U.S. patent application number 12/871404 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for method and apparatus for recommending a route.
This patent application is currently assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Sung-hyun Cho, Cory KIM, Jae-young Lee.
Application Number | 20110054779 12/871404 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43626089 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110054779 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Cory ; et al. |
March 3, 2011 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOMMENDING A ROUTE
Abstract
A method and apparatus for recommending a route. The route
recommending method includes obtaining user's current body
information; obtaining geographic information from a current
position to a destination; and determining a recommended route to
the destination on the basis of the body information and the
geographic information.
Inventors: |
KIM; Cory; (Gyeonggi-do,
KR) ; Lee; Jae-young; (Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; Cho;
Sung-hyun; (Seoul, KR) |
Assignee: |
Samsung Electronics Co.,
Ltd.
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
43626089 |
Appl. No.: |
12/871404 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/533 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2220/12 20130101;
A63B 24/0075 20130101; G01C 21/3407 20130101; A63B 2220/10
20130101; G01C 21/36 20130101; G01C 21/3484 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/201 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/36 20060101
G01C021/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 28, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0080721 |
Claims
1. A route recommending method comprising: obtaining a user's
current body information; obtaining geographic information from a
current position to a destination; and determining a recommended
route to the destination on the basis of the body information and
the geographic information.
2. The route recommending method of claim 1, wherein determining
the recommended route further comprises determining the recommended
route on the basis of user profile information comprising at least
one of the user's past body information and route selection history
information.
3. The route recommending method of claim 1, further comprising:
updating the body information at a predetermined time interval; and
selectively changing the recommended route on the basis of the
updated body information.
4. The route recommending method of claim 1, further comprising: if
an intersection exists within a certain range from the current
position, updating the body information; and selectively changing
the recommended route on the basis of the updated body
information.
5. The route recommending method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving map data; and outputting the map data showing the
recommended route.
6. The route recommending method of claim 1, further comprising:
receiving at least one of a signal for establishing a destination,
a signal for establishing a target travel time, and a signal for
selecting a route.
7. The route recommending method of claim 1, wherein the body
information comprises at least one of an electrocardiogram (ECG),
brainwave, stress index, bone density index, body mass index,
caloric consumption, and the user's age.
8. The route recommending method of claim 1, wherein the geographic
information comprises at least one of distance of a candidate
route, locations of route facilities, road conditions, distance on
uphill roads, distance on downhill roads, and obstacles.
9. The route recommending method of claim 1, further comprising
performing route guidance according to the recommended route.
10. A route recommending apparatus comprising: a body information
obtaining unit for obtaining a user's current body information; a
geographic information obtaining unit for obtaining geographic
information from a current position to a destination; and a route
determining unit for determining a recommended route to the
destination on the basis of the body information and the geographic
information.
11. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, wherein the route
determining unit determines the recommended route on the basis of
user profile information comprising at least one of the user's past
body information and route selection history information.
12. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, wherein the body
information obtaining unit updates the body information at a
predetermined time interval, and the route determining unit
selectively changes the recommended route on the basis of the
updated body information.
13. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, wherein the body
information obtaining unit, if an intersection exists within a
certain range from the current position, updates the body
information, and the route determining unit selectively changes the
recommended route on the basis of the updated body information.
14. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, further
comprising: a receiving unit for receiving map data; and an output
unit for outputting the map data showing the recommended route.
15. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, further
comprising an interface for receiving at least one of a signal for
establishing a destination, a signal for establishing a target
travel time, and a signal for selecting a route.
16. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, wherein the body
information comprises at least one of an electrocardiogram (ECG),
brainwave, stress index, bone density index, body mass index,
caloric consumption, and the user's age.
17. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, wherein the
geographic information comprises at least one of distance of a
candidate route, locations of route facilities, road conditions,
distance on uphill roads, distance on downhill roads, and
obstacles.
18. The route recommending apparatus of claim 10, further
comprising a route guiding unit for performing route guidance
according to the recommended route.
19. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium having
recorded thereon a program for recommending a route, comprising: a
first code segment for obtaining a user's current body information;
a second code segment for obtaining geographic information from a
current position to a destination; and a third code segment for
determining a recommended route to the destination on the basis of
the body information and the geographic information.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2009-0080721, filed on Aug. 28, 2009, in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for
recommending a route, and more particularly, to a
route-recommending method and apparatus that dynamically changes a
recommended route based on a user's body information.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Although the number of automobiles has increased rapidly,
road networks have not been expanded and thus traffic jams are
becoming more serious in many city areas. To avoid traffic jams and
safely travel on unknown roads, route-guiding apparatuses with a
Global Positioning System (GPS) function have been widely used.
[0006] Such route guiding apparatuses have been used not only by
vehicle drivers but also by road walkers, hikers and cyclists.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for
recommending a route.
[0008] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a route recommending method including obtaining a user's
current body information; obtaining geographic information from a
current position to a destination; and determining a recommended
route to the destination on the basis of the body information and
the geographic information.
[0009] Determining the recommended route may further include a
determination based upon user profile information including at
least one of a user's past body information and route selection
history information.
[0010] The route recommending method may further include updating
the body information at some interval; and selectively changing the
recommended route on the basis of the updated body information.
[0011] The route recommending method may further include, if an
intersection exists within a certain range from the current
position, updating the body information; and selectively changing
the recommended route on the basis of the updated body
information.
[0012] The route recommending method may further include receiving
map data; and outputting map data showing the recommended
route.
[0013] The route recommending method may further include receiving
at least one of a signal for establishing a destination, a signal
for establishing a target traveling time, and a signal for
selecting a route.
[0014] Body information may include at least one of an
electrocardiogram (ECG), brainwave, stress index, bone density
index, body mass index, caloric consumption, and the user's
age.
[0015] Geographic information may include at least one of the
distance of a candidate route, the locations of support
facilitates, the road conditions, the distance on uphill roads, the
distance on downhill roads, and other obstacles.
[0016] The route recommending method may further include performing
route guidance according to the recommended route.
[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a route recommending apparatus including a body
information obtaining unit for obtaining a user's current body
information; a geographic information obtaining unit for obtaining
geographic information from a current position to a destination;
and a route determining unit for determining a recommended route
based upon body information and geographic information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The above and other features and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent by describing in detail certain
embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a route recommending
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a route recommending
apparatus according to another embodiment of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a table including geographic information,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates a table showing a candidate route list,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a diagram which illustrates a method of changing a
recommended route using a route recommending apparatus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method of recommending
a route according to an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of recommending
a route according to another embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] Certain embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates a route recommending apparatus 100,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] The route recommending apparatus 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention may include a body information
obtaining unit 110, a geographic information obtaining unit 120,
and a route determining unit 130. The route recommending apparatus
100 may be installed in the form of a hardware or software module
inside a portable apparatus, which includes for example, a mobile
phone.
[0029] The body information obtaining unit 110 obtains a user's
current body information. The body information may include any
information related to the user's physical condition. For example,
the body information may include blood pressure, electrocardiogram
(ECG), heart rate, skin temperature, breath condition, weight,
height, body motion, electromyogram, perspiration, and/or skin
conductivity.
[0030] The body information obtaining unit 110 may update the
user's current body information in real time or update the user's
current body information whenever a predetermined condition is
satisfied. A method of establishing the predetermined condition may
vary. For example, the body information obtaining unit 110 may
update the user's current body information whenever a predetermined
period of time elapses or when a user approaches a nearby
intersection. As described herein, updating the user's current body
information means that the body information obtaining unit 110
re-obtains the user's body information. The term "intersection"
means a point where at least two routes cross each other. When a
user approaches the intersection, the body information obtaining
unit 110 updates the user's body information so that route
determining unit 130 (to be described later) determines the route
to be selected from the intersection.
[0031] The geographic information obtaining unit 120 obtains
geographic information from a current position to a destination.
The geographic information obtaining unit 120 may obtain geographic
information about each route that can be used to reach a
destination from the user's current position. The geographic
information may include any information related to topography or
geography, such as position of a route, total length of a route, an
uphill distance on a road, a downhill distance on a road, road
conditions, the number of route facilities including crosswalks,
etc. The geographic information may be obtained from an external
apparatus or a GPS module that is connected to the route
recommending apparatus 100 via a network, or may be stored in the
route recommending apparatus 100.
[0032] The route determining unit 130 determines a recommended
route to the destination on the basis of body information and
geographic information. The route determining unit 130 may search
all possible routes that can be used to reach the destination from
the current position, and may determine a recommended route that is
the most appropriate route for a user in view of the body
information.
[0033] The route determining unit 130 may also determine a
recommended route on the basis of a user's profile information. The
user profile information may include any information related to a
user, for example, past body information, fitness history, medical
history, preferred route, etc. The user profile information may be
stored in the route recommending apparatus 100 or received from the
outside via a network. The route recommending apparatus 100 may
include a plurality of items of user profile information
corresponding to each of a plurality of users. The recommended
route determining unit 130 may determine which profile information
to use on the basis of user's body information or a user's
input.
[0034] After the body information obtaining unit 110 updates the
body information, the route determining unit 130 selectively
determines whether to change the recommended route. If the body
information is updated in real time, the route determining unit 130
may determine whether to change the recommended route only when
variation of the body information is greater than a threshold
value. If the body information is updated at a predetermined time
interval or if the body information is updated when a distance
difference between the user and an intersection is less than the
threshold value, the route determining unit 130 may determine
whether to change the recommended route whenever new body
information is presented.
[0035] If the recommended route has changed, the route determining
unit 130 may inform the user through a sound or vibration that
indicate that the recommended route has been changed.
[0036] In addition to the route determining unit 130, a route
guiding unit (not shown) may perform route guidance without a
user's input. The route guiding unit may even display a candidate
route list so that a user may directly select the recommended
route. In this case, the candidate route list may show the
recommended route. If the user selects the recommended route from
the candidate route list, the route guiding unit may guide the user
along the recommended route. On the other hand, if the user selects
another route, the route guiding unit may guide the user along the
selected route.
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates a route recommending apparatus 200,
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] The route recommending apparatus 200 may include an
interface 210, a body information obtaining unit 110, a geographic
information obtaining unit 120, a route determining unit 130, a
communication module 220, a GPS module 230, a storage unit 240, and
a route guiding unit 250. The body information obtaining unit 110,
the geographic information obtaining unit 120, and the route
determining unit 130 that are included in the route recommending
apparatus 200 may perform the same functions as those described
with respect to FIG. 1.
[0039] The interface 210 receives an input signal from the outside.
For example, the interface 210 may receive a destination and a
target traveling time that are input by a user, or may receive a
route selected by the user.
[0040] The communication module 220 may receive map data,
geographic information or information about other users' preferred
routes from a wired or wireless network.
[0041] The GPS module 230 may receive location information from a
GPS server or satellite network.
[0042] The storage unit 240 may store at least one of a user's
profile information, map data, and geographic information.
[0043] The route guiding unit 250 may perform route guidance
according to the selected route.
[0044] Hereinafter, sequential operations of the route recommending
apparatus 200 will be described.
[0045] First, a user inputs a destination through the interface
210. The user may also input a target time to the destination.
[0046] The body information obtaining unit 110 obtains the user's
current body information. The body information obtaining unit 110
preferably directly obtains the user's body information through a
sensor or sensor network.
[0047] The geographic information obtaining unit 120 obtains
geographic information about a current position, the destination,
and all points in-between. The geographic information obtaining
unit 120 may obtain the geographic information from the
communication module 220, the GPS module 230, or from the storage
unit 240.
[0048] Next, the route determining unit 130 determines a
recommended route on the basis of the geographic information, body
information and user input. As described above, the route
determining unit 130 may also determine the recommended route on
the basis of user profile information.
[0049] The route determining unit 130 provides a candidate route
list to a user. The candidate route list may show the recommended
route.
[0050] The user selects any one of the candidate routes shown in
the candidate route list through the interface 210.
[0051] The route guiding unit 250 performs route guidance according
to the selected route. The route guiding unit 250 may output map
data to a display apparatus, or may inform a user of a crossroad or
a dangerous area through a sound or vibration indicator.
[0052] While the route guiding unit 250 performs route guidance, if
the user approaches an intersection, the body information obtaining
unit 210 updates body information.
[0053] The route determining unit 130 determines whether to change
the recommended route on the basis of the updated body information.
For example, when the user's heart rate suddenly changes or when
the user's body temperature increases greater than a threshold
value, or when the amount of sweat produced is greater than a
threshold value, the route determining unit 130 may determine that
the user is not fit to use the route. Accordingly, the route
determining unit 130 may change the route to a new route, which
includes better road conditions such as flat or downhill roads, as
a recommended route.
[0054] According to an embodiment, if the user approaches an
intersection, the route determining unit 130 may inform a user in
advance through sound or vibration that the recommended route may
be changed.
[0055] FIG. 3 illustrates geographic information, according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0056] In FIG. 3, the geographic information corresponding to each
candidate route is shown. The geographic information includes
information about, for example, a total distance 310 from a current
position to a destination, a distance on an uphill road 320, a
distance on a downhill road 330, the number of traffic lights 340,
existence and number of any obstacles 350, and the road state 360.
In addition, the geographic information may include any information
related to topography or geography.
[0057] The recommended route determining unit 130 may determine the
difficulty of each route on the basis of the geographic
information. In this case, a different weight may be applied to
each item. In FIG. 3, it is assumed that a weight `1` is applied to
the total distance 310, the number of traffic lights 340, and the
road state 350, a weight `2` is applied to the obstacle 350, and a
weight `-2` is applied to the distance of a downhill road 330.
[0058] In this case, the difficulty 370 of a first route 301
satisfies the equation (11*1)+(3*2)+(3*(-2))+(2*1)+(1*2)+(2*1)=17,
the difficulty 370 of a second route 302 satisfies the equation
(8*1)+(4*2)+(3*(-2))+(1*1)+(2*2)+(3*1)=18, and the difficulty 370
of a third route 303 satisfies the equation
(12*1)+(2*2)+(6*(-2))+(2*1)+(0*2)+(1*1)=7. That is, it is most
difficult to reach the destination along the second route 302, and
it is least difficult to reach the destination along the third
route 303. The above-mentioned method of calculating route
difficulty is just an example, and thus difficulties of candidate
routes may be calculated by additionally using other information or
other mathematical relationships.
[0059] The recommended route determining unit 130 may determine a
route which is the most suitable for a user on the basis of such
difficulty information and the user's current body information.
[0060] FIG. 4 illustrates a candidate route list according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0061] The candidate route list according to an embodiment of the
present invention includes estimated time information 410,
estimated calories information 420, a number of selections
information 430, and recommended ranking information 440. In
addition, the candidate route list may include any information that
may be relevant to a user's selection.
[0062] The estimated time information 410 is the estimated time for
arriving at a destination via a candidate route.
[0063] The estimated calories information 420 is the estimated
calories consumed by a user when he arrives at the destination via
a candidate route.
[0064] The number of selections information 430 is the number of
times a user has selected a candidate route in the past.
[0065] The recommended ranking information 440 is the ranking of a
candidate route according to another user's recommendation. In this
case, the recommended ranking information 440 may be based upon
route information recommended by a user in a group having
information similar to the user of the route recommending apparatus
100.
[0066] The candidate route list may be produced using data from a
user's profile. For example, if a history of selecting the
candidate route exists, the user's profile may include information
about time the taken and the calories consumed when using the
specific candidate route. When the user selects the same
destination, the candidate route list may be generated on the basis
of the user's profile.
[0067] The recommended route determined by the route determining
unit 130 is shown in the candidate route list. If the route
determining unit 130 determines that the user is physically fit and
that a target traveling time entered by the user corresponds with
the estimated time information 410 of the second route 302, the
route determining unit 130 may determine the second route 302 is
the recommended route. In FIG. 4, the recommended route is shown as
a highlighted line so that the user may easily recognize it.
