text:
US10321265B2 - Diagnosis of beacons in an open architecture - Google Patents
Diagnosis of beacons in an open architecture Download PDF
US10321265B2
US10321265B2 US14/944,637 US201514944637A US10321265B2 US 10321265 B2 US10321265 B2 US 10321265B2 US 201514944637 A US201514944637 A US 201514944637A US 10321265 B2 US10321265 B2 US 10321265B2
John K. Gerken, III
Jeremy A. Greenberger
2015-11-18 Priority to US14/944,637 priority Critical patent/US10321265B2/en
2015-11-18 Assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION reassignment INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: GERKEN, JOHN K., III, GREENBERGER, JEREMY A.
2019-06-11 Publication of US10321265B2 publication Critical patent/US10321265B2/en
238000003745 diagnosis Methods 0 description title 7
238000005516 engineering processes Methods 0 claims description 6
238000004458 analytical methods Methods 0 description 14
230000036541 health Effects 0 description 10
239000008264 clouds Substances 0 description 3
230000002547 anomalous Effects 0 description 2
238000003066 decision tree Methods 0 description 2
238000007689 inspection Methods 0 description 2
229910017387 At S1 Inorganic materials 0 description 1
239000003365 glass fiber Substances 0 description 1
229910044991 metal oxides Inorganic materials 0 description 1
150000004706 metal oxides Chemical class 0 description 1
230000037361 pathway Effects 0 description 1
H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
H04W4/02—Services making use of location information
H04W4/023—Services making use of location information using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
H04W4/80—Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
H04W40/00—Communication routing or communication path finding
H04W40/24—Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update
H04W40/244—Connectivity information management, e.g. connectivity discovery or connectivity update using a network of reference devices, e.g. beaconing
H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
Embodiments described herein provide approaches for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture. Specifically, each of a set of beacons is associated with a beacon location. Each beacon of the set of beacons is a transmit-only device that is designed to emit a relatively short-range electronic signal. When a mobile device, such as a cell phone, enters the venue, the location of the mobile device within the venue is determined. Any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons is retrieved from the mobile device. This information is used in conjunction with the location of the mobile device to diagnose the operational status of the beacon.
The subject matter of this invention relates generally to diagnosing of hardware components. More specifically, aspects of the present invention provide an approach for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture.
In the information technology environment of today, the collection and analysis of data is becoming increasingly important. As more and more resources become dedicated to data collection, the time and resources expended to deploy and maintain these systems can become large. Because of this, if the data collected by these systems becomes unreliable, the implementer's ability to effectively utilize the data can be negatively impacted, potentially degrading the ability of an implementer to react to events in real time. Further, unreliable data can also contaminate any aggregate and derived data that may be used for analysis, potentially corrupting an entire dataset. Still further, if the system or someone associated therewith is not aware that the data collected by a particular sensor has become unreliable, the user of the system may have no way of knowing that the data is suspect.
One type of sensor that is increasingly being utilized in certain environments is the BLE Beacon (or iBeacons), hereinafter "beacons". Beacons can be among the most popular solutions for providing enhanced experiences for customers of certain venues, which may include venues such as stadiums, airports, retail stores, and/or hospitals, among others. Beacons can be used in a wide range of applications, including sales promotions, tracking the location of important equipment, and/or building security, among others.
To perform these functions, beacons typically transmit only and do not receive. These beacons typically transmit a relatively short-range (e.g., currently having a specified maximum of 70 meters, but normally approximately 25 feet) wireless (e.g., Bluetooth) signal. This signal can be picked up by mobile devices enabled to receive the types of signals broadcast by the beacons, and an application operating on the device can be notified that the device is within the range of the signal of the beacon. One common protocol for operating beacons is called "Open Architecture". In this protocol, the beacons are relatively independent, and do not communicate with or connect with any type of network.
In general, embodiments described herein provide approaches for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture. Specifically, each of a set of beacons is associated with a beacon location. Each beacon of the set of beacons is a transmit-only device that is designed to emit a relatively short-range electronic signal. When a mobile device, such as a cell phone, enters the venue, the location of the mobile device within the venue is determined. Any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons is retrieved from the mobile device. This information is used in conjunction with the location of the mobile device to diagnose the operational status of the beacon.
One aspect of the present invention includes a computer-implemented method for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture, the method comprising: associating each of a set of beacons in a venue with an associated beacon location, each beacon of the set of beacons being a transmit-only device that is designed to emit a relatively short-range electronic signal; determining a location of a mobile device within the venue; retrieving, from the mobile device, any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons; and diagnosing an operational status of a beacon based on the information and the location.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a computer system for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture, the computer system comprising: a memory medium comprising program instructions; a bus coupled to the memory medium; and a processor for executing the program instructions, the instructions causing the system to: associate each of a set of beacons in a venue with an associated beacon location, each beacon of the set of beacons being a transmit-only device that is designed to emit a relatively short-range electronic signal; determine a location of a mobile device within the venue; retrieve, from the mobile device, any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons; and diagnose an operational status of a beacon based on the information and the location.
Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a computer program product for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage device, to: associate each of a set of beacons in a venue with an associated beacon location, each beacon of the set of beacons being a transmit-only device that is designed to emit a relatively short-range electronic signal; determine a location of a mobile device within the venue; retrieve, from the mobile device, any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons; and diagnose an operational status of a beacon based on the information and the location.
These and other features of this invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the various aspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 shows a block diagram that illustrates a computer implementation in which the invention may be implemented according to illustrative embodiments;
FIG. 2 shows a block diagram that illustrates a system according to illustrative embodiments;
FIG. 3 shows an example venue according to illustrative embodiments;
FIG. 4 shows an example system diagram according to illustrative embodiments;
FIG. 7 shows a decision tree according to illustrative embodiments; and
FIG. 8 shows a process flow diagram according to illustrative embodiments.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale. The drawings are merely representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention, and therefore should not be considered as limiting in scope. In the drawings, like numbering represents like elements.
Illustrative embodiments will now be described more fully herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments are shown. It will be appreciated that this disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrative embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art.
Furthermore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the terms "a", "an", etc., do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. Furthermore, similar elements in different figures may be assigned similar element numbers. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising", or "includes" and/or "including", when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, it may be appreciated that terms such as "processing," "detecting," "determining," "evaluating," "receiving," or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic data center device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical quantities (e.g., electronic) within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission, or viewing devices. The embodiments are not limited in this context.
Also, the term "venue" is defined as any defined space within which mobile devices can be monitored (e.g., a place that can be visited by one or more patrons). The term "patron" as used herein refers to any person having an enabled mobile device allowing the person to be tracked and/or monitored via location sensing technologies as the patron moves in a venue. A patron may include, but is not limited to, a customer, client, frequenter, consumer, user, visitor, guest, or the like. The term "mobile device" as used herein refers to any mobile computerized device or device component having the ability to communicate using both relatively short range signals and communications signals and may be transported by a patron or embedded within a piece of equipment.
As stated above, embodiments described herein provide approaches for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture. Specifically, each of a set of beacons is associated with a beacon location. Each beacon of the set of beacons is a transmit-only device that is designed to emit a relatively short-range electronic signal. When a mobile device, such as a cell phone, enters the venue, the location of the mobile device within the venue is determined. Any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons is retrieved from the mobile device. This information is used in conjunction with the location of the mobile device to diagnose the operational status of the beacon.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a computerized implementation 10 of an embodiment for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture is shown. Computerized implementation 10 is only one example of a suitable implementation and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein. Regardless, computerized implementation 10 is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth hereinabove.
In computerized implementation 10, there is a computer system 12, which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system 12 include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and/or distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
This is intended to demonstrate, among other things, that the present invention could be implemented within a network environment (e.g., the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network (VPN), etc.), a cloud computing environment, a cellular network, and/or on a stand-alone computer system. Communication throughout the network can occur via any combination of various types of communication links. For example, the communication links can comprise addressable connections that may utilize any combination of wired and/or wireless transmission methods. Where communications occur via the Internet, connectivity could be provided by conventional TCP/IP sockets-based protocol, and an Internet service provider could be used to establish connectivity to the Internet. Still yet, computer system 12 is intended to demonstrate that some or all of the components of implementation 10 could be deployed, managed, serviced, etc., by a service provider who offers to implement, deploy, and/or perform the functions of the present invention for others.
Computer system 12 is intended to represent any type of computer system that may be implemented in deploying/realizing the teachings recited herein. Computer system 12 may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and/or the like, that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In this particular example, computer system 12 represents an illustrative system for anonymous reporting of multiple venue location data to produce patron analytics and insights. It should be understood that any other computers implemented under the present invention may have different components/software, but can perform similar functions.
