`
`2he
`Al
`
`US 2002013746
`
`United States
`(19)
`a2) Patent Application Publication co) Pub. No.: US 2002/0137462 Al
`
`Rankin
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Sep. 26, 2002
`
`(54) COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Paul J. Rankin, Horley (GB)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Corporate Patent Counsel
`U.S. Philips Corporation
`580 White Plains Road
`Tarrytown, NY 10591 (US)
`(73) Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS
`TRONICS N.V.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/096,610
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 13, 2002
`
`ELEC.
`
`Mar. 20, 2001)
`Sep. 13, 2001
`
`(GB)... eee teeeeeeseeteeeteene 0106846.9
`(GB) oe eee teeeeiene 0122229.8
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Tints C07 eee cecceccseeessen mee eeeceeceeeennnnttees H04B 5/00
`(SV)
`(52) U.S. Cd. ceeeeseeescseeessseenneseenesesnneesnees 455/41; 455/402
`©?)
`ABSTRACT
`A communication system comprises a network of beacons
`and a powerline carrier arrangement providing a back-end
`path for the network. The carrier arrangementcarries control
`and/or data signals to and from the beacons. A communi-
`cation method is also disclosed.
`
`38
`
`10
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 26,2002 Sheet 1 of 3
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`US 2002/0137462 Al
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`16
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`FIG. 2
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` FIG.3
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Sep. 26,2002 Sheet 3 of 3
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`US 2002/0137462 Al
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`COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD
`
`[0001] This invention relates to a communication system
`and to a communication method. In particular it relates to a
`system comprising a network of beacons and to a method of
`networking beacons.
`
`[0002] Recent years have seen a great increase in sub-
`scribers world-wide to mobile telephone networks and,
`through advances in technology and the addition of func-
`tionalities, cellular
`telephones have become personal,
`trusted devices. A result of this is that a mobile information
`
`society is developing, with personalised and localised ser-
`vices becoming increasingly more important. Such “Con-
`text-Aware” (CA) mobile telephones are used with low
`power, short-range base stations in places like shopping
`malls to provide location-specific information. This infor-
`mation might include local maps, information on nearby
`shops and restaurants and so on. The user’s CA terminal may
`be equipped to filter the information received according to
`pre-stored user preferences and the useris only alerted if an
`item of data of particular interest has been received.
`[0003]
`In an example of a CA terminal, Hewlett-Packard
`has posted a publication on the Webat:
`[0004]
` <http:/Avww.cooltown.hp.com/papers/veb-
`pres/Web/Presence.htm> about
`their “Cooltown”
`project. The convergence of Web technology, wire-
`less networks and portable client devices provides
`design opportunities for computer/communications
`systems. In the Cooltown project, systems that are
`location-aware can be created using URL’s for
`addressing, physical URL’s for delivery via beacons
`and sensing of URL’s for discovery, and localised
`web servers for directories. The systems are ubiqui-
`tous to support nomadic users. On top ofthis infra-
`structure the Internet connectivity can be leveraged
`to support communications services. Web presence
`bridges the World Wide Web and the physical world
`inhabited by the users, providing a model for sup-
`porting nomadic users without a central control
`point.
`[0005] The Cooltown Museum and Bookstore offers visi-
`tors a Web-enhanced experience. As visitors tour
`the
`museum, their portable digital assistant (PDA) can receive
`Web URIs from wireless “beacons”. These beacons are
`
`infrared transceivers located close to pictures or
`small
`sculptures; the URLs link into a Web of information about
`the items. Using the PDA’s Web browser, visitors can read
`or hear about the artist or the work and about related art
`works in the museum. The URLs can also be stored as
`
`bookmarks for further study or they can be used to select
`reproductions of the artwork from the museum’s online
`store.
`
`In connection with the delivery of audio data, there
`[0006]
`are many examples of one-way speech services in everyday
`use: apart from broadcast television and radio services, there
`are dial-up information services such as the speaking clock
`and recorded weather forecasts, as well as public address
`systems and display commentary systems used in a number
`of museumsand art galleries. Each of these has different
`characteristics, but all are essentially unidirectional non-
`interactive services.
`
`based services in conventional fashion, by allowing portable
`terminals to join a piconet and request a point-to-point link
`over which the required audio stream may besent. As will
`be recognised, however, a broadcast mechanism has a num-
`ber of advantages for both terminal and base-station or
`beacon. Firstly, through not requiring the portable device to
`transmit (to join the piconet), battery power for the portable
`device is conserved. Secondly, the broadcasting beacon can
`reach many portable devices simultaneously, which may be
`of particular importance in crowded environments. In terms
`of security considerations for the user, through not being
`required to transmit, the portable device is not required to
`divulge its identity. Lastly, routing broadcast data through a
`single broadcast channel, rather than selectively over several
`point-to-point links, is easier to implement.
