A sytem for navigating by a navigation and guidance robot and a МЕТhod thereof

Abstract

Described herein is a navigation and guidance system [200] comprising a plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202] and a cloud-based advertisement module [232], wherein each of the navigation and guidance robot [202] comprises a navigation and guidance module [204] and an advertisement display module [206] for simultaneously displaying targeted advertisement as per user's selection of a target location, alongside navigating and guiding the user towards the target location from a base location. Therefore, the plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202] and a cloud-based advertisement module [232] provides a movable navigation and guidance system [200] to the user for efficient tread towards the targeted location and optimized display of the advertisement as per user selection of the targeted location.

Description

[0001] A SYTEM FOR NAVIGATING BY A NAVIGATION AND GUIDANCE ROBOT AND A METHOD THEREOF

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention generally relates to the field of navigation and guidance systems for navigating and guiding a user within a defined premises. More particularly, it relates to a navigation and guidance system comprising automated navigation and guidance robots for navigating and guiding users within such defined premises.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] This section is intended to provide information relating to the field of the invention, and any approach or functionality described herein should not be assumed to constitute prior art merely by its inclusion in this section.

[0006] With advancements in technology, various premises are now equipped with sophisticated equipment to assist users during their stay. For example, in a shopping mall, a navigation and guidance system may deploy one or more navigation and guidance robots, each well-equipped to navigate and guide users from one location to another within the premises. These robots are typically designed in a human-like form and equipped with a drive-and-steer module, enabling them to physically move or travel from one location to another.

[0007] Each navigation and guidance robot includes a navigation and guidance module capable of guiding a user from a base location to a target location within the defined premises. For this purpose, the navigation and guidance module stores a plurality of routes between the base location and the target location and is adapted to select the most optimal route. The robot then travels along the selected route to navigate and guide the user accordingly.

[0008] Although such navigation and guidance modules are effective in directing users from a base location to a target location, they can encounter operational failures due to obstacles present along the selected route.

[0009] Additionally, each navigation and guidance robot is equipped with an advertisement display module capable of presenting one or more advertisements to the user during navigation. The advertisement display module can display one of several pre -stored advertisements, while also allowing the user to select an advertisement from the available options. Accordingly, in light of the above-mentioned drawbacks and limitations inherent in the existing systems, there is a need for a navigation and guidance robot that not only includes a navigation and guidance module capable of navigating and guiding a user from a base location to a target location while accounting for obstacles, but also incorporates an advertisement display module for showing one of multiple pre-stored advertisements, with the option for the user to choose the displayed advertisement.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This section is intended to introduce certain aspects of the disclosed system and method in a simplified form and is not intended to identify the key advantages or features of the present disclosure.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a navigation and guidance system comprising a plurality of navigation and guidance robots, wherein the robots collectively guide a user from a base location to a target location. The navigation route is composed of multiple navigation sub-routes, each defined and managed by one of the navigation and guidance robots.

[0013] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the navigation and guidance system comprises a cloud-based advertisement module adapted to store one or more advertisements. The advertisement display modules of the navigation and guidance robots communicate via this cloud-based module to enable synchronized advertisement display while the user is being navigated.

[0014] The present disclosure also relates to a navigation and guidance robot comprising:

[0015] A navigation and guidance module, adapted to guide a user from a base location to a target location within a defined premises; and

[0016] An advertisement display module, adapted to display one or more advertisements to the user during navigation.

[0017] According to one aspect, the navigation and guidance module comprises:

[0018] A navigation module; and A drive and steer module.

[0019] The navigation module includes:

[0020] A memory unit adapted to store a map of the defined premises, wherein the map contains multiple routes between various locations;

[0021] An Input / Output (1 / O) unit adapted to receive a selection of the target location from the user;

[0022] A determination unit adapted to determine the base location of the robot; and

[0023] A navigation processor unit adapted to identify an optimal navigation route between the base and target locations.

[0024] The drive and steer module is adapted to move the robot substantially along the identified route to guide the user from the base location to the target location.

[0025] In another aspect, the navigation and guidance robot may include a temperature sensing interface unit comprising:

[0026] A ring spacer installed on the front face;

[0027] An infrared temperature sensor mounted within the spacer and recessed to allow temperature measurement by pointing the interface towards the user’s forehead or hand.