Computer system 12 in computerized implementation 10 is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system 12 may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units 16, a system memory 28, and a bus 18 that couples various system components including system memory 28 to processing unit 16.
Bus 18 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and/or a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnects (PCI) bus.
Processing unit 16 refers, generally, to any apparatus that performs logic operations, computational tasks, control functions, etc. A processor may include one or more subsystems, components, and/or other processors. A processor will typically include various logic components that operate using a clock signal to latch data, advance logic states, synchronize computations and logic operations, and/or provide other timing functions. During operation, processing unit 16 collects and routes signals representing inputs and outputs between external devices 14 and input devices (not shown). The signals can be transmitted over a LAN and/or a WAN (e.g., T1, T3, 56 kb, X.25), broadband connections (ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM), wireless links (802.11, Bluetooth, etc.), and so on. In some embodiments, the signals may be encrypted using, for example, trusted key-pair encryption. Different systems may transmit information using different communication pathways, such as Ethernet or wireless networks, direct serial or parallel connections, USB, Firewire®, Bluetooth®, or other proprietary interfaces. (Firewire is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG)).
In general, processing unit 16 executes computer program code, such as for creating a relationship with a community to enable a user to present browser content based on the browsing behavior of people in the community, which is stored in memory 28, storage system 34, and/or program/utility 40. While executing computer program code, processing unit 16 can read and/or write data to/from memory 28, storage system 34, and program/utility 40.
Computer system 12 typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system 12, and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media.
System memory 28 can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM) 30 and/or cache memory 32. Computer system 12 may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media, (e.g., VCRs, DVRs, RAID arrays, USB hard drives, optical disk recorders, flash storage devices, and/or any other data processing and storage elements for storing and/or processing data). By way of example only, storage system 34 can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a "hard drive"). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a "floppy disk"), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus 18 by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory 28 may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention.
Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium including, but not limited to, wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, radio-frequency (RF), etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
Program/utility 40, having a set (at least one) of program modules 42, may be stored in memory 28 by way of example, and not limitation. Memory 28 may also have an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 42 generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein.
Computer system 12 may also communicate with one or more external devices 14 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display 24, etc.; one or more devices that enable a consumer to interact with computer system 12; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system 12 to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via I/O interfaces 22. Still yet, computer system 12 can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter 20. As depicted, network adapter 20 communicates with the other components of computer system 12 via bus 18. It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system 12. Examples include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram 70 describing the functionality discussed herein according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is understood that the teachings recited herein may be practiced within any type of computing environment (e.g., computer system 12). To this extent, the teachings recited herein may be practiced within a stand-alone computer system or within a networked computing environment (e.g., a client-server environment, peer-to-peer environment, distributed computing environment, cloud computing environment, and/or the like). If the teachings recited herein are practiced within a networked computing environment, each physical server need not have a beacon diagnosis engine (hereinafter "system 72"). Rather, system 72 could be loaded on a server or server-capable device that communicates (e.g., wirelessly) with the physical server to provide beacon diagnosis therefor. Regardless, as depicted, system 72 can be implemented as program/utility 40 on computer system 12 of FIG. 1 and can enable the functions recited herein. It is further understood that system 72 may be incorporated within or work in conjunction with any type of system that receives, processes, and/or executes commands with respect to IT resources in a networked computing environment. Such other system(s) have not been shown in FIG. 2 for brevity purposes.
Referring now to FIG. 3, an example venue 100 is illustrated according to embodiments of the invention. Venue 100 can include and/or be part of municipality, a neighborhood, a stadium, an airport, a retail complex, a retail store, a park, a golf course, a concert venue, a hospital and/or any other place that may be visited by a patron or piece of equipment having a mobile device. In any case, as shown, included within venue 100 is a set of beacons 112. Each beacon 112 in the set of beacons 112 is designed to transmit a specific type of relatively short range 116 wireless signal, which can be received by a mobile device 114. For example, in an embodiment, beacon 112 can be a BLE beacon (or iBeacon), which transmits a wireless Bluetooth signal. In any case, beacons 112 within venue 100 are configured in an open architecture. To this extent, beacons 112 do not receive communications but only transmit and do not connect to any sort of network. Also shown in venue 100 is a set of communicators 118. Communicators 118 can include Wi-Fi, radio, short wave, cellular, satellite, and/or any other type of communications protocol that can be used to communicate with a mobile device 114 (e.g., a cell phone). In any case, communicators 118 can be used to establish a connection to mobile device 114 (e.g., in response to receipt of a signal from beacon 112 by mobile device 114).
The inventors of the invention described herein have discovered certain deficiencies in the utilization of beacons 112 in a venue 100 using an open architecture protocol. For example, because the beacons 112 are open architecture type and do not connect to any network, these beacons 112 have no way of reporting errors or warning conditions without having a technician that has an application that is appropriate for the vendor of the beacons 112 to physically walk the venue and check each beacon for problems. Given that the range 116 for each beacon is typically approximately 25 feet and that a large venue (e.g., a stadium) may contain hundreds, if not thousands, of beacons such a physical inspection can be a large investment in time and resources. Further, this type of physical inspection would not be able to detect whether a specific beacon 112 has ceased to operate or that a beacon 112 has been moved. In order to determine these conditions, the technician would be required to specifically target each specific beacon 112 at a specific location, potentially costing even more time and resources.
Referring again to FIGS. 1-3, beacon location association component 74 of system 72, as executed by computer system/server 12, is configured to associate each of the set of beacons 112 in venue 100 with an associated beacon location. Beacon 112 locations can be expressed in GPS coordinates, Cartesian coordinates, as a distance and angle from a specific point, and/or using any other solution for specifying a location. In any case, beacon 112 locations can be determined upon initial placement or subsequent maintenance of a beacon 112. These locations can be associated with a unique identifier associated with the beacon and can be stored, such as in system storage 34.
Mobile device determination component 76 of system 72, as executed by computer system/server 12, is configured to determine a location of mobile device 114 within venue 110. For example, movements of a patron (e.g., a customer) having an enabled mobile device 114 can be tracked as the patron moves within venue 100. In an embodiment, the location can be determined using techniques currently known in the art, such as IBM® Presence Insights. IBM® Presence Insights works by sensing the presence of the mobile device 114 through a collection of location sensing technologies. For example, in an embodiment in which communicators 118 include a guest wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system in venue 110, the location of Wi-Fi enabled mobile devices that connect to communicators 118 can be triangulated based on the direction that the signal from the mobile device 114 is received by the communicators 118. In other embodiments including, but not limited to, outdoor venues 100, the location can be triangulated using GPS satellite and/or cellular tower-based communicators 118.
Referring now to FIG. 4, an example system diagram 200 according to embodiments of the invention is shown. As shown, system diagram 200 includes a beacon 112, a mobile device 114, and a beacon analysis system 230. Mobile device 114 has a device communications component 218 which communicates with one or more communicators 118 (FIG. 3), such as Wi-Fi 224A-N, using any solution. Wi-Fi 224A-N, in turn, communicates with beacon analysis system 230. Location determiner 232 of beacon analysis system 230 analyzes the communications between device communications component 218 and Wi-Fi 224A-N to determine the location of mobile device 114 within area 110 (FIG. 3).
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, beacon information retrieval component 78 of system 72, as executed by computer system/server 12, is configured to retrieve any information received by mobile device 114 within venue 100 from a beacon 112. For example, each beacon 112 in venue 100 is designed to transmit, independently from other beacons 112, a relatively short range electronic signal 202, which may take the form of a Bluetooth signal, among others. This signal 202 transmitted by a particular beacon 112 contains an identifier that uniquely identifies the particular beacon 112. Further, the signal 202 may be transmitted by a particular beacon 112 continuously or relatively continuously or, alternatively, may be transmitted periodically (e.g., as a "ping") with a certain period of time elapsing between consecutive signals 202.
In any case, when a mobile device 114 in venue 100 comes within an effective range 116 of a beacon 112, beacon signal receiver component 212 of mobile device 114 receives the signal 202 transmitted by beacon 112. In an embodiment, beacon signal receiver component 212 contacts beacon application alert component 216 of beacon application 214 to alert beacon application 214 that a signal 202 has been received from a beacon 112, which activates beacon application 214 on mobile device 114. In an embodiment, beacon application alert component 216 can also trigger an alert to activate a mobile device 114 that may be in an inactive state. This allows beacon application communications component 216 of beacon application 214 to utilize device communications component 218 to contact an entity associated with the beacons 112 and/or the venue 100 via Wi-Fi 224A- and to receive information, promotions, etc., from the entity. This contact can be made via a communicator 118 (e.g., Wi-Fi 224A-N) that is included in the same set of communicators 118 used by mobile device determination component 76 to determine the location of mobile device 114 or, alternatively, one or more separate communicators 118 can be utilized.
In any case, beacon information retrieval component 78 utilizes the contact established by beacon application communications component 216 to provide information about beacon 112 to beacon analysis system 230. As such, system 72 can be characterized as a "hybrid" system, with elements (e.g., communicators 118) that communicated using one type of communications technology (e.g., Wi-Fi) being utilized to analyze other elements (e.g., beacons 112) that communicate using a different technology (e.g., Bluetooth). To this extent, while mobile device 114 is within venue 100, any information broadcast by beacon 112 and received by mobile device 114 is forwarded by mobile device 114 to beacon analysis system 230. This information can include the identifier that uniquely identifies the specific beacon 112 from which the transmission 202 was received. In addition, beacon application communications component 216 of mobile device 114 can also forward other information about the transmission 202 received from beacon 112, such as the strength of the signal 202 received by mobile device 114 from beacon 112. To this extent, any mobile device 114 that comes within the effective range 116 of a beacon 112 can provide a continuous stream of information to beacon analysis system 230 regarding that beacon 112. Further, because the location of each mobile device 114 within the venue 100 is being continuously tracked, the information forwarded to beacon analysis system 230 will also indicate a point at which the mobile device 114 leaves the effective range 116 of beacon 112 signal 202, as well as locations within venue 100 in which no mobile device 114 receives no signal 202 from any beacon 112.
