Indoor Navigation via Micro-Tower and Augmented Reality Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems fail to provide reliable indoor navigation and extended communication capabilities within enclosed structures like shopping malls, leading to disruptions in cell tower or satellite signals, which limits the functionality of personal communication devices and does not offer business benefits to operators.
Innovation Solution
A communication system that includes a storage unit to receive and parse relevant information, a control unit to identify and display this information, and a display to show a suggested path to locate target objects within the structure, utilizing micro-towers for network access and augmented reality to overlay camera outputs with target object markers and paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If micro-towers are deployed within enclosed structures to provide communication access, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and infrastructure cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces micro-towers as intermediary devices deployed within enclosed structures to relay communication signals between mobile devices and external networks. These micro-towers act as mediators that overcome the signal blocking caused by enclosed structures, enabling reliable communication without requiring direct line-of-sight to external cell towers.
2Device complexity
If traditional cell tower signaling is used in enclosed structures, then infrastructure simplicity is maintained, but communication functionality deteriorates due to signal disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication infrastructure into hierarchical levels: external cell towers for broad coverage and internal micro-towers for localized enclosed structures. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in open areas while providing enhanced functionality within enclosed structures by deploying distributed micro-tower nodes that independently serve their respective zones.
3Measurement precision
If indoor navigation systems are implemented to provide location information, then user guidance accuracy is improved, but system complexity and information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the mobile device itself: the device simultaneously performs communication, navigation, and information processing tasks. By integrating these functions into a single handheld device rather than requiring separate infrastructure systems, the patent achieves high location accuracy through GPS and indoor positioning while avoiding the complexity of dedicated navigation infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves itself by autonomously processing location data, navigation requests, and target object information. The device's processor independently executes navigation algorithms and displays directional guidance without requiring complex external control systems, thereby achieving precise location tracking with minimal additional infrastructure complexity.
4Ease of operation
If augmented reality overlay is used to display target objects and paths, then navigation usability is improved, but computational power and display complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements augmented reality navigation by overlaying only critical navigation elements (target object markers and directional paths) onto the camera viewfinder display, rather than rendering complete three-dimensional environments. This partial action approach provides sufficient navigation guidance to improve usability while limiting computational requirements to processing and displaying only the essential navigational overlays.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication system includes: a first storage unit configured to receive relevant information by entering a region of interest; a first control unit, coupled to the first storage unit, configured to parse the relevant information; and a display, coupled to the first control unit, configured to display the relevant information, a target object, and a suggested path.