Indoor Navigation via Pixel Color Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor positioning systems (IPS) face challenges in adapting to real-world changes in indoor layouts, such as building remodels or events, as they require frequent updates of navigation graphs, and struggle with the absence of line-of-sight to satellite-based technologies like GPS.
Innovation Solution
An indoor mapping system that uses color coding configurations to identify and navigate between areas on a digital map, allowing for dynamic navigation without pre-generating routing graphs, thereby reducing the need for frequent updates and leveraging pixel and area colors to determine navigable paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional indoor positioning systems use pre-generated routing graphs for navigation, then navigation accuracy is maintained, but the system requires frequent updates when indoor layouts change, increasing system complexity and maintenance overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital map images as visual copies of the physical indoor environment. Instead of maintaining complex routing graphs that need frequent updates, the system captures the current state of the indoor layout through digital map images (photographs, floor plans, or CAD drawings) and performs navigation directly on these visual representations. This copying approach allows the system to adapt to layout changes simply by updating the map image rather than reprocessing entire routing graphs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/graph-based routing system with an image processing-based system. Instead of using nodes and edges to represent paths, the system uses pixel color analysis and image recognition to identify navigable areas and determine routes. This substitution eliminates the need for complex graph generation and update mechanisms while maintaining navigation functionality.
2Speed
If the system pre-generates routing graphs for all possible paths, then navigation queries can be answered quickly, but the computational resources and time required for graph generation increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary processing by pre-identifying navigable areas and extracting key features from digital map images before navigation queries are submitted. This includes analyzing the map image to determine walkable regions, obstacles, and area characteristics in advance, so that when a navigation query is received, the system only needs to compute the specific path between two points rather than generating entire routing graphs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential navigation-relevant information from digital map images, such as navigable area boundaries, color-coded region types, and spatial relationships. By extracting and storing only this critical data rather than maintaining complete routing graphs, the system reduces computational overhead while enabling fast query processing through direct image-based pathfinding.
3Measurement precision
If the system uses detailed color analysis of each pixel to determine area types, then navigation accuracy improves, but processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by analyzing only the necessary pixel regions for navigation determination. Instead of processing every single pixel in the map image with equal detail, the system focuses computational resources on identifying navigable area boundaries and key color transitions that define different region types. This selective analysis maintains sufficient precision for navigation while reducing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying different levels of analysis to different regions of the map image. Navigable areas require detailed color analysis to accurately determine walkable regions, while non-navigable areas or already-identified regions receive less intensive processing. This localized approach optimizes the balance between identification accuracy and processing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the invention may include a method, computer program product and system for digital indoor navigation. An embodiment may include determining an area type for each distinct area depicted within the digital indoor mapping image based on an identified color used as a fill for each distinct area. In response to receiving a request for indoor navigation comprising a starting point and a destination point within the image, an embodiment may include determining a navigation path from the starting point to the destination point based on analysis of the request and the determined area types, wherein the navigation path traverses one or more distinct areas depicted within the image based on the identified color.