Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing indoor navigation
First Claim
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1. A method of operating an indoor navigation system, the method comprising:
- providing a first case including (i) a first compartment configured to connect to a first wheel hub of a first wheel of a moveable object, and (ii) a second compartment extending laterally from the first compartment;
providing a second case including (i) a first compartment configured to connect to a second wheel hub of a second wheel of the moveable object, and (ii) a second compartment extending laterally from the first compartment;
receiving, in a processor, an absolute positioning signal generated by an absolute position sensor located within the second compartment of the first case or a second absolute position sensor located within the second compartment of the second case after one of the absolute position sensors detect a signal output by an absolute position transmitter, the absolute position transmitter being associated with a unique identifier;
identifying, via the processor, the identifier within the absolute positioning signal;
determining, via the processor, which of the two absolute position sensors generated the absolute positioning signal;
determining, via the processor, a reference location associated with the identifier by identifying where in an indoor area the identifier is specified to be located and which of the absolute position sensors generated the absolute positioning signal;
receiving, in the processor, a dead-reckoning signal generated by a dead-reckoning sensor located within the first compartment of the first case or the second case after the dead-reckoning sensor detects movement of the moveable object;
determining, via the processor, a direction and a magnitude of the movement;
calculating, via the processor, a current location of the moveable object in the indoor area based on the direction and magnitude of the movement in relation to the reference location; and
transmitting, via the processor, to a user device at least one of;
(i) a message indicative of the current location of the moveable object causing the user device to display the current location of the moveable object in relation to a graphical representation of the indoor area; and
(ii) a message indicative of directions to an item-of-interest in the indoor area causing the user device to display the current location or the moveable object and directions to the item-of-interest in relation to the graphical representation,wherein the position of the second compartment with respect to the first compartment enables the respective absolute position sensor to detect the signal output by the absolute position transmitter.
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Abstract
An indoor navigational system determines a location of a moveable object in an indoor area and displays this location to a user. The system includes one or more dead-reckoning sensors, one or more absolute position sensors, and a processor. The processor determines the location of the moveable object based on signals received from the sensors. The system also includes a display device to display the location of the moveable object in a graphical representation of the indoor area based on messages from the processor indicating the location of the moveable object.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of operating an indoor navigation system, the method comprising:
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providing a first case including (i) a first compartment configured to connect to a first wheel hub of a first wheel of a moveable object, and (ii) a second compartment extending laterally from the first compartment; providing a second case including (i) a first compartment configured to connect to a second wheel hub of a second wheel of the moveable object, and (ii) a second compartment extending laterally from the first compartment; receiving, in a processor, an absolute positioning signal generated by an absolute position sensor located within the second compartment of the first case or a second absolute position sensor located within the second compartment of the second case after one of the absolute position sensors detect a signal output by an absolute position transmitter, the absolute position transmitter being associated with a unique identifier; identifying, via the processor, the identifier within the absolute positioning signal; determining, via the processor, which of the two absolute position sensors generated the absolute positioning signal; determining, via the processor, a reference location associated with the identifier by identifying where in an indoor area the identifier is specified to be located and which of the absolute position sensors generated the absolute positioning signal; receiving, in the processor, a dead-reckoning signal generated by a dead-reckoning sensor located within the first compartment of the first case or the second case after the dead-reckoning sensor detects movement of the moveable object; determining, via the processor, a direction and a magnitude of the movement; calculating, via the processor, a current location of the moveable object in the indoor area based on the direction and magnitude of the movement in relation to the reference location; and transmitting, via the processor, to a user device at least one of;
(i) a message indicative of the current location of the moveable object causing the user device to display the current location of the moveable object in relation to a graphical representation of the indoor area; and
(ii) a message indicative of directions to an item-of-interest in the indoor area causing the user device to display the current location or the moveable object and directions to the item-of-interest in relation to the graphical representation,wherein the position of the second compartment with respect to the first compartment enables the respective absolute position sensor to detect the signal output by the absolute position transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a case including (i) a first compartment configured to connect to a wheel hub of a wheel of a moveable object, and (ii) a second compartment connected to a base of the first compartment; an absolute position sensor located within the second compartment and configured to; detect that an absolute position transmitter is in proximity to the absolute position sensor; and transmit to a processor an absolute positioning signal including a unique identifier identifying an absolute position of the moveable object; and a dead-reckoning sensor located within the first compartment and configured to; determine an amount of movement of the moveable object by sensing movement of the moveable object; and transmit to the processor a dead-reckoning signal indicative of the determined amount of movement, wherein the position of the second compartment with respect to the first compartment enables the absolute position sensor to detect the absolute position transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification