Route Computation Apparatus for Passageway Social Distancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passersby face difficulty in determining through which location on a passageway they should travel to maintain a sufficient distance from surrounding people, especially in contexts like virus infections.
Innovation Solution
A route computation apparatus that acquires people distribution information, computes a preferable route based on the distance to other persons, and outputs this information to indicate the travel location in the width direction of the passageway.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a passerby tries to determine a safe travel location by themselves, then they can maintain awareness of their surroundings, but they cannot easily recognize through what location on the passageway traveling is preferably made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a route computation apparatus as an intermediary that processes people distribution information and generates preferable route information. This mediator translates complex spatial data about person distributions into simple, actionable route guidance, allowing passersby to easily recognize safe travel locations without manually analyzing the complex environment themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of visually scanning and mentally processing people distributions with an automated information processing system. The route computation apparatus automatically acquires, processes, and outputs route information, substituting human cognitive effort with automated computation and information display.
2Reliability
If existing route search techniques are used to find an optimal passageway, then a route can be identified, but it is difficult to recognize through what location on the passageway travelling is preferably made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the passageway into multiple discrete locations in the width direction and computes preferable routes for each segment. Instead of providing a single abstract route, the system divides the passageway into manageable segments and provides specific location information for each, making it easier for passersby to understand and follow the recommended path while maintaining reliable route identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the width direction dimension to route computation, not only determining the longitudinal path but also specifying the lateral position within the passageway. This dimensional expansion provides more detailed location information, enabling passersby to understand not just which way to go but also where precisely to travel within the passageway width.
Data Source
AI summary
A route computation apparatus (10) according to the present invention includes: an acquisition unit (11) that acquires people distribution information indicating a distribution state of persons in a passageway through which a user travels; a computation unit (12) that computes, based on the people distribution information, a preferable route, on the passageway, satisfying a condition defined based on a distance to another person, the preferable route being a route on the passageway indicating a travel location in a width direction of the passageway; and an output unit (13) that outputs preferable route information indicating the computed preferable route.