Business processing method, device and equipment based on indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines

UWB technology performs base station screening and unmanned vending container positioning, which solves the problem that users find unmanned vending containers in indoor environments, and achieves efficient and accurate navigation and business execution.

CN113630722BActive Publication Date: 2025-02-14ALIPAY (HANGZHOU) INFORMATION TECH CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202110752150.8
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-07-02
Publication Date
2025-02-14
Estimated Expiration
2041-07-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In indoor environments, it is difficult for users to find unmanned sales containers efficiently and accurately, especially in complex environments such as multi-floor shopping malls.

Method used

UWB technology to screen base stations and position unmanned containers, determine the user's current location, and navigate the user to the target unmanned container.

Benefits of technology

It realizes efficient and accurate positioning and navigation of unmanned vending containers in indoor environments, reduces user search time and incorrectly, and improves the efficiency of business execution.

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Abstract

The embodiments of this specification disclose a business processing method, device and equipment based on indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines. The scheme includes: based on the user's trigger, determining the user's current location; if the location is in an indoor environment containing multiple floors, then screening UWB base stations in multiple floors; locating the unmanned vending machines in the indoor environment through the screened UWB base stations and the UWB modules set on the unmanned vending machines; displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user based on the positioning results, and determining the target unmanned vending machine from them; navigating the user to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base stations or UWB modules, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of equipment positioning technology, and in particular to a business processing method, device and equipment based on indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines. Background Art

[0002] With the development of the retail industry and related technologies, more and more unmanned vending machines are appearing in public places, allowing people to purchase goods conveniently and quickly through unmanned vending machines.

[0003] Traditional unmanned vending machines are usually placed on the roadside, in shopping malls and other environments. Users do not know whether there are unmanned vending machines nearby. They often only purchase goods from unmanned vending machines when they pass by. When users have business needs, they often need to search and inquire nearby to find unmanned vending machines. In addition, compared with outdoor environments, indoor environments (such as shopping malls, office buildings, etc.) usually have multiple floors and more complex structures, which increases the difficulty for users to find unmanned vending machines.

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a business processing solution that can efficiently and accurately perform indoor positioning based on unmanned vending machines. Summary of the invention

[0005] One or more embodiments of this specification provide a business processing method, device, equipment and storage medium based on indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines to solve the following technical problems: It is necessary to provide a business processing solution that can efficiently and accurately perform indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines.

[0006] To solve the above technical problems, one or more embodiments of this specification are implemented as follows:

[0007] One or more embodiments of this specification provide a service processing method based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine, including:

[0008] Based on a trigger from the user, determining a current location of the user;

[0009] If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors;

[0010] Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine;

[0011] Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom;

[0012] The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0013] One or more embodiments of this specification provide a business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine, including:

[0014] A location determination module, based on a user trigger, determines the current location of the user;

[0015] A base station screening module, if the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors;

[0016] A positioning module, which locates the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module installed on the unmanned vending machine;

[0017] A display and target determination module, which displays nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determines a target unmanned vending machine therefrom;

[0018] The navigation module navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0019] One or more embodiments of this specification provide a business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine, including:

[0020] at least one processor; and,

[0021] a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein,

[0022] The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to:

[0023] Based on a trigger from the user, determining a current location of the user;

[0024] If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors;

[0025] Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine;

[0026] Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom;

[0027] The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0028] One or more embodiments of this specification provide a non-volatile computer storage medium storing computer executable instructions, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to:

[0029] Based on a trigger from the user, determining a current location of the user;

[0030] If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors;

[0031] Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine;

[0032] Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom;

[0033] The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0034] At least one of the above technical solutions adopted in one or more embodiments of this specification can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0035] By locating the unmanned vending machines near the user, the user can clearly know the location of the nearby unmanned vending machines, and navigate the user to the target unmanned vending machine, so that the user can avoid unnecessary detours when going to the target unmanned vending machine, making the user more efficient in performing business; and for the indoor environment of multiple floors, the use of UWB technology for positioning can achieve a more accurate positioning effect compared to other technologies such as GPS and Wi-Fi. And for the indoor environment of multiple floors, through the process of base station screening, the work distribution of the UWB base station used for positioning can be more reasonable, which helps to serve the user more reliably, further increases the efficiency and accuracy of positioning, and can reduce costs and equipment burdens, providing a business processing solution that can be based on the indoor positioning of unmanned vending cabinets efficiently and accurately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of this specification or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this specification. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0037] Figure 1 A flowchart of a business processing method based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine provided in one or more embodiments of this specification;

[0038] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a process flow when a user performs a commodity purchase business in an application scenario provided for one or more embodiments of this specification;

[0039] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a process flow when a user performs a replenishment business in an application scenario provided for one or more embodiments of this specification;

[0040] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine provided in one or more embodiments of this specification;

[0041] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine provided in one or more embodiments of this specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] The embodiments of this specification provide a service processing method, device, equipment and storage medium based on indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines.

