- Introduction to Bluetooth Beacons:
BLE Beacon is a hardware device based on the low-power Bluetooth BLE (Bluetooth 4.0 or above) broadcast protocol. As a BLE device, it is usually installed at a specific location indoors. As a reference point for the indoor location, it continuously broadcasts to the surroundings. It does not need to be connected to any host device. It only needs to be scanned and analyzed by the host device.
BLE Bluetooth beacon has the following characteristics:
- Low power consumption and long standby time;
- Easy to install.
- Lower cost, reducing project budget;
- High compatibility and adaptability, and can be used with most models on the market.
- How to use Bluetooth Beacon to clock in and out of get off work。
The principle of this solution is to achieve one-way data transmission through Bluetooth scanning and broadcasting without establishing a Bluetooth connection. The APP installed on employees’ mobile phones scans the broadcast signals of fixedly deployed Bluetooth Beacon devices to implement the clock-in and clock-out function, which allows multiple mobile phones to scan the same Beacon device at the same time. Among Bluetooth connection applications, more are point-to-point. In office scenarios, clocking in and out are concentrated at the same time. Obviously, connection applications are not suitable.

- Get a Beacon device: Buy or get a Beacon device, they are small Bluetooth devices that emit Bluetooth signals.
- Configure Beacon device: Set iBeacon parameters, including UUID (universally unique identifier), Major (major value), Minor (minor value), etc. These parameters help distinguish different Beacon devices.
- Develop a mobile application: Create a mobile application so that users can detect surrounding Beacon signals using their devices.
- iOS development: (1) Use the CoreLocation framework to monitor Beacon signals. (2) Request location permissions in the app. (3) Implement the CLLocationManagerDelegate protocol to get updates from Beacon signals.
- Android development: (1) Use Bluetooth API to scan for Bluetooth devices. (2) Request Bluetooth and location permissions in the app. (3) Set BluetoothAdapter.LeScanCallback to get updates from the Beacon signal.
- Process Beacon signals: When the user’s mobile device detects a nearby Beacon signal, the application should obtain the Beacon’s identification information and match it with a predefined location or task.
- Check-in logic: Once the application determines that the user is within the range of Beacon, you can trigger the check-in logic, such as sending a check-in request to the server, updating the user status, etc.
- Server-side processing: Processing and storage of sign-in data are implemented on the server side. This may include recording check-in times, user IDs, and other information.
- Security considerations: Consider security, ensure that only authorized users can sign in, and take measures to prevent false sign-ins. Technologies such as encryption and authentication can be used.
- Practical application examples:
The Muyu Bluetooth beacon MY-B601A is widely used in the following application scenarios:
- Use Bluetooth beacon and Bluetooth + work card to automatically clock in. When the Bluetooth work card scans the signal of the Bluetooth beacon, it will be sent to the background server for clocking in.
- Use Bluetooth beacon combined with WeChat applet or mobile APP to check in.
- The Bluetooth beacon triggers the law enforcement instrument. When the law enforcement instrument reaches the vicinity of the Bluetooth beacon, the camera function is automatically turned on.
- The Bluetooth beacon triggers other applications. When entering within a certain distance near the Bluetooth beacon, it automatically triggers specific operations (such as broadcasting an introduction to cultural relics, etc.)
- Some of the advantages of using Beacon technology for check-in and clock-in include:
- Precise positioning: Beacon technology can provide relatively accurate positioning information, especially in indoor environments. This makes checking in at a specific location more reliable.
- Low power consumption: Beacon devices usually use Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, so their battery life is relatively long. This means that the Beacon device can be used for a long time without frequent battery replacement.
- Simplified deployment: Deploying the Beacon system is relatively simple. Just place an appropriate amount of Beacon devices in the area that needs to be covered and configure the corresponding application to start using it. In contrast, other positioning technologies may require more complex infrastructure.
- Cross-platform support: Beacon technology is an open standard, so it can be used on multiple platforms. This makes it possible to use the same beacon device and app to reach iOS and Android users, improving scalability and coverage.
- Real-time: Beacon equipment can provide real-time positioning information, so the feedback of check-in and clock-in can be more immediate. This is very useful for application scenarios that require quick confirmation of the user’s location.
- Cost-effectiveness: Compared with some complex indoor positioning systems, Beacon technology is usually low-cost. Beacon devices themselves are relatively cheap and relatively simple to deploy and maintain.
- Flexibility: The layout of Beacon equipment is relatively flexible and can be adjusted and reconfigured as needed. This makes it easy to adapt to changing business needs and space layouts.
Although Beacon technology has these advantages, specific application scenarios, security requirements, and user privacy issues still need to be carefully considered before implementation. Attendance sign-in beacon solution, please contact the MuYu team.