Integrated wireless beacon in fire alarm devices for indoor localization

1. A system for indoor localization comprising:

a control panel;

a plurality of devices coupled to the control panel via a low-voltage wiring loop; wherein:

each device of the plurality of devices includes a beacon transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit information for indoor localization purposes;

wherein each device of the plurality of devices further comprises:

a power management circuit coupled to the beacon transmitter and to the low-voltage wiring loop; and

a rechargeable power supply coupled to the power management circuit; wherein:

the power management circuit is configured to alternate between powering the beacon transmitter and charging the rechargeable power supply using a duty cycle.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein:

each device of the plurality of devices is part of a fire protection system.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein:

each device of the plurality of devices is chosen from one or more of the following: audio alarm, visual alarm, smoke detector, heat detector, carbon monoxide detector, pull station, and emergency lighting.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the duty cycle comprises powering the beacon transmitter such that the beacon transmitter is capable of transmitting wireless signals, for a first period of time; and

charging the rechargeable power supply for a second period of time; wherein the second period of time is longer than the first period of time.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the information for indoor localization purposes includes unique identification information.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the unique identification information is associated with a location of the beacon transmitter.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the information for indoor localization purposes includes information regarding a location of the beacon transmitter.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein:

the beacon transmitter is configured to transmit signals using a wireless protocol.

9. A method for indoor localization in a fire protection system including a plurality of devices coupled to a control panel via a low-voltage wiring loop, each device of the plurality of devices including a beacon transmitter configured to wirelessly transmit information for indoor localization purposes, the method comprising:

receiving, at a mobile electronic device, a wireless signal from the beacon transmitter from at least one of the plurality of devices;

using information in the wireless signal to determine a location of the beacon transmitter; and

using the location of the beacon transmitter to estimate a location of the mobile electronic device;

wherein each device of the plurality of devices further comprises:

a power management circuit coupled to the beacon transmitter and to the low-voltage wiring loop; and

a rechargeable power supply coupled to the power management circuit;

wherein the power management circuit is configured to alternate between powering the beacon transmitter and charging the rechargeable power supply using a duty cycle.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein:

using information in the wireless signal to determine a location of the beacon transmitter comprises determining a unique identifier within the wireless signal and associating the unique identifier with a location.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein:

using information in the wireless signal to determine a location of the beacon transmitter comprises receiving location information within the wireless signal.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving an emergency notification from the fire protection system within the wireless signal; and

determining a safe path for a user of the mobile electronic device to take based on the location of the mobile electronic device.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving advertisements via the mobile electronic device, wherein the advertisements are customized based on the location of the mobile electronic device.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

displaying a map on the mobile electronic device with an indication of the estimated location of the mobile electronic device.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein:

the mobile electronic device is configured to receive signals using a wireless protocol.

16. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

transmitting information regarding an identity of the mobile electronic device to allow tracking of the mobile electronic device.

17. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving a notification of an emergency via the mobile electronic device;

generating directions for exiting the emergency situation, using the location of the mobile electronic device; and

displaying the directions via the mobile electronic device.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein:

displaying the directions comprises using augmented reality features to display the directions.