[0043] In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions in this specification, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this specification will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of this specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of this application, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of this specification, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work should fall within the scope of protection of this application.

[0044] Figure 1A flowchart of a business processing method based on indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines provided in one or more embodiments of this specification. The method can be applied to different business fields, such as retail business field, Internet financial business field, e-commerce business field, instant messaging business field, game business field, official business field, etc. The process can be executed by a computing device in the corresponding field, and some input parameters or intermediate results in the process allow manual intervention and adjustment to help improve accuracy.

[0045] Figure 1 The process in may include the following steps:

[0046] S102: Based on a trigger from the user, determine the current location of the user.

[0047] The user expresses his / her demand for business processing through a user terminal such as a smart phone or tablet computer. Specifically, the user may open a corresponding applet or APP and perform corresponding operations therein to trigger the request.

[0048] In one or more embodiments of the present specification, the position determined in step S102 may be a rough positioning with low accuracy requirements. The user may be positioned in a variety of ways to determine his current location. For example, the user may be positioned by GPS, or, when the user is connected to Wi-Fi, the user may also be positioned by Wi-Fi. When the user terminal supports the UWB function, the user may also be positioned more accurately by UWB (with the development of technology, more and more user terminals are able to support the UWB function, so for the convenience of description, this specification is explained as the user terminal supporting the UWB function, and at this time, the user terminal is also provided with a corresponding UWB module).

[0049] Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless communication technology is a carrier-free communication technology. Because it does not use a carrier but a short energy pulse sequence, and expands the pulse to a frequency range through orthogonal frequency division modulation or direct sequencing, UWB has the characteristics of strong penetration, low power consumption, good multipath resistance, high security, low system complexity, and can provide precise positioning. Combined with these characteristics, UWB can achieve more accurate positioning effects when positioning in indoor environments compared to technologies such as GPS and Wi-Fi.

[0050] The working principle of the UWB module is to measure the distance through the flight time difference. The transmitter of UWB module A transmits a request pulse signal at time a1, UWB module B transmits a response signal at time b1, and UWB module A receives the response signal at time a2. The distance between the two modules can be determined through the time difference and the flight speed of the pulse signal.

[0051] S104: If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, UWB base stations (hereinafter referred to as base stations) are screened in the multiple floors.

[0052] In this indoor environment, multiple base stations are pre-installed for UWB positioning. When installing the base station, a corresponding number of base stations can be set based on factors such as cost, positioning accuracy, and the size of the indoor environment. For example, for environments with low positioning accuracy requirements and a small indoor environment range, base stations can be installed at only a few important points in the environment, or even only three base stations can be installed to complete the positioning function. However, generally speaking, for most indoor environments that need to be positioned (shopping malls, office buildings, etc.), it is not reliable enough to install only a few base stations for positioning. In order to ensure the positioning accuracy requirements, a certain number of base stations can be set on each floor of the indoor environment to ensure that reliable and accurate positioning functions can be achieved. When a large number of base stations are set up in the indoor environment, if all base stations are used to locate one device, it will cause a waste of resources. Therefore, it is necessary to screen the base stations before positioning to more reasonably assign tasks to the base stations.

[0053] Generally speaking, if the indoor environment is a single floor and all base stations are at the same height, when screening base stations, you only need to select the nearest base stations. However, when the indoor environment is multiple floors, the environment becomes complicated, and the single selection of base stations by distance (at this time, the base stations on this floor or other floors may be able to locate the equipment on this floor) may not be the best effect. For example, base station a is on the same floor as the unmanned vending machine to be located, and base station b is not on the same floor as the unmanned vending machine. However, the straight-line distance between base station b and the device is closer than that between base station a. If only based on the straight-line distance, base station b should be selected. However, when base station b communicates with the unmanned vending machine, it must pass through multiple floors (when the signal passes through different floors, it must pass through the floor between the floors, and the floor is often thicker than the wall on the same floor). At this time, the signal of base station b may not be as good as the signal of base station a. Therefore, when screening base stations, it is also necessary to consider the floor factors where each base station is located to achieve a better positioning effect. For example, the base station on the same floor as the unmanned vending machine is given priority for positioning, which can be more adaptable to the environment of multiple floors.

[0054] S106: Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base stations and the UWB modules installed on the unmanned vending machines.

[0055] Unmanned vending machines may refer to unmanned visual vending machines, automatic ticket machines, vending machines, etc.

[0056] For example, three base stations are selected and signal interaction is performed between the UWB module on the unmanned vending machine to obtain the distance between each base station and the UWB module, and then the unmanned vending machine is positioned through three-point positioning. When positioning in indoor environments, UWB can achieve more accurate positioning effects than GPS, Wi-Fi and other technologies.

