Wayfinding

• US 7,496,445 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2005
• Issued: 02/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Proxemics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Proxemics Incorporated
• Inventors: Beg, Omer A., Mohsini, Rashid A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keith; Jack W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Diacou; Ari M
• Application Number:
  US11/115,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20060247849A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,399 Days
• Field of Search: 701/206, 701/218, 701/210, 340/944
• US Class Current: 701/206
• 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

Waypoint navigation for a visitor to a facility is carried out according to the following steps. Distributing waypoint devices in waypoint locations of the facility. Transmitting waypoint identifier signals from the waypoint devices. Providing a mobile wayfinder device in wireless communication with the waypoint devices to receive the waypoint identifier signals. Identifying an origin and a destination in the facility. Generating a route from the origin to the destination and a return route from the destination to the origin. Determining a current location of the mobile wayfinder device. Determining a current navigation instruction along the route(s) based at least in part on the current location of the mobile wayfinder device, and communicating the current location and navigation instruction information to the visitor.

Claims

1. A method of waypoint navigation for a visitor in a facility comprising:

distributing a plurality of waypoint devices in a plurality of waypoint locations of the facility;

transmitting waypoint identifier signals from the plurality of waypoint devices;

providing a mobile wayfinder device in wireless communication with the plurality of waypoint devices to receive the waypoint identifier signals;

identifying an origin and a destination in the facility;

generating at least one route from the origin to the destination;

determining a current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

determining a current navigation instruction along the at least one route based at least in part on the current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

communicating the current location and navigation instruction information to the visitor;

associating security codes with the plurality of locations;

assigning a security clearance with the visitor; and

determining the current navigation instruction based on a comparison of the security clearance with the security codes.

2. A method of waypoint navigation for a visitor in a facility comprising:

distributing a plurality of waypoint devices in a plurality of waypoint locations of the facility;

transmitting waypoint identifier signals from the plurality of waypoint devices;

providing a mobile wayfinder device in wireless communication with the plurality of waypoint devices to receive the waypoint identifier signals;

identifying an origin and a destination in the facility;

generating at least one route from the origin to the destination;

determining a current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

determining a current navigation instruction along at least one route based at least in part on the current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

communicating the current location and navigation instruction information to the visitor;

identifying at least one emergency exit location;

generating at least one emergency route to the at least one emergency exit location from at least one of the origin, the destination, or the current location;

placing the plurality of waypoint devices in at least adjacent communication with one another such that the plurality of waypoint devices receive the waypoint identifier signals from one another;

determining any absence of at least one of the waypoint identifier signals from any of the plurality of waypoint devices;

communicating the absence to the at least one mobile wayfinder device; and

calculating an alternate emergency route when the at least one emergency route has been disrupted as indicated by a determined absence of at least one of the waypoint identifier signals.

3. A method of waypoint navigation for a visitor in a facility comprising:

distributing a plurality of waypoint devices in a plurality of waypoint locations of the facility;

transmitting waypoint identifier signals from the plurality of waypoint devices;

providing a mobile wayfinder device in wireless communication with the plurality of waypoint devices to receive the waypoint identifier signals;

identifying an origin and a destination in the facility;

generating at least one route from the origin to the destination;

determining a current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

determining a current navigation instruction along the at least one route based at least in part on the current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

communicating the current location and navigation instruction information to the visitor;

providing the mobile wayfinder device with a mobile wayfinder device identifier;

transmitting the mobile wayfinder device identifier from the mobile wayfinder device to at least one of the plurality of waypoint devices;

placing the plurality of waypoint devices in at least adjacent communication with one another such that the plurality of waypoint devices transmit and receive the waypoint identifier signals to and from one another;

identifying a threshold quantity of mobile wayfinder devices;

ceasing transmission of a waypoint identifier signal if a quantity of mobile wayfinder device identifiers from the plurality of mobile wayfinder devices exceeds the threshold quantity until the quantity of mobile wayfinder device identifier signals falls below the threshold quantity;

determining any absence of at least one of the waypoint identifier signals from any of the plurality of waypoint devices;

communicating the absence to the at least one mobile wayfinder device; and

calculating an alternate route.

4. A method of waypoint navigation for a visitor in a facility comprising:

distributing a plurality of waypoint devices in a plurality of waypoint locations of the facility;

transmitting waypoint identifier signals from the plurality of waypoint devices;

providing a mobile wayfinder device in wireless communication with the plurality of waypoint devices to receive the waypoint identifier signals;

identifying an origin and a destination in the facility;

generating at least one route from the origin to the destination and at least one return route from the destination to the origin;

determining a current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

determining a current navigation instruction along at least one of the at least one route or the at least one return route based at least in part on the current location of the mobile wayfinder device;

communicating the current location and navigation instruction information to the visitor;

associating security codes with the plurality of locations;

assigning a security clearance with the visitor;

determining the current navigation instruction based on a comparison of the security clearance with the security codes;

identifying ancillary facility locations;

generating at least one ancillary route from the current location to the at least one of the ancillary facility locations, and at least one ancillary return route from the at least one ancillary facility location to at least one of the origin or the destination;

identifying at least one emergency exit location; and

generating at least one route to the at least one emergency exit location from the origin, from the destination, and from the at least one intermediate location.