U.S. patent application number 13/008289 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-12 for transportation routing.
This patent application is currently assigned to Google Inc., a California corporation. Invention is credited to Shumeet Baluja, Henry Rowley.
Application Number | 20110112908 13/008289 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36088258 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110112908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rowley; Henry ; et
al. |
May 12, 2011 |
Transportation Routing
Abstract
A computer-implemented method of providing personalized route
information involves gathering a plurality of past location
indicators over time for a wireless client device, determining a
future driving objective using the plurality of previously-gathered
location indicators, obtaining real-time traffic data for an area
proximate to the determined driving objective, and generating a
suggested route for the driving objective using the near real-time
traffic data.
Inventors: |
Rowley; Henry; (US) ;
Baluja; Shumeet; (Mountain View, CA) |
Assignee: |
Google Inc., a California
corporation
|
Family ID: |
36088258 |
Appl. No.: |
13/008289 |
Filed: |
January 18, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11027769 |
Dec 31, 2004 |
7908080 |
|
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13008289 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/14.64 ;
701/532 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0261 20130101;
G01C 21/3484 20130101; G01C 21/3605 20130101; G06Q 30/0267
20130101; G08G 1/096883 20130101; G08G 1/096888 20130101; G01C
21/3492 20130101; G08G 1/096811 20130101; G01C 21/3617 20130101;
G06Q 30/0269 20130101; G08G 1/096844 20130101; G08G 1/096838
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/14.64 ;
701/200; 701/201 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/36 20060101
G01C021/36; G06Q 30/00 20060101 G06Q030/00 |
Claims
1-16. (canceled)
17. A computer-implemented navigation device having memory for
storing instructions that, when executed: obtain information
showing a suggested navigation route; receive a command in response
to display of the information showing the suggested navigation
route; and transmit data relating to the command to a remote system
and receive follow-up information in response to the transmission
of data relating to the command.
18. The computer-implemented navigation device of claim 17 further
having memory storing instructions that, when executed, generate a
location information for use in computing expected navigation
points for the device based on past locations for the device.
19. The computer-implemented navigation device of claim 18, wherein
the expected navigation points are computed for a time period
corresponding to a time period for the past locations for the
device.
20. The computer-implemented navigation device of claim 17, wherein
the obtaining of information showing a suggested navigation route
occurs at a predetermined time of the day.
21. (canceled)
22. A computer-implemented method of providing personalized route
information, comprising: obtaining a plurality of past location
indicators over time for a wireless client device; determining a
future travel objective from a starting point to a destination, for
a user of the device using the plurality of previously-gathered
location indicators; receiving one or more navigation points
manually entered by a user of the wireless client device between
the starting point to the destination of the future travel
objective suggested route; obtaining, at a server system remote
from the wireless client device, near real-time traffic data for an
area proximate to the determined travel objective; generating at
the server system a suggested route for the travel objective using
the traffic data with the suggested route passing through the
navigation points; and providing from the server system to the
wireless client device map data formatted to generate a map showing
the suggested route on the wireless client device.
23. The method of claim 22, further comprising receiving from a
user an indication of an intent to have the client device enter a
learn mode, and to gather location indicators only during the learn
mode.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein the map data is provided at a
predetermined time of day.
25. The method of claim 22, further comprising transmitting
information indicative of real-time traffic data to the wireless
device.
26. The method of claim 22, further comprising identifying one or
more advertisements targeted to locations on the map and providing
indicators for the advertisements with the map data, wherein the
advertisements are targeted based on a profile of the user.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the advertisements are further
targeted to information in a profile for a user of the wireless
client device.
28. The method of claim 26, further comprising charging a business
for a location associated with one of the advertisements if a user
of the wireless client device interacts with the advertisement.
29. The method of claim 22, wherein each location indicator is
gathered as the result of a cell-tower hand-off for the device.
30. The method of claim 22, wherein the location indicators are
grouped according to multiple different time periods.
31. The method of claim 22, further comprising generating an
updated suggested route based on updated real-time traffic data and
position information from the device.
32. The method of claim 22, further comprising a calendar for a
user of the wireless client device and generating the suggested
route based on a future entry in the calendar.
33. A computer-implemented navigation system, comprising: a
location generator for a mobile computing device that produces data
indicative of a plurality of computing device locations; a
navigation point generator at a server system remote from the
computing device that analyzes the data indicative of a plurality
of device locations, receives one or more navigation points
manually entered by a user of the wireless client device, and
determines a travel objective from a start to a destination for a
user of the device through the one or more navigation points and; a
route generator at the server system that: receives information
indicative of near real-time traffic data near the one or more
expected navigation points; and generates data for one or more
optimized routes for the travel objective; and a response formatter
at the server system to generate a document for transmission to the
computing device, wherein the document includes a map showing the
one or more optimized routes.
34. The computer-implemented navigation system of claim 33, wherein
the document further includes one or more advertisements targeted
to locations on the map.
35. The computer-implemented navigation system of claim 34, further
comprising a billing unit to charge a business for a location
associated with one of the advertisements if a user of the mobile
device interacts with the advertisement.
36. The computer-implemented navigation system of claim 33, wherein
the information indicative of traffic data includes real-time
traffic data.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to assisting commuters and other
travelers with travel planning, and more particularly to providing
a recommended route that takes current traffic conditions into
account.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The world seems to increase in speed every year, with people
using technology to communicate instantly and continuously,
next-day delivery a common occurrence, and with the immediate
availability of to on-line data. However, traffic in most
metropolitan areas continues to worsen. As a result, many of us
spend much of the time we would to otherwise save using technology
waiting in traffic to get to work so that we can use the
technology.