Operational status diagnosis component 80 of system 72, as executed by computer system/server 12, is configured to diagnose an operational status of beacon 114. This diagnosis can be performed by beacon health evaluator 234 based on the information sent to beacon analysis system 230 by mobile device 114 in combination with the location of mobile device 114 determined by location determiner 232. Further, beacon status aggregator 236 can collect and aggregate the information from the beacon 112 by various mobile devices 114 over a period of time. Beacon health evaluator 234 can use the aggregated information and/or baselines, averages, etc., collected over time by beacon status aggregator 236 to perform its diagnosis.
For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, if the location of the mobile device 114 is determined by location determiner 232 to be at beacon location associated with a beacon 112 or at a distance from the beacon location associated with a beacon 112 that is relatively small and no signal 202 is being received by mobile device 114, beacon health evaluator 234 may determine that the beacon 112 has either failed, as shown, or has been moved. Similarly, if the location of the mobile device 114 is determined by location determiner 232 to be at beacon location associated with a beacon 112 or a calculated distance from the beacon location associated with a beacon 112 is relatively small and the signal 202 being received by mobile device 114 is relatively weak, beacon health evaluator 234 can determine that the strength of the power source of the beacon 112 is weak and may need to be replaced.
To make this determination, the expected distance between the beacon 112 and mobile device 114 can be calculated using mathematical analysis and/or historical analysis. Mathematical analysis uses formulas to produce the ideal distance by reading the beacon RSSI strength and device location. The historical approach can augment any calculations based on aggregated information from beacon status aggregator 236 to determine a historical response based on information received from other mobile devices 114 in the past. This aggregated information can be used to adjust the expected distance to the current mobile device 114. As an example, if using historical analysis, it is determined that if a power source (e.g., battery) of a beacon 112 is draining, and thus the signal strength is weaker, a weaker signal can be expected the next time a mobile device 114 enters the expected vicinity of the beacon 112.
In another example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, if the location of the mobile device 114 is determined by location determiner 232 to be removed from (e.g., outside a signal range of) the beacon location associated with a beacon 112 but a signal 202 is being received by mobile device 114, beacon health evaluator 234 may determine that the beacon 112 has been moved to a location that is proximate to the determined location of the mobile device 114.
Referring now to FIG. 7, an implementation of a decision tree 500 that may be employed by beacon health evaluator 234 to diagnosing beacon 112 (FIG. 3) in an open architecture is shown. Referring additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, in P1, mobile device 114 is moving in a location (e.g., within venue 100) and the location of mobile device 114 is being tracked by communicators 118 (e.g., by Wi-Fi). Mobile device 114 is receiving data from relatively short range wireless communications (e.g., via SDK) at P2 and is also receiving data from communicators 118 (e.g., via Wi-Fi sensors) at P3. At P4, a determination is made as to whether the MAC ID of mobile device 114 shows that beacon application 214 (SDK) is installed on mobile device 114. If not, the process continues at P5. If so, at P6, a check is made for whether mobile device 114 has received data (e.g., via signal 202) from a beacon 112. If data has been received from a beacon 112, the location, received signal strength indicator (RSSI value), battery health, etc., are checked by beacon health evaluator 234 to determine whether there is anomalous data at P7. If not, the process continues at P8. If anomalous data is determined to be present, a flag is set at P9 that indicates human intervention is necessary because the location or RSSI value of beacon 112 is incorrect or the battery health of beacon 112 is low. Otherwise, if no data (e.g., via signal 202) has been received from any beacon 112, beacon health evaluator 234 determines, based on the location of mobile device 114, whether a beacon 112 should be located in that location from which data should have been received at P10. If not, the process continues at P11. If a signal 202 from a beacon 112 should have been received, a flag is set indicating that the beacon 112 at this location is either missing or has a power source (e.g., battery) that is out of power.
Referring now to FIG. 8 in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4, a method flow diagram 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. At S1, beacon location association component 74 of system 72, as executed by computer system/server 12, associates each of a set of beacons 112 in a venue 100 with an associated beacon location. At S2, mobile device determination component 76 determines a location of a mobile device 114 within the venue 100. At S3, beacon information retrieval component 78, retrieves, from the mobile device 114, any information received by the mobile device 114 from the set of beacons 112. At S4, operational status diagnosis component 80 of system 72, as executed by computer system/server 12, diagnoses the operational status of a beacon 112 based on the information and the determined location.
Process flowchart 600 of FIG. 8 illustrates the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the blocks might occur out of the order depicted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently. It will also be noted that each block of flowchart illustration can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
Some of the functional components described in this specification have been labeled as systems or units in order to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a system or unit may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom VLSI circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A system or unit may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like. A system or unit may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. A system or unit or component of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which may, for instance, be organized as an object, procedure, or function. Nevertheless, the executables of an identified system or unit need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations which, when joined logically together, comprise the system or unit and achieve the stated purpose for the system or unit.
Further, a system or unit of executable code could be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within modules, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices and disparate memory devices.
Furthermore, systems/units may also be implemented as a combination of software and one or more hardware devices. For instance, program/utility 40 may be embodied in the combination of a software executable code stored on a memory medium (e.g., memory storage device). In a further example, a system or unit may be the combination of a processor that operates on a set of operational data.
As noted above, some of the embodiments may be embodied in hardware. The hardware may be referenced as a hardware element. In general, a hardware element may refer to any hardware structures arranged to perform certain operations. In one embodiment, for example, the hardware elements may include any analog or digital electrical or electronic elements fabricated on a substrate. The fabrication may be performed using silicon-based integrated circuit (IC) techniques, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), bipolar, and bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS) techniques, for example. Examples of hardware elements may include processors, microprocessors, circuits, circuit elements (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, inductors, and so forth), integrated circuits, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), programmable logic devices (PLD), digital signal processors (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), logic gates, registers, semiconductor devices, chips, microchips, chip sets, and so forth. However, the embodiments are not limited in this context.
Any of the components provided herein can be deployed, managed, serviced, etc., by a service provider that offers to deploy or integrate computing infrastructure with respect to a process for anonymous reporting of multiple venue location data to produce patron analytics and insights. Thus, embodiments herein disclose a process for supporting computer infrastructure, comprising integrating, hosting, maintaining, and deploying computer-readable code into a computing system (e.g., computer system 12), wherein the code in combination with the computing system is capable of performing the functions described herein.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method that performs the process steps of the invention on a subscription, advertising, and/or fee basis. That is, a service provider, such as a Solution Integrator, can offer to create, maintain, support, etc., a process for anonymous reporting of multiple venue location data to produce patron analytics and insights. In this case, the service provider can create, maintain, support, etc., a computer infrastructure that performs the process steps of the invention for one or more customers. In return, the service provider can receive payment from the customer(s) under a subscription and/or fee agreement, and/or the service provider can receive payment from the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties.
Also noted above, some embodiments may be embodied in software. The software may be referenced as a software element. In general, a software element may refer to any software structures arranged to perform certain operations. In one embodiment, for example, the software elements may include program instructions and/or data adapted for execution by a hardware element, such as a processor. Program instructions may include an organized list of commands comprising words, values, or symbols arranged in a predetermined syntax that, when executed, may cause a processor to perform a corresponding set of operations.
The present invention may also be a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.
The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire.
Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network (i.e., the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network). The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers, and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device.
The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
It is apparent that there has been provided herein approaches for anonymous reporting of multiple venue location data to produce patron analytics and insights. While the invention has been particularly shown and described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the invention.
1. A computer-implemented method for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture, the method comprising:
associating each of a set of beacons in a venue with an associated beacon location, each beacon of the set of beacons in the open architecture being a transmit-only device using a iBeacon technology standard that communicates only by emitting a relatively short-range Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) electronic signal and that is not connected to a network;
determining a location of a mobile device within the venue with a Wi-Fi based location determiner that does not utilize any beacon of the set of beacons;
retrieving, in real time from an application on the mobile device, any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons; and
