GB2511096A

GB2511096A - A Mobile Indoor Navigation System

Info

Publication number: GB2511096A
Application number: GB1303209.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ben Daniel Sturgess; James Lee Burrows
Original assignee: FOX MURPHY Ltd
Current assignee: FOX MURPHY Ltd
Priority date: 2013-02-22
Filing date: 2013-02-22
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Also published as: GB201513966D0; WO2014128507A2; GB201303209D0; GB2525531A; WO2014128507A3; GB201315701D0

Abstract

A mobile indoor navigation system comprises: a mobile communication device, such as a mobile phone, incorporating a user interface, a display for navigating a user from a first location to a second location and a camera; a number of passive navigation markers disposed at a number of locations, such as on the floor or ceiling of a building, at least one of which in use is viewed by the camera as the marker is in its field of view; and a processor which compares signals representative of the viewed passive navigation markers with signals stored in a database and displays navigation information dependent upon the comparison. The passive navigation markers may be asymmetric markers visible in the infrared. The navigation system may display directions and a floor plan to navigate around a supermarket. Detection of a QR code may be used to launch the navigation system.

Description

A MobiLe Indoor Navigation System

Field of the Invention

The invention reLates to a mobiLe indoor navigation system.

Background to the Invention

The cLosest prior art known to the applicant are wireLess LocaL area networks (Wi-Fi) and Btuetooth triangulation. However, both of these systems require indoor eLectronic hardware to function.

ALso known to the appLicant is sateLLite navigation technoLogy which uses gLobaL positioning systems in order to navigate roads or the Like. The disadvantage of this technoLogy is that it has not been adapted to work in an indoor environment in order to guide a user to a target destination within premises.

Summary of the Invention

In a first broad independent aspect, the invention provides a mobiLe indoor navigation system comprising: * a mobiLe communication device incorporating a user interface; a dispLay for navigating a user from a first Location to a second location: and a camera; * a number of passive navigation markers disposed at a number of locations: at Least one of which in use is viewed by said camera as said marker is in

the fieLd of view of said camera: and

* a processor which compares signaLs representative of said viewed passive navigation markers with signaLs stored on a database and dispLays navigation information dependent upon said comparison.

This configuration provides a system by which a user may navigate premises such as a supermarket in order to efficientLy Locate desired products. The onLy eLectronic device required may be the communication device. This may be a phone, tabLet or and electronic troLLey. No other hardware may be required within the premises to aLLow the system to function. In a preferred embodiment, the system incorporates no additionaL hardware other than an internet connection.

PreferabLy, said processor determines and assesses the distance between a passive navigation marker in the fieLd of view and the mobiLe communication device; and dispLays navigation information dependent upon said assessment. This configuration aLLows accurate positioning of a user within the premises and therefore accurate navigation towards a destination.

PreferabLy, said processor determines and assesses one or more angLes between a passive navigation marker in the fieLd of view and the mobiLe communication device; and dispLays navigation information dependent upon said assessment. This configuration aLLows accurate positioning and preferabLy orientation of a user within the premises and therefore accurate navigation towards a destination.

PreferabLy, said mobiLe communication device incorporates an acceLerometer and the seLection of the navigation information is at [east partLy dependent on vaLues derived from said acceLerometer. This provides the advantage of more accurateLy determining the position of a user in comparison to the use of the processor aLone.

PreferabLy, said mobiLe communication device incorporates a compass and the seLection of the navigation information is at [east partLy dependent on values derived from said compass. This provides the advantage of more accurateLy determining the position of a user in comparison to the use of the processor aLone.

PreferabLy, at Least one of said passive navigation markers is asymmetric; whereby the position of the user reLative to the marker is determined. This configuration provides the advantage of determining in which direction a user is traveLLing. As a navigation marker is asymmetric, at any point when in the fieLd of view of said camera, the processor may determine in which direction the user is traveLLing towards or away from the marker.

PreferabLy, said asymmetric navigation markers are Located on the ceiLing or fLoor of a buiLding. This enabLes the front or back facing camera of the mobiLe communication device to position the user accurateLy within the premises.

PreferabLy, said navigation markers can be visibLe soLeLy in the infra-red spectrum. This configuration aLLows accurate detection by the camera of the mobiLe communication device, where detection in other parts of the spectrum may be difficuLt.

PreferabLy, the initiaL Location of said user can be seLected from a menu in said user interface, in order to determine the Location of said user. This provides the advantage of aLLowing the user to seLect their initiaL Location if this cannot be otherwise determined using the navigation system.

PreferabLy, a predetermined List of product destinations may be stored within said navigation system. This aLLows a user to compiLe a List of products, such as a shopping List, that upon entering the premises can be mapped using said navigation system in order to formuLate the optimum path by which a user can traveL to efficientLy Locate aLL sought after products.

PreferabLy, said processor Launches said navigation system dependent on the detection of a Quick Response (QR) code. This configuration aLLows the Launching of the processor without the requirement for additionaL hardware within the buiLding. The QR code can aLso direct the user online, if they have not aLready done so, to downLoad and instaLL the navigation system. AdditionalLy, said QR codes may generate the Latest speciaL offers to be shown on a user's mobiLe device each time they Launch the system.

OptionaLLy, said user interface overLays said navigation information dispLay over the on-screen camera view of said mobiLe communication device. This configuration aLLows the user to see the optimum path generated Laid over the image seen by the mobiLe device so that they may more easiLy be abLe to Locate a product.

PreferabLy, the navigation information may be overLaid on a fLoor map not the camera view. This wILL take the shape of a Line to foLLow, which updates as the user moves to new detectabLe Locations.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows the interaction between a mobiLe device and said asymmetric navigation markers.

DetaiLed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a mobiLe communication device, indicated by 1, that interacts with asymmetric navigation markers 2 spaced between S to 10 meters from each other, within premises. Each marker incorporates a number of shapes spatiaLLy arranged so that the marker may not be superimposed on its miiror image. Thus from any direction, the view of the marker is different, therefore aLLowing the navigation system to determine in which direction the user is traveLLing. The markers are Located on either the ceiLing or the fLoor of said premises.

As a user enters the premises, the mobiLe indoor navigation system is Launched on the mobile communication device 1. InitiaLLy, the navigation system can be instaLLed on the mobile communication device by scanning a QR code upon entry to the premises.

Upon Launching of the navigation system, the mobiLe device wilL determine the Location of the user based on GPS positioning. This may be used to determine which store/buiLding they are in, and which map and database to use. If this faiLs, however, the user can seLect their Location through a menu contained in the navigation system. OptionaLLy, the user may sign into an account associated with the premises, such as an onLine shopping account or LoyaLty card account.

Once the navigation system is Launched, the user may seLect a desired item that is Located within the premises. The navigation system wILL subsequentLy search for the Location of the chosen item within a database of item Locations for the premises. The navigation system wiLl pLot the Location of the chosen item on an on-screen map 4 of the premises, generated on the mobiLe device. The navigation system wiLL provide a path for the user to foLLow from their current position to the Location of the desired item. The navigation system wiLL track the user's Location as they traveL towards the item destination, providing feedback reLated to the user's position reLative to the target Location of the item, using the asymmetric navigation markers and the fieLd of view of the front or rear camera referenced 3 of the mobiLe device.

ALternativeLy, the navigation system may indicate usefuL information, such as speciaL offer information, to the user as they traveL through the premises. This useful information may be based on known purchasing patterns of the user, obtained through the account associated with the premises.

ALternativeLy, the user may pre-Load a List of desired items Located within the premises. The navigation system wiLL determine an optimised route by Locating the next nearest item on the user's List for the user to foLLow in order to efficientLy Locate aLL desired items.

ALternativeLy, the user may scan a QR code as they enter the premises which is associated with a speciaL offer or other points of interest. The navigation system wiLL then guide the user to the Location of the speciaL offer or point of interest in the same manner as described above. If the navigation system is not yet instaLLed on the mobiLe device, scanning of the QR code wiLL direct them to an onLine Location where they wiLL be abLe to downLoad and instaLL the navigation system.

In a preferred embodiment, detection of the user's Location is determined through the detection of visuaL asymmetric navigation markers that are mounted either at ceiling LeveL or on the fLoor of the premises. Each asymmetric navigation marker represents a unique Location within the premises and may be detected by the front or rear camera of the mobile device. When an asymmetric navigation marker passes into the fieLd of view of the front or rear camera of the mobiLe device, its unique Location is determined and compared against a map and an associated database of each unique Location heLd internaLLy within the navigation system. From this, the user's Location can be determined and pLotted on a schematic map of the premises. As the asymmetric marker moves through the fieLd of view of the front or rear camera, the user's speed and direction can be determined. The accuracy of this may be increased by empLoying the acceLerometer and/or magnetic compass of the mobiLe device in conjunction with the navigation system.

In a preferred embodiment, the user's position reLative to the target item destination wouLd be presented as a schematic map of the premises with the optimum route pLotted on the map. ALternativeLy, navigation information can be presented as a compass-styLe arrow which points in the direction of the target item destination. ALternativeLy, navigation information can be presented over the on-screen view of the camera, in a 3-dimensionaL presentation, known as Augmented ReaLity (AR).

