Abstract:
A navigation system and method which may be easily and quickly deployed in any environment. The system includes a check-in computer for recording destination information of a person upon entry into a building, the person having a destination somewhere in the building, and for storing the destination information in a wireless communicator associated with the person, The system further includes a plurality of navigation aids for receiving the destination information along a route of the person from the wireless communicator when the wireless communicator is presented to the navigation aid by the person and for determining directions to the destination, the navigation aids including a display for displaying the directions to the person.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]    There are currently problems with signage in various environments being overly complex as they try to provide a large amount of detail on relatively small signs that can be displayed in corridors. This can lead to small text having to be used to allow all the information to be displayed or only a reduced set of information being displayed on the signs. For instance in a large hospital patients may have to visit a number of doctors and labs for various tests. Routing can become very confusing and additional stress for the patient. 
         [0002]    Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a navigation system and method to assist visitors in navigating buildings or groups of buildings or a complex including a one or more buildings. 
       SUMMARY  
       [0003]    A navigation system and method is provided. 
         [0004]    The system includes a check-in computer for recording destination information of a person upon entry into a building, the person having a destination somewhere in the building, and for storing the destination information in a wireless communicator associated with the person, The system further includes a plurality of navigation aids for receiving the destination information along a route of the person from the wireless communicator when the wireless communicator is presented to the navigation aid by the person and for determining directions to the destination, the navigation aids including a display for displaying the directions to the person. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram including an example navigation system. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating an example check-in process. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a flow diagram illustrating an example navigation method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0008]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , an example system  10  primarily includes check-in computer  12 . 
         [0009]    Check-in computer  12  is coupled to a display  16 , input device  18 , and wireless communicator  20 . 
         [0010]    Check-in computer  12  executes check-in software  22 , which records destination information for a visitor, patient, customer, or other pedestrian and initializes wireless communicator  50 . 
         [0011]    Wireless communicator  20  and wireless communicator  50  may be radio frequency (RF) devices, such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, near field communication (NFC), ZigBee, and RF identification (RFID) standard devices. Wireless communicator  50  may store destination information. 
         [0012]    Alternatively, wireless communicator  50  may store a wireless identifier that may be used to determine destination information from host computer  30 . Check-in software  22  obtains the wireless identifier and stores the identifier with destination information in visitor records  32  at host computer  30 . During check-in, host computer  30  stores a record of wireless identifiers in visitor records  32 . Check-in computer  12  may be coupled to host computer  30  via wired or wireless network connections, or a combination of the both. The functions of check-in computer  12  and host computer  30  may be combined into one computer. 
         [0013]    In one example embodiment, wireless communicator  50  may be integrated within a cellular telephone or other portable device. 
         [0014]    In another example embodiment, wireless communicator  50  may include RFID tags incorporated into tokens or cards. Tokens or cards may include audio generation circuitry, such as speakers, for providing additional direction information, particularly for the visually impaired. Check-in computer  12  may include an RFID token or card dispenser  24 . Wireless communicator  20  may be an RFID tag reader. A visitor returns the token or card before leaving the building. 
         [0015]    In yet another example, wireless communicator  50  may include a barcode label incorporated into a card or token or displayed by a cellular telephone or other portable device. Wireless communicators  20  and  42  may include barcode readers. 
         [0016]    Check-in computer  12  further includes a processor, memory, and may include additional peripherals. Check-in computer  12  may include a self-service terminal, such as a kiosk. 
         [0017]    System  10  may include more than one check-in computer  12  to allow customers or visitors to reinitialize wireless communicator  50  with new destinations. 
         [0018]    System  10  may be useful in environments such as hospitals, hotels, conference venues, theme parks, or the like that include a large number of destinations and routes through the environment which can be confusing for visitors or customers. System  10  can be easily and quickly deployed in any environment allowing it to be used for short term events such as exhibitions, conventions, or the like to provide better navigation for the visitor or customer. 
         [0019]    For this purpose, example system  10  further includes a plurality of navigation aids  40 . Navigation aids  40  are coupled to host computer  30  via a network or other wireless or wired communication. 
         [0020]    For example, navigation aids  40  may be interconnected with a mesh type wireless connection. The ZigBee specification is particularly amenable to this purpose. The ZigBee specification relates to a suite of high level communication protocols using small, low-power digital radios based on the IEEE 802.15.4-2003 standard for wireless personal area networks (WPANs). Communicated information to and from host computer  30  may hop from one navigation aid to another. 
         [0021]    Navigation aids  40  include a processor, memory, wireless communicator  42 , and interface  44 . Check-in computer  12  may also function as a navigation aid  40 . 
         [0022]    Navigation aids  40  execute navigation assistance software  46  which automatically provides direction information when a visitor places wireless communicator  50  within communication range of wireless communicator  42 . Navigation assistance software  46  is programmed with possible paths from a corresponding navigation aid  40  and directions to a next or final navigation aid  40 . 
