iBeacon - Quick Overview

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Why Beacon Technology?
  • GPS is not accurate in Indoor
  • GPS is affected by Weather conditions
  • Wi-Fi based solutions are expensive & complex algorithms
  • Technology to support Indoor, Outdoor and even in Basement
  • Current Proximity Systems
    • QR Based
      • Not intuitive and not user friendly
      • Engagement is slow
      • User has to start the interaction
    • NFC
      • Range is too short (4 CM)
      • User has to start the interaction
      • Designed for different purpose like Payments etc.,
What is iBeacon?
  • A new generation low-powered, low-cost transmitters that can notify iOS 7.1 and Android 4.3 devices of their presence
  • It is a trademark by Apple, introduced in iOS7 http://www.apple.com/legal/intellectual-property/trademark/appletmlist.html
  • Application programs built are HyperCard, HyperTalk, iBooks, iCard etc.,
  • Designed for Proximity detection
  • Using Bluetooth 4.0 low energy technology (apple protocol on top of CoreBluetooth)
  • iBeacon signal range is up to radius of 70 meters
  • iBeacon sensors are not necessarily Apple Inc., products
  • iBeacon is not a technology, it is a new “User Experience”
  • Limits
    • Limited Security and Privacy
    • Technology maturity application development experience together brings better Precision and Accuracy
    • No support by other platforms except iOS and Android
  • Note: Security Management should be the part of the development
How it works?
  • iBeacon emits continuously a signal that can be received by a specific app
  • App can receive signals even though it is not running
  • Once it is connected with a device, it creates exclusive channel with a device (Helps to provide personalized customer experience)
  • The signal from Beacon is identified and classified based on
    • UUID (Unique Identifier - To identify group of devices) (Ex: Company)
    • Major (Group Identifier) (Ex: Location)
    • Minor (Identifier within the group) (Ex: Section)
    • Tx Power (Identify the proximity based on Signal Strength)
      • Immediate (0 to .5M)
      • Near (.5M to 2M)
      • Far More than 2M)
    • iBeacon enabled devices that has a app would have a logic to identify signal from Beacon device, interpret the signal based on Beacon parameters and process accordingly
    • Requirements:
      • Application has to be installed in device
      • Does not need to be running (So no question of energy consuming)
      • Device should be Bluetooth BLE compatible and Bluetooth is on
      • User must permit app to get push notifications
      • Should have OS versions either iOS 7.1 and above or Android 4.3 and above
      • Setup the transmit power by code for better battery life
    • Current compatible Devices:
      • iOS devices with Bluetooth 4.0 (iPhone 4S and later, iPad (3rd generation) and later, iPad Mini (1st generation) and later, iPod Touch (5th generation).
      • Android devices with Bluetooth 4.0 and Android 4.3 and later (Samsung Galaxy S3/S4/S5/S4 Mini, Samsung Galaxy Note 2/3, HTC One, Google/LG Nexus 7 (2013 version)/Nexus 4/Nexus 5,[29] HTC Butterfly (aka Droid DNA).[30] and Moto G
      • Macintosh computers with OS X Mavericks (10.9) and Bluetooth 4.0
Development Frameworks
  • iOS
    • CoreLocation/CoreLocation.h
    • CoreBluetooth/CoreBluetooth.h
  • Android SDK 1.3
    • sdk.core.SBBeacon;
    • smartbeacon.sdk.core.SBLocationManager;
    • smartbeacon.sdk.core.SBLocationManagerListener;
    • smartbeacon.sdk.core.SBRegion;
    • smartbeacon.sdk.core.SBScanDeviceListener;
    • smartbeacon.sdk.core.SBLocationManager.Frequency;
    • smartbeacon.sdk.utils.SBLogger;
Things to consider when buying Beacon device
  • Batter Life
  • Compliance with device manufacturers
  • Location where the device is installed like waterproofing etc
  • Management of Beacons (Facility to remote manage the Beacons – Update firmware)
  • Future Proofing

Use Cases

  • In-store notifications when customer enters in to proximity range and push customized information
  • Museum & Exhibits
  • Aiports
  • Stadiums & Event Halls
  • Campus Navigation
    • Guide Visitors/Employees through the campus by directing them to the right location and informing the nearest café, restroom etc.
    • Send information on change in events or meetings
    • Inform number of people arrived to scheduled location
Application Etiquette
  • No message spamming
  • No repeated messages
  • Provide value

Cheers,
Venkat Alagarsamy

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