U.S. patent application number 15/954840 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-23 for tactile navigation systems and methods.
The applicant listed for this patent is Walmart Apollo, LLC. Invention is credited to Matthew Allen Jones, Nicholaus Adam Jones, Robert James Taylor.
Application Number | 20180238706 15/954840 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56891245 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180238706 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Taylor; Robert James ; et
al. |
August 23, 2018 |
TACTILE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
Abstract
Provided is a wearable navigation device, comprising a band
portion positioned at a portion of a human body; a location device
that receives navigation data regarding a destination location for
an item and determines a distance and orientation with respect to a
current position of the wearable navigation device to the
destination location; and a plurality of tactile feedback emitters
that provide tactile feedback to the portion of the human body in a
predetermined sequential order to direct a wearer of the band
portion to the destination location having a point of intersection
of a length, width, and height.
Inventors: |
Taylor; Robert James;
(Rogers, AR) ; Jones; Matthew Allen; (Bentonville,
AR) ; Jones; Nicholaus Adam; (Fayetteville,
AR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Walmart Apollo, LLC |
Bentonville |
AR |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56891245 |
Appl. No.: |
15/954840 |
Filed: |
April 17, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15198162 |
Jun 30, 2016 |
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15954840 |
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62188060 |
Jul 2, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44C 5/0015 20130101;
G01C 21/265 20130101; G01C 21/3652 20130101; A41F 9/00 20130101;
G01C 21/206 20130101; G01C 21/3605 20130101; G01C 21/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/36 20060101
G01C021/36; G01C 21/26 20060101 G01C021/26; G01C 21/20 20060101
G01C021/20 |
Claims
1. A navigation system, comprising: a band portion positioned at a
portion of a human body; a plurality of tactile feedback emitters
on the band portion that provide tactile feedback to the portion of
the human body in a predetermined sequential order to direct a
wearer of the band portion to the destination location; and a
wireless device on the band portion that communicates with a mobile
electronic device to receive from the mobile electronic device
reference location information, wherein the feedback emitters
provide a direction of the destination location from the reference
location.
2. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device
receives navigation data regarding a location of interest that
includes a shelf of a plurality of shelves holding an item, and the
location device or the mobile electronic device determines a
distance and orientation with respect to a current position of the
wearable navigation device to the location of interest, and wherein
the tactile feedback emitters provide the tactile feedback to the
portion of the human body in a predetermined sequential order to
direct a wearer of the band portion to the location of interest
where a length, width, and height of the shelf intersect.
3. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the band portion is in
the form of a bracelet, anklet, or belt.
4. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the tactile feedback
emitters include a plurality of nodes, which each generates tactile
feedback in the predetermined sequential order to direct the wearer
of the band portion to the destination at a three-dimensional
region of the location of interest.
5. The navigation system of claim 4, wherein the nodes are
constructed and arranged as a grid.
6. The navigation system of claim 4, wherein the nodes create a
tactile feedback in sequence across the nodes to direct the wearer
in a vertical direction toward the location of interest.
7. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the tactile feedback
emitters are constructed and arranged into a plurality of feedback
zones.
8. The navigation system of claim 1, further comprising a scanning
device at the band portion or the mobile electronic device for
scanning an element to determine a reference location, and wherein
the feedback emitters provide a direction of the destination
location from the reference location.
9. The navigation system of claim 8, wherein the element includes
another item on a shelf, an aisle-section tag, or an item shelf
label.
10. The navigation system of claim 1, further comprising a device
at the current location that links to the wireless device by a
position system or a barcode on the band portion.
11. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the wireless device
includes a location device that receives navigation data regarding
a bin location of an item and determines a distance and orientation
with respect to a current position of the band portion to the bin
location, and wherein the tactile feedback emitters provide tactile
feedback in a predetermined sequential order to direct a wearer of
the band portion to the bin location for picking the item, the bin
location having a point of intersection of a length, width, and
height.
12. The navigation system of claim 11, further comprising a display
having a user interface at the band portion that displays a bin
selection field for selecting the bin location for placing an
item.
13. The navigation system of claim 11, wherein the mobile
electronic device comprises a display for selecting the bin
location for placing an item.
14. The navigation system of claim 1, further comprising: a
special-purpose hardware processor on the band portion for
determining a destination where to stock an item in possession of a
user; and a scanning device for scanning a location-identifying
element to establish a reference heading and to identify the item,
the a special-purpose hardware processor further configured to
determine the destination from the scanned item identity and
reference heading; and to output signals to the tactile feedback
emitters for directing the user to a location for stocking the
item.
15. The navigation system of claim 14, wherein the scanning device
is configured for scanning a label at the destination and for
directing the user to a location for the stocking the item from the
destination.
16. A wearable navigation device, comprising: a band portion
positioned at a portion of a human body; a location device that
receives navigation data regarding a destination location for an
item and determines a distance and orientation with respect to a
current position of the wearable navigation device to the
destination location; a plurality of tactile feedback emitters that
provide tactile feedback to the portion of the human body in a
predetermined sequential order to direct a wearer of the band
portion to the destination location having a point of intersection
of a length, width, and height; a scanning device for scanning a
location-identifying element at a reference location to determine a
current location and orientation of the wearer, and wherein the
tactile feedback emitters provide a direction of the destination
location from the reference location; and wherein the band portion
includes multiple portions on different regions of the portion of
the human body, and wherein the tactile feedback emitters are
positioned on each of the different regions, and provide tactile
feedback to the different regions.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein the tactile feedback emitters
include a plurality of nodes, which each generates tactile feedback
in a predetermined sequential order to direct the wearer of the
band portion to the destination at a three-dimensional region of
the location of interest.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the nodes are constructed and
arranged as a grid.
19. The device of claim 16, wherein the tactile feedback emitters
are constructed and arranged into a plurality of feedback
zones.
20. The device of claim 16, wherein the location device receives
navigation data regarding a bin location of an item and determines
a distance and orientation with respect to a current position of
the wearable navigation device to the bin location; and wherein the
plurality of tactile feedback emitters provide tactile feedback to
the portion of the human body in a predetermined sequential order
to direct the wearer of the band portion to the bin location for
picking the item, the bin location having a point of intersection
of a length, width, and height.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/198,162, filed Jun. 30, 2016 and entitled
"Tactile Navigation Systems and Methods", which claims priority to
U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/188,060, filed Jul.
2, 2015 and entitled "Tactile Navigation Systems and Methods", each
of which is hereby incorporated entirely herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The present concepts relate generally to wearable navigation
devices, and more specifically, to systems and methods for
navigating a pedestrian to a location of interest at a store.
BACKGROUND
[0003] It is well-known that merchandise items are often difficult
to locate in large stores, supermarkets, and the like. Locations
within retail stores and the distances between the locations are
often not well identified or mapped. Therefore, not only do
customers have difficulty, but store employees also find it
difficult to locate intended shelves, bins, or other storage
regions for stocking items, or for performing inventory management
or related job tasks.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a wearable navigation device, comprises a
band portion positioned at a portion of a human body; a location
device that receives navigation data regarding a destination
location for an item and determines a distance and orientation with
respect to a current position of the wearable navigation device to
the destination location; and a plurality of tactile feedback
emitters that provide tactile feedback to the portion of the human
body in a predetermined sequential order to direct a wearer of the
band portion to the destination location having a point of
intersection of a length, width, and height.
[0005] In some embodiments, the band portion is in the form of a
bracelet, anklet, or belt.
[0006] In some embodiments, the tactile feedback emitters generate
at least one of vibration feedback, visual feedback, pressure
feedback, or other haptic feedback.
[0007] In some embodiments, the tactile feedback emitters include a
plurality of nodes, which each generates tactile feedback in a
predetermined sequential order to direct the wearer of the band
portion to the destination at a three-dimensional region of the
location of interest.
[0008] In some embodiments, the tactile feedback emitters are
constructed and arranged into a plurality of feedback zones.
[0009] In some embodiments, the nodes are constructed and arranged
as a grid.
[0010] In some embodiments, the nodes create a tactile feedback in
sequence across the nodes to direct the wearer in a vertical
direction toward the location of interest.
[0011] In some embodiments, device further comprises a scanning
device for scanning an element to determine a reference location,
and wherein the feedback emitters provide a direction of the
destination location from the reference location.
[0012] In some embodiments, the element includes another item on a
shelf, an aisle-section tag, or an item shelf label.
[0013] In some embodiments the band portion includes multiple
portions on different portions of the human body, and the tactile
feedback emitters are positioned on each portion, and provide
tactile feedback to the different portions of the human body.
[0014] In another aspect, a navigation system comprises a band
portion positioned at a portion of a human body; a plurality of
tactile feedback emitters that provide tactile feedback to the
portion of the human body in a predetermined sequential order to
direct a wearer of the band portion to the destination location;
and a device that communicates with a mobile electronic device to
receive from the mobile electronic device reference location
information, wherein the feedback emitters provide a direction of
the destination location from the reference location.
[0015] In another aspect, navigation system for identifying a
location of interest of an item, comprises a wearable navigation
device comprising a plurality of nodes positioned at a portion of a
human body; at least one scanning device positioned at a current
location for scanning an item to determine a location of interest
of the item; a device at the current location that links to the
wearable navigation device; and a plurality of tactile feedback
emitters that provide tactile feedback to the portion of the human
body in a predetermined sequential order to direct a wearer of the
band portion to the location of interest.
[0016] In some embodiments, the device links to the wearable
navigation device by a position system or a barcode on the wearable
navigation device.
[0017] In some embodiments, the navigation system further comprises
a location device that receives navigation data regarding a bin
location of an item and determines a distance and orientation with
respect to a current position of the wearable navigation device to
the bin location.
[0018] In some embodiments, the location device generates signals
to the wearable navigation device to direct a wearer to the bin
location for picking the item, the bin location having a point of
intersection of a length, width, and height.
[0019] In another aspect, a wearable navigation device comprises a
band portion positioned at a portion of a human body; a location
device that receives navigation data regarding a bin location of an
item and determines a distance and orientation with respect to a
current position of the wearable navigation device to the bin
location; and a plurality of tactile feedback emitters that provide
tactile feedback to the portion of the human body in a
predetermined sequential order to direct a wearer of the band
portion to the bin location for picking the item, the bin location
having a point of intersection of a length, width, and height.
[0020] In another aspect, a wearable navigation device comprises a
band portion positioned at a portion of a human body; a display at
a user interface that displays a bin selection field for selecting
a bin location for placing an item; a location device that receives
navigation data regarding the bin location of an item and
determines a distance and orientation with respect to a current
position of the wearable navigation device to the bin location; and
a plurality of tactile feedback emitters that provide tactile
feedback to the portion of the human body in a predetermined
sequential order to direct a wearer of the band portion to the bin
location, the bin location having a point of intersection of a
length, width, and height.
[0021] In another aspect, a method for navigation comprises:
determining where to stock an item in possession of a user;
scanning the item to establish an identity of the item; scanning a
location-identifying element to establish a reference heading;
determining a destination from the scanned item identity and
reference heading; and directing the user to a location for
stocking the item.
[0022] In another aspect, a method for navigation comprises
removing an item from a bin; determining the bin; scanning a label
at the bin; and directing the user to a location for the stocking
the item from the bin.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The above and further advantages of this invention may be
better understood by referring to the following description in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals
indicate like structural elements and features in various figures.
The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an environment for
navigating an individual to a destination location for stocking an
item at a store, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of the wearable navigation
device of FIG. 1, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 2B is a top view of the wearable navigation device of
FIGS. 1 and 2A.
[0027] FIG. 2C is an enlarged view of a surface of the wearable
navigation device of FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B including a plurality of
feedback devices.
[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating vibration feedback zones of
a wearable navigation wrist band, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating vibration feedback zones of
a wearable navigation belt, in accordance with some
embodiments.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another environment for
navigating an individual to a destination location, in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another environment for
navigating an individual to a destination location, in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another environment for
navigating an individual to a destination location, in accordance
with some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] In the following description, specific details are set forth
although it should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the
art that the systems and methods can be practiced without at least
some of the details. In some instances, known features or processes
are not described in detail so as to not obscure the present
invention.
[0034] Embodiments of the present concepts include a system and
method for improving productivity by store employees, associates,
contractors, or the like, by providing instantaneous tactile
feedback via a wearable navigation device to the wearer, which can
direct the wearer to a destination of interest, example, a shelf,
bin, and/or other storage location for stocking a store item.
[0035] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an environment 100 for
navigating an individual to a destination location for stocking an
item at a store, in accordance with some embodiments. For example,
an individual 11, or user, is in possession of one or more items 16
and wishes to bring the item 16 to a destination location 116 to
stock the item 16 or otherwise move the item 16 to a desired
location. Although item stocking is referred to in FIG. 1, other
applications may equally apply where a user wishes to be directed
to a destination location, not necessarily to stock an item.
[0036] The environment 100 includes a store 10, a network 30, a
feedback converter 110, and a location finder 112. The store 10 may
include a reference location 106 and the destination location, one
or both of which may include a shelf, bin, freezer, and/or other
structural element where store items may be stocked. In some
embodiments, the feedback converter 110, location finder 112, store
servers, and/or some or all of the network 30 may be physically
present at the store 10. The store 10 may also include one or more
servers (not shown) that perform well-known functions, for example,
point of sale processing, inventory management, and so on. It is to
be understood that the feedback converter 110, location finder 112,
store server (not shown), and/or other computer systems of the
environment 100 can take many forms and implementations, including
hardware, software, or both. In embodiments where hardware
implementations are present, the hardware processors can be part of
one or more special purpose computers that execute computer program
instructions which implement one or more functions and operations
of the elements of the environment 100. Server 102 in the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a retail store server, but this is
not meant to be limiting. Alternatively, features of the feedback
converter 110, location finder 112, and/or store servers may be
available via the internet, cloud computing services, or other
remote server services.
[0037] A user 11 at the store 10 is in possession of a mobile
electronic device 14 and a wearable navigation device 20. The
mobile electronic device 14 and the navigation device 20 are each
capable of exchanging wireless data with other hardware components
of the environment, for example, the location finder 112, when the
mobile computing device is located at a particular location. The
mobile electronic device 14 can be a smartphone, handheld computer
such as a tablet, or related device having a processor, memory, and
display, and constructed and arranged for mobility, in particular,
permitting the user 11, for example, an employee, to move about a
store with the mobile electronic device 14.
[0038] Stored in the memory of the mobile electronic device 14 can
include an application that processes data for pedometer
locationing and for communicating with the wearable navigation
device 20.
[0039] In other embodiments, the mobile electronic device 14 is not
present, and the wearable device 20 is used to scan the item 16 and
be directed to the destination location without involvement of the
mobile device 14.
[0040] The navigation device 20 may be constructed and arranged for
positioning about a wrist, waist, or other part of the body. The
wearable navigation device 20 provides tactile feedback to the user
11, which may include sight, sound, vibration, or other haptic
feedback for navigating the user 11 with the item 16 to a desired
destination, for example, to a location of interest 116 for
stocking the item 16. The location of interest 116 may have a
length, width, and height. For example, the location of interest
116 may be a shelf that is six feet above ground level, and
includes several shelves at different heights. Here, the wearable
navigation device 20 provides tactile feedback that directs the
user to the particular shelf six feet above ground level and
distinguishes this shelf from the other shelves. For example, the
information can be derived from available database information on
modular-category-sequence (salesfloor) or aisle-section-height
(backroom), or can be determined from scan data, for example,
described herein.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 2A-2C, the wearable navigation device 20
may include a band portion 102, barcode scanner 103, and a
plurality of feedback devices 104, or nodes. The band portion 102
can be constructed and arranged for positioning about a body part,
such as a wrist or waist. In other embodiments, the band portion
102 is flat, not ring-shaped, for attaching to a body portion such
as the user's back or stomach region. In doing so, the feedback
devices 104 on one side of the band portion 102 directly or nearly
abuts the skin so that the skin can receive impulses or other
sensory-related feedback, for example, heat, pressure, vibration,
and so on, from a plurality feedback devices 104 at the band
portion 102. The feedback devices 104 provide the pulses or other
feedback in the form of sight, sound, and/or touch in a
predetermined manner that indicates to the wearer 11 the direction
of the destination location of interest 116, for example,
generating pulses at a number of nodes 104 in a sequential pattern,
or wave, or frequency. The nodes 104 can be positioned on multiple
devices 20, for example, a device at each hip, each constructed and
arranged to provide feedback according to embodiments herein.
[0042] The barcode scanner 103 is used for scanning a barcode or
other location-identifying element 107 at a reference location 106
as well as the item 16 to determine the current location and
orientation of the user 11, which in turn permits direction
information to be generated and provided in the form of tactile
feedback at the navigation device 20. Accordingly, the barcode
scanner 103 may also be used to identify a desired location
116.
[0043] In some embodiments, the mobile electronic device 14
performs the scanning function instead of the wearable navigation
device 20. Here, the wearable navigation device 20 communicates
with the mobile device 14 to direct the user 11 to the destination
location 116.
[0044] The wearable navigation device 20 may include at least one
wireless transceiver 105 for communication with other electronic
devices, for example, the feedback converter 110 and/or the mobile
electronic device 14. The wireless transceiver 105 may exchange
communication signals with the other electronic devices according
to a communication protocol or type, such as, but not limited to,
radio frequency (RF), WiFi, Bluetooth, and so on. In some
embodiments, the navigation device 20 can communicate with the
store server (not shown) for centralized location and direction
processing for a dedicated or single-purpose location device.
[0045] When determining where to place the item 16 at its
destination location 116, the user 11 may select at the mobile
electronic device 14 the destination location 116. In particular, a
display at the user interface of the electronic device 14 can
display a button, window, via the software application, whereby the
user 11 can enter the destination location 116 or selecting it from
a dropdown menu. The selected location data can be output to the
location finder 112 for processing.
[0046] The user 11 may scan the item 16 at or near the location 106
using the barcode scanner 103 to establish a current location. The
item 16 that is scanned is the item that the user 11 needs to be
directed to its location of interest. In doing so, the scan result
can be output to the location finder 112. The location finder 112
determines that the barcode scan is generated by barcode scanner
103, and knows that the item 16 is at location 106. In other words,
the known location 106 of the item 16 can be used to determine the
direction for navigation for the user 11, which in turn can permit
a path to be established from the current location to the intended
location 116. Timestamps or related data can also be collected and
processed by the location finder 112 to determine the location.
[0047] The user 11 may position the mobile electronic device 14 in
a direction of, i.e., facing, the shelf 106 to determine a
direction orientation. The wearable navigation device 20 may
include an accelerometer or compass in some embodiments. In some
embodiments, the user 11 scans a location-identifying element 107
such as an item, tag, shelf label, or the like at the shelf 106 to
establish the location of the user 11 at the shelf 106 to establish
a reference point, and to establish a reference heading or vector.
In an embodiment where a compass is not used to determine heading,
the heading will be assumed to be facing the shelf. The heading is
needed to give directions accurately. The scan result can be output
to the location finder 112. The location finder 112 can calculate a
direction orientation of the user 11 based on the scan information
provided from the scanner 103 and the location-identifying element
107 of the shelf 106 and provide the result to the wearable
navigation device 20, for example, a location device or processor
at the navigation device 20, which communicates with the tactile
feedback emitters 104 to generate tactile feedback in response in a
manner that permits the user to determine a general direction of
the destination. For example, the tactile feedback can be generated
as a wave-pattern by the feedback converter 110 based on the
location information from the location finder 12. In some
embodiments, the feedback was interpreted directly at the
navigation device 20. For example, a signal corresponding to a
"left turn" may be sent to the device 20 from the mobile device 14.
In another example, a signal can be generated at a rate or
frequency that increases as the user approaches the destination,
for example, increasing pulses felt by the user's skin. In other
embodiments, each node is controlled independently, for example,
where the feedback converter 110 is located at a separate
server.
[0048] Other embodiments may include, instead of a scanner on the
mobile device 14 itself or the navigation device 20, a separate
wired or wirelessly connected scanning unit may be used, for
example, a ring-scanner or hip-mounted scanner, or other scanner at
a different location than the mobile device 14 or navigation device
20.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the wearable navigation device can be
constructed as a wristband 20A, or as shown in FIG. 4, as a belt
20B. In some embodiments, the navigation device can be two or more
devices located at different parts of the body, and each
constructed and arranged to provide feedback via nodes 104. In some
embodiments, the tactile feedback is generated as vibrations. For
example, as described herein, nodes 104 are arranged so that the
vibrations are provided in a sequential, or wave pattern,
indicating three dimensional locations, e.g., left, right, forward,
backward, up, down, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments,
as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the wearable navigation device 20A, 20B
(generally, 20) may include a plurality of feedback zones, for
example, multiple vibration zones, pressure zones/nodes, or other
tactile feedback, for example, gentle thermoelectric heating or
cooling, for example, the device 20 is warmer in the direction that
the wearer needs to go, and turns cooler away from where the user
needs to go.
