Dynamic Graph Indoor Navigation for Changing Topologies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to efficiently guide agents in indoor environments with changing topologies, such as warehouses, due to reliance on static maps and inability to adapt to moving obstacles, leading to increased order placement times and congestion.

Innovation Solution

A method that models the indoor environment into elementary volumes, updates a graph database with real-time position messages, and calculates routes between points by connecting adjacent volumes, allowing for dynamic route adjustments based on topographical changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If GPS systems or Wifi-based systems are used for guidance, then route calculation capability is provided, but they cannot work indoors or adapt to changing environments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to changing environmentVSAvoidsystem functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic graph that is continuously updated based on real-time position messages from agents. Unlike static maps, the graph structure adapts to changing environmental conditions by incorporating current positional data, making the routing system responsive to dynamic indoor environments while maintaining reliability through continuous updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system collects position messages from agents and uses this feedback to continuously update the graph representation of the environment. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to changing conditions in real-time, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability by using actual environmental data to maintain accurate routing information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If agents rely on experience or random movement without guidance, then system complexity is reduced, but order placement time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveorder placement speedVSAvoidguidance system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Agents equip themselves with assistance devices that contain processing units and communication interfaces. These devices autonomously calculate routes using the dynamic graph and position messages, eliminating the need for complex external guidance infrastructure while significantly improving order placement speed through intelligent self-navigation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical guidance infrastructure with information-based processing. Instead of physical guidance systems, the solution uses position messages, graph data structures, and computational algorithms to enable efficient route calculation and navigation, reducing physical complexity while enhancing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If static maps are used for route calculation, then system implementation is simplified, but the system cannot adapt to moving obstacles or topographical changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse to topographical changesVSAvoidtime for map updates

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous operation by constantly collecting position messages from agents and continuously updating the graph representation. This continuous action ensures the routing system always reflects current environmental conditions without requiring periodic interruptions for map updates, thus adapting to topographical changes in real-time without time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system proactively collects position messages and updates the graph structure before routing decisions are needed. By maintaining an up-to-date dynamic graph through continuous preliminary updates, the system ensures routing calculations always use current environmental information, enabling rapid adaptation to changes without delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If agents traverse the warehouse without route optimization, then navigation flexibility is maintained, but congestion increases in delivery areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedelivery area throughputVSAvoidnavigation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic graph serves as an intermediary between environmental conditions and agent navigation. It processes position information and routing requirements, calculating optimized paths that reduce congestion in delivery areas while maintaining navigation simplicity for agents through automated route guidance provided by the assistance devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3123111B1Method for assisting the movement of an agent in an interior environment

Publication Date: 2023.08.23 BULL SA

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AI summary

Method for assisting the movement of an agent in an interior environment. Method allowing the calculation of an itinerary on a dynamics graph. The dynamics graph is produced by those circulating in the zone to be mapped, the paths travelled being recorded by means of a geopositioning system compatible with inside use. The zone to be mapped is modelled in elementary volumes recoded in a zone database. The recorded paths are used to create a graph whereon an itinerary is calculated between two points, each of which being associated with an elementary volume of the zone.