DESC:FIELD
The present disclosure relates to a field of indoor navigation and positioning systems.
DEFINITIONS
As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.
The expression ‘beacon’ used in the context of this disclosure refers to a Bluetooth low energy, portable and high durable device that enables more accurate location within a narrow range, and notifies nearby user devices of their presence.
The expression ‘Wi-Fi device’ used in the context of this disclosure refers to, but is not limited to, a device that allows computer systems, smartphones, or other devices to connect to the Internet or communicate with one another wirelessly within a confined space.
These definitions are in addition to those expressed in the art.
BACKGROUND
Satellite based global positioning systems (GPS) provide positioning of a user. These satellite based systems help users to navigate outdoor locations with ease and provide more accurate results. However, these satellite based systems fail to work in an indoor environment. The satellite based systems generate signals. These signals are interfered by non-line-of-sight (NLOS) wave and climate. The signals lose its strengths when a space is blocked by boundaries, walls, or roofs. Thus, the accuracy of satellite based systems is very poor in the indoor environment. To achieve accurate results in the indoor environment, existing system uses known techniques to navigate and localize the user in the indoor environment, such as using radio waves, acoustic signals, or other sensory information collected by the user devices. But, the accuracy is still an issue.
Therefore, there is a need to provide an indoor navigation and positioning system that limits the aforementioned drawbacks by providing more accuracy in positioning and navigating users within a confined space.
OBJECTS
Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:
It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an indoor navigation and positioning system and method thereof.
An object of the present disclosure is to provide an indoor navigation and positioning system which is accurate.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an indoor navigation and positioning system that provides real-time navigation and positioning of a user.
Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an indoor navigation and positioning system that is cost effective.
Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide an indoor navigation and positioning system that is simple and easy to operate.
Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY
The present disclosure envisages an indoor navigation and positioning system. The system comprises a plurality of beacon devices, a plurality of Wi-Fi devices, at least one wireless communication unit, and a server. The plurality of beacon devices is fitted at pre-determined locations in an indoor premises. Each of the beacon devices is provided with a unique beacon device identification number, and is configured to generate a beacon signal. The plurality of Wi-Fi devices is fitted at pre-determined locations in the indoor premises. Each of the Wi-Fi devices is provided with a unique Wi-Fi device identification number, and is configured to generate a Wi-Fi signal.
At least one wireless communication unit is associated with a user, and is configured to periodically receive the beacon signal and the Wi-Fi signal generated by the beacon device and the Wi-Fi device respectively. The wireless communication unit is further configured to calculate a Wi-Fi signal strength based on the received Wi-Fi signal and a beacon signal strength based on the received beacon signal. The server is communicatively coupled with the wireless communication unit, and is configured to receive the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength from the wireless communication unit. The server is further configured to facilitate the user associated with wireless communication unit to navigate from the present location to a desired location within the indoor premises.
In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit includes a first memory, a first processor, a communication interface, a digital analyser, an accelerometer, and a magnetometer. The first memory is configured to store a set of predetermined rules relating to direction of motion along, Y, and Z axes, orientation, and speed of motion. The first processor is configured to cooperate with the first memory. To receive and process the pre-determined rules to obtain a set of operating commands. The communication interface is configured to facilitate periodic reception of at least one beacon signal and at least one Wi-Fi signal from the beacon device and the Wi-Fi device respectively. The digital analyser is configured to receive the beacon signal and the Wi-Fi signal. The digital analyser is further configured to analyze the received beacon and the Wi-Fi signal to calculate the Wi-Fi signal strength based on the received Wi-Fi signal and the beacon signal strength based on the received beacon signal. The digital analyser is implemented using one or more processor(s).

The accelerometer is configured to cooperate with the first processor, and is further configured to determine the distance travelled by the user. In another embodiment, the accelerometer is configured to count the number of steps taken by the user to determine the distance travelled.
The magnetometer is configured to cooperate with the first processor. The magnetometer is configured to determine perturbations in the magnetic field, along X, Y and Z axes, and is further configured to determine the direction of the movement of the user. Further, the communication interface is configured to receive and transmit the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength to the server.
In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit includes a gyrometer configured to measure the angular speed of the user.
In an embodiment, the server includes a second memory, a second processor, a detection module, and a navigation module. The second memory is configured to store a set of pre-determined rules relating to navigation and positioning of the user. The second processor is configured to cooperate with the second memory to receive and process the pre-determined rules to obtain a set of system operating commands.
The detection module is configured to receive the Wi-Fi device strength, the beacon signal strength, the distance travelled by the user, and the direction of movement of the user from the wireless communication unit via a transceiver. The detection module is further configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit is based on the received information. The navigation module is configured to cooperate with the detection module to receive the present location of the wireless communication unit, and is further configured to determine a navigable route towards the desired location from the present location of the wireless communication unit.
