Ibeaconing: A low-cost, wireless student protection system

Abstract

For children with autism, normal social stimuli can provoke unpredictable reactions that could place those children in dangerous situations. In most schools, teachers have the two-pronged task of instructing and monitoring these children. In order to simplify this task, we propose integrating new iBeacon technology with the capability of Raspberry Pi computers to construct an entry/exit scanning system. The students will be wearing iBeacon equipped, irremovable bracelets (transmitting on a low power setting), which will be donned when attendance is taken. The Raspberry Pi computers placed above each door will scan for iBeacons continually. Since the iBeacons will be transmitting on a range of −30 to −20dBmW of power, they have a maximum horizontal range of 2m. If the iBeacon is within range of the door for more than two seconds, the Raspberry Pi will send a “distress signal” to a server, which is retrieved by the smartphone application, prompting a system-wide alert to be triggered. The benefits of implementing such a system include costeffectiveness and a decrease in the latent period between alert detection and action.