[0003] People develop ad hoc solutions to the traffic problem. Some
leave for work early or late to avoid traffic. Others develop
short-cuts or other alternative routes to by-pass areas of
congested traffic. Such a process is generally approached via a
trial-and-error process, as a commuter tries various routes until
they find one that seems to be the quickest. Of course, because
traffic is different every day, it is very difficult to compare the
speed of one route to that of another. It is also possible to check
traffic reports before leaving and to monitor the radio or
road-side signs for clues to traffic problems. In addition, certain
wireless services can provide indications of real-time traffic
speed graphically on a road map (such as by showing
different-colored arrows on roads to indicate approximate traffic
speed).
[0004] Yet there is still a need for a system and process for
providing improved routing information to a traveler such as a
commuter.
SUMMARY
[0005] A computer-implemented method of providing personalized
route information is disclosed. The method comprises gathering a
plurality of past location indicators over time for a wireless
client device, determining a future travel objective using the
plurality of previously-gathered location indicators, obtaining
transportation flow data for an area proximate to the determined
driving objective, and generating a suggested route for the travel
objective using the transportation flow data. Information for the
suggested route to may also be transmitted to the wireless device,
and may be transmitted at a predetermined time of day. In addition,
Information indicative od real-time traffic data may be
transmitted.
[0006] In some embodiments, the location indicators may be gathered
using a GPS-enabled device, and may be gathered automatically. Each
location indicator may also be gathered in response to a request
from a user of the client device or as the result of a cell-tower
hand-off for the device. The location indicators may be grouped
according to multiple different time periods. In addition, an
updated suggested route may be generated based on updated real-time
traffic data and position information from the device, which may
comprise a cell phone or an on-board navigation system
[0007] In another embodiment, a computer-implemented navigation
system is provided. The system comprises a location generator for a
moving vehicle that produces data indicative of a plurality of
vehicle locations, a navigation point generator that analyzes the
data indicative of a plurality of vehicle locations and generates
one or more expected navigation points for the vehicle, and a route
generator that receives information indicative of transportation
flow near the one or more expected navigation points, and generates
data for one or more optimized routes through the one or more
expected navigation points. The system may also comprise a response
formatter that generates data in the form of an electronic document
for viewing on a remote device. The system may also comprise a
response formatter that generates data in a form usable by a
navigation device having client-level map generation capability.
The information indicative of transportation flow may include
real-time traffic data.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, a computer-implemented navigation
device is provided having memory for storing instructions that,
when executed obtain information showing a suggested navigation
route, receive a command in response to display of the information
showing a suggested navigation route, and transmit data relating to
the command to a remote system and receive follow-up information in
response to the transmission of data relating to the command. The
instructions may also generate location information for use in
computing expected navigation points for the device based on past
locations for the device. The expected navigation points may be
computed for a time period corresponding to a time period for the
past locations for the device, and the obtaining of information
showing a suggested navigation route may occur at a predetermined
time of the day.
[0009] In another embodiment, a navigation system is provided. The
system comprises a location generator for a moving vehicle that
produces data indicative of a plurality of vehicle locations, a
navigation point generator that analyzes the data indicative of a
plurality of vehicle locations and generates one or more expected
navigation points for the vehicle, and means for generating one or
more optimized routes through the one or more expected navigation
points.
[0010] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] These and other aspects will now be described in detail with
reference to the following drawings.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a process that analyzes
trip patterns and generates a suggested route based on the patterns
and real-time traffic data.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a process for producing
expected trip points from past trip routes.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system to receive route
requests and to generate suggested routes.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps for capturing
trip data and providing suggested routes.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a client-server flow chart showing exemplary steps
for providing suggested routes for observed trip patterns.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication
handset for capturing trip data and providing suggested routes to a
user.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a wireless navigation
device for capturing trip data and providing suggested routes to a
user.
[0019] Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like
elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The systems and techniques described here relate to
assistance with planning routes for commuters and other travelers,
typically traveling by automobile, truck, or mass transit. The
systems can take many forms, including personal communicators,
personal computers, and vehicle navigation systems. The data may
also be entered in many forms, including by telephone keypad and
voice. In general, the systems operate by identifying a user's
paths of travel over time, developing a travel profile for the user
comprising navigation points through which the user is likely to
pass, and accessing real-time traffic data to provide the user with
an up-to-date suggested route for the user's expected trip or trips
each time the user begins a trip.
[0021] Advantageously, the systems and techniques may let travelers
receive routing information that is both current and relevant. It
is current because it reflects real-time traffic conditions. In
addition, it can be calculated according to a schedule and
delivered so that the user has the information as soon as it is
needed. It is relevant because it can provide directions that
address the particular user's travel plan without requiring that
the user enter in detailed information about the travel plan. In
addition to real-time traffic data, other traffic flow information
or data may be monitored or obtained. For example, static
information about traffic flow, such as the typical speed on a
residential street (for which actual real-time information is not
available) may also represent the transportation flow on that
street. Apart from transportation flow in vehicles, other
transportation flows such as that involved with rail, ferry, and
light rail may also be obtained.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a process that analyzes
trip patterns and generates a suggested route based on the patterns
and real-time traffic data. The diagram shows both perspective and
plan (from above) views. A travel zone 10 represents a general area
in which a user typically travels, such as the area between and
around the user's home and workplace. The travel zone 10 may be
most conveniently represented as a two-dimensional map, on which
routes may be overlaid.
[0023] Layered on top of travel zone 10 are a number of travel
routes 12-24 which in the figure each represent a route that has
been traveled by a user. Data for the routes 12-24 may be gathered
in any appropriate manner. For example, global positioning system
(GPS) data may be collected, such as by a cellular telephone,
personal digital assistant (PDA), automotive navigation device, or
other such device.
