The Web Uri Open Beacon specification for the Internet of Things
(pronounced YUR-ee-BEE-kun)
Note: this is a preview-release intended for comments and experimentation.
The UriBeacon design allows a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) device to periodically transmit an ADV packet that contains a URI. This technology enables any device, place or thing to become a beacon through physical association. As a consequence UriBeacon enables any object in the physical world to transmit a URI over a short distance (typically 20-30 feet), and is an enabling technology to support the Physical Web paradigm. By providing discovery, search, and control (using web pages) based on situated proximity, the Physical Web can be thought of as an on-ramp to the Internet-of-things(IoT).
A UriBeacon can exist in two states:
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Advertising Mode (non-connectable)
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Configuration Mode (connectable)
In the URI Advertising mode a beacon will periodically transmit (typically at 1 second intervals) an ADV packet containing: flags, transmit power, and an encoded URI. In this state the beacon content cannot be modified, and the device does not support a connection. See UriBeacon ADV packet for a full description.
In the Configuration Mode the UriBeacon is connectable and supports the UriBeacon configuration service. Using this service, the ADV packet payload can be modified, parameters can be locked/unlocked with a passcode, and operational characteristics modified. See Uribeacon Configuration Mode for a full description.