POI device for providing location information and control method of same POI device

Abstract

A POI device for providing location information is disclosed. The POI device according to the present invention comprises: a display unit configured to display a marker coded according to a predefined pattern; a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device; and a processor configured to, when location information of the POI device is received through the communication unit, generate a marker including the received location information, control the display unit to display the generated marker, and control the communication unit to broadcast an advertisement signal including the received location information. Such a POI device enables flexible POI environment configuration and accurate marker recognition.

Description

POI device providing location information and method for controlling the POI device

[0001] The present invention relates to a POI device that provides location information and a method for controlling the POI device, and more particularly, to a POI device that displays a marker that changes according to a change in an installation location or a change in location settings, and also provides location information by a wireless communication method, thereby obtaining location information from the POI device in an acceptable manner, and a method for controlling the POI device to enable provision of such information.

[0002] Smart building technology, which applies IoT technology to private homes, factories, buildings, and facilities, is attracting attention as a smart solution for energy efficiency, safety management, facility management, and security.

[0003] Smart buildings are personalized to the user. Air purification, heating and cooling, and even electric window blinds can be automatically activated based on the user's location and movement. Therefore, tracking user location is a fundamental element of smart buildings.

[0004] GPS positioning, a leading technology for measuring location, has difficulty reaching indoors or underground due to the limited or weak reception of GPS satellite signals. Multipath error, which occurs frequently indoors when satellite signals reflected from objects are received by the GPS receiver, causing incorrect location calculations.

[0005] Meanwhile, a POI (point of interest) refers to a point of interest. Location within a specific space can be measured using information collected from POI markers. POI markers are distributed throughout space. POI markers can provide information related to their location.

[0006] Markers can be included in POI markers. Markers can be drawn in a predefined grid pattern. One standardized pattern is a QR code. A camera or QR code scanner can read a QR code and obtain the POI location information contained in the QR code.

[0007] Meanwhile, autonomous driving robots (ADRs) or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are now commercially available in many places. In places like restaurants, factories, and warehouses, robots must accurately navigate to their destinations, either following commands or independently setting their own tasks.

[0008] Robots can recognize POI markers or QR codes attached to ceilings, pillars, walls, floors, etc., determine their location, track their movement path, and reach their destination. Compared to other autonomous driving technologies, marker-based POI positioning offers the advantage of obtaining fast and reliable location information.

[0009] However, conventional markers are fixed objects installed on the ceiling or wall, so they cannot be modified or are difficult to modify, and it is difficult for those managing the markers to register or delete them electronically.

[0010] Furthermore, POI positioning methods using markers or QR codes require a scanner or camera to identify the markers. Typically, markers are placed inconspicuously on the ceiling to avoid disrupting the indoor atmosphere, and scanning markers on walls requires a smartphone camera, which is cumbersome. Furthermore, while markers are highly reliable information carriers, they are limited by the requirement for a secure field of view. Markers are difficult to recognize in dark environments or when illuminated by ambient light.

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention has been invented to solve or complement the above-mentioned shortcomings, and an object of the present invention is to provide a POI device capable of acquiring location information by a wireless communication method in addition to a visual image processing method that analyzes the pattern of a marker.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving this purpose, a POI device providing location information includes a display unit that displays a marker coded according to a predefined pattern, a communication unit that communicates with an external device, and a processor that, when receiving location information of the POI device through the communication unit, controls the display unit to generate a marker including the received location information and display the generated marker, and controls the communication unit to broadcast an advertising signal including the received location information.

[0013] Here, the POI device may be one of a plurality of POI devices arranged at preset intervals, and the location information may be a value indicating a location relative to a reference POI device among the plurality of POI devices.

[0014] Here, the processor can control the communication unit to broadcast an advertising signal including a unique ID that can retrieve a location from a server.

[0015] Meanwhile, the processor of the POI device can control the display unit to generate and display a marker that further includes information about an indoor map that can identify a location where the POI device is placed, and control the communication unit to broadcast an advertising signal that further includes information about the indoor map.

[0016] Meanwhile, in a POI device according to one embodiment of the present invention, the communication unit is connected to a control device of an elevator, and the processor can control the display unit to generate a marker according to the floor number received from the control device of the elevator and display the same.

[0017] Here, the display unit may be a floor indicator that is placed inside a car of the elevator that moves up and down and displays the number of floors.

[0018] Meanwhile, the display unit may be electronic paper.