[0024] The data may be collected, for example, by sampling position
data at set intervals such as every fifteen seconds, or at another
interval. In addition, the position data may be recorded at set
location intervals, with the elapsed time between positions
representing the rate of change in position. The data may also be
generated from triangulation in a cellular telephone system or
other appropriate method.
[0025] The data collection may be instituted in a number of ways.
As one example, a user may place a device such as a cellular
telephone, PDA, or navigation system into a "learn mode," such as
by selecting an appropriate menu choice in a graphical user
interface. A tracking system may then be activated whenever, during
the learning period, the device is substantially moved, so as to
indicate that the user is making a trip in their vehicle. For many
travelers, such activity would occur in the morning and the evening
during typical commute periods.
[0026] The learning period may be a definite or an indefinite
period. For example, the device may be programmed to capture data
for one week and then stop capturing data. Alternatively, data may
be gathered until a recurring pattern begins to show in the data.
In such an approach, a minimum collection period, such as one week,
may be set so that the system does not stop gathering data simply
because, by coincidence, two days in a row involved similar routes.
Where the period is indefinite, the system may, for example,
continue gathering data so as to update the information
continuously, so that predictions of future routes may be made more
readily. Such an approach may therefore allow the predicted routes
to change as the user changes, such as when the user begins
stopping at a to day care center every weekday, and thus adds a
detour to the user's previous path to work.
[0027] Each of the travel routes 12-24 represents a particular path
taken by the user. The pictured travel routes 12-24 may be a subset
of all routes taken by the user during the learning period, and may
be selected as all trips during a particular time of day, such as
during the morning commute time. Routes for other times may be
handled together as a distinct group. In addition, routes that are
unlike any others, and that are not repeated, may be treated as a
lark and and may be discarded, or simply saved in memory (e.g., as
part of a "recently visited" list), but not used to predict future
routes.
[0028] Each travel route may have a number of identifying
characteristics. By way of example, route 12 has a start point 12a,
an end point 12b, and a stop point 12c. The start point and end
point for a trip may be inferred by identifying locations for which
there are long periods of immobility connected by a period or
periods of mobility (e.g., with short periods of immobility
representing stops during a trip or stoplights). Stop points may be
inferred from shorter periods of inactivity (i.e., on the order of
several minutes, or long enough to avoid counting a stop at a
stoplight as a false positive, but short enough to prevent a stop
for coffee or day care drop-off from being a false negative) that
have activity on each side.
[0029] Also, start, end, and stop points can be entered manually.
For example, a user may press a key on a navigation device when
they arrive at an important point along a route so as to identify
that point as a stop point through which they would like to travel.
Thus, for example, when training a navigation device, the person
could press the key when passing a coffee shop if they want to
always pass the coffee shop, regardless of whether they stop at the
shop during the training period. Such manual stop point entry can
have the benefit of allowing for faster training of a navigation
device, and can also allow a user to provide preferences
explicitly. As another example, a user may prefer to take a
particular bridge to work regardless of what real-time traffic data
may indicate because the user knows how to "beat" the traffic for
the route.
[0030] The start point and end point may also be adjusted to
simplify a travel route. For example, it may be impractical to
provide more than one route near each end of a travel route. That
is because there may be only one logical path out of a user's
residential neighborhood (and no traffic in the neighborhood). The
user might also be required to weave through a large parking lot at
work--another area in which navigational advice is not helpful.
Thus, the start point and end point, for purposes of computing a
suggested route, may be shifted so as to bypass such problems at
each end of a trip. However, as shown to the user, one or both
points may be kept in their original location so that the user gets
end-to-end directions. The user simply will not know that some of
the directions were decided statically, i.e., without reference to
current traffic conditions.
[0031] Other points along a travel route may also be adjusted to
match a known street or other travel path. For example, where a
street contains multiple lanes, any location information for a
travel route can be resolved to a single location for that street.
Also, locations in parking lots or other similar locations can be
resolved to a single point. In this manner, small and irrelevant
variations from one travel route to another can be eliminated.
[0032] Each travel route represents a trip at a certain time, such
as a daily morning commute over the course of a week or more. Thus,
by example, travel route 12 represents a morning commute on a
Monday morning, and shows a trip from the user's home to the user's
office with a stop in the middle of the commute. That stop may
represent, for example, the retrieval of a cup of espresso needed
by the user to get the week started on the right foot. Travel route
14 represents the Tuesday morning commute, with no stops, as the
user anticipates the amount of work still needed to be completed
for the week. The Wednesday travel route 16 is similar to the
Tuesday travel route 14. The Thursday travel route 18 also involves
a stop, but this time to drop off clothes at a cleaner. Finally,
the Friday travel route 20 involves a slight detour and stop for
the user to follow through on a weekly doughnut pick-up for the
user's office staff--a savvy management technique.
[0033] Travel routes 22, 24 are trips on the weekend. Travel route
22 shows a trip to swimming lessons for the user's young child, and
is a weekly trip, at least for a dozen lessons or so. Travel route
24 is a trip to a football game, and typically occurs on a Sunday
but only when the team is "home." However, from week to week, the
end point for the trip varies as the user selects a different
parking area for each game. In addition to the routes shown in FIG.
1, other routes may also be gathered, such as those taken during
the evening commute.
[0034] Upon gathering travel routes over a particular time
period--typically more than one week--expected travel routes for
the future can be generated. FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of a process
for producing expected navigation points from past trip routes. In
the example, a trip route is a route the user has previously taken,
and is similar to the routes discussed above with FIG. 1.
Navigation points are stopping points along a trip route, and would
include, for example, the start and end points for the trip, along
with any necessary stop points along the trip. The computed
navigation points may be combined, as explained below, with
information about real-time traffic flow, to generate a trip route
that hits each of the navigation points in a predicted minimum
elapsed time. In this manner, a user's actions may be monitored,
and the user may be provided with effective travel planning for
future trips.