`
`[0008] When a beaconis installed as part of a network,
`consideration is required as to the method by which broad-
`cast data for the beacon is transferred to that beacon.It is
`knownthat data can be stored locally at the beacon, but then
`the only way of updating the beacon is manually, which is
`inefficient. A dedicated wired connection may be provided
`for the beacon as a wayoftransferring data to the beacon but
`this has the problem that in manysituations the provision of
`such a connection is expensive and/or unpractical. It is also
`possible to communicate data to a beacon by a wireless
`connection but this again has a numberof problemsinclud-
`ing cost, lack of broadcast bandwidth, interference and in
`somecases the inability to reach the beacon wirelessly.
`
`is an object of the invention to provide an
`It
`[0009]
`improved communication system and method.
`
`[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a communication system comprising a
`network of beacons and a powerline carrier arrangement
`providing a back-end path for said network of beacons,said
`carrier arrangementfor carrying control and/ordata signals.
`
`[0011] According to a second aspect of the present inven-
`tion, there is provided a communication method comprising
`networking a plurality of beacons, providing a back-end
`path for said beacons in the form of a power line carrier
`arrangement, and carrying control and/or data signals on
`said powerline carrier arrangement.
`
`[0012] Owing to these aspects of the invention it is pos-
`sible to provide a communication system and methodthat,
`by using a powerline carrier as the back-endpath, facilitates
`communication with beacons in the network.
`
`[0013] Advantageously a central server is provided that
`communicates with the beacons of the network. Control
`and/or data signals are carried by the power line carrier
`arrangement and this communication can be bi-directional,
`with signals able to travel back from the beacons. Each
`beacon can be provided with a cache memoryfor storing
`data that can be updated by the central server. The server can
`also be arranged to reconfigure any of the beacons.
`
`[0014] For the beacon back-endpath, ‘Power Line Carrier’
`(PLC) schemes for modulating 110 or 240V mains supplies
`are used to carry control and/or data signals. Depending
`upon the scheme adopted, its noise insensitivity and effec-
`tive data rate, isolation from outside interference etc, some
`or all of the back-end network data and control functions
`
`[0007] Communications protocols such as the Bluetooth
`standards could be used to provide access to such audio-
`
`needed by beacons can be supported via PLC. X-10 as a
`particular example, gives 120 b/s,
`therefore providing a
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`cheap way for immediatcly installing up to 256 simple
`stand-alone RF beacon units in a locale, piggy-backing on
`the mains cable installation to support one style of applica-
`tion design (those where the beacon doesnot haveto rapidly
`communicate discovered handsetid’s across the back-chan-
`nel to a central server, i.e. where the short-range RF com-
`municationis essentially one way, from beacon to handset—
`this may optionally exploit RP connectionless broadcasting).
`
`then this change can be communicated to the beacon 26 via
`the carrier arrangement14. If a whole new timetable is to be
`uploaded to the beacon 26 then this is ideally carried out
`during a time interval when the beacon 26 is not broadcast-
`ing, ie. al night. The carrier arrangement can be used to
`switch between different data sets in response to external
`events, the data sets being precached in the beacon.
`
`[0023] The beacon 16 is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.
`The beacon 16 is provided with a cache memory 28 in
`invention will now be
`the
`[0015] Lmbodiments of
`addition to a processor 30 and a broadcast chip 32. These
`described, by way of example only, with reference to the
`different functional objects can be provided byasingle
`accompanying drawings in which:-
`component. The other beacons in the network 12 are simi-
`larly provided with cache memoriesthat facilitate the updat-
`ing of each beacon.
`
`FIG.1 is a schematic representation of a commu-
`[0016]
`nication system,
`
`FIG.2 is a schematic representation of a beacon of
`[0017]
`the communication system of FIG.1,
`
`FIG.3 is a stylised perspective view of a locality
`[0018]
`in which the communication system of FIG.1 is installed,
`and
`
`FIG.4 is a stylised perspective view of a second
`[0019]
`locality with a communication system installed therein.
`
`In FIG. 1, a communication system 10 comprises
`[0020]
`a network of beacons 12 and a powerline carrier arrange-
`ment 14. The carrier arrangement 14is providing a back-end
`path for the network of beacons 12. The carrier arrangement
`14 enables remote communication with the beacons via the
`mains power supply which is modulated for carrying control
`and/or data signals. The carricr arrangement 14 is a two-way
`channel that carries signals both to and from the individual
`beacons 16. Control signals would typically be such things
`as turning the beacon on andoff, adjusting the broadcast
`interval, switching to a different data set in response to an
`external event or schedule and so on. Data signals would be
`the actual information or signal broadcast by the individual
`beacon.