[0028] In yet another aspect, the navigation and guidance module includes a rerouting module for realtime obstacle avoidance. The rerouting module comprises:

[0029] A LiDAR sensor unit adapted to detect one or more obstacles along defined portions of the navigation route, and to identify alternate portions to bypass such obstacles;

[0030] A rerouting processor unit adapted to update the route by replacing obstructed portions with alternate paths, thereby enabling the drive and steer module to follow the updated route.

[0031] The rerouting processor unit may also, upon reaching the destination, classify obstacles as fixed or moving, update the stored route by bypassing fixed obstacles, and save this modified route in the navigation module. The LiDAR sensor unit and rerouting processor unit may operate via SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) processing. In yet another aspect, the advertisement display module comprises:

[0032] A front display unit and a rear display unit, positioned respectively on the front and rear sides of the robot;

[0033] An advertisement processor adapted to select a targeted advertisement from the cloud-based advertisement module, for concurrent display on both units, wherein the targeted advertisement is determined based on the user’s selected destination.

[0034] Either display unit can function as the 1 / O unit for destination selection, with the other display deactivated during input.

[0035] The advertisement processor can also determine a recommended advertisement based on realtime location, time of day, or user profile, and display a recommendation icon. Upon the user selecting the icon, both displays present the recommended advertisement.

[0036] The navigation module may also include secondary auditory 1 / O units to output audio related to displayed advertisements.

[0037] In another aspect, the drive and steer module comprises:

[0038] A drive unit with a drive motor;

[0039] One or more wheels driven by the motor;

[0040] One or more arms driven by the motor; and

[0041] One or more stackable trays.

[0042] The navigation processor unit, rerouting processor unit, and advertisement processor unit may be integrated into a single processor unit.

[0043] The system may also include an emergency alert broadcast module adapted to raise alerts on both display units and / or user devices in case of emergencies.

[0044] In another aspect, the cloud-based advertisement module comprises:

[0045] A data storage unit for storing advertisements; A user access unit for granting or denying access based on authorization;

[0046] An advertisement upload unit allowing authorized users to upload merchant advertisements for inclusion in the stored library.

[0047] The cloud-based module may further comprise:

[0048] A payment access unit to verify payments;

[0049] An advertisement selection unit for selecting desired advertisements upon payment verification; and

[0050] A processor unit to send instructions to all robots’ advertisement display modules for synchronized presentation.

[0051] The present disclosure further relates to a method for navigating and guiding a user from a base location to a target location within a defined premises, while concurrently displaying advertisements. The method includes:

[0052] Receiving the target location from the user via the I / O unit;

[0053] Determining the base location of the robot;

[0054] Identifying an optimal navigation route; and

[0055] Guiding the user along the route via the drive and steer module.

[0056] The method further includes real-time rerouting by detecting obstacles using the LiDAR sensor unit, identifying alternate paths, and updating the route for continued navigation.

[0057] Either the front or rear display unit may serve as the I / O interface during input, with the other deactivated. The advertisement display process may include determining and presenting a recommended advertisement, showing a recommendation icon, and — upon user selection — displaying the chosen advertisement concurrently on both displays.

[0058] In some cases, the navigation route may be composed of multiple sub-routes managed by different robots working in combination.

[0059] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order to explain the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments are briefly introduced below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the application. For those skilled in the art, without any creative work, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0060] Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of a navigation and guidance system, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0061] Figure 2 illustrates a flow-chart of a method of navigating and guiding a navigation and guidance robot, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0062] Figure 3 illustrates a flow-chart of a step of navigating and guiding a navigation and guidance robot, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure

[0063] Figure 4 illustrates a flow-chart of a step of displaying one or more advertisements, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0064] Figure 5 illustrates a flow-chart of further steps of displaying the advertisement, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0065] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0066] In the following description, for the purpose of explanation, various specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that the embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereinafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of them. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Exemplified embodiments of the present invention are described below and illustrated in various drawings, in which reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.