[0019] And, as a control method of a POI device providing location information according to another embodiment of the present invention, the POI device includes a display unit that displays a marker coded according to a predefined pattern, a communication unit that communicates with an external device, and a processor that controls the display unit and the communication unit, and the control method of the POI device includes a step of receiving location information of the POI device by the communication unit, a step of generating a marker including the received location information by the processor, a step of displaying the generated marker by the display unit, and a step of broadcasting an advertising signal including the received location information by the communication unit.

[0020] According to the POI device and its control method of the present invention, flexible marker placement and positioning can be configured in an indoor environment. Energy efficiency is enhanced by using a low-power display. Furthermore, marker recognition rates are enhanced by using a display with a light source, such as a backlight. Users can easily obtain and confirm location information via wireless communication without having to look up at the marker on the ceiling. The autonomous navigation performance of unmanned robots is also enhanced. The robot can vertically navigate to its destination floor via an elevator.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a positioning system using a POI device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a POI device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile device according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing a communication configuration of a POI device, a management device, a communication device, and a server according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing interaction with a POI for autonomous driving of a robot according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing an indoor environment constructed with POI devices in an example in which the robot of FIG. 5 is utilized;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of a robot according to one embodiment of the present invention boarding an elevator and moving autonomously; and

[0028] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a POI device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted. Furthermore, the terms described below are defined based on their functions in the present invention and may vary depending on the intentions or relationships of the user or operator. Therefore, their definitions should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

[0030] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a positioning system using a POI device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the positioning system (1000) includes a POI device (100), a mobile device (200), a communication device (300), a management device (400), and a server (500).

[0032] A POI device (100) provides location information. Location information is expressed in various ways. Here, the POI (Point of Interest) device (100) is a type of electronic device that includes a display unit, a power supply unit, a processor, etc. to display a marker for providing location information, and its shape and size can be implemented in various ways. In this specification, the POI device (100) is defined as an electronic device that displays a marker or broadcasts an electromagnetic wave signal to provide location information.

[0033] Specifically, the POI device (100) can display a marker. A marker is a picture coded according to a predefined pattern. The size of the picture can be configured in various ways as needed. The pattern can be in a format that can encode information. For example, the pattern can be a grid pattern. Location information can be coded as the position of a missing white dot in a 4 x 4 arrangement. Another pattern can be a QR code. In a QR code, cells are filled with white or black according to a predefined convention. The POI device (100) can provide location information by displaying a marker.

[0034] Additionally, the POI device (100) can broadcast an electromagnetic wave signal according to wireless communication. The electromagnetic wave signal may be an advertising signal including a unique ID that identifies the device. The electromagnetic wave signal may include information indicating the relative position of the POI device (100), for example, coordinate values. The electromagnetic wave signal may include information indicating the absolute position of the POI device (100) on a preset map, for example, a point 1 m north of the entrance on a map reduced to a scale ratio.

[0035] The mobile device (200) is a device that can move under its own power. The mobile device (200) obtains location information from the POI device (100) for movement. Specifically, the mobile device (200) includes a mark scanner, such as a camera, and uses this to read marks displayed by the POI device (100).

[0036] The communication device (300) is a device capable of communicating with the POI device (100). Specifically, the communication device (300) receives an electromagnetic wave signal broadcast by the POI device (100). The location of the POI device (100) or the location of the communication device (300) can be measured from the location information contained in the received signal. Measuring the location may include calculating the relative location of the POI device (100) with respect to a reference location. For this purpose, the communication device (300) may receive information about the reference location from the POI device (100) or the server (500). Measuring the location may include confirming the absolute location of the POI device (100) on a map. For this purpose, the communication device (300) may receive information about the map from the POI device (100) or the server (500). Meanwhile, in the simplest embodiment, the POI device (100) broadcasts an advertising signal containing its own unique ID. The communication device (300) scans the surroundings, and when an advertising signal broadcast by the POI device (100) is scanned, an ID is identified from the scanned advertising signal. The communication device (300) can query the server (500) for the identified ID. The server (500) can respond to the communication device (300) with a location (address, specific indoor area, etc.) corresponding to the ID.

[0037] The management device (400) manages the POI device (100). The management device (400) can manage a plurality of POI devices (100). The management device (400) can transmit location information corresponding to the location where each POI device (100) is installed to the POI device (100). The management device (400) can identify or assign a unique ID to each POI device (100). The management device (400) can notify the server (500) of the newly assigned ID or location information to the POI device (100). That is, the ID and new location information of the POI device (100) installed and operated indoors are synchronized with the matching information stored in the server (500) through the management device (400).

