I-Corps: Beacon-Enabled Smart Location-Based Service

这个I-Corps项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是通过在公共交通、零售和活动管理等几个重要的垂直市场中使用蓝牙低功耗（BLE）信标来实现新的基于位置的服务。 基于BLE信标的软件解决方案可以在室内和室外位置提供低成本的基于位置的服务，例如支持自动步行交通计数和基于位置的产品促销。作为一种新兴的物联网（IoT）技术，BLE信标有可能成为领先的近距离技术。然而，在不同的环境中使用这些技术的利弊仍然没有完全了解。例如，在公共场所共享位置的隐私问题可能会阻碍这些技术的采用。这个I-Corps项目将探索基于信标的技术在机场、商务会议和零售店的实施和商业化机会。I-Corps项目的成功将有助推动物联网技术的应用，提高公共服务的效率和市民的生活质素。I-Corps项目将发掘低功耗蓝牙信标技术的商业潜力，提供新的低成本定位服务。BLE信标主动广播蓝牙信号，这些信号可以被附近的蓝牙智能手机接收。因此，移动的应用可以利用安装在不同位置处的信标来检测人的移动，例如，感测人何时进入或离开某些位置，以及估计共同位于某些位置处的人的数量。有效的基于信标的解决方案需要解决以下问题：当不同信标的蓝牙信号相互干扰时，确保准确的移动检测;提供可扩展的服务，其中不同的移动的平台可以支持大量信标;并包括隐私保护功能，以解决人们的隐私问题。该项目将有助于更好地了解基于信标的定位服务的不同需求，以及如何定制这些服务以潜在地服务于各种垂直市场。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this I-Corps project is in enabling new location-based services by using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacons in several important market verticals such as public transportation, retail, and events management, to name just a few. BLE beacon-based software solutions can provide low-cost location-based services in both indoor and outdoor locations, supporting, for example, automatic foot traffic counts and location-based product promotions. As an emerging Internet of Things (IoT) technology, BLE beacons have the potential to become the leading proximity technology. However, the pros and cons of using these technologies in different settings are still not fully understood. For instance, privacy issues regarding location sharing in public spaces can impede the adoption of these technologies. This I-Corps project will explore implementation and commercialization opportunities of beacon-based technologies in airports, business conferences, and retail stores. The success of this project can help promote the adoption of this IoT technology and result in improved efficiency in public services and enhanced quality of people's daily lives.This I-Corps project will identify the commercial potential for using Bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacon technology to provide new and low-cost location-based services. A BLE beacon actively broadcasts Bluetooth signals, which can be received by nearby Bluetooth-enabled smartphones. Thus, mobile applications can leverage the beacons that are installed at different locations to detect people's movements, for instance, sensing when people enter or exit certain locations, and estimating the number of people co-located at certain locations. Effective beacon-based solutions need to address the following: ensure accurate movement detection when different beacons' Bluetooth signals interfere with each other; provide a scalable service where a large number of beacons can be supported by different mobile platforms; and include privacy-preserving features to address people's privacy concerns. This project will lead to a better understanding of varying requirements for beacon-based location services and how they might be customized to potentially service a variety of market verticals.