[0057] For device positioning in outdoor environments (for example, the positioning of shared bicycles), since there are fewer obstructions in outdoor environments and the field of view is relatively wider, it does not require very high positioning accuracy and can also meet the user's positioning needs. Positioning methods such as GPS can fully meet its accuracy requirements, which is different from indoor environments.

[0058] S108: Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom.

[0059] The specific range nearby can be set based on actual needs. For example, the unmanned vending machines within 100 meters of the user are set as the nearby range. For unmanned vending machines within the user's vicinity, if they are in an indoor environment on multiple floors, they can be positioned in the manner described above. Of course, if they are in an indoor environment on a single floor or in an outdoor environment, UWB or other feasible methods can also be used to complete positioning. Here, there is no limitation on how to complete the positioning of unmanned vending machines in these two environments.

[0060] The target unmanned vending machine can be selected by the user. For example, when the user triggers the mini program and starts to locate the unmanned vending machines near the user, the mini program will display the nearby unmanned vending machines to the user, and the status of the goods in each unmanned vending machine will be displayed to the user, such as which goods are currently on sale in the unmanned vending machine, or which goods are currently out of stock in the unmanned vending machine. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The flowcharts of one or more embodiments of the present specification provide a user purchasing a product and a user replenishing a product in an application scenario. Figure 2 As shown in the figure, after the user logs in to the mini program, the mini program shows the user nearby unmanned vending machines. The user can click to know the products currently on sale in each unmanned vending machine. The user clicks to select the target unmanned vending machine and purchases the products after arriving at the target vending machine through navigation. Figure 3As shown, after the user logs in to the mini program, the mini program shows the user nearby unmanned vending machines. The user can click to know the current out-of-stock status of each product in each unmanned vending machine. The user clicks to select the target unmanned vending machine and restocks it after arriving through navigation. Of course, for out-of-stock products, the user's identity can be identified when the user logs in to the mini program, and only the relevant replenishment personnel can be shown so that the replenishment personnel can understand the out-of-stock status of each unmanned vending machine. In this way, after knowing the status of the product, the user can choose to determine the target vending machine to go to.

[0061] The target unmanned vending machine can also be selected by the system for the user, for example, the system selects the nearest unmanned vending machine as the target unmanned vending machine for the user, or selects the unmanned vending machine that the user has used the most times as the target unmanned vending machine based on the user's historical records, or selects the unmanned vending machine with the most types of goods on sale in the nearby area as the target unmanned vending machine. If the user disagrees with the selection result, he or she can actively reselect the target unmanned vending machine.

[0062] Furthermore, when there are multiple unmanned vending machines to be displayed, the unmanned vending machines can be sorted according to certain rules to facilitate the user's viewing experience. For example, according to the positioning results of each unmanned vending machine and the user, the vertical distance between each unmanned vending machine and the user is determined, so that it can be known whether it is on the same floor as the user, and the display order is determined according to the vertical distance. The unmanned vending machine on the same floor is recommended to the user first, followed by the unmanned vending machine one floor away from the user, and so on. If the display order is sorted by straight-line distance or navigation distance in the same way as in the outdoor environment, the indoor environment of multiple floors is likely to have the following problems: unmanned vending machine a is on the same floor as the user, but the navigation distance of unmanned vending machine b on another floor is closer. If the user wants to go to unmanned vending machine b, he needs to take a direct elevator. However, the indoor environment at this time is a shopping mall with a large flow of people. If waiting for the direct elevator will take a lot of time for the user. At this time, according to the vertical distance, the unmanned vending machine on the same floor is displayed to the user first, which will save time for the user and improve the user experience.

[0063] Furthermore, for the shopping mall environment, in addition to the vertical distance, the parameters such as the flow of people and length corresponding to the elevators, escalators, and stairs passed in the navigation route can also be considered. If the user goes to the unmanned vending machine b mentioned above, and the elevator he passes through has a small flow of people in the current period, then the unmanned vending machine b can still be displayed preferentially on the basis of considering the vertical distance. Alternatively, if the unmanned vending machine c is not on the same floor as the user, and the navigation distance of the unmanned vending machine c is farther than that of the unmanned vending machine a, but in the process of the user going to the unmanned vending machine c, there is a longer section of escalators that can be taken, and the user actually spends less physical energy than going to the unmanned vending machine a, then at this time, the unmanned vending machine c can be displayed preferentially.

[0064] S110: Navigate the user to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0065] The UWB base station locates the user and the target vending machine, so that the navigation route can be calculated to help the user navigate. Of course, if the target vending machine is close enough to the user, the UWB module can interact directly with the user terminal to navigate.

[0066] For most users, the commodity status they can obtain is the information of the commodity on sale, and the business performed at this time is usually the commodity purchase business. However, for the replenishment personnel, the commodity status they can obtain can also be out of stock information, and the business performed at this time can also be the replenishment business.

[0067] based on Figure 1 This specification also provides some specific implementation plans and extension plans of the method, which will be described below.