diagnosing an operational status of a beacon based on a comparison of the information and the location without utilizing information communicated from the beacon otherwise than via the mobile device.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information includes an identifier that uniquely identifies a specific beacon of the set of beacons.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the diagnosing further comprises determining a strength of a power source of the specific beacon based on a strength of a signal received by the mobile device and a calculated distance between the mobile device and the specific beacon.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the diagnosing further comprises making a determination that the specific beacon has been moved away from the beacon location associated with the specific beacon in response to the location of the mobile device that is currently receiving information from the specific beacon being removed from the beacon location associated with the specific beacon.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the diagnosing further comprises making a determination, in response to the location of the mobile device corresponding to the beacon location associated with a particular beacon location and the mobile device receiving no information from the particular beacon, that the particular beacon is either not functioning or the particular beacon has been moved.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the location of a mobile device within the venue is performed using at least one of: a set of Wi-Fi devices, a set of mobile devices, or a set of GPS satellites.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the relatively short-range electronic signal is a Bluetooth signal.
8. A computer system for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture, the computer system comprising:
a memory medium comprising program instructions;
a bus coupled to the memory medium; and
a processor for executing the program instructions, the instructions causing the system to:
associate each of a set of beacons in a venue with an associated beacon location, each beacon of the set of beacons being a transmit-only device using a iBeacon technology standard that communicates only by emitting a relatively short-range Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) electronic signal and that is not connected to a network;
determine a location of a mobile device within the venue with a Wi-Fi based location determiner that does not utilize any beacon of the set of beacons;
retrieve, in real time from an application on the mobile device, any information received by the mobile device from the set of beacons; and
diagnose an operational status of a beacon based on a comparison of the information and the location without utilizing information communicated from the beacon otherwise than via the mobile device.
9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the information includes an identifier that uniquely identifies a specific beacon of the set of beacons.
10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the diagnosing further comprises determining a strength of a power source of the specific beacon based on a strength of a signal received by the mobile device and a calculated distance between the mobile device and the specific beacon.
11. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the diagnosing further comprises making a determination that the specific beacon has been moved away from the beacon location associated with the specific beacon in response to the location of the mobile device that is currently receiving information from the specific beacon being removed from the beacon location associated with the specific beacon.
12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the diagnosing further comprises making a determination, in response to the location of the mobile device corresponding to the beacon location associated with a particular beacon location and the mobile device receiving no information from the particular beacon, that the particular beacon is either not functioning or the particular beacon has been moved.
13. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the location of a mobile device within the venue is performed using at least one of: a set of Wi-Fi devices, a set of mobile devices, or a set of GPS satellites.
14. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the relatively short-range electronic signal is a Bluetooth signal.
15. A computer program product for diagnosing a beacon in an open architecture, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage device, and program instructions stored on the computer readable storage device, to:
16. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the information includes an identifier that uniquely identifies a specific beacon of the set of beacons.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the diagnosing further comprises determining a strength of a power source of the specific beacon based on a strength of a signal received by the mobile device and a calculated distance between the mobile device and the specific beacon.
18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the diagnosing further comprises making a determination that the specific beacon has been moved away from the beacon location associated with the specific beacon in response to the location of the mobile device that is currently receiving information from the specific beacon being removed from the beacon location associated with the specific beacon.
19. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the diagnosing further comprises making a determination, in response to the location of the mobile device corresponding to the beacon location associated with a particular beacon location and the mobile device receiving no information from the particular beacon, that the particular beacon is either not functioning or the particular beacon has been moved.
20. The computer program product of claim 15, wherein the location of a mobile device within the venue is performed using at least one of: a set of Wi-Fi devices, a set of mobile devices, or a set of GPS satellites and wherein the relatively short-range electronic signal is a Bluetooth signal.
US14/944,637 2015-11-18 2015-11-18 Diagnosis of beacons in an open architecture Active 2036-02-14 US10321265B2 (en)
US14/944,637 US10321265B2 (en) 2015-11-18 2015-11-18 Diagnosis of beacons in an open architecture
US10321265B2 true US10321265B2 (en) 2019-06-11
US14/944,637 Active 2036-02-14 US10321265B2 (en) 2015-11-18 2015-11-18 Diagnosis of beacons in an open architecture
US (1) US10321265B2 (en)
US10321265B2 (en) * 2015-11-18 2019-06-11 International Business Machines Corporation Diagnosis of beacons in an open architecture
US20060087474A1 (en) * 2004-10-27 2006-04-27 Do Phuc K Method and system for monitoring location based service emitter instructure
US20080025233A1 (en) * 2006-07-31 2008-01-31 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Communication apparatus storage medium storing program executed by communication apparatus and network forming method
US20100120422A1 (en) 2005-06-28 2010-05-13 Microsoft Corporation Positioning service utilizing existing radio base stations
US8031657B2 (en) * 2004-10-29 2011-10-04 Skyhook Wireless, Inc. Server for updating location beacon database
US20120295654A1 (en) * 2011-05-19 2012-11-22 Qualcomm Incorporated Measurements and information gathering in a wireless network environment
US20130023282A1 (en) * 2011-07-22 2013-01-24 Microsoft Corporation Location determination based on weighted received signal strengths
US20130267257A1 (en) * 2012-04-10 2013-10-10 Qualcomm Incorporated Access point measurements for received signal prediction
US8738032B2 (en) 2011-06-24 2014-05-27 Zos Communications, Llc Hybrid location using a weighted average of location readings and signal strengths of wireless access points
CN103888548A (en) 2014-04-18 2014-06-25 重庆金瓯科技发展有限责任公司 Bluetooth beacon monitoring and management system
US20140185518A1 (en) * 2012-12-27 2014-07-03 Texas Instruments Incorporated SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WiFi POSITIONING
US20140217168A1 (en) * 2011-08-26 2014-08-07 Qualcomm Incorporated Identifier generation for visual beacon
US20140228044A1 (en) * 2013-02-11 2014-08-14 Trimble Navigation Limited Indoor navigation with low energy location beacons
US20140365488A1 (en) * 2012-01-18 2014-12-11 Sensewhere Limited Positioning system
US20150140954A1 (en) * 2006-05-16 2015-05-21 Nicholas M. Maier Method and system for an emergency location information service (e-lis) from unmanned aerial vehicles (uav)
US20150204649A1 (en) * 2014-01-22 2015-07-23 Cambridge Silicon Radio Limited Indoor location using magnetic fields
US20150254737A1 (en) * 2014-03-10 2015-09-10 Sk Planet Co., Ltd. Method, apparatus and system for providing customized service based on beacon signal
US20150304814A1 (en) * 2014-04-22 2015-10-22 Cisco Technology Inc. Client device location using synchronized wireless receivers
US20150334582A1 (en) * 2014-05-19 2015-11-19 Aerohive Networks, Inc. Proximity beacon management using a network device
US20160050526A1 (en) * 2014-08-12 2016-02-18 Aerohive Networks, Inc. Network device based proximity beacon locating
US20160050564A1 (en) * 2014-08-15 2016-02-18 Facebook, Inc. Bluetooth transmission security pattern
US20160086029A1 (en) * 2014-08-28 2016-03-24 Retailmenot, Inc. Reducing the search space for recognition of objects in an image based on wireless signals
US20160294844A1 (en) * 2015-03-30 2016-10-06 Sk Planet Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for verifying validity of beacon signal
US20160309478A1 (en) * 2013-12-27 2016-10-20 Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba Wireless communication device and wireless communication method
US20170111763A1 (en) * 2015-10-20 2017-04-20 Perfect Sense Digital Llc Micro-location monitoring techniques
US20170142553A1 (en) * 2015-11-18 2017-05-18 International Business Machines Corporation Diagnosis of beacons in an open architecture
US20170171754A1 (en) * 2015-12-11 2017-06-15 Patrocinium Systems LLC Secure beacon-based location systems and methods
US20180132065A1 (en) * 2011-09-29 2018-05-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for providing service
2015-11-18 US US14/944,637 patent/US10321265B2/en active Active
US7283093B2 (en) 2004-10-27 2007-10-16 International Business Machines Corporation Method and system for monitoring location based service emitter infrastructure
US9163945B2 (en) * 2011-08-26 2015-10-20 Qualcomm Incorporated Database search for visual beacon
US9813862B2 (en) * 2014-05-19 2017-11-07 Aerohive Networks, Inc. Proximity beacon management using a network device
US9980137B2 (en) * 2015-12-11 2018-05-22 Patrocinium Systems LLC Secure beacon-based location systems and methods
"Cisco Service Provider Wi-Fi: A Platform for Business Innovation and Revenue", http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/solutions/collateral/service-provider/servic . . . , Aug. 31, 2015, 8 pages.
Ashok Yalamanchili, "Automatic Detection of iBeacon Failure Using Raspberry Pi", Apr. 14, 2015, 5 pages.
Estimote, "Apps and devices", https://community.estimote.com/hc/en-us/articles/204100866-Do-I-have- . . . , Copyright 2012-2014 by Estimote, Inc., 2 pages.
Navizon One, WiFi and Cell-ID location database with Global coverage, https://www.navizon.com/, Aug. 31, 2015, 2 pages.
Zebra, Wireless LAN, Are You Overpaying of Your Wireless LAN?, https://www.zebra.com/us/en/products/networks/wireless-lan.html, Copyright 2015 ZIH Corp., 3 pages.
KR101292870B1 (en) 2013-08-02 System and methods for determining the location dynamics of a portable computing device
KR101534995B1 (en) 2015-07-07 Method and apparatus for mobile location determination
US9215685B2 (en) 2015-12-15 Position estimation via proximate fingerprints
US10057723B2 (en) 2018-08-21 Systems, methods and devices for asset status determination
US8660541B1 (en) 2014-02-25 Provision of location-based venue information
EP2222053A1 (en) 2010-08-25 System and method for predicting future meetings of wireless users
US20140139633A1 (en) 2014-05-22 Method and System for Counting People Using Depth Sensor
CA3001006C (en) 2019-07-16 Dynamic duty-cycling of processor of mobile device based on operating condition of mobile device
US8699370B2 (en) 2014-04-15 Method and apparatus for analysis of user traffic within a predefined area
US20120094683A1 (en) 2012-04-19 Method to reduce database load in real time location systems
US20140274152A1 (en) 2014-09-18 System and Method for Tracking of Mobile Resources
US9860688B2 (en) 2018-01-02 Systems, methods and devices for asset status determination
US10102584B1 (en) 2018-10-16 Streamlined property insurance application and renewal process
US9813992B2 (en) 2017-11-07 Tracking systems and methods for remotely tracking a location of a person on a map of a monitored premise
US20140074667A1 (en) 2014-03-13 System and Method for Inventory Control of Mobile Assets
TW201440013A (en) 2014-10-16 Positioning and mapping based on virtual landmarks
AU2016203761B2 (en) 2016-09-22 Predicting the future state of a mobile device user
US9003030B2 (en) 2015-04-07 Detecting relative crowd density via client devices
US10417570B2 (en) 2019-09-17 Systems and methods for probabilistic semantic sensing in a sensory network
US9491574B2 (en) 2016-11-08 User path determining system and method therefor
US20150248275A1 (en) 2015-09-03 Sensor Grouping for a Sensor Based Detection System
EP3125621A1 (en) 2017-02-01 Geo-fencing based upon semantic location
US20140358833A1 (en) 2014-12-04 Determining an anomalous state of a system at a future point in time
US9875481B2 (en) 2018-01-23 Capture of retail store data and aggregated metrics
CN101958965A (en) 2011-01-26 Method and system for earthquake early warning
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GERKEN, JOHN K., III;GREENBERGER, JEREMY A.;REEL/FRAME:037072/0752
2019-01-29 STPP Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general
Free format text: NOTICE OF ALLOWANCE MAILED -- APPLICATION RECEIVED IN OFFICE OF PUBLICATIONS


