WO2007004193A1

WO2007004193A1 - Communication system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2007004193A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/052242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul M. Fulton
Original assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date: 2005-07-05
Filing date: 2006-07-04
Publication date: 2007-01-11

Abstract

A communication system comprises a portable device, which includes a wireless transceiver and output means, a wireless station including a wireless transceiver for communicating with the wireless transceiver of the portable device and a display device communicating with the wireless station. The display device is arranged to display a navigation indication and the wireless station is arranged to transmit, substantially simultaneously, a signal to the portable device for output by the portable device. Location detection means is provided for detecting the location of the portable device, the location detection means arranged to trigger the displaying by the display device of the navigation indication. The output means of the portable device includes a vibration device, the signal received by the portable device being outputted by the portable device as a vibration.

Description

DESCRIPTION

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

This invention relates to a communication system and method.

In recent years many new gadgets and tools have become available to us to help people navigate their way around. The Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has long been at the forefront of this trend, especially in the areas of outdoor pursuits and in-car navigation.

One state of the art GPS product currently on sale is the Suunto X9 Wristop Computer (www.suunto.com). With GPS and electronic compass technology built into a watch, navigation around unfamiliar locations becomes much easier, as long as the technological advantages can be turned into practical ones. A common tool used in personal GPS devices is the use of waypoints, which make it easier to use the mass of positioning information available. By programming routes into the devices before starting on a trip, navigation becomes a simple task of moving towards each waypoint in turn.

For those users not out in the wilderness or on the sea, any navigation device must also make use of a route planning system, so that the users are routed along the most suitable roads if they are in the car, or appropriate paths and transport systems if they are on foot. The most obvious challenge to overcome when navigating around an unfamiliar city, transport system or large building is to deal with the ever-increasing mass of signs and information boards that are on display.

One solution, for use in an environment such as an airport is disclosed in United States Patent Application Publication US 2004/0051644, which discloses a method and system for displaying guidance information. In an airport terminal, an identification tag for transmitting inherent identification tag information and its position information is handed to a customer. The information from the identification tag is received by a tag recognition apparatus and transferred to a recognition PC which analyzes the received information and transmits the analysis result to an image data server. The server reads out image data for guidance convenient to the customer. An image creation PC generates a guidance image signal based on the image data and transmits it to an image projector closest to the customer thereby to display a guidance image on a floor surface near the customer. If the customer has enough time, the guidance information of available facilities is displayed as a part of the guidance image.

The system of this patent application has a number of disadvantages, namely that it is dependent on handing identification tags to users of the system with the inherent problems of lost tags and tags being correctly identified with the desired user. The system assists the user's navigation by using projectors to project an image onto the floor as a user is walking. This requires the installation of dedicated projectors, which would be a significant barrier to acceptance of the system, and has the weaknesses that the information provided to a user is neither private nor anonymous, and in many environments, where large numbers of people are present, such a system would not be able to function properly, either because the floor space cannot be reached by the projection system or because the large number of projected images would become confusing. A different system is described in International Patent Application

Publication Number WO 93/02433, which discloses a method of personally addressed communication, information, guidance and quick processing of the procedures in airports. A method for personally addressed communication, being communication with each individual, separately, or with a group of individuals (such as passengers of a specific flight), for the provision of information of any nature in the language of the individual's choice, for the supply of guiding instructions to any individual for their transfer within the airport and for quick processing of the various controls, transactions, services and procedures necessary for the servicing of individuals (passengers, visitors, employees) within airports is described. The method is characterised by the supply of a small portable wireless device to every individual, upon entering into the airport area, which device receives signals from transmitters installed within the airport and is used in conjunction with communication devices (information exchange devices, processing devices) installed within the airport, whilst the transmitters and the processing devices are connected to and controlled by a central Data Management System, in such a way, in order to ensure the direct communication with individuals through signals retransmitted by the transmitters to the portable wireless devices and moreover to provide information for the processing of the procedures, controls, guidance etc, through the communication devices (information exchange devices and processing devices) in conjunction with the portable wireless devices. The system described in this patent application is similar to that employed in a GPS receiver, with navigation information being transmitted to a handheld device that the user carries with them. Electronic navigation tools are increasingly being found in mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs), but they share a crucial disadvantage in that the user must look down at them to get information from them, which can be distracting and unhelpful. Handheld systems also bring with them this issue of how quickly a user can associate the information that they give with the real environment around them.