[0068] In one or more embodiments of this specification, it has been mentioned above that when performing UWB base station screening, the base stations near the user are first scanned to screen out the first UWB base station (hereinafter referred to as the first base station) on the same floor as the user, and positioning through the first base station can often achieve better results. Specifically, when determining whether it is the first base station, the base station can initiate communication with the user terminal, and determine whether the two are on the same floor based on the floor where it is located and the floor where the user terminal is located previously. Generally speaking, in an indoor environment with multiple floors, multiple base stations are set up on each floor. However, if there is no base station on the current floor, the base station set up on the closest floor can be used as the first base station.

[0069] If it is determined that there is an unmanned vending machine on the same floor, the user can be navigated to the unmanned vending machine on the same floor through the first base station. If it is determined that there is no unmanned vending machine, a second UWB base station (hereinafter referred to as the second base station) on another floor in the indoor environment can be further screened. For example, the base station on the floor closest to the current floor is preferentially screened as the second base station. If it is subsequently found that there is no unmanned vending machine on the closest floor, it can be screened again until the ideal second base station is found.

[0070] At this time, the unmanned vending machine is on another floor, and the second base station communicates with the UWB module on the unmanned vending machine to complete the positioning of the unmanned vending machine on another floor, which can minimize the problem of signal reduction caused by wall penetration and improve positioning accuracy. After the second base station completes the positioning, if it is directly returned to the user terminal, the problem of signal reduction will also occur. Therefore, the second base station sends the positioning result to the first base station, and the first base station returns the positioning result to the user terminal. When data is communicated between base stations, it is usually transmitted in a wired manner. Compared with the wireless transmission mode between the base station and the UWB module, there is almost no problem of signal reduction. In addition, in this way, each user terminal or the UWB module in the unmanned vending machine only needs to be responsible for communicating with the base station on this floor, and the transmission power of the UWB module can be controlled within a smaller range. From the perspective of cost and efficiency, the first base station and the second base station are respectively assigned to work that is more suitable for them to do, which also helps to prevent the UWB module and the user terminal from adding additional burdens.

[0071] Furthermore, after the second base station completes the positioning of the unmanned vending machine, during the navigation process, the first base station has already obtained the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine. The unmanned vending machine usually does not move, and it is a static positioning result. In addition, the first base station is on the same floor as the user, and can accurately and quickly locate the user dynamically, so that the navigation process for the user can be completed based on the static positioning result of the unmanned vending machine and the dynamic positioning result of the user.

[0072] Furthermore, since the target unmanned vending machine and the user are not on the same floor, during the navigation process of the user, if the user wants to go to the target unmanned vending machine, the floor on which the user is located must change. At this time, the dynamic positioning result of the user obtained by the first base station can be used to determine that the user's position during the movement has changed floors. As mentioned above, although the target unmanned vending machine is not on the same floor as the user, it is also on a very close floor to the user. Therefore, even if the user changes floors due to movement during the navigation process, navigation can be completed through the first base station.

[0073] However, if the dynamic positioning result of the user terminal is obtained only through the first base station to complete the entire navigation process, not only will the workload of the first base station be too heavy, but the positioning accuracy will also be poor due to the interaction with the partition wall. Therefore, when it is determined through the dynamic positioning result that the user has reached another floor where the target unmanned vending machine is located, the user is continued to be navigated through the second base station on that floor. Compared with navigation through the first base station, the second base station is on the same floor as the user terminal at this time, and its positioning accuracy for the user terminal is higher and the corresponding workload is also smaller.

[0074] When the user terminal is able to directly scan the UWB module on the unmanned vending machine, the user can be directly navigated through the UWB module. At this time, the UWB module can be used as a base station to cooperate with the second base station to realize the navigation process, further increasing the positioning accuracy during the navigation process. It can also be that only the UWB module interacts with the user terminal, the distance between the two is determined through the interaction between the two, and navigation is realized through the distance. Although the positioning accuracy is reduced, the processing resource consumption of the second base station can be saved. Since the target unmanned vending machine is already in a relatively close range to the user at this time, even if only the distance between it and the user is informed, the user can easily find the target unmanned vending machine by observation.

[0075] In one or more embodiments of the present specification, during the use of the base station, navigation is usually performed for more than one user. Based on this, if during the navigation process for the user, navigation is also performed for the designated user (usually the staff responsible for replenishing the unmanned vending machine), and the staff is going to the target unmanned vending machine to perform the replenishment business. Then, when navigating the user, the user is no longer directly navigated to the target unmanned vending machine, but the user is navigated to the real-time location of the designated user, and then the user follows the designated user to the target unmanned vending machine. Since the designated user is going to perform the replenishment business, he will inevitably carry a certain amount of goods, and the forward speed will be affected and will be slower than the user's moving speed, so the user is usually able to reach his location before the designated user reaches the target unmanned vending machine.

