A method of generating a virtual map in a confined space

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method of generating a virtual map in a confined space. The invention comprises the steps of i) providing at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space, such as a supermarket, shopping mall, convenience store, or grocery store, the signal strength decreasing with a distance from each of said antennas and establishing multiple signal strength coordinates in said confined space by signal intersections provided by signals from said antennas; ii) allowing a unique ID of an item, such as a barcode or QR-code, located in a spot within said confined space to be scanned with a portable device, such as a mobile phone; iii) registering the signal strength coordinates of the item located in said spot with a portable device, such as a mobile phone; iv) transferring the unique ID of the item and the registered signal strength coordinates of the item to a computer system; v) repeating steps ii)-iv) with other items located in other spots and integrating the signal strength coordinates with the unique ID of each item in a computer system; vi) establishing a virtual map of multiple items within the confined space based on the integration in step v); and optionally vii) guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by visualizing directions on a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, and / or by sound commands, and / or by vibrations, partly based on the virtual map.

Description

[0001] A METHOD OF GENERATING A VIRTUAL MAP IN A CONFINED SPACE

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of methods and systems for generating a virtual map in a confined space, such as in a supermarket, shopping mall, convenience store, or grocery store. In particular, the invention may be utilized to guide a consumer to one or more items based on the virtual map.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Traditionally, consumers in places such as grocery stores and supermarkets have been used to find items to be bought based on expected localization and normal practice in the industry based on visibility of selected items intended for special attention to the consumers. Although variations apply between different stores from time to time, consumers are usually aware of directions to go for categories of items and may locate specific items by visual appearance when approaching certain sections of a grocery store, supermarket, convenience store, or the like.

[0006] Nevertheless, consumers may apply excessive and unnecessary time in these places in order to locate and select items during shopping, even when only few items are to be bought for daily purchases. More severe time consumption is applied when multiple items are to be bought, which may lead to wrong and irrational choices among items due to time pressure as a consequences of time consumption. In particular, it might be difficult to find an exact item among a selection of choices if the exact choice of item is for instance hided among similar items on a shelf in a grocery store, if the consumer enters unknown facilities, or if the store has relocated items in the store.

[0007] Even more pronounced is the ability for consumers to pick the right choice of item if the supermarket or grocery store tends to locate items in places where it is more probable that consumers are to select these items, such as upon entrance of the store, in places right in front of the most sold products in the store, or in hallways where more intense traffic is expected. Inferior choices of goods in supermarkets are often more expensive than expected choices prior to entering these places and are sometimes associated with unhealthy living if the consumer is guided to such goods. Frequently consumers tend to buy inferior products even if a shopping list is made prior to the purchase process. All in all, the consumer may face less influence on the right choice of goods in supermarkets or grocery stores if not being able to allocate the correct choice of items.

[0008] In terms of supermarket chains and grocery chains, the behaviour of consumers has often been learned through extensive study of consumer behaviour, primarily by addressing the frequency of sales of items by locating the items in different places in the store or by expected traffic in hallways or other places. By experiencing different sales, certain items may be placed in strategic places in the stores to increase the sales or to promote certain goods with different intentions. One of these intentions may be to support healthier living or to increase sales of more profitable goods.

[0009] However, it is often a challenge to receive more detailed input of consumer behaviour that can be used to further optimize sales based on the current approach. Securing consumer data through human observation, cameras or sensors is not substantive or appropriate. Human observation and cameras may frighten some customers and cameras cost a lot of resources to set up, maintain and operate. Sensors, such as motion sensors, are often not as efficient at tracking consumer movement as they may not distinguish one consumer from another.

[0010] In recent years, mobile apps have been offered by supermarket chains and other chains to facilitate consumers in the purchase process and especially in the payment process of the goods. Usually, items are scanned by the consumer in the spot where it is located, whereafter the items are transferred to a shopping basket and automatically paid upon leaving the confined space of the supermarket or grocery store.

[0011] While these mobile apps may be applied to optimize the time used for the purchase by the consumer as well as the shopping experience seen from a consumer perspective and staff demands seen from a sales perspective, further optimization may be required to increase the overall shopping experience as well as consumer insights seen from a sales perspective.