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve upon the known art.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising a portable device including a wireless transceiver and output means, a wireless station including a wireless transceiver for communicating with the wireless transceiver of the portable device and a display device communicating with the wireless station, wherein the display device is arranged to display a navigation indication and the portable device is arranged to output, substantially simultaneously, a signal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication method comprising displaying, on a display device, a navigation indication, and outputting, substantially simultaneously, a signal from a portable device. Owing to the invention, it is possible to provide a system that provides a navigation indication on a display device and a portable device that allows a user to identify that the navigation indication is intended for that user, with anonymity and privacy protected by the system. Existing infrastructure can be used without substantial amendment, and a user can access the system without having to repeatedly look at their handheld device. The signal that is outputted by the portable device can be transmitted by the wireless station associated with the display device, or the portable device can send details of the navigation indication to the display device via the wireless station. The invention is a method for secure public display of personal information, particularly for navigation cues to help find your way. Electronic displays in environments such as airports, and train stations repeatedly show arrows and instructions to people on the move. Each individual can identify information intended for them by means of a discrete trigger signal from a mobile phone or other personal device. The invention can be considered to provide anonymous personal signposts.

The invention supports a system that simplifies navigation in an environment such as an airport by effectively providing personalised signs wherever a traveller is. At any point during their journey, a user of this system may look around and spot electronic displays showing information intended for them alone, allowing them to filter out all the other permanent signage cluttering up typical public spaces. The system is intended to give the user the feeling that someone has been along their chosen route before them, marking out all the necessary directions. This invention avoids the problems associated with providing indications on the display of a small device because instructions are given on signs in the real world.

Advantageously, the system further comprises location detection means for detecting the location of the portable device, the location detection means arranged to trigger the displaying by the display device of the navigation indication. By being able to identify the location of the portable device, the system can target the navigation indication when a user with a portable device comes within range of the display device. Preferably, the output means includes a vibration device, the signal being outputted by the portable device as a vibration. The use of a vibrating alert from the portable device to signal to a user that the display device will simultaneously display a navigation indication for the attention of that user ensures that the user does not have to look at their portable device when they receive the signal to be outputted. This further improves the privacy and functionality of the system.

Ideally, the wireless station is further arranged to send an initiation signal to the portable device, the initiation signal including information relating to the navigation indication. The initiation signal can be used when a user first enters an environment that is supporting the system of the invention. The initiation signal can be used to inform a user of the existence of the system, or to provide information on the system, and/or to provide the user with a way of distinguishing the navigation indications, to ensure that a user follows those indications that are provided for that user.

In a preferred embodiment, the system supports a plurality of portable devices, with the display device being arranged to display several navigation indications simultaneously, and said wireless station being arranged to transmit, substantially simultaneously, a signal to each portable device for output by the respective portable device. A large display, as commonly seen in environments such as airports will support multiple navigation indications simultaneously, and therefore multiple users can use the system at the same time, with navigation indications being shown on the same display but being directed to different users. An output signal will be sent to each portable device whenever the display device presents a navigation indication for any portable device.

Preferably, when multiple portable devices are being supported, the display device is arranged to display each navigation indication in a colour different from all other navigation indications, the selected colour linked to a portable device. In this way each user can identify which navigation indication is intended for that particular user and can follow the directions that are intended for them. The colour in which the indication is displayed can be communicated to the user in the initiation signal that a user receives when they first enter the location supporting the system.

Advantageously, the system further comprises a plurality of display devices, each display device communicating with a central server and database. The server can support a route planner, which can communicate with the multiple displays, which allow a user of the system to be guided through a complicated route between two points, with the multiple displays being used to display navigation indications to the user as they come within range of each display in turn.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system,

Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a communication method, Figure 3 is a flow diagram of a method of configuring the communication system, and

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the communication system.

Figure 1 shows a communication system 10, which comprises a portable device 12, which is a conventional mobile telephone, but could equally be a PDA or laptop computer. The portable device 12 includes a wireless transceiver 14 and output means 16. The wireless transceiver 14 operates over a short range and can be any suitable wireless protocol such as Bluetooth, Zigbee or WiFi. In addition, the portable device 12 also communicates over a long range wireless network (such as the third generation mobile phone network, UMTS) via a second transceiver 18. The output means 16 includes a small display 16a and a vibration device 16b, as are conventional on mobile telephones. The communication system 10 also includes a wireless station 20, which includes a wireless transceiver 22 for communicating with the wireless transceiver 14 of the portable device 12. The system 10 also includes a display device 24 in communication with the wireless station 20.