[0076] Specifically, when the user arrives at the location of the designated user, the terminal used by the designated user (such as a smart phone, a cart for replenishment, etc.) can be used as an intermediate navigation device. The base station only needs to determine the dynamic position of the intermediate navigation device, and then the intermediate navigation device will feed back the dynamic position to the user terminal. There is no need to determine the dynamic position of the user terminal, which reduces the required computing resources. Moreover, the designated user goes to the target unmanned vending machine for replenishment. The target unmanned vending machine after replenishment by the designated user has a very comprehensive range of goods on sale. Compared with the user arriving at the target unmanned vending machine before replenishment, it can meet the user's needs more comprehensively and reliably. Even with the permission of the merchant, the staff can directly trade with the user, which not only improves the user experience, but also makes the work service of the replenishment staff more flexible and more conducive to promoting the development of the unmanned vending business.

[0077] In one or more embodiments of the present specification, usually, when displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to users, whether based on straight-line distance, navigation distance or vertical distance, they are only displayed based on distance, and the user's product needs are not considered. The user needs to click on each displayed unmanned vending machine one by one to obtain the corresponding product status and determine the target unmanned vending machine, which can easily cause the user to perform multiple invalid operations and reduce the user experience.

[0078] Based on this, first determine whether the user's current environment is a preset special environment based on the user's location. If so, determine the product that the user is most likely to need in the special environment, and then determine the first unmanned vending machine with the product in the nearby unmanned vending machines. Then determine the extent to which the user is affected by the special environment when going to each first unmanned vending machine, and when displaying, display the first unmanned vending machine with the least impact at the front, display the first unmanned vending machine in a front position, and display the remaining unmanned vending machines at the back, so as to minimize the user's invalid operations. The user only needs to click on the first first unmanned vending machine displayed at the front to determine the target unmanned vending machine he is going to. And sorting according to the size of the impact can minimize the impact of the special environment on the user.

[0079] For example, according to the user's location, through the corresponding weather platform, it is determined that the user's current environment is a rainy environment in the preset special environment. At this time, it is determined that the product most needed by the user is an umbrella, and the first unmanned vending machine with an umbrella is determined among the nearby unmanned vending machines. At this time, if the product that the user really needs is an umbrella, it means that the user currently does not have an umbrella. Therefore, it is determined that when the user goes to each first unmanned vending machine, he needs to pass through a rainy section, and the length of the section is used to judge the extent of the impact of the special environment. The longer the section, the greater the impact, and finally the first unmanned vending machine with the least impact is displayed in the front.

[0080] Among them, the special environment can be other types of environments besides rainy environment. For example, when the special environment is a high temperature environment, the products that users are most likely to need may be energy drinks, ice cream, handheld fans, sun umbrellas, etc.; when the special environment is a haze environment, the products that users are most likely to need may be masks, etc.; when the special environment is a strong light environment, the products that users are most likely to need may be sunglasses, etc.

[0081] Based on the same idea, one or more embodiments of this specification also provide devices and apparatuses corresponding to the above methods, such as Figure 4 , Figure 5 shown.

[0082] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine provided in one or more embodiments of this specification, the device comprising:

[0083] A location determination module 402, based on a user trigger, determines the current location of the user;

[0084] A base station screening module 404, if the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors;

[0085] A positioning module 406 locates the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module installed on the unmanned vending machine;

[0086] A display and target determination module 408 displays nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determines a target unmanned vending machine therefrom;

[0087] The navigation module 410 navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0088] Optionally, the display and target determination module 408 determines the vertical distance between each successfully located unmanned vending machine and the user according to the positioning result;

[0089] The nearby unmanned vending machines are displayed to the user according to the vertical distance.

[0090] Optionally, the display and target determination module 408 displays the status of the goods in the nearby unmanned vending cabinet to the user;

[0091] In response to the user's selection among the nearby unmanned vending machines, a target unmanned vending machine is determined.

[0092] Optionally, the base station screening module 404 screens out a first UWB base station located on the same floor as the user in the indoor environment by scanning nearby UWB base stations;

[0093] If it is determined that there is no unmanned vending machine on the same floor, a second UWB base station on another floor in the indoor environment is selected;

[0094] The positioning module receives the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine on the other floor sent by the first UWB base station. The positioning result of the unmanned vending machine is determined by the second UWB base station through the UWB module set on the unmanned vending machine and returned to the first UWB base station.

[0095] Optionally, the navigation module 410 dynamically locates the user through the first UWB base station to obtain a dynamic positioning result;

[0096] The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine on the other floor according to the dynamic positioning result and the received positioning result of the unmanned vending machine.

[0097] Optionally, during the navigation process, the navigation module 410, if it is determined that the user has reached the other floor according to the dynamic positioning result, continues to navigate the user through the second UWB base station;

[0098] After scanning the UWB module of the target unmanned vending machine, the user is continued to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the UWB module.

