FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an indoor navigation system and more particularly to an indoor navigation system according to preamble of claim 1. The present invention further relates to an indoor navigation method and more particularly to an indoor navigation method according to preamble of claim 13.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Indoor navigation is commonly used in modern in shops, stores and shopping areas. Indoor navigation is usually used for tracking position of a customer shopping in the store. The indoor navigation and position information of the customer is further used for helping the customer to move inside the store and to find products. There are known solutions for guiding the customer based on items selected on a shopping list of the customer and the tracked position of the customer inside the store. Accordingly, the prior art indoor navigation are based on tracking position of the customer or a user device, such as a mobile phone, inside the store with a tracking system which is installed into the store.

One of the problems associated with the prior art is indoor navigation is that it requires installing and maintaining a special complex tracking system. Installing such tracking systems is time consuming and usually requires modifications to the store. Further, the tracking systems require the customer to access the tracking system and connect the user device to the tracking system installed to the store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide an indoor navigation system and method so as to solve or at least alleviate the prior art disadvantages.

The objects of the invention are achieved by an indoor navigation system which is characterized by what is stated in the independent claim 1. The objects of the invention are achieved by an indoor navigation method which is characterized by what is stated in the independent claim 13.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The invention is based on the idea of providing an indoor navigation system for carrying out indoor navigation in a shopping area, the indoor navigation system comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor cause a user device to perform indoor navigation, the indoor navigation system comprising a user interface provided to the display of the user device. According to the present invention, the indoor navigation system is configured to

- present a floor plan model of the shopping area in the user interface, the floor plan model representing physical layout of the shopping area, and the floor plan model having floor plan location identifiers associated to the floor plan model and defining locations in the floor plan model,

- maintain a list of one or more shopping items, each shopping item having an associated shopping item identifier and an associated item location identifier, the item location identifier corresponding one of the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- define location of the one or more shopping items in the floor plan model based on the item location identifiers associated with the one or more shopping items in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- present at least one of the one or more shopping items at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface,

- receive a user device location identifier, the user device location identifier representing location of the user device in the floor plan model, the user device location identifier corresponding one of the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- define location of the user device in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- present the location of the user device at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface,

- generate a navigation route between the location of the user device and location of one of the one or more shopping items in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier, the item location identifier of the one of the one or more shopping items, and the floor plan model, and

- present the generated navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface.

The indoor navigation system is therefore configured to present location of one or more of the shopping items provided to the list in the floor plan model in the user interface based on the floor plan location identifiers and the item location identifiers associated with the shopping items. Thus, the indoor navigation system provides a simple solution for defining and presenting locations of the shopping items in the list.

In some embodiments, the floor plan model comprises one or more product rack elements, each of the product rack elements having an associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the product rack element in the floor plan model.

Thus, the physical layout of the shopping area comprises product racks, and the floor plan model comprises products rack elements representing the products racks in the physical layout of the shopping area and at corresponding locations. Each of the product rack elements comprises the associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the product rack element in the floor plan model. Further, the product racks in the shopping area may be provided with physical location labels corresponding or associated with the floor plan location identifier of the corresponding product rack element in the floor plan model.

In some embodiments, the at least one of the one or more product rack elements comprises two or more compartment elements, each of the compartment elements having an associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the compartment element in the floor plan model.

Accordingly, the product rack in the shopping area comprises compartments, and the products rack element in the floor plan model representing the products rack in the physical layout of the shopping area comprises corresponding compartments elements. Each of the compartment elements comprises the associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the compartment element in the floor plan model. Further, the compartments of the products racks in the shopping area maybe provided with physical location labels corresponding or associated with the floor plan location identifier of the corresponding compartment element in the floor plan model.

In some embodiments, the floor plan model comprises an entrance element, the entrance element having an associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the entrance element in the floor plan model.

In some embodiments, the floor plan model comprises, in addition to or instead of the entrance element, a cashier element or an exit element, the cashier element having an associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the cashier element in the floor plan model, or an exit element, the exit element having an associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the exit element in the floor plan model.

The physical layout of the shopping area comprises one or more of entrance, exit and cashiers, and the floor plan model comprises one or more of entrance element, exit element and cashier element representing the entrance, exit and cashiers in the physical layout of the shopping area and at corresponding locations. Each of the entrance, exit and cashier element elements comprises the associated floor plan location identifier defining location of the entrance element, exit element and cashier element in the floor plan model. Further, the entrance, exit and cashiers in the shopping area may be provided with physical location labels corresponding or associated with the floor plan location identifier of the corresponding entrance element, exit element and cashier element in the floor plan model.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to receive a user device location identifier, the user device location identifier representing location of the user device in the floor plan model, the user device location identifier corresponding one of the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, define location of the user device in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, and present the location of the user device at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface.

Location of the user device is defined by utilizing the floor plan location identifiers. Further, the location of the user device is presented in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier corresponding one of the floor plan location identifiers.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to generate a navigation route between the location of the user device and location of one of the one or more shopping items in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier, the item location identifier of the one of the one or more shopping items, and the floor plan model, and present the generated navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface.

Accordingly, indoor navigation system is configured to utilize the floor plan location identifiers corresponding the user device location identifier and the item location identifier to generate and present the navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface from the location of the user device to the location of the shopping item.

The navigation route may be presented in the floor plan model as route line element or as navigation instructions.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to receive the user device location identifier as response to an input by the user via the user interface.

Thus, the user may input or generate input via the user interface for providing the indoor navigation system with the user device location identifier.

In alternative embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to receive the user device location identifier as response to an input by the user via the user interface, the input being a shopping item identifier, the shopping item identifier being associated to a shopping item having the associated item location identifier, the user device location identifier being the item location identifier associated to the shopping item.

Accordingly, the user may utilize the shopping item identifier to determine the location of the user device. In the shopping area the user may input the shopping item identifier of product which is in the location of the user to define the current location of the user and to present the location of the user and user device in the floor plan model. Thus, the products in the shopping area are utilized for determining the location of the user and user device. The products are provided with the shopping item identifiers or labels associated with the shopping item identifiers, to be utilized by the user for the input.

In further alternative embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to receive the user device location identifier as response to an input by the user via the user interface, the input being one of the floor plan location identifiers, the user device location identifier being the inputted floor plan location identifier.

