The present invention relates to a location detection system and a method which enables to detect the location of the user by using radio and/or audio signals.

Background of the Invention

The locations of the devices such as mobile phone, radio, radio transmitter etc. emitting radio signals can be detected by analyzing the radio signals broadcasted. Therefore, especially radio/television transmitters which are pirate broadcasting can be detected. Furthermore, the radio waves transmitted from the said devices are used in order to find the people who get lost in the nature. There are several methods in order to detect the locations of the said signals. Triangulation, trilateration and multilateration can be given as example for the said methods.

Besides, location detection can also be performed via position detection systems such as GPS, GLONASS transmitting radio volumes or terminals (telephone, tablet, pocket computers etc.) that can analyze (hardware and software) radio signals transmitted from GSM base stations, wi-fi access points, Bluetooth beacons and NFC based devices with RF feature.

The method of analyzing the media volume is used for proof of presence rather than detecting location. With this method it is detected that the user is present at a medium but it is not detected where the user is present in that medium.

International Patent document no WO2011014292, an application known in the state of the art, discloses a presence detection device. In the inventive system, an encrypted identifier signal is transmitted to open air by an ultrasonic transmitter and the said signal is received by a microphone of a mobile device. The ultrasonic transmitter is associated with a location information which can be a shop or parts of a shop.

Summary of the Invention

The objective of the present invention is to provide a measurement system and a method which enables to detect the location of the user by using radio and/or audio signals.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The location detection system and method developed to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is the schematic view of the location detection system.

Figure 2 is the flow chart of the location detection method.

The components shown in the figures are each given reference numerals as follows: 1. Location detection system

2. Generator

21. Time signal generator

22. Control unit

23. transmitter

3. Terminal

31. Location detection unit

32. Signal detector

33. Communication unit

4. Database

The inventive location detection system (1) comprises — at least one generator (2) which enables the signals specific to medium to be generated and transmitted,

— at least one terminal (3) which detects the signals transmitted from the generator (2),

— at least one database (4) in which the geographical location of the generator (2) is kept.

In the inventive location detection system (1), the generator (2) has

— at least one time signal generator (21) which enables to generate the time signals that are used as reference in determining the characteristics such as generation time, frequency, pulse width of the signals,

— at least one control unit (22) which uses the time signal generated by the time signal generator (21) as reference and generates the signal to be transmitted to the said medium according to the said reference,

— at least one signal transmitter (23) which enables the signals generated by the control unit (22) to be transmitted to the medium.

In the inventive location detection system (1), the terminal (3) has

— at least one location detector (31) which enables to determine the geographical location of the terminal (3),

— at least one signal detector (32) which enables to detect the signals transmitted by the generator (2),

— at least one communication unit (33) which enables to access the database (4) wherein the data about the generator (2) are present.

In the inventive location detection system (1), the database (4) can be a remote database (4) to which the terminal (3) can access by using a network connection, as well as it can be a database (4) kept in a memory unit present within the terminal (3). In the inventive location detection system (1), the generator (2) is placed to the area where the presence of the user is wanted to be detected. The generator (2) transmits a signal specific to itself in this area. The distance of the signals transmitted by the generator (2) to the generator (2) is determined by changing the power of the signal (energy) or measuring by the terminal (3). The signal transmitter (23) present on the generator (2) is placed such that it will face the certain directions and transmit in certain angles, and the signals transmitted from the generator (2) are enabled to be transmitted in the desired direction and in the desired scope of the area.

When the terminal (3) receives the signal transmitted by the generator (2), it analyzes the said signal and queries the analyzed signal in the database (4). Thus, the terminal (3) receives the generator information (2) present in the database (4) and learns the location of the generator (2).

In the inventive location detection system (1), the generator (2) generates a signal specific to itself. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the said signal is broadcasted from 4 or more different channels. The amount of the data which the package can carry can be increased by increasing the number of channels and/or the carrying times of the message packages can be decreased. Preamble identifying the start of the message package is transmitted from the 1 ^st channel that is amongst the said channels. 2 ^nd channel which is amongst the said channels indicates the bit coming right after. The bit transmitted from the 2 ^nd channel can be called as indicator bit. Right after a bit is broadcasted in the 2 ^nd channel, a bit is broadcasted from 3 ^rd , 4 ^th or the next channels. The bits in the 3 ^rd channel are considered as "0" bit, and the bits in the 4 ^th channel are considered as "1" bit. The bits transmitted from the channels after the 4 ^th channel are considered as new bits as increasing one. The bits in 3 ^rd , 4 ^th and the next channels can be called as message packages. To say better, each signal starts with a preamble transmitted from the 1 ^st channel. The said signal is followed by an indicator bit transmitted from the 2" channel. The said indicator bit is followed by a bit present in 3 ^rd , 4 ^th or other channels. When the message package transmitted with signals is completed, finally a parity bit is transmitted from the 3 ^rd , 4 ^th or the one of the next channels, and by this means it is confirmed whether the message package is sent without error.

