Introduction to Beacon technology
3 likes2,062 views
The document presents an overview of beacon technology, focusing on its functionalities, protocols, and applications in enhancing user experiences, particularly in m-commerce and marketing. Key topics include the workings of Bluetooth Low Energy, iBeacon and Eddystone protocols, and the potential challenges businesses may face in utilizing beacons. The presentation emphasizes the importance of considering user experience and trust when implementing beacon technology.
Introduction to Beacon technology
- 1. @dylanseychell Introduction to Beacon Technology Dylan Seychell #io16extended - Malta
- 2. @dylanseychell Hello I’m Dylan GDG Malta Lead Academic/Researcher Interaction Design Multimedia Technology E/M-Commerce PhD Student 3D Blending over Transmission Founder Colour my Travel Innovogy 2
- 3. @dylanseychell Presentation Overview Why Beacons? Motivation How to organise Beacons? Protocols Overview What to implement with Beacons? UX and Beacons Challenges 3
- 4. @dylanseychell What is a Beacon? Little Bluetooth Low-Energy Devices throwing a signal for devices to detect. 4
- 5. @dylanseychell 10 things you need to know about Beacons 1. Platform Independent 2. NOT Internet Connected 3. Used in different scenarios 4. They broadcast, not steal data 5. They can ‘detect’ distance 6. Huge insights on customers 7. Help automate m-commerce buying 8. Aids marketing and upselling 9. Different Manufacturers 10. Available for purchase for as little as €29 5
- 6. @dylanseychell Why should we care about Beacons? 6
- 7. @dylanseychell Because our devices are saying so. We’re using Mobile/Wearables all the time to: ● Find stores (60%) ● Use coupons for discounts (55%) ● Check Prices of Products (70%) ● Reading reviews on mobiles (53%) Etc. Mobile devices are at the core of our experience as consumers Yet, they lack the ability to enhance that experience 7
- 8. @dylanseychell How does Beacon Tech work? 8
- 9. @dylanseychell Very Simple. Just visualise a lighthouse, flashing a light, indicating it’s there. 9
- 10. @dylanseychell Bluetooth LE aka Bluetooth Smart or Bluetooth 4.0/.1/.2 Does not require pairing Transmits an identifier Lower power consumption Generally Battery Powered Short Range of approx 70m Transmits short data packages 10
- 11. @dylanseychell Apple’s iBeacon Protocol ● Launched in 2013 ● iBeacon works with iOS and Android ● iBeacon transmits a UUID (16 digit string of numbers), Major (4 digits) and Minor (4 digits). a. That’s it. Nothing else. b. They aren’t mini-servers or tracking devices. c. Beacons themselves do not track anything. d. Apps do the tracking if that’s what they are programmed to do. ● iBeacon requires an app to receive that specific UUID to be able to engage. ● The UUID is typically the same for all iBeacons working with a specific app. a. The “Major” and “Minor” IDs are used to identify each beacon uniquely. 11
- 12. @dylanseychell iBeacon Packet Structure UUID(Universal Unique Identifier): Used to identify a large set of beacons. Major: By this number you can identify a subset of beacons from the large set. Minor: By this number you can identify an individual beacon. 12
- 13. @dylanseychell Tx Power This is used to determine proximity (distance) from the beacon. How does this work? TX power is defined as the strength of the signal exactly 1 meter from the device. This has to be calibrated and hardcoded in advance. Devices can then use this as a baseline to give a rough distance estimate 13
- 14. @dylanseychell This was not just a lighthouse. It was the Eddystone Lighthouse. 14
- 15. @dylanseychell Which as a side-note, is this: 15
- 16. @dylanseychell Hence, the name Released by Google in July 2015 16
- 17. @dylanseychell There are 3 Eddystone Frame-Types Eddystone-UID (App Beacon) ● Eddystone-UID requires an app to receive that specific UID for your app to be able to engage. Eddystone-URL (Browser Beacon) ● Eddystone-URL is the beacon format for the “Physical Web”, where you put content if you want everybody to be able to access it. Eddystone-TLM (Telemetry) ● Eddystone-TLM bridges both App and Browser uses. 17
- 19. @dylanseychell Eddystone-UID ● Eddystone-UID requires an app to receive that specific UID for your app to be able to engage. ● Eddystone is very similar to iBeacon, but it only broadcasts a 16 digit string of characters, a. divided into a 10 character “Namespace” , e.g: EDD1EBEAC04E5DEFA017 b. and a 6 character “Instance” ID. , e.g: 0BDB87539B67 (same job of Major/Minor) c. Typically the Namespace is used to identify an entity and the Instance an individual beacon. ● No two beacons will ever have the same UID. 19
- 20. @dylanseychell Eddystone-URL ● Eddystone-URL is the beacon format for the “Physical Web” a. https://google.github.io/physical-web/ ● Eddystone-URL does NOT require a custom app but does require a beacon browser (http://www.bkon. com/browsers). a. Has to be a HTTPS URL b. Recommended to encode with SHA1 … not a must but it’s a convention ● Eddystone-URL broadcasts a URL...simply links to a Web Page ● Links can be easily managed with 3rd party systems such as PHY.net. 20
- 21. @dylanseychell Eddystone-TLM ● Eddystone-TLM bridges both App and Browser uses. (TLM = Telemetry) ● The main function of Eddystone is to transmit sensor and administrative data from the beacon itself. ● Currently this frame includes a. the beacon’s battery state, b. its temperature, c. the time since power-on, d. and a count of the advertising packets since power-on, e. but it could also include other sensor data in the future. 21
- 22. @dylanseychell What can we implement with Beacons? 22
- 23. @dylanseychell Let’s check this quick demo from Estimote 23
- 24. @dylanseychell Step 1 Plan your ‘terrain’ 24
- 25. @dylanseychell Step 2 1) Proximity a) The stage when the user approaches the site (store, school etc.) 2) Check-In a) Confirming proximity by interacting with app b) Setting Payment details/method c) Set up relationship with the app 3) Product Info a) Browse Services/Products b) Confirm/Buy etc. 4) Checkout a) Payment/Leaving the site 25 Plan the User Experience
- 26. @dylanseychell Case Study “Enhancing Information Systems through the Internet of things” Abela & Seychell 2016 A dissertation on how beacon technology can improve the experience within a school and its Information System by providing information about lectures, their location while providing contextual information to the students via the mobile application. Implemented and piloted at St Martin’s Institute of Higher Education. Supported by GDG Malta and Estimote. 26
- 27. @dylanseychell but there are HUGE challenges to overcome 27
- 28. @dylanseychell Challenge 1 Applications What apps do you need for such a system? Currently, 1 app per store or if you’re lucky, 1 app per chain. Ideally, feature within the OS so there won’t be a need to install dedicated apps. 28
- 29. @dylanseychell Challenge 2 Trust Can be creepy for consumers to be provided with information overload about things they like… But If used well, it can provide a wonderful and seamless experience 29