Indoor Obstacle Locating Using Map-Based Position Marking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often forget the location of objects they have misplaced, leading to inefficient and time-consuming manual searches, especially when the object is hidden in a corner.

Innovation Solution

A locating device that detects obstacles in an indoor environment, acquires its location, and sends this information to a mobile device, which marks and displays the location on an indoor map, optionally with an identifier and obstacle picture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a user manually searches for a misplaced object, then the user can find the object, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject search efficiencyVSAvoidtime required to find object
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical searching with an automated electronic system. A locating device equipped with sensors and a processor automatically detects obstacles, determines its position using indoor mapping data, and transmits location information to a mobile terminal, eliminating the need for manual search efforts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The locating device performs self-location and self-reporting functions. It autonomously detects obstacles, processes spatial information to determine its own position, and automatically sends location data to the user's mobile terminal without requiring manual intervention or search actions from the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the user searches in a large scope, then the probability of finding the object increases, but the time and effort required increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobject finding probabilityVSAvoidsearch time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an indoor map as an intermediary spatial reference system. The locating device uses the pre-established indoor map to accurately determine its position coordinates, enabling precise location reporting to the mobile terminal. This intermediary system bridges the gap between the physical search space and the digital information space, allowing accurate localization without exhaustive searching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If the object is hidden in a corner, then the object may be overlooked during manual search, but automated detection can identify it

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobstacle detectabilityVSAvoidobject location information
Core Design Contradiction:
Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop where the locating device continuously detects obstacles in its environment, processes the spatial information to determine its position, and transmits this location information to the mobile terminal. The system provides real-time feedback about obstacle locations and the device's own position, ensuring that hidden objects are detected and reported accurately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3232156B1Obstacle locating method, apparatus and system, computer program and recording medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP3232156B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3232156B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3232156B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are an obstacle locating method, apparatus and system, a computer program and a recording medium, which pertain to the field of locating technology. The obstacle locating method includes: acquiring a location of a locating device when an obstacle is found; adding the location and an identifier of an indoor map corresponding to the location into location information; and sending the location information to a mobile device, the location information triggering the mobile device to mark and display the location on an indoor map having the identifier.