[0012] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Accordingly, there is provided a method of generating a virtual map in a confined space, comprising the steps of i) providing at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space, such as a supermarket, shopping mall, convenience store, or grocery store, the signal strength decreasing with a distance from each of said antennas and establishing multiple signal strength coordinates in said confined space by signal intersections provided by signals from said antennas; ii) allowing a unique ID of an item, such as a barcode or QR-code, located in a spot within said confined space to be scanned with a portable device, such as a mobile phone; iii) registering the signal strength coordinates of the item located in said spot with a portable device, such as a mobile phone; iv) transferring the unique ID of the item and the registered signal strength coordinates of the item to a computer system; v) repeating steps ii)-iv) with other items located in other spots and integrating the signal strength coordinates with the unique ID of each item in a computer system; vi) establishing a virtual map of multiple items within the confined space based on the integration in step v); and optionally vii) guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by visualizing directions on a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, and / or by sound commands, and / or by vibrations, partly based on the virtual map.

[0014] With the present invention, the aforementioned challenges may be solved partially or completely. Particularly, the time used for the purchase by the consumer may be optimized as well as the overall shopping experience seen from a consumer perspective. Additionally, an optimized purchase experience may be designed based on insights from the virtual map generated by the present invention.

[0015] In the present context, the “virtual map of multiple items” is not necessarily intended to mean a visible map on a portable device but may also encompass integrated signal strength coordinates with unique IDs of each item for instance indexed in a list or as codes, such as binary codes, just as long as the data may be used to identify the intended relative or absolute position within the confined space. In the present context, the “virtual map” is not intended to utilize a real map as part of generating a localized map, as the virtual map can be used independently of existing maps. In the present context, a person skilled in the art would understand the meaning of a “real map”, including cartographic product. The great advantage of the present invention is that a virtual map may be generated without being based on previously generated maps, including a “real map”. The virtual map according to the invention may be generated from scratch. A person skilled in the art would know how to store and apply the virtual map according to the present invention. In certain embodiments of the invention, the virtual map may be applied as a visual map on a portable device, such as a mobile phone. In the present context, the “confined space” is intended to mean a space circumvented by for instance walls, floor, and a roof. Typically, the confined space refers to a supermarket, shopping mall, convenience store, or grocery store, but may apply to other places with the same characteristics of a certain volume. However, the meaning of “confined space” is not extended to open spaces without physical boundaries, such as a parking place or the like.

[0016] In some embodiments, the “confined space” is a supermarket. In some embodiments, the “confined space” is a shopping mall. In some embodiments, the “confined space” is a convenience store. In some embodiments, the “confined space” is a grocery store.

[0017] One of the advantages of the present invention is that no telecommunication masts or satellites are to be employed to generate the virtual map of the present invention. The virtual map of the invention may solely be generated by the at least two signal transmitting antennas positioned in different fixed locations within the confined space. This means for instance that absence of external signals or a certain decrease in signal strength from external transmitting antennas may be circumvented. This discovery was unexpected by the inventors of the present invention and it was an unexpected surprise that the virtual map would be possible to generate based on the signal transmitting antennas of the present invention. A person skilled in the art would know how to generate the virtual map based on programming known in the art.

[0018] Accordingly, one of the aims of the present invention is to apply much more control of the signals transmitted and received, hence leaving a much more predictable virtual map according to the invention. Also, in confined spaces where there might be construction parts, such as shelves and the like, that may diminish or interfere with external signals, the present invention may serve to solve various challenges. Additionally, by locating the at least two signal transmitting antennas in favorable positions within the confined space, the invention may also further improve accuracy and reliability of the virtual map generated. In turn, this means that the overall experience by consumers within the confined space may be improved as well as the possibility to design a space of improved convenience and purchase environment.

[0019] For instance, the at least two antennas may be located in positions in order to improve signals within the confined space or may be located within the confined space to improve identification of the signal strength differences, which the invention relies on to generate the virtual map. One option is for instance to locate one or more of the at least two antennas in a distance above the ground, such as above shelves or the like, which may impart barrier properties on the signals transmitted. Another option is for instance to locate one or more of the at least two antennas in an optimized distance from each other to improve identification of the signal strength differences.

[0020] One of the advantages of the present invention in the context of sensors in mobile devices is that the signal strength can vary depending on the height from the floor or distance to the roof. The virtual map of unique IDs may also include their positions in relation to each other, both vertically and horizontally. While mobile devices may include barometric pressure sensors for measuring altitude, the accuracy is insufficient for measuring the height of shelves in a store.

[0021] According to the invention, the intended meaning with the wording “fixed locations within a confined space” is that wherever the antennas are located, they need to be fixed as a function of time in order to generate the virtual map of the invention. If the antennas are relocated for some reason, it means that the virtual map is to be completely or partly reestablished. As can be understood, the virtual map is generally produced over time with more and more information due to repetition of iterations. This means that data are constantly generated with more and more accuracy and predictability during use of the system. Re-position of an item within the confirmed space is thus understood to imply that changes in the map will be generated as a function of time and the number of iterations performed. The same applies to reposition of certain partial barriers to the signals transmitted, such as re-position of shelves and the like. As would be known by a person skilled in the art, shelves and the like may interfere with signals.

[0022] By providing at least two signal transmitting antennas within the confined space, the present invention aims at utilizing coordinates in said confined space by signal intersections provided by signals from said antennas. As will be known to one skilled in the art, signals transmitted will have a certain signal strength upon transmittal from the antennas. As a function of the distance away from the antennas, the signal strength will decrease.

[0023] Hence, if for instance the signal transmitted is -40 dBm from an antenna, it may as an example be -60 dBm in a certain distance from the antenna. Accordingly, if two antennas are provided, each transmitting signals, there will in theory be two intersections of signals with the same values (coordinates) since the signals will in practice be emitted as waves in any direction from the antennas. This allows coordinates of intersections to be provided, i.e., in principle an indefinite number of intersections with only two unique sets of coordinates in case two antennas are provided.

[0024] Accordingly, in the present context when “multiple signal strength coordinates” or the like is mentioned, the intended meaning is that it refers to intersections of the signals transmitted from the antennas of the invention. Hence, if a commodity or item is located in a fixed place on a shelf in a store, this exact commodity or item is associated with a signal strength coordinate. Although the same signal strength coordinate may be present somewhere else in the store, the invention may serve to further locate the exact location of said commodity or item by learning algorithms or the like. In the present context, learning algorithms may be based on registering and utilizing non-direct signal characteristics along with direct signal characteristics, where the non-direct signals are signals that have been bounced, reflected, or manipulated within the confined space for instance by walls or shelves. A non-direct signal is by definition weaker than a direct signal due to distance travelled by the signal. Non-direct signals may also be used in case more than two antennas are applied to provide further precision. Historic date may also be applied.

[0025] In other embodiments, at least three antennas are provided, which results in only one unique signal strength coordinate with three values in each coordinate.

[0026] In the present context, when “antennas” is mentioned, these antennas may in some embodiments be integrated in Wi-Fi modems, extenders, routers, repeaters, or the like. In other embodiments, the antennas may be external antennas. Any Wi-Fi signal protocol may be applied, such as commonly applied standards, including IEEE 802.11 or other standards. Also, Bluetooth may be applied. The critical point is the intersections resulting in signal strength coordinates to be applied according to the invention.

[0027] Both in terms of the method and system, the virtual map generated according to the invention may be generated by a number of repetitions by consumers each scanning a unique ID of an item on a shelf in the confined space by concomitant registration of the signal strength coordinate in the place where the item is located. The unique ID may be a barcode, QR code, or the like. For instance, the unique ID may be located on the commodity itself, but it may also be located in close proximity to the commodity, such as on the shelf or near the shelf. Typically, the signal strength coordinates will be automatically registered by the portable device, or it may need a further step of registering, such as an action on the portable device.

[0028] The invention may also extend to pre-regi strati on of all items in the confined space or partial registration even before customers enter the confined space. This may for instance take place, if the staff in a store pre-register the signal strengths of each item or a part of the items in the confined space, so that the customers may utilize a virtual map already generated and ready to use. Also, if an item is re-placed to another shelf, this re-location may be registered by the staff in the store, so that the virtual map is constantly updated with newest information available.

[0029] However, even if not pre-registered, the iterations made by the customers may generate the virtual map as a function of time. This implies huge advantages since the grocery chain or the like may save resources, such as staff and hours spend on registering commodities or items, either in a pre-registering process or during operation of the method or system.

[0030] One of the advantages of the present invention is that grocery chains and the like do not necessarily need to invest in new equipment but may base the method of the invention and the system on existing Wi-Fi routers or the like having antennas according to the invention. However, in some cases, improved accuracy and predictability may be obtained by re-placing existing equipment.

[0031] In some embodiments, the portable device is a mobile phone. In some other embodiments, the portable device is a scanning apparatus with integrated functions. In some other embodiments, the portable device is a virtual reality tool. In some other embodiments, the portable device is any device that may be applied for the purpose. In some other embodiments, the portable device is the same device applied in each step of the method. It is understood that the portable device may also be different devices. For instance, if customers scan the unique ID of the item in the confined space, other portable devices may be employed to for other steps in the method or different portable devices may be employed in the system according to the invention.

[0032] According to the invention, data is processed in a computer system, such as data relating to the unique ID and signal strength. In the present context, the “computer system” may be any device with a computing capacity, such as an external computer, a server located anywhere, a local chip with processing capacity, or the like. The computer system may also comprise two or more computer systems with the same processing capacity or different processing capacity, or even completing different tasks. Nevertheless, the unique ID is integrated with the signal strength in a computer system. A person skilled in the art would understand how to perform programming known in the art in order for the invention to work as promised.

[0033] In the present context, when reference is made to “integrated” or the like, it means that the signal strength is coupled to or associated with the unique ID of the item within the confined space, and optionally further processed. The purpose is to generate multiple sets of integrations, which allows the virtual map to be generated with reliability and accuracy. The more integrations or repetition that are made, the more accurate is the method and the system according to the invention. To mitigate inaccuracies due to variations in antenna signal strength caused, for example, by humidity, air pressure or interference from other electronic devices, the number of iterations performed at different times allows for correction for variations in signal strength over time to provide an accurate accounting of the different signals generated by the antennas.

[0034] One of the great advantages of the invention is that the virtual map generated may be linked to apps already provided by grocery chains or the like. Typically, grocery chains and the like already allow items to be scanned and provide baskets for scanned items in order to make the purchase process more efficient. This may also allow the customer to leave the confined space without further surveillance, if for instance the items in the shopping basket are paid upon leaving the confined space.

[0035] Usually, applications (or apps) provided by places such as grocery stores make it possible to complete shopping lists prior to entering the store. One of the great advantages of the present invention is that the virtual map of the present invention may be linked to such existing apps. This may provide a foundation for further highly advantageous embodiments, such as guidance of customers to the items in the shopping lists established prior to entering the store. In some embodiments of the invention, the method and system comprises an app with a shopping list. In some embodiments of the invention, the method and system comprises an app with a shopping list integrated with one or more of the steps of the method.

[0036] Even without a shopping list, the invention may also provide a platform for entering the name of an item or other identifications in a portable device with the app installed, whereafter the customer may be guided to this exact item in the confined space. This include voice commands, texting and other entering means. Hence, the method and system according to the invention may work with various configurations, such as with a pre-coded selection of items in a portable device, such as in the app provided by a grocery chain, with categories of items coded or entered in a portable device, or with spontaneous (or in situ) coding or entering of an item to be found in the confined space.

[0037] Generally, the virtual map according to the invention allows for establishing a path from item to item in shopping list in an app in the portable device. This may greatly facilitate a customer optimizing the time used in the store, may greatly optimize quality shopping, and may otherwise greatly facilitate an optimal route through the confined space. As such, the data in the virtual map combined as well as the path through the confined space may also allow the store to optimize the purchase experience to the customers, or even suggest alternative routes.

[0038] One of the advantages of the invention is that the grocery chain and the like may receive data on consumer behavior, such as the path taken by consumers in the confined space or how long customers take to choose a product. This may also involve a time dependent presence of consumers in the confined space, such as purchase behavior as a function of time intervals through the day. The grocery chain may also improve the purchase quality based on received data, such as re-locating items in the confined space with the knowledge of consumer behavior. It might be that items may be re-positioned in order to optimize the experience to certain customers or to customers in general. If for instance, data from individual customers are stored, suggestions may be provided in the app for purposes of other items from time to time, and even a re-direction may be suggested to the customer in order to optimize the purchase experience. This may also apply to bulk customers, or categories of customers, such as categories of elderly people, children, pregnant women, or the like. These categories of customers may have preference for certain products or product categories, which they may be guided to via the app and the present invention.

[0039] In some embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises a mobile app. In some embodiments of the invention, the invention further comprises a mobile app which is integrated with the method. In some embodiments of the invention, the invention further comprises a shopping list in a mobile app.

[0040] In the present context, the intended meaning of “guiding a consumer” is to give a consumer or customer a direction to an item within the confined space. In some embodiments, guidance is given visually on a screen of a portable device. In some embodiments, the guidance is given by sound commands of a portable device. In some embodiments, the guidance is given by vibrations of a portable device. In some embodiments, a combination of two or more of any one of sound commands, visual directions, and vibrations are given.