[0099] Optionally, the navigation module 410 determines that at the current moment, a designated user other than the user needs to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine, so that the designated user performs a replenishment service through the target unmanned vending machine;

[0100] The UWB base station or the UWB module obtained by the screening is used to navigate the user to the real-time location of the designated user, so that the user follows the designated user to the target unmanned vending machine.

[0101] Optionally, the display and target determination module 408 determines whether the environment where the user is located is a preset special environment according to the location;

[0102] If yes, then determining the commodity that the user is most likely to need in the special environment, and determining a first unmanned vending machine having the commodity that is most likely to be needed among nearby unmanned vending machines;

[0103] Determining respectively the extent to which the user needs to be affected by the special environment when going to each of the first unmanned vending machines;

[0104] The nearby unmanned vending machines are displayed to the user, and the first unmanned vending machine with the least impact is displayed in the front.

[0105] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of a business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine provided in one or more embodiments of this specification, the device comprising:

[0106] at least one processor; and,

[0107] a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein,

[0108] The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to:

[0109] Based on a trigger from the user, determining a current location of the user;

[0110] If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors;

[0111] Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine;

[0112] Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom;

[0113] The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0114] Based on the same idea, one or more embodiments of this specification also provide a non-volatile computer storage medium corresponding to the above method, storing computer executable instructions, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured as follows:

[0115] Based on a trigger from the user, determining a current location of the user;

[0116] If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors;

[0117] Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine;

[0118] Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom;

[0119] The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine.

[0120] In the 1990s, improvements to a technology could be clearly distinguished as hardware improvements (for example, improvements to the circuit structure of diodes, transistors, switches, etc.) or software improvements (improvements to the method flow). However, with the development of technology, many improvements to the method flow today can be regarded as direct improvements to the hardware circuit structure. Designers almost always obtain the corresponding hardware circuit structure by programming the improved method flow into the hardware circuit. Therefore, it cannot be said that an improvement in a method flow cannot be implemented using a hardware entity module. For example, a programmable logic device (PLD) (such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA)) is such an integrated circuit whose logical function is determined by the user's programming of the device. Designers can "integrate" a digital system on a PLD by programming it themselves, without having to ask a chip manufacturer to design and produce a dedicated integrated circuit chip. Moreover, nowadays, instead of manually making integrated circuit chips, this kind of programming is mostly implemented by "logic compiler" software, which is similar to the software compiler used when developing and writing programs, and the original code before compilation must also be written in a specific programming language, which is called hardware description language (HDL). There is not only one HDL, but many kinds, such as ABEL (Advanced Boolean Expression Language), AHDL (Altera Hardware Description Language), Confluence, CUPL (Cornell University Programming Language), HDCal, JHDL (Java Hardware Description Language), Lava, Lola, MyHDL, PALASM, RHDL (Ruby Hardware Description Language), etc. The most commonly used ones are VHDL (Very-High-Speed ​​Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language) and Verilog. Those skilled in the art should also know that it is only necessary to program the method flow slightly in the above-mentioned hardware description languages ​​and program it into the integrated circuit, and then it is easy to obtain the hardware circuit that implements the logic method flow.

[0121] The controller can be implemented in any appropriate manner, for example, the controller can take the form of a microprocessor or processor and a computer-readable medium storing a computer-readable program code (such as software or firmware) that can be executed by the (micro)processor, a logic gate, a switch, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic controller, and an embedded microcontroller. Examples of controllers include, but are not limited to, the following microcontrollers: ARC 625D, Atmel AT91SAM, Microchip PIC18F26K20, and Silicone Labs C8051F320. The memory controller can also be implemented as part of the control logic of the memory. Those skilled in the art also know that in addition to implementing the controller in a purely computer-readable program code manner, the controller can be implemented in the form of a logic gate, a switch, an application-specific integrated circuit, a programmable logic controller, and an embedded microcontroller by logically programming the method steps. Therefore, this controller can be considered as a hardware component, and the devices included therein for implementing various functions can also be regarded as structures within the hardware component. Or even, the devices for implementing various functions can be regarded as both software modules for implementing the method and structures within the hardware component.

[0122] The systems, devices, modules or units described in the above embodiments may be implemented by computer chips or entities, or by products with certain functions. A typical implementation device is a computer. Specifically, the computer may be, for example, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a cellular phone, a camera phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, a tablet computer, a wearable device, or a combination of any of these devices.

[0123] For the convenience of description, the above device is described in various units according to their functions. Of course, when implementing this specification, the functions of each unit can be implemented in the same or multiple software and / or hardware.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments of this specification may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, the embodiments of this specification may be in the form of complete hardware embodiments, complete software embodiments, or embodiments in combination with software and hardware. Moreover, the embodiments of this specification may be in the form of a computer program product implemented in one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) that contain computer-usable program code.

[0125] This specification is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of this specification. It should be understood that each process and / or box in the flowchart and / or block diagram, as well as the combination of the processes and / or boxes in the flowchart and / or block diagram, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing device to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing device generate instructions for implementing the processes in the flowchart and / or block diagram. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in a block or multiple blocks.

[0126] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable memory capable of directing a computer or other programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture comprising an instruction device, which implements the process Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A function specified in one or more boxes.

[0127] These computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing device so that a series of operating steps are executed on the computer or other programmable device to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions for implementing the process. Figure 1 A process or multiple processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps for the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0128] In a typical configuration, a computing device includes one or more processors (CPU), input / output interfaces, network interfaces, and memory.

[0129] The memory may include non-permanent storage in a computer-readable medium, random access memory (RAM) and / or non-volatile memory in the form of read-only memory (ROM) or flash RAM. The memory is an example of a computer-readable medium.

[0130] Computer readable media include permanent and non-permanent, removable and non-removable media that can be implemented by any method or technology to store information. Information can be computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Examples of computer storage media include, but are not limited to, phase change memory (PRAM), static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), other types of random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices or any other non-transmission media that can be used to store information that can be accessed by a computing device. As defined herein, computer readable media does not include temporary computer readable media (transitory media), such as modulated data signals and carrier waves.

[0131] It should also be noted that the terms "include", "comprises" or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, commodity or device including a series of elements includes not only those elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, commodity or device. In the absence of more restrictions, the elements defined by the sentence "comprises a ..." do not exclude the existence of other identical elements in the process, method, commodity or device including the elements.

[0132] This specification may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions executed by a computer, such as program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. This specification may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices connected through a communication network. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in local and remote computer storage media, including storage devices.

[0133] Each embodiment in this specification is described in a progressive manner, and the same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. In particular, for the device, equipment, and non-volatile computer storage medium embodiments, since they are basically similar to the method embodiments, the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the partial description of the method embodiment.

[0134] The above is a description of a specific embodiment of the specification. Other embodiments are within the scope of the appended claims. In some cases, the actions or steps recorded in the claims can be performed in an order different from that in the embodiments and still achieve the desired results. In addition, the processes depicted in the drawings do not necessarily require the specific order or continuous order shown to achieve the desired results. In some embodiments, multitasking and parallel processing are also possible or may be advantageous.

[0135] The above description is only one or more embodiments of this specification and is not intended to limit this specification. For those skilled in the art, one or more embodiments of this specification may have various changes and variations. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of one or more embodiments of this specification shall be included in the scope of the claims of this specification.

Claims

1. A business processing method based on indoor positioning of unmanned vending machines, comprising: Based on a trigger from the user, determining a current location of the user; If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, UWB base station screening is performed in the multiple floors, specifically including: by scanning nearby UWB base stations, a first UWB base station on the same floor as the user in the indoor environment is screened out, and if it is determined that there is no unmanned vending machine on the same floor, a second UWB base station on another floor in the indoor environment is screened out; Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine specifically includes: receiving the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine on the other floor sent by the first UWB base station, wherein the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine is determined by the second UWB base station through the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine and returned to the first UWB base station; Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom; The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine, specifically including: determining that at the current moment, a designated user other than the user needs to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine, so that the designated user can perform replenishment services through the target unmanned vending machine, and navigating the user to the real-time location of the designated user through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the replenishment personnel can directly trade with the user if the merchant allows; The UWB base station obtained through the screening navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine, specifically comprising: dynamically positioning the user through the first UWB base station to obtain a dynamic positioning result, and navigating the user to the target unmanned vending machine on the other floor according to the dynamic positioning result and the received positioning result of the unmanned vending machine; The UWB base station obtained through the screening navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine, specifically including: during the navigation process, according to the dynamic positioning result, if it is determined that the user has reached the other floor, the user is continued to be navigated through the second UWB base station, and after scanning the UWB module of the target unmanned vending machine, the user is continued to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the UWB module.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result comprises: Determine the vertical distance between each successfully located unmanned vending machine and the user according to the positioning result; The nearby unmanned vending machines are displayed to the user according to the vertical distance.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the target unmanned vending machine comprises: Displaying the status of commodities in the nearby unmanned vending machines to the user; In response to the user's selection among the nearby unmanned vending machines, a target unmanned vending machine is determined.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the UWB base station or the UWB module obtained through the screening navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine, specifically comprising: Determining that at the current moment, a designated user other than the user needs to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine, so that the designated user can perform a replenishment service through the target unmanned vending machine; The UWB base station or the UWB module obtained by the screening is used to navigate the user to the real-time location of the designated user, so that the user follows the designated user to the target unmanned vending machine.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result comprises: Determining whether the environment where the user is located is a preset special environment according to the location; If yes, then determining the commodity that the user is most likely to need in the special environment, and determining a first unmanned vending machine having the commodity that is most likely to be needed among nearby unmanned vending machines; Determining respectively the extent to which the user needs to be affected by the special environment when going to each of the first unmanned vending machines; The nearby unmanned vending machines are displayed to the user, and the first unmanned vending machine with the least impact is displayed in the front.