`
`{0021] The carrier arrangement 14 also supplies the nec-
`essary powerto the individual beacons 16 for their opera-
`tion. The beacons,
`in this example, are short range RF
`beacons of the Bluctooth standard that broadcast locally in
`a CA (Context Aware) network. Other beacon broadcasting
`systemsare possible including Zigbee and 802.11b and also
`IR based systems. The beacons broadcast over ranges up to
`100m, having typically 1m, 10m or 100m ranges. A CA
`network is arranged to communicate with mobile phones,
`PDAs and similar devices that are present within the net-
`work. For example a beacon of a CA network may be placed
`at a shop front and can broadcast details of the most recently
`available products or details of special offers. These broad-
`casts are received by shoppers who are passing the shop
`front and have CA functionality on their mobile communi-
`cation device and who can take advantage of the information
`received from the CA network.
`
`[0022] Such a mobile communication device could be,for
`example, a mobile phone 18 in the possession of a user 20
`whoin present at a bus stop 22 (shownin FIG.3). The user
`20 is within the range 24 of a Bluetooth beacon 26, which
`is a broadcast only beacon that broadcasts bus timetable
`information. The powerline carrier arrangement 14 provides
`a back-end path to this beacon 26 that can be used to send
`newdata to the beacon 26. For example, if there is a change
`in the timetable caused by a delayin the roadtraffic system
`
`In addition to the sending of data to a beacon, the
`[0024]
`powerline carrier arrangement 14 can act as a two-way
`channel, carrying data back from those beaconsthat are not
`broadcast only beacons. A two-way beacon will repeatedly
`issue a call signal that can be received by a suitably enabled
`CA mobile communication device. When such a signal is
`received by a CA device then the device replies and a
`two-way communication channel is opened. The CA device
`will typically have stored on it some kind of user profile and
`this profile can be interrogated by the CA system to decide
`what, if any, communication is sent to the CA device.
`
`[0025] For example, a CA beacon at the entrance to a
`music store may interrogate CA mobile phones entering its
`range to see if the user has a music parameter present in the
`user’s profile. If present, the beacon will send the CA mobile
`device details of, for example, a 3 for 2 offer on CDs,
`currently running in the music store or may send an ecoupon
`to the device. Ilowever the beacon may also receive more,
`or related, details from the user’s profile that are then passed
`via the carrier arrangement 14 (acting as a back channel) to
`other beacons in the network 12. This may be details of the
`particular type of music of which the user is fond, or may
`relate to the user’s preference for such things as music
`videos. When the user subsequently enters the part of the
`store dedicated to music videos, which an associated CA
`beacon covers, then the user will receive information rel-
`evant
`to their music video tastes. This communication
`between device and network can be automatic or can be
`
`consensual, based upon the user’s acceptance of such com-
`munication whenhefirst enters the store.
`
`In a CA system other uses of the carrier arrange-
`[0026]
`ment are possible,
`including the transmission of fairly
`simple information from beacons. For example, this may be
`the identity of discovered devices, or the number of discov-
`ered devices per hour. The carrier arrangement may also be
`used to reecive fecdback on the use of services that are
`
`broadcast by the beacons and thereby select from precached
`options. For example, if one beacon is broadcasting a 3 for
`2 offer, and a second beacon is broadcasting an offer of half
`price on selected items, the take up of these offers can be
`monitored and the more popular offer can then be broadcast
`on both beacons. The carrier arrangement can also be used
`to upload information to beacons on-demand that has been
`requested by a CA mobile device user.
`
`[0027] Beacons within the network can themselves be
`mobile; for example a mobile beacon 34is located on a bus
`36. This beacon 34 has the primary purpose of communi-
`cating with passengers on the bus 36, for example providing
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`information on shops andfacilitics on the route ahead, and
`giving timetable details etc. However when the bus 36
`reaches a scheduled bus stop, for example, bus stop 22, the
`range of the mobile beacon 34 will extend to reach users
`who are wailing al the bus stop 22 and can communicate
`with any CA enabled devices held by those users. They can
`be informed of suchthings asthe route of the bus 36 etc. The
`mobile beacon 34 can be updated whenit is within the range
`of a fixed beacon via the powerline carrier arrangement 14
`connected to that beacon and the broadcast from the fixed
`beacon.
