BEACON-BASED INDOOR LOCATION TRACKING SYSTEM

Abstract

This invention provides an integrated indoor location tracking system using beacon devices, a mobile application, and cloud services. Utilizing Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, the system tracks users’ locations and generates optimal paths within indoor environments, enhancing navigation accuracy and user convenience. AWS IoT Core manages device and data storage, supporting a scalable, reliable indoor positioning solution.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to indoor navigation and positioning technology, specifically an integrated system that uses beacon-based devices, a mobile application, and cloud services to achieve precise indoor location tracking and path generation. The system leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology for low-power communication, providing users with real-time positioning and efficient navigation capabilities within complex indoor environments.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Existing indoor navigation solutions are often limited by the accuracy of GPS technology, which struggles to provide reliable positioning in indoor spaces due to signal attenuation and interference. Traditional indoor navigation methods also lack the ability to generate optimal paths between specific points, leading to inefficient user experiences in navigation. In environments such as shopping malls, hospitals, and large office complexes, users face challenges in locating specific destinations without a reliable guidance system. This invention addresses these gaps by introducing a beacon-based indoor tracking system that utilizes BLE technology in beacon devices, a mobile application for navigation, and cloud services for data management. By combining real-time positioning with optimal path generation, the invention offers a comprehensive indoor navigation experience that enhances user convenience and spatial orientation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention.
This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention and nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.
To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.
The invention presents a Beacon-Based Indoor Location Tracking System comprising beacon devices equipped with ESP32 microcontrollers, a mobile application for virtual mapping and navigation, and AWS IoT Core for cloud-based device management and data storage. The system tracks users' locations in real-time, generating optimal navigation paths between points of interest within indoor environments. This integrated approach improves positioning accuracy, optimizes route suggestions, and provides efficient navigation, making it suitable for complex indoor spaces where traditional GPS-based systems are ineffective.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
FIGURE 1: PRESENTS THE VIRTUAL MAP INTERFACE WITHIN THE MOBILE APPLICATION, DISPLAYING THE USER'S LOCATION AND AVAILABLE PATHS.
The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a"," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
In addition, the descriptions of "first", "second", "third", and the like in the present invention are used for the purpose of description only, and are not to be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Thus, features defining "first" and "second" may include at least one of the features, either explicitly or implicitly.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
The Beacon-Based Indoor Location Tracking System introduced here operates as an integrated solution for precise indoor navigation. The system comprises beacon devices equipped with ESP32 microcontrollers, which serve as the primary hardware for managing communication protocols and processing data through BLE technology. Each beacon is assigned a unique identification number, allowing it to be recognized accurately within the designated area. These devices emit BLE signals that are detectable within a specific range, facilitating precise location tracking when users move within the environment.
The mobile application, developed in Kotlin and Java through Android Studio, serves as the user interface, offering real-time interaction and navigation assistance. It creates a virtual map of the environment, which displays the locations of beacon devices and the user's current position. Upon detecting BLE signals from nearby beacons, the application updates the user's position on the virtual map, providing a seamless navigation experience. The application is equipped with path generation capabilities, analyzing detected beacon signals to suggest optimal routes between two selected points. Factors such as distance and potential obstacles are considered, allowing the user to navigate efficiently within indoor spaces.
Cloud services, specifically AWS IoT Core, are employed for managing the system's devices and data storage. AWS IoT Core enables efficient registration, configuration, and monitoring of beacon devices, ensuring reliability and scalability. Positioning data from beacon devices is securely stored in the cloud, providing data integrity and accessibility. This data is utilized for real-time updates within the mobile application, enhancing the overall accuracy and responsiveness of the tracking system.
In operation, when a user enters the range of a beacon device, the mobile application detects the BLE signal and updates the user's location on the virtual map. The application then utilizes the detected signals to generate the best path to a selected destination within the environment. Cloud services support the continuous management of beacon devices and storage of positional data, allowing for seamless tracking and navigation. The integrated system represents a significant advancement in indoor location tracking technology, offering precise positioning, efficient path generation, and seamless integration for users in complex indoor environments.
, Claims:1. A Beacon-Based Indoor Location Tracking System comprising beacon devices, a mobile application, and cloud services, designed to provide precise indoor location tracking and navigation.
2. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the beacon devices include ESP32 microcontrollers and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology for low-power communication and accurate positioning.
3. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each beacon device is assigned a unique identification number for precise recognition and location tracking within a designated area.
4. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mobile application creates a virtual map of the environment, displaying beacon device locations and the user's current position in real time.
5. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mobile application generates optimal paths between two points by analyzing detected beacon signals, considering distance and potential obstacles.
6. The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein AWS IoT Core manages device registration, configuration, monitoring, and positioning data storage for enhanced system reliability and scalability.
7.The system as claimed in Claim 1, wherein positioning data is stored in a cloud database, ensuring data integrity and accessibility for real-time updates within the mobile application.

8. A method for providing indoor location tracking as claimed in Claim 1, involving BLE signal detection, virtual mapping, optimal path generation, and cloud-based device management for precise navigation.

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