QR Code Indoor Mapping for Accurate Low-Cost Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indoor positioning technologies, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, suffer from accuracy and cost issues, limiting effective navigation indoors, while GPS is unreliable due to signal limitations.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing QR codes to determine user location, generate indoor routes, and provide navigation guidance through a user interface device, incorporating inter-floor transportation means when necessary, and ensuring consistent route display on a user's terminal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional indoor positioning technologies (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) are used, then positioning function is provided, but positioning accuracy is insufficient and cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive positioning infrastructure (Wi-Fi access points, Bluetooth beacons) with inexpensive QR code stickers that can be deployed anywhere. The QR codes are static, simple graphical elements that cost virtually nothing to produce and install, eliminating the need for costly positioning hardware while achieving sufficient accuracy for indoor navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes electronic positioning systems (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) with an optical recognition system based on QR codes. Instead of using radio frequency signals and complex signal processing, the system uses visual recognition of QR code patterns to determine position, replacing a complex electronic field-based system with a simpler optical recognition approach.
2Reliability
If GPS technology is used for positioning, then positioning function is provided, but signal availability is limited indoors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces QR codes as intermediary markers placed throughout the indoor environment. These QR codes serve as reference points that mediate between the user's terminal and the indoor space, enabling position determination without requiring direct satellite signal access. The QR codes act as local reference systems that work independently of GPS satellite signals.
3Ease of operation
If kiosk-based indoor navigation is implemented, then route guidance function is provided, but additional installation cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables smartphones to function as self-contained navigation devices that automatically capture QR codes through the camera and process route information without requiring interaction with physical kiosks. The system transforms the navigation function from a service requiring dedicated kiosk infrastructure into a self-service capability embedded in every user's smartphone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the smartphone serve multiple functions: it acts as both the positioning device (by capturing QR codes) and the navigation device (by displaying and processing route information). This eliminates the need for separate kiosk infrastructure, as the smartphone itself becomes the universal navigation tool, combining what were previously separate functions into a single device.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a QR code-based indoor map providing apparatus, which, as an electronic device, includes: a memory containing at least one instruction; and at least one processor electrically connected to the memory and configured to execute the at least one instruction, wherein the at least one processor may receive input from a user terminal regarding a barcode—the barcode is located in an indoor environment and provides an entry point to access the indoor map on the user terminal—determine the position and direction of the user terminal on the indoor map based on the position and direction corresponding to the barcode, generate an indoor map setting that reflects the position and direction of the user terminal on the indoor map, and provide the indoor map setting to the user terminal.