[0050] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating another environment 200 for
navigating an individual to a destination location for stocking an
item 16 at a store, in accordance with some embodiments. For
example, a user 11 such as a store associate desires to bring an
item 16 to a destination shelf 116.
[0051] The environment 200 includes a store 10, a network 30, a
converter 110, and a location finder 112, which may be similar or
the same of those described in FIG. 1. Details thereof will
therefore not be repeated due to brevity.
[0052] Instead of a scanner located on the wearable navigation
device 20, the environment 200 includes a plurality of stationary
scanning devices 218 at a reference location 106, which can
determine an orientation of the user 11. Each scanning device 218
serves as a predetermined location node, which is mapped to or
otherwise associated with a particular store location such as an
aisle, shelf, and so on. Therefore, unlike the environment of FIG.
1, there is no need to establish a relative location using a
scanner on the wearable navigation device 20. Instead, the relative
locations, and directions to those locations, are already
established by the fixed location of the scanners 218. A mobile
electronic device is not required to communicate with the scanning
device 218. However, the scanning device 218 may communicate
directly with the wearable navigation device 20, or indirectly via
a server or the like. The user 11 may scan the item 16 using a
scanner 218 at a location node to establish a current location of
the user 11. The location node can be assigned to an aisle-section
or other predetermined or "fixed" location, so that the location is
established, and that the current location of the user 11 and item
16 are known. Since the location is fixed, the orientation of the
user 11 is known. Also, the navigation device 20 at the scanning
hub 218 can be identified by scanning a barcode on the navigation
device 20, via wireless communication, and/or other identification
techniques. In some cases, only one navigation device 20 is present
at the store. Here, the navigation device 20 does not require a
specific identifier for determining navigation information. After
scanning the item 16, the navigation device 20 may include a sync
button or the like that outputs a signal to the server 112 when
selected, which instructs the server 112 to output navigation to
the navigation device 20, as distinguished from other navigation
devices which may be present at the store 10.
[0053] The location data, item and navigation device identifiers
can be output to the location finder 112, or related server,
whereby an association, or link, can established between the fixed
scanner 218 and the wearable navigation device 20. In some
embodiments, the linking device 208 links the user 11, or more
specifically, the wearable navigation device 20 in possession by
the user 11, to the selected location node automatically based on
the nearest WiFi, Bluetooth, or other connection. Here, Wi-Fi
triangulation, GPS, or other related techniques may be used to
locate which wearable device 20 is nearby (for example, when many
users are involved with moving items).
[0054] The location finder 112 can calculate from the data provided
by the fixed scanner 218 direction signals, i.e., navigation
information, that guide the user 11 from the fixed scanner 218 to
the destination location 116. The location finder 112 can send the
direction data to the wearable device 20, which in response can
provide tactile feedback for navigating the user 11 to the
destination 116. Navigation may occur by the location finder 112
having a set of instructions, which along with a compass or
accelerometer at the wearable device 20, and tracking the
movements, for example, turns, made by the user 11 during movement
to the destination location 116. In other embodiments, the wearable
device 20 can include a position sensor, for example, GPS, WiFi,
and so on, which can provide data to the location finder 112 which
in turn continuously tracks the user's movements and provides
direction information.
[0055] The wearable navigation device 20 can generate tactile
feedback in a similar manner as described in the environment 100 of
FIGS. 1-4.
[0056] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating another environment 300 for
navigating an individual 11 to a destination location for stocking
an item at a store, in accordance with some embodiments. Here, a
user may wish to remove an item from a bin 306A, for example, in a
pick, where the individual 11, or user wearing a navigation device
302. Bin locations 306A, B (generally, 306) may be stacked
vertically, horizontally, or both, for example, configured as an
array. Although a bin is referred to in the example of FIG. 6,
other locations may equally apply, for example, store shelves.
[0057] The user 11 may select at the mobile electronic device 14 a
bin location where the user would like to put item 16. In other
embodiments, the user 11 can select the item 16 which may have an
intended location associated with it. A display at the user
interface of the electronic device 14 can graphically present a
button, window, via a software application stored in memory and
executed by a processor. Here the user 11 can select a bin
location, bin 306A. In some embodiments, a sales floor may have
multiple locations for the same item 16. Bins, shelves, or a
combination thereof may therefore be selected. The bin location is
displayed may include an identity of an aisle, section,
height/notch, or other location. The selection information can be
output to the location finder 112. The item and bin location are
associated with each other, or linked, by a unique identifier
stored at the location finder 112, or a database in communication
with the location finder 112.