text:
Eclipsiodes és un gènere d'arnes de la família Crambidae.

Taxonomia
 Eclipsiodes anthomera (Lower, 1896)
 Eclipsiodes crypsixantha Meyrick, 1884
 Eclipsiodes homora Turner, 1908

Espècies antigues
 Eclipsiodes orthogramma (Lower, 1902)
 Eclipsiodes schizodesma (Lower, 1899)
 Eclipsiodes semigilva Turner, 1922

Referències

Heliotelins

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Hands-on Galaxy S23 photos show off its striking new design
As the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S23 draws ever closer, we've been starting to hear more and more rumors regarding its specs, as well as get glimpses of its design through product renders. Now, hands-on pictures of "dummy units" (nonfunctional versions of the devices) for the Galaxy S23, the S23 Plus, and the S23 Ultra have leaked online — and they confirm a lot of what we've heard about the design of the S23 line.
According to the images posted to Slashleaks, the base Galaxy S23 is ditching the more rounded edges of Galaxy phones past and instead is adopting a squared-off design with round corners.
Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus dummy units Slash Leaks
This is in line with the renders we've seen of the S23 previously and seems to confirm the rumor that it's getting an all-new internal frame. Another major change from the S22 is that the three rear cameras now protrude slightly out of the phone's back instead of being flush with its casing. It's a pretty standard look for smartphones across the industry, however, with the protruding cameras and the more square design, the S23 can almost be confused with the Galaxy A32.
Samsung Galaxy S23: release date, specs, price, rumors, and news
This is the OnePlus Pad — the OnePlus tablet we've waited years for
Trading in your iPhone with Apple? You'll get less than yesterday
The Galaxy S23 Plus looks nearly identical to the base S23 except in terms of size, which was to be expected. Samsung seems to be sticking to the tradition of keeping the design of Plus models of its phones identical to their smaller counterparts
Galaxy S23 Ultra dummy unit Slash Leaks
The leaked images of the Galaxy S23 Ultra, however, are a different story. As previously reported, the S23 Ultra looks remarkably similar to the S22 Ultra — to the point where one could almost confuse the two for one another. Unlike the S23 and S23 Plus, no changes have seemingly been made to the edges of the device, meaning that it looks pretty distinct from the base S23. Instead of the round corners and square edges, it still sports rounded edges and sharp corners.
Obviously, these aren't official images from Samsung, so there's no way to know how legitimate these images are for sure until there's word from the company. The photos do line up with a lot of the rumors we've heard about the smartphone in recent leaks, so there's a possibility that the final design could be exactly what we're seeing here.
This tiny sensor is about to change your phone camera forever
My iPhone 14 Pro camera is ruined, and it's all Apple's fault
The Galaxy Z Fold 4 isn't just a good phone — it's also my favorite computer
The iPhone 15 Pro's rumored new design is one I can't wait for
You can finally take ECGs and track AFib on a Garmin smartwatch

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
/ People
/ Philosophy and Religion
/ Philosophy: Biographies
/ Weil, Simone
Weil, Simone
Weil, Simone sēmôn´ vīl [key], 1909–43, French philosopher and mystic. After receiving her baccalauréat with honors at 15, she studied philosophy for four years, then entered (1928) the prestigious École Normale Supérieure, from which she graduated in 1931. She then taught in secondary schools and contributed many articles to socialist and Communist journals. She was active in the Spanish civil war until her health failed. Born into a free-thinking Jewish family, she became strongly attracted in 1940 to Roman Catholicism, believing that Jesus on the Cross was a bridge between God and man. Most of her works, published posthumously, consist of some notebooks and a collection of religious essays. They include, in English, Waiting for God (1951), Gravity and Grace (1952), The Need for Roots (1952), Notebooks (2 vol., 1956), Oppression and Liberty (1958), and Selected Essays, 1934–1943 (1962).
See biographies by J. Cabaud (tr. 1965), R. Rees (1966), S. Petrement (tr. 1976), G. Fiori (1989), and F. du P. Gray (2001); R. Coles, Simone Weil: A Modern Pilgrimage (1987); M. G. Dietz, Between the Human and the Divine: The Political Thought of Simone Weil (1988); bibliography by J. P. Little (1973).
See more Encyclopedia articles on: Philosophy: Biographies


text:
Displaying items by tag: Qaiser Naqvi
Toronto park named after Muslim community worker
If you happen to be visit Scarborough this summer, you may want to check out Major Abbas Ali Park. The McLevin Community Park in Scarborough was recently renamed as a tribute to a man who reflected Islamic values throughout his life, earning him the respect of many Canadians.
The late Muhammad Abbas Ali, a British Indian Army veteran of the Second World War and who served in the Pakistan army, spent almost three decades working tirelessly for the community around McLevin Avenue where he had founded the Muslim Welfare Centre of Toronto.
Remembering #Somali #Canadian Journalist Hodan Nalayeh https://t.co/macg8nvYFh @HodanTV @IntegrationTV #Somalia… https://t.co/ubqeGC7Op3...
Statement of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen in celebration of Canada Day https://t.co/zrYihW51xg Canadian Immigration… https://t.co/hvsMkjvXD...
Izzah Learning Center for Women and Children Fundraising to Secure New Home https://t.co/8G4FCqEM5t #Ottawa… https://t.co/abNP4KxCjf...


text:
Keeley-Frontier Mine is a large abandoned mine in the ghost town of Silver Centre, Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It consists of two underground mines that were sunk  below the surface. Keeley Mine was discovered in 1907 while Frontier Mine was constructed in 1921. The 8th level of the Keeley Mine connected with the 6th level of the Frontier Mine in 1962, creating the two compartment Keeley-Frontier Mine. In 1965, Keeley-Frontier Mine closed with a total production of  of silver,  of cobalt,  of nickel and  of copper.