[0035] In FIG. 2, travel route data is gathered at step 30, in a
manner like that discussed above. The data is then correlated, at
step 32, with particular events. The events may typically be
calendar events, and more particularly, certain times and days of
the week. For example, all trips that happen during certain hours
on a Monday morning may be correlated with a "morning commute"
event. The same is true of trips that happen on other weekdays.
Trips on Saturdays and Sundays could also be grouped (although
weekend trips may be ignored under an assumption that the trips
will be too unpredictable, or traffic too light, for the process to
provide substantial assistance).
[0036] At step 34, common paths for a particular event are
identified. For example, if the user took the identical path to
work on two successive Mondays, the paths would be fully common.
The determination of commonality may also be determined only for
characteristic points along the path, i.e., the start point, the
end point, and stop points.
[0037] The presence or absence of commonality may be determined at
various levels of granularity. For example, if several instances of
an event have been collected, a point may be considered "common" if
it is common to a particular percentage of the instances. As one
example, if a system has been gathering data for a month, and a
point is common to three out of four trips on a Monday morning,
then it could be considered common, and the fourth trip could be
considered to be non-representative of the user's actual travels
(i.e., a "lark").
[0038] Common paths may also be identified at a second event level.
As one typical example, commonality could be discerned for all
weekdays or for certain weekdays. Thus, if the user is very
diligent and makes the same trip every day, commonality could be
found for a particular weekday over several weeks and over multiple
weekdays also. In particular, commonality may first be determined
for all monitored Mondays, and for all monitored Tuesdays, and may
then be determined across Mondays and Tuesdays Commonality may
again be found if the level of common data exceeds some level that
indicates the non-common data is non-representative, so that
expected future trips can be assumed to follow the common path
rather than any other path.
[0039] The search for commonality may also occur in multiple
orders. For example, all weekdays may be analyzed individually for
commonality, and a common path may be discerned by applying rules
to those days. Alternatively, as just described, trips for a
particular day may be analyzed, and a common trip for that day
computed. Each of the daily common trips may then be compared for
commonality. This method has the advantage of eliminating variation
at two different levels, but also could eliminate variability that
should not be removed because it helps to indicate how a user is
likely to act in the future. Unsupervised machine learning
techniques such as clustering may also be used to determine
commonalities between or among routes.
[0040] Once commonality is found for one event or subgroup of
events, a determination may be made of whether additional events
remain (step 38). If they do, commonality determinations may
proceed as just described for those additional events. For example,
to when one weekday is finished, other weekdays may be analyzed (if
they are not a second level of the first event). Or once all
weekdays are finished, weekend days may be analyzed. Alternatively,
commonality for only a single event (e.g., Monday morning commute)
can be computed if that is all that is required.
[0041] If all events are complete, a travel profile may be
generated for the user. First, events may be correlated to a future
calendar (step 40). For example, Monday morning commutes may be
mapped onto the Mondays of a calendar running forward into the
future. The time period for such mapping may also be identified
(step 42) as a control on how far forward the system generates a
travel profile. For example, the system can regularly update the
information so that a travel profile need only be generated for the
next expected trip or for the next day or next week.
[0042] Using the analyzed information, the expected navigation
points for each expected trip may be established (step 44). Such
points may be, for example, the points that were computed to have a
sufficiently high level of commonality. For example, where the
start point, end point, and a particular intermediate point were
all the same for a particular day of the week across multiple
weeks, those points may be assigned as the navigation points for
that day. Common navigation points from one day to the next may
also be used, particularly if enough data has not been collected to
determine whether there is commonality from week to week.
[0043] Route information between navigation points may also be used
or discarded as necessary. For example, navigation points can be
computed merely for start, end, and stop points, as it could be
assumed that the user simply wants to get to or through those
points, wants to do so quickly, and does not care which particular
route to use. As such, to the other information is not relevant and
can be discarded to save on storage space. The other information
can also be used to provide more accurate selections of navigation
points, indicating for example whether a literal stop by the user
should be considered a "stop" navigation point.
[0044] The process shown in FIG. 2 may occur, for example, when a
user begins a training session with a system, and then indicates
that the training session is over and that the user wants to
analyze the gathered data from the session. The process may also
occur after a predetermined or calculated time period, such as two
weeks after the system is first put into "learn mode." In addition,
the process may occur periodically, and a travel profile may be
generated only when a particular level of commonality is reached.
If the commonality is insufficient, the process can be aborted and
restarted at a later time.
[0045] The process may also occur repeatedly even after a travel
profile has been generated. As an example, a system may first
generate expected trip paths when enough data has been gathered to
allow confident determinations of commonality across various
events. The trip paths may then be re-computed or updated
periodically, such as once each week, so as to reflect any changes
in the user's travel patterns. The data used for re-computing may
be a running time-wise "window" that extends back a certain amount
of time, such as four weeks. In this manner, if the user develops a
new habit, such as day care drop off, the system can adjust to that
new habit. Likewise, a user in such a situation could manually ask
for an update so as to trigger re-computing of paths or navigation
points.
[0046] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a system 50 to receive
route requests and to generate suggested routes. The system 50
includes a device 62, shown as a cellular telephone handset for
communicating with a user, but could take any appropriate form,
such as a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, or a
voice-driven communication device. The device may include
appropriate input and output structures, including a display screen
which may have a touch-sensitive surface, data entry keys,
clickable data entry wheels, speakers, and a microphone including
for voice recognition.
[0047] Device 62 may obtain the information the user needs through
network 58, which may be a single network or combination of
networks. Thus, for example, device 62 could communicate through a
cellular telephone network using a WAP standard or other
appropriate communications protocol. The telephone network could in
turn communicate with the Internet, either directly or through
another network.
[0048] In addition, provision may be made for generating location
information for device 62. For example, the device 62 could be a
GPS-enabled cell phone or PDA. The device 62 could also be located
by triangulation or other techniques.
[0049] Alternatively, a device may be provided in the form of a
vehicle navigation system 80. The navigation system 80 may
communicate, for example, through a satellite network via satellite
82 and base station 84, which may in turn be connected to network
58 for further communication. In this example, communication could
be one-way only or two-way. In this manner, the functionality
described herein may be provided to users in the manner that is
most convenient to each user. In addition, both device 62 and
navigation system 80 may be used, so that, for example, the device
62 can handle communications and obtaining information personal to
the user, and the navigation system can be used to gather location
information (e.g., through a GPS system) and to display maps and
other data. The device 62 and navigation system 80 may communicate,
for example, via wired or wireless link, such as via IEEE 802.11
standards or Bluetooth communications and the like.
[0050] A navigation information system (NIS) 51 may also
communicate with the network 58 so as to receive requests from
devices 62, 80 and locate information to return to devices 62, 80.
The NIS 51 may take any applicable form, and may include a system
that provides search services, for example, such as that provided
by Google. NIS 51 may be broken into multiple separate systems or
sub-systems to allow for scalability, and may be connected to
network 58 in any of a variety of ways, as is commonly known.
[0051] NIS 51 in general receives requests from devices 62, 80,
processes those requests, and provides information that allows the
devices 62, 80 to provide a user with a suggested travel route. MS
51 may rely on appropriate external services to provide such
functionality. For example, NIS 51 may obtain data about real-time
traffic conditions from traffic service 56. Traffic service 56 may
be, for example, an aggregator of information about traffic flow
that obtains information from public agencies, roadway monitors,
traffic cameras and the like. The information may reflect the speed
of traffic flow at particular points in a transportation system,
and could include a service such as Zipdash. NIS 51 may take the
information received from traffic service 56 and combine it with
route information computed for a user to compute a suggested travel
route, as explained in more detail below. In this context,
real-time traffic conditions are intended to include conditions
that are sufficiently recent or accurate to have relevance and be
of assistance.
[0052] NIS 51 may also communicate with external servers 60 to
acquire other needed data. External servers could comprise, for
example, mapping servers that provide updated information about
roadway locations and other GIS-type data. In addition, NIS 51 may
communicate with other databases 54 as needed. These databases may
be connected to NIS 51, for example, by a high bandwidth LAN or
WAN, or could also be connected to the NIS 51 through network 58.
The databases may also be split up so that they are located in
multiple locales.
[0053] NIS 51 communicates through an interface 52, which may be a
single interface or multiple distinct interfaces, including
interfaces for internal and external communication. By example,
interface 52 may comprise interface devices for a high speed, high
bandwidth network such as SONET or Ethernet network cards or any
appropriate communication hardware operating under an appropriate
protocol, so that NIS 51 can respond to a large number of distinct
requests simultaneously. The precise design of the system is not
critical to the proper operation of the invention, and could take
any appropriate form.
[0054] Within NIS 51, a route generator 78 may produce suggested
travel route results in response to requests from a user device
such as devices 62, 80. The route generator may also be implemented
as an external service 60, such as that provided by TelAtlas or the
like. The requests may be received and initially processed by
request processor 66, such as by parsing them and formatting them
from html/text requests to a format that is usable internally to
NIS 51.
The information generated by route generator 78 in response to a
request may also be converted by response formatter 68 in a manner
that allows it to be used by the requesting device, such as in a
WAP format, HTML document, XML document, VoiceML result, etc., and
then transmitted via interface 52.
[0055] Route generator 78 may receive assistance from other
components in producing suggested routes. In particular, real-time
traffic module 70 may provide the route generator 78 with
information that reflects traffic speed on various routes. For
example, real-time traffic module 70 may obtain information from
traffic service 56 and reformat it in a manner that is usable by
route generator 78. Real-time traffic module may also aggregate
traffic data from multiple different sources--combining data and
selecting the best data when there is overlap. Moreover, the
real-time traffic data may include data relating to non-automotive
modes of transportation, such as rail, bus, and ferry speeds and
schedules (adjusted, e.g., to reflect problems and shut-downs if
necessary).
[0056] Route generator 78 may also use mapping data 72, which may
be stored internally to NIS 51 or obtained from external sources
(or both). Mapping data generally represents the routes that may be
taken, and may be stored and accessed in any appropriate manner.
Mapping data may be, for example, the same or similar data to that
which is used to provide driving directions in typical
applications. The mapping data may serve as an "underlay" for the
real-time traffic information, so that a suggested route can be
generated on a map using the traffic information that correlates
with locations on the map.
[0057] Navigation point generator 76 may operate to receive
information about a particular user's travel history, and produce
expected route points for future travel, for example, using the
methods described above with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2. Navigation
point generator 76 stores information it receives from, and
generates relating to, users in user data 74. User data 74 may also
include other information about a user, such as the user's
identifying information, addressing information for the user's
devices 62, 80, information about the user's needs and other
profile information about the user. Such profile information may
also include information about the user's preferences. For example,
perhaps the user prefers side streets over freeways, so that the
system will provide the user with a suggested route that uses side
streets (in some circumstances, if the disparity in commuting time
between the two paths is not above some threshold).
[0058] In generating a suggested route for a user, route generator
78 may gather the navigation point information for a particular
user, may use that information and mapping information to identify
potential routes (as combinations of route segments), and may then
use real-time traffic information to select which actual route or
routes are the best routes for the user. Route generator may then
transmit the suggested route information through interface 52 to
devices 62 or 80. For devices such as cellular telephones, the
information may best be transmitted as an html document or other
fully-formatted document that will not required much processing by
the device 62. The returned information may also include HTML code,
XML messages, WAP code, Java applets, xhtml, plain text, voiceXML,
VoxML, VXML, etc., that causes the device 62 to generate a display
of information.
[0059] For devices such as a vehicle navigation system, which has
its own mapping capabilities, the suggested route information may
simply be data for a particular route. The device 80 may then
interpret that information and combine it with information stored
locally to produce a usable map with the suggested route or routes
rendered on top of the map.
[0060] The transmitted information may also include information in
addition to a simple map with routes rendered on it. For example,
locations on the map may be provided with hyperlinked icons whose
selection will cause additional information to be broadcast to the
user. As one example, coffee shops along the user's route may be
displayed both as a service to the user and to the coffee shops.
Selections by the user for more information about a particular
location could result in a small charge to that location, much like
the well known Ad Words program. Other information may also be
displayed, such as icons showing the kind of establishment (e.g.,
coffee cup next to coffee shop, plate and fork next to sit-down
restaurant, stars next to high-end restaurant, etc.).
[0061] The information may also be time-based. For example, in the
morning hours, coffee shops can be identified, and in the evening
hours, restaurants, and then bars, may be identified. Information
to be shown may also be based on preferences of the user, which may
be discerned by a profile that a user completes, by a standard
profile the user adopts (e.g., the system may have particular
profile settings for teenagers), or by correlation of preferences
with prior actions of the users, such as requests submitted to a
search engine or stops that are often made. Such preferences may
also be correlated with preferences of other users who have similar
past search or other activity. In addition, a profile may be
generated by a customer, such as a transportation provider (e.g., a
trucking company), so that the profile is applied to all users
working for the customer. In this manner, the transportation
company could control the type of information provided (e.g., truck
stop locations or healthy restaurants so as to lower health
insurance premiums) in addition to submitted navigation points for
routes likely to be used by its employees.
[0062] In addition, a user can choose to have certain routes be
required routes and other routes prohibited routes. For example, a
drive along a lake may be a required route for to Friday afternoon
commutes to allow the user to wind down at the end of the week.
[0063] Alternatively, a drive through certain areas may be
prohibited, such as when the user is aware of construction in the
area that is not reflected on maps or other general data
sources.
[0064] Where the device allows for search in addition to
navigation, the position of the device and/or the stop points along
a route may be used as a location input for a "local search" such
as Google Local Search. Thus, for example, where a user is taking a
long trip, they may search for a restaurant that is one hour ahead
on the map by identifying a location such as a stop point on the
map and then conducting a local search. In this manner, the user
can have a local search without knowing additional properties about
the locale in which the search is to be conducted.
[0065] In addition, the routing information can be incorporated
with other systems. For example, the suggested route information
could be passed on to a transportation operator along with
information about actual routes to allow the operator to ensure
that most efficient routes are being taken by drivers employed by
the operator. Other information may also be shared, including by
use of an API model that allows customers to access whatever
relevant information they would like to access.
[0066] The route generation may be accomplished in the system 50 by
NIS 51, by devices 62, 80, or by cooperation of NIS 51 and devices
62, 80. For example, device 62 may be programmed with code that,
when executed, analyzes results from a request and then generates
stop points on an expected route. Also, the device 62 may be
programmed with code that, when executed, generates a map with a
suggested route. The NIS 51 may also take on the task of suggested
route generation, so that the devices 62, 80 need only receive the
information, store it, and present it.
[0067] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing exemplary steps for capturing
trip data and providing suggested routes. The steps shown may be
executed, for example, by NIS 51 or devices 62, 80 shown in FIG. 3,
or a combination of those features and/or others. Step 130 shows
the receipt of a request for route information. The request may be
generated in any appropriate manner. For example, a user may press
a key on a PDA when entering their automobile as a means to have an
up-to-date suggested route generated for a commute. Alternatively,
the device itself can generate the request, such as at a predefined
time when a vehicle door is opened, or in connection with the
user's schedule (e.g., Outlook schedule), indicating that the user
will soon be traveling to a particular location. In such a
scenario, data in the calendar can be analyzed to determine the
user's likely path so that the path can be generated and ready for
the user as soon as they need it. A navigation information system
may itself generate the request internally, again typically
according to a predetermined schedule.
[0068] In response to the request, the system may identify
navigation points for the user (step 132). The identification may
involve simply accessing data on navigation points for particular
events (e.g., for trips at particular times during a week) that
have been previously computed. It may also require computation of
some or all of the points using past location data for the
user.
[0069] With the navigation points identified, the plausible routes
and route segments between the points may be identified (step 134).
The routes may be generated using standard mapping software (e.g.,
that is commonly used for creating driving directions). The
plausible routes may include all routes that pass through the
navigation points that could realistically be the fastest route
through the points. Maximum possible speeds may be assigned to each
segment (e.g., 30 MPH in residential, and 80 MPH on freeways) as an
aid in determining which segments are plausible.
[0070] The plausible routes may also be comprised of a number of
route segments, and again all plausible segments may be identified.
For each set of segments, the segment transfer time may be
determined (step 136). The segment transfer time includes, for
example, expected time spent at stop lights and on-ramps,
transferring from one train to another, or in transferring from one
mode of transportation to another, such as from automobile to light
rail.
[0071] For each segment, the real-time speed of the segment may be
identified (step 138). The speed may be accessed from, for example,
services that track traffic speed using in-road sensors or cameras.
The speed may generally be a composite of the average speed across
all lanes of traffic, and perhaps along multiple locations of a
common roadway (so that temporary bottlenecks do not caused
inaccurate readings). The speed may also be an assumed real-time
speed, for example on roadways for which there is no actual
real-time speed data. Also, speeds may be assumed for mass transit
systems, such as light rail, that have closely analyzed and
predictable speeds. Such systems may also provide data that
reflects actual real-time speeds.
