Internal Location Addressing and Automatic Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Visitors and personnel face challenges in navigating within buildings or campuses due to reliance on outdated and limited information from static directories or personnel, lacking accurate internal location addressing and routing solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a computing entity and location devices that provide internal navigation instructions by receiving location and destination data, generating recommended routes, and transmitting signals for navigational cues such as illuminated lights or sounds to guide users to their destinations, with integration into light fixtures and automated transportation mechanisms for seamless navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If static building directories or manual instructions from personnel are used for navigation, then the system is simple and requires minimal infrastructure, but the accuracy and reliability of location information deteriorates due to outdated and limited data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces location devices as intermediary elements deployed throughout the facility that act as mediators between the user and the navigation system. These devices receive location information from users, determine optimal routes, and provide directional guidance through various output methods (displays, audio, haptic feedback). This intermediary layer resolves the contradiction by providing accurate, real-time navigation information without requiring complex centralized processing for every user query.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system enables self-service by allowing users to independently obtain accurate routing information through location devices without requiring assistance from receptionists, security guards, or other building personnel. Users simply provide their current location and destination, and the system autonomously generates and delivers step-by-step navigation instructions, eliminating the need for manual direction-giving while maintaining high reliability.
2Productivity
If manual route determination by visitors is required, then the navigation system requires minimal infrastructure, but the time and effort required for navigation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing optimal routes between various locations within the facility. When a user queries the system with their current location and destination, the routing logic quickly retrieves or generates the pre-planned optimal path, eliminating the need for users to manually determine routes. This preliminary preparation of routing information significantly reduces navigation time while the standardized route calculation methods keep system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual route determination with an automated electronic system. Instead of users physically consulting static directories or asking personnel for directions, the system uses electronic communication between mobile devices and location devices to automatically calculate and provide routing instructions. This substitution of mechanical information-seeking behaviors with electronic automation dramatically improves navigation speed while maintaining reasonable system complexity through standardized algorithms.
3Ease of operation
If automated transportation mechanisms are integrated into the navigation system, then the convenience and ease of operation improves, but the device complexity and infrastructure requirements worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The location devices are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as navigation information providers and as control interfaces for automated transportation mechanisms. The same device that provides routing instructions can also initiate, monitor, and complete automated transport services. This universal design allows the system to offer enhanced convenience through automated transport without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same hardware infrastructure supports multiple functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the navigation guidance function with automated transportation control into a unified system. Rather than having separate systems for providing directions and for operating transport mechanisms, the location devices integrate both functions. This merging allows users to receive comprehensive assistance that combines directional guidance with automated transport coordination, improving ease of operation while avoiding the complexity overhead of completely separate systems through shared infrastructure and coordinated control.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are directed to systems and methods for facilitating movement within a facility by providing internal navigation instructions to a user, and/or for automatically operating various transportation mechanisms within the facility to move the user therein. Various embodiments thus comprise a computing entity configured to receive location information/data indicative of a current location of a user and destination information/data indicative of a desired destination for the user, generate a recommended route for the user, and transmit one or more signals to location devices along the recommended route to provide navigations cues to the user, or to one or more transportation mechanisms to enable the user to board the transportation mechanism at a first location, and disembark the transportation mechanism closer to the desired destination.