Indoor Navigation System Using Node Graphs and Landmark Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies lack effective solutions for indoor wayfinding within facilities, relying on static and costly physical signs, which are inefficient and limited in providing navigation information, especially since GPS is not viable indoors.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable storage medium and system that provides a dynamic indoor facility map on mobile devices, using a node graph to represent walkable areas, structural metadata, and vortex connections, allowing users to select path types such as athletic, no-traffic, exploration, or shortest routes, and providing navigation instructions based on landmarks and object visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If static physical signs and directories are used for indoor wayfinding, then wayfinding information is provided, but the system is expensive to update and provides limited information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a digital copy of the facility map and wayfinding information that can be easily updated and distributed via mobile devices, replacing expensive physical signs while maintaining comprehensive information availability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static physical signs to a dynamic digital platform that can be updated in real-time, allowing flexible modification of wayfinding information without physical replacement costs
2Measurement precision
If GPS technology is used for wayfinding, then outdoor navigation accuracy is improved, but the system becomes non-viable for indoor facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system using mobile device cameras and image recognition technology to detect indoor landmarks and objects, serving as a mediator between GPS-like navigation needs and the absence of satellite signals indoors
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces GPS satellite-based positioning with a camera-based visual recognition system that uses image processing and object detection algorithms to determine indoor location and provide navigation
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple path types are offered for navigation, then user preference and specific needs are accommodated, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores multiple path types (shortest route, athletic route, no-traffic route, exploration route) for different scenarios, allowing users to select from pre-prepared options without real-time complex calculations
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-readable storage medium encoded with a data structure for describing a map of a facility having venue elements is provided. Each venue element has at least one map, structural metadata and a plurality of walkable areas. A method of providing navigation instructions is also provided. The method includes providing a facility map, determining a destination on the facility map, selecting a path type, determining a target route between a current location and the destination, the target route being associated with the path type, and determining a navigation instruction along the target route.