Indoor Outdoor Linked Path Navigation System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems cannot guide users to indoor destinations since they rely on GPS signals, which are unavailable indoors, and lack stored indoor map data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that link indoor and outdoor maps by finding an outdoor path to an indoor access point, receiving an indoor map, and reflecting the indoor path onto the outdoor path to create a linked path, using a user terminal with outdoor map storage and communication units to provide the linked path to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GPS-based navigation systems are used for outdoor navigation, then outdoor path guidance is achieved, but indoor navigation capability is lost due to GPS signal unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The navigation system dynamically switches between outdoor GPS-based navigation and indoor map-based navigation depending on the environment. When GPS signals are unavailable (indoor), the system transitions to using pre-downloaded indoor maps and alternative positioning methods, making the system adaptable to different operational conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system is designed to perform multiple functions: outdoor GPS navigation, indoor map display, path finding on indoor maps, and integration of outdoor-indoor paths. This multi-functionality allows a single system to serve both outdoor and indoor navigation needs
2Adaptability or versatility
If indoor maps are stored in user terminal, then indoor navigation capability is improved, but device storage requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Indoor maps are downloaded and stored in the user terminal before the user enters the building. This preliminary action ensures that the map data is already available when needed, eliminating the need for complex real-time data transmission infrastructure indoors
Solution Approach 2:
The indoor map data is extracted from the outdoor map data by identifying and separating the indoor portion. This extraction process simplifies the data structure by focusing only on relevant indoor elements (walls, doors, rooms, destinations) rather than maintaining a complete integrated outdoor-indoor database
3Measurement precision
If sequential path finding method (outdoor path then indoor path) is used, then path accuracy to indoor destination is improved, but navigation time increases due to multiple processing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The outdoor path is found and the corresponding indoor access point is identified in advance before the user enters the building. This preliminary path finding allows the system to prepare the transition point, reducing computation time when the user actually needs indoor navigation
Solution Approach 2:
The outdoor access point serves as an intermediary between the outdoor GPS navigation system and the indoor map navigation system. This intermediary point facilitates seamless transition between the two navigation modes, connecting the outdoor path to the indoor path through a defined interface
Data Source
AI summary
A user terminal finds an outdoor path up to an outdoor access point of a building in which a destination is located, using an outdoor map. The user terminal receives an indoor map of the building to find an indoor path up to the destination from an indoor access point of the building using the indoor map. The user terminal reflects the indoor path to the outdoor path to create an outdoor and indoor linked path.