Ultrasonic communications for wireless beacons
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a sonic signal from a beacon device at a mobile device, receiving a wireless signal from the beacon device at the mobile device, detecting a presence of an enclosure surrounding the beacon device by the mobile device based on a disparity between a normalized strength of the sonic signal and a normalized strength of the wireless signal, and determining whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device by the mobile device.
1. A method comprising, by a mobile device:
receiving, at the mobile device, a sonic signal from a beacon device;
receiving, at the mobile device, a wireless signal from the beacon device;
detecting, by the mobile device, based on a disparity between a normalized strength of the sonic signal and a normalized strength of the wireless signal, a presence of an enclosure surrounding the beacon device; and
determining, by the mobile device, whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device comprises:
determining a distance from the beacon device to the detected enclosure based on a reflective signal of the sonic signal; and
determining whether the distance from the beacon device complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device comprises:
receiving an indication whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device based on a perceived strength of the wireless signal and a perceived strength of a sonic signal.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein receiving the indication comprises:
scaling the received sonic signal based upon a sensitivity of the mobile device.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
presenting, responsive to determining that the detected enclosure does not comply with the guidelines, a notification on the mobile device that the detected enclosure does not comply with the guidelines; and
sending a signal for disabling the beacon device.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the notification further comprises instructions for configuring the beacon device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the installation guidelines require that the beacon device be installed in an unobstructed space.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the installation guidelines require that the beacon device be installed in a location facilitating visual identification.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device comprises:
constructing a representation of the disparity; and
determining whether the representation complies with the installation guidelines.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the disparity is determined based on:
normalizing the sonic signal to a first power intensity based on the installation guidelines;
normalizing the wireless signal to a second power intensity based on the installation guidelines; and
comparing the first power intensity and the second power intensity.
11. One or more computer-readable non-transitory storage media embodying software that is operable when executed to:
receive, at a mobile device, a sonic signal from a beacon device;
receive, at the mobile device, a wireless signal from the beacon device;
detect, by the mobile device, based on a disparity between a normalized strength of the sonic signal and a normalized strength of the wireless signal, a presence of an enclosure surrounding the beacon device; and
determine, by the mobile device, whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device.
12. The media of claim 11 , wherein determining whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device comprises:
determining a distance from the beacon device to the detected enclosure based on a reflective signal of the sonic signal; and
determining whether the distance from the beacon device complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device.
13. The media of claim 11 , wherein determining whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device comprises:
receiving an indication whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device based on a perceived strength of the wireless signal and a perceived strength of a sonic signal.
14. The media of claim 13 , wherein receiving the indication comprises:
scaling the received sonic signal based upon a sensitivity of the mobile device.
15. The media of claim 11 , wherein the software is further operable when executed to:
present, responsive to determining that the detected enclosure does not comply with the guidelines, a notification on the mobile device that the detected enclosure does not comply with the guidelines; and
send a signal for disabling the beacon device.
16. The media of claim 15 , wherein the notification further comprises instructions for configuring the beacon device.
17. The media of claim 11 , wherein the installation guidelines require that the beacon device be installed in an unobstructed space.
18. The media of claim 11 , wherein the installation guidelines require that the beacon device be installed in a location facilitating visual identification.
19. The media of claim 11 , wherein determining whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device comprises:
constructing a representation of the disparity; and
determining whether the representation complies with the installation guidelines.
20. A system comprising: one or more processors; and a non-transitory memory coupled to the processors comprising instructions executable by the processors, the processors operable when executing the instructions to:
receive, at a mobile device, a sonic signal from a beacon device;
receive, at the mobile device, a wireless signal from the beacon device;
detect, by the mobile device, based on a disparity between a normalized strength of the sonic signal and a normalized strength of the wireless signal, a presence of an enclosure surrounding the beacon device; and
determine, by the mobile device, whether the detected enclosure complies with installation guidelines associated with the beacon device.