Indoor Navigation via Product Image Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current indoor navigation systems are costly, error-prone, and lack accuracy, especially when GPS signals weaken inside buildings, and traditional beacon-based systems require extensive setup and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A navigation system that transitions to an 'in-store' mode using computer-implemented image recognition on mobile devices to locate products within a retail store by comparing captured images with a product database, providing turn-by-turn directions to the customer's selected destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS is used for navigation, then outdoor location accuracy is improved, but GPS signals become significantly weaker and useless as user enters buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces image recognition technology as an intermediary method to bridge the gap between GPS (which works outdoors) and indoor navigation needs. The system uses the mobile device's camera to capture images of products, and image recognition algorithms identify product locations, serving as a mediator that enables continuous navigation across indoor-outdoor boundaries where GPS alone fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS satellite-based electromagnetic signal system with an image-based optical recognition system for indoor navigation. Instead of relying on radio frequency signals from satellites that penetrate buildings poorly, the system substitutes a camera-based visual recognition mechanism that works effectively indoors by recognizing product images and their associated location data.
2Reliability
If beacon-based indoor navigation systems are implemented, then indoor location capability is improved, but setup and maintenance costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the navigation system to use existing infrastructure (product images already present in the retail environment and standard mobile device cameras) rather than requiring dedicated beacon hardware. The system serves itself by leveraging the retail store's existing visual merchandising materials and the consumer's own device, eliminating the need for separate beacon installation and maintenance infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the mobile device serve multiple functions: it acts as both the navigation receiver and the imaging device. The same camera used for taking photos serves dual purposes for both general photography and navigation-based product location identification, eliminating the need for separate beacon readers or specialized indoor positioning hardware.
3Ease of operation
If traditional indoor navigation methods are used, then basic direction finding is achieved, but accuracy and user satisfaction deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes visual characteristics of products (including color, shape, and visual patterns) as identification markers for location determination. By recognizing these visual features through image processing, the system achieves precise location identification without requiring physical markers or beacons, thereby improving accuracy while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for computer-aided visual recognition of products may help a customer navigate to a selected product in a retail store. A customer can direct a mobile computing device camera at one or more targeted products displayed on store shelves. Image recognition operations can be carried out to compare the targeted product image(s) against images from a prepopulated product image store of known products. Upon a positive match, shelf location information of the identified targeted product(s) may be used to determine the current location of the customer. An in-store destination location is defined by the shelf location for the selected product. A route may be calculated to navigate the customer from the current location to the destination location.