Smart signs

This paper presents a context-aware guidance and messaging system for large buildings and surrounding venues. Smart Signs are a new type of electronic door-and way-sign based on wireless networks. Smart Signs present in-situ personalized guidance and messages, are ubiquitous, and easy to understand. They combine the easiness of use of traditional static signs with the flexibility and reactiveness of navigation systems. The Smart Signs system uses context such as user's mobility limitations, the weather, and possible emergency situations to improve guidance and messaging. The working version of the system has been deployed and tested on the premises of the University of Twente. The first evaluation of the Smart Signs system has been based upon a scenario, in which a visitor arrives at an unfamiliar indoor space. It has shown that when using Smart Signs people tended to find their destination in an unfamiliar environment faster and with fewer errors. Furthermore, the participants expressed a high degree of satisfaction when using Smart Signs applauding the personalization of the signs as well as their efficiency in an effective ex-pression of easily understood navigational aids.