U.S. patent application number 14/561529 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for intelligent navigation instruction generator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.. Invention is credited to John Carl Mese, Nathan J. Peterson, Russell Speight VanBlon, Rod D. Waltermann, Arnold S. Weksler.
Application Number | 20160161275 14/561529 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56094041 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160161275 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waltermann; Rod D. ; et
al. |
June 9, 2016 |
INTELLIGENT NAVIGATION INSTRUCTION GENERATOR
Abstract
A method includes obtaining a current location and a destination
at a user navigation system, obtaining prior route information
corresponding to routes taken by the user, generating directions
for communication to the user to aid in navigation from the current
location to the destination, wherein the directions are modified
based on the prior route information to reduce a granularity of the
directions, receiving additional information regarding a route
between the current location and the destination, and further
modifying the modified generated directions based on the received
additional information.
Inventors: |
Waltermann; Rod D.;
(Rougemont, NC) ; Peterson; Nathan J.; (Durham,
NC) ; VanBlon; Russell Speight; (Raleigh, NC)
; Mese; John Carl; (Cary, NC) ; Weksler; Arnold
S.; (Raleigh, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. |
Singapore |
|
SG |
|
|
Family ID: |
56094041 |
Appl. No.: |
14/561529 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3484 20130101;
G01C 21/3641 20130101; G01C 21/3691 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/34 20060101
G01C021/34; G01C 21/36 20060101 G01C021/36 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: obtaining a current location and a
destination at a user navigation system; obtaining prior route
information corresponding to routes taken by the user; generating
directions corresponding to a prior route for communication to the
user to aid in navigation from the current location to the
destination, wherein the directions corresponding to the prior
route are modified based on the prior route information and user
familiarity with the prior route to reduce a granularity of the
directions; receiving additional information regarding a route
between the current location and the destination; and further
modifying the modified generated directions based on the received
additional information.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the additional information
comprises social feedback from other user's devices.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the additional information
comprises information regarding traffic congestion along the prior
route between the current location and the destination.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the additional information
comprises information from another user device regarding traffic
congestion along an alternative route between the current location
and the destination.
5. The method of claim 4 and further comprising selecting between
the route and the alternative route based on the additional
information.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein generating directions comprises
determining a route as a function of the prior route information
such that a user preferred route is used to generate the
directions.
7. The method of claim 6 wherein the preferred route is associated
with a user preference for making a right turn instead of a left
turn required by a shorter route.
8. The method of claim 6 wherein the preferred route is associated
with a user preference for avoiding road construction occurring on
a shorter route.
9. The method of claim 6 wherein the preferred route is associated
with a user preference for speed of travel.
10. A machine readable storage device having instructions for
execution by a processor of a machine, the instructions comprising
instructions to perform: obtaining a current location and a
destination at a user navigation system; obtaining prior route
information corresponding to routes taken by the user; generating
directions corresponding to a prior route for communication to the
user to aid in navigation from the current location to the
destination, wherein the directions corresponding to the prior
route are modified based on the prior route information and user
familiarity with the prior route to reduce a granularity of the
directions; receiving additional information regarding a route
between the current location and the destination; and further
modifying the modified generated directions based on the received
additional information.
11. The machine readable storage device of claim 10 wherein the
additional information comprises social feedback from other user's
devices.
12. The machine readable storage device of claim 11 wherein the
additional information comprises information regarding traffic
congestion along a route between the current location and the
destination.
13. The machine readable storage device of claim 12 wherein the
additional information comprises information from another user
device regarding traffic congestion along an alternative route
between the current location and the destination.
14. The machine readable storage device of claim 13 and wherein the
instructions further comprise instructions to perform selecting
between the route and the alternative route based on the additional
information.
15. The machine readable storage device of claim 10 wherein
generating directions comprises determining a route as a function
of the prior route information such that a user preferred route is
used to generate the directions.