The display device 24 is arranged to display a navigation indication 26 and the wireless station 20 is arranged to transmit, substantially simultaneously, a signal to the portable device 12 for output by the portable device 12. The display 24 is also connected to back-end infrastructure 28, a server 30 running a route planner and a database 32. The server 30 is connected to the Internet. The operation of the server 30 and back-end infrastructure 28 is described in more detail below, with reference to Figure 3. The system also includes location detection means 34 for detecting the location of the portable device 12, the location detection means 34 arranged to trigger the displaying by the display device 24 of the navigation indication 26. The location detection means 34 can form part of the wireless station 20, but equally the location detection means could be located in the user's device 12, or accessed by the portable device 12.

The system 10 of Figure 1 is intended for use in environments such as airports and train stations. The system can support the use of multiple display devices 24. The electronic display devices 24 can be mounted alongside conventional signs in public places and are used to show a continuous stream of arrows and other similar navigation instructions.

To make use of this apparently random mass of information, the user carries with them the portable device 12 which gives a cue signal whenever information is being displayed that is intended for that user. For example, an air traveller checks in at an airport, and then wants to find his way to the departure gate. He looks around and sees one of the special electronic displays 24 on a wall nearby. The mobile phone 12 he is carrying is connected to the airport information system, and knows which gate he has to go to. The output device 16b of the phone 12 vibrates for a short period to indicate that all nearby personalised signs are showing information intended for the user. The directions are immediately clear to the user, but make no sense to anyone else as they cannot tell which ones are intended for which person. Airports already use a range of display technologies to present information to passengers, such as LCD or plasma screen, large scale custom built displays and large numbers of CRTs. The system 10, which provides personal signposts, can use any of these screen types connected to the data network of the airport.

Each display device 24 also requires some means of determining its position in relation to the possible places that a passenger may move to next. This may come from the inbuilt GPS system 34, or from a pre-programmed location set up at an earlier time. Information on the type and location of all the display devices 24 under control of the airport system are held in the database 32 along with mapping data which describe the airport building and possible routes that may be taken through it.

The main route planning software run by the server 30 for the communication system 10 has access to the database 32, and accesses the database 32 on request of the client devices 12 carried by the user. Figure 1 shows the type of client device for this embodiment, which is simply a mobile phone 12 capable of generating a discrete alert signal to the user.

Figure 2 illustrates the steps taken in the operation of the system 10 of Figure 1. At step 210, the user enters the environment that is supported by the communication system 10 with their portable device 12. Either at regular intervals (step 214), or after the user presses the "Sign Request" button (step 212) the mobile phone 12 contacts the route planning software on the server 30 by means of a cellular or WLAN data link and possibly via the internet, depending on cost and availability parameters. The software determines where the user is currently, and where they want to go next (step 216). This process may be assisted by external information where available, such as the flight and airline that the passenger is due to take as described on an airport booking system.

Using the details of the user's current location and destination, the software plans a route (step 218) and contacts any display signs 24 which are predicted to be in view of the user, and sends appropriate direction instructions to them (step 220). These instructions are not displayed immediately, but instead held until a specific time so that all the display devices 24 will show the same information at the same time. At this point (step 222), an alert signal is sent all the way back to the client device 12. The alert causes the phone 12 to vibrate, which is a signal for the user to look up and check the information on the signs 24. At that moment, and that moment alone, the signs are showing information for the user, who can use it to find their way to their destination.

As an alternative embodiment, the route planning decisions about which signs 24 should show which information are made not by a centralised system but by navigation software carried by the users themselves. In order to achieve this, the device 12 carried by the user must first use a wireless link to discover and contact any nearby special personal sign displays 24. As part of this process, the signs broadcast details of exactly where they are in the world, and what kind of information they can display (simple direction indications, or text). The device 12 carried by the user may then tell each display 24 directly what to display (via a suitable wireless interface), and at exactly which time to display the navigation indication so that the display of the navigation indication coincides with the cue generated for the user. This embodiment has the advantage that no external party is required to run a central database, making implementation simpler and reducing the security risk that other parties can find out the route that individuals plan to take.

