This presentation introduces the motivation behind Beacon Technology and its potential. It briefly provides information about different protocols. The last part of the presentation is about basic implementation details that would enhance the user experience while presenting the current challenges.

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
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Presentation Overview
Why Beacons?
Motivation
How to organise Beacons?
Protocols Overview
What to implement with Beacons?
UX and Beacons
Challenges
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What is a
Beacon?
Little Bluetooth Low-Energy
Devices throwing a signal for
devices to detect.
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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
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Why should we care about
Beacons?
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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
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How does Beacon Tech work?
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Very Simple.
Just visualise a lighthouse,
flashing a light, indicating it’s
there.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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This was not just
a lighthouse.
It was the Eddystone Lighthouse.
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Which as a side-note, is this:
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Hence, the
name
Released by Google in July 2015
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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What can we implement with Beacons?
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Let’s check this quick demo from Estimote
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Step 1 Plan your ‘terrain’
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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
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Plan the User Experience

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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.
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but there are
HUGE
challenges to overcome
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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.
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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
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Bibliography
http://www.nielsen.com
http://www.estimote.com
https://bkon.com/beacons
http://www.aislelabs.com/reports/beacon-guide/
http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Bluetooth
http://mindbowser.com/blog/what-is-internet-of-things-and-bluetooth-smart/
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Thank you!
@dylanseychell
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