receiving, by software executing on or accessed by a client device from a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein at least one of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

relaying, by the client device, to a server, data encapsulating at least a portion of a packet transmitted by the beacon so that the server can determine that the software is authorized to be informed of an identity and metadata of the beacon;

receiving, by the client device, data comprising the identifier and metadata for the beacon; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon in response to the received data, data transmissions to the beacon solely during the availability window.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

69. The system of claim 67, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

70. The system of claim 67, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

71. The system of claim 67, wherein the operations further comprise:

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to convey the configuration information to the beacon; and

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon.

72. The system of claim 67, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

73. A system comprising:

a beacon comprising at least one data processor and a receiver;

a client device comprising at least one data processor and memory; and

a server comprising at least one data processor and memory;

wherein the beacon, client device, and server perform operations comprising;

wirelessly transmitting, by the beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein a portion of the packets specify an availability window during which the receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

detecting, by software executing on or accessed by a client device, at least one packet transmitted by the beacon;

relaying, by the client device, at least a portion of the transmitted packet to the server;

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted packet, that the software is authorized to convey configuration information to the beacon;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon; and

activating the receiver during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon including the configuration information for the beacon.

74. The system of claim 73, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

75. The system of claim 73, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

76. The system of claim 73, wherein the operations further comprise:

receiving, by the beacon during the availability window, configuration information for the beacon.

77. The system of claim 76, wherein the operations further comprise:

modifying firmware of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the operations further comprise:

modifying at least one operating parameter of the beacon in response to receipt of the configuration information.

79. The system of claim 78, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.

80. The system of claim 77, wherein modifying the firmware of the beacon comprises:

opening a connection between the client device and a remote computing device to data encapsulating a firmware update; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon, data encapsulating the firmware update.

81. The system of claim 73, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated.

82. The system of claim 81, wherein the operations further comprise:

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon during the availability window, data comprising the configuration information.

83. The system of claim 73, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

84. A system comprising:

a beacon comprising at least one data processor and a receiver;

a client device comprising at least one data processor and memory; and

a server comprising at least one data processor and memory;

wherein the beacon, client device, and server perform operations comprising;

wirelessly transmitting, by the beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein a portion of the packets specify an availability window during which the receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

detecting, by software executing on or accessed by the client device, at least one packet transmitted by the beacon;

relaying, by the client device, at least a portion of the transmitted packet to the server;

determining, by the server and based on the relayed at least a portion of the transmitted at least one packet, that the software should modify firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon during the availability window;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data for the client device to transmit to the beacon during the availability window which, when received by the beacon, causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change; and

activating the receiver during the availability window to enable receipt of data transmissions to the beacon including the configuration information for the beacon.

85. The system of claim 84, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

86. The system of claim 84, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

87. The system of claim 84, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.

88. The system of claim 84, wherein modifying the firmware of the beacon comprises:

opening a connection between the client device and a remote computing device to data encapsulating a firmware update; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon, data encapsulating the firmware update.

89. The system of claim 84, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the operations further comprise:

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon during the availability window, data comprising the configuration information.

91. The system of claim 84, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

92. A system comprising:

at least one data processor; and

memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, result in operations comprising;

wirelessly receiving, by software executing on or accessed by a client device from a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein at least one of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

relaying, by the client device, to a server, data encapsulating at least a portion of a packet transmitted by the beacon so that the server can determine that the software is authorized to convey configuration information to the beacon;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon;

receiving, by the client device, data comprising the configuration information for the beacon; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon in response to the received data, data transmissions comprising the configuration information to the beacon solely during the availability window.

93. The system of claim 92, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

94. The system of claim 92, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

95. The system of claim 92, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

96. The system of claim 92, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

97. A system comprising:

at least one data processor; and

memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one data processor, result in operations comprising;

wirelessly receiving, by software executing on or accessed by a client device from a beacon, a sequence of one or more data packets that each or together comprise an identifier, wherein at least one of the packets specify an availability window during which a receiver forming part of the beacon can receive data transmissions, wherein the receiver does not receive data transmissions outside of the availability window;

relaying, by the client device, to a server, data encapsulating at least a portion of a packet transmitted by the beacon so that the server can determine that the software should modify firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon during the availability window;

transmitting, by the server to the client device, data for the client device to transmit to the beacon during the availability window which, when received by the beacon, causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change;

receiving, by the client device, data to causes the firmware and/or one or more operating parameters of the beacon to change; and

transmitting, by the client device to the beacon in response to the received data, data transmissions including at least a portion of the received data to the beacon solely during the availability window.

98. The system of claim 97, wherein the availability window specifies an absolute time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

99. The system of claim 97, wherein the availability window specifies a relative time during which the beacon can receive data transmissions.

100. The system of claim 97, wherein at least a portion of each data packet is obfuscated, and wherein the determination by the server comprises parsing the obfuscated at least a portion of each data packet.

101. The system of claim 97, wherein the wireless transmission comprises at least one of:

radio waves, audio waves, or light waves.

102. The system of claim 97, wherein the at least one operating parameter is selected from a group consisting of:

a rate at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, whether or not a rolling code is transmitted in the sequence of data packets, a rate at which a rolling code encapsulated in the sequence of data packets is changed, a rate at which a media access control (MAC) address changes, power at which the sequence of data packets is transmitted, a universally unique identifier (QUID) for the beacon, a major value for the beacon, a minor value for the beacon, measured power for the beacon, a version/type of packets in the sequence of packets, a periodicity of the availability window, a length of time during which the availability window is open, a timestamp for the availability window, or a time period for a subsequent availability window.