In an embodiment, the detection module includes a first repository, a crawler and extractor, and a location identifier. The first repository is configured to store location information corresponding to each of the beacon devices and Wi-Fi devices. The first repository is further configured to store a first lookup table having a list of location co-ordinates corresponding to the Wi-Fi signal strength and beacon signal strength for each of the Wi-Fi devices and the beacon devices.
The crawler and extractor is configured to receive the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength, and is further configured to crawl through the first lookup table to extract the location co-ordinates corresponding to the received Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength. Further, the location identifier is configured to cooperate with the crawler and extractor to receive the extracted location co-ordinates to determine the present location of the wireless device based on the extracted location co-ordinates and the location information of the Wi-Fi device and the beacon device.
The location identifier is implemented using one or more processor(s).
In still another embodiment, the navigation module includes a time stamping unit, a second repository, and a path identifier.
The time stamping unit is configured to receive the present location of the wireless communication unit from the location identifier, and is further configured to time stamp the received present location of the wireless communication unit. The second repository is configured to receive and store the time stamped present location of the wireless communication unit. The path identifier is configured to periodically fetch the time stamped present location of the wireless communication unit from the second repository, and is further configured to determine a shortest path between the time stamped present location and the desired location to facilitate the user to navigate.
In one embodiment, the indoor premises include at least one confined space. The confined space has at least one Wi-Fi device and at least three beacon devices fitted therein.
In another embodiment, the detection module is configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit using triangulation of the received Wi-Fi signal strength and the received beacon signal strength. In this embodiment, the detection module is configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit by computing an expected Wi-Fi signal strength and beacon signal strength using signal propagation equations.
The present disclosure also envisages a method of indoor navigation and positioning.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING
An indoor navigation and positioning system and method thereof of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an indoor navigation and positioning system;
Figure 2A and Figure 2B illustrate an arrangement of a plurality of beacon devices and a plurality of Wi-Fi devices, respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 3A and Figure 3B illustrate a flowchart of a method for indoor navigation and positioning.
LIST AND DETAILS OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DESCRIPTION AND DRAWING:
Reference Numeral Reference
100 System
B1, B2,…, Bn A plurality of beacon devices
W1, W2,…., Wn A plurality of Wi-Fi devices
102 Wireless communication unit
104 First memory
105 Digital analyzer
106 First processor
108 Accelerometer
110 Magnetometer
112 Communication Interface
114 Server
116 Second memory
118 Second Processor
120 Transceiver
122 Detection module
122a Crawler and extractor
122b First repository
122c Location identifier
124 Navigation module
124a Path identifier
124b Second repository
124c Time stamping unit

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.
The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element is referred to as being "mounted on," “engaged to,” "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.
The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third, etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.
Terms such as “inner,” “outer,” "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like, may be used in the present disclosure to describe relationships between different elements as depicted from the figures.
An indoor navigation and positioning system and method thereof of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of the accompanying drawing. Figure 1 illustrates a schematic block diagram of an indoor navigation and positioning system 100 (hereinafter referred to as “system 100”). Figure 2A and Figure 2B illustrate an arrangement of a plurality of beacon devices (B1, B2… Bn) and a plurality of Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2, ….Wn), respectively, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A and 3B illustrate a flowchart of a method for indoor navigation and positioning.
Referring to Figure 1, Figure 2A and Figure 2B, the system 100 comprises a plurality of beacon devices (B1, B2… Bn), a plurality of Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2, ….Wn), at least one wireless communication unit 102, and a server 114.
The plurality of beacon devices (B1, B2… Bn) is fitted at pre-determined locations in an indoor premises. Each of the beacon devices (B1, B2… Bn) is provided with a unique beacon device identification number, and is configured to generate a beacon signal. The plurality of Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,….Wn) is fitted at pre-determined locations in the indoor premises. Each of the Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,….Wn) is provided with a unique Wi-Fi device identification number, and is configured to generate a Wi-Fi signal.
At least one wireless communication unit 102 is associated with a user, and is configured to periodically receive the beacon signal and the Wi-Fi signal generated by the beacon device (W1, W2, ….Wn) and the Wi-Fi device (W1, W2, ….Wn) respectively. The wireless communication unit 102 is further configured to calculate Wi-Fi signal strength based on the received Wi-Fi signal and beacon signal strength based on the received beacon signal. The server 114 is communicatively coupled with the wireless communication unit 102, and is configured to receive the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength from the wireless communication unit 102. The server 114 is further configured to facilitate the user associated with wireless communication unit 102 to navigate from the present location to a desired location within the indoor premises.
In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit 102 includes a first memory 104, a first processor 106, a communication interface 112, a digital analyser 105, an accelerometer 108, and a magnetometer 110.
The first memory 104 is configured to store a set of predetermined rules relating to direction of motion along, Y, and Z axes, orientation, and speed of motion. The first memory 104 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, a volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or a non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes, and/or a cloud based storage (cloud storage).
The first processor 106 is configured to cooperate with the first memory 104 to receive and process the pre-determined rules to obtain a set of operating commands. The first processor 106 is implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any device that manipulates signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the first processor 106 is configured to fetch and execute the set of predetermined rules stored in the first memory 104 to control modules of the system 100.
The communication interface 112 is configured to facilitate periodic reception of at least one beacon signal and at least one Wi-Fi signal from the beacon devices (B1, B2,…, Bn) and the Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,…., Wn) respectively. The digital analyser 105 is configured to receive the beacon signal and the Wi-Fi signal. The digital analyser 105 is further configured to analyze the received beacon signal and the Wi-Fi signal to calculate the Wi-Fi signal strength based on the received Wi-Fi signal, and the beacon signal strength based on the received beacon signal. The digital analyser 105 is implemented using one or more processor(s). In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit 102 is configured to receive the unique identification number of the Wi-Fi device and the beacon device.
The accelerometer 108 is configured to cooperate with the first processor 106, and is further configured to determine the distance travelled by the user. In another embodiment, the accelerometer 108 is configured to count the number of steps taken by the user to determine the distance travelled.
The magnetometer 110 is configured to cooperate with the first processor 106. The magnetometer is configured to determine perturbations in the magnetic field, along X, Y and Z axes, and is further configured to determine the direction of the movement of the user. In an embodiment, the magnetometer can be a three-axis magnetometer, vector magnetometer, and a scalar magnetometer.
Further, the communication interface 112 is configured to receive and transmit the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength to the server 114.
In an embodiment, the wireless communication unit 102 includes a gyrometer (not shown in figures). The gyrometer is configured to measure the angular speed of the user.
In an embodiment, the server 114 includes a second memory 116, a second processor 118, a detection module 122, a transceiver 120, and a navigation module 124. The second memory 116 is configured to store a set of pre-determined rules relating to navigation and positioning of the user. The second processor 118 is configured to cooperate with the second memory 116 to receive and process the pre-determined rules to obtain a set of system operating commands.
In an embodiment, the second memory 116 includes any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, a volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or a non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes, and/or a cloud based storage (cloud storage).
In another embodiment, the second processor 118 is implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any device that manipulates signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the second processor 118 is configured to fetch and execute the set of predetermined rules stored in the second memory 116 to control modules of the system 100.
The detection module 122 is configured to receive the Wi-Fi signal strength, the beacon signal strength, the distance travelled by the user, and the direction of movement of the user from the wireless communication unit 102 via the transceiver 120. Further, the detection module 122 is configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit 102 based on the received information. Additionally, the navigation module 124 is configured to cooperate with the detection module 122 to receive the present location of the wireless communication unit 102, and is also configured to determine a navigable route towards the desired location from the present location of the wireless communication unit 102.
In an embodiment, the detection module 122 includes a first repository 122b, a crawler and extractor 122a, and a location identifier 122c. The first repository 122b is configured to store location information corresponding to each of the beacon devices (B1, B2,.... Bn) and Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn). More specifically, the first repository 122b is configured to store a map of the pre-installed beacon devices (B1, B2, .... Bn) and pre-installed Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn). The first repository 122b is further configured to store a first lookup table having a list of location co-ordinates corresponding to the Wi-Fi signal strength and beacon signal strength for each of the Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn) and the beacon devices (B1, B2,.... Bn).
The crawler and extractor 122a is configured to receive the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength, and is further configured to crawl through the first lookup table to extract the location co-ordinates corresponding to the received Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength. Further, the location identifier 122c is configured to cooperate with the crawler and extractor 122a to receive the extracted location co-ordinates to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit 102 based on the extracted location co-ordinates and the location information of the Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn) and the beacon devices (B1, B2,.... Bn).
The location identifier is implemented using one or more processor(s).
In still another embodiment, the navigation module 124 includes a time stamping unit 124c, a second repository 124b, and a path identifier 124a.
The time stamping unit 124c is configured to receive the present location of the wireless communication unit 102 from the location identifier 122c, and is further configured to time stamp the received present location of the wireless communication unit 102. The second repository 124b is configured to receive and store the time stamped present location of the wireless communication unit 102.