16. A device comprising: a processor; a global positioning device
coupled to the processor to receive global positioning signals; a
transceiver coupled to the processor to receive wireless signals;
and a memory device having a program stored thereon for execution
by the processor to: obtain a current location and a destination at
a user navigation system; obtain prior route information
corresponding to routes taken by the user; generate directions
corresponding to a prior route for communication to the user to aid
in navigation from the current location to the destination, wherein
the directions corresponding to the prior route are modified based
on the prior route information and user familiarity with the prior
route to reduce a granularity of the directions; receive additional
information regarding a route between the current location and the
destination; and further modify the modified generated directions
based on the received additional information.
17. The device of claim 16 wherein the additional information
comprises social feedback from other user's devices.
18. The device of claim 17 wherein the additional information
comprises information regarding traffic congestion along a route
between the current location and the destination.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein the additional information
comprises information from another user device received via the
transceiver, regarding traffic congestion along an alternative
route between the current location and the destination.
20. The device of claim 15 and wherein the processor further
executes the program to perform selecting between the route and the
alternative route based on the additional information, and wherein
generating directions comprises determining a route as a function
of the prior route information such that a user preferred route is
used to generate the directions.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Many navigation systems provide navigation instructions to
aid user in traveling to a destination. Navigation systems may
integrate global position information to provide detailed
instructions to users advising users where to turn to follow a
route. Some navigation systems also adapt directions it provides
where the system has information indicating the user is familiar
with a route based on prior GPS traces of routes the user has
previously taken.
SUMMARY
[0002] A method includes obtaining a current location and a
destination at a user navigation system, obtaining prior route
information corresponding to routes taken by the user, generating
directions for communication to the user to aid in navigation from
the current location to the destination, wherein the directions are
modified based on the prior route information to reduce a
granularity of the directions, receiving additional information
regarding a route between the current location and the destination,
and further modifying the modified generated directions based on
the received additional information.
[0003] A machine readable storage device has instructions for
execution by a processor of a machine. The instructions cause the
processor to perform obtaining a current location and a destination
at a user navigation system, obtaining prior route information
corresponding to routes taken by the user, generating directions
for communication to the user to aid in navigation from the current
location to the destination, wherein the directions are modified
based on the prior route information to reduce a granularity of the
directions, receiving additional information regarding a route
between the current location and the destination, and further
modifying the modified generated directions based on the received
additional information.
[0004] A device includes a processor, a global positioning device
coupled to the processor to receive global positioning signals, a
transceiver coupled to the processor to receive wireless signals,
and a memory device having a program stored thereon for execution
by the processor to obtain a current location and a destination at
a user navigation system, obtain prior route information
corresponding to routes taken by the user, generate directions for
communication to the user to aid in navigation from the current
location to the destination, wherein the directions are modified
based on the prior route information to reduce a granularity of the
directions, receive additional information regarding a route
between the current location and the destination, and further
modify the modified generated directions based on the received
additional information.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is block diagram of a navigation system and network
according to an example embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a navigation device according
to an example embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of generating
navigation directions according to an example embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of processing circuitry to
implement methods according to example embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is
shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be
practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it
is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that
structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without
departing from the scope of the present invention. The following
description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken
in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is
defined by the appended claims.
[0010] The functions or algorithms described herein may be
implemented in software or a combination of software and human
implemented procedures in one embodiment. The software may consist
of computer executable instructions stored on computer readable
media such as memory or other type of hardware based storage
devices, either local or networked. Further, such functions
correspond to modules, which are software, hardware, firmware or
any combination thereof. Multiple functions may be performed in one
or more modules as desired, and the embodiments described are
merely examples. The software may be executed on a digital signal
processor, ASIC, microprocessor, or other type of processor
operating on a computer system, such as a personal computer, server
or other computer system.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system 100 for providing
navigation instructions. A user navigation system 110 receives
signals from the global positioning system (GPS) satellite 115, and
uses the signals to determine a current location of the user
navigation system 110. In one embodiment, the user navigation
system 110 is a mobile device having a transceiver 120 to
communicate with a transceiver 125 of a server 130. The
transceivers may be cellular telephone transceivers in one
embodiment capable of voice and data reception and transmission. In
further embodiments, the transceivers may be network adapters to
couple the devices to a wireless or wired network for transmission
of data and optional data reception. Server 130 may be a computer
system or private branch exchange system in various embodiments,
capable of executing code to perform operations.
