Dynamic Indoor Navigation via Wireless Movement Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for creating and maintaining accurate maps of indoor environments are costly and prone to becoming outdated due to dynamic changes in building layouts, making it difficult for users to navigate large buildings effectively.
Innovation Solution
An interactive system using wireless location determining and navigating devices, along with a database established by recording the movements of subjects, dynamically creates a virtual map by prompting users to name frequently visited locations, allowing for real-time navigation updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional manual mapping methods are used, then initial map creation is possible, but maintenance cost increases and map accuracy deteriorates over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic map generation and updates by having occupants naturally interact with the environment. Wireless devices automatically track movements, and the system self-updates the virtual map without requiring manual intervention or professional surveyors, thereby eliminating maintenance costs while preserving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical mapping processes with automated electronic systems. Wireless location determining devices and navigation systems automatically collect spatial data and update the virtual map, substituting the need for manual surveying and physical map updates with digital automation.
2Ease of operation
If physical maps are used for navigation, then initial navigation is possible, but navigation accuracy deteriorates due to layout changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static physical maps to a dynamic virtual map that automatically adapts to building layout changes. The virtual map updates in real-time as occupants move through the building, ensuring navigation accuracy is maintained despite physical changes to the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously collects feedback from wireless devices tracking occupant movements and uses this data to update the virtual map. This feedback loop ensures the map reflects current building conditions, maintaining navigation accuracy while physical maps become obsolete.
3Reliability
If manually digitized maps are input to the system, then outdoor navigation can be established, but data input complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates map data by tracking the movements of occupants using wireless devices. Instead of requiring manual data entry, the system self-collects spatial information from natural human movement patterns, eliminating the complex task of manual digitization while maintaining accurate map data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy of the physical environment by automatically recording the positions and movements of occupants. This digital copy is generated through automated tracking rather than manual digitization, reducing input complexity while preserving spatial accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive system and method for navigating a person from a starting point to a destination, using a wireless location determining device and a wireless navigating device. The person sends a request for navigational directions via the wireless location determining device. Using a database that contains the geographic location and a corresponding name of the starting point and the destination, the request is answered and navigational information is sent to the wireless navigating device. The database was previously established by recording the movement of subjects, using a wireless location determining device, as the subjects moved from place to place in their environment. When the number of occurrences of subjects passing by any individual location reached a predetermined threshold, the subjects were prompted to enter a name that described and corresponded to that location. Using the provided navigational information, the person moves from the starting point toward the destination. Optionally, the wireless location determining device periodically sends the current geographic location of the person as he travels. Optionally the wireless location determining device periodically receives additional navigational information in response to the periodically sent information to update the person.