Accordingly, the user may utilize the floor plan location identifier to determine the location of the user device. In the shopping area the user may input the floor plan location identifier which is provided in the location of the user to define the current location of the user and to present the location of the user and user device in the floor plan model. Accordingly, shopping area is provided with floor plan location identifiers or labels associated with the shopping item identifiers to be utilized by the user for the input.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to present the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model in the user interface, and receive the user device location identifier as response to selecting a floor plan location identifier in the floor plan model as the input via the user interface, the user device location identifier being the selected floor plan location identifier.

Accordingly, the user may select the location of the user device and the user by selecting the floor plan location identifier via the user interface.

In some alternative embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to present one or more shopping items in the list in the user interface, and receive the user device location identifier as response to selecting one of the one or more shopping items in the list as the input via the user interface, the user device location identifier being the item location identifier associated with the selected shopping item.

Therefore, the user may define the location of the user device after or upon picking the shopping item in the shopping area by selecting the shopping item in the list.

In some embodiments, the display of the user device is a touch sensitive display, the indoor navigation system being configured to enable the user to select a location in the floor plan model via the user interface as the input by touching the location or an element representing the location in the floor plan model on the touch sensitive display.

Thus, the user may select the location of the user device in the floor plan model via the touch sensitive display, the location being associated with a floor plan location identifier.

In some alternative embodiments, the display of the user device is a touch sensitive display, the indoor navigation system being configured to enable the user to select the shopping item in the list via the user interface as the input by touching the shopping item or an element representing the shopping item on the touch sensitive display.

Thus, the user may select the shopping item via the touch sensitive display, the shopping item being associated with a shopping item location identifier.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises a microphone, the indoor navigation system being configured to enable the user to select a location in the floor plan model via the user interface as the input by voice input indicating the location or an element representing the location in the floor plan model.

Thus, the user may select the location of the user device in the floor plan model by the voice input via the microphone, the voice input being a floor plan identifier or a name or code associated with a floor plan location identifier.

In some alternative embodiments, the user device comprises a microphone, the indoor navigation system being configured to enable the user to select a shopping item in the list or a product in the shopping are via the user interface as the input by voice input indicating the shopping item in the list or the product in the shopping area.

Thus, the user may select the shopping item or the product by the voice input via the microphone, the voice input being a shopping item identifier, or shopping item name or code, or product name or code.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises an imaging device, and the shopping area is provided with machine-readable optical location labels, each machine-readable optical location label being associated with one of the floor plan location identifiers. The indoor navigation system is configured to enable the user to scan a machine-readable optical location label with the imaging device of the user device and receive the floor plan location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical location label as a response to the scanning as the input. The indoor navigation system is further configured to define location of the user device in the floor plan model based on the floor plan location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical location label, and present the user device in the floor plan model at the defined location.

Therefore, the user is able to define the location of the user device and the user in the floor plan model by scanning the machine-readable optical location label provided to the shopping area. The machine-readable optical location label may be provided to a product rack, product compartment of the rack, wall, floor or the like physical unit or member in the shopping area.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, the user device comprises an imaging device, the shopping items stored in the shopping area are provided with machine-readable optical item labels, each machine-readable optical item label being associated with item location identifiers of the shopping items, respectively. The indoor navigation system is configured to enable the user to scan a machine- readable optical item label with the imaging device of the user device, receive the item location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical item label as a response to the scanning as the input. The indoor navigation system is further configured to define location of the user device in the floor plan model based on the item location identifier associated with the scanned machine- readable optical item label, and to present the user device in the floor plan model at the defined location.

Therefore, the user is able to define the location of the user device and the user in the floor plan model by scanning the machine-readable optical item label provided to the shopping item or product in the shopping area. Each shopping item or product has a pre-defined location in the shopping area. This pre-defined location is associated to the shopping item or product with the item location identifier which is associated to the shopping item and further to the shopping item identifier.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to define location of each of the one or more shopping items in the list in the floor plan model based on the item location identifiers associated with the shopping items in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, calculate the navigation route in the floor plan model based on the defined locations of the shopping items in the list, and organize order of the one or more shopping items in the list based on the calculated navigation route.

In preferred embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to calculate shortest navigation route in the floor plan model based on the based on the defined locations of the shopping items in the list, and organize order of the one or more shopping items in the list based on the calculated shortest navigation route.

Accordingly, the defined locations of the shopping items in the list are utilized to organize the order of the shopping items in the list to preferable order such that the items are in successive order along the generated navigation route or the shortest navigation route.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to: enable the user to scan a machine-readable optical location label or a machine-readable optical item label with the imaging device of the user device, receive the floor plan location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical location label or the machine-readable optical item label as a response to the scanning as the input, define location of the user device in the floor plan model based on the floor plan location identifier associated with the scanned machine- readable optical location label or the machine-readable optical item label, generate a navigation route between the location of the user device and location of one of the one or more shopping items in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier, the item location identifier of the one of the one or more shopping items, and the floor plan model, and present the generated navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface.

Accordingly, the user may can the machine-readable optical location label or machine-readable optical item label with the imaging device of the user device, and the system generates the navigation route to one of the shopping items, the nearest shopping item or the next shopping item in the shopping list. Thus, the user may at any time locate herself or himself in the shopping area by the canning the system generates navigation route to the shopping item.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system is configured to receive a missing item notification associated with a shopping item in the list, determine substitute shopping item, the substitute shopping item having the associated shopping item identifier and the associated item location identifier, input the substitute item to the list, define location of the substitute shopping item in the floor plan model based on the item location identifier associated with the substitute shopping item in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, and present the substitute shopping item at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface.

Accordingly, if one shopping item in the list is missing from the shopping area or store, the indoor navigation system is configured to determine a substitute shopping item for replacing the missing shopping item. The indoor navigation system is configured to present the substitute shopping item in the floor plan model, and further and generate the navigation route from the user device location to the substitute item location.

The indoor navigation system is configured to generate the missing item notification as response to input by the user via the user interface. Alternatively, the indoor navigation system is configured to generate the missing item notification as response to missing item notification from an item server or item database maintaining item inventory.

The present invention is further based on the idea of providing an indoor navigation method for indoor navigation in a shopping area. The indoor navigation method is carried with an indoor navigation system comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor cause a user device to perform indoor navigation, the indoor navigation system comprising a user interface provided to the display of the user device.

