Computer-implemented system and method for wayfinding

• US 20030033079A1
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William L. Endicott
• Original Assignee: William L. Endicott
• Inventors: Endicott, William L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,243,024 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

A computer-implemented wayfinding system and method is disclosed, wherein the system comprises an interconnected network of computer entities capable of transmitting and receiving audio and visual outputs and inputs to users in order to guide them through an environment. In an exemplary aspect of the wayfinding system, a series of kiosks are interconnected, with at least one kiosk being capable of printing a barcode that provides destination information inputted by the user. The kiosks may be located at designated locations of the environment, so that a user searching for his or her destination may simply scan their barcode with a kiosk, and the kiosk will provide audio and visual directions to the destination. The kiosks know their designated locations in the environment, and thus, may provide the most direct route to any other point in the environment.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for wayfinding, comprising the steps of:

providing at locations within an environment a plurality of interconnected computer entities capable of transmitting and receiving audio and visual inputs and outputs to a user; and

guiding the user to a specific destination within the environment with the audio and visual inputs and outputs of the plurality of interconnected computer entities.

2. A computer-implemented method for wayfinding as recited in claim 1, wherein said guiding step comprises providing on at least one of the plurality of interconnected computer entities:

directional information in a language of choice;

a menu of destinations within the environment from which the user may select the specific destination;

detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination; and

a barcode printout of directions to the specific destination.

3. A computer-implemented method for wayfinding as recited in claim 1, wherein said guiding step comprises:

scanning a barcode printout of directions to the specific destination with at least one of the plurality of interconnected computer entities; and

providing detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination on at least one of the plurality of interconnected computer entities.

4. A computer-implemented method for wayfinding as recited in claim 2, wherein the menu of destinations comprises an alphabetical listing of destinations within the environment from which the user may select the specific destination.

5. A computer-implemented method for wayfinding as recited in claim 2, wherein the detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination includes a directional arrow and text and audio directions to the specific destination.

6. A computer-implemented method for wayfinding as recited in claim 2, wherein the barcode printout provides directions to the specific destination and point of origin information in text and barcode format.

7. A computer-implemented method for wayfinding as recited in claim 1, wherein said guiding step comprises providing evacuation information on the plurality of interconnected computer entities to safely guide the user out of the environment.

8. A system for wayfinding, comprising:

a plurality of interconnected computer entities capable of transmitting and receiving audio and visual inputs and outputs to a user, the plurality of interconnected computer entities being provided at locations within an environment, each computer entity having a memory configured to store instructions and a processor configured to execute instructions for;

guiding the user to a specific destination within the environment with the audio and visual inputs and outputs of the plurality of interconnected computer entities.

9. A system for wayfinding as recited in claim 8, wherein the processor of each computer entity is further configured to execute instructions for providing:

directional information in a language of choice;

a menu of destinations within the environment from which the user may select the specific destination;

detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination; and

a barcode printout of directions to the specific destination.

10. A system for wayfinding as recited in claim 8, wherein in response to the scanning of a barcode printout of directions to the specific destination with each of computer entity, the processor of each computer entity is further configured to execute instructions for providing detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination.

11. A system for wayfinding as recited in claim 9, wherein the menu of destinations comprises an alphabetical listing of destinations within the environment from which the user may select the specific destination.

12. A system for wayfinding as recited in claim 9, wherein the detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination includes a directional arrow and text and audio directions to the specific destination.

13. A system for wayfinding as recited in claim 9, wherein the barcode printout provides directions to the specific destination and point of origin information in text and barcode format.

14. A system for wayfinding as recited in claim 8, wherein the processor of each computer entity is further configured to execute instructions for providing evacuation information on the plurality of interconnected computer entities to safely guide the user out of the environment.

15. A computer readable medium that stores instructions executable by at least one processor to perform a method for wayfinding, the instructions comprising:

instructions for guiding a user to a specific destination within an environment with audio and visual inputs and outputs of a plurality of interconnected computer entities.

16. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the instructions for guiding comprise:

instructions for providing directional information in a language of choice;

instructions for providing a menu of destinations within the environment from which the user may select the specific destination;

instructions for providing detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination; and

instructions for providing a barcode printout of directions to the specific destination.

17. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the instructions for guiding comprise instructions for providing detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination in response to the scanning of a barcode printout of directions to the specific destination with at least one of a plurality of interconnected computer entities.

18. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the menu of destinations comprises an alphabetical listing of destinations within the environment from which the user may select the specific destination.

19. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the detailed audio and visual directions to the specific destination includes a directional arrow and text and audio directions to the specific destination.

20. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 16, wherein the barcode printout provides directions to the specific destination and point of origin information in text and barcode format.

21. A computer readable medium as recited in claim 15, wherein the instructions for guiding comprise instructions for providing evacuation information on the plurality of interconnected computer entities to safely guide the user out of the environment.