`
`[0028] The system includes a central server 38 for com-
`municating, with the beacons of the network 12 via the power
`line carrier arrangement 14. The central server 38, which is
`remote from the beacons,is arranged to periodically update
`the cache memory of each beacon. The beacons can be
`updated on a regular basis, as appropriate. Ideally, the server
`is arranged to update the cache memoryduring a time period
`when the associated beacon is not broadcasting.
`
`It is also possible to operate a dynamic system
`[0029]
`where the beacons can be updated as and when desired,
`according to changing circumstances. If the beacons of the
`network 12 cover, for example, a large department store,
`then the server 38 can be located in a central control room
`
`and its operator can, via a suitable user interface, update the
`individual beacons.
`
`[0030] The central server 38 is also arranged to reconfig-
`ure the beacons of the network 12. The server 38 can also
`
`reconfigure the entire network of beacons, The reconfiguring
`may be, for example changing one or more of the beacon’s
`RF mode, protocol or profile. In this way an operator can
`reconfigure a local area network of beacons. l‘or example, a
`beacon that is operating as a broadcast only beacon can be
`reconfigured to act as a two-way beacon. Reconfiguring also
`includes such actions as turning a beacon on or off and
`altering the frequency/rate of broadcasting or inquiry. In the
`Bluetooth system some beacons can act as inquirers or
`interactors,
`this can be reconfigured via the power line
`carrier arrangement. Activation of a subset of service offers/
`alerts at different times of day can also be configured by the
`carrier arrangement.
`
`[0031] FIG. 4 shows a communication system installed
`in-home. Various devices, such as a mobile phone40,set top
`box 42 and audio system 44 are provided with beacons,
`which could be integrated circuits of the Bluetooth standard.
`A powerline carrier arrangement, in the form of the mains
`power supply provides a back-end path for the network of
`beacons, and control and/or data signals can be transmitted
`and received by the beacons.
`
`In addition to the home, such a communication
`[0032]
`system can be installed in the office orat least a part of the
`system can be installed in vehicles. The powerlike carrier
`arrangementcan run on voltages other than mains voltage so
`a vehicles internal powercircuits can be used as the carrier
`arrangement.
`
`1. A communication system comprising a network of
`beacons and a powerline carrier arrangement providing a
`back-end path for said network of beacons, said carrier
`arrangement for carrying control and/or data signals.
`
`2. A system according to claim 1, whercin at least one of
`said beaconsis a broadcast only beacon.
`3. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
`said beaconsis a short-range RF beacon.
`4. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
`said beacons is arranged to communicate with a mobile
`communication device.
`
`5. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
`said beacons is a mobile beacon.
`
`6. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein said carrier
`arrangementis a two-way channel.
`7. Asystem according to claim 1, wherein at least one of
`said beacons includes a cache memory.
`8. Asystem according to claim 1, and further comprising
`a central server for communicating with said beacons via
`said carrier arrangement.
`9. Asystem according to claim 8 as appendedto claim 7,
`wherein said central server is arranged to periodically update
`said cache memory.
`10. Asystem according to claim 9, wherein said server is
`arranged to update said cache memoryduring a time interval
`when the associated beacon is not broadcasting.
`11. Asystem according to claim 8, wherein said server is
`arranged to reconfigure a beacon of said network.
`12. Asystem according to claim 8, wherein said server is
`arranged to reconfigure said network.
`13. A communication method comprising networking a
`plurality of beacons, providing a back-end path for said
`beaconsin the form of a powerline carrier arrangement, and
`carrying control and/or data signals on said power line
`carrier arrangement.
`14. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least one
`of said beacons is a broadcast only beacon.
`15. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least one
`of said beacons is a short-range RF beacon.
`16. A method according to claim 13, wherein a beacon of
`said network is communicating with a mobile communica-
`tion device.
`
`17. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least one
`of said beacons is a mobile beacon.
`
`18. A method according to claim 13, wherein said carry-
`ing is two-way.
`19. A method according to claim 13 whereinat least one
`of said beacons includes a cache memory.
`20. A method according to claim 13 and further compris-
`ing communicating with said beacons froma central server.
`21. A method according to claim 20 as appended to claim
`19, said communicating occurring periodically and for the
`purpose of updating said cache memory.
`22. A method according to claim 21, wherein said updat-
`ing of said cache memory takes place during a time interval
`when the associated beacon is not broadcasting.
`23. A method according to claim 20 wherein the commu-
`nicating from said central server is to reconfigure a beacon
`of said network.
`
`24. A method according to claim 20, wherein the com-
`municating from said central server is to reconfigure said
`network.
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