Method of guidance, a guidance system, eg in a building, and a computer readable medium

• US 20040059591A1
• Filed: 10/09/2003
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Modulex A/S
• Original Assignee: Modulex A/S
• Inventors: Greve, Hans
• Application Number:
  US10/415,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20040059591A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/20 Destination assistance within a business structure or complex
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/102 using electrical means

Abstract

By a method and an arrangement for guidance for instance within a conference centre (1) a number of guidance displays (2-8) are use that are arranged around the conference centre. According to the invention the displays are provided with clear text, e.g. the name of the activity going on in a room as well as an indication of the direction to the room. All the displays are controlled electronically by a central server that will, in case of a change, for instance a change from one room to another, automatically update all displays, whereby the directions will then be caused to guide the conference participant to the place where the activity is now taking place. The central server can partially or completely be an internet server.

Claims

1. A method of guidance, for instance within a building, wherein a number of electronic displays, guidance displays, are located at key points and are configured for displaying clear-text information that is received from a server and for indicating a direction;

and wherein the server is provided with information on a number of possible paths from first pre-determined locations to other predetermined locations, characterised in

that the server is provided with information on activity, and

that the information in the server is used for dynamically updating the activity information as well as the directional indication on the displays.

2. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that a path is shown by a display being provided at least on the locations where the path changes direction;

and that this display indicates the direction to the next display along said path.

3. A method according to claim 2, characterised in that a path is defined by sections of paths in extension of each other, wherein each section of path is defined between two displays.

4. A method according to claim 1, characterised in that the activity information comprises ia name, location and hours of activity.

5. A method according to claim 4, characterised in that the activity information is received from a user interface.

6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the activity information is received from a booking system.

7. A method according to claims 4-6, characterised in that in all displays along a predetermined path, associated activity information and directions are displayed.

8. A method according to claims 1-7, characterised in that the activity information is polled continuously to detect changes, if any.

9. A method according to claim 8, characterised in that a detected change of location is used for selection of a new path.

10. A method according to claim 9, characterised in that information is transmitted to the displays along the new path to maintain the activity information and optionally to change the directional information.

11. An arrangement for guidance, eg within a building, and wherein a number of electronic displays, guidance displays, are located at key points around the building and are configured for displaying information that is received from a server;

and configured to display directional indications for finding one'"'"'s way around the building;

characterised in that a route storage is provided for storing configuration files that define possible routes from first pre-determined locations to other predetermined locations;

that a storage for information of activities is provided; and

that the guidance displays are configured for at least displaying directional information and activity information in clear text received from the server.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11. characterised in that the arrangement comprises a data storage with information on possible layouts for the guidance display information.

13. An arrangement according to claim 11 or 12, characterised in that the arrangement comprises a data storage for a set of rules of information and comprises means for controlling the displays in response to the activity information and the set of rules.

14. An arrangement according to claims 11-13, characterised in that the guidance displays comprise a display screen, a data storage and a data processor that are configured for controlling the display in response to the information received by the display from the server.

15. An arrangement according to claim 14, characterised in that cables or cordless communication means are provided for transmitting said information.

16. An arrangement according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the data processor is configured for displaying predetermined information, eg if the connection to the server is being interrupted.