Wayfinding System Synchronizing Mobile and Public Displays
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current facility wayfinding systems rely on static signs and signal-based localization, which are costly to update and often inaccurate, and lack seamless integration between mobile and interactive public display devices, limiting user navigation and information retention.
Innovation Solution
A comprehensive wayfinding system combining an interactive public display device and a mobile application that synchronizes user selections and route information across devices, eliminating the need for signal-based localization and providing real-time updates and navigation within facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If static physical signs and directories are used for facility wayfinding, then the system is simple to implement, but the cost to update information is high and the wayfinding information is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copies of facility maps and wayfinding information that can be distributed and updated electronically across multiple devices including mobile devices and public display devices, replacing the need for physical sign updates while maintaining ease of deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal wayfinding platform that can serve multiple functions: providing route guidance, displaying facility information, updating in real-time, and working across different device types (mobile devices, public display devices, tablets) simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If facility-specific mobile wayfinding applications are developed, then wayfinding information can be updated dynamically, but visitors are reluctant to install facility-specific applications on their mobile devices
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile wayfinding application is designed to work with any facility that implements the system by connecting to the backend server, making it a universal solution rather than facility-specific software that users would need to install for each location
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows users to access wayfinding information through existing mobile devices without requiring installation of facility-specific applications, enabling self-service navigation through web-based or pre-installed generic navigation apps that connect to the facility's wayfinding server
3Ease of operation
If signal-based localization is used for mobile device routing, then routing functionality can be provided, but the localization accuracy is poor or additional localization systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a facility server as an intermediary that receives location data from mobile devices and provides wayfinding instructions based on facility-specific map data, acting as a mediator between the mobile device and the facility environment to enable accurate routing without requiring complex localization hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the wayfinding function into separate components: the mobile device handles user interaction and basic location detection, while the facility server performs route calculation and provides turn-by-turn directions, allowing each component to be optimized independently
4Loss of information
If interactive public display devices are fixed at particular locations, then visitors can obtain wayfinding information, but visitors must rely on memory or printouts once they leave that location
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to users as they move through the facility by updating their mobile device with real-time location information and adjusting route directions dynamically, ensuring users always have current wayfinding information without needing to return to fixed display devices or rely on memory
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional static map displays at fixed locations to three-dimensional dynamic navigation assistance that follows the user through the facility space, providing directional guidance that adapts to the user's current position and orientation
5Reliability
If a facility wayfinding system includes both mobile wayfinding application and interactive public display device, then navigation capability is improved, but the mobile device relies on signal-based localization and the public display device relies on printouts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of mobile wayfinding applications and interactive public display devices into a unified system that shares common backend infrastructure, map data, and routing logic, allowing both device types to provide consistent navigation assistance without requiring separate maintenance or data synchronization processes
Data Source
AI summary
A facility wayfinding system is provided which includes an interactive public display device and a mobile device, running a mobile wayfinding application. The interactive public display device, which is situated at a first location within a facility, displays a facility map showing facility units, receives a user selection of a facility unit as a second location, and displays a route from the first location to the second location on the facility map. The mobile device also displays the facility map, displays a route from a start location to a destination location on the facility map, and updates the start location to the first location and the destination location to the second location by synchronizing with the interactive public display device.