The indoor navigation method according to the present invention comprises:

- presenting a floor plan model of the shopping area in the user interface, the floor plan model representing physical layout of the shopping area, and the floor plan model having floor plan location identifiers associated to the floor plan model and defining locations in the floor plan model,

- maintaining a list of shopping items, each shopping item having an associated shopping item identifier and an associated item location identifier, the item location identifier corresponding one of the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- defining locations of the shopping items in the floor plan model based on the item location identifiers associated with the one or more shopping items in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- providing a user device location identifier, the user device location identifier representing location of the user device in the floor plan model, the user device location identifier corresponding one of the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- defining location of the user device in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier,

- generating a navigation route between the defined location of the user device and defined location of one of the one or more shopping items in the floor plan model based on the user device location identifier, the item location identifier of the one of the one or more shopping items, and the floor plan model; and

- presenting the generated navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface.

The method enables generating and presenting the navigation route on the floor plan model in the user interface in simple manner by utilizing the user item location identifier, the item location identifier, the floor plan location identifiers and the floor plan model.

In some embodiments, providing the user device location identifier comprises receiving the user device location identifier as a response to input of an item location identifier via the user interface of the user device, the user device identifier being the inputted item location identifier.

Accordingly, the user may input the item location identifier via the user interface. Thus, the user may provide location of the user device in shopping area by utilizing the item location identifier.

In some alternative embodiments, providing the user device location identifier comprises receiving the user device location identifier as a response to input of a shopping item identifier via the user interface of the user device, the shopping item identifier being associated to a shopping item having the associated item location identifier, the user device identifier being the item location identifier associated to the shopping item.

Accordingly, the user may input the shopping item identifier via the user interface. Thus, the user may provide location of the user device in shopping area by utilizing the shopping item identifier.

In some further alternative embodiments, providing the user device location identifier comprises receiving the user device location identifier as a response to input of a floor plan location identifier via the user interface of the user device, the user device identifier being the inputted floor plan location identifiers.

Thus, the user may input the floor plan location identifier via the user interface. Thus, the user may provide location of the user device in shopping area by utilizing the floor plan location identifier.

In some embodiments, providing the user device location identifier comprises presenting the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model in the user interface, and receiving the user device location identifier as response to selecting a floor plan location identifier in the floor plan model as the input via the user interface, the user device location identifier being the selected floor plan location identifier.

Accordingly, the floor plan location identifiers, such as rack numbers or codes, are presented in the floor plan and the user may select the floor plan identifier as the input via the user interface for providing the user device location identifier.

In some alternative embodiments, providing the user device location identifier comprises presenting one or more shopping items in the list in the user interface, and receiving the user device location identifier as response to selecting one of the one or more shopping items in the list as the input via the user interface, the user device location identifier being the item location identifier associated with the selected shopping item.

Accordingly, the shopping items in the list are presented in the user interface, and the user may select one of the shopping items in the list via the user interface for providing the user device location identifier. In some embodiments, the display of the user device is a touch sensitive display. Providing the user device location identifier comprises enabling the user to select a location in the floor plan model via the user interface by touching the location or an element representing the location in the floor plan model on the touch sensitive display, and receiving the user device location identifier as a response to selecting the location in the floor plan model as the input, the selected location having an associated floor plan location identifier in the floor plan model, the user device location identifier being the floor plan location identifier of the selected location.

Thus, the user may define and select the user device location in the floor plan model and further provide the user device location identifier by touching a location in the floor plan model via the user interface in the touch sensitive display.

In some other embodiments, the display of the user device is a touch sensitive display. Providing the user device location identifier comprises enabling the user to select the shopping item in the list via the user interface as the input by touching the shopping item or an element representing the shopping item on the touch sensitive display, and receiving the user device location identifier as response to selecting the shopping item in the list as the input, the user device location identifier being the item location identifier associated with the selected shopping item.

Thus, the user may define and select the user device location in the floor plan model and further provide the user device location identifier by touching a shopping item or an element representing the shopping item via the user interface in the touch sensitive display.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises an imaging device. Providing the user device location identifier comprises enabling the user to scan a machine-readable optical location label arranged to the shopping area with the imaging device of the user device, the machine-readable optical location label being associated with one of the floor plan location identifiers, and receiving the user device location identifier as response to scanning the machine-readable optical location label as the input, the user device location identifier being the floor plan location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical location label.

Accordingly, the shopping area is provided with machine-readable optical location labels at defined location in the physical layout. The user may scan a machine-readable optical location label with the imaging device of the user device to define the location on the user device in the floor plan model.

In some other embodiments, the user device comprises an imaging device. Providing the user device location identifier comprises enabling the user to scan a machine-readable optical item label arranged to a shopping item in the shopping area with the imaging device of the user device, the machine-readable optical item label being associated with the item location identifier of the shopping item, and receiving the user device location identifier as response to scanning the machine-readable optical item label as the input, the user device location identifier being the item location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical item label of the shopping item.

Accordingly, the shopping items or products in the shopping area provided with machine-readable optical item labels. The user may scan a machine- readable optical item label with the imaging device of the user device to define the location on the user device in the floor plan model.

In some embodiments, the method comprises: a] defining location of a first shopping item in the list based on the item location identifier associated with the first shopping item in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, b] presenting the first shopping item at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface, c] providing the user device location identifier, the user device location identifier being the item location identifier of the first shopping item, d] defining location of a second shopping item in the list based on the item location identifier associated with the second shopping item in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, e] presenting the second shopping item at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface, f] generating a first navigation route between the location of the first shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the first shopping item and the location of the second shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the second shopping item, and g] presenting the first navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface of the user device.

The method enables the user to navigate in the shopping area according to the shopping list provided to the user device.

In the context of this application, the shopping list may mean any item list. The items, may be products or any objects.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: h] receiving a missing item notification associated with the second shopping item in the list, i] determining a substitute shopping item, the substitute shopping item having the associated shopping item identifier and the associated item location identifier, j] replacing the second shopping item with the substitute item in the list, k] defining location of the substitute shopping item in the list based on the item location identifier associated with the substitute shopping item in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, l] presenting the substitute shopping item at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface, m] generating a substitute navigation route between the location of the first shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the first shopping item and the location of the substitute shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the substitute shopping item, and n] presenting the substitute navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface of the user device.

The indoor navigation system is configured to replace a missing item in the shopping list with a substitute item, and provide navigation to the new substitute item and present the substitute navigation route to the user.

In some embodiments the method further comprises: h] receiving a missing item notification associated with the second shopping item in the list, o] deleting the second shopping item from the list as response to receiving the missing item notification associated with the second shopping item in the list, p] defining location of a third shopping item in the list based on the item location identifier associated with the third shopping item in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, q] presenting the third shopping item at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface, and r] generating a second navigation route between the location of the first shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the first shopping item and the location of the third shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the third shopping item, s] presenting the second navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface of the user device.

