U.S. patent application number 12/861501 was filed with the patent office on 2011-02-24 for method and apparatus for generating, managing, and sharing moving path.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hee-jeong Choo, Ji-young Kwahk, Keum-koo Lee, Ju-yun SUNG.
Application Number | 20110046878 12/861501 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43929550 |
Filed Date | 2011-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110046878 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUNG; Ju-yun ; et
al. |
February 24, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING, MANAGING, AND SHARING MOVING
PATH
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are provided for generating, managing,
and sharing moving-path related information. A first mobile
communication device, among the plurality of mobile communication
devices, generates moving-path related information regarding a
moving path generated by movement of the first mobile communication
device. The moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device is transmitted to a central server to which
the plurality of mobile communication devices are connected. The
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device transmitted to the central server is provided to at least
one other mobile communication device of the plurality of mobile
communication devices connected to the central server.
Inventors: |
SUNG; Ju-yun; (Yongin-si,
KR) ; Choo; Hee-jeong; (Anyang-si, KR) ; Lee;
Keum-koo; (Seongnam-si, KR) ; Kwahk; Ji-young;
(Seongnam-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE FARRELL LAW FIRM, LLP
290 Broadhollow Road, Suite 210E
Melville
NY
11747
US
|
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
43929550 |
Appl. No.: |
12/861501 |
Filed: |
August 23, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/467 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 12/06 20130101;
G01C 21/28 20130101; G01C 21/32 20130101; H04W 4/026 20130101; G01C
21/26 20130101; G01C 21/3647 20130101; H04W 4/029 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/206 ;
701/200 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/26 20060101
G01C021/26; G01C 21/00 20060101 G01C021/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 21, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0077876 |
Aug 3, 2010 |
KR |
10-2010-0075049 |
Claims
1. A method of generating moving-path related information to be
shared among a plurality of mobile communication devices, the
method comprising the steps of: generating, by a first mobile
communication device among the plurality of mobile communication
devices, moving-path related information regarding a moving path
generated by movement of the first mobile communication device; and
transmitting the moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device to a central server to which the
plurality of mobile communication devices are connected, wherein
the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device transmitted to the central server is provided
to at least one other mobile communication device of the plurality
of mobile communication devices connected to the central
server.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving-path related
information comprises at least one of waypoint information, route
information, and additional information, which are related to the
moving path.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the waypoint information related
to the moving path indicates at least one arbitrary geographical
point selected from the moving path.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the route information related to
the moving path is defined by at least one of geographical
coordinates of consecutive points in a particular interval of the
moving path, a time related to the particular interval, and the
particular interval.
5. The method of claim 2, wherein the additional information
related to the moving path comprises at least one of text data,
voice data, and video data having at least one of an administrative
address, a common name, a neighboring principal place in regard to
the moving path of the first mobile communication device, an image
captured by a camera device of the first mobile communication
device, a reference point of a public transport related to the
moving path of the first mobile communication device, a coverage of
a relay station of the plurality of mobile communication devices,
position description, and information about traffic conditions.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the additional information
related to the moving path is updated by input of a user of the
first mobile communication device or data shared through the
web.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising: updating, by the
first mobile communication device, the additional information
related to the moving path at a point in time when a second mobile
communication device connected to the central server receives the
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device; and transmitting, by the first mobile communication device,
the updated additional information to the central server, wherein
the updated additional information is transmitted to the second
mobile communication device via the central server.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device is provided to
the at least one other mobile communication device at a request of
the at least one other mobile communication device connected to the
central server.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting, by the
first mobile communication device, the moving-path related
information directly to the at least one other mobile communication
device connected to the central server.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of mobile
communication devices are authenticated with respect to and
registered in the central server.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing the
generated moving-path related information in a database; and
registering the moving path of the generated moving-path related
information in a moving-path history.
12. The method of claim 9, wherein registering in the moving-path
history comprises, if the first mobile communication device
generates first moving-path related information regarding a first
moving path, determining whether a second moving path included in a
similar range to a first moving path of the first moving-path
related information has been registered among existing moving paths
registered in the moving-path history.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein registering in the moving-path
history further comprises: if the second moving path has not been
registered as a result of the determination, newly registering the
first moving path in the moving-path history; and generating
statistical data regarding the first moving path.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: if the second
moving path has been registered as a result of the determination,
updating accumulated data of statistical data of the second moving
path based on the first moving path; and updating and determining
statistical values based on the accumulated data.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: comparing the first
moving path with the second moving path in real time to determine
whether the first moving path runs along the second moving
path.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: if the first moving
path does not deviate from the second moving path as a result of
the real-time comparison and determination, updating statistical
data of the second moving path based on currently updated data of
the first moving path.
17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: if the first moving
path deviates from the second moving path as a result of the
real-time comparison and determination, performing a moving-path
deviation indicating operation indicating moving-path deviation of
the first mobile communication device.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the real-time comparison and
determination comprises comparing waypoint information and route
information of second moving-path related information of the second
moving path with at least one of waypoint information and route
information of the first moving-path related information of the
first moving path.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the real-time comparison and
determination comprises determining whether at least one of a path,
coordinates, and speed corresponding to at least one of the
waypoint information and the route information of the first
moving-path related information of the first moving path deviates
from normal distributions of the waypoint information and the route
information of the second moving-path related information of the
second moving path.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein performing the moving-path
deviation indicating operation comprises updating the accumulated
data of the statistical data of the second moving path based on the
first moving path, if the first moving path is changed with normal
moving-path related information by input of the user of the first
mobile communication device.
21. A method of sharing a moving path among a plurality of mobile
communication devices, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving, by a second mobile communication device among the
plurality of mobile communication devices, moving-path related
information regarding a moving path generated by movement of a
first mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile
communication devices from a central server to which the plurality
of mobile communication devices are connected; and performing, by
the second mobile communication device, moving-path guidance based
on the received moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the moving-path related
information comprises at least one of waypoint information, route
information, and additional information, which are related to the
moving path.
23. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving the moving-path
related information comprises: requesting, by the second mobile
communication device, the central server to provide the moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device; and
receiving, by the second mobile communication device, the
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device in real time through the central server.
24. The method of claim 21, wherein receiving the moving-path
related information comprises: requesting, by the second mobile
communication device, the first mobile communication device to
provide the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device; and receiving, by the second mobile
communication device, the moving-path related information of the
first mobile communication device in real time from the first
mobile communication device.
25. The method of claim 21, wherein performing moving-path guidance
comprises performing a moving-path deviation indicating operation
if a moving path of the second mobile communication device deviates
from the received moving path of the first mobile communication
device.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein performing moving-path guidance
comprises suggesting, by the second mobile communication device, at
least one of a shortest-distance path, a way to move by public
transportation, a shortest-time path based on traffic conditions,
and a principal local place, based on additional information of the
received moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein performing moving-path guidance
comprises suggesting, by the second mobile communication device, at
least one of a shortest-distance path, a way to move by public
transportation, a shortest-time path based on traffic conditions,
and a principal local place, based on additional information of
moving-path related information of the plurality of mobile
communication devices connected to the central server.
28. A method of managing moving paths of a plurality of mobile
communication devices by a central server to which the plurality of
mobile communication devices are connected, the method comprising
the steps of: receiving geographical information regarding a moving
path from a first mobile communication device among the plurality
of mobile communication devices; generating moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device, which
comprises the received geographical information and additional
information related to a moving path of the first mobile
communication device; and transmitting the moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device to a second
mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile
communication devices.