[0067] Referring to Fig. 1, a navigation and guidance system

[0200] for navigating and guiding one or more users in a defined premises is disclosed. The navigation and guidance system

[0200] comprises a plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] and a cloud-based advertisement module

[0232] , The plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] are collectively adapted to guide one or more users from a base location toward a target location. The base location within the defined premises is the initiation point from which a user needs assistance to reach the target location. The target location within the defined premises is selected from a pre-stored set of target locations, which includes a brand shoe store, a medical shop, a grocery shop, a utility shop, and the like.

[0068] Each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] further comprises a navigation and guidance module

[0204] adapted to guide a user from the base location toward the target location within the defined premises. The navigation and guidance module

[0204] comprises a mechanical control sub-system

[0201] and a communication control sub-system

[0203] . The mechanical control sub-system

[0201] comprises a mechanical control module

[0205] and a drive and steer module

[0218] for efficient locomotion of each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] , The mechanical control module

[0205] includes one or more mechanical arms installed on a side surface of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] ; one or more mechanical legs and / or one or more wheels to enable the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] to move from one location to another. The mechanical control module

[0205] additionally comprises one or more stackable trays arranged on a surface of the navigation and guidance robots

[0202] to facilitate a multifunction storage space. It is apparent that the structure and positioning of the mechanical control module are not limiting to the present invention, and a variety of structures and positioning configurations can be contemplated.

[0069] The drive and steer module

[0218] of the mechanical control sub-system

[0201] comprises a drive unit

[0240] . The drive unit

[0240] comprises a drive motor, wherein the one or more mechanical legs and / or the one or more wheels of the navigation and guidance robots

[0202] are driven by the drive motor, and the one or more mechanical arms are driven by the drive motor to facilitate driving and steering of the navigation and guidance robots

[0202] , The drive and steer module

[0218] is adapted to initiate driving and steering of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] substantially along the navigation route to guide the user from the base location to the target location within the defined premises.

[0070] The communication control sub-system

[0203] of the navigation and guidance system

[0200] comprises a navigation module

[0208] , a re-routing module

[0220] , an emergency alert broadcast module

[0244] , and an advertisement display module

[0206] . The navigation module

[0208] comprises a memory unit

[0210] , an input / output (I / O) unit

[0212] , a determination unit

[0214] , and a navigation processor unit

[0216] to register a pathway selected by the user of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] , The memory unit

[0210] is adapted to store a map of the defined premises, wherein the map comprises a plurality of routes defined between a plurality of locations within the premises where the plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] are installed. The input / output (1 / O) unit

[0212] is adapted to receive a selection of the target location from the one or more users based on their desired destination within the defined premises. The navigation module

[0208] further comprises one or more secondary auditory 1 / O units adapted to output audio signals related to the targeted advertisement or recommended advertisement displayed by the 1 / O units, i.e., a front display unit

[0226] and a rear display unit

[0228] . The determination unit

[0214] is adapted to determine the base location of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] within the defined premises. Further, the navigation processor unit

[0216] is adapted to identify a navigation route between the base location and the target location within the defined premises.

[0071] The re-routing module

[0220] is adapted to drive and steer the navigation and guidance robot in real-time and comprises a LiDAR (light detection and ranging) sensor unit

[0222] and a rerouting processor unit

[0224] . The LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] is adapted to detect one or more obstacles along one or more defined portions of the navigation route. The LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] further identifies one or more alternate portions of the navigation route for circumventing the one or more obstacles, in place of the one or more defined portions of the navigation route, to form the updated navigation route.

[0072] The rerouting processor unit

[0224] is adapted to update the one or more portions of the navigation route with the one or more alternate portions of the navigation route, wherein the rerouting module

[0220] enables the drive and steer module

[0218] to drive and steer the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] along the updated navigation route. The rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] , upon the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] reaching the target destination, is adapted to identify the one or more obstacles as either a fixed obstacle or a moving obstacle. The rerouting processor unit

[0224] further replaces the one or more defined portions with the one or more alternate portions in the navigation route to create a storable navigation route, wherein the one or more obstacles in the one or more defined portions are fixed obstacles. The rerouting processor unit

[0224] then stores the storable navigation route between the base location and the target location in the navigation module

[0208] . The LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] and the rerouting processor unit

[0224] restructure and update the navigation route of the navigation and guidance robot through SLAM (simultaneous localization and mapping) processing. The emergency alert broadcast module

[0244] is adapted to raise alert signals on each of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] and / or user equipment in case of any emergency condition.

[0073] The advertisement display module

[0206] comprises the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] installed on the front side and rear side of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] , and an advertisement processor unit

[0230] . The front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] are adapted to display the one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated from the base location to the target location. The advertisement processor unit

[0230] is adapted to select a targeted advertisement from the one or more advertisements stored on the cloud-based advertisement module

[0232] , to be displayed concurrently by each of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] , wherein the targeted advertisement is based on the target location selected by the user. Further, either the front display unit

[0226] or the rear display unit

[0228] forms the input / output unit of the navigation module

[0208] , such that when one of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] is receiving the selection of the target location, the other is deactivated.

[0074] The advertisement processor unit

[0230] is adapted to determine a recommended advertisement, wherein the recommended advertisement is based on one or more of a real-time location of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] , a current time, and a user profile. The advertisement processor unit

[0230] then displays a recommendation icon related thereto on each of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] , such that each of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] displays the recommended advertisement upon selection of the recommendation icon. The navigation processor unit

[0216] , the rerouting processor unit

[0224] , and the advertisement processor unit

[0230] are part of a singular processor unit. However, a person skilled in the art may envision separate processing units for each function of navigation, rerouting, and advertising.

[0075] The cloud-based advertisement module

[0232] is adapted to store the one or more advertisements, such that the advertisement display module

[0206] of each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] communicates with each other via the cloud-based advertisement module

[0232] for synchronized display of the one or more advertisements while the user is navigated and guided. The cloud-based advertisement module

[0232] comprises a data storage unit

[0248] , a user access unit

[0250] , and an advertisement upload unit

[0252] adapted to allow a user to upload one or more merchant advertisements upon successful authorization of the user, such that the one or more merchant advertisements are included within the one or more advertisements. The data storage unit

[0248] is adapted to store the one or more advertisements pertaining to a plethora of products and services uploaded by the merchant. The user access unit

[0250] is adapted to allow or restrict user access to the one or more advertisements upon successful or failed authorization of the user. The advertisement upload unit

[0252] is adapted to allow a user to upload one or more merchant advertisements upon successful authorization of the user.

[0076] The cloud-based advertisement module

[0232] further comprises a payment access unit

[0254] , an advertisement selection unit

[0256] , and a processor unit

[0258] to enable a user to upload / access their preferred advertisement in the navigation and guidance robots

[0202] , The payment access unit

[0254] is adapted to receive and verify a payment from the user. The advertisement selection unit

[0256] is adapted to receive a selection of the one or more advertisements for the user upon successful verification of the payment. The processor unit

[0258] is adapted to send instructions to the advertisement display module of each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots to display the selected advertisement among the one or more advertisements.

[0077] Referring to Fig. 2, the present disclosure also relates to a method

[0300] for navigating and guiding the user from the base location to the target location within the defined premises and concurrently displaying one or more advertisements to the user, involving the following steps:

[0078] At step

[0302] , the navigation and guidance module

[0204] navigates and guides the user from the base location toward the target location within the defined premises; and At step

[0304] , the advertisement display module

[0206] displays the one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated and guided.

[0079] Referring to Fig. 3, the step of navigating and guiding comprises additional steps wherein: At step

[0306] , the Input / Output (1 / O) unit

[0212] of the navigation module

[0208] of the navigation and guidance module

[0204] receives a selection of the target location from the user; and At step

[0308] , the determination unit

[0214] of the navigation module

[0208] of the navigation and guidance module

[0204] determines the base location of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] within the defined premises.

[0080] At step

[0310] , the navigation processor unit

[0216] of the navigation module

[0208] of the navigation and guidance module

[0204] identifies a navigation route between the base location and the target location within the defined premises among a plurality of routes defined between a plurality of locations;

[0081] At step

[0312] , the drive and steer module

[0218] initiates driving and steering substantially along the navigation route to guide the user from the base location to the target location within the defined premises.

