Network based indoor positioning and geofencing system and method

• US 9,430,781 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2014
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEXRF Corp.
• Original Assignee: NEXRF Corp.
• Inventors: Kerr, Michael A., Stewart, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Yen, Jason
• Application Number:
  US14/189,905
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/02528 Simulating radio frequency fingerprints
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0233 Method of redeeming a frequent usage reward
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0261 based on user location
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0267 Wireless devices
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/27 for locating or positioning the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• 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 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

A network based indoor positioning and geofencing system and method is described. Beacons are disposed within a physical premises and each beacon transmits a signal containing identifying information. A networked indoor positioning module receives measured reference points that include a measured beacon identifier and a measured signal strength. The networked indoor positioning module uses the measured reference points to generate calculated signal strength values for at least one detected beacon. At least one geofence is associated with the physical premises and the geofence includes some of the calculated signal strength values. A wireless device receives a beacon identifier and a beacon signal strength, when the wireless device is in or near a geofence associated the physical premises. The networked indoor positioning module determines that the wireless device is within at least one geofence by comparing the received beacon identifier and the received beacon signal strength with the calculated signal strength values corresponding to the detected beacon.

Claims

1. A network based indoor positioning and geofencing system comprising:

a plurality of beacons disposed within a physical premises, wherein each beacon transmits a signal containing identifying information;

a networked indoor positioning module that receives a plurality of measured reference points that include a measured beacon identifier and a measured signal strength, wherein the networked positioning module includes at least one of an RF sensor communicatively coupled to a network, a wireless device communicatively coupled to the network and a server communicatively coupled to the network;

the networked indoor positioning module uses the measured reference points to generate a plurality of calculated signal strength values for at least one detected beacon;

at least one geofence associated with the physical premises, wherein the geofence includes some of the calculated signal strength values;

a wireless device communicatively coupled to the networked indoor positioning module, the wireless device receives at least one beacon identifier and at least one beacon signal strength, when the wireless device is in or near the physical premises; and

the networked indoor positioning module determines that the wireless device is within at least one geofence by comparing the received beacon identifier and the received beacon signal strength with the calculated signal strength values corresponding to the detected beacon.

2. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 1 further comprising a beacon associated with a slot machine.

3. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 1 further comprising a player reward card feature disposed on the wireless device that converts loyalty program points to rewards.

4. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 1 further comprising a networked content management module communicatively coupled to the wireless device and the networked indoor positioning module, wherein the networked content management module includes at least one content item that corresponds to a particular geofence.

5. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 4 wherein the content item includes a coupon.

6. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 4 wherein the content item includes an advertisement.

7. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 4 wherein the content item includes an ordering menu.

8. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 4 wherein the content item includes a price tag.

9. The network based indoor positioning solution and geofencing system of claim 4 wherein the content item includes a shopping list.

11. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 9 further comprising a beacon associated with a slot machine.

12. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 9 further comprising a player reward card feature disposed on the wireless device, wherein the player reward card feature is configured to convert loyalty program points to rewards.

13. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 9 further comprising a networked content management module communicatively coupled to the wireless device and the networked indoor positioning module, wherein the networked content management module includes at least one content item that corresponds to a particular geofence.

14. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 13 wherein the content item includes a coupon.

15. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 13 wherein the content item includes an advertisement.

16. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 13 wherein the content item includes an ordering menu.

17. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing system of claim 13 wherein the content item includes a price tag.

18. The network based indoor positioning solution and geofencing system of claim 13 wherein the content item includes a shopping list.

10. A network based indoor positioning and geofencing system comprising:

a plurality of beacons disposed within a physical premises, wherein each beacon is configured to transmit a signal containing identifying information;

a fixed sensor within the physical premises that is communicatively coupled to a network, wherein the fixed sensor is configured to receive a plurality of measured reference points that include a measured beacon identifier and a measured signal strength;

a networked indoor positioning module communicatively coupled to the network, the networked indoor positioning module configured to receive the plurality of measured reference points from the fixed sensor, wherein the networked positioning module includes at least one of the fixed sensor communicatively coupled to the network, a wireless device communicatively coupled to the network and a server communicatively coupled to the network;

the networked indoor positioning module configured to use the measured reference points to generate a plurality of calculated signal strength values for at least one detected beacon;

at least one geofence associated with the physical premises, wherein the geofence includes some of the calculated signal strength values;

a wireless device communicatively coupled to the networked indoor positioning module, the wireless device configured to receive at least one beacon identifier and at least one beacon signal strength, when the wireless device is in or near the physical premises; and

the networked indoor positioning module configured to determine that the wireless device is within at least one geofence by comparing the received beacon identifier and the received beacon signal strength with the calculated signal strength values corresponding to the detected beacon.

19. A network based indoor positioning and geofencing method comprising:

placing a plurality of beacons within a physical premises, wherein each is beacon configured to transmit a signal containing identifying information;

receiving a plurality of measured reference points that include a measured beacon identifier and a measured signal strength at a networked indoor positioning module, wherein the networked positioning module includes at least one of an RF sensor communicatively coupled to a network, a wireless device communicatively coupled to the network and a server communicatively coupled to the network;

using the measured reference points to generate a plurality of calculated signal strength values for at least one detected beacon at the networked indoor positioning module;

identifying at least one geofence that is associated with the physical premises, wherein the geofence includes some of the calculated signal strength values;

enabling a wireless device to be communicatively coupled to the networked indoor positioning module, wherein the wireless device is configured to receive at least one beacon identifier and at least one beacon signal strength, when the wireless device is in or near the physical premises; and

the networked indoor positioning module configured to determine that the wireless device is within at least one geofence by comparing the received beacon identifier and the received beacon signal strength with the calculated signal strength values corresponding to the detected beacon.

20. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 19 further comprising placing at least one fixed sensor within the physical premises so the fixed sensor is communicatively coupled to a network, wherein the fixed sensor receives the measured reference points that include the measured beacon identifier and the measured signal strength that are communicated to the networked indoor positioning module that generates the calculated signal strength values for at least one detected beacon.

21. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 19 further comprising associating a beacon with a slot machine.

22. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 19 further comprising enabling a player reward card feature to be disposed on the wireless device, wherein the player reward card feature is configured to convert loyalty program points to rewards.

23. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 19 further comprising communicatively coupling a networked content management module to the wireless device and the networked indoor positioning module, wherein the networked content management module includes at least one content item that corresponds to a particular geofence.

24. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 23 wherein the content item includes a coupon.

25. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 23 wherein the content item includes an advertisement.

26. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 23 wherein the content item includes an ordering menu.

27. The network based indoor positioning and geofencing method of claim 23 wherein the content item includes a price tag.

28. The network based indoor positioning solution and geofencing method of claim 23 wherein the content item includes a shopping list.