Waypoint Navigation System Using Wireless Beacons
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern navigation systems, such as GPS, are ineffective in areas with obstructed sky views and are costly to maintain, raising concerns about surveillance due to reliance on government-owned satellites.
Innovation Solution
A computer-controlled waypoint navigation system that uses detailed area layouts and item locations to create optimized routes, avoiding real-time GPS tracking and leveraging Bluetooth, NFC, or WiFi for location determination, thus reducing costs and surveillance risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If GPS navigation systems are used, then navigation coverage is provided, but the system fails indoors or in areas with obstructed sky views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary reference points (beacons, WiFi access points, or cellular towers) that serve as mediators between the user's device and the navigation system. These intermediaries emit signals that can penetrate indoor environments, enabling location determination without requiring direct satellite visibility. The system uses these intermediary signals to establish a navigational framework that works both outdoors and indoors.
Solution Approach 2:
The navigation system is segmented into multiple functional layers: outdoor GPS navigation for general area positioning, indoor wireless network-based navigation for precise location within buildings, and a seamless transition mechanism between the two. This segmentation allows each subsystem to operate in its optimal environment while collectively providing universal navigation coverage.
2Ease of operation
If government-owned GPS satellites are used, then navigation service is provided, but costs and surveillance concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive, freely available wireless network infrastructure (WiFi access points, cellular towers) as temporary, disposable-like reference points that can be deployed anywhere without requiring expensive satellite infrastructure. These low-cost intermediaries provide sufficient navigation functionality for indoor areas, eliminating the need for expensive government satellite systems in those contexts.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a localized copy of navigation functionality using wireless network infrastructure instead of relying on the centralize GPS satellite system. By using freely available WiFi and cellular networks as reference points, the system produces an independent navigation solution that operates parallel to but not dependent on government satellite systems, reducing surveillance risks and costs.
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments include a system that can comprise one or more processing modules and/or one or more non-transitory memory storage modules storing computing instructions on the one or more processing modules. The computing instructions can be configured to perform the acts of receiving an ordered list from a user via a software application on a mobile device of the user, wherein the software can comprise a bar code scanner, wherein the ordered list can comprise a first set of records describing a first set of physical items; receiving first data obtained from the barcode scanner, wherein the first data can comprise a first distinct record describing a first distinct physical item within the first set of physical items; querying a physical item database, wherein the physical item database can comprise a second distinct record describing the location of the first distinct physical item and a second set of records describing locations of the first set of physical items; calculating a first optimized route from the location of the first distinct physical item to a first series of distinct physical items using at least a portion of the second set of records and the second distinct record, wherein the first series of distinct physical items can comprise at least a portion of the first set of physical items; creating a first reordered list from the first series of distinct physical items using the first optimized route; and presenting the first optimized route and the first reordered list to the user via a graphic user interface on the software application on the mobile device of the user. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.