Reference-Point Navigation for Low-Connectivity Parking Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing navigation systems struggle with providing precise and reliable guidance in areas with weak or no connectivity, such as multi-lane roads, densely constructed spaces, and indoor environments, and fail to accurately navigate to available parking stalls within parking structures, often leading to unsafe driving conditions and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A low-connectivity point-based navigation system that uses reference points, such as QR codes or wireless signals, to determine location and provide navigational directions, integrating with inertial measurement units and sparse maps to ensure accurate navigation even in areas with limited GPS connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional GPS navigation systems are used, then navigation is provided in open areas with good satellite visibility, but navigation becomes inaccurate or unusable in areas with weak or blocked signals such as indoor spaces, multi-lane roads, and densely constructed areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces reference points (such as QR codes, beacons, or visual markers) as intermediary elements deployed throughout the environment to mediate between the navigation system and the user device. These reference points transmit location information that bridges the gap when GPS signals are unavailable, enabling continuous navigation in areas with weak or blocked satellite signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the navigation system into multiple independent components: GPS-based navigation for open areas, reference point-based navigation for signal-blocked areas, and fusion logic to switch between them. This segmentation allows each component to operate optimally in its designated environment, maintaining overall navigation reliability across diverse conditions.
2Measurement precision
If GPS-based navigation is used, then global coordinates are provided, but precise lane-specific guidance and distinction between parallel paths cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enhances location precision by supplementing global GPS coordinates with local reference point data. Each reference point provides localized position information that enables precise lane-specific guidance and distinction between parallel paths, adding detailed spatial context that GPS alone cannot provide in urban canyons or multi-lane environments.
3Measurement precision
If reference markers are deployed in environments like retail spaces or urban roads, then navigation accuracy is improved, but aesthetic concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual markers that can change color or appearance based on their function or state, allowing them to blend with or stand out from the environment as needed. This enables the system to maintain aesthetic appeal in retail spaces or urban roads while still providing sufficient visual cues for accurate navigation when required.
4Loss of information
If parking structure navigation systems with sensors are used, then availability of parking stalls is detected, but navigational direction to available stalls is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the parking detection sensor system with the navigation system by integrating reference points throughout the parking structure. The same reference points used for navigation also indicate parking stall availability, combining information gathering and navigation guidance into a unified system that provides both parking availability detection and directional guidance to available stalls.
Data Source
AI summary
Low connectivity reference point-based navigation is provided. The disclosed systems and methods determine a location of a user device based on location information retrieved from a first locating system. Based on determining that the user device is near an area with limited connectivity to the first locating system, a sparse map is retrieved from a second locating system. Such a sparse map includes mapping information related to the area with low connectivity to the first locating system. The systems detect that the user device is near a reference point indicated in the mapping information of the sparse map. The disclosed systems detect an indicator associated with the reference point and updated mapping information associated with the indicator that includes updated location information of the user device is retrieved. The disclosed systems update the location of the user device based on the retrieved location information associated with the reference point.