[0082] Furthermore, the method for navigating and guiding the user comprises a step of real-time rerouting while driving and steering the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] by a rerouting module

[0220] , wherein the step of rerouting additionally comprises the following: At step

[0314] , the LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] of the rerouting module

[0220] detects one or more obstacles along one or more defined portions of the navigation route. At step

[0316] , the LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] of the rerouting module

[0220] identifies one or more alternate portions of the navigation route for circumventing the one or more obstacles, in place of the one or more defined portions of the navigation route, to form the updated navigation route.

[0083] At step

[0318] , the rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] updates the one or more portions of the navigation route with the one or more alternate portions of the navigation route, wherein the rerouting module

[0220] enables the drive and steer module

[0218] to drive and steer the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] along the updated navigation route.

[0084] Additionally, upon the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] reaching the target destination, the following steps are performed:

[0085] At step

[0322] , the rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] identifies the one or more obstacles as either a fixed obstacle or a moving obstacle. At step

[0320] , the rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] replaces the one or more defined portions with the one or more alternate portions in the navigation route to create a storable navigation route, wherein the one or more obstacles in the one or more defined portions are fixed obstacles.

[0086] At step

[0322] , the rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module stores the storable navigation route between the base location and the target location in the navigation module

[0208] .

[0087] The front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] installed on the front side and the rear side of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] display the one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated from the base location to the target location. Referring to Fig. 4, the step of displaying the one or more advertisements involves: At step [324a], the advertisement processor unit

[0230] of the advertisement display module

[0206] selects a targeted advertisement from the one or more advertisements to be displayed concurrently by each of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] . At step [324b], the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] of the advertisement display module

[0206] display the targeted advertisement, wherein the targeted advertisement is based on the target location selected by the user.

[0088] Displaying of advertisements is achieved by either the front display unit

[0226] or the rear display unit

[0228] forming the I / O unit

[0212] of the navigation module

[0208] , such that when one of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] is receiving the selection of the target location, the other is deactivated.

[0089] Referring to Fig. 5, the step of displaying the advertisement further comprises the following: At step

[0326] , the advertisement processor unit

[0230] of the advertisement display module

[0206] determines a recommended advertisement, wherein the recommended advertisement is based on one or more of a real-time location of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] , a current time, and a user profile.

[0090] At step

[0328] , either the front display unit

[0226] or the rear display unit

[0228] of the advertisement display module

[0206] displays a recommendation icon related thereto.

[0091] At step

[0330] , the user receives the selection of the recommendation icon.

[0092] At step

[0332] , each of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] displays the recommended advertisement upon selection of the recommendation icon.

[0093] Broadly, the step of navigating and guiding comprises navigating and guiding, in combination with a plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] , the user from the base location toward the target location, such that the navigation route is a combination of a plurality of navigation sub-routes defined by each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] ,

[0094] In an implementation, the user selects the target location, and the Input / Output (1 / O) unit

[0212] of the navigation module

[0208] of the navigation and guidance module

[0204] receives the selected target location. Upon receiving the target location, the determination unit

[0214] of the navigation module

[0208] of the navigation and guidance module

[0204] determines the base location of the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] within the defined premises. Further, the navigation processor unit

[0216] of the navigation module

[0208] of the navigation and guidance module

[0204] identifies a navigation route between the base location and the target location within the defined premises among a plurality of routes defined between a plurality of locations. Upon the navigation route being determined, the drive and steer module

[0218] initiates driving and steering substantially along the navigation route to guide the user from the base location to the target location within the defined premises. In another implementation, the re-routing module

[0220] of the navigation and guidance robots reroutes the navigation route upon detecting either a fixed or a moving obstacle through simultaneous mapping and localization (SLAM) using the LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] . The LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] of the rerouting module

[0220] detects one or more obstacles along one or more defined portions of the navigation route. Upon detecting an obstacle, the LiDAR sensor unit

[0222] identifies one or more alternate portions of the navigation route for circumventing the one or more obstacles, in place of the one or more defined portions of the navigation route, to form the updated navigation route. Upon an updated navigation route being formed, the rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] updates the one or more portions of the navigation route with the one or more alternate portions of the navigation route, wherein the rerouting module

[0220] enables the drive and steer module

[0218] to drive and steer the navigation and guidance robot

[0202] along the updated navigation route. Additionally, the rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] also identifies the one or more obstacles as either a fixed obstacle or a moving obstacle, thereby continuously updating any developments along the navigation route. Upon detecting a fixed obstacle, the rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] replaces the one or more defined portions with the one or more alternate portions in the navigation route to create a storable navigation route, wherein the one or more obstacles are in the one or more defined portions. The rerouting processor unit

[0224] of the rerouting module

[0220] stores the storable navigation route between the base location and the target location in the navigation module

[0208] .