[0038] In this respect, since the location where the POI device (100) is installed can be found by searching for the ID among the data stored in the server (500), the unique ID assigned to the POI device (100) is one type of location information.

[0039] The server (500) stores information about the POI device (100) and its installation location. The information about the POI device (100) may be a unique ID, and the location information may be a coordinate value assigned to each POI device (100) among an array of multiple POI devices (100) arranged at preset intervals. The server (500) may store the absolute location of the POI device (100) whose reference point or coordinate value is the origin. The server (500) may store a map. The server (500) may store information that can specify the locations of multiple POI devices (100) on the map. The server (500) may store information written in a language that can be understood by a human. For example, the server (500) may store information such as 2F / East / Toilet / Male for the POI device (100) whose ID is ###.

[0040] The server (500) can provide cloud services. For example, when a designer sets the arrangement of POI devices on the server (500) using an indoor map or building design drawing, the server (500) notifies the management device (400) of the corresponding information, and when a worker completes the installation of POI devices (100) based on the design drawing, the management device (400) transmits location information to the installed POI devices (100) and also notifies the server (500) of the ID or installation status information of the POI devices (100) actually installed at the corresponding location.

[0041] The positioning system (1000) according to one embodiment of the present invention has the advantage of facilitating the setting of a POI environment when constructing the interior of a smart building for the first time and when attempting to build a smart IoT system inside an existing building, and is advantageous in terms of maintenance and management, such as changing or replacing the location of a POI device, even if the internal structure changes later due to remodeling or the like, and is advantageous in that positioning is possible using wireless communication technology even if positioning information is not acquired and positioned using a marker.

[0042]

[0043] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a POI device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to FIG. 2, the POI device (100) includes a first power supply unit (110), a first communication unit (120), a display unit (130), and a first processor (140).

[0045] The first power supply unit (110) serves to receive and transmit the power required for the operation of the POI device (100) from an external source. The first power supply unit (110) may be supplied with commercial AC power supplied along the distribution panel of a building. In this case, the first power supply unit (110) may include components that convert the power required for the operation of the POI device (100), such as rectification and step-up / step-down. Alternatively, the first power supply unit (110) may be configured with a built-in battery to allow free installation of the POI device (100).

[0046] The first communication unit (120) communicates with an external device. Specifically, the first communication unit (120) can communicate with a mobile device (200), a communication device (300), and / or a server (500) according to FIG. 1. The method by which the first communication unit (120) establishes communication with an external device is not limited, and one or more known wired / wireless communication methods may be applied. The first communication unit (120) may include an extension antenna as illustrated in FIG. 2 for smooth communication.

[0047] Meanwhile, the first communication unit (120) broadcasts an advertising signal. Broadcasting is a signal transmission method that does not specify a recipient. Common communication technologies that support broadcasting include Bluetooth and Zigbee. BLE, a low-power version of Bluetooth communication, supports the ability to broadcast advertising signals containing various information. In one example, the first communication unit (120) includes a BLE beacon.

[0048] The advertising signal broadcast by the first communication unit (120) includes location information. Location information will be described later.

[0049] The display unit (130) is a device that displays an image on a screen. The display unit (130) displays a marker coded according to a predefined pattern. A marker is a patterned picture promised by a designer or a related technical standard. Typically, the marker may be a QR code. The QR code is a pattern having a two-dimensional grid shape composed of cells of 21 x 21 size in Model 1 and cells of 25 x 25 size in Model 2. A smaller micro QR code derived from the QR code can also be a marker of the present invention. Any data can be expressed as cells filled with white or black (which may be of a different color) arranged two-dimensionally when coded according to the encoding rules of the QR code.

[0050] The display unit (130) may include multiple display devices. In one embodiment, the POI device (100) may be cubic. In this case, the multiple display devices may be arranged on the outer surface of the cubic body.

[0051] A marker can indicate location information. In a very simplified form, when an array of 4 x 4 POI devices (100) is installed on a plane or ceiling, the marker displayed on the display of each POI device (100) can be a picture with a white dot corresponding to its position in a 4 x 4 grid or dot pattern.

