BeaconID

BeaconID is a system used for identifying and tracking Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) devices, commonly known as beacons. These small, wireless transmitters broadcast a unique identifier that can be detected by nearby smartphones or other BLE-enabled devices. The primary purpose of a BeaconID is to enable location-based services and proximity marketing.

When a user's device, equipped with a compatible application, enters the range of a beacon, the application can read the beacon's unique ID. This ID is then typically sent to a server, which can interpret the information and trigger a specific action. For example, a retail store might use beacons to send a discount coupon to a customer's phone when they enter the store. Museums can use them to provide information about exhibits as visitors approach.

The BeaconID itself is a set of data, usually consisting of a proximity UUID, a major value, and a minor value. The UUID is a universally unique identifier for the organization or company deploying the beacons. The major and minor values are used to further subdivide and identify specific beacons within a larger deployment, allowing for granular location tracking.

Beacon technology, and by extension BeaconID, offers a cost-effective way to implement indoor positioning and context-aware experiences without relying on GPS, which is often unreliable indoors. The battery-powered nature of beacons also makes them easy to deploy and manage in various environments.