Towards a location model for indoor navigation support through public displays and mobile devices

Indoor navigation differs from outdoor navigation in several significant ways. In particular, precise localization usually requires an expensive infrastructure whereas outdoors, GPS offers an inexpensive and widely available solution. In addition, indoor environments frequently include several floors and can be relatively complex and thus difficult to navigate for people unfamiliar with such buildings. In this paper, we investigate requirements and constraints applicable to a location model to support indoor navigation. We introduce an initial location model and evaluate its use in the context of a deployed public display network (Hermes II). These displays function as dynamic signage to support indoor navigation and can be combined with mobile devices to improve navigation.