[0052] QR codes can be used as markers to contain more complex location information. QR codes can include address information that identifies the location of the POI device (100) on the network. Similarly, advertising signals can include the address information.

[0053] Meanwhile, the marker or QR code may include an ID unique to the POI device (100). A reader or QR code scanner capable of reading the marker can identify the location where the POI device (100) corresponding to the ID is installed from the server (500). Similarly, an advertising signal may include the ID. A communication device or observer that scans the advertising signal can identify the location where the POI device (100) corresponding to the ID is installed from the server (500).

[0054] The marker or QR code may include information about an indoor map that can identify the location of the POI device. The information about the indoor map may be a map showing the location of the POI device. Alternatively, the information about the indoor map may be information that can input the location of the POI device into a map owned by the mobile device (200) (e.g., a location map created by an autonomous robot). Alternatively, the information about the indoor map may be a link that can obtain a map showing the location of the POI device from a server (500) via a communication network. Similarly, the advertising signal may include information about an indoor map that can identify the location of the POI device. The communication device (300) that receives the advertising signal may obtain a map image directly, obtain information that can input the location of the POI device (100) into an existing map or map application, or obtain a link that can receive such a map from the server (500).

[0055] The display unit (130) may be electronic paper or electronic ink. For example, the display unit (130) may be an electrophoretic display (EPD). In this case, since the marker of the POI device (100) that will be installed and operated in one location for a long period of time will hardly change, low power consumption due to electronic paper is achieved. Therefore, it is advantageous to configure the first power supply unit (110) as a battery in combination with the first communication unit (120) configured as a low-power BLE beacon.

[0056] Meanwhile, the display unit (130) may be an LCD with a bright backlight or a self-luminous OLED. In this case, the bright and clear screen of the display unit (130) allows the mobile device (200) to easily recognize the marker even in a dark environment.

[0057] The first processor (140) controls the first communication unit (120) and display unit (130).

[0058] The first processor (140) receives location information of the POI device from the first communication unit (120). The location information of the POI device (100) is received by the first communication unit (120) from an external device. The external device may be the management device (400) of FIG. 1.

[0059] The first processor (140) can generate a marker. Specifically, the first processor (140) can generate a marker including the received location information. In one embodiment, the received location information may be a unique ID assigned to the POI device (100). As another embodiment, the received location information may be a coordinate value indicating a relative location where the POI device (100) is installed. For example, when location information indicating that the POI device (100) is installed at a coordinate value position of (1,2) is received, the POI device (100) can code this information according to a predetermined rule to generate a grid image in which a white dot corresponding to (1,2) in a 4 x 4 pattern is omitted. Or, for example, when coding with a QR code, a QR code in which information of {x=1; y=2} is coded can be generated.

[0060] The first processor (140) can control the display unit (130) to display the generated marker.

[0061] Additionally, the first processor (140) can control the first communication unit (120) to broadcast an advertising signal including location information of a POI device received through the first communication unit (120).

[0062] The first processor (140) can control the first communication unit (120) to broadcast an advertising signal including a unique ID that can identify a location from the server (500). The unique ID is a unique ID that can identify a POI device (100) among multiple POI devices (100), and the location can be an address of a building where the POI device (100) is installed, a building name, a building number, a room number, a hallway, a business name, a seat name (e.g., a parking lot seat identification number), etc.

[0063] The first processor (140) can generate a marker that further includes information about an indoor map that can identify the location where the POI device (100) is placed. The information about the indoor map is as described above. The first processor (140) can control the display unit (130) to display the generated marker. In addition, the first processor (140) can control the first communication unit (120) to broadcast an advertising signal that further includes information about the indoor map.

[0064]

[0065] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 3, the mobile device (200) includes a second power supply unit (210), an electric motor (220), a second communication unit (230), a camera (240), an input / output unit (250), a sensor unit (260), and a second processor (270).

[0067] The second power supply unit (210) supplies power for driving the mobile device (200). The second power supply unit (210) may be configured with a battery to ensure mobility.

[0068] An electric motor (220) is a device that outputs moving power from electric energy. The electric motor (220) may be connected to the axle of a wheel. For example, the electric motor (220) may be a BLDC motor. The electric motor (220) may include a steering unit for changing direction.