         [0023]    If wireless communicator  50  stores destination information, navigation assistance software  46  obtains the destination information through wireless communicator  42 , determines the directions to the next or final navigation aid  40 , and causes interface  44  to provide the directions. 
         [0024]    Otherwise, navigation assistance software  46  obtains the wireless identifier through wireless communicator  42 , obtains the destination information from visitor records  32 , determines directions to the next or final navigation aid  40 , and causes interface  44  to provide the directions. 
         [0025]    Navigation software  46  may alternatively obtain the directions from destination database  34  containing direction information at host computer  30 . 
         [0026]    Navigation aid  40  may take a variety of forms. For example, navigation aid  40  may include a processor and memory coupled to interface  44  and wireless communicator  42 . 
         [0027]    Interface  44  may be a speaker for producing audio directions, a display for graphically displaying directions, or a combination of both. 
         [0028]    For example, navigation aid  40  may be packaged as a liquid crystal display for mounting on vertical surfaces such as walls including a housing containing a circuit board with the processor, the memory, and wireless communicator  42 . 
         [0029]    Low cost displays may be used. For example, the display may include electronic paper, which retains information when power is removed. 
         [0030]    Navigation aid  40  may be battery powered. For example, the battery may include low cost printed battery technology. 
         [0031]    The memory may store directions  48  including possible paths from a corresponding navigation aid  40  and directions to a next or final navigation aid  40 . 
         [0032]    Directions may change with construction, cleaning, and other obstructions. Navigation aid  40  may receive and store updated directions from host computer  30  or through wireless communicator  42 . Alternatively, navigation aid  40  may include a wired connection, such as a universal serial port (USB) connector for downloading updated directions from a portable storage device, such as a flash disk or drive. 
         [0033]    Navigation software  46  may also establish live communication with on-site personnel through host computer  30  if the visitor requires help. 
         [0034]    In addition to providing direction information or direction information updates to navigation aids  40  and live communication with navigation aids  40 , host computer  30  may also track visitors. Navigation aids  40  provide visitor information to host computer  30  each time a visitor&#39;s wireless communicator  50  establishes communication with a navigation aid. 
         [0035]    When a visitor places wireless communicator  50  within communication range of navigation aid  40 , navigation software  46  automatically detects wireless communicator  50 , determines the visitor&#39;s destination, and dynamically configures interface  44  by providing an aural message or a graphic indication, or both. Example directions may include words, arrows, or other indications of direction. Navigation software  46  may display a message including a series of left and/or right turns from a current navigation aid  40 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , an example check-in method is illustrated. 
         [0037]    In step  60 , check-in software  22  provides a start screen. The start screen may include a web page. Check-in computer  12  may execute web browser software for displaying web pages. A visitor or customer chooses an option to begin the check-in process. 
         [0038]    In step  62 , check-in software  22  displays a screen prompting the visitor to enter information. 
         [0039]    In step  64 , check-in software  22  records visitor destination information entered via input device  18 . Check-in software  22  may retrieve a previously set up itinerary for the visitor, for example, a number of doctor&#39;s appointments in a hospital. 
         [0040]    In step  66 , check-in software  22  displays a screen containing options available for wireless communicator  50  and information regarding the navigation process and the operation and locations of navigation aids  40 . The options may include requesting that check-in software  22  dispense a wireless communicator  50  or requesting permission to use a visitor provided wireless communicator  50 . 
         [0041]    In step  68 , check-in software  22  records a visitor selection of an option. If the visitor selects to receive a dispensed wireless communicator  50 , operation proceeds to step  70 . Otherwise, operation proceeds to step  72 . 
         [0042]    In step  70 , check-in software  22  dispenses wireless communicator  50 , which may include a card or token with an embedded RFID tag. 
         [0043]    In step  72 , check-in software  22  causes wireless communicator  20  to store destination information in wireless communicator  50 . If wireless communicator  50  cannot store destination information, check-in software  22  causes wireless communicator  20  to obtain a wireless identifier from wireless communicator  50  and stores the wireless identifier and the destination information in visitor records  32 . 
         [0044]    In step  74 , check-in software  22  may display a final screen with initial directions. 
         [0045]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , an example navigation method is illustrated. 
         [0046]    In step  80 , navigation software  46  waits for a visitor or customer to present or place wireless communicator within a minimum detection range of wireless communicator  42 . For example, the distance may include a few inches. 
         [0047]    In step  82 , navigation software  46  receives destination information or a wireless identifier from wireless communicator  50 . 
         [0048]    In step  84 , navigation software  46  provides directions via interface  44 . For example, navigation software may provide directions in audio format, graphic format, or a combination of both formats. 
         [0049]    The visitor follows the directions until the visitor reaches the destination or another navigation aid  40 . 
         [0050]    Although particular reference has been made to certain embodiments, variations and modifications are also envisioned within the spirit and scope of the following claims.