Dynamic Indoor Navigation Sign for Wayfinding Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large buildings, users often face difficulties in navigating to specific destinations due to the complexity of the layout, leading to increased time and potential errors in finding the way, which can be critical in emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system comprising electronic sign units that communicate with mobile user equipment to provide individualized directions based on processed map data, automatically updating and adapting to the user's location and specific needs, including emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional direction signs with room numbers are provided on walls, then users can find directions to rooms, but the number of indicated rooms increases with building size causing user confusion and requiring more time to reach destinations
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system divides the building into zones or areas, and the direction sign displays only the relevant destination information for the user's current zone and intended destination, rather than listing all rooms. This segmentation reduces information overload and helps users quickly find their way without being overwhelmed by excessive room numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The direction sign adapts its display content based on the user's current location and destination, showing locally relevant directional information rather than a static comprehensive list. The sign dynamically adjusts what information is displayed to match the specific navigation needs of each user at their current position in the building.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional direction signs indicate multiple rooms, then more destinations are covered, but user confusion increases and time to find the correct direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The direction sign transitions from a static display showing all rooms to a dynamic display that updates based on the user's current position, movement direction, and intended destination. The sign automatically adjusts its content to show only the most relevant directional information, making navigation easier while still covering all possible destinations through its adaptive nature.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the direction sign responds to user input (such as selected destination) and continuously updates its display based on the user's progress toward the destination. This feedback loop ensures the sign provides always-relevant directional guidance, maintaining ease of operation while covering comprehensive destination options.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a user asks for directions to a specific destination, then personalized guidance can be provided, but the time required to obtain and process this information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system performs preliminary actions by pre-calculating and storing optimal routes between various destinations before users need them. When a user inputs a destination, the system quickly retrieves pre-computed directional information rather than calculating routes in real-time, thus providing personalized guidance without significant time delay.
Solution Approach 2:
The direction sign system enables users to independently input their destination and receive automated directional guidance without requiring assistance from building staff. The system serves itself by automatically processing user input, calculating routes, and displaying directions, eliminating the time loss associated with human consultation while providing personalized guidance.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive room information is displayed on direction signs, then all destinations are accessible, but information overload causes confusion and delays in finding the correct path
Solution Approach 1:
The information display is segmented to show only the essential directional information relevant to the user's current navigation task. Instead of displaying all room information simultaneously, the system divides the information into manageable portions, showing the current location, next step, and final destination, thus reducing display complexity while maintaining information completeness for navigation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system extracts and displays only the critical directional information needed for the user to reach their destination, removing extraneous room number details that would contribute to information overload. The system takes out the essential navigation elements (direction, next landmark, destination) from the complete building information set, reducing display complexity while preserving navigational completeness.
Data Source
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AI summary
A navigation system (1) for navigating a mobile user equipment, UE, carried by a user to a destination, said navigation system (1) comprising: at least one sign unit (3) adapted to communicate with said mobile user equipment, UE, (2) and a navigation unit (4) adapted to process map data to calculate a user individual direction from the sign unit (2) determined as being located close to a current position of the mobile user equipment, UE, (2) to the respective destination (DES), wherein the calculated user individual direction to the destination is displayed on a screen of said close sign unit (2).