Floor Plan Alignment Using Reference Point Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current site survey techniques for wireless networks face challenges in accurately aligning adjacent floor plans in multi-floor buildings, particularly in ensuring adequate coverage and minimizing signal interference between floors, due to limitations in existing methods for orienting and positioning floor plans based on signal quality parameters.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a graphical user interface and computer program product to align floor plans of a building structure by designating and matching reference points across different floor plans, allowing for precise alignment and orientation that reflects the physical layout, utilizing a software algorithm to facilitate the alignment process and perform wireless diagnostics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If floor plans are aligned using conventional site survey techniques, then wireless network coverage can be assessed, but alignment accuracy between adjacent floors deteriorates due to lack of precise reference point matching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidfloor plan alignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The floor plan alignment process is segmented into distinct operational phases: selecting reference points on the first floor plan, designating corresponding reference points on the second floor plan, and executing the alignment transformation. This segmentation allows each phase to be handled independently through the graphical interface, improving measurement precision without overwhelming system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Reference points serve as intermediary elements between adjacent floor plans. By designating specific reference points on each floor plan and matching them across floors, the system creates a mediator mechanism that enables precise alignment transformation. The graphical user interface acts as an intermediary tool that simplifies the complex alignment process into user-friendly point selection and matching operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If reference point matching is implemented for floor plan alignment, then alignment precision improves, but the operational complexity and time required for site survey increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefloor plan orientation precisionVSAvoidsite survey time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating and displaying multiple candidate reference points on floor plans before the alignment process begins. This allows surveyors to quickly select appropriate reference points without manual coordinate calculations or complex measurements, thereby improving orientation precision while minimizing the time invested in the alignment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical user interface provides visual feedback by displaying selected reference points and illustrating the alignment transformation in real-time as points are matched between floors. This immediate feedback mechanism allows surveyors to verify alignment accuracy during the process and make adjustments if needed, reducing the need for repeated survey operations and overall time consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2799897B1Method, apparatus and computer program product for aligning floor plans in multi floor buildings
Publication Date: 2021.11.17 NETALLY LLC
  • EP2799897B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2799897B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2799897B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, system and apparatus for aligning floor plans by an electronic device including accessing at least first and second floor plans of a predefined building structure. First and second reference points are provided on each of the at least first and second floor plans for subsequent alignment of the floor plans. A computation is then performed which aligns the at least first and second floors with one another in accordance with the predefined building structure whereby the first provided reference point of the first floor plan is to be vertically arranged relative to the first reference point provided on the second floor plan and wherein the second provided reference point of the first floor plan is to be vertically arranged relative to the second reference point provided on the second floor plan.