Beacon Firmware Enables Vending Machines To Leverage Proximity-Based Mobile Engagement

SAN DIEGO, CA -- Gimbal Inc. is licensing firmware that will reportedly enable most any Bluetooth low energy (BLE) device, including those in vending machines, to act as a beacon to engage mobile app users.

The San Diego-based tech firm said that adding its beacon technology to devices will enable retailers, hotels, venues, advertisers and out-of-home networks to reach their mobile app users. It can also enable the monetization of beacon networks by securely sharing access to these beacons with partners, sponsors or digital ad networks.

"We are excited to expand our ever-growing proximity network and open up the Internet of Things to even more types of devices," said Gimbal chief operating officer Kevin Hunter.

Gimbal said its firmware is capable of running on existing embedded platforms like Windows, Linux and Android, along with proprietary systems. Through this solution, the company is licensing the ability to both transmit and detect beacons. The firmware provides the ability for operators of Internet-connected devices such as vending machines to manage them via its cloud service.

Gimbal beacons transmit a rolling and encrypted ID to ensure digital ownership of a proximity network.