In an embodiment, the second repository 124b includes a second lookup table configured to store the unique identification details of the wireless communication unit 102, and the location details of the indoor premises.
The path identifier 124a is configured to periodically fetch the time stamped present location of the wireless communication unit 102 from the second repository 124b, and is further configured to determine a shortest path between the time stamped present location and the desired location to facilitate the user to navigate. In an embodiment, the path identifier 124a is configured to sort out the path according to the distance between the present location and the desired location in the indoor premises.
In an embodiment, the indoor premises include at least one confined space. The confined space has at least one Wi-Fi device (W1, W2, W3), as shown in Figure 2B, and at least three beacon devices (B1-B2-B3, B4-B5-B6, B7-B8-B9), as shown in Figure 2A, fitted therein. In another embodiment, the confined space of the indoor premises is defined by the coordinates (X, Y, and Z). This installation facilitates employment of triangulation techniques, while localizing a user in the indoor premises.
In an embodiment, the Wi-Fi device is a Wi-Fi access point including a Wi-Fi router.
In another embodiment, the detection module 122 is configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit 102 using triangulation of the received Wi-Fi signal strength and the received beacon signal strength. In this embodiment, the detection module 122 is configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit 102 by computing an expected Wi-Fi signal strength and beacon signal strength using signal propagation equations that estimate effects of known obstructions and multipath errors.
In an embodiment, each beacon/ Wi-Fi device is a low-powered, low-cost transmitter that notifies nearby at least one mobile communication unit 102 of its presence.
Figure 3A and Figure 3B illustrate a flowchart of a method for indoor navigation and positioning. The method comprises the following steps:
Step 302: Generating beacon signals by a plurality of beacon devices (B1, B2,... Bn) fitted at pre-determined locations in indoor premises;
Step 304: Generating Wi-Fi signals by a plurality of Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn) fitted at pre-determined locations in the indoor premises;
Step 306: Periodically receiving at least one beacon signal and at least one Wi-Fi signal, by at least one wireless communication unit 102, generated by the beacon devices (B1, B2,... Bn) and the Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn);
Step 308: Calculating a Wi-Fi signal strength and a beacon signal strength, by the wireless communication unit 102, based on the received Wi-Fi signal and a beacon signal strength based on the received beacon signal;
Step 310: Receiving the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength by a server 114 from the wireless communication unit 102;
Step 312: Determining the present location of the wireless communication unit 102, by the server 114, based on the Wi-Fi signal strength and the beacon signal strength; and
Step 314: Navigating a user associated with the wireless communication unit 102, by the server 114 from the present location to a desired location within the indoor premises.
The system 100 provides accurate and real-time navigation and positioning of a user. The system 100 has a simple configuration, and is easy to operate. Additionally, the system 100 is cost-effective.
The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual workpieces of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.
TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS
The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of indoor navigation and positioning system and method thereof, which:
• is accurate;
• provides real-time navigation and positioning of a user;
• is cost effective; and
• is simple and easy to operate.
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.
The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. An indoor navigation and positioning system (100), said system (100) comprising:
a. a plurality of beacon devices (B1, B2,... Bn) fitted at pre-determined locations in an indoor premises, wherein each of said beacon devices is provided with a unique beacon device identification number, and is configured to generate a beacon signal;
b. a plurality of Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn) fitted at pre-determined locations in said indoor premises, wherein each of said Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn) is provided with a unique Wi-Fi device identification number, and is configured to generate a Wi-Fi signal;
c. at least one wireless communication unit (102) associated with a user, said wireless communication unit (102) configured to periodically receive at least one beacon signal and at least one Wi-Fi signal, and further configured to calculate a Wi-Fi signal strength based on said received Wi-Fi signal and a beacon signal strength based on said received beacon signal; and
d. a server (114) communicatively coupled to said wireless communication unit (102) to receive said Wi-Fi signal strength and said beacon signal strength, said server (114) configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit (102) based on said Wi-Fi signal strength and said beacon signal strength, and further configured to facilitate said user to navigate from the present location to a desired location within said indoor premises.