[0095] In yet another implementation, the targeted advertisement is based on the target location selected by the user, wherein the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] of the advertisement display module

[0206] display the targeted advertisement. The advertisement processor unit

[0230] of the advertisement display module

[0206] selects a targeted advertisement from the one or more advertisements to be displayed concurrently by each of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] . In another embodiment, when one of the front display unit

[0226] and the rear display unit

[0228] is receiving the selection of the target location, the other is deactivated.

[0096] Various advantages of the navigation and guidance robots

[0202] include a movable, self-sufficient navigation and guidance robot capable of physically moving / traveling from one location to another. The navigation and guidance robot

[0202] updates to the most optimal route to navigate and guide the user toward the target location from the base location based on the user’s selection of the target location, taking into consideration any fixed or moving obstacles. Further, each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots

[0202] includes the advertisement display module

[0206] , capable of displaying one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated and guided toward the selected target location. The advertisements are selected from a plurality of pre-stored advertisements based on the user’s selection of the target location. Even more so, the navigation and guidance system

[0200] of the navigation and guidance robots

[0202] allows the merchant to pay and advertise their own products / services therein.

[0097] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0098] LIST OF COMPONENTS

[0099] 200 — Navigation and Guidance system

[0100] 202 — Navigation and guidance robot

[0101] 201 — Mechanical control subsystem

[0102] 203 — Communication control subsystem

[0103] 205 — Mechanical control module

[0104] 204 — Navigation and guidance module

[0105] 206 — Advertisement display module

[0106] 208 — Navigation module

[0107] 210 — Memory unit

[0108] 212 — Input / Output (1 / O) unit

[0109] 214 — Determination unit

[0110] 216 — Navigation processor unit 218 — Drive and steer module

[0111] 220 — Rerouting module

[0112] 222 — LiDar sensor unit

[0113] 224 — Rerouting processor unit

[0114] 226 — Front display unit

[0115] 228 — Rear display unit

[0116] 230 — Advertisement processor unit

[0117] 232 — Cloud based advertisement module

[0118] 234 — I / O unit

[0119] 236 — Advertisement processor

[0120] 238 — One or more secondary auditory 1 / O units

[0121] 240 — Drive unit

[0122] 242 — Singular processor unit

[0123] 244 - Emergency alert broadcast module

[0124] 246 — Cloud-based advertisement unit

[0125] 248 — Data storage unit

[0126] 250 — User access unit

[0127] 252 — Advertisement upload unit

[0128] 254 — Payment access unit

[0129] 256 — Advertisement selection unit

[0130] 258 — Processor unit 300 — Method for navigation and guiding a user from a base location to a target location within a defined premises, and concurrently display one or more advertisements to the user

[0131] 302-332 — Steps for navigation and guiding a user from a base location to a target location within a defined premises, and concurrently display one or more advertisements to the user.

Claims

I / We claim:

1. A navigation and guidance robot [202] , comprising: a navigation and guidance module [204], adapted to guide a user from a base location toward a target location within a defined premises; and an advertisement display module [206], adapted to display one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated and guided.

2. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigation and guidance module [204] comprises: a navigation module [208], comprising: a memory unit [210] adapted to store a map of the defined premises, wherein the map comprises a plurality of routes defined between a plurality of locations; an Input / Output (1 / O) unit [212] adapted to receive a selection of the target location from the user; a determination unit [214] adapted to determine the base location of the navigation and guidance robot within the defined premises; and a navigation processor unit [216] adapted to identify a navigation route between the base location and the target location within the defined premises; a drive and steer module [218] adapted to initiate driving and steering of the navigation and guidance robot [202] substantially along the navigation route to guide the user from the base location to the target location within the defined premises.

3. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigation and guidance module [204] comprises: a rerouting module [220], for real-time driving and steering of the navigation and guidance robot [202], the rerouting module [220] comprising: a LiDAR sensor unit [222] adapted to:detect one or more obstacles along one or more defined portions of the navigation route; and identify one or more alternate portions of the navigation route for circumventing the one or more obstacles, in place of the one or more defined portions of the navigation route, to form an updated navigation route; and a rerouting processor unit [224] adapted to update the one or more portions of the navigation route with the one or more alternate portions of the navigation route, wherein the rerouting module enables the drive and steer module to drive and steer the navigation and guidance robot along the updated navigation route.

4. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the rerouting processor unit [224] of the rerouting module [220], upon the navigation and guidance robot [202] reaching the target destination, is adapted to: identify the one or more obstacles as either a fixed obstacle or a moving obstacle; replace the one or more defined portions with the one or more alternate portions in the navigation route to create a storable navigation route, wherein the one or more obstacles in the one or more defined portions are fixed obstacles; and store the storable navigation route between the base location and the target location in the navigation module.

5. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the LiDAR sensor unit [222] and the rerouting processor unit [224] function by way of SLAM processing.

6. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the advertisement display module [206] comprises: a front display unit [226] and a rear display unit [228] installed on a front side and a rear side of the navigation and guidance robot [202], adapted to display the one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated from the base location to the target location; an advertisement processor unit [230] adapted to select a targeted advertisement from the one or more advertisements stored on a cloud-based advertisement module [232], to be displayed concurrently by each of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228], wherein the targeted advertisement is based on the target location selected by the user.

7. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein either the front display unit [226] or the rear display unit [228] forms the 1 / O unit [234] of the navigation module [208], such that when one of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228] is receiving the selection of the target location, the other is deactivated.

8. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the advertisement processor [236] is adapted to: determine a recommended advertisement, wherein the recommended advertisement is based on one or more of a real-time location of the navigation and guidance robot [202], a current time, and a user profile; display a recommendation icon related thereto on each of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228]; such that each of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228] displays the recommended advertisement upon selection of the recommendation icon.

9. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigation module [208] comprises one or more secondary auditory I / O units [238] adapted to output audio signals related to the targeted advertisement or recommended advertisement displayed by the 1 / O units, i.e., the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228].

10. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the drive and steer module [218] comprises: a drive unit [240] comprising a drive motor, one or more wheels driven by the drive motor, one or more mechanical arms driven by the drive motor, and one or more stackable trays.

11. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigation processor unit [216], the rerouting processor unit [224], and the advertisement processor unit [230] are part of a singular processor unit [242] .

12. The navigation and guidance robot [202] as claimed in claims 1 and 10, comprising an emergency alert broadcast module [244] adapted to raise alert signals on each of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228], and / or user equipment, in case of any emergency condition.

13. A navigation and guidance system [200] comprising a plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202] as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202] in combination are adapted to guide the user from the base location toward the target location, such that the navigation route is a combination of a plurality of navigation sub-routes defined by each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202],14. The navigation and guidance system [200] as claimed in claim 13, comprising: a cloud-based advertisement module [232] adapted to store the one or more advertisements, such that the advertisement display module [206] of each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202] communicates with each other via the cloud-based advertisement unit [246], for synchronized display of the one or more advertisements while the one or more users are navigated and guided.

15. The navigation and guidance system [200] as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cloud-based advertisement module [232] comprises: a data storage unit [248] adapted to store the one or more advertisements; a user access unit [250] adapted to allow or restrict user access to the one or more advertisements upon successful authorization or failed authorization of the user; and an advertisement upload unit [252] adapted to allow a user to upload one or more merchant advertisements upon successful authorization of the user, such that the one or more merchant advertisements are included within the one or more advertisements.

16. The navigation and guidance system [200] as claimed in claim 15, wherein the cloud-based advertisement module [232] comprises: a payment access unit [254] adapted to receive and verify a payment from the user; an advertisement selection unit [256] adapted to receive a selection of the one or more advertisements for the user upon successful verification of the payment; and a processor unit [258] adapted to send instructions to the advertisement display module of each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots to display the selected advertisement among the one or more advertisements.

