FACILITY MAP FRAMEWORK

• US 20090216438A1
• Filed: 02/21/2008
• Published: 08/27/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Shafer, Steven Arthur N.
• Application Number:
  US12/035,017
• Publication Number:
  US 20090216438A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/210
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation

Abstract

A facility map framework system facilitates creation of map and asset descriptions and integrates map information to form a facility map object model with defined connections and constraints between and within maps of disparate character (e.g., geographic road maps, facility floor plans, campus layouts, stacked vertical floor layouts, and cross sections in elevation (e.g., equipment positioning, storage location as viewed, etc.)). Routing through the object map is informed of a user'"'"'s starting and/or current location, desired target, and mobility characteristics (e.g., disabilities, security access, etc.). Thereby, individuals are directed expeditiously to where services are needed (e.g., first responders, repair technicians, logistics, etc.).

Claims

1. A facility map system that facilitates providing location-based information, comprising:

a facility map model linking a plurality of disparate map sources by a plurality of route elements and cross references;

a sensing component responsive to an object moving within a geographic scope of the facility map model; and

a location service component that suggests a route through the route elements across the disparate map sources in response to the sensed location of the object.

2. The facility map system of claim 1, wherein the facility map model further comprises an asset component locating a plurality of assets within the facilty map model.

3. The facility map system of claim 1, further comprising a portable device comprising an output device depicting the route suggestion to a user, wherein the facility map model further comprises criteria associated with at least one route element, the location service component responsive to a mobility limitation and responsive to the sensed location of the object.

4. The facility map system of claim 3, further comprising a hazard sensor responsive to hazardous condition sensed at a route element, the location service component responsive to suggest a route avoiding the route element having the hazardous condition.

5. The facility map system of claim 1, wherein the facility map model comprises a plan map of a building linked to a cross section depiction of an objects located within the plan map.

6. The facility map system of claim 5, wherein the cross section depiction comprises a depiction in elevation of a containment structure.

7. The facility map system of claim 6, further comprising a rendering components that displays a position of a target object on the containment structure to guide a user.

8. The facility map system of claim 1, wherein the sensing component further comprises a radio frequency identifier system.

9. The facility map system of claim 1, wherein the sensing component further comprises a global positioning system.

10. The facility map system of claim 1, wherein the facility map model further comprises security criteria associated with a route element, the location service component responsive to the security criteria to suggest an alternative route avoiding the route element having the security criteria.

11. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions for carrying out the facility map system of claim 1.

12. A computer-implemented method of communicating location-based information, comprising:

linking a plurality of disparate map sources with route connectors and route segments;

locating a plurality of assets with the plurality of linked map sources; and

routing a user from a present position to a selected place via the route connectors and route elements.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising sensing current locations for objects within the geographic space represented by the linked plurality of disparate map sources and rendering this location of objects.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising sensing a changed criteria of a route segment within a suggested route and suggesting an alternative route avoiding the route segment with the changed criteria.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising depicting security restrictions along the suggested route to a user.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising linking a cross sectional view of an object within a facility map to the facility map;

and rendering the cross section view to the user to facilitate locating a target within the cross section view.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising sensing a user by global positioning system.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising sensing a user by radio frequency identification.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, further comprising sensing a user by wireless node access within a facility.

20. A wayfinding device that facilitates generation of a location-based service, comprising:

means for defining routes and mobility constraints through a geographic road map, a facility map, to a detail map within the facility map;

means for determining a current location of the wayfinding device;

means for determining a target location within a facility map object model;

means for sensing a changed state affecting a route from the current location to the target location; and

means for communicating a route to the wayfinding device avoiding the changed state affecting the route.