[0072] The system may then determine whether the request is for
immediate results (step 140). If it is for a map in the future
(e.g., more than 30 minutes in the future) such that traffic
conditions may change before the results are used, the system may
access data relating to speed trends on segments for which actual
real-time speeds have been obtained (step 142). The system may also
access assumed real-time speed data for the time in the future, or
simply use the previously accessed assumed real-time data.
[0073] With speeds for each plausible segment determined, the
travel time for each segment can be computed (step 144). Total trip
times for each permutation of segment combinations may be computed,
with segment transfer times added between segments. The
determination may be aided by well known approaches for determining
"best" or "least cost" solutions to particular problems, so that
not all permutations need be computed.
[0074] In addition, deviations for each route may be computed (step
146). In particular, data about the speeds for a particular route
or segment will vary from day-to-day, so that the average speed is
not a completely satisfactory measure of the segment's speed. Thus,
where two routes have similar average times, the route having a
smaller deviation may be preferred over the other route
(particularly if the user is risk-averse).
[0075] With the times for the plausible routes calculated (and
optionally with deviations factored into the times), an optimum
route or optimum routes can be identified. In general, the optimum
route is the route with the lowest expected cumulative time.
However, other routes can also be provided as optimum routes in
case the user prefers one route over another, and the difference in
time is minimal to the user. Also, the user may have defined
certain navigation points as preferred points, but not required
points, so that routes through those points are presented as
optimum routes in addition to routes through the required points.
The user may then be given the opportunity to select a route
through preferred points if it is shorten than, or not much longer
than, the other routes.
[0076] The system then may prepare to transmit information to the
user. If the user's device is navigation-enabled such that it has
its own mapping information (step 150), simple map information can
be transmitted and the user's device may use the transmitted
information as an input for the mapping function. The user's device
may also then provide additional navigation functions with the
data, such as voice prompted driving instructions. If the user's
device is more limited (e.g., a simple cell phone), more complete
mapping information may be transmitted (step 150). For example, an
entire recommended route can be rendered in a single document and
transmitted to, for example, a web-enabled telephone.
[0077] FIG. 5 is a client-server flow chart showing exemplary steps
for providing suggested routes for observed trip patterns. At step
156, location data is generated, such as by acquiring locations
from a GPS appliance at particular time intervals. At step 158,
location information is transmitted from a device at which it was
generated. The term "information" is used here as opposed to "data"
to indicate that the actual generated data may be different than
what is transmitted. For example, numerous readings for locations
may be generated, but only a subset transmitted, or a facsimile
(such as an averaged set) may be transmitted.
[0078] The server may then receive the transmitted location
information (step 160) and may generate navigation points using the
information, as described above (step 162). With the navigation
points generated, the system may save the new information and wait
for a request (step 164).
[0079] When a user wishes to have a suggested route generated, they
may have a device generate a request (step 166) in a manner like
that described above, and the device may transmit the request to a
server (step 168). The server may receive the request (step 170)
and use it to compute a suggested route or routes. In doing so, the
server may access one or more of real-time traffic information,
mapping information, and navigation point data (step 172). The
server may also access profile information and other information
specific to the user. By applying the real-time traffic data to
possible routes through the navigation points, the system can
compute one or more optimum routes (step 174) for the user.
[0080] The system may then generate navigation information, such as
in the form of map information, and transmit it back to the user's
device (step 176). The information may be transferred as data that
can then be mapped using a navigation system, or may be transferred
as a rendered map, such as via HTML document (step 178). Additional
related information may also be transferred. For example, as
indicated above, information about features near the route can be
included, including hyperlinks that allow access to even more
information. Also, advertising may be generated that is relevant to
locations along the route, so that, for example, eating
establishments along the route may pay to have advertising
distributed to users who pass by. The advertising may also be
segregated according to routes that are primarily commuter routes
with recurrent travelers, and routes that are main transportation
routes (such as rural interstate highways) that do not have
recurrent travelers. (I.e., advertisements for the latter routes
may have more advertising to draw attention to local attractions,
while those for the former would have more day-to-day advertising.)
Provision of advertising would have the benefit to users of
providing additional information and also lowering the cost of the
navigation service.
[0081] A user may then provide additional input (step 180) after
the initial information is transmitted. For example, the user may
click on a provided hyperlink, in which case the device will
transmit a request relating to the hyperlink (step 180). The server
may then respond to the request (step 182) in a conventional
manner, such as by sending typical web content. In addition,
various other on-line options may be used along with, or in
addition to, the navigational features described here.
[0082] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication
handset for capturing trip data and providing suggested routes to a
user. The handset 90 receives and transmits information wirelessly
using transmitter 94, with the received signals being passed to
signal processor 96, which may comprise digital signal processor
(DSP) circuitry and the like. Normal voice communication is routed
to or from audio processor 92, which may communicate with
speaker/microphone 98, including via user interface 108.
[0083] User interface 108 handles all communication with the user
of the system 90, including voice, visual, and data entry
communication. Visual presentation of information may be provided
via display screen 100. General data entry, apart from entered
voice data, may occur through keypad 102, which may be arranged as
a standard 12-key telephone keypad. The device may also be provided
with appropriate control keys 104 for performing necessary control
functions. Key pad 102 and control keys 104 may include contact
push-buttons, joysticks, portions of touch-sensitive panels, or
other appropriate input devices. Although the communication is
shown for clarity as occurring through a single user interface 108,
multiple interfaces may be used, and may be combined with other
components as necessary.