29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: authenticating the
plurality of mobile communication devices and registering the
plurality of mobile communication devices as mobile communication
devices capable of sharing moving-path related information.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein the geographical information
comprises waypoint information and route information which are
related to the moving path, and wherein the moving-path related
information comprises the waypoint information, the route
information, and additional information which are related to the
moving path.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein generating the moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device
comprises receiving the additional information related to the
moving path of the first mobile communication device from the first
mobile communication device and generating the moving-path related
information comprising the received waypoint information, route
information, and additional information.
32. The method of claim 30, wherein generating the moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device
comprises: receiving a request for generating the additional
information related to the moving path of the first mobile
communication device from the first mobile communication device;
based on the waypoint information and the route information,
generating the additional information comprising at least one of
text data, voice data, and video data which have at least one of an
administrative address, a common name, a neighboring principal
place in regard to the moving path of the first mobile
communication device, an image captured by a camera device of the
first mobile communication device, a reference point of a public
transport related to the moving path of the first mobile
communication device, a coverage of a relay station of the
plurality of mobile communication devices, position description,
and information about traffic conditions; and generating the
moving-path related information comprising the generated additional
information and the waypoint information and the route
information.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein generating the additional
information comprises: searching for reference point information of
the public transport, relay station coverage information of the
plurality of mobile communication devices, the position
description, the traffic conditions, the text data, the voice data,
the image data, and the video data through the web, wherein the
additional information further comprises tag information regarding
found information.
34. The method of claim 28, wherein transmitting the moving-path
related information comprises: receiving a request for providing
the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device from the second mobile communication device
among the plurality of mobile communication devices; and
transmitting the moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device generated by the central server to the
second mobile communication device on a real time basis.
35. The method of claim 28, further comprising: storing the
generated moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device in a database for each mobile communication
device.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising: registering the
moving path of the generated moving-path related information in a
moving-path history.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein registering the moving path
comprises: when first moving-path related information regarding a
first moving path is received from a third mobile communication
device among the plurality of mobile communication devices,
determining whether a second moving path included in a similar
range to the first moving path of the first moving-path related
information has been registered among existing moving paths
registered in the moving-path history.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein registering the moving path
comprises: when the second moving path has not been registered in
the moving-path history as a result of the determination, newly
registering the first moving path in the moving-path history; and
generating statistical data of the first moving path.
39. The method of claim 37, further comprising: when the second
moving path has been registered in the moving-path history as a
result of the determination, updating accumulated data of
statistical data of the second moving path based on the first
moving path; and updating and determining statistical values based
on the accumulated data.
40. The method of claim 39, further comprising: comparing the first
moving path with the second moving path in real time to determine
whether the first moving path runs along the second moving
path.
41. The method of claim 40, further comprising: if the first moving
path does not deviate from the second moving path as a result of
the real-time comparison and determination, updating statistical
data of the second moving path based on currently updated data of
the first moving path.
42. The method of claim 40, further comprising: if the first moving
path deviates from the second moving path as a result of the
real-time comparison and determination, transmitting moving-path
deviation indicating information to the third mobile communication
device.
43. The method of claim 40, wherein the real-time comparison and
determination comprises comparing waypoint information and route
information of second moving-path related information of the second
moving path with at least one of waypoint information and route
information of the first moving-path related information of the
first moving path.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the real-time comparison and
determination comprises determining whether at least one of a path,
coordinates, and speed corresponding to at least one of the
waypoint information and the route information of the first
moving-path related information of the first moving path deviates
from normal distributions of the waypoint information and the route
information of the second moving-path related information of the
second moving path.
45. The method of claim 42, wherein transmitting the moving-path
deviation indicating information comprises updating the accumulated
data of the statistical data of the second moving path based on the
first moving path, when the first moving path is changed with
normal moving-path related information by input of the user of the
third mobile communication device.
46. The method of claim 28, further comprising: receiving
moving-path related information regarding a moving path in a
similar range to a third moving path from at least one of the
plurality of mobile communication devices; generating statistical
data of the third moving path based on the moving-path related
information of the moving path in the similar range received from
the plurality of mobile communication devices; and suggesting at
least one of a shortest-distance path, a way to use a public
transport, a shortest-time path based on the traffic conditions,
and a local principal place which are to be recommended to the
second mobile communication device, in regard to the third moving
path.
47. A mobile communication device which generates moving-path
information among a plurality of mobile communication devices, the
mobile communication device comprising: a moving-path related
information generating unit generating moving-path related
information regarding a moving path of a first mobile communication
device among the plurality of mobile communication devices; a
moving-path related information storing unit storing the
moving-path related information in a database and registering the
moving path of the moving-path related information in a moving-path
history; and a moving-path related information transmitting unit
transmitting the generated moving-path related information to a
central server to which the plurality of mobile communication
devices are connected, wherein the moving-path related information
transmitted to the central server is provided to at least one other
mobile communication device of the plurality of mobile
communication devices connected to the central server.
48. A mobile communication device capable of performing
geographical information guidance for sharing a moving path among a
plurality of mobile communication devices, the mobile communication
device comprising: a moving-path related information receiving unit
receiving moving-path related information regarding a moving path
generated by movement of a first mobile communication device among
the plurality of mobile communication devices from a central server
to which the plurality of communication devices are connected; and
a moving-path guiding unit performing moving-path guidance based on
the received moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device.
49. A central server which manages moving paths of a plurality of
mobile communication devices connected to the central server, the
central server comprising: a receiving unit receiving geographical
information related to a moving path from a first mobile
communication device among the plurality of mobile communication
devices; a server moving-path information generating unit
generating moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device, which comprises the received geographical
information and additional information related to the moving path
of the first mobile communication device; and a server moving-path
information transmitting unit transmitting the moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device to at least
one of the plurality of mobile communication devices.
50. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a
program for executing a method of generating moving-path related
information to be shared among a plurality of mobile communication
devices, wherein the method comprising the steps of: generating, by
a first mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile
communication devices, moving-path related information regarding a
moving path generated by movement of the first mobile communication
device; and transmitting the moving-path related information of the
first mobile communication device to a central server to which the
plurality of mobile communication devices are connected, wherein
the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device transmitted to the central server is provided
to at least one other mobile communication device of the plurality
of mobile communication devices connected to the central
server.
51. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a
program for executing a method of sharing a moving path among a
plurality of mobile communication devices, wherein the method
comprises the steps of: receiving, by a second mobile communication
device among the plurality of mobile communication devices,
moving-path related information regarding a moving path generated
by movement of a first mobile communication device among the
plurality of mobile communication devices from a central server to
which the plurality of mobile communication devices are connected;
and performing, by the second mobile communication device,
moving-path guidance based on the received moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device.
52. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a
program for executing a method of managing moving paths of a
plurality of mobile communication devices by a central server to
which the plurality of mobile communication devices are connected,
wherein the method comprises the steps of: receiving geographical
information regarding a moving path from a first mobile
communication device among the plurality of mobile communication
devices; generating moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device, which comprises the received
geographical information and additional information related to a
moving path of the first mobile communication device; and
transmitting the moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device to a second mobile communication device
among the plurality of mobile communication devices.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2010-0075049,
filed on Aug. 3, 2010, and Korean Patent Application No.
10-2009-0077876, filed on Aug. 21, 2009, in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to sharing and management of a
moving path in a mobile communication device.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Navigation systems display a moving path considering a
current position. Since human actions are likely to be repeated, it
is not necessary to find a new path each time a path finding
function of the navigation systems is executed.
[0006] An automatic path finding service using a navigation system
or an Internet service are popular and common. However, a moving
path is often determined by a factor, such as human actions or
habits, which cannot be expressed or measured by an electric
signal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention has been made to address at least the
above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the present
invention provides utilization of moving-path related information
by using mobile communication devices, which can obtain position
information for sharing the moving path.
[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method
is provided for generating moving-path related information to be
shared among a plurality of mobile communication devices. A first
mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile
communication devices generates moving-path related information
regarding a moving path generated by movement of the first mobile
communication device. The moving-path related information of the
first mobile communication device is transmitted to a central
server to which the plurality of mobile communication devices are
connected. The moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device transmitted to the central server is provided
to at least one other mobile communication device of the plurality
of mobile communication devices connected to the central
server.
[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method is provided for sharing a moving path among a plurality of
mobile communication devices. A second mobile communication device
among the plurality of mobile communication devices receives
moving-path related information regarding a moving path generated
by movement of a first mobile communication device among the
plurality of mobile communication devices from a central server to
which the plurality of mobile communication devices are connected.
The second mobile communication device performs moving-path
guidance based on the received moving-path related information of
the first mobile communication device.
[0010] According to an additional aspect of the present invention,
a method is provided for managing moving paths of a plurality of
mobile communication devices by a central server to which the
plurality of mobile communication devices are connected.
Geographical information regarding a moving path is received from a
first mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile
communication devices. Moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device is generated, which comprises the
received geographical information and additional information
related to a moving path of the first mobile communication device.
The moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device is transmitted to a second mobile
communication device among the plurality of mobile communication
devices.
[0011] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a
mobile communication device is provided that generates moving-path
information among a plurality of mobile communication devices. The
mobile communication device includes a moving-path related
information generating unit generating moving-path related
information regarding a moving path of a first mobile communication
device among the plurality of mobile communication devices, and a
moving-path related information storing unit storing the
moving-path related information in a database and registering the
moving path of the moving-path related information in a moving-path
history. The mobile communication device also includes a
moving-path related information transmitting unit transmitting the
generated moving-path related information to a central server to
which the plurality of mobile communication devices are connected.
The moving-path related information transmitted to the central
server is provided to at least one other mobile communication
device of the plurality of mobile communication devices connected
to the central server.
[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
mobile communication device capable of performing geographical
information guidance for sharing a moving path among a plurality of
mobile communication devices is provided. The mobile communication
device includes a moving-path related information receiving unit
receiving moving-path related information regarding a moving path
generated by movement of a first mobile communication device among
the plurality of mobile communication devices from a central server
to which the plurality of communication devices are connected. The
mobile communication device also includes a moving-path guiding
unit performing moving-path guidance based on the received
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device.
[0013] Additionally, according to an aspect of the present
invention, a central server is provided that manages moving paths
of a plurality of mobile communication devices connected to the
central server. The central server includes a receiving unit
receiving geographical information related to a moving path from a
first mobile communication device among the plurality of mobile
communication devices. The central server also includes a server
moving-path information generating unit generating moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device, which
comprises the received geographical information and additional
information related to the moving path of the first mobile
communication device. The central server further includes a server
moving-path information transmitting unit transmitting the
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device to at least one of the plurality of mobile communication
devices.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a
computer-readable recording medium is provided having recorded
thereon a program for executing the method of generating
moving-path related information to be shared among a plurality of
mobile communication devices.
[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
computer-readable recording medium is provided having recorded
thereon a program for executing the method of sharing a moving path
among a plurality of mobile communication devices.
[0016] According to an additional aspect of the present invention,
a computer-readable recording medium is provided having recorded
thereon a program for executing the method of managing moving paths
of a plurality of mobile communication devices by a central server
to which the plurality of mobile communication devices are
connected.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first mobile communication
device, which generates moving-path related information, among a
plurality of mobile communication devices capable of sharing a
moving path, according to a first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a central server, which manages
moving-path related information for sharing of moving paths among a
plurality of mobile communication devices, according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a second mobile communication
device, which is provided with and shares moving-path related
information, among a plurality of mobile communication devices
capable of sharing a moving path, according to embodiments of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a network for sharing
moving-path related information among a plurality of mobile
communication devices through a central server, according to the
first embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a network for sharing
moving-path related information among a plurality of mobile
communication devices through a central server, according to the
second embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are views for describing a method of
sharing moving-path related information, according to embodiments
of the present invention;
[0024] FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are views for describing a method of
sharing moving-path related information including additional
information, according to embodiments of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of comparing
and updating paths registered in a moving-path history, according
to embodiments of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating
moving-path related information to share moving paths among a
plurality of mobile communication devices, according to the first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing
moving-path related information by a central server to share moving
paths among a plurality of mobile communication devices, according
to the second embodiment of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of being
provided with and sharing moving-path related information through
sharing of the moving-path related information among a plurality of
mobile communication devices, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0029] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar
components may be designated by the same or similar reference
numerals although they are illustrated in different drawings.
Detailed descriptions of constructions or processes known in the
art may be omitted to avoid obscuring the subject matter of the
present invention.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 16, a description will be
made regarding a method of generating, managing, and sharing
moving-path related information among a plurality of mobile
communication devices capable of obtaining position information and
guiding moving paths through a central server to which the
plurality of mobile communication devices are connected. A
description will also be made of a structure of a network for
sharing moving-path related information according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0031] Hereinafter, embodiments of a structure of a network for
sharing moving-path related information among a plurality of mobile
communication devices through a central server to which the
plurality of mobile communication devices are connected will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. More specifically,
in a moving-path related information sharing network (sharing
network) according to a first embodiment of the present invention,
a first mobile communication device generates and shares
moving-path related information regarding a moving path formed by
movement of the first mobile communication device. In a sharing
network according to a second embodiment of the present invention,
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device generated by the central server is shared.
[0032] For convenience, a mobile communication device, which
provides moving-path related information, may be referred to as the
first mobile communication device, and a mobile communication
device, which is provided with moving-path related information, may
be referred to as the second mobile communication device.
[0033] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile communication device
100, which generates and provides moving-path related information,
according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2
is a block diagram of a central server 200, which generates and
manages moving-path related information, according to the second
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a
mobile communication device 30, which is provided with and shares
moving-path related information, according to the first and second
embodiments of the present invention.
[0034] The moving-path related information according to embodiments
of the present invention may include waypoint information, route
information, and additional information related to a moving path.
The waypoint indicates a particular point, and the waypoint
information, according to embodiments of the present invention, may
include information indicating at least one arbitrary point
selected in a moving path.
[0035] The route indicates consecutive geographical positions on an
interval between predetermined points in the moving path, and may
indicate positions periodically measured by a sensor of a mobile
communication device. The route information, according to
embodiments of the present invention, may include at least one of
coordinate information, passing time information, and interval
information of each geographical position.
[0036] The waypoint information and the route information of the
moving-path related information, according to embodiments of the
present invention, may be the position information obtained by a
sensor which senses a Global Positioning System (GPS) signal or
geographical information set by user input.
[0037] The additional information related to the moving path,
according to embodiments of the present invention, may include
various information related to a particular point in the moving
path of the first mobile communication device 100. For example, the
various information may include a geographical name of the
particular point, a name of a neighboring principal place, a name
of a road, an administrative address, and so forth.
[0038] Information about a bus stop, a subway station, and the like
around an area through which the first mobile communication device
100 passes may also be used as the additional information related
to the moving path. In addition, position information based on the
coverage of a relay station of mobile communication devices and
geographical description input by a user may be used as the
additional information related to the moving path.
[0039] Moreover, the additional information related to the moving
path according to embodiments of the present invention may include
information, such as traffic conditions, which changes in real time
in relation to a particular point in the moving path.
[0040] The additional information according to embodiments of the
present invention may also include various data, e.g., text data,
voice data, and video data, which are related to the moving path,
without a limit. For example, image data or video data obtained by
photographing a particular point in the moving path with a
photographing device of the first mobile communication device 100,
and voice data recorded at the particular point, may be used as the
additional information. Text information, which records position
description information for describing the particular point by the
user, may also be used as the additional information.
[0041] Such additional information may be generated by user input
or downloaded through the web.
[0042] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the first mobile communication
device 100, which generates moving-path related information, among
a plurality of mobile communication devices capable of sharing a
moving path, according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] The first mobile communication device 100, which generates
and provides the moving-path related information, according to the
first embodiment of the present invention, includes a moving-path
related information generating unit 110, a moving-path related
information storing unit 120, and a moving-path related information
transmitting unit 130.
[0044] The moving-path related information generating unit 110,
according to the first embodiment of the present invention,
generates moving-path related information regarding a moving path
formed by movement of the first mobile communication device 100.
The moving-path related information, according to embodiments of
the present invention, may include waypoint information, route
information, and additional information related to the moving path
of the first mobile communication device 100.
[0045] The additional information related to the moving path,
according to the first embodiment, may be generated and updated,
according to whether the waypoint or route information is obtained,
or by user input of the first mobile communication device 100. The
additional information regarding the moving path may be shared data
downloaded through the web or may include tag information regarding
data on the web. Depending on security settings of the sharing
network, according to the first embodiment of the present
invention, the additional information regarding the moving path may
be shared only between mobile communication devices registered in
the sharing network.
[0046] Also, the additional information related to the moving path,
according to the first embodiment of the present invention, may be
updated at a point in time when a counterpart mobile communication
device connected to the central server receives the moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device. The
updated additional information may be forwarded to the central
server according to the first embodiment, and then to the
counterpart mobile communication device through the central server
according to the first embodiment.
[0047] The moving-path related information storing unit 120,
according to the first embodiment, stores moving-path related
information generated by the moving-path related information
generating unit 110 in a database. The moving-path related
information storing unit 120, according to the first embodiment,
may add an index to the moving path and then store the moving path.
In particular, the moving-path related information storing unit 120
may analyze frequency in pass-through of a moving path and may
establish a database with the moving-path related information. By
establishing the database, it is possible to generate moving path
guidance considering personal path finding knowhow or moving path
preference.
[0048] The moving-path related information transmitting unit 130,
according to the first embodiment, transmits the moving-path
related information to a first central server to which a plurality
of mobile communication devices are connected. The moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device 100,
which is transmitted to the first central server, may be then
provided to at least one of the plurality of mobile communication
devices connected to the first central server.
[0049] The moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device 100 transmitted to the first central server
from the moving-path related information transmitting unit 130,
according to the first embodiment, may be stored in the first
central server and then read out at the provisioning request of the
second mobile communication device 30 connected to the first
central server, for transmission to the second mobile communication
device 30.
[0050] The moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device 100 transmitted to the first central server
from the moving-path related information transmitting unit 130,
according to the first embodiment, may be transmitted in real time
through the first central server to the second mobile communication
device 30 connected to the first central server.
[0051] The moving-path related information may be directly
transmitted from the moving-path related information transmitting
unit 130, according to the first embodiment, to at least one of a
plurality of mobile communication devices connected to the first
central server.
[0052] A plurality of mobile communication devices, which desire to
share the moving-path related information, may be authenticated
with respect to the first central server and then registered in the
first central server. Users of the plurality of mobile
communication devices registered in the first central server may be
members of a particular group. For example, it is necessary to
share, between family members, geographical information related to
a moving path that is frequently used within an area of common
life. Family members can share moving-path related information
after authenticating and registering their mobile communication
devices in a home server.
[0053] The moving-path related information storing unit 120,
according to the first embodiment, may register the moving path of
the generated moving-path related information in a moving-path
history. The moving path registered in the moving-path history may
include geographical information such as waypoint information and
route information.
[0054] The moving-path related information generating unit 110,
according to the first embodiment, if generating first moving-path
related information regarding a new moving path, may determine
whether a second moving path included in a range similar to a first
moving path of the first moving-path related information has been
registered among existing moving paths registered in the
moving-path history.
[0055] When the moving-path related information generating unit
110, according to the first embodiment, determines that the second
moving path that is similar to the first moving path has not been
registered in the moving-path history, the moving-path related
information storing unit 120 may newly register the first moving
path in the moving-path history. The moving-path related
information storing unit 120, according to the first embodiment,
may generate statistical data regarding the newly registered first
moving path.
[0056] When the moving-path related information generating unit
110, according to the first embodiment, determines that the second
moving path that is similar to the first moving path has been
registered in the moving-path history, the moving-path related
information storing unit 120 may update accumulated data of the
statistical data of the second moving path. The moving-path related
information storing unit 120, according to the first embodiment,
may also update statistical values corresponding to the accumulated
data of the second moving path based on the first moving path.
[0057] The moving-path related information generating unit 110,
according to the first embodiment, may compare the first moving
path with the second moving path in real time to determine whether
the first moving path currently runs along the second moving path.
The moving-path related information generating unit 110, according
to the first embodiment, may compare at least one of waypoint
information and route information of the first moving-path related
information with waypoint information and route information of
second moving-path related information.
[0058] For example, deviation of at least one of a path,
coordinates, and a speed based on at least one of the waypoint
information and the route information of the first moving-path
related information from the normal distributions of the waypoint
information and the route information of the second moving-path
related information may be a determination factor for determination
of moving-path deviation.
[0059] If the moving-path related information generating unit 110,
according to the first embodiment, determines that the first moving
path runs along the second moving path as a result of the real-time
comparison and determination, the statistical data of the second
moving path may be updated based on the updated first moving
path.
[0060] If the moving-path related information generating unit 110,
according to the first embodiment, determines that the first moving
path deviates from the second moving path as a result of the
real-time comparison and determination, the first mobile
communication device 100 according to the first embodiment may
perform a moving-path deviation indicating operation. The
moving-path deviation indicating operation, according to the first
embodiment, may include an operation of generating a moving-path
deviation alarm sound, an operation of displaying a moving-path
deviation alarm window on a display screen of the first mobile
communication device 100, and an operation of generating a
vibration indicating moving-path deviation.
[0061] If the first moving path is changed with normal moving-path
related information by user input on the first mobile communication
device 100, the moving-path related information storing unit 120,
according to the first embodiment, may update the accumulated data
of the statistical data of the second moving path based on the
first moving path.
[0062] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the central server 200, which
manages moving-path related information for sharing of moving paths
among a plurality of mobile communication devices, according to the
second embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] The central server 200, according to the second embodiment,
includes a receiving unit 210, a server moving-path related
information generating unit 220, and a server moving-path related
information transmitting unit 230. A plurality of mobile
communication devices may be connected to the central server 200.
For convenience, the central server 200, according to the second
embodiment, may be referred to as the second central server
200.
[0064] The second central server 200 may authenticate a plurality
of mobile communication devices and register authenticated mobile
communication devices as mobile communication devices among which
moving-path related information can be shared.
[0065] The receiving unit 210, according to the second embodiment,
receives, from the first mobile communication device among a
plurality of mobile communication devices, geographical information
related to a moving path generated by movement of the first mobile
communication device. The geographical information may include
waypoint information and route information related to the moving
path.