[0069] The second communication unit (230) communicates with an external device. Specifically, the second communication unit (230) can communicate with the POI device (100) and the server (500) in the positioning system (1000) according to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1. If necessary, the second communication unit (230) can communicate with the management device (400) and / or the communication device (300). The second communication unit (230) may be configured with a known wired / wireless communication device capable of establishing communication. For example, the second communication unit (230) may include a Bluetooth scanner capable of receiving an advertising signal from the POI device (100). In addition, the second communication unit (230) may include a mobile communication device capable of communicating with the server (500).

[0070] The camera (240) is a marker scanner capable of recognizing markers displayed on the display unit (130) of the POI device (100). The camera (240) may include an angle adjustment and rotation device to search for markers and look around. If necessary, the camera (240) may support a zoom function. The camera (240) may be directly connected to the processor via a communication cable, but the camera (240) may be connected to the mobile device (200) as a separate component via a wireless communication method such as LoRa.

[0071] The input / output unit (250) receives user input and outputs information. The input / output unit (250) may include buttons for receiving user inputs such as stop, start, end, and home, for example. Furthermore, the input / output unit (250) may include a speaker for outputting status notifications or voice guidance, an LED for emitting light that changes color depending on the status, and a display for outputting a screen containing information such as the movement path, destination, time, and remaining battery level.

[0072] The sensor unit (260) detects the status or surrounding environment of the mobile device (200). In one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the sensor unit (260) may include an IMU sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a LiDAR sensor. The IMU sensor can detect acceleration and posture rotation of the mobile device (200). The ultrasonic sensor can detect the presence and distance of obstacles around the mobile device (200). The LiDAR sensor can measure space in three dimensions by irradiating light from a light source and detecting light reflected from surrounding objects.

[0073] The second processor (270) controls each component of the mobile device (200).

[0074] The second processor (270) controls the motor (220) to move the mobile device (200). The second processor (270) can control the motor (220) to change the moving direction, speed, etc. of the mobile device (200).

[0075] The second processor (270) can control the second communication unit (230) to scan the advertising signal of the POI device (100). The second processor (270) can process the received advertising signal and obtain information therefrom.

[0076] Specifically, the second processor (270) can obtain the unique ID of the POI device (100) from the advertising signal. Additionally, the second processor (270) can obtain more information about the indoor map from the advertising signal.

[0077] The second processor (270) can use the ID to retrieve or search information about the POI device (100) from the server (500). Specifically, the second processor (270) can query the server (500) for a location corresponding to the ID.

[0078] The second processor (270) can control the second communication unit (230) to obtain an indoor map where the POI device (100) is installed from the server (500) based on information about the indoor map.

[0079] In addition, the second processor (270) can control the second communication unit (230) to communicate with the management device (400) and exchange information. The information to be exchanged can include a control command of the management device (400).

[0080] The second processor (270) can receive user input and control the input / output unit (250) to express the status of the mobile device (200) or output information.

[0081] The second processor (270) can process signals detected by the sensor unit (260). For example, signals detected by the IMU of the sensor unit (260) can be processed by the second processor (270) to measure acceleration / deceleration or posture of the mobile device (200). Signals detected by the ultrasonic sensor of the sensor unit (260) can be processed by the second processor (270) to measure the presence of an object and the distance to the object in a specific direction. Signals detected by the LiDAR of the sensor unit (260) can be processed by the second processor (270) to generate its own map. For example, the second processor (270) can execute a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) algorithm to draw a map. However, although the autonomous driving method using the LiDAR sensor and SLAM is accurate, it is very expensive. It is difficult for small and medium-sized enterprises or small business owners to operate a large number of logistics robots or serving robots with such a configuration. The positioning or navigation method using a marker or QR code according to the present invention can be implemented relatively inexpensively and has the advantage of being able to increase accuracy when combined with other positioning and navigation technologies.

[0082]

[0083] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating a communication configuration of a POI device, a management device, a communication device, and a server according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 4, the POI device (100) supports Bluetooth communication and displays a QR code. The Bluetooth beacon, which is a first communication unit (120) built into the POI device (100), broadcasts an advertising signal. The advertising signal includes an ID unique to the POI device (100) or the Bluetooth beacon. The communication device (300) receives the advertising signal and connects to a server (500) via a mobile communication network to identify the location where the POI device (100) corresponding to the ID is installed.

[0085] The server (500) stores the unique IDs of multiple POI devices (100) or their Bluetooth beacons by matching them with their installation locations. The IDs and locations stored in the server can be added or updated by an external device or management device (400).