Whe the message packages required to be transmitted in the signal is completed, an indicator bit is transmitted again, a stop bit is transmitted from the 1 ^st channel informing that the signal is finished after the said bit. Before any data bit is transmitted in the said signal, an indicator bit informing that the said bit is going to be transmitted is transmitted from the 2 ^nd channel.

Each generator (2) present in the inventive location detection system (1) has a message package specific to itself. The said message package changes the order of the bits transmitted from the 3 ^rd , 4 ^th and the next channels.

The inventive location detection method (100) comprises the steps of

each generator (2) transmitting signal carrying message package specific to itself (101),

- the terminal (3) receiving the medium sounds (102),

- the terminal (3) separating the signals transmitted by the generator (2) from the medium volumes it receives (103),

the terminal (3) querying the signal generated by the generator (2) in the database (4) (104),

- the database (4) transferring the information about the queried signal to the terminal (3) (105),

- the terminal (3) comparing the information it receives with its own immediate data (106),

confirming the location which is detected in case the terminal's (3) own immediate data is consistent with the information acquired from the database (4) (107), - ignoring the location which is detected in case the terminal's (3) own immediate data is not consistent with the information acquired from the database (4) and starting over the processes (108). In the inventive location detection system (100), each generator (2) transmits a message information specific to itself as explained above (101). The terminal (3) listens the sounds in medium where it is located by using the signal detector (32)

(102) , and separates the signal transmitted by the generator (2) from these sounds

(103) . The terminal (3) queries the said signal generated by the generator (2) in the database (4) via the communication unit (33) (104). The database (4) transfers the information it has to the terminal (3) as a result of this query. The said information can be location, signal characteristics etc. The terminal (3) detecting the information coming back from the database (4) detects its own location by using the location detection unit (31) located thereon, and compares the location in the information coming from the database (4) with the said location (106). The location which is detected is confirmed in case the data the terminal (3) detects is consistent with the information coming back from the database (4) (107). In case the immediate data of the terminal (3) is not consistent with the information acquired from the database (4), the terminal (3) ignores all data and starts the processes again from the step of each generator (2) transmitting a signal specific to itself (in other words step 101).

In case the terminal (3) detects signals generated by more than one generators (2), the terminal (3) queries each signal separately from the database (4) and confirms the location it is located according to the information coming back from the database (4). For example, if the terminal (3) only detects the signal generated from an A generator (2), it is understood that the terminal (3) is in the same location with the A generator (2). If the terminal (3) only detects the signal generated from a B generator (2), it is understood that the terminal (3) is in the same location with the B generator (2). If the terminal (3) detects signal transmitted from both A and B generators (2), it is understood that the terminal (3) is in a location between A and B generators (2).

In one embodiment of the invention, the location confirmed as a result of each confirmation step of the user location (in other words step 107) is recorded to the database (4).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the data recorded in the database (4) are analyzed retroactively. The said analysis can be performed momentarily or later. As a result of the said analysis, tendencies of the user such as interaction, habit profile etch, can be acquired. As a result of the said analysis, it is possible to determine the interests of the user by coupling the expenditure information and interaction information of the user; to measure the purchase conversion rates by comparing location and purchase information based on shop, department and product.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is communicated with the user each time when the location of the user is confirmed by using the information acquired as a result of the analysis. As well as this communication can be performed directly via the terminal (3) which the user has, it is also performed with methods such as texting, calling the user etc.

In one embodiment of the invention, identity and location information of the user recorded in the database (4) is shared with the relevant/authorized people momentarily. Therefore, support personnel can be directed to the location of the user in case it is necessary.

In one embodiment of the invention, operations about the place where the user is close can be performed. In this embodiment, information about the shop, department, section or product where the user is can be obtained. In this embodiment, the user gives information by attending various polls, meriting various products, adding these product to his/her favorites, sharing in social media or giving feedbacks. It is possible to organize several campaigns, creating offers and presenting these to the user; informing the user about other shops, department or products close to the location where the user is according to the information acquired from the user. Furthermore, as a result of the operations performed on the place where the user is, it is also possible to allow the user to gain points, giving eligibility for the lottery, giving gifts or creating various interaction steps in order to earn these and giving one right for the user as a result of each interaction about these steps.

By means of the location detection system (1) and method (100) disclosed in this invention, the location of the user is detected accurately, so it is possible to communicate or interact personally which is context sensitive via the information obtained.

It is possible to develop various embodiments of the inventive location detection system (1) and method (100). The invention cannot be limited to the examples described herein and it is essentially as defined in the claims.