[0066] The server moving-path related information generating unit
220, according to the second embodiment, generates moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device, which
includes the geographical information received by the receiving
unit 210 and additional information related to the moving path.
Specifically, the server moving-path related information generating
unit 220 may generate moving-path related information including
waypoint information, route information, and additional information
related to the moving path.
[0067] If the receiving unit 210, according to the second
embodiment, receives additional information related to the moving
path of the first mobile communication device from the first mobile
communication device, the server moving-path related information
generating unit 220 may generate moving-path related information
including the received additional information together with the
received waypoint information and route information.
[0068] The receiving unit 210, according to the second embodiment,
may receive a request for generating additional information related
to the moving path of the first mobile communication device from
the first mobile communication device. In this case, the server
moving-path related information generating unit 220, according to
the second embodiment, may generate the additional information
related to the moving path of the first mobile communication
device, based on the waypoint information and route information
received by the receiving unit 210.
[0069] The server moving-path related information generating unit
220, according to the second embodiment, may generate moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device, which
includes the waypoint information and route information received by
the receiving unit 210, together with the generated additional
information.
[0070] The server moving-path related information generating unit
220, according to the second embodiment, may search for data
through the web to generate the additional information related to
the moving path of the first mobile communication device.
Alternatively, the server moving-path related information
generating unit 220, according to the second embodiment, may
download various additional information related to a moving path
from an additional information server of a service provider which
provides a moving path sharing service. The additional information
related to the moving path may further include tag information
regarding the data found through the web.
[0071] The additional information related to the moving path,
according to the second embodiment, may be updated at a point in
time when a counterpart mobile communication device connected to
the second central server 200 receives the moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device. The updated
additional information may be forwarded to the second central
server 200 and then to the counterpart mobile communication device
through the central server 200, according to the second
embodiment.
[0072] The server moving-path related information transmitting unit
230, according to the second embodiment, may transmit the received
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device to at least one of the plurality of mobile communication
devices connected to the second central server 200.
[0073] The second central server 200 may receive a request for
transmitting the moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device from at least one second mobile
communication device among the plurality of mobile communication
devices. The moving-path related information transmitting unit 230,
according to the second embodiment, may forward the moving path
related information of the first mobile communication device, which
is generated by the second central server 200, at the request of
the second mobile communication device, to the second mobile
communication device.
[0074] Alternatively, the server moving-path related information
transmitting unit 230, according to the second embodiment, may
transmit the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device, which is generated by the second central
server 200, to the second mobile communication device, on a real
time basis.
[0075] The second central server 200 may store the moving-path
related information of the first mobile communication device, which
is generated by the server moving-path related information
generating unit 220, according to the second embodiment, in a
database of each mobile communication device.
[0076] The second central server 200 may register the moving path
of the moving-path related information stored in the database of
the first mobile communication device in the moving-path
history.
[0077] The server moving-path related information generating unit
220, according to the second embodiment, if generating third
moving-path related information regarding a new moving path,
determines whether a fourth moving path included in a range similar
to the third moving path of the third moving-path related
information has been registered among existing moving paths
registered in the moving-path history.
[0078] When the server moving-path related information generating
unit 220, according to the second embodiment, determines that the
fourth moving path similar to the third moving path has not been
registered in the moving-path history, the second central server
200 may newly register the third moving path in the moving-path
history. The second central server 200 may generate statistical
data regarding the newly registered third moving path.
[0079] When the server moving-path related information generating
unit 220, according to the second embodiment, determines that the
fourth moving path similar to the third moving path has been
registered in the moving-path history, the second central server
200 may update accumulated data of statistical data of the fourth
moving path based on the third moving path. The second central
server 200 may also update statistical values corresponding to the
accumulated data of the fourth moving path.
[0080] The server moving-path related information generating unit
220, according to the second embodiment, may compare the third
moving path with the fourth moving path in real time to determine
whether the third moving path currently runs along the fourth
moving path. The server moving-path related information generating
unit 220, according to the second embodiment, may compare at least
one of waypoint information and route information of the third
moving-path related information with waypoint information and route
information of fourth moving-path related information.
[0081] For example, deviation of at least one of a path,
coordinates, and a speed based on at least one of the waypoint
information and the route information of the third moving-path
related information from the normal distributions of the waypoint
information and the route information of the fourth moving-path
related information may be determination factors for determination
of moving-path deviation.
[0082] If the server moving-path related information generating
unit 220, according to the second embodiment, determines that the
third moving path runs along the fourth moving path as a result of
the real-time comparison and determination, the statistical data of
the fourth moving path may be updated based on the updated third
moving path.
[0083] If the server moving-path related information generating
unit 220, according to the second embodiment, determines that the
third moving path deviates from the fourth moving path as a result
of the real-time comparison and determination, the second central
server 200 may transmit moving-path deviation alarm information to
the first mobile communication device.
[0084] If the third moving path is changed with normal moving-path
related information by user input on the first mobile communication
device, the second central server 200 may update the accumulated
data of the statistical data of the fourth moving path based on the
third moving path.
[0085] When the second central server 200 is a home server, a user
of each of the first mobile communication device and the second
mobile communication device may be a member of a particular group,
such as family members or co-workers.
[0086] The receiving unit 210, according to the second embodiment,
may register moving paths of moving-path related information
received from at least one of the plurality of mobile communication
devices in a moving-path history. Thus, the second central server
200 may generate statistical data regarding a fifth moving path
based on the moving-path related information received from the
plurality of mobile communication devices.
[0087] When the receiving unit 210, according to the second
embodiment, receives sixth moving-path related information from the
first mobile communication device, if the second central server 200
determines that the fifth moving path is similar to a sixth moving
path among the other plurality of mobile communication devices
registered in the moving-path history, the second central server
200 may update the statistical data regarding the fifth moving path
based on the statistical data of the sixth moving path.
[0088] The second central server 200 may generate moving-path
related information to be recommended to the second mobile
communication device, based on moving-path related information
accumulated by the plurality of mobile communication devices. For
example, the second central server 200 may analyze the statistical
data of the fifth moving path to generate recommended moving-path
related information including a shortest-distance path
corresponding to the fifth moving path, a way to move by public
transportation, a shortest-time path based on traffic conditions,
and a principal local place. Thus, if the second central server 200
determines that the fifth moving path registered in the moving-path
history is similar to the sixth moving path, recommended
moving-path related information of the fifth moving path may be
transmitted for the sixth moving path.
[0089] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the second mobile communication
device, which is provided with and shares moving-path related
information among a plurality of mobile communication devices
capable of sharing moving-path related information
therebetween.
[0090] The second mobile communication device 30, which is provided
with and shares moving-path related information, according to
embodiments of the present invention, includes a moving-path
related information receiving unit 31 and a moving-path guiding
unit 32. The second mobile communication device 30 may be a second
mobile communication device with respect to the first mobile
communication device 100, according to the first embodiment
described with reference to FIG. 1, or a second mobile
communication device with respect to the central server 200,
according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIG.
2.
[0091] The moving-path related information receiving unit 31
receives moving-path related information generated by movement of
the first mobile communication device 100 from a central server to
which a plurality of mobile communication devices are connected. In
the case of a sharing network 300, according to the first
embodiment, the moving-path related information receiving unit 31
may receive moving-path related information generated by the first
mobile communication device 100. In case of a sharing network 350,
according to the second embodiment, the moving-path related
information receiving unit 31 may receive moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device, which is
generated by the second central server 200.
[0092] The second mobile communication device 30, according to
embodiments of the present invention, may request the central
server to provide the moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device. Thus, the moving-path related
information receiving unit 31 may receive the moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device, which is
transmitted in real time through the central server according to
the first embodiment or the central server 200 according to the
second embodiment.