An alternative embodiment of the display itself is to use a circle of lights as a direction indicator. This kind of display may be more visually appealing that a conventional 2D display, and contribute less to visual clutter. To indicate the required direction, a light is lit at the appropriate bearing on the circle of lights. A flash at the left means go left, a flash at the top means straight on. Use of different colours for different users may make the system easier to use, and is practical with current LED technology.

Figure 3 illustrates the steps taken when a user wishes to use the communication system as described above. Again, the example of the system 10 being installed in an airport is used. The first action that the user would take (step 310) would be to book their airline ticket, in whatever manner they choose. This could be by telephone (including via the portable phone 12) or via the Internet through a PC etc. While purchasing their ticket, the user can select the option (step 312) of having the guidance information displayed to them during their route through the airport.

The user will enter a unique code (step 314) that identifies the device 12 that they will carry at the airport. This could be the telephone number of the device 12, or could be a unique code assigned by the communication system. The user's travel information is communicated to the route planner on the server 30 (step 316), and the route planner determines the user's route once the user has arrived at the airport (step 318). The route planner then awaits a request from the device 12 to indicate that the user wishes to participate in the communication system.

When the user arrives at the airport, the check-in process can be used to trigger the notification to the system that the user has arrived. An initiation signal will be sent to the user's portable device 12 acknowledging their participation in the navigation system, and including details such as a colour, which will be used to identify those specific navigation indications that are directed at that specific user. When many users are using the system simultaneously, the display devices are arranged to display each navigation indication in a colour different from all other navigation indications, the selected colour linked to a portable device. When displaying several navigation indications simultaneously, the wireless station is arranged to transmit, substantially simultaneously, a signal to each portable device for output by the respective portable device.

Figure 4 illustrates the communication system 10 when multiple portable devices 12 and multiple display devices 24 are used in an environment made up of corridors 36. The display devices 24 can show multiple navigation indications 26 simultaneously, with one example in the Figure showing a first indication 26 as black and a second indication 26 as white. As the two users approach this display 24 with their respective portable devices 12, then they are detected by the location detection means 34, which could be a short-range wireless transceiver. Depending upon the planned route of each device, the appropriate navigation indication 26 is shown by the display 24 and a signal is sent to each device 12 for output by the respective device 12. While colour is one way that navigation indications can be distinguished from each other, other characteristics could be used instead, such as typeface, patterns or recognisable (but anonymous) tags.

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a portable device (12) including a wireless transceiver (14) and output means (16), a wireless station (20) including a wireless transceiver (22) for communicating with the wireless transceiver (14) of the portable device (12) and a display device (24) communicating with the wireless station (20), wherein the display device (24) is arranged to display a navigation indication (26) and the portable device (12) is arranged to output, substantially simultaneously, a signal.

2. A system according to claim 1 , and further comprising location detection means (34) for detecting the location of the portable device (12), the location detection means (34) arranged to trigger the displaying by the display device (24) of the navigation indication (26).

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the output means (16) includes a vibration device (16b), the signal being outputted by the portable device (12) as a vibration.

4. A system according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, wherein the wireless station (20) is further arranged to send an initiation signal to the portable device (12), the initiation signal including information relating to the navigation indication (26).

5. A system according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a plurality of portable devices (12), said display device (24) being arranged to display several navigation indications (26) simultaneously, and said wireless station (20) being arranged to transmit, substantially simultaneously, a signal to each portable device (12) for output by the respective portable device (12).

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said display device (24) is arranged to display each navigation indication (26) in a colour different from all other navigation indications (26), the selected colour linked to a portable device (12).

7. A system according to any preceding claim, and further comprising a plurality of display devices (24), each display device (24) communicating with a central server (30) and database (32).

8. A communication method comprising displaying, on a display device (24), a navigation indication (26), and outputting, substantially simultaneously, a signal from a portable device (12).

9. A method according to claim 8, and further comprising detecting the location of the portable device (12), the displaying by the display device

(24) of the navigation indication (26) being triggered by the location of the portable device (12).

10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the outputting of the signal from the portable device (12) comprises outputting a vibration.

11. A method according to claim 8, 9 or 10, and further comprising transmitting an initiation signal to the portable device (12), the initiation signal including information relating to the navigation indication (26).

12. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 11 , and further comprising transmitting, substantially simultaneously, a respective signal to each of a plurality of portable devices (12), and displaying several navigation indications (26) simultaneously.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said displaying several navigation indications (26) simultaneously comprises displaying each navigation indication (26) in a colour different from all other navigation indications (26), the selected colour linked to a portable device (12).