Mobile Device Breadcrumb Trail for Indoor Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional navigation systems fail to effectively help users retrace steps in indoor locations or underground garages due to lack of GPS signals, inability to distinguish between vertical levels, and the need for manual activation of recording functions.
Innovation Solution
A mobile device automatically records a trail of activity using sensors like accelerometers and pressure sensors to create 'breadcrumbs' that include movement and directional information, allowing users to retrace their steps without relying on GPS or maps, and can start recording when the vehicle is parked or a specific condition is detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional navigation systems use GPS and maps to locate routes, then navigation accuracy in outdoor areas is improved, but navigation capability in indoor locations or underground garages deteriorates due to lack of GPS signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of local beacons (such as Bluetooth beacons or Wi-Fi access points) deployed throughout indoor locations and underground garages. These beacons act as mediators between the mobile device and the navigation system, enabling position determination in areas where GPS signals are unavailable. The mobile device detects and triangulates signals from multiple beacons to determine its location, thereby extending navigation capability to indoor environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system with a local infrastructure-based positioning system using beacons and sensors. Instead of relying on satellite signals that cannot penetrate buildings, the system uses local beacons that emit signals detectable by the mobile device's sensors (such as accelerometer, gyroscope, and magnetometer) to determine position and orientation within indoor spaces.
2Device complexity
If conventional navigation systems record routes manually activated by users, then recording function is simple to implement, but reliability of having recorded route available deteriorates when users forget to activate or are in a hurry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic route recording functionality that operates without requiring user activation. The system continuously monitors the mobile device's location, movement, and orientation data from sensors, and automatically records the user's path as they move through the environment. This self-service approach ensures that routes are captured reliably regardless of user awareness or intent, eliminating the need for manual activation while maintaining implementation simplicity.
3Device complexity
If conventional navigation systems use standard map coordinates, then location identification is simple, but ability to distinguish between vertical levels in multi-story buildings deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the traditional two-dimensional map coordinate system by incorporating a vertical dimension through floor level identification. The system uses sensors such as barometers to detect changes in atmospheric pressure, which correlate with elevation changes, to determine the user's floor level in multi-story buildings. This adds a third dimension (vertical level) to the location data, transforming it from simple 2D coordinates to 3D spatial information that includes floor level, thereby enabling precise distinction between vertical levels while maintaining simplicity through integration with existing sensor hardware.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to accurately locate vehicles or items in indoor or underground environments by providing a visual and auditory representation of the recorded trail, improving navigation in areas where conventional systems are ineffective.
Implementation Method 1
The movement information may be collected using an accelerometer and a pressure sensor to analyze whether to add the movement information to an existing breadcrumb or to create a new breadcrumb.
Implementation Method 2
The movement information may be collected using an accelerometer and a pressure sensor to analyze whether to add the movement information to an existing breadcrumb or to create a new breadcrumb.
Implementation Method 3
In some implementations, a compass may be used to collect directional information relative to the earth's magnetic poles to associate with the breadcrumbs.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for creating breadcrumbs for a trail of activity are described. The trail of activity may be created by recording movement information based on inferred actions of walking, not walking, or changing floor levels. The movement information may be recorded with an accelerometer and a pressure sensor. A representation of a list of breadcrumbs may be visually displayed on a user interface of a mobile device, in a reverse order to retrace steps. In some implementations, a compass may additionally or alternatively be used to collect directional information relative to the earth's magnetic poles.