In some alternative embodiments the method comprises: t] deleting the second shopping item from the list as response to delete input by the user via the user interface of the user device, p] defining location of a third shopping item in the list based on the item location identifier associated with the third shopping item in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model, q] presenting the third shopping item at the defined location in the floor plan model in the user interface, and r] generating a second navigation route between the location of the first shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the first shopping item and the location of the third shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the third shopping item, s] presenting the second navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface of the user device.

Accordingly, the method is configured to provide navigation information for the user to the substitute shopping item or to a subsequent shopping item in the list when a shopping item in the list is missing in the store or in the shopping area.

In some embodiments, the method also comprises:

- defining location of each of the one or more shopping items in the list in the floor plan model based on the item location identifiers associated with the shopping items in the list and the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model,

- calculating the navigation route in the floor plan model based on the defined locations of the shopping items in the list, and

- organizing order of the one or more shopping items in the list based on the calculated navigation route.

Accordingly, the navigation route is calculated based on all the shopping items in the list and based on the calculation, the order of the shopping items in the list organized to match the calculated navigation route.

The calculation of the shopping route is based on for example length of the route such that the length of the navigation route may be minimized. Alternatively, the calculation is based on characteristics of the shopping items, such a weight or cold or frozen items. In some embodiments the calculation is based on both the length of the shopping route and characteristics of the shopping items in the list.

In some embodiments, the user device comprises the imaging device, and the method comprises:

- enabling the user to scan a machine-readable optical location label arranged to the shopping area with the imaging device of the user device, the machine-readable optical location label being associated with one of the floor plan location identifiers, or to scan a machine-readable optical item label arranged to a shopping item in the shopping area with the imaging device of the user device, the machine-readable optical item label being associated with the item location identifier of the shopping item,

- receiving the user device location identifier as response to scanning the machine-readable optical location label or the machine-readable optical item label as the input, the user device location identifier being the floor plan location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical location label or the machine-readable optical item label,

- defining location of the user device in the floor plan model based on the floor plan location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical location label or the machine-readable optical item label,

- generate a navigation route between the location of the user device (40) and location of one of the one or more shopping items in the floor plan model (80) based on the user device location identifier, the item location identifier of the one of the one or more shopping items, and the floor plan model, and

- present the generated navigation route in the floor plan model in the user interface.

Accordingly, the user may can the machine-readable optical location label or machine-readable optical item label with the imaging device of the user device, and the method generates the navigation route to one of the shopping items, the nearest shopping item or the next shopping item in the shopping list. Thus, the user may at any time locate herself or himself in the shopping area by the canning the method generates navigation route to the shopping item.

The present invention provides a navigation system and method which is simple and may be used on-line mode and in off-line mode. The navigation is based on identifiers provided to the shopping area and associated with different locations and/or shopping items or products. Accordingly, the tracking of the user location is based on identifiers inputted by the user. The navigation instructions are provided based on the user location inputted by the user and the location of the products or shopping items in the shopping area and the floor plan model representing the shopping area. Therefore, no complicated tracking system needs to be installed into the store or shopping area and the navigation is not dependent of the operation of the information network. Therefore, a simple and efficient indoor navigation system and method is provided which utilizes existing product identifiers and product information in the store.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

Figures 1 and 2 schematically disclose a user device for the system and method according to the present invention;

Figure 3 schematically shows the system according to the present invention;

Figures 4 to 16 schematically disclose operation of the indoor navigation system and method according to the present invention;

Figure 17 schematically shows a product rack of a shopping area; and Figure 18 schematically shows a bottle as a product.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows schematically a user device 40 to be used in the present invention. Users may utilize the method and system of the present invention by the user device 40. The user device 40 is preferably a mobile communication device, such as mobile phone or a tablet computer or the like. However, the user device 40 may also be personal digital assistant, thin client, electronic notebook or any other such device having a display. Further, the user device 40 may be any portable computing device. Computing devices which may be employed include wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM) in hardware or in software.

The user devices 40 comprises a user application 47 such as a software application, stored in a user device memory 46, and executed with a user device processor(s) 45. In the present invention, the user application may be a separate software application stored to the user device memory 46 or a software application or a web application running in a remote server, cloud server(s) or in the internet. In some preferred embodiments, the user device 40 comprises an imaging device or camera 30, as shown in figure 1. The imaging device 30 being a digital camera having a lens and image sensor.

Figure 1 shows back side of the user device 40 and the imaging device 30 is provided to the back side. Alternatively, the imaging device 30 may also be provided to front side of the user device 40 or bot the front side and the back side may be provided with an imaging device 30.

As shown in figure 2, the user device 40 comprises a user interface 42. The user interface 42 may be any suitable user interface for a human user for carrying out or interacting with the system and the method of the present invention. The user interface 42 may be a graphical user interface (GUI) provided by a web browser or a dedicated user application 46 on a display 41 of the user device 40. The user interface 42 may, for example, enable the users input information or data, upload and/or download data files, provide requests, present information and images and operate the imaging device 30 of the user device 40.

The user interface 42 may be accessible by the user with an input device (not shown) such as touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, touchpad, keypad, trackball or any other suitable hand operated input device or some other kind of input device such as voice operable user device or human gesture, such as hand or eye, gesture detecting input device. The input device may be configured to receive input from the user. The user interfaces (generally API, Application Programmable Interface) may be provided in connection with the system and method of the present invention in order to enable the users to interact with system and the user device 40.

The user device may also comprise virtual reality (VR) device having a display with the user interface, such as VR glasses, or augmented reality (AR) device glasses, such as AR glasses, having a display. The VR or AR device may be provided as voice operable user device or human gesture operable user device.

The user interface 42 may also be an interface towards and accessible to the imaging device or camera 30 of the user device 40.

The display 41 and the user interface are provided to front side of the user device 40.

In the present invention, the use device is preferably a graphical user device 42 provided to and operable with the display 41 of the user device 40.

The present invention provides an indoor navigation system. The indoor navigation system according to the present invention comprises at least the user device 40 and the indoor navigation is carried out by utilizing the user device 40. In this embodiment, the indoor navigation system is carried out as a standalone system running only as the user application in the user device 40. Thus, in this embodiment, indoor navigation system and method of the present invention may operate offline without need for network connection or interaction with external servers or databases.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically another embodiment of the indoor navigation system in which the user device 40 may connect to a navigation server system 50 via a communications network 100. It should be noted that figure 3 presents a simplified version of the indoor navigation system and that in other embodiments, an unlimited number of user devices 40 may be able to connect to the navigation server system 50 via the communications network 100.

The communications network 100 may comprise one or more wireless networks, wherein a wireless network may be based on any mobile system, such as GSM, GPRS, LTE, 4G, 5G and beyond, and a wireless local area network, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Furthermore, the communications network 100 may comprise one or more fixed networks or the Internet.

The navigation server system 50 may comprise at least one navigation server connected to a navigation database 58. The navigation server system 50 may also comprise one or more other network devices (not shown), such as a terminal device, a server and/or a database devices. The navigation server system 50 is configured to communicate with the one or more user devices 40 via the communications network 100. Accordingly, the user device 40 comprise a user device communication module 48 operable to communicate with the navigation server system 50 via the communications network 100.

The navigation server system 50 or server and the navigation database 58 may form a single database server, that is, a combination of a data storage (database) and a data management system, as in figure 3, or they may be separate entities. The data storage may be any kind of conventional or future data repository, including distributed and/or centralised storing of data, a cloud-based storage in a cloud environment (i.e., a computing cloud), managed by any suitable data management system. The detailed implementation of the data storage is irrelevant to the invention, and therefore not described in detail. In addition to or instead of the navigation database 58, other parts of the navigation server system 50 may also be implemented as distributed server system comprising two or more separate servers or as a computing cloud comprising one or more cloud servers. In some embodiments, the navigation server system 50 may be a fully cloud-based server system. Further, it should be appreciated that the location of the navigation server system 50 is irrelevant to the invention. The navigation server system 50 may be operated and maintained using one or more other network devices in the system or using a terminal device (not shown) via the communications network 100. The navigation server system 50 may also comprise one or more user devices.

In some embodiments, the navigation server system 50 is integral to the user device 40 and provided as internal server system to the user device 40. Further, in these embodiments, the communications network 100 is implemented as internal communication network or components in the user device 40, such as a wireless or wire communication network or connection in the user device 40. This, may correspond the above mentioned stand-alone or offline navigation system running only in the user device 40.

The navigation server system 50 may also comprise a processing module 52. The processing module 52 is coupled to or otherwise has access to a memory module 54. The processing module 52 and the memory module 54 may form the navigation server, or at least part of it. The navigation server, or the processing module 52 and/or the memory module 54, has access to the navigation database 58. The processing module 52 may be configured to carry out instructions of a navigation application or unit by utilizing instructions of the navigation application. The navigation server system 50 may comprise a navigation unit 56 which may be the navigation application. The navigation application 56 may be stored in the memory module 54 of the navigation server system 50. The navigation application or unit 56 may comprise the instructions of operating the navigation application. Thus, the processing module 52 may be configured to carry out the instructions of the navigation application.

The processing module 52 may comprise one or more processing units or central processing units (CPU) or the like computing units. The present invention is not restricted to any kind of processing unit or any number of processing units. The memory module 54 may comprise non-transitory computer- readable storage medium or a computer-readable storage device. In some embodiments, the memory module 54 may comprise a temporary memory, meaning that a primary purpose of memory module 54 may not be long-term storage. The memory module 54 may also refer to a volatile memory, meaning that memory module 54 does not maintain stored contents when the memory module 54 is not receiving power. Examples of volatile memories include random access memories (RAM), dynamic random access memories (DRAM), static random access memories (SRAM), and other forms of volatile memories known in the art. In some examples, the memory module 54 is used to store program instructions for execution by the processing module 52, for example the navigation application. The memory module 54, in one embodiment, may be used by software (e.g., an operating system) or applications, such as a software, firmware, or middleware. The memory module 54 may comprise for example operating system or software application, the navigation application, comprising at least part of the instructions for executing the method of the present invention. Accordingly, the navigation unit 56 of the navigation server system 50 comprises the navigation application and it may be a separate application unit, as shown in figure 3, or alternatively it may a separate application unit.

The processing module 52, the memory module 54 and the navigation unit 56 together form a navigation module 55 in the navigation server system 50.

It should be noted, that the navigation database 58 may also be configured to comprise software application, the navigation application, comprising at least part of the instructions for executing the method of the present invention.

The above mentioned also applies to the user application 47, the user device memory 46, and the user device processor(s) 45. Furthermore, the in the stand-alone embodiment the navigation database 58 may be provided to the user device 40.

The navigation database 58 is configured to maintain information relating to one or more shopping areas or stores. The navigation database 58 is further configured to maintain information relating to products or shopping items in the respective store or shopping area. The navigation database 58 may comprise one or more storage devices. The storage devices may also include one or more transitory or non-transitory computer-readable storage media and/or computer- readable storage devices. In some embodiments, storage devices may be configured to store greater amounts of information than memory module 54. Storage devices may further be configured for long-term storage of information. In some examples, the storage devices comprise non-volatile storage elements. Examples of such non-volatile storage elements include magnetic hard discs, optical discs, solid-state discs, flash memories, forms of electrically programmable memories (EPROMs) or electrically erasable and programmable memories (EEPROMsj, and other forms of non-volatile memories known in the art. In one embodiment, the storage device may comprise databases and the memory module 54 comprise instructions and operating navigation application for executing the method according to the present invention utilizing the processing unit 52. However, it should be noted that the storage devices may also be omitted and the navigation server system 50 may comprise only the memory module 54, which also is configured as maintain the navigation database 58. Alternatively, the memory module 54 could be omitted and the navigation server system 50 could comprise only one or more storage devices. Therefore, the terms memory module 54 and navigation database 58 could be interchangeable in embodiments which they both are not present. The navigation database 58 is operable with other components and data of the navigation server system 50 by utilizing instructions stored in the memory module 54 and executed by the processing unit 52 over the communications network 100.

The navigation database 58 may be provided in connection with the navigation server or the navigation server may comprise the navigation database 58, as shown in figure 3. Alternatively, the navigation database 58 maybe provided as an external database 58, external to the navigation server 50, and the navigation database 58 may be accessible to and connected to the navigation server and/or the user device 40 directly or via the communications network 100.

The storage device (s) may store one or more navigation databases 58 for maintaining shopping area or store information or shopping item information or navigation or location information. These different information items may be stored to different database blocks in the navigation database 58, or alternatively they may be grouped differently, for example based on each shopping area or each shopping item.

Figures 4 to 16 show schematically operation of the indoor navigation system and the indoor navigation method according to the present invention.

The method comprises a step 200 of providing a list of one or more shopping items.

The list is provided by the user and is carried out by selecting one or more shopping items to the list via the user interface 42 in the user device 40 by the user. Thus, the list is generated by the user via the user application in the user device 40.

Alternatively, the list is uploaded to the user device 40 from an external server or from another shopping application in the user device 40 or from an external server.

Accordingly, in in step 200 the indoor navigation system is configured to receive and/or maintain the list of one or more shopping items.

The shopping items represent products available in shopping area or store.

The method further comprises providing a floor plan model of a shopping area in step 210. The floor plan model is configured to represent physical layout of the shopping area.

The indoor navigation system may be configured to enable the user to select the shopping area or store with the user device 40 or via the user interface 42 of the user device.

The indoor navigation system is further configured to present the selected floor plan model in the user interface 42 on the display 41 of the user device 40 in step 220.

The floor plan model is configured to represent physical layout of the shopping area or the store. The floor plan model comprises floor plan location identifiers associated to the floor plan model and defining locations in the floor plan model. The locations in the floor plan model and the associated floor plan location identifiers represent corresponding locations in the physical layout of the shopping area.

Each shopping item has a pre-determined location in the shopping area. Therefore, each shopping item in the list also has a corresponding location in the floor plan model.

Therefore, each shopping item comprises an associated shopping item identifier and an associated item location identifier. The item location identifier corresponds one of the floor plan location identifiers of the floor plan model. Thus, the item location identifier represents the location of the shopping item in the floor plan model, and also in the shopping area. The shopping item identifier represents and defines the physical shopping item in the indoor navigation system.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system comprises shopping item profiles for the shopping items. Each shopping item profile represents one shopping item and comprises the shopping item identifier and the item location identifier associated with the shopping item profile.

Accordingly, each shopping item in the list comprises an associated item location identifier corresponding a floor plan location identifier. Thus, each shopping item in the list is provided with defined location in the floor plan model, the location in the floor plan model representing the location of the corresponding product in the shopping area.

Figure 6 shows schematically the floor plan model 80 and the shopping list 90 represented on the user interface 42 in the display 41 of the user device 40.

The floor plan model 80 comprises floor plan location identifiers 85 representing different locations in the floor plan model 80 and corresponding similar locations in the physical layout of the shopping area.

The floor plan location identifiers 85 are represent with numbers and letters A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 in figure 6.

It should be noted that in some embodiments location identifiers 85 are presented in the floor plan model 80 and in some other embodiments location identifiers 85 are not represented, but only provided are data in the indoor navigation system.

In the embodiment of figure 6, the shopping area comprises products racks and the floor plan model 80 comprises product rack elements 83 representing the products racks in the shopping area. In the embodiment of figure 6, each product rack element is provided with a floor plan location identifier representing the location of each product rack element in the floor plan model 80 and corresponding the locations of the product racks in the shopping area. The product rack elements are represented with or associated with floor plan location identifiers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 in the floor plan model 80.

The shopping area comprises an entrance and exit which are represented as an entrance element 81 and an exit element 82 in the floor plan model 80, respectively. The entrance element 81 comprises an associated floor plan location identifier A and the exit element 82 comprises an associated floor plan location identifier D.

In some embodiments, the shopping area comprises one or more cashiers which are represented as cashier elements 84 in the floor plan model 80. The cashier elements 84 comprises associated floor plan location identifiers B and C, in figure 6.

The product racks in the shopping area may comprise two or more compartments, such shelfs, boxes or chambers. Figure 17 shows one product rack 83’ in the shopping area. The product rack 83’ comprises compartments 86’. The product rack 83’ is represent in the floor plan model with a products rack element 82 associated with the floor plan location identifier 85, which in figure 17 is 1. Similarly, the compartments 86’ is represented in the floor plan model 80 as compartment elements. Each compartment element of the product rack element 83 is associated with a corresponding floor plan location identifier 87 defining the location of the compartment elements in the floor plan model. In figure 17 the floor plan location identifiers of the compartment elements are shown as 1A, IB, 1C, ID, IE, IF, 1G, 1H.

According to the above disclosed, the product racks 83’ and possible other physical fixed objects in the shopping area are represented in the floor plan model 80 as product rack elements 83 or other possible elements 81, 82, 84 such that the floor plan model 80 corresponds the physical layout of the shopping area. The product rack elements 83 and other possible elements 81, 82, 84 in the floor plan model 80 have each an associated floor plan location identifier defining the location in the floor plan model 80, the location corresponding the location in the physical layout of the shopping area.

Furthermore, the products in the shopping area have a location in the physical layout of the shopping area. Each shopping item in the indoor navigation system has an associated item location identifier defining the location of the shopping item in the floor plan model 80. The item location identifier of each shopping item corresponds one floor plan location identifier. Therefore, the item location identifier associated with the shopping item in configured to define the location of the shopping item in the floor plan model.

The indoor navigation system and the method is configured to determine or define location of a first shopping item in the list in the floor plan model in step 300. The location of the first shopping in the floor plan model 80 is defined based on the item location identifiers associated with the first shopping item in the list and the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80. The item location identifier of the fist shopping item corresponds one of the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

The indoor navigation system and the method is further configured to present the location of the first shopping item in the list in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 of the user device 40 in step 310, as shown in figure 4.

Accordingly, in the embodiment of figure 4 navigation is configured to start by defining the location of the first shopping item list and by presenting the first shopping item in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42.

Figure 5 schematically defines another embodiment, in which the indoor navigation is configured to beginning at a start location. The indoor navigation system and the method is configured to determine the location of the user device 40, and thus the user, in the floor plan model 80 in step 400. The defined location of the user device 40 is the start location.

In step 400, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to receive a user device location identifier. The user device location identifier is configured to represent location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80 and correspond one of the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80.

In step 400, the indoor navigation system and method is further configured to define location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80 based on the received user device location identifier and the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the user device location, corresponding the start location, in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 410.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to generate or calculate a start navigation route between the user device location of the user device 40 and location of the first shopping item in the floor plan model 80 based on the user device location identifier, the item location identifier of the first shopping item, and the floor plan model 80 in step 420.

Furthermore, in step 430 the indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the generated start navigation route in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42.

Figure 6 shows schematically one embodiment of the present invention and the user interface 42 in the user device 40 of the indoor navigation system. The user interface 42 is configured to present the floor plan model 80. The user interface 42 is further configured to present the shopping list 90 or at least part of the shopping list 90.

The user interface 42 is further configured to present the user device 40 or the user in the floor plan model 80 with an arrow 20. The arrow 20 represent the location of the user device 40, and thus also the user, in the floor plan model 80.

The user interface 42 is further configured to present the navigation route with a dotted line 22.

It should be noted, that the user interface 42 may alternatively or additionally configured to present the navigation route with navigation instructions, such as arrow or text instructions.

In figure 6, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to determine user device location at the start location A in the floor plan model 80 and represent the user device 40 are the start location A with the arrow 20, as defined according to steps 400, 410 of figure 5.

The indoor navigation system and the method is further configured to determine location of the first shopping item, "orange" in the list 90 in the floor plan model 80 and present the location of the first shopping item in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in the steps 300, 310 of figure 4.

Accordingly, the first shopping item, "orange", is provided with the first shopping item location identifier which is shows as 1, in figure 6. The first item location identifier 1 corresponds the floor plan location identifier 1 of the floor plan model 80.

The indoor navigation system and the method is further configured to generate and present the start navigation route 22 between the location of the user device 40 and the location of the first shopping item based on the user device location identifier A and the item location identifier 1 associated to the first shopping item.

The user may then move to the location of the first shopping item in the shopping area and pick up the first shopping item. When the user is in the location of the first shopping item, correspond the first item location identifier 1 in the floor plan model 80 in figure 6, location of the user device, and the user, needs to be determined or confirmed.

Determining or confirming the location of the user device 40 is carried out similarly as in steps 400, 410 of figure 5, by receiving the user device location identifier and defining location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80 based on the user device location identifier and the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80.

Accordingly, when the user picks up first shopping item, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to receive the floor plan location identifier corresponding the item location identifier associated with the first shopping item.

Alternatively, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to receive a new user device location identifier configured to represent location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80 and correspond one of the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80.

In the present invention the location of the user in the shopping area and physical layout thereof is represented by the indoor navigation system and method as the user device location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80. The user device location may be determined in any stage during the indoor navigation such that user may be located in the floor plan model 80. The user device location in the floor plan model 80 is configured to be defined by receiving the user device location identifier and defining location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80 based on the user device location identifier and the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80. Further, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the user device location in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to receive the user device location identifier as response to an input by the user via the user interface 42. Accordingly, the user may input via the user interface 42 to provide the user device location identifier and determine the location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to receive the user device location identifier as response to an input by the user via the user interface 42. The input via the user interface 42 may be a shopping item identifier, the shopping item identifier being associated to a shopping item and having the associated item location identifier. Thus, the user device location identifier is the item location identifier associated to the shopping item. Accordingly, the use may input the shopping item identifier to determine the location of the user device in the floor plan model 80.

In some embodiments, the input via the user interface 42 is one of the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Thus, the user device location identifier is the inputted floor plan location identifier A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. Accordingly, the use may input the floor plan location identifier to determine the location of the user device in the floor plan model 80.

As shown in figure 6, the indoor navigation system is configured to present the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42. The indoor navigation system is further configured to receive the user device location identifier as response to selecting a floor plan location identifier A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 in the floor plan model 80 as the input via the user interface 42. The user device location identifier is the selected floor plan location identifier A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

The indoor navigation system may be alternatively configured to enable the user to select a location in the floor plan model 80 via the user interface 42 as the input by touching the location or an element 81, 82, 83, 84, 86 representing the location in the floor plan model 80 on a touch sensitive display 41 of the user device 40. The locations and/or elements in the floor plan model 80 have associated floor plan location identifiers identifier A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.

As shown in figure 6, the indoor navigation system is configured to present the shopping list 90 and/or one or more shopping items 70 in the list 90 in the user interface 42. The indoor navigation system is further configured to receive the user device location identifier as response to selecting one of the one or more shopping items 70 in the list 90 as the input via the user interface 42, the user device location identifier being the item location identifier associated with the selected shopping item 70.

The indoor navigation system may be alternatively configured to enable the user to select the shopping item 70 in the list 90 via the user interface 42 as the input by touching the shopping item 70 or an element 92 representing the shopping item on the touch sensitive display 41. The element 92 representing the shopping item in the list 90 is an icon, button, text or the like presented in the user interface 42 and associated with the shopping item, as shown in figure 6.

In some further embodiments, the user device 40 comprises the imaging device 30 and the shopping area is provided with machine-readable optical location labels 88’, as shown in figure 17. The machine-readable optical location labels 88’ are provided to different locations such as product racks 83’, entrance, exit and cashiers or different compartments 86’ of the products racks 83’ in the shopping area, as shown in figure 17. Each machine-readable optical location label 88’ is associated with one of the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80. Thus, the machine-readable optical location labels 88’ are configured to provide link between the physical location in the physical layout of the shopping area and the corresponding location in the floor plan model 80.

The indoor navigation system is configured to enable the user to scan a machine-readable optical location label 88’ with the imaging device 30 of the user device 40in the shopping area, and receive the floor plan location identifier A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 , 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 associated with the scanned machine-readable optical location label 88’ as a response to the scanning as the input for determining the location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80.

Further, in some embodiments, products 70 in the shopping area are provided with machine-readable optical item labels 72, as shown in figure 18. Each machine-readable optical item label 72 is associated with item location identifiers of the shopping items 70, respectively, for defining the location of the corresponding shopping item in the floor plan model 80.

The indoor navigation system is further configured to enable the user to scan a machine-readable optical item label 72 with the imaging device 30 of the user device 40 and receive the item location identifier associated with the scanned machine-readable optical item label 72 as a response to the scanning as the input for determining the location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80.

Instead of machine-readable optical labels 88’, 72, respectively, other kind of labels may be used. In some embodiments, the labels 88’, 72 comprise an optical machine readable QR-codes. Alternatively, the labels 88’, 72 may comprise any other optical machine readable code such as Bar-code. Further alternatively, the labels 88’, 72 may comprise a one or more characters, number or a string of characters or numbers which are provided visible to users. Further alternatively, the labels 72, 88’ may comprise RFID-tag, NFF-tag or the like machine-readable and/or remote readable tag, which may be scanned or read with the user device 40.

The user device 40 comprise an RFID-receiver, NFC-receiver or the like for reading or receiving information from the label 88’, 72.

It should be noted, that the item labels 72 provided to the shopping item or item and the location labels 88’ may be different kind of labels.

As disclosed above, the indoor navigation system and method provides multiple options for determining the location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80.

As shown in figure 7, the user device location of the user device 40 is defined or confirmed or updated by receiving a location identifier or shopping item identifier in the indoor navigation system in step 350 upon or after picking up a shopping item in the list 90 or upon need for otherwise determining location of the user device in the floor plan model 80.

Following the shopping list 90 in order, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to determine a second item location of the second shopping item in the list in step 500, after receiving shopping item identifier or first item location identifier relating of the first shopping item in the list 90.