Keeley-Frontier Mine is considered to have produced some of the finest silver wire specimens in Canada.

Robert Jowsey, Charles Keeley, and John Woods discovered silver after they "lit a fire to thaw out the ground," according to Barnes.

Keeley Mine
The discovery in the Fall of 1907, involved the finding of a smaltite vein 2-6 inches wide containing 11,000 ounces of "wire silver" per ton.  "Wood's vein" was discovered the next year.  The original vein was developed by the No. 1 shaft and by 1911, Keeley Mine Limited had produced about 24,337 ounces of silver.  Associated Gold Mines of Western Australia , Limited, acquired an option on the property in 1913, and a transfer of the property by 1919.  The mine produced 12,154,353 ounces of silver and 1,617,784 ounces of cobalt from 1908 to 1942.  No production took place between 1943 and 1963.  Keeley-Frontier Mines Limited was incorporated in 1959 and reorganized as Kelley-Frontier in 1964.

Frontier Mine
Henry Newburger bought the property from the Haileybury Silver Mining Company, and formed the Haileybury Frontier Company in 1912.  Newburger's death in 1914 put a stop to further development until 1920 when the Mining Corporation of Canada, Limited, acquired an option with a final purchase in 1921.  The mine produced 7,043,060 ounces of silver, 1,692,772 ounces of cobalt, 25,516 ounces of nickel and 10,292 ounces of copper from 1921 to 1965.

Geology
The silver is located in three main vein systems associated with reverse faults.  These vein systems are known as Wood's, No. 16 and No. 28.  Most of the silver production occurs in the 300 feet of metavolcanics overlying the Nipissing sills.

See also
List of mines in Ontario
Porcupine Gold Rush
Cobalt silver rush

References

Silver mines in Canada
Cobalt mines in Canada
Nickel mines in Canada
Copper mines in Ontario


Government officials in the Ukraine are confirming reports this morning that the Russian military has dropped a nuclear bomb just outside the city of Donetsk. The explosion, which was caught on film by several people located only 15 or 20 short miles from the blast site, has reportedly leveled an entire city.
A Russian military doctrine states that the country is only entitled to use nuclear weapons as a last resort, and normally only in retaliation for an attack, or impending attack, against the country.
President Obama, who is on vacation in Jamaica with his family, could not be reached for immediate comment on the Russian threat. General Joe Goldsmith, of the United States Army, said that Russian forces were of "no real concern" to the United States at this time.


F. Peng, Y. Li, and L.M. Tolbert, Control and protection ofpower electronics interfaced distributed generation systems ina customer-driven microgrid, Proc. of IEEE Power and EnergySociety General Meeting, Calgary, Canada, 2009.
 H. Song and K. Nam, Dual current control scheme for PWMconverter under unbalanced input voltage conditions, IEEETransactions on Industrial Electronics, 46(5), 1999, 953–959.
 A. Yazdani and R. Iravani, A unified dynamic model andcontrol for the voltage-sourced converter under unbalancedgrid conditions, IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 21(3),2006, 1620–1629.
 J. Hu and Y. He, Modeling and control of grid-connectedvoltage-source converters under generalized unbalanced oper-ation conditions, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion,23(3), 2008, 903–913.
 K. Li, J. Liu, Z. Wang, and B. Wei, Strategies and oper-ating point optimization of STATCOM control for voltageunbalance mitigation in three-phase three-wire systems, IEEETransactions on Power Delivery, 22(1), 2007, 413-422.
 Y. Li, D. Vilathgamuwa, and P. Loh, A grid-interfacing powerquality compensator for three-phase three-wire microgrid ap-plications, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, 21(4),2006, 1021–1031.
 Y. Li, D. Vilathgamuwa, and P. Loh, Microgrid power qualityenhancement using a three-phase four-wire grid-interfacingcompensator, IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications,41 (6), 2006, 1707–1719.
 M. Hojo, Y. Iwase, T. Funabashi, and Y. Ueda, A methodof three-phase balancing in microgrid by photovoltaic gener-ation systems, 13th Power Electronics and Motion ControlConference (EPE-PEMC), 2008.
 N. Benavides and P. Chapman, Modeling the effect of voltageripple on the power output of photovoltaic modules, IEEETransactions on Industrial Electronics, 55(7), 2008, 2638–2643.
 D. Xiang, L. Ran, P.J. Tavner, and S. Yang, Control of adoubly fed induction generator in a wind turbine during gridfault ride-through, IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion,21(3), 2006, 652–662.
 L. Xu and Y. Wang, Dynamic modeling and control of DFIG-based wind turbines under unbalanced network conditions,IEEE Transactions on Power Systems, 22(1), 2007, 314–323.
 L. Xu, Coordinated control of DFIG's rotor and grid sideconverters during network unbalance, IEEE Transactions onPower Electronics, 23(3), 2008, 1041–1049.
 L. Xu, Enhanced control and operation of DFIG-based windfarms during network unbalance, IEEE Transactions on EnergyConversion, 23 (4), 2008, 1073–1081.
 C. Fortescue, Method of symmetrical co-ordinates applied tothe solution of polyphase networks, Transactions of AIEE,37(2), 1918, 1027–1140.
 Z. Jiang and X. Yu, Active power – voltage control scheme forislanding operation of inverter-interfaced microgrids, Proc. ofIEEE Power Engineering Society General Meeting, 2009.
 P. Vas, Electrical machines and drives: a space-vector theoryapproach, (Oxford, UK: Clarendon, 1992).
 H. Akagi, Y. Kanazawa, and A. Nabae, Instantaneous reac-tive power compensators comprising switching devices withoutenergy storage components, IEEE Transactions on IndustryApplications, IA-20(3), 1984, 625–630.
 X. Wu, S. Panda, and J. Xu, Analysis of the instantaneouspower flow for three-phase PWM boost rectifier under un-balanced supply voltage conditions, IEEE Transactions onIndustrial Electronics, 23(4), 2008, 1679–1691.
 L. Xu and W. Cheng, Torque and reactive power control of adoubly fed induction machine by position sensorless scheme,IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 31(3), 1995,636–642.
 IEEE Standard 399–1997, Recommended practice for industrialand commercial power system analysis, Technical report.
 Manitoba HVDC Research Center, PSCADTM electromagnetictransients user's guide, Technical report, 2005.


text:
Vaccine clinic announced for out-of-state students
University of New Hampshire (UNH) Police Chief Paul Dean and Health & Wellness Medical Director Peter Degnan announced in an email on Wednesday that all members of the UNH community who have not received their first dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine can do so at the Whittemore Center Arena on Monday, April 19.
"The vaccine is available to any member of the UNH community regardless of permanent residency and including those not in the university's testing program," the email said.
This announcement comes after Gov. Chris Sununu reversed his controversial decision to withhold COVID-19 vaccinations from out-of-state student. Sununu received backlash from university leaders, students and town administrators throughout the state, as well as Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig, asking him to reconsider his decision.
The university held two days of vaccination points of dispensing (PODs) on April 7 and 8 for members of the UNH community who were eligible and plan to do the same on April 19 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for those who did not receive or were not eligible to receive the vaccine during the first clinic.
Despite Sununu's original reasoning to withhold the vaccine from out-of-state students because of them not being in the state long enough to receive their second dose of the vaccine before the end of the academic year, the second dose of the vaccine for those who receive it on Monday will be dispensed on May 14, the first day of final exams.
Students who received the first dose of the vaccine on April 7 and 8 will continue to receive their second dose on May 6 and 7 as planned, however the hours of vaccine dispensing have been shortened to 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. opposed to the original 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For community members scheduled after 4:30 p.m., the email said "please plan to get the second vaccine (May 6 for Pfizer, May 7 for Moderna) any time between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m."
For those who are unable to attend the vaccine clinic on May 14 for their second dose, Dean advised to go to the state's vaccine registration system, VINI, to register for another date and location after receiving the first dose.
The email to the community also highlighted that doses of the vaccine are limited, so to register for an appointment using the link provided in the email as soon as possible.
The email concluded by thanking those who have already received their first or both doses of the vaccine and stating that a decision to require the vaccine at the university has not been made.
"If full approval of the vaccines is granted by the FDA, the University System of New Hampshire, in consultation with its board of trustees and the N.H. Department of Health and Human Services, will make a final decision about whether the vaccine will be required for students," the email said.
Photo courtesy of WMUR.
UNH students
UNH Vaccination Clinic
UNH Vaccine
UNH Vaccine Clinic