[0058] User 11 establishes a reference direction by facing a
reference bin 306B, and establishes a current location by scanning
bin label 307 (either with barcode scanner 103 or scanner on phone
14) which establishes user's current location and orientation.
[0059] The location finder 112 can determine direction data based
on the received information for directing the user to the intended
bin location 306A and sends result to a location device 302 on
wristband.
[0060] Tactile feedback can be provided from the navigation device
302. For example, the tactile feedback can be generated by the
feedback converter 110 in response to location information from the
location finder 112. Since a location may be established, in three
dimensions, for example including along a vertical axis, tactile
feedback can be provided that informs the user 11 of the vertical
location, for example, by vibrations at zones 1 and 2 shown in FIG.
3 corresponding to an up direction and a down direction,
respectively. In other embodiments, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2C,
wave patterns or other tactile feedback can be generated that
indicate an up direction or a down direction. The tactile feedback
may therefore direct the user 11 to the bin 306A location for
removing item 16 from bin 306A.
[0061] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another environment 400 for
navigating an individual to a destination location, in accordance
with some embodiments.
[0062] The user 11 may select at the mobile electronic device 14 a
bin location where the user would like to put item 16. Although bin
locations are referred to in FIG. 7, other locations may equally
apply, for example, shelves. The user 11 may select at the mobile
electronic device 14 a location where the user would like to put
item 16, for example, a bin, shelf, or both. In other embodiments,
the user 11 can select the item 16 which may be assigned to
multiple locations, for example, assigned to one or more bins
406A1-406A6. In other embodiments, a sales floor may have multiple
locations for the same item. Here, a selection of locations may
include one or more bins, shelves, and/or the like. A display at
the user interface of the electronic device 14 can graphically
present a button, window, via a software application stored in
memory and executed by a processor. Here the user 11 can select a
bin location, bin 406A1. The selection information can be output to
the location finder 112. The item and bin location are associated
with each other, or linked, by a unique identifier stored at the
location finder 112, or a database in communication with the
location finder 112.
[0063] User 11 establishes a reference direction by facing a
reference bin 306B, and establishes a current location by scanning
bin label 307 (either with barcode scanner 103 or scanner on phone
14) which establishes user's current location and orientation.
[0064] Location finder 112 determines a closest or most easily
accessible bin based on a technique that processes
aisle/rack/height information and determines a direction to that
location and sends result to the navigation device 402 via the
converter 110. The tactile feedback emitters 104 at the navigation
device 402 may provide tactile feedback, for example, according to
feedback zones described above, to direct the wearer 11 to a region
of intersection at a length, width, and height of the location of
the bin 406A1.
[0065] Tactile feedback can be provided from the navigation device
402 in a similar manner as the navigation device 302 of FIG. 6. For
example, the tactile feedback can be generated by the feedback
converter 110 in response to location information from the location
finder 112.
[0066] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, concepts
may be embodied as a device, system, method, or computer program
product. Accordingly, aspects may take the form of an entirely
hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including
firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment
combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be
referred to herein as a "circuit," "module" or "system."
Furthermore, aspects may take the form of a computer program
product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having
computer readable program code embodied thereon.
[0067] Computer program code for carrying out operations for the
concepts may be written in any combination of one or more
programming languages, including an object oriented programming
language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional
procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming
language or similar programming languages. The program code may
execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's
computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's
computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote
computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may
be connected to the user's computer through any type of network,
including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN),
or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example,
through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).
[0068] Concepts are described herein with reference to flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems)
and computer program products according to embodiments. It will be
understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or
block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart
illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer
program instructions. These computer program instructions may be
provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special
purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus
to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or
blocks.
[0069] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a
computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other
programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored
in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture
including instructions which implement the function/act specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0070] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a
computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, cloud-based
infrastructure architecture, or other devices to cause a series of
operational steps to be performed on the computer, other
programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer
implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the
computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for
implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or
block diagram block or blocks.
[0071] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods and computer program products
according to various embodiments. In this regard, each block in the
flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or
portion of code, which comprises one or more executable
instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It
should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in
the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special
purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0072] While concepts have been shown and described with reference
to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be
made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined
by the following claims.
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