[0084] The system 90 may be provided with a number of computer
applications 114, such as games, applications to assist in dialing
numbers, and applications to permit web browsing, including the
entry of data as part of the web browsing. The applications 114 may
be stored in ROM, Flash memory, RAM, MRAM, or otherwise, as
appropriate, and may be accessed by the system 90 as needed. A
dialing module 112 may provide standard dialing functionality for
the system, receiving entered dialing digits or voice dialing
instructions through interface 108, and providing appropriate
dialing signals through transmitter 94 using communication
interface 120.
[0085] A data entry module 110 receives data other than dialing
instructions, such as search data entered into the system 90. The
data entry module 110 may provide the entered data directly to an
application, or may employ a navigation engine 116 to help gather
navigation information and supply route information to a user. The
navigation engine may receive location information via GPS receiver
118, and may supply this information to an application 114 for the
generation of expected navigation points in a manner like that
described above. Although the navigation engine 116 is shown as a
single item separate from the applications, it could simply be an
application itself or part of an application having code to carry
out the necessary functions.
[0086] The system may take many other forms. For example, it could
be implemented as part of a personal computer, whether networked or
un-networked, and if networked, whether by wire or wirelessly.
Also, data entry may occur in different manners, including by
complete keyboard, constrained keyboard, or voice command. Also,
one or more components may be located remotely from the device,
such as at a remote server, and the functionality of the device may
be provided by combining the components or using components other
than those shown.
[0087] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a wireless navigation
device 200 for capturing trip data and providing suggested routes
to a user. This device is similar to the device in FIG. 6, and
although it may be provided with voice communication capabilities,
it as shown as simply a wireless-enabled navigation system. The
device 200 may comprise a navigation computer 202 for handling the
needed communications and processing for the device 200, and a
navigation display 204 for input and output. The navigation display
204 may be, for example, an in-dash LCD display in an
automobile.
[0088] The navigation computer 202 is provided with a transceiver
206, which may be a wired transceiver (e.g., for transferring data
to and from a PDA or cell phone) or a wireless transceiver, such as
a satellite communication or Bluetooth transceiver. Signals
received by transceiver 206 may be processed by signal processor
208, which may be a standard digital signal processor (DSP). The
signals may then be provided to various applications 210, which may
include system applications for operating device 202 and other
discrete application programs, such as browser, communication, and
other programs.
[0089] The applications may include, or make use of, navigation
engine 212 which may be programmed with code that when executed
carries out the necessary and relevant operations described above.
In particular, navigation engine 212 may collect data on the
location of the device 200 using, for example, GPS device 218.
Navigation engine 212 may also use mapping data 214, such as to
generate maps on display 204 showing the location of the device.
Also, navigation engine 212 may alone or in combination with
applications 210 generate maps showing suggested routes either
computed by mapping engine 212, or by an external device such as a
server with which navigation computer 202 communications.
[0090] Communication between display 204 and navigation computer
202 may occur through user interface 216, which may be a single
interface or multiple interfaces, and may take any appropriate
form. The user interface may provide cues to a user via speaker
220, such as by providing aural driving directions in a
conventional manner. The user interface 216 may also generate
graphical information on display 204 for the user to review. The
user may provide feedback or other input through control buttons
224, or through touching screen 222, or by other appropriate input
techniques. The control buttons 224 may be "customized" by
displaying changing labels above the buttons, so that input and
output can be coordinated and controlled via software.
[0091] Various implementations of the systems and techniques
described here can be realized in digital electronic circuitry,
integrated circuitry, specially designed ASICs (application
specific integrated circuits), computer hardware, firmware,
software, and/or combinations thereof. These various
implementations can include implementation in one or more computer
programs that are executable and/or interpretable on a programmable
system including at least one programmable processor, which may be
special or general purpose, coupled to receive data and
instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a
storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output
device.
[0092] These computer programs (also known as programs, software,
software applications or code) include machine instructions for a
programmable processor, and can be implemented in a high-level
procedural and/or object-oriented programming language, and/or in
assembly/machine language. As used herein, the term
"machine-readable medium" refers to any computer program product,
apparatus and/or device (e.g., magnetic discs, optical disks,
memory, Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs)) used to provide machine
instructions and/or data to a programmable processor, including a
machine-readable medium that receives machine instructions as a
machine-readable signal. The term "machine-readable signal" refers
to any signal used to provide machine instructions and/or data to a
programmable processor.
[0093] To provide for interaction with a user, the systems and
techniques described here can be implemented on a computer having a
display device (e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) or LCD (liquid
crystal display) monitor) for displaying information to the user
and a keyboard and a pointing device (e.g., a mouse or a trackball)
by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of
devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well;
for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of
sensory feedback (e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or
tactile feedback); and input from the user can be received in any
form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
[0094] The systems and techniques described here can be implemented
in a computing system that includes a back-end component (e.g., as
a data server), or that includes a middleware component (e.g., an
application server), or that includes a front-end component (e.g.,
a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web
browser through which a user can interact with an implementation of
the systems and techniques described here), or any combination of
such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components
of the system can be interconnected by any form or medium of
digital data communication (e.g., a communication network).
Examples of communication networks include a local area network
("LAN"), a wide area network ("WAN"), and the internet.
[0095] The computing system can include clients and servers. A
client and server are generally remote from each other and
typically interact through a communication network. The
relationship of client and server arises by virtue of computer
programs running on the respective computers and having a
client-server relationship to each other. The client-server
relationship need not fit a formal client-server definition,
however.
[0096] Although a few embodiments have been described in detail
above, other modifications are possible. Portions of this
disclosure discuss operation though portable devices, but any of a
number of devices may be used, including fully-functional general
purpose computers. Also, the logic flows depicted in the figures do
not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to
achieve desirable results. Also, other steps may be provided, or
steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other
components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems.
Other embodiments may be within the scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *