Virtual Tile Routing for Complex Transit Hub Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Travelers, especially those with visual or cognitive impairments, face challenges navigating complex transit hubs due to a lack of fine-grain spatial information in conventional navigation systems.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system that tessellates walkable areas of transit hubs into 'virtual tiles' on a map, allowing users to visualize or audibly identify their location and receive verbal instructions to navigate to specific areas of interest, using GPS or beacon signals for localization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional navigation systems are used in complex transit hubs, then the system structure remains simple, but the measurement precision of spatial location and routing information is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transit hub environment into discrete virtual tiles that tessellate the walkable areas. Each tile represents a specific location with defined boundaries, allowing precise spatial identification. This segmentation transforms the continuous space into manageable discrete units, enabling accurate location tracking and routing without requiring complex continuous coordinate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual tiles as an intermediary layer between the physical transit hub environment and the navigation system. These tiles serve as mediators that bridge the gap between GPS/beacon signals and user-friendly location representation, enabling precise spatial measurement through a structured intermediate framework.
2Measurement precision
If detailed virtual tiles are implemented for precise navigation, then the measurement precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving each virtual tile specific characteristics and properties relevant to its location within the transit hub. Each tile can contain unique information about landmarks, accessibility features, and routing instructions tailored to that specific area, enabling precise location identification while maintaining manageable complexity through localized information organization.
3Loss of information
If conventional navigation information is provided, then the system remains easy to operate, but the loss of information occurs for visually impaired users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that provide continuous information about the user's location relative to virtual tiles and surrounding landmarks. The system continuously updates the user with verbal instructions about which tile they are in and what landmarks are nearby, ensuring that visually impaired users receive ongoing spatial information without overwhelming them with excessive details.
Solution Approach 2:
By segmenting the environment into discrete virtual tiles, the patent organizes information into manageable chunks that are easier for visually impaired users to process. Each tile represents a specific location with associated landmarks and routing information, breaking down complex spatial navigation into sequential, understandable steps.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method or system for creating a route for navigating a transit hub or plaza using an application executing on a user's mobile device. The application accesses a tessellated map comprising first tiles each including a different area of interest on the map; and second tiles including a walkable area connecting the different areas of interest. The application highlights one of the first tiles including one of the different areas of interest selected using input from the user; highlights one of the second tiles including a location of the mobile device on the map; and highlights a series of the second tiles linking the location to the one of the areas of interest. A method of creating the tessellated map is also disclosed.