[0093] The second mobile communication device 30, according to
embodiments of the present invention, may also request the first
mobile communication device 100 to provide the moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device 100. In this
case, the moving-path related information receiving unit 31 may
receive the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device 100, which is directly transmitted from the
first mobile communication device 100 according to the first
embodiment.
[0094] The moving-path guiding unit 32 may share the received
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device and performs moving path guidance by using the shared
moving-path related information.
[0095] The moving-path related information, according to
embodiments of the present invention, may include waypoint
information, route information, and additional information. Based
on the waypoint information and the route information of the
moving-path related information, the moving-path guiding unit 32
may determine whether the moving path of the second mobile
communication device 30 runs along the moving path of the first
mobile communication device. The moving-path guiding unit 32 may
perform a moving-path deviation indicating operation if the current
moving path of the second mobile communication device 30 deviates
from a shared moving path. For example, the second mobile
communication device 30 may generate an alarm sound or vibration
indicating moving-path deviation or may display an alarm window on
the display screen.
[0096] The moving-path guiding unit 32 may recommend a
shortest-distance path corresponding to the current moving path, a
way to move by public transportation, a shortest-time path based on
traffic conditions, and a principal local place, based on the
additional information of the moving-path related information. For
example, the moving-path guiding unit 32 may obtain information
about public transportation and a stop available in a predetermined
moving path through the web. The moving-path guiding unit 32,
according to an embodiment, may obtain recommended moving-path
related information, such as, a shortest-distance path
corresponding to the moving path of the first mobile communication
device 100, a way to move by public transportation, a shortest-time
path based on traffic conditions, and a principal local place,
directly from the Internet.
[0097] The moving-path guiding unit 32 may also recommend at least
one of a shortest-distance path corresponding to the moving path of
the first mobile communication device 100, a way to move by public
transportation, a shortest-time path based on traffic conditions,
and a principal local place, based on the recommended moving-path
related information received from the second central server
200.
[0098] Although the first mobile communication device and the
second mobile communication device according to embodiments of the
present invention have been described as being separated from each
other, an entity for providing moving-path related information and
an entity being provided with the moving-path related information
are not necessarily separated from each other.
[0099] For example, all components of the first mobile
communication device and the second mobile communication devices
may be included in a single mobile communication device. A
predetermined mobile communication device may transmit moving-path
related information to a central server to share first moving-path
related information obtained by a component of the first mobile
communication device, and may receive and share moving-path related
information to be shared with other mobile communication devices
connected to the central server through all components of the
second mobile communication device.
[0100] Group members having similar activity areas may have similar
moving paths in the activity areas. If one of the group members
knows a shortcut from previous experience, it may be desirable to
share information about the shortcut between the group members.
Hence, by using a plurality of mobile communication devices which
share moving-path related information through a central server to
which the mobile communication devices are connected according to
embodiments of the present invention, information corresponding to
a moving path of a member who knows the shortcut may be shared
between the members.
[0101] In addition, information about the moving path of a member
is shared with the other group members through the central server
200, thus facilitating sharing of the information about the moving
path with members having a long distance therebetween. Moreover,
geographical information can be expressed considering additional
information in various formats for describing a geographical
position, such as image data and address information, as well as
geographical information like a map, thereby expressing a moving
path in an easy-to-understand and intuitive manner.
[0102] Furthermore, by accumulating statistical data regarding
moving-path related information and performing statistical analysis
using the accumulated statistical data, accurate moving-path
related information is accumulated and thus accurate moving-path
related information can be generated and shared.
[0103] FIG. 4 illustrates a sharing network 300 for moving-path
related information among a plurality of mobile communication
devices through a central server, according to the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0104] The sharing network 300 according to the first embodiment
includes a first user 310, a central server 320, and a second user
330. The first user 310 carries the first mobile communication
device 100 described with reference to FIG. 1, and the second user
330 carries the second mobile communication device 30 described
with reference to FIG. 3. The central server 320 may correspond to
the central server described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0105] The first mobile communication device 100 of the first user
310 may be a cellular phone 312 or a navigation system 314.
Similarly, the second mobile communication device 30 of the second
user 330, which is capable of performing moving-path guidance, may
be a cellular phone 332 or a navigation system 334. The first user
310 and the second user 330 may be members of a particular group,
such as members of a family.
[0106] According to a moving path of the first user 310 carrying
the first mobile communication device 312 or 314, the first mobile
communication device 312 or 314 may generate moving-path related
information in operation S315. When generating the moving-path
related information, the first mobile communication device 312 or
314 may use additional information 316 related to the moving
path.
[0107] The moving-path related additional information 316 may
include data generated by input of the first user 310 to the first
mobile communication device 312 or 314, and data downloaded through
the web 340. For example, information about a name indicating a
current point, a name of a principal place in the vicinity of the
current point, and an administrative address of the current point
may be generated through input of the first user 310.
[0108] The additional information 316, such as information about
public transportation in the moving path, information about a
principal place in the moving path, information about traffic
conditions, and status change update information of a moving path
may be added to the moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device 312 or 314. The additional information
316 may be downloaded or updated through the web 340.
[0109] The first mobile communication device 100 may obtain the
additional information 316 by searching for common data on the web
340. The first mobile communication device 100 may also obtain the
additional information 316 from a separate server for providing the
moving-path related additional information, which is run by a
provider of a moving-path sharing service.
[0110] Since the moving-path related information of the first user
310 is thought to be useful for other family members residing in
the same zone, the first user 310 transmits the moving-path related
information generated by the first mobile communication device 312
or 314 to the central server 320 in step S317.
[0111] The central server 320, according to the first embodiment,
forwards the moving-path related information received from the
first mobile communication device 312 or 314 of the first user 310
to the second mobile communication device 332 or 334 of the second
user 330 in operation S325. In this case, as the second mobile
communication device 332 or 334 of the second user 330 transmits a
call for requesting sharing of the moving-path related information
with the first user 310 to the central server 320, the central
server 320 may transmit the moving-path related information of the
first user 310 to the second mobile communication device 332 or
334.
[0112] In operation S335, the second user 330 may perform path
guidance along the moving path of the first user 310, by using the
moving-path related information of the first user 310 received from
the central server 320. The second mobile communication device 332
or 334 of the second user 330 may feed back a result of the
moving-path guidance to the central server 320 in operation
S337.
[0113] The second mobile communication device 332 or 334 of the
second user 330 may request the central server 320 to update the
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device 312 or 314 and its related statistical data according to the
moving-path guidance. New moving-path related information obtained
directly by the second mobile communication device 332 or 334 may
also be transmitted to the central server 320 so that the obtained
information can be shared between members on the sharing network,
according to the first embodiment.
[0114] FIG. 5 illustrates a sharing network 350 for moving-path
related information among a plurality of mobile communication
devices through a central server, according to the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0115] The sharing network 350, according to the second embodiment,
includes a first user 360, a central server 370, and the second
user 330. The first user 360 carries the first mobile communication
device described with reference to FIG. 2, and the second user 330
carries the second mobile communication device 30 described with
reference to FIG. 3. The central server 370 corresponds to the
second central server 200 described with reference to FIG. 2. The
first mobile communication device of the first user 360 may be a
cellular phone 362 or a navigation system 364.
[0116] According to a moving path of the first user 360 carrying
the first mobile communication device described with reference to
FIG. 2, the first mobile communication device 362 or 364 transmits
waypoint information and route information, which are related to
the moving path, to the central server 370 in operation S365.
