Evacuation Guidance Using Portable Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing evacuation route guidance systems in buildings require pre-installed indoor position information transmitters, which is impractical and costly, and users struggle to intuitively find exits during emergencies due to information overload on small screens.
Innovation Solution
A wireless device and management system that allows users to report environmental and position information, derive evacuation routes, and instruct nearby devices to provide guidance through LED and audio notifications, eliminating the need for pre-installed transmitters and minimizing facility increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple indoor position information transmitters are placed in buildings in advance, then evacuation route guidance can be provided, but facility costs and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses portable terminals (smartphones, tablets) that users already possess as copies of position information transmitters. Instead of installing dedicated transmitter devices in the building, the system utilizes the processing power and communication capabilities of existing portable devices to provide evacuation guidance functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable terminal serves multiple functions: it acts as a position information transmitter, receiver, display device, and communication node simultaneously. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated equipment, reducing facility complexity while maintaining guidance reliability.
2Reliability
If multiple indoor position information transmitters are placed in buildings in advance, then evacuation route guidance can be provided, but installation costs and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages the self-service capability of portable terminals that users already own and carry. These devices automatically provide positioning, communication, and display functions without requiring external installation, maintenance, or power infrastructure, thereby simplifying system deployment while ensuring guidance availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of position transmission, reception, processing, and display into a single integrated portable terminal device. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate transmitter installations and reduces maintenance requirements while maintaining reliable evacuation guidance capability.
3Ease of operation
If evacuation route information is displayed on portable terminal screens, then guidance direction can be shown, but information overload occurs on small screens making it hard to find exits during emergencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the evacuation guidance information into discrete, easily recognizable elements such as directional arrows, distance indicators, and key landmark markers. Instead of displaying comprehensive route details, the system presents segmented visual cues that guide users step-by-step, preventing information overload while maintaining clarity on small screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes color changes and visual differentiation to convey critical evacuation information. Different colors indicate direction, distance, and important landmarks, allowing users to quickly comprehend route information without reading extensive text, thereby preventing information overload while maintaining evacuation route clarity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless device is possessed by a user. A reporting unit reports, to a management device, status information regarding the surrounding environment of the wireless device and position information of the wireless device. A requesting unit requests the management device to perform guidance to an evacuation route. An accepting unit accepts an instruction for guidance to an evacuation route from the management device when the requesting unit does not request guidance. A notification unit performs notification of an evacuation route.