Electronic Indoor Map Generation from CAD Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor wayfinding systems rely heavily on static physical signs and printed maps, which are costly and time-consuming to maintain, and do not effectively utilize electronic data for navigation within facilities, especially when GPS is unavailable or not accessible.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for creating electronic indoor maps from CAD files, involving processing to classify, align, and generate layers for electronic maps, allowing for the integration of facility metadata, obstructions, and connections, enabling the creation of customizable and efficient printable maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static physical signs and printed maps are used for indoor wayfinding, then wayfinding information is provided, but maintenance costs and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates electronic copies of facility maps from CAD files that can be dynamically updated and distributed. These electronic maps replicate the wayfinding information function of physical maps but eliminate the need for physical reproduction and distribution, allowing updates to be made once in digital form and automatically propagated to all users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical map production, distribution, and updating with an electronic/digital system. CAD files are processed through software to generate electronic maps that can be accessed on digital devices, eliminating the manual labor of printing, distributing, and replacing physical maps when updates are needed.
2Measurement precision
If electronic maps are created from CAD files with multiple layers and objects, then wayfinding accuracy and customization improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electronic map into multiple layers corresponding to different CAD layers, with each layer containing specific types of objects (walls, doors, furniture, etc.). This segmentation allows selective display of layers based on user needs, simplifying the presentation of complex facility data while maintaining the option for high detail when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a layer dimension to the map data structure, organizing objects hierarchically by layer. This dimensional organization allows the system to manage complexity by providing multiple levels of abstraction - users can view simplified representations or drill down into detailed layers as needed, effectively managing information complexity without sacrificing accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If CAD files are processed to generate electronic maps with aligned objects and assigned text data, then map quality and usability improve, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary processing of CAD files by pre-aligning objects to a coordinate system and pre-assigning text data to corresponding objects during the initial map generation. This preliminary action ensures high map quality and usability while reducing the need for time-consuming manual adjustments later, as the foundational structure is already optimized.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for creating electronic indoor maps from computer-assisted-design (CAD) files are disclosed. The methods involve receiving a set of CAD files relating to a facility, classifying each CAD file of the set as a site plan or a floor plan, defining one or more layers of at least one electronic map for the facility based on the set, generating an electronic map for each CAD file of the set. The electronic map includes one or more layers and each layer include at least one object. The method also involves aligning objects in the electronic map for the facility, based on the layer of the object; assigning text data in each CAD file of the set to an object in the electronic map file of that CAD file; and storing the at least one electronic map for the facility on at least one storage component.