[0086] A POI device (100) is installed in a new location. The POI device (100) is configured to provide location information regarding the newly installed location. The configuration is performed by the management device (400) of the manager managing the site.

[0087] The administrator communicates with the POI device (100) using a management device (400) or a smartphone with an administrator app installed. The POI device (100) confirms the request from the authorized administrator and switches the Bluetooth beacon from broadcast mode to connection mode.

[0088] The administrator transmits location information to the POI device (100) via the management device (400). The location information may be a unique ID assigned to the POI device (100). The ID may be used by the server (500) to identify the location where the POI device (100) is installed.

[0089] The administrator can transmit information about the installed location of the POI device (100) via the management device (400). The information about the installed location can be a coordinate value indicating the relative location of the POI device (100) from a reference point according to the designer's intention, or a value indicating the absolute location of the POI device (100) that can be indicated on a map or design drawing. The administrator transmits the unique ID of the POI device (100) and information about the installed location corresponding thereto to the server (500) via the management device (400).

[0090] In one embodiment, a communication device (300) that identifies its own indoor location through a POI device (100) and a server (500) can provide a user with customized services related to that location. For example, the communication device (300) tracks the user's movement within a large department store. The communication device (300) can provide customized product information or advertisements based on the user's time spent at a specific brand store within the department store. The communication device (300) can notify an external tracking server of its current location.

[0091]

[0092] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing interaction with a POI for autonomous driving of a robot according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] Referring to Figure 5, the mobile device (200) is a robot. The robot may be a delivery robot that automatically transports items. In particular, in the case of multi-family housing, a type of smart building where multiple households reside in a single building, a service may be provided where delivery robots deliver packages collected in a common entrance or delivery area to the door of each delivery destination.

[0094] The robot (200) moves to a destination to perform a task without any human intervention, such as manipulation. The robot (200) interacts with a POI device (100) to find a path to the destination. The robot (200) reads the marker or QR code of the POI device (100) on the ceiling using a camera or scanner. Having determined its current location, the robot (200) moves to the next location.

[0095]

[0096] Fig. 6 is a drawing showing an indoor environment constructed with POI devices in an example in which the robot of Fig. 5 is utilized.

[0097] Fig. 6 is a type of map showing a design drawing of a warehouse (600). A total of eight POI devices (100_0 to 100_7) are placed on the ceiling of the warehouse (600). The POI devices (100_0 to 100_7) are placed in the left and right columns of the central corridor at preset intervals, for example, 2 m intervals. The eight POI devices (100_0 to 100_7) are arranged in two rows and four columns (i.e., 2 x 4).

[0098] Each POI device (100) has its own coordinate value. Since the POI devices are arranged at equal intervals, the coordinate value can be calculated as the location of the POI device (100) by knowing only the location of one reference POI device. The reference POI device is POI device (100_0) and the coordinate value has the origin (0, 0). The reference POI device can be installed in front of the entrance door, where the robot's charging deck is installed, or in a room accessible to the manager.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the coordinate values ​​are composed of coordinate values ​​of two axes, x and y, but are not limited thereto. If multiple POI devices (100) or QR codes on the ceiling are not all aligned and are misaligned, the coordinate values ​​may be composed of (x, y, θ) including angle values. In this case, the robot (200) can determine the direction to proceed from the angle (θ) of the coordinate values.

[0100] POI devices (100_0 to 100_7) can display a QR code containing a number, such as a library shelf number, that varies depending on which side of which shelf is accessible, rather than a coordinate value.

[0101] The robot (200) can determine the location of the shelf from which to store or retrieve an item by checking the QR code displayed by the POI device (200). That is, the robot (200) can move to the destination of the desired shelf.

[0102]

[0103] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing an example of a robot according to one embodiment of the present invention boarding an elevator and moving autonomously.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 7, the elevator includes a car (700) that provides a space for a person or robot to board. The car (700) includes a floor indicator (710), a control device (720), and a POI device (100).

[0105] The floor indicator (710) displays the number of floors according to the control signal of the control device (720).

[0106] The POI device (100) receives floor information from the control device (720). The POI device (100) displays a coded marker that enables a mobile device or robot (200) to recognize the floor. If the elevator has two or more car doors, the POI device (100) may display a marker that includes information on the direction of the door opening on each floor.

[0107] The robot (200) recognizes the changing marker of the POI device (100) installed on the ceiling of the ascending or descending car (700) and waits until it reaches the target floor.

[0108] Accordingly, the present invention can implement a system in which a robot can move up and down floors using an elevator simply by using a POI device without resorting to a complex API design for wireless communication between the elevator and the robot.

[0109] Meanwhile, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the floor indicator (710) and the POI device (100) are configured as separate devices, but alternatively, they may be configured as a single device combined with the display unit (130). That is, the POI device (100) may be installed at the location where the floor indicator (710) is placed, and a marker or QR code may be displayed along with the floor number. In one example, the display unit of the POI device (100) may configure the floor indicator and display a screen in which the floor number is indicated in the center of the QR code.

[0110]

[0111] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a POI device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 8, a method (800) according to one embodiment of the present invention is for controlling a POI device that provides location information. The POI device includes a display unit, a communication unit, and a processor. The display unit displays coded markers according to a defined pattern, the communication unit communicates with an external device, and the processor controls the communication unit and the display unit. A description of specific components of the POI device is based on the description with reference to FIG. 2.

[0113] A control method (800) of a POI device includes a step (S810) of receiving location information of the POI device via a communication unit. For example, the step may include receiving location information from a management device. The location information may be an ID uniquely assigned to the POI device or a value indicating the location of the POI device relative to a reference POI device among an array of multiple POI devices. In addition, the location information may be information regarding an indoor map that can identify the location where the POI device is placed. In the case of a POI device installed in an elevator, the step (S810) of receiving location information may include a step of receiving floor information via the communication unit.

[0114] Next, the control method (800) of the POI device includes a step (S820) of generating a marker including the received location information by the processor. The step of generating the marker may include a step of encoding the location information in a predefined pattern. The marker may be a QR code.

[0115] Next, the control method (800) of the POI device includes a step (S830) of displaying the generated marker on a display unit. The display unit displaying the marker may be implemented as electronic paper or an electrophoretic display.

[0116] Next, the control method (800) of the POI device includes a step (S840) of broadcasting an advertising signal including the received location information by the communication unit. Thus, a communication device receiving the broadcasted advertising signal can obtain information about the location where the POI device is installed, either directly or indirectly through a server.

[0117] Meanwhile, a non-transitory computer readable medium storing a program for sequentially performing a control method (800) of a POI device according to the present invention may be provided.

[0118] A non-transitory readable medium refers to a medium that permanently stores data and can be read by a device, rather than a medium that stores data for a short period of time, such as a register, cache, or memory. Specifically, the various applications or programs described above may be stored and provided on non-transitory readable media, such as a CD, DVD, hard disk, Blu-ray disc, USB, memory card, or ROM.

[0119] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention claimed in the claims, and such modifications should not be understood individually from the technical idea or prospect of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a POI device that provides location information, A display unit that displays markers coded according to a predefined pattern; A communication unit that communicates with an external device; and A POI device comprising a processor that, when receiving location information of a POI device through the communication unit, controls the display unit to generate a marker including the received location information and display the generated marker, and controls the communication unit to broadcast an advertising signal including the received location information.

2. In paragraph 1, The above POI device is one of a plurality of POI devices arranged at preset intervals, The above location information is a POI device that is a value indicating a location relative to a reference POI device among the plurality of POI devices.

3. In paragraph 2, A POI device, wherein the processor controls the communication unit to broadcast an advertising signal including a unique ID that can retrieve a location from a server.

4. In paragraph 1, A POI device, wherein the processor controls the display unit to generate and display a marker further including information about an indoor map that can identify a location where the POI device is placed, and controls the communication unit to broadcast an advertising signal further including information about the indoor map.

5. In paragraph 1, The above communication unit is connected to the elevator control device, A POI device in which the processor controls the display unit to generate a marker according to the floor number received from the control device of the elevator and display the same.

6. In paragraph 5, The above display unit is a POI device that is a floor indicator placed inside a car of the elevator that moves up and down to display the number of floors.

7. In paragraph 1, The above display unit is an electronic paper, POI device.

8. A method for controlling a POI device that provides location information, wherein the POI device includes a display unit that displays a coded marker according to a predefined pattern, a communication unit that communicates with an external device, and a processor that controls the display unit and the communication unit, and the method for controlling the POI device includes: A step of receiving location information of the POI device by the communication unit; A step of generating a marker including the location information received by the processor; a step of displaying the marker generated by the display unit; and A control method of a POI device, comprising: a step of broadcasting an advertising signal including the location information received by the communication unit;

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