[0117] In operation S375, the central server 370 then generates
moving-path related information of the first user 360 by using the
waypoint information and route information received from the first
mobile communication device 362 or 364. The moving-path related
information may include various additional information 366 and 376
related to the moving path.
[0118] The central server 370, according to the second embodiment,
may receive the additional information 366 related to the moving
path from the first mobile communication device. The central server
370 may receive a request for generating moving-path related
additional information from the first mobile communication
device.
[0119] The central server 370, according to the second embodiment,
may search common data on the web 340 to obtain the additional
information 376. The central server 370 may also obtain the
additional information 376 from an additional information server
related to the moving path.
[0120] The central server 370, according to the second embodiment,
generates moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device 362 or 364 and then forwards the generated
moving-path related information to the second mobile communication
device 332 or 334 in operation S377. As the second mobile
communication device 332 or 334 of the second user 330 transmits a
call for requesting sharing of the moving-path related information
with the first user 360 to the central server 370, the central
server 370 may transmit the moving-path related information of the
first user 360 generated therein to the second mobile communication
device 332 or 334.
[0121] In operation S385, the second user 330 may perform path
guidance along the moving path of the first user 360 by using the
moving-path related information of the first user 360 received from
the central server 370. The second mobile communication device 332
or 334 of the second user 330 may also feed back a result of the
moving-path guidance to the central server 370, in operation S387.
The second mobile communication device 332 or 334 of the second
user 330 may request the central server 370 to update the
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device 362 or 364 and its related statistical data according to the
moving-path guidance. New moving-path related information obtained
directly by the second mobile communication device 332 or 334 may
also be transmitted to the central server 370 so that the obtained
information can be shared between members on the sharing network,
according to the first embodiment.
[0122] Hereinafter, moving-path related information, according to
embodiments of the present invention, will be described with
reference to FIGS. 6 through 13. Additional information related to
a moving path generated by movement of a first mobile communication
device may be used in both moving path sharing networks of the
first and second embodiments.
[0123] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are views for describing a method of
sharing moving-path related information, according to embodiments
of the present invention.
[0124] In the networks for sharing moving-path related information
according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a
central server 400 registers a first mobile communication device
410 as a moving-path sharing device. A first user of the first
mobile communication device 410 is authorized by the central server
400 to share moving-path related information. The following
description is based on the assumption that the central server 400
is a server for authorizing co-workers of the first user to share
moving-path related information.
[0125] In the case of the sharing network 300 according to the
first embodiment, the first mobile communication device 410
generates moving-path related information including geographical
information 420 regarding a moving path generated by movement of
the first user from an office to a head office. The first mobile
communication device 410 transmits the generated moving-path
related information to the central server 400.
[0126] The geographical information 420 regarding the moving path
from the office to the head office may include waypoint information
and route information obtained from a GPS signal. In the sharing
network according to the first embodiment, the first mobile
communication device 410 may transmit moving-path related
information corresponding to a business activity area of a
co-worker of a user, each time obtaining the moving-path related
information. For example, the first mobile communication device 410
may generate moving-path related information including the
geographical information 420 regarding a moving path from an office
to the head office, geographical information 422 regarding a moving
path from the office to a bank for business, and geographical
information 424 regarding a moving path from a bus terminal to a
local branch. The first mobile communication device 410 may
transmit the generated moving-path related information to the
central server 400.
[0127] In the case of the sharing network 350 according to the
second embodiment, the first mobile communication device 410 may
transmit the geographical information 420, 422, or 424 for a
corresponding moving path to the central server 400. The central
server 400, according to the second embodiment, may generate
moving-path related information including the geographic
information 420, 422, or 424 received for a corresponding moving
path.
[0128] A second mobile communication device 430 may receive
moving-path related information transmitted from the central server
400 in the sharing networks of the first and second embodiments.
For example, the second mobile communication device 430 may
selectively receive, from the central server 400, at least one of
the moving-path related information from the office to the head
office, the moving-path related information from the office to the
bank, and the moving-path related information from the bus terminal
to the local branch in a moving path of a first co-worker of the
first user.
[0129] When performing path guidance based on the moving-path
related information including the geographical information 420
regarding a shared moving path 440, while on the move, the second
mobile communication device 430 may compare the shared moving path
440 indicated by the geographical information 420 regarding the
shared moving path 440 with a current moving path 450 of the second
mobile communication device 430. If the current moving path 450 is
not matched with the shared moving path 440, the second mobile
communication device 430 may perform a moving-path deviation
indicating operation indicating that the current moving path 450
deviates from the shared moving path 440.
[0130] Since the first mobile communication device 410 and the
second mobile communication device 430 share geographical
information regarding a moving path through the central server 400,
a database of moving paths may be established taking account of the
frequency of selection of a moving path by members, and a stable
sharing service can be provided.
[0131] FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are views for describing a method of
sharing moving-path related information including additional
information, according to embodiments of the present invention.
[0132] A first mobile communication device 500 may photograph an
object, which may serve as a landmark, by using a camera device
mounted thereon. The object serving as a landmark may be a
structure such as a building, a statue, or a bridge, or a natural
specialty such as a tree, a mountain, or a river, or a sign,
without being limited to a particular thing.
[0133] During movement of the first mobile communication device
500, a user may photograph a famous statue as a landmark, thereby
obtaining image data 505 of the statue.
[0134] The first mobile communication device 500 may photograph a
famous building and a bridge the user may access during the
movement, thereby obtaining image data 507 of the building and
image data 509 of the bridge.
[0135] In the case of the moving-path sharing network 300 according
to the first embodiment, the first mobile communication device 500
generates moving-path related information including additional
information such as the image data 505 of the statue, the image
data 507 of the building, and the image data 509 of the bridge,
which are obtained by photographing in the current moving path. The
first mobile communication device 500 generates geographical
information 520 regarding the current moving path, and transmits
the generated moving-path related information to a central server
510.
[0136] In the case of the moving-path sharing network 350 according
to the second embodiment, the first mobile communication device 500
may transmit the additional information such as the image data 505
of the statue, the image data 507 of the building, and the image
data 509 of the bridge, which are obtained by photographing in the
current moving path, together with the geographical information 520
regarding the current moving path, to the central server 510. Thus,
the central server 510 may generate moving-path related information
including the received geographical information 520 and the
additional information such as the image data 505, 507, and
509.
[0137] The second mobile communication device 530 is authorized by
a user of the first mobile communication device 500 or the central
server 510 to access moving-path related information 540, and then
receives the moving-path related information 540 through the
central server 510. In this case, the moving-path related
information 540 may be collective data where the image data 505 of
the statue is inserted at a position of the statue, the image data
507 of the building is inserted at a position of the building, and
the image data 509 of the bridge is inserted at a position of the
bridge along a moving path 525 of the geographical information 520.
If it is difficult to directly insert additional information
related to a landmark to a position of the landmark of the original
geographical information due to the size or resolution of image
data to be inserted, a link to the image data of the landmark or
tag information for the image data may be inserted into the
position of the landmark in the geographical information.
[0138] Therefore, in the moving-path sharing networks 300 and 350,
according to embodiments of the present invention, additional
information such as an image of a landmark, together with position
information, is given to a user who is not familiar with a moving
path or a user who does not easily understand a map, thereby
allowing the user to easily and conveniently follow path guidance
in comparison to a conventional path guidance method using only map
information based on a GPS signal.
[0139] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of comparing
and updating paths registered in a moving-path history, according
to embodiments of the present invention.
[0140] Operations related to a moving-path history described with
reference to FIG. 13 may be applied to the first mobile
communication device 100 according to the first embodiment and the
central server 200 according to the second embodiment.
[0141] In step 1310, first moving-path related information is newly
generated or received.
[0142] In step 1320, it is determined whether a second moving path
included in a similar range to a first moving path of the first
moving-path related information has been registered among existing
moving paths registered in a moving-path history.
[0143] If the second moving path similar to the first moving path
has not been registered in the moving-path history as a result of
the determination of step 1320, the first moving path is newly
registered in the moving-path history in step 1330. Statistical
data regarding the newly registered first moving path may also be
generated.
[0144] If the second moving path similar to the first moving path
has been registered in the moving-path history as a result of the
determination of step 1320, accumulated data of statistical data of
the second moving path may be updated based on the first moving
path in step 1340. Statistical values may also be updated based on
the accumulated data. In this way, as the number of times a new
moving path similar to the second moving path is stored increases,
the reliability of the statistical data and the statistical values
of the second moving path may be improved.
[0145] In step 1350, the first moving path and the second moving
path may be compared in real time to determine whether the first
moving path currently runs along the second moving path. Normal
distributions of a path, coordinates, and a speed corresponding to
the second moving path may be factors for determination of
moving-path deviation. For example, if at least one of a path,
coordinates, and a speed corresponding to the first moving path
deviate from the normal distributions of the second moving path
based on at least one of waypoint information and route information
of first moving-path related information, it may be determined that
the first moving path currently deviates from the second moving
path.
[0146] If the first moving path does not deviate from the second
moving path as a result of the real-time comparison and
determination of step 1350, the process returns to step 1340 to
update the statistical data of the second moving path based on the
current moving path.
[0147] If the first moving path deviates from the second moving
path as a result of the real-time comparison and determination of
step 1350, a moving-path deviation indicating operation may be
performed or moving-path deviation indicating information may be
transmitted in step 1360.
[0148] In step 1370, upon input of a signal confirming that the
first moving path is a normal moving path from a user of the first
mobile communication device, accumulated data of statistical data
of the second moving path may be updated based on the first moving
path.
[0149] According to embodiments of the present invention, a
determination criterion for determining the degree of similarity
between the first moving path and the second moving path in step
1320 and a determination criterion for determining whether the
first moving path runs along the second moving path by comparing in
real time the first moving path with the second moving path in step
1350, may be set independently of each other. For example, the
determination criterion of step 1350 may be stricter than that of
step 1320.
[0150] All of moving paths of a plurality of mobile communication
devices sharing moving-path related information may be registered
in a moving-path history. In this case, if it is determined that a
current moving path of a mobile communication device is included in
a similar range to a moving path of another mobile communication
device already registered in the moving-path history, statistical
data regarding the moving path of the mobile communication device
registered in the moving-path history may be updated.
[0151] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating
moving-path related information to share moving paths among a
plurality of mobile communication devices, according to the first
embodiment of the present invention.
[0152] In step 1410, when the plurality of mobile communication
devices are connected to the central server, moving-path related
information regarding a moving path generated by movement of the
first mobile communication device is generated.
[0153] Waypoint information and route information included in the
moving-path related information may include geographical
information such as position information and coordinate information
based on a GPS signal. Additional information included in the
moving-path related information may include various supplementary
data for indicating a particular point in the moving path, such as
an administrative address, a common name, and a neighboring
principal place in regard to the moving path, reference point
information of a public transport, relay station coverage
information of the plurality of mobile communication devices,
position setting information, traffic conditions, and so forth. The
additional information included in the moving-path related
information may also include various text data, voice data, image
data, and video data, such as image data captured by a camera
device of the first mobile communication device in connection with
the moving path. The additional information may be generated by
user input or downloaded through the web.
[0154] In step 1420, the moving-path related information of the
first mobile communication device is transmitted to the central
server. At the request of the second mobile communication device,
the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device may be transmitted from the central server to
the second mobile communication device. Alternatively, the
moving-path related information of the first mobile communication
device may be transmitted directly to the second mobile
communication device.
[0155] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing
moving-path related information by a central server to share moving
paths among a plurality of mobile communication devices, according
to the second embodiment of the present invention.
[0156] To allow a plurality of mobile communication devices of
mutually authorized users to share moving-path related information,
the plurality of mobile communication devices are authorized and
registered as mobile communication devices capable of sharing
moving-path related information in the central server.
[0157] In step 1510, geographical information related to a moving
path generated by movement of the first mobile communication device
is received from the first mobile communication device among the
plurality of mobile communication devices. The geographical
information related to the moving path may include waypoint
information and route information. The moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device may be a
moving path based on experience of the user of the first mobile
communication device.
[0158] In step 1520, moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device, which includes received geographical
information and additional information related to the moving path
of the first mobile communication device, is generated. If the
additional information related to the moving path is received from
the first mobile communication device, the central server may
generate the moving-path related information of the first mobile
communication device by using the received waypoint information,
route information, and additional information.
[0159] If the central server receives a request for generating
additional information from the first mobile communication device,
the central server may generate the additional information based on
the received waypoint information and route information or search
the additional information on the web. In this case, the central
server may generate moving-path related information of the first
mobile communication device, by using the received waypoint
information and route information together with the generated
additional information.
[0160] In step 1530, the moving-path related information of the
first mobile communication device is transmitted to a second mobile
communication device among the plurality of mobile communication
devices. Consequently, through the central server, moving-path
related information can be generated, managed, and shared between
the first mobile communication device and the second mobile
communication device.
[0161] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a method of being
provided with and sharing moving-path related information through
sharing of the moving-path related information among a plurality of
mobile communication devices, according to embodiments of the
present invention.
[0162] In step 1610, a second mobile communication device among a
plurality of mobile communication devices receives moving-path
related information regarding a moving path generated by movement
of a first mobile communication device among the plurality of
mobile communication devices from a central server. The moving-path
related information stored by the first mobile communication device
includes waypoint information, route information, and additional
information related to the moving path through which the first
mobile communication device passes. The plurality of mobile
communication devices including the first mobile communication
device and the second mobile communication device are connected to
the central server.
[0163] The second mobile communication device may request the first
mobile communication device, through the central server, or the
central server to share a moving-path. At the request of the second
mobile communication device, moving-path related information of the
first mobile communication device may be transmitted to the second
mobile communication device from the first mobile communication
device or the central server.
[0164] In step 1620, based on the received moving-path related
information of the first mobile communication device, moving-path
guidance is performed by the second mobile communication device. If
the current moving path of the second mobile communication device
deviates from the moving path of the first mobile communication
device, an alarm sound may be generated.
[0165] In a method of sharing moving-path related information
according to an embodiment of the present invention, information
regarding a moving path based on personal experience, rather than a
moving path found by a formula or algorithm for finding a shortest
distance, can be shared, thereby providing reliability and
practical moving-path related information to persons in similar
life or activity areas. However, the first and second embodiments
should be considered in a descriptive sense only, and all possible
embodiments under the scope of the present invention are not
limited thereto.
[0166] The foregoing embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented as programs that can be executed on computers, and may
be implemented on general-purpose digital computers, which operate
the programs by using computer-readable recording media. Examples
of the computer-readable recording media include magnetic storage
media (e.g., Read Only Memory (ROM), floppy disks, hard disks, and
so forth) and optical reading media (e.g., CD-ROMs, digital
versatile discs (DVDs), and the like).
[0167] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and
detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The
embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and
not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the present
invention is defined not by the detailed description of the
invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within
the scope of the present invention will be construed as being
included in the present invention.
* * * * *