[0041] Preference is given to visualizing directions on a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone or an AR-headset (Augmented Reality). In some embodiments of the invention, the virtual map is not necessarily visible to a consumer on a portable device, but indications of directions are given. In some embodiments, the camara of a portable device is applied and held up in the walking or movement direction, where guiding indications are given relative to the position of the camera. Arrows may be applied for directing the consumer to an item in the confined space. For instance, if the camara of the portable device is held up in front of a hallway, indications by arrows may be given on the camera for directions.

[0042] In some embodiments, a camera of a portable device is applied for guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by visualizing directions on a screen of the portable device, e.g., visualizing direction on the camera screen.

[0043] In other embodiments, the virtual map may be visible on a portable device partly or completely. In this embodiment, the consumer may find directions on the visible map on the portable device. In some embodiments, the path through the confined space to each item in a shopping list is visualized in the virtual map provided as a visible map on a portable device. In some embodiments, a combination of this embodiment with the aforementioned use of a camara is applied.

[0044] In some embodiments, the method comprises step vii) and step vii) is partly based on real-time signal strength measurements from said at least two signal transmitting antennas, such as real-time signal strength measurements updated at 100 milliseconds intervals.

[0045] Upon guiding the consumer to the one or more items, such as in a situation where a consumer is moving within the confined space, signal strengths may be constantly received by the portable device in order to guide the consumer in the right direction. If the coordinates received by the real-time measurements approach the coordinates of the item, the consumer is guided directly towards the item. If the coordinates deviates from the coordinates of the item, the consumer is re-directed towards the item. Hence, the real-time measurements may be applied to guide the consumer in the right direction. This is especially important when no compass or other direction means are provided in the portable device.

[0046] In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated at 10 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated at 20 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated at 50 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated at 100 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated at 200 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated at 500 milliseconds intervals.

[0047] In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated in at most 100 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated in at most 200 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated in at most 500 milliseconds intervals. In some embodiments, the real-time measurement is updated in at most 1000 milliseconds intervals.

[0048] In some embodiments, the method comprises step vii) and step vii) is partly based on historic data of movement patterns by consumers within the confined space. In some situations, it may be useful to apply historic data of movement patterns by consumers in general, consumers in categories, or by the same consumer to be guided. This may be preferable in a situation, where the consumer is not moving and no compass or other direction means are available in the portable device. This may also be relevant in combination with real-time measurements in order to establish more accuracy and reliability of the direction. A mobile device comprises a number of sensors, such as a compass, an accelerometer and a gyroscope, which can provide a noisy estimate of the consumer's movement relative to an unknown starting position ("dead reckoning"). Utilizing historic data reduces the risk of technical inaccuracies of such sensors. Another benefit of not relying on sensors in mobile devices, such as a compass, accelerometer and gyroscope, can be the avoidance of calibration needs and extended power usage.

[0049] In the present context, the intended meaning of “historic data” is data stored based on movements of consumers in general, consumers in categories, individual consumers, or the like. For instance, if a consumer is to be guided to a specific item, historic data for other consumers previously heading to this item may be applied. In this context, the term "historic data" refers to information that has been collected and stored over time. "Historic data" is data that was previously received and collected. In other words, the purpose of “historic data” may be seen to virtually map unique IDs partly based on data of the consumer's previous movement pattern(s) within the confined space, as the virtual mapping of unique IDs in relation to the signal strength coordinates registered by the consumer(s) may depends on the movement of the portable device registering the signal strength coordinates and performing the scan of an item's unique ID to determine where unique IDs are in relation to the portable device. In this context, “historic data” is part of mapping the positions of IDs in relation to the portable device scanning unique IDs and registering signal strength coordinates, so that the position of the unique IDs may be correlated with the current position of the user. “Historic data” may be applied as an “orientation means”, i.e., pointers to orient the virtual map of the present invention.

[0050] In some embodiments, the historic data of movement patterns by consumers comprise historic data of movement patterns by multiple consumers, such as in a situation where a consumer to be guided is not moving, and / or historic data of movement pattem(s) by the consumer to be guided, such as in a situation where a consumer to be guided is moving.

[0051] In some embodiments, the historic data of movement patterns by consumers comprise historic data of movement pattern(s) by the consumer to be guided, including data points within the previous 500 milliseconds of movements. In some embodiments, this includes data points within the previous 1000 milliseconds of movements. In some embodiments, this includes data points within the previous 2000 milliseconds of movements. In some embodiments, this includes data points within the previous 200 milliseconds of movements. In some embodiments, this includes data points within the previous 100 milliseconds of movements.

[0052] In some embodiments, the method comprises step vii) and step vii) does not comprise satellite navigation system data, such as GPS, and / or the portable device does not comprise a compass. In some embodiments, step vii) does not comprise a magnetometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a gravity sensor, a motion detector, or ambient light sensor.

[0053] Without other means of directions in the portable device, such as those mentioned above, the method and system according to the invention solely rely on information given for movement in the virtual map and historic data. This means that real-time measurements become increasingly important upon movement by the consumer and historic data becomes increasingly important when the consumer is not moving. Without any further information about the position, the consumer cannot receive information about directions in the absence of other navigation means. Accordingly, the invention may work autonomously.

[0054] In some embodiments, the method comprises step vii) and step vii) further comprises one or more of satellite navigation system data, such as GPS, and / or the portable device comprises a compass. In some embodiments, step vii) further comprises one or more of a magnetometer, a gyroscope, an accelerometer, a gravity sensor, a motion detector, or ambient light sensor.

[0055] In some embodiments, the virtual map is continuously updated with integrated signal strength coordinates and unique IDs.

[0056] In some embodiments, an item is scanned with a portable device, such as a mobile phone, after completion of step vii), and the virtual map is updated with an integrated signal strength coordinate and a unique ID of the item.

[0057] In some embodiments, an item is scanned with a portable device, such as a mobile phone, after completion of step vii), and a digital shopping cart is updated on a portable device, such as a mobile phone, with a unique ID of the item. In some embodiments, the virtual map of multiple items within the confined space comprises relative positions of multiple items within the confined space.

[0058] In some embodiments, the virtual map of multiple items within the confined space comprises absolute positions of multiple items within the confined space.

[0059] In some embodiments, the virtual map of multiple items within the confined space comprises absolute distances between multiple items within the confined space.

[0060] In some embodiments, the method comprises step vii) and step vii) comprises suggestions for directions to one or more items based on historic data of movement patterns by the consumer to be guided and / or historic data of behavior of the consumer to be guided, such as historic data associated with likelihood of a purchase of another item in a category associated with a scanned item.

[0061] In some embodiments, the method comprises step vii) and step vii) comprises suggestions for directions to one or more items based on historic data of movement patterns by multiple consumers and / or historic data of consumer behavior, such as historic data associated with likelihood of a purchase of another item in a category associated with a scanned item.

[0062] In some embodiments, the method comprises historic data of movement patterns by consumers for replacing an item in a spot within said confined space, such as replacing an item in a spot for increased visibility.

[0063] One of the advantages of the invention is that the grocery chain or the like may gain information on consumer behavior in general. Also, the method may give information on the availability of a certain item in the confined space. In a case where a number of customers are guided to an item but no items are scanned, the grocery store may be aware of items having been sold out or removed. In this way, surveillance of the commodity availability or status of the availability of items may be improved.

[0064] In turn, this may result in easier decision making by the staff, less risk of sold out items, improved management of commodity supply to the grocery store, improved focus on items more frequently sold to consumers, or improved stock management. Also, the staff of the grocery chain or the like may find easier access to items by the present invention, such as if asked for guidance to items by consumers.

[0065] In some embodiments, directions are visualized on the screen of the portable device by means of arrows indicating the direction to the one or more items. A person skilled in the art would understand how to program a computing device by known programming according to the invention.

[0066] In some embodiments, the at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space comprises at least three signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within the confined space. In some embodiments, the at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space comprises at least four signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within the confined space. In some embodiments, the at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space comprises at least five signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within the confined space.

[0067] In some embodiments, the method comprises step vii) and step vii) further comprises visualization of distances between multiple items on a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, and / or by sound commands, and / or by vibrations, partly based on the virtual map.

[0068] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for generating a virtual map in a confined space, the system comprising: i) at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space, such as a supermarket, shopping mall, convenience store, or grocery store, the signal strength decreasing with a distance from each of said antennas and establishing multiple signal strength coordinates in said confined space by signal intersections provided by signals from said antennas; ii) a portable device, such as a mobile phone, operable to scan a unique ID of an item, such as a barcode or QR-code, located in a spot within said confined space; iii) a portable device, such as a mobile phone, operable to register the signal strength coordinates of the item located in said spot; iv) a computer system operable for storing the unique ID of the item and the registered signal strength coordinates of the item; v) a computer system operable for storing data related to other items located in other spots with reference to ii)-iv) and operable for integrating the signal strength coordinates with the unique ID of each item; and vi) a virtual map of multiple items within the confined space based on the signal strength coordinates with the unique ID of each item of v).