17. A method [300] of navigating and guiding a user from a base location to a target location within a defined premises and concurrently displaying one or more advertisements to the user, the method comprising: navigating and guiding, by a navigation and guidance module [204], the user from the base location toward the target location within the defined premises; and displaying, by an advertisement display module [206], the one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated and guided.

18. The method [300] as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of navigating and guiding comprises: receiving, by an Input / Output (1 / O) unit [234] of the navigation module [208] of the navigation and guidance module [204], a selection of the target location from the user; determining, by a determination unit [214] of the navigation module [208] of the navigation and guidance module [204], the base location of the navigation and guidance robot [202] within the defined premises; identifying, by a navigation processor unit [216] of the navigation module [208] of the navigation and guidance module [204], a navigation route between the base location and the target location within the defined premises among a plurality of routes defined between a plurality of locations; and initiating driving and steering, by a drive and steer module [218], of the navigation and guidance robot [202] substantially along the navigation route to guide the user from the base location to the target location within the defined premises.

19. The method [300] as claimed in claim 17, comprising rerouting, in real-time, the driving and steering of the navigation and guidance robot [202] by a rerouting module [220] .

20. The method [300] as claimed in claim 19, wherein the step of rerouting comprises: detecting, by a LiDAR sensor unit [222] of the rerouting module [220], one or more obstacles along one or more defined portions of the navigation route;identifying, by the LiDAR sensor unit [222] of the rerouting module [220], one or more alternate portions of the navigation route for circumventing the one or more obstacles, in place of the one or more defined portions of the navigation route, to form an updated navigation route; and updating, by a rerouting processor unit [224] of the rerouting module [220], the one or more portions of the navigation route with the one or more alternate portions of the navigation route, wherein the rerouting module [220] enables the drive and steer module to drive and steer the navigation and guidance robot [202] along the updated navigation route.

21. The method [300] as claimed in claim 20, wherein upon the navigation and guidance robot [202] reaching the target destination, the method comprises: identifying, by the rerouting processor unit [224] of the rerouting module [220], the one or more obstacles as either a fixed obstacle or a moving obstacle; replacing, by the rerouting processor unit [224] of the rerouting module [220], the one or more defined portions with the one or more alternate portions in the navigation route to create a storable navigation route, wherein the one or more obstacles in the one or more defined portions are fixed obstacles; and storing, by the rerouting processor unit [224] of the rerouting module [220], the storable navigation route between the base location and the target location in the navigation module [208] .

22. The method [300] as claimed in claim 17, wherein the step of displaying the one or more advertisements comprises: displaying, by a front display unit [226] and a rear display unit [228] installed on a front side and a rear side of the navigation and guidance robot [202], the one or more advertisements to the user while being navigated from the base location to the target location, comprising: selecting, by an advertisement processor [236] of the advertisement display module [206], a targeted advertisement from the one or more advertisements to be displayed concurrently by each of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228] ; and displaying, by the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228] of the advertisement display module [206], the targeted advertisement, wherein the targeted advertisement is based on the target location selected by the user.

23. The method [300] as claimed in claim 17, wherein either the front display unit [226] or the rear display unit [228] forms the 1 / O unit [234] of the navigation module [208], such that when one of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228] is receiving the selection of the target location, the other is deactivated.

24. The method [300] as claimed in claim 22, comprising: determining, by the advertisement processor [236] of the advertisement display module [206], a recommended advertisement, wherein the recommended advertisement is based on one or more of a real-time location of the navigation and guidance robot [202], a current time, and a user profile; displaying, by either the front display unit [226] or the rear display unit [228] of the advertisement display module [206], a recommendation icon related thereto; receiving, by a user, a selection of the recommendation icon; and displaying, by each of the front display unit [226] and the rear display unit [228], the recommended advertisement upon selection of the recommendation icon.

25. The method [300] as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of navigating and guiding comprises: navigating and guiding, in combination with a plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202] as claimed in claim 12, the user from the base location toward the target location, such that the navigation route is a combination of a plurality of navigation sub-routes defined by each of the plurality of navigation and guidance robots [202],

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