The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to present the second shopping item in the floor plan model 80 in the determined location in the user interface 42 in step 510, generate a first item route between the first item location and the second item location in step 520 and further present the first item route in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 530.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the second shopping item in the list 90 in the second item location having the location identifier 7, as shown in figure 8. The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the user device 20 in the first item location having the floor plan location identifier 1. The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to present the first item route 23 with dotted line between the first item location and the second item location in the user interface 42.

As shown in figure 9, the user device location of the user device 40 is define or confirmed or updated by receiving a location identifier or shopping item identifier in the indoor navigation system in step 550 upon or after picking up the second shopping item in the list 90 or upon need for otherwise determining location of the user device in the floor plan model 80.

Furter following the shopping list 90 in order, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to determine a third item location of the third shopping item in the list 90 in step 600, after receiving shopping item identifier or second item location identifier relating of the second shopping item in the list 90.

The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to present the third shopping item in the floor plan model 80 in the determined location in the user interface 42 in step 610, generate a second item route between the second item location and the third item location in step 620 and further present the second item route in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 630.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the third shopping item in the list 90 in the third item location having the location identifier 12, as shown in figure 10. The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the user device 20 in the second item location having the floor plan location identifier 7. The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to present the second item route 24 with dotted line between the second item location and the third item location in the user interface 42. As shown in figure 11, the user device location of the user device 40 is define or confirmed or updated by receiving a location identifier or shopping item identifier in the indoor navigation system in step 650 upon or after picking up the third shopping item in the list 90 or upon need for otherwise determining location of the user device in the floor plan model 80.

Furter following the shopping list 90 in order, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to determine an end location in the floor plan model 80 step 700, after receiving shopping item identifier or third item location identifier relating of the third shopping item in the list 90.

The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to present the end location in the floor plan model 80 in the determined location in the user interface 42 in step 710, generate an end route between the third item location and the end location in step 720 and further present the end route in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 730.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the end item in the list 90 in the end location having the location identifier B, as shown in figure 12. In the embodiment of figure 12, the end location is the cashier element 84 in the floor plan model 80 having the floor plan location identifier B. The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the user device 40 in the third item location having the floor plan location identifier 12. The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to present the end route 25 with dotted line between the third item location and the end location in the user interface 42.

It should be noted that according to the present invention, start location and/or the end location may be omitted. Further, the shopping list 90 may comprise only one shopping item. The indoor navigation system and method is configured to generate navigation route between the user device location and the following shopping item location in the floor plan model 80.

When utilizing the shopping list 90, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to confirm picking up a shopping item as a response to receiving the shopping item identifier or the item location identifier. Then, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to determine location of the successive shopping item in the list 90 or the end location and generate the respective navigation route.

Figure 13 shows generally the operation of the indoor navigation system and method of the present invention. In steps 420, 520, 620 and 720, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to generate the item route or navigation route between a previous item location and a subsequent item location in the floor plan model 90, or between two successive item locations, and present the item route in the user interface 42 in step 430, 530, 630, 730.

When the user needs to define momentary or current location in the floor plan model 80 along the item route between the previous item location and the subsequent item location, or between the successive item locations, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to determine the momentary location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80 in step 800. The step 800 is carried out as disclosed above, by receiving the user device location identifier as response to an input by the user via the user interface 42.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to present the momentary location of the user device 40 in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 as response to receiving the user device location identifier, in step 810, generate an updated route between the momentary location of the user device 40 an the subsequent item location of the subsequent shopping item in the list 90 in step 820, and further present the updated route in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 830. Thus, the user may update the navigation route at any time.

Figure 14 further shows an embodiment, in which a shopping list of one or more shopping items is provided or received in the indoor navigation system in step 200. The indoor navigation system and method is configured to define or determine location of each of the one or more shopping items in the list 90 in the floor plan model 80 based on the item location identifiers associated with the shopping items in the list 90 and the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80 in step 230.

In step 240, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to generate a shopping route in the floor plan model 80 based on the item location, or floor plan location identifiers, of all of the one or more shopping items in the list 90. The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to present the shopping route in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 250.

In some embodiments, the indoor navigation system and method is configured to calculate the navigation route in the floor plan model 80 based on the defined locations of all of the shopping items in the list 90, and organize order of the one or more shopping items in the list 90 based on the calculated navigation route in step 240.

Figure 15 shows schematically one embodiment of the present invention.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to receive a missing item notification associated with a missing shopping item in the list in step 900, determining a substitute shopping item, the substitute shopping item having the associated shopping item identifier and the associated item location identifier and replace the missing shopping item with the substitute item in the list 90 in step 910.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to define or determine location of the substitute shopping item in the list 90 based on the item location identifier associated with the substitute shopping item in the list 90 and the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80 in step 920 and present the substitute shopping item at the defined location in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 930.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to generate a substitute navigation route between the location of previous shopping item in the list 90 and the location of the substitute shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the substitute shopping item in step 940, and present the substitute navigation route in the floor plan module 80 in the user interface 42 of the user device 40 in step 950.

The missing item notification is received as response to user input via the user interface 42, or automatically from the navigation server system 50.

Figure 16 shows a further embodiment of the present invention.

The indoor navigation system and method is configured to receive a missing item notification associated with a missing shopping item in the list in step 900, and delete or remove the missing shopping item from the list 90 as response to receiving the missing item notification associated with the missing shopping item in the list 90 in step 950.

The indoor navigation system and method is further configured to define or determine location of a subsequent shopping item in the list 90 based on the item location identifier associated with the subsequent shopping item in the list 90 and the floor plan location identifiers A, B, C, D, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of the floor plan model 80 in step 960, and present the subsequent shopping item 70 at the defined location in the floor plan model 80 in the user interface 42 in step 970. The indoor navigation system and method is configured to generate a subsequent navigation route between the location of the previous shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the previous shopping item and the location of the subsequent shopping item defined by the item location identifier associated with the subsequent shopping item in step 980, and present the subsequent navigation route in the floor plan module 80 in the user interface 42 of the user device 40 in step 990.

As already mentioned above, the indoor navigation system may be carried out as stand-alone system in the user device 40 or by utilizing both the user device 40 and the navigation server system 50.

In the stand-alone embodiment of the indoor navigation system, determining locations in the floor plan model 80 and generating the navigation routes are carried out in the user device 40.

In the embodiment comprising both the user device 40 and the navigation server system, determining locations in the floor plan model 80 and generating the navigation routes are carried out in the user device 40 or in the navigation server system 50.

Accordingly, the present invention is not restricted to any particular structure of the indoor navigation system.

The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.