6. A business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine, comprising: A location determination module, based on a user trigger, determines the current location of the user; A base station screening module, if the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, then screening UWB base stations in the multiple floors, specifically including: by scanning nearby UWB base stations, screening out a first UWB base station on the same floor as the user in the indoor environment, if it is determined that there is no unmanned vending machine on the same floor, then screening out a second UWB base station on another floor in the indoor environment; The positioning module locates the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine, specifically comprising: receiving the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine on the other floor sent by the first UWB base station, wherein the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine is determined by the second UWB base station through the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine and returned to the first UWB base station; A display and target determination module, which displays nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determines a target unmanned vending machine therefrom; The navigation module navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine through the UWB base station or the UWB module obtained by the screening, so that the user can perform the corresponding business through the target unmanned vending machine, specifically including: determining that at the current moment, a designated user other than the user needs to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine, so that the designated user can perform the replenishment business through the target unmanned vending machine, and navigating the user to the real-time location of the designated user through the UWB base station or the UWB module obtained by the screening, so that the replenishment personnel can directly trade with the user if the merchant allows; The navigation module dynamically locates the user through the first UWB base station to obtain a dynamic positioning result, and navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine on the other floor according to the dynamic positioning result and the received positioning result of the unmanned vending machine; During the navigation process, the navigation module, based on the dynamic positioning result, continues to navigate the user through the second UWB base station if it is determined that the user has reached the other floor. After scanning the UWB module of the target unmanned vending machine, the navigation module continues to navigate the user to the target unmanned vending machine through the UWB module.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the display and target determination module determines the vertical distance between each successfully located unmanned vending machine and the user according to the positioning result; The nearby unmanned vending machines are displayed to the user according to the vertical distance.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the display and target determination module displays the status of the goods in the nearby unmanned vending cabinet to the user; In response to the user's selection among the nearby unmanned vending machines, a target unmanned vending machine is determined.

9. The device according to claim 6, wherein the navigation module determines that at the current moment, a designated user other than the user needs to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine, so that the designated user performs a replenishment service through the target unmanned vending machine; The UWB base station or the UWB module obtained by the screening is used to navigate the user to the real-time location of the designated user, so that the user follows the designated user to the target unmanned vending machine.

10. The device according to claim 6, wherein the display and target determination module determines whether the environment where the user is located is a preset special environment according to the location; If yes, then determining the commodity that the user is most likely to need in the special environment, and determining a first unmanned vending machine having the commodity that is most likely to be needed among nearby unmanned vending machines; Determining respectively the extent to which the user needs to be affected by the special environment when going to each of the first unmanned vending machines; The nearby unmanned vending machines are displayed to the user, and the first unmanned vending machine with the least impact is displayed in the front.

11. A business processing device based on indoor positioning of an unmanned vending machine, comprising: at least one processor; as well as, a memory communicatively connected to the at least one processor; wherein, The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor, the instructions being executed by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to: Based on a trigger from the user, determining a current location of the user; If the location is in an indoor environment including multiple floors, UWB base station screening is performed in the multiple floors, specifically including: by scanning nearby UWB base stations, a first UWB base station on the same floor as the user in the indoor environment is screened out, and if it is determined that there is no unmanned vending machine on the same floor, a second UWB base station on another floor in the indoor environment is screened out; Positioning the unmanned vending machine in the indoor environment by using the screened UWB base station and the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine specifically includes: receiving the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine on the other floor sent by the first UWB base station, wherein the positioning result of the unmanned vending machine is determined by the second UWB base station through the UWB module provided on the unmanned vending machine and returned to the first UWB base station; Displaying nearby unmanned vending machines to the user according to the positioning result, and determining a target unmanned vending machine therefrom; The user is navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the user can perform corresponding services through the target unmanned vending machine, specifically including: determining that at the current moment, a designated user other than the user needs to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine, so that the designated user can perform replenishment services through the target unmanned vending machine, and navigating the user to the real-time location of the designated user through the screened UWB base station or the UWB module, so that the replenishment personnel can directly trade with the user if the merchant allows; The UWB base station obtained through the screening navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine, specifically comprising: dynamically positioning the user through the first UWB base station to obtain a dynamic positioning result, and navigating the user to the target unmanned vending machine on the other floor according to the dynamic positioning result and the received positioning result of the unmanned vending machine; The UWB base station obtained through the screening navigates the user to the target unmanned vending machine, specifically including: during the navigation process, according to the dynamic positioning result, if it is determined that the user has reached the other floor, the user is continued to be navigated through the second UWB base station, and after scanning the UWB module of the target unmanned vending machine, the user is continued to be navigated to the target unmanned vending machine through the UWB module.

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