AdditionalLy, when the user is traveLLing, navigation information, in the form of a map or otherwise, wouLd rotate and move in reLation to the direction in which the user is facing.

Claims

CLaims 1. A mobiLe indoor navigation system comprising: * a mobiLe communication device incorporating a user interface; a display for navigating a user from a first Location to a second location; and a camera; * a number of passive navigation markers disposed at a number of Locations; at Least one of which in use is viewed by said camera as said marker is inthe field of view of said camera; and* a processor which compares signaLs representative of said viewed passive navigation markers with signaLs stored on a database and dispLays navigation information dependent upon said comparison.
2. system according to cLaim 1, wherein said processor determines and assesses the distance between a passive navigation marker in the fieLd of view and the mobiLe communication device; and dispLays navigation information dependent upon said assessment.
3. A system according to either cLaim 1 or cLaim 2, wherein said processor determines and assesses one or more angles between a passive navigation marker in the field of view and the mobile communication device; and dispLays navigation information dependent upon said assessment.
4. A system according to any of the preceding claims, wherein mobile communication device incorporates an acceLerometer and/or a gyroscope and the selection of the navigation information is at least partly dependent on values derived from said acceterometer.
5. A system according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said mobiLe communication device incorporates a compass and the seLection of the navigation information is at Least partLy dependent on vaLues derived from said compass.
6. A system according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein at [east one of said passive navigation markers is asymmetric; whereby the position of the user reLative to the marker is determined.
7. A system according to cLaim 6, wherein said visibLe asymmetric navigation markers are Located on the ceiLing or floor of a buiLding.
8. A system according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said navigation markers are visibLe soLeLy in the infra-red spectrum.
9. A system according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein the initiaL Location of said user is seLected from a menu in said user interface, in order to determine the Location of said user.
10. A system according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein a predetermined List of product destinations may be stored within said navigation system.
11. A system according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said processor launches said navigation system dependent on the detection of a QR code.
12. A system according to any of the preceding cLaims, wherein said user interface overLays said navigation information dispLay over the on-screen fLoor pLan map.
13. A mobiLe indoor navigation system as hereinbefore described and/or iLLustrated in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.
14. A method of indoor navigation comprising the steps of: * providing a mobiLe communication device incorporating a user interface; a dispLay for navigating a user from a first Location to a second Location; and a camera; * providing a number of passive navigation markers disposed at a number of Locations; at least one of which in use is viewed by said camera as saidmarker is in the fieLd of view of said camera; and* comparing signaLs representative of said viewed passive navigation markers with signaLs stored on a database and dispLaying navigation information dependent upon said comparison.
15. A method according to cLaim 14, further comprising the steps of determining and assessing the distance between a passive navigation marker in the fieLd of view and the mobiLe communication device; and dispLaying navigation information dependent upon said assessment.
16. A method according to either cLaim 14 or claim 1 Si further comprising the steps of determining and assessing one or more angLes between a passive navigation marker in the fieLd of view and the mobiLe communication device; and dispLaying navigation information dependent upon said assessment.
17. A method according to any of cLaims 14 to 16, further comprising the steps of selecting navigation information at teast partLy dependent on vaLues derived from said acceLerometer.
18. A method according to any of cLaims 14 to 17, further comprising the steps of selecting navigation information at teast partLy dependent on vaLues derived from said compass.
19. A method according to any of cLaims 14 to 18, further comprising the steps of providing asymmetric passive navigation markers; and determining the position of the user reLative to said markers.
20. A method according to cLaim 19, further comprising the steps of providing asymmetric navigation markers Located on the ceiling or fLoor of said buiLding.
21. A method according to cLaim 19 or cLaim 20, further comprising the steps of providing asymmetric markers visibLe soLeLy in the infra-red spectrum.
22. A method according to any of cLaims 14 to 21, further comprising the steps of selection of an initiaL Location of said user from a menu in said user interface; and determining the Location of said user.
23. A method according to any of cLaims 14 to 22, further comprising the steps of predetermining a List of product destinations; and storing said destinations within said navigation system.
24. A method according to any of cLaims 14 to 23, further comprising the steps of detecting a QR code; and Launching said navigation system dependent on said detection.
25. A method according to any of cLaims 14 to 24, further comprising the steps of overLaying said navigation information display over the on-screen fLoor pLan map.
26. An appLication software configured to operate the method of any of cLaims 14 to 25.