Method and system for localizing and identifying mobile device using short-range mesh network nodes

1. An apparatus comprising:

processing circuitry operable to execute stored instructions that, when executed, cause the processing circuitry to:

receive, from a server, an indication of a transaction;

determine that a computing device is connected to one or more mesh nodes of a plurality of mesh nodes of a mesh network, wherein each mesh node comprises a sensor and a directional antenna;

determine a location of the computing device by:

determining the computing device is connected to a first mesh node of the plurality of mesh nodes,

determining information associated with the first mesh node, the information being communicated and shared among the remaining plurality of mesh nodes,

determining a signal direction of a respective signal received from the computing device, wherein the respective signal is measured via the directional antenna of the respective mesh node of the plurality of mesh nodes,

determining a respective signal strength of the respective signal received from the computing device, wherein the signal strength is measured via the directional antenna of the respective mesh node, and

triangulating the location of the computing device via the determined directions of the signals, and

determining the location of the computing device based on the triangulation, the determination that the computing device is connected to the first mesh node, the determined signal directions, and the determined signal strengths;

determine the location of the computing device is at or within a predetermined distance of the apparatus; and

automatically process the transaction based on the determination that the location of the computing device is at or within the predetermined distance of the apparatus.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further caused to determine the location of the computing device by determining the first mesh node has the greatest measured signal strength relative to the other measured signal strengths.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises an automated teller machine (ATM), and wherein a location of the ATM is known relative to respective locations of the mesh nodes.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the sensors are arranged (i) adjacent to the ATM or (ii) on or in the ATM.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the mesh nodes are arranged in: (i) a ring configuration, (ii) a rectangular configuration, (iii) a triangular configuration, or (iv) a polygonal configuration.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mesh nodes includes a fixed mesh node or a mobile mesh node.

7. A method comprising:

receiving, by a device, an indication of a transaction from a server;

determining that a computing device is connected to one or more mesh nodes of a plurality of mesh nodes of a mesh network, wherein each mesh node comprises a sensor and a directional antenna;

determining a location of the computing device by:

determining the computing device is connected to a first mesh node of the plurality of mesh nodes,

determining information associated with the first mesh node, the information being communicated and shared among the remaining plurality of mesh nodes,

determining a signal direction of a respective signal received from the computing device, wherein the respective signal is measured via the directional antenna of the respective mesh node of the plurality of mesh nodes,

determining a respective signal strength of the respective signal received from the computing device, wherein the signal strength is measured via the directional antenna of the respective mesh node, and

triangulating the location of the computing device via the determined directions of the signals, and

determining the location of the computing device based on the triangulation, the determination that the computing device is connected to the first mesh node, the determined signal directions, and the determined signal strengths;

determining the location is at or within a predetermined distance from the device; and

automatically processing, by the device, the transaction based on the determination that the location of the computing device is at or within the predetermined distance from the device.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein a location of the device is known relative to respective locations of mesh nodes.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the device is an automated teller machine, a kiosk, a vending machine, a gas pump, or a security checkpoint device.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sensors are arranged (i) adjacent to an automated teller machine (ATM) or (ii) on or in the ATM.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the mesh nodes are arranged in: (i) a ring configuration, (ii) a rectangular configuration, (iii) a triangular configuration, or (iv) a polygonal configuration.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of mesh nodes includes a fixed mesh node or a mobile mesh node.

13. The method of claim 7 , wherein the server authenticates an account via the computing device, wherein the transaction is associated with the account, wherein the server receives the indication of the transaction from the computing device subsequent to the authentication.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable program code executable by a processor to:

receive, from a server, an indication of a transaction;

determine that a computing device is connected to one or more mesh nodes of a plurality of mesh nodes of a mesh network, wherein each mesh node comprises a sensor and a directional antenna;

determine a location of the computing device by:

determining the computing device is connected to a first mesh node of the plurality of mesh nodes,

determining information associated with the first mesh node, the information being communicated and shared among the remaining plurality of mesh nodes,

determining a signal direction of a respective signal received from the computing device, wherein the respective signal is measured via the directional antenna of the respective mesh node of the plurality of mesh nodes,

determining a respective signal strength of the respective signal received from the computing device, wherein the signal strength is measured via the directional antenna of the respective mesh node, and

triangulating the location of the computing device via the determined directions of the signals, and

determining the location of the computing device based on the triangulation, the determination that the computing device is connected to the first mesh node, the determined signal directions, and the determined signal strengths;

determine the location of the computing device is at or within a predetermined distance of a device; and

automatically process the transaction based on the determination that the location of the computing device is at or within the predetermined distance of the device.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein a location of the device is known relative to respective locations of the mesh nodes.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the sensors are arranged adjacent to the device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15 , wherein the device is in a store, a mall, an airport, a concert venue, a building, an office, or a room.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the mesh nodes are arranged in: (i) a ring configuration, (ii) a rectangular configuration, (iii) a triangular configuration, or (iv) a polygonal configuration.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of mesh nodes includes a fixed mesh node or a mobile mesh node.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14 ,

wherein the device is an automated teller machine (ATM), and

wherein a location of the ATM is known relative to respective locations of the mesh nodes.