text:
Beijing Center Hosts Public Talk on Xiaomi and the Shift from Products to Services
Nov. 5th 2015, Columbia Global Centers | East Asia hosted a speech by Dr. Clay Shirky, associate professor at NYU Shanghai and author of several books including the newly released Little Rice: Smartphones, Xiaomi, and the Chinese Dream from publisher Columbia Global Report, on the topic of Xiaomi and the shift from products to services. The speech was followed by a discussion facilitated by Kaiser Kuo, Baidu's Director of International Communications. The event was highly successful and well-attended.
Professor Shirky began his remarks by putting Xiaomi's recent success in a global context. Xiaomi is a smartphone manufacturing company but it is also a design company and a "maker of things" situated within a global "maker movement" while still retaining its own uniquely Chinese interpretation of what this movement means. Professor Shirky describes his time studying Xiaomi as an "object lesson in making things", a pursuit he feels Xiaomi has been exceptionally successful at.
The speech was against the backdrop of the release of his new book on Xiaomi's phones and global commercial success. He first became interested in Xiaomi after seeing the phone everywhere in China which led him to buy his own and then go on to cooperate with the head of the Journalism School of Columbia, publisher of Columbia Global Report Nicholas Lemann to investigate this phenomenon more deeply. He found that Xiaomi's business model was truly remarkable, as it was backwards from traditional models: "They did everything backward. They started selling to customers before they had products, they started with software before they had hardware, they have set their sights on services even before they started selling objects." Therefore it was this service oriented model that has made Xiaomi phenomenally successful in the mobile phone market.
This success has also been the result of the "3 Big Bets" made in 2010. According to Prof. Shirky the first big bet was to use the open-source Android operating system and its continuous and rapid redevelopment according to the feedback of their users, before making any actual hardware to sell. The second big bet was the adoption of new and innovative sales channels which included a completely e-commerce-focused sales strategy. Xiaomi only sells their products on-line and this new approach has allowed them to connect directly to their users in ways other companies cannot. According to Shirky, "obsession with user connection goes into everything they do." Additional innovative sales strategies have included the use of flash sale events as well as encouraging private reselling between individuals. The third big bet was counting on their users to advertise their products on social media as part of a strategy of building strong connections with devoted users through excellent customer service. They encouraged these users to post on Weibo both good comments and critiques. One outcome of this is Xiaomi operating its own extensive customer service program even though it would be cheaper to outsource, a decision which has given them major business advantages. One of these advantages has been their practice of releasing a new phone Operating System on every Friday, collecting feedback about the new OS every Tuesday, and incorporating that feedback in new designs and development. According to Professor Shirky, studying Xiaomi's business model shows the remarkable advantages of focusing on design, customer experience, and selling on the internet for twenty first century business firms.
The company made "3 Big Bets" early on which all paid off. If any of the individual "Bets" had failed it would have resulted in in Xiaomi's overall failure. However, they also have to overcome "3 Challenges" in the future which threatens to undermine the company's business model. As Prof. Shirky's explained these challenges include domestic competition within China from other cell phone manufacturers attempting to undercut Xiaomi's more expensive but better-designed products, possible missteps in the global market such as using a name that begins with "X" which is hard to find on international search engines, and overcoming the differences between the local Chinese market and international market which may be difficult for Xiaomi because it is too China-focused.
Professor Shirky concluded his remarks by referring back to a concept which he describes as not only important for Xiaomi but also for Chinese business: "If a company is excellent at optimizing services for the Chinese market how easy is it for them to move into other markets? This is a huge issue because all the things that make China special as a services market are not just economic and cultural but also political. Once something becomes political the question of whether it should change and how becomes much more momentous than how many mobile phones you produce."
Director Kaiser Kuo of Baidu followed up the feature speech by contextualizing Shirky's speech within Chinese history and then taking and answering questions from the audience.
Topics addressed included: The electronics markets and technology parks which have emerged in Zhongguancun nearby in Beijing; Shenzhen's evolution from a backwater town to a light industrial center focused on shipbreaking to a global technology and innovation hub; the Chinese Intranet vs the global Internet and what affects this might have in shaping creativity and innovation; Japanese Anime and Korean K-Pop and their role in projecting those nation's "Soft Power" and whether China is capable of projecting soft power in this way; and finally the "Maker Movement" centering on 3D printers and robotics and the different forms it has taken in the US and in China.The event offered valuable insights into China's transition from an industrial economy focused on physical products to a services economy delivered by a uniquely qualified and experienced expert. It was exceptionally well-attended and followed up with lively Q&A and networking sessions.
(Contributed by Mengyao Li, Edited by Tyler Browse)
The information on this page may have been provided by a contributor to ChinaGoAbroad, and ChinaGoAbroad makes no guarantees about the accuracy of any content. All content shall be used for informational purposes only. Contributors must obtain all necessary licenses and/or ownership rights from the relevant content owner(s) before submitting such content (including texts, pictures, photos and diagrams) to ChinaGoAbroad for publication. ChinaGoAbroad disclaims all liability arising from the publication of any content/information (such as texts, pictures, photos and diagrams that infringe on any copyright) received from contributors. Links may direct to third party sites out of the control of ChinaGoAbroad, and such links shall not be considered an endorsement by ChinaGoAbroad of any information contained on such third party sites. Please refer to our Disclaimer for more details.
Professor Jeannette Wing speaks on "Data for Good" at the Beijing Center


Following in the footsteps of his father and uncle before him, Albert Pierrepoint (Timothy Spall) joins the 'family business' in 1934. He rises through the ranks to become the most feared and respected executioner in the country, hanging over 600 people before his sudden resignation in 1956. Living a double life as a master hangman, a humble grocery deliveryman, a friend to Tish (Eddie Marsan) and loyal husband to Annie (Juliet Stevenson), Pierrepoint's determination to become the most efficient, hence most humane executioner in the land results in him executing infamous murderers and after the war, Nazi war criminals. But the latter also shatters Pierrepoint's jealously guarded anonymity turning him into a minor celebrity. As his two lives collide, and 1950s public opinion turns against capital punishment, Pierrepoint, is ready to give it all up, but fate has other plans in store for him.
A suitably sombre treatment of a sombre story, Pierrepoint is nevertheless a riveting drama, sketching out not only the salient facts of Albert Pierrepoint's life but the turmoil in which that life caused in his soul. With 608 executions behind him, Pierrepoint resigned from the list of British executioners, having achieved a darkly edged personal goal: he became the fastest, most efficient hangman in history. He had his father's and uncle's past achievements in the same line of work to compete against, and a kind of pride in his work that illuminated the task. He maintained a dignity and a non-judgemental attitude throughout, a loyal subject doing a difficult job really well. Albert only began to consider the morality of capital punishment much later in life; as we see from the film, the process of hanging prisoners was basic and the hangman's skill was critical to a humane process.
Timothy Spall is perfectly cast as the naturally serious, punctilious, part time hangman, who would occasionally share a ribald ditty in the local pub with his friend Tish, played by the soulful faced Eddie Marsan, who lends a melancholy note to the story. Juliet Stevenson is terrific as Annie, the long suffering wife, and Claire Keelen makes an impression in her small but imprytant role as Jessie, Tish's girl - until she leaves him and triggers devastating consequences for both Tish and Albert.
Danny Cohen's cleverly underlit cinematography suits the period and the subject matter, helping create the time and place in which the story unfolds. Writers Bob Mills and Jeff Pope juggle the screenplay's inner and outer layers with care and Adrian Shergold's direction is excellent, allowing us to see the hidden, repressed emotions of the characters. Like all true stories, this one is more complex and more remarkable than any fiction, and deeply moving, thanks to Spall and the entire filmmaking team.


Just in, our first group of baby birds from our breeder of over 40 years!
This first group includes Yellow Nape Amazons, Sun Conures, Green Quakers, Blue and Violet Ringnecks, and lots of Extra Fancy Cockatiels.
All babies will continue to be hand-fed in store until they are ready to go home.


text:
Where innovation advocates go wrong
By David Roberts on Mar 12, 2013
I wrote a post yesterday about the (dumb) fight between those focused on cleantech innovation and those focused on cleantech deployment. I want to follow up today by engaging with some specific arguments from an enthusiastic innovation supporter and show where I agree and where I don't. (It's more exciting than it sounds.)
The arguments are mainly found in this post, written by Matthew Stepp of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation. In it, he makes the case for better innovation policy, a cause I support wholeheartedly. But there is an implication in the post — a point made more explicitly by Stepp in other posts — that I disagree with. Let's take a look.
We can break the typical energy innovation argument down into three stages.
Stage one: The innovation pipeline is busted
Stepp begins by pointing out the Department of Energy has a somewhat muddled mandate — environmental cleanup, security of the nuclear arsenal, and overseeing most U.S. energy research — which has prevented it from being an effective tool of energy policy. Consequently, "energy deployment policies are largely conducted through the tax and regulatory code, including EPA mandates on power plant emissions and production tax credits, and not through the DOE."
Since DOE has no particular experience or expertise deploying clean energy, lots of stuff never makes it out of the agency's labs. "Energy research as a whole is no different," writes Stepp, "and runs into significant market barriers including uninterested utility markets and a lack of initial customers for new innovations."
Stepp concludes, sensibly, that "significant work needs to be done to connect DOE's built-out research institutions and capabilities to markets and deployment."
So that's stage one: The early part of the conveyor belt I discussed yesterday is broken. I agree!
Stage two: We really need cleantech innovation
Stepp then clarifies why this disconnect between research and markets matters so much. It is entirely plausible that the U.S. can get to its near-term carbon goal — 17 percent reductions from 2005 levels by 2020 — with current clean-energy technology. But getting to our long-term target — 80 percent reduction by 2050 — will require "significant innovation, including breakthroughs like new battery chemistries and affordable, higher energy converting solar panels."
Now, I think innovationeers have always been needlessly provocative when they say that it would be impossible to meet our long-term target with today's technology. It assumes, among other things, that carbon reduction is purely a technological problem. But there are other levers of social change — policy, economics, and behavior — that can be brought to bear on the problem. If technology is arbitrarily frozen at today's level of development (and how could that ever happen, by the way?), it just means we have to push correspondingly harder on the other levers. It would make the undertaking much more arduous, and success even more unlikely than it currently is, sure. Social and behavioral change are difficult, in some ways more difficult than technological change. But nothing is impossible.
Nonetheless, it's fair to say that as carbon reductions cut deeper and deeper, it will become correspondingly more difficult, expensive, and politically contentious to achieve them with today's technologies. And it's fair to say that most people, including most climate hawks, underestimate the scale of the challenge. So yeah, cheaper, more powerful low-carbon technology, whether it comes in the form of incremental advances or the much-balleyhooed "breakthroughs," will make the undertaking easier. Axiomatically.
Therefore, stage two: It is important to devote time, attention, and money to building an innovation ecosystem that reliably carries new ideas from the lab to robust market success. I agree!
Stage three: what innovation gets, it must take from deployment
Here's where I get off the bus. Stage three of the argument stipulates that there is a finite pool of time, attention, and money devoted to clean energy and concludes that what gets spent on deployment comes at the expense of early-stage innovation. (This is mostly absent in Stepp's latest piece — to its credit! — though not from other pieces of his.)
If this is true, then innovation is in competition with deployment and those who champion innovation must make a case against deployment, a case for why less time/attention/money should be spent on it (and correspondingly more on innovation).
And it certainly seems like a lot of innovationeers have made this their mission: to crap all over existing and proposed energy policies that are not innovation policies (and existing green groups that are not focused on innovation). It's what has irked people from the moment the original Breakthrough Douchecanoes paddled onto the scene: that they view other climate hawks as their enemies.
So is it true? Is there a zero-sum competition between innovation and deployment? As I argued yesterday, I don't think so.
Now, it is true — again, axiomatically — that there is a limited pool of public funds. It's especially true these days, given D.C.'s counterproductive mania for spending cuts. But I think it's a misreading of the political economy to think that those cuts are being made according to any rational assessment of spending needs, or that it is savvy for recipients of that spending to angle against one another for scraps.
National Priorities ProjectClick to embiggen.
Consider this analogy: The U.S. budget includes a limited pot of what's called "discretionary spending," which is spending that's not mandated by law. Over half of it goes to the military. A tiny percentage is spent on the earned income tax credit. Another tiny percentage is spent on Pell grants. Both policies are intended to help fight poverty. There are arguments about which is more effective. Does it follow that fans of the EITC should deride the effectiveness and appropriateness of Pell grants? Is that the best way to get more money for the EITC?
I hope it's obvious that the answer is no. To squabble over pennies is to accept that the larger spending picture is rational and appropriate. It is to argue within a constrained space, the borders of which were drawn by opponents of social spending. The problem for anti-poverty advocates is the massive unbalance in discretionary spending, how much goes to the military and how little goes to social priorities. The problem is that the U.S. political system has deemed poverty and income inequality appropriate trade-offs for massive gains at the top of the income ladder.
That is the bigger fight. Both the EITC and Pell grants will benefit if that argument is won. And it is more likely to be won if anti-poverty advocates speak with one voice.
The same is true for advocates of sustainable energy. Right now, an absurdly small amount of time/attention/money is spent on shifting to low-carbon energy. This is, for the most part, a hangover from a time when fossil fuels were cheap and climate change but a faint rumor. It persists due to the extremism and intransigence of the Republican Party, which, thanks to quirks of America's system of government, has almost total veto power over policy, especially federal policy. Republicans are assisted in this matter by "centrist" Democrats from fossil-fuel-heavy states.
Innovation fans will not make friends of conservatives (or "centrists") by joining their derision of today's clean-energy deployment policies, or their derision of carbon-pricing proposals. They will merely serve as useful idiots in the larger effort to defund and suppress sustainable energy. The strategy of denouncing environmentalists, proclaiming your commonsense bipartisanship, and seeking partners across the aisle is fruitless. It is maladapted to current political realities in America.
The larger and more consequential fight, for both innovation and deployment advocates, is the fight to make the transition to clean energy a top national priority. Innovationeers can and will build one coalition and push for one set of policies; deploymenteers can and will build another coalition and push for another set. But they are soldiers in the same army, facing the same enemy. Attempts to define the former as a "new paradigm" and the latter as crusty, backward-looking green idealism — to capture market share by punching hippies — is destined to backfire. It's a parlor game for media-hungry narcissists.
Clean-energy innovation requires active government intervention and an appreciation of the scale of the climate challenge. Clean-energy deployment also requires active government intervention and an appreciation of the scale of the climate challenge. Meanwhile, active government intervention is under attack (discretionary government spending is shrinking) and very few people in the federal government give a tinker's damn about climate change. Fighting over deck chairs on the Titanic might be a road to personal glory, but from a humanitarian perspective, we'd all be better off trying to avoid the friggin' iceberg.


Category: 2013 – A Brand New Year!
Hi all! Just a quick post to apologise for being quiet for so long! I was on a course last week to qualify as a wheelchair dance tutor (which I passed with distinction!!), and that's kind of taken over my life the last couple of weeks!! Before that, I was doing a stock check of… Continue reading Life just keeps interfering!!
Hi! Back again with more cross-stitch cards I've been making since last update. I'm still attempting to make as many as I can as I'm going along by trying to make one craft project a day, minimum. That means if I haven't done anything else during the day, I will make one of these during… Continue reading More Xmas Xstitch!
Hello! Those of you who read my blog regularly will know that I've signed up to take part in the Blogpal scheme this month. Last week's topic I chose was Fitness, and I decided to make a drink bottle holder to match the yoga mat holder I made for mum. This will make a lovely… Continue reading Drinking Fit!
Pretty New Fabrics From a Hidden Treasure!
Hi! On the way home from the hospital a couple of weeks ago I discovered a hidden treasure in The Barn Courtyard off the High Street in Wendover, Buckinghamshire – a little shop called Fabric HQ that is filled to the brim with the most beautiful fabrics and other sewing bits and bobs . It's in a… Continue reading Pretty New Fabrics From a Hidden Treasure!
Hi all! Bit on an interesting post for you this time. I'm taking part in the Blogpal project at the moment. Wondering what Blogpal is? Blogpal is a semi-monthly blog partner project where bloggers get matched up with other bloggers to make new friends / collaborate on posts and stretch their comfort zone. You can… Continue reading Autumn Days!