[0069] In some embodiments of this aspect, the system further comprises a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, for guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by visualizing directions; and / or a portable device, such as a mobile phone, for guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by sound commands; and / or a portable device, such as a mobile phone, for guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by vibrations. In some embodiments of this aspect, the system is as defined in any of the preceding embodiments for the method.

[0070] The invention will be understood in greater detail with reference to the following figures that serve to illustrate certain particular embodiments of the invention by way of example.

[0071] DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0072] Fig. 1 A-1D illustrate a situation with three antennas, including Antenna A, Antenna B, and Antenna C. Three different items (tomato soup, tuna, and pasta) are provided with signal strength coordinates based on signals from these three antennas. The signal strengths from each antenna are illustrated with decreasing signal strength from each antenna.

[0073] Fig. 2A-2D illustrate one way for a consumer to allocate an item within a confined space, where the consumer is guided from tomato soup to pasta, i.e., in a direction from Antenna A towards Antenna C by difference in signal strengths from said antennas. In this situation, the consumer is moving, and real-time signal strengths are received frequently in a mobile app.

[0074] Fig. 2E-2H illustrate one way for a consumer to allocate an item within a confined space, when the starting point is “pasta”, and the consumer is not moving. The arrows in Fig. 2E illustrate that the direction is not known. The arrow from tomato soup to pasta in Fig. 2F illustrates that the app has registered the direction from A against C as historic data. The extra marked box around “tuna” in Fig 2G illustrates that the app from previous measurements (historic data) in the virtual map has detected that “tuna” is far removed from Antenna A and Antenna C, but closer to Antenna B. The angle in Fig. 2H illustrates the direction based on historic data as outlined for Fig. 2F and 2G. Fig. 3A-3F illustrate a situation where the app was not previously applied by the consumer, but “pasta” was scanned as the first item, and “tuna” is the next target. The arrows in Fig. 3B illustrate the direction to pasta from previous measurements received from other consumers (historic data). The arrows pointing closer to “pasta” in Fig. 3C illustrate that the consumer has moved from Antenna A and / or Antenna B (from the upper part of the illustration compared to Antenna C), while the app from historic date (the virtual map) knows that “tuna” is far from Antenna A and Antenna C, but close to Antenna B. The arrows with a in Fig. 3D illustrate that the consumer does not face in the direction of Antenna A and Antenna B based on the historic data of movements but faces in direction of Antenna C as illustrated by the arrows with a “+”. Hence, since the consumer is to head against Antenna B (based on the historic data), the consumer facing away from Antenna A and Antenna B is guided towards the “left” relative to the direction from where the consumer has previously moved, illustrated by a half-circle in Fig. 3E. Upon movement to the consumers “left”, real-time signal strength measurements are received, and the app knows where on the virtual map the consumer is positioned, and the consumer is guided towards Antenna B in Fig. 3F indicated by an arrow towards the “tuna”.

[0075] Fig. 4A-4B illustrate a situation where the consumer starts the app and scans “chocolate” which is positioned away from all antennas and previous measurements cannot provide information about the direction the consumer is facing. In this situation as illustrated in Fig. 4B, the app asks the consumer to move, illustrated by denser arrows, whereafter real-time signal strength measurements provide the direction, optionally combined with historic data in the virtual map, towards another item.

[0076] Fig. 5A-5B illustrate a situation where there is an obstacle in the path where the consumer is moving. In this situation, historic data is combined with real-time signal strength measurements in order for the consumer to be guided around the obstacle. A person skilled in the art would understand how to program a computer device to perform the acts of applying historic data in the present context. One such languages to be applied may be C# / java code.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method of generating a virtual map in a confined space, comprising the steps of: i) providing at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space, such as a supermarket, shopping mall, convenience store, or grocery store, the signal strength decreasing with a distance from each of said antennas and establishing multiple signal strength coordinates in said confined space by signal intersections provided by signals from said antennas; ii) allowing a unique ID of an item, such as a barcode or QR-code, located in a spot within said confined space to be scanned with a portable device, such as a mobile phone; iii) registering the signal strength coordinates of the item located in said spot with a portable device, such as a mobile phone; iv) transferring the unique ID of the item and the registered signal strength coordinates of the item to a computer system; v) repeating steps ii)-iv) with other items located in other spots and integrating the signal strength coordinates with the unique ID of each item in a computer system; vi) establishing a virtual map of multiple items within the confined space based on the integration in step v); and optionally vii) visualizing directions on a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, and / or by sound commands, and / or by vibrations, partly based on the virtual map, and thereby guiding a consumer to one or more of said items.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the virtual map is established without an existing map of items.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the virtual map is established without existing data points of items within the confined space.

4. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) is partly based on real-time signal strength measurements from said at least two signal transmitting antennas, such as real-time signal strength measurements updated at 100 milliseconds intervals.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) is partly based on real-time signal strength measurements from said at least two signal transmitting antennas, and wherein the real-time signal strength measurements are in situ measurements.

6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) is partly based on historic data of movement pattern(s) by consumers within the confined space.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) is partly based on historic data of movement pattern(s) by consumers within the confined space, and wherein the historic data is based on previous measurements of consumer pattem(s).

8. The method according to claims 6-7, wherein the historic data of movement pattern(s) by consumers comprise historic data of movement pattern(s) by multiple consumers, such as in a situation where a consumer to be guided is not moving, and / or historic data of movement pattem(s) by the consumer to be guided, such as in a situation where a consumer to be guided is moving.

9. The method according to claims 6-8, wherein the historic data of movement pattern(s) by consumers comprise historic data of movement pattern(s) by the consumer to be guided, including data points within the previous 500 milliseconds of movements.

10. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) does not comprise satellite navigation system data, such as GPS, and / or the portable device does not comprise a compass.

11. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the virtual map is continuously updated with integrated signal strength coordinates and unique IDs.

12. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an item is scanned with a portable device, such as a mobile phone, after completion of step vii), and the virtual map is updated with an integrated signal strength coordinate and a unique ID of the item.

13. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an item is scanned with a portable device, such as a mobile phone, after completion of step vii), and a digital shopping cart is updated on a portable device, such as a mobile phone, with a unique ID of the item.

14. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the virtual map of multiple items within the confined space comprises relative positions of multiple items within the confined space.

15. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the virtual map of multiple items within the confined space comprises absolute positions of multiple items within the confined space.

16. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the virtual map of multiple items within the confined space comprises absolute distances between multiple items within the confined space.

17. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) comprises suggestions for directions to one or more items based on historic data of movement pattem(s) by the consumer to be guided and / or historic data of behavior of the consumer to be guided, such as historic data associated with likelihood of a purchase of another item in a category associated with a scanned item.

18. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) comprises suggestions for directions to one or more items based on historic data of movement pattem(s) by multiple consumers and / or historic data of consumer behavior, such as historic data associated with likelihood of a purchase of another item in a category associated with a scanned item.

19. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises historic data of movement pattern(s) by consumers for replacing an item in a spot within said confined space, such as replacing an item in a spot for increased visibility.

20. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein directions are visualized on the screen of the portable device by means of arrows indicating the direction to the one or more items.

21. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space comprises at least three signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within the confined space.

22. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises step vii) and step vii) further comprises visualization of distances between multiple items on a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, and / or by sound commands, and / or by vibrations, partly based on the virtual map.

23. A system for generating a virtual map in a confined space, the system comprising: i) at least two signal transmitting antennas in different fixed locations within a confined space, such as a supermarket, shopping mall, convenience store, or grocery store, the signal strength decreasing with a distance from each of said antennas and establishing multiple signal strength coordinates in said confined space by signal intersections provided by signals from said antennas; ii) a portable device, such as a mobile phone, operable to scan a unique ID of an item, such as a barcode or QR-code, located in a spot within said confined space; iii) a portable device, such as a mobile phone, operable to register the signal strength coordinates of the item located in said spot; iv) a computer system operable for storing the unique ID of the item and the registered signal strength coordinates of the item; v) a computer system operable for storing data related to other items located in other spots with reference to ii)-iv) and operable for integrating the signal strength coordinates with the unique ID of each item; and vi) a virtual map of multiple items within the confined space based on the signal strength coordinates with the unique ID of each item of v).

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the system further comprises a screen of a portable device, such as a mobile phone, for guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by visualizing directions; and / or a portable device, such as a mobile phone, for guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by sound commands; and / or a portable device, such as a mobile phone, for guiding a consumer to one or more of said items by vibrations.

25. The system according to claim 23 or 24 as defined in any one of claims 2-22.

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