3D Indoor Mapping Interface Single-Point Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor mapping applications are limited by being two-dimensional, requiring two-finger interaction for navigation, which is inefficient and difficult to use with one hand, especially in indoor environments where users often have limited hand availability.
Innovation Solution
A system that provides a three-dimensional indoor mapping interface allowing users to navigate and toggle between whole-building and one-level views using a single-point of interaction, such as a thumb or finger, with gestures like swiping and tilting for zooming, rotating, and panning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If two-finger interaction is used for navigation, then navigation functionality is achieved, but ease of operation deteriorates because users must hold the device with two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional two-finger gestures to three-dimensional single-finger gestures by incorporating device orientation and tilt as additional spatial dimensions. This allows a single finger to control multiple navigation functions (zoom, pan, rotate) by varying the gesture dimension (tilt angle, swipe direction), resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and navigation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-point interaction mechanism serves multiple navigation functions (zooming, panning, rotating) that previously required different two-finger gestures. By making the single finger gesture universal and multi-functional through context-aware interpretation of gesture type and device orientation, the system improves ease of operation while maintaining full navigation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two-dimensional indoor maps are used, then simple display is achieved, but adaptability deteriorates because users cannot efficiently view multiple levels or whole-building views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a third dimension to indoor mapping by incorporating vertical level information and building height into the visualization. Users can view multiple levels simultaneously or switch to whole-building perspectives by tilting or rotating the device, enabling adaptive viewing of different spatial contexts without complicating the basic map display function.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping interface dynamically adapts its representation based on device orientation and user gestures. The system transitions between different view modes (single level, multiple levels, whole building) and adjusts the spatial perspective based on real-time device tilt and rotation, providing versatile adaptability while maintaining interface simplicity through context-aware dynamic behavior.
3Productivity
If zooming out is used to view multiple POIs, then overview capability is improved, but efficiency deteriorates because indoor zooming out is often irrelevant for multi-level buildings
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of horizontal zooming out to view multiple POIs, the patent enables vertical navigation through device tilt and rotation. Users can efficiently access different building levels and gain whole-building context by changing the device's spatial orientation rather than zooming, preserving spatial context information while improving navigation efficiency for multi-level indoor environments.
Data Source
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AI summary
An approach is provided for providing a three-dimensional indoor mapping interface that enables users to navigate, explore, and toggle between whole-building and one-level views of various POIs using a single-point of interaction. A positioning platform causes, at least in part, a presentation of at least one mapping user interface depicting at least one indoor environment, wherein the at least one mapping interface includes, at least in part, (a) a first view depicting one or more representations of one level of the at least one indoor environment, and (b) a second view depicting one or more other representations of a plurality of levels of the at least one indoor environment, an entirety of the at least one indoor environment, or a combination thereof.