2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication unit (102) includes:
i. a first memory (104) configured to store a set of pre-determined rules relating to direction of motion along X, Y, and Z axes, orientation, and speed of motion;
ii. a first processor (106) configured to cooperate with said first memory (104) to receive and process the pre-determined rules to obtain a set of operating commands;
iii. a communication interface (112) configured to facilitate periodic reception of at least one beacon signal and at least one Wi-Fi signal from said beacon device (B1, B2,... Bn) and said Wi-Fi device (W1, W2,... Wn) respectively;
iv. a digital analyser (105) configured to receive said beacon signal and said Wi-Fi signal, and further configured to analyze said received beacon signal and said Wi-Fi signal to calculate said Wi-Fi signal strength based on said received Wi-Fi signal and said beacon signal strength based on said received beacon signal, wherein said digital analyser (105) is implemented using one or more processor(s);
v. an accelerometer (108) configured to cooperate with said first processor (106), and further configured to determine the distance travelled by the user; and
vi. a magnetometer (110) configured to cooperate with said first processor (106), said magnetometer (110) configured to determine perturbations in the magnetic field, along X, Y and Z axes, and further configured to determine the direction of movement of the user,
wherein said communication interface (112) is configured to receive and transmit said Wi-Fi signal strength and said beacon signal strength to said server (114).
3. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said server (114) includes:
a. a second memory (116) configured to store a set of pre-determined rules relating to navigation and positioning of the user;
b. a second processor (118) configured to cooperate with said second memory (116) to receive and process the pre-determined rules to obtain a set of system operating commands;
c. a detection module (122) configured to receive said Wi-Fi device strength, said beacon signal strength, the distance travelled by the user, and the direction of movement of the user from said wireless communication unit (102) via a transceiver (120), said detection module (122) further configured to determine the present location of the wireless communication unit (102) based on the received information; and
d. a navigation module (124) configured to cooperate with said detection module (122) to receive the present location of the wireless communication unit (102), and further configured to determine a navigable route towards said desired location from the present location of the wireless communication unit (102).
4. The system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said accelerometer (108) is configured to count the number of steps taken by the user to determine the distance travelled.
5. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless communication unit (102) includes a gyrometer configured to measure the angular speed of the user.
6. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said detection module (122) includes:
• a first repository (122b) configured to store a location information corresponding to each of said beacon devices (B1, B2,... Bn) and said Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn), and further configured to store a first lookup table having a list of location co-ordinates corresponding to the Wi-Fi device strength and beacon signal strength for each of said Wi-Fi devices and beacon devices;
• a crawler and extractor (122a) configured to receive said Wi-Fi signal strength and beacon signal strength, and further configured to crawl through said first lookup table to extract the location co-ordinates corresponding to said received Wi-Fi signal strength and beacon signal strength; and
• a location identifier (122c) configured to cooperate with said first repository (122b), and further configured to cooperate with said crawler and extractor (122a) to receive said extracted location co-ordinates to determine the present location of said wireless communication unit (102) based on said extracted location co-ordinates and the location information of said Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn) and said beacon devices (B1, B2,.... Bn),
wherein said location identifier (122c) is implemented using one or more processor(s).
7. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said navigation module (124) includes:
a. a time stamping unit (124c) configured to receive the present location of said wireless communication unit (102) from said location identifier (122c), and further configured to time stamp said received present location of said wireless communication unit (102);
b. a second repository (124b) configured to receive and store the time stamped present location of said wireless communication unit (102); and
c. a path identifier (124a) configured to periodically fetch the time stamped present location of said wireless communication unit (102) from said second repository (124b), and further configured to determine a shortest path between said time stamped present location and said desired location to facilitate said user to navigate.
8. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said indoor premises includes at least one confined space, said confined space having at least one Wi-Fi device and at least three beacon devices.
9. The system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said detection module (122) is configured to determine the present location of said wireless communication unit (102) using triangulation of said received Wi-Fi signal strength and said received beacon signal strength, wherein said detection module (122) is configured to determine the present location by computing an expected Wi-Fi signal strength and beacon signal strength using signal propagation equations.
10. A method for indoor navigation and positioning, said method includes the steps of:
a. generating beacon signals (302) by a plurality of beacon devices (B1, B2,... Bn) fitted at a pre-determined locations in an indoor premises;
b. generating Wi-Fi signals (304) by a plurality of Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn) fitted at pre-determined locations in said indoor premises;
c. periodically receiving (306) at least one beacon signal and at least one Wi-Fi signal, by at least one wireless communication unit (102), generated by said beacon devices (B1, B2,... Bn) and said Wi-Fi devices (W1, W2,.... Wn);
d. calculating (308) a Wi-Fi signal strength and a beacon signal strength, by said wireless communication unit (102), based on said received Wi-Fi signal and a beacon signal strength based on said received beacon signal;
e. receiving (310) said Wi-Fi signal strength and said beacon signal strength, by a server (114) from said wireless communication unit (102);
f. determining the present location (312) of said wireless communication unit (102), by said server (114), based on said Wi-Fi signal strength and said beacon signal strength; and
g. navigating (314) a user associated with said wireless communication unit (102), by said server (114) from the present location to a desired location within said indoor premises.