Path Management System for Real-Time User Density and Velocity Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for generating user path information are not capable of providing real-time tracking of individual users, leading to inefficient use of service locations and staffing levels, resulting in delayed service and poor user experience, especially in environments like retail stores or emergency situations.
Innovation Solution
The system uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags or beacons to automatically generate user density and velocity maps, enabling real-time optimization of service location layouts and staffing levels, and providing users with optimal route information to reduce wait times and enhance navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual modification of service locations and staffing levels is used, then service providers can respond to user needs, but the response is delayed and based on limited knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical observation and decision-making with an automated electronic system that uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags and beacons to track user locations, generate path information, and automatically adjust service provisioning. This substitution eliminates the delays and limitations of human observation while providing continuous, data-driven insights into user movement patterns and service location utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops by tracking user locations in real-time, analyzing path data to identify underutilized or congested areas, and automatically adjusting service location status and staffing levels based on this feedback. This closed-loop system ensures service provisioning continuously adapts to actual user needs rather than relying on delayed manual observations.
2Productivity
If static service locations and staffing levels are maintained, then operational simplicity is preserved, but user wait times increase and service efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static service locations and staffing levels into dynamic, adaptable configurations. The system continuously monitors user movement data and automatically adjusts service location status (open/closed) and staffing allocations in real-time based on current demand patterns, enabling the environment to dynamically optimize service efficiency rather than relying on fixed configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes key operational parameters (service location status and staffing levels) based on analyzed path data. By automatically adjusting these parameters in response to real-time user behavior patterns, the system improves service efficiency without requiring complex manual intervention for each adjustment.
3Loss of time
If users select service locations based on personal preference rather than real-time information, then user autonomy is maintained, but wait times increase and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by calculating and storing optimal paths to service locations before users need them. When users request navigation assistance, the system has already analyzed current queue conditions and service location status, providing pre-computed routes that minimize wait times based on real-time environmental data rather than requiring users to make uninformed decisions.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for path management. Consistent with disclosed embodiments, path management system may be configured to perform a series of operations for real time path analysis. The embodiments may determine a user location based on received location data, and then determine a user path based on a sequence of user locations. The embodiments may calculate a path map based on user locations, and then determine one or more of a user density map and a user velocity map based on the path map. The embodiments may determine regions of the user density maps and user velocity maps, and provide instructions to one or more of an environment and a user device. The embodiments may provide guidance to a user of user of the path management system, and/or instructions to change a status of a service location; or modify a product layout or fixture arrangement.