[0068] A recommended route may be determined based on user's
preferences. As an example, if the user wants a fastest route, the
fastest route (301) is determined as a recommendation and if the
user wants a hardest route, the hardest route (302) is determined
as a recommendation.
[0069] FIG. 5 illustrates a method of changing a recommended route
in the route recommending apparatus 100, according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0070] First, when a user operates the route recommending apparatus
100, the route recommending apparatus 100 obtains the user's
current body information and determines a recommended route based
upon such information. Since a first route 510 is a hiking trail
having many uphill roads, when a user uses the first route 510, the
user may burn many calories. On the other hand, if the user selects
the second route 520, he may use less energy because the terrain is
easier. It is assumed now that the route recommending apparatus 100
determines the first route 510 as a recommended route.
[0071] The route recommending apparatus 100 begins route guidance
according to the first route 510. The user approaches an
intersection 530 while jogging along the first route 510. In this
case, the route recommending apparatus 100 updates the user's body
information and determines whether to change the recommended route
on the basis of the updated body information. For example, if the
route recommending apparatus 100 determines that the user
overexerted himself on the basis of a his heart rate and body
temperature, the route recommending apparatus 100 may change the
recommended route from the first route 510 to the easier second
route 520. On the other hand, if the route recommending apparatus
100 determines that the user used less energy on the basis of a
user's heart rate and body temperature, the route recommending
apparatus 100 may not change the recommended route. The route
recommending apparatus 100 continues route guidance according to
the first route 510.
[0072] FIG. 6 illustrates a method of recommending a route,
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0073] In step s610, the user's current body information is
obtained.
[0074] In step s620, geographic information from a current position
to a destination is obtained.
[0075] In step s630, a recommended route is determined on the basis
of the body information and the geographic information. The
recommended route may also be determined on the basis of user
profile information including at least one of the user's past body
information and route selection history information.
[0076] Afterwards, the body information is updated at a
predetermined time interval or when a user approaches an
intersection from within a critical distance. The recommended route
may be selectively changed on the basis of the renewed body
information.
[0077] FIG. 7 illustrates a method of recommending a route,
according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0078] In step s710, a user selects destination information and
target time information.
[0079] In step s720, information required to determine a
recommended route is obtained.
[0080] In step s722, GPS information about a current position and a
destination is obtained.
[0081] In step s724, user profile information is obtained.
[0082] In step s726, the users current body information is
obtained.
[0083] In step s728, a candidate route list is obtained on the
basis of the GPS information.
[0084] In step s730, a recommended route is determined on the basis
of the obtained information.
[0085] In step s740, route guidance according to the recommended
route is performed, and at the same time, the user's body
information is monitored in real time.
[0086] In step s750, it is determined whether an intersection
exists or not, or whether there are inaccuracies in the user's body
information. If the inspection determines that there are
inaccuracies in the user's body information, step s730 is performed
again to re-determine the recommended route. If it is determined
that the intersection does not exist of there is no inaccuracy in
the user's body information, step s760 is performed.
[0087] In step s760, it is determined whether a user has arrived at
a destination. If the user has arrived at the destination, the
route guidance is finished. If the user has not yet arrived at the
destination, step s740 is repeatedly performed.
[0088] The present invention can also be embodied as computer
readable codes on a computer readable recording medium. The
computer readable recording medium is any non-transitory data
storage device that can store data which can be thereafter read by
a computer system. Examples of the computer readable recording
medium include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM),
CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, optical data storage
devices, and etc. The computer readable recording medium can also
be distributed over network-coupled computer systems so that the
computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributed
fashion.
[0089] While the present invention has been shown and described
with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art that various
changes in form and details may be made therein without departing
from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by
the following claims. The described embodiments should be
considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of
limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by
the detailed description of the invention but by the claims. All
differences within the scope are intended to be construed as
embodiments of the present invention.
* * * * *