[0012] Server 130 may be coupled to further devices indicated at
135, 140, and 145 via respective transceivers 150, 155, and 160.
The further devices may include cameras, smart phones, and other
devices capable of providing information regarding one or more
routes for use by the user navigation system 110 to determine and
provide directions for navigation between the current location and
a specified destination. For instance, other users using the
further devices may provide real time information such as traffic
conditions, locations of speed traps, road repairs, weather, and
other information for use in determining a route. The further
devices may also include traffic cameras and other networked
sensors capable of communicating information to the user navigation
system 110.
[0013] Other information regarding the route may be received via
back channels of radio stations, referred to as a traffic message
channel that delivers traffic and travel information to motor
vehicle drivers. Such messages may be digitally coded and
transmitted via conventional FM radio broadcasts or via digital
audio broadcasting or via satellite radio. Dynamic information may
be provided without interruption of audio broadcasts.
[0014] In some embodiment, route and direction information may be
generated by the user navigation system 110 itself, or via the
server 130 utilizing both information provided by the further
devices and the user navigation system 110.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a user navigation system 200
for use in providing navigation instructions to a user. In one
embodiment, system 200 includes a processor 210 and a GPS device
215 coupled to the processor to receive global positioning signals
and provide location information to the processor. A transceiver
220 is also coupled to the processor to send and receive wireless
signals and otherwise provide a network connection for voice and
data. A memory device 225 may have a program stored thereon for
execution by the processor to obtain a current location from the
GPS device and a destination from a user via voice or other input
method. The program may be further executed to cause the processor
210 to obtain prior route information corresponding to routes taken
by the user. Such prior route information may be generated and
stored as a result of actual trips taken by a user, either guided
via the navigation system, or even derived from unguided trips by
the user.
[0016] The processor 210 may then generate directions for
communication to the user via an output device such as a display
230, speaker 235, wired or wireless headset, or other information
communicating device or combination of devices to aid in navigation
from the current location to the destination. The directions may be
modified by the processor 210 based on the prior route information
to reduce a granularity of the directions provided audibly or
otherwise to the user. In some embodiments, the system 200 may
receive additional information from devices along the route between
the current location and the destination. The directions may be
further modified based on the received additional information to
change the route and alternatively increase or decrease the
granularity of the granularity of directions provided.
[0017] In one embodiment, the additional information comprises
social feedback from users of other devices. The additional
information may include information from another user regarding
traffic congestion along a route between the current location and
the destination or information regarding traffic congestion along
an alternative route between the current location and the
destination.
[0018] Processor 210 may also execute the program to perform
selecting between the route and the alternative route based on the
additional information, and may determine a route as a function of
the prior route information such that a user preferred route is
used to generate the directions.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method 300 of providing
navigation instructions to a user. At 310, the method begins by
obtaining a current location and a destination at a user navigation
system. At 315, prior route information corresponding to routes
taken by the user is obtained. The prior route information may be
recorded as a user takes different routes, noting the locations and
destinations, dates, time of day, and other information that may be
relevant in determining a route preferred by a user. For instance,
a user may take one route in the morning to avoid traffic, and a
different route to the same destination at a different time of day.
Intermediate stops may also be noted and used to determine the
route. Perhaps a user grabs coffee from a drive through when
travelling to a destination in the morning, but not during other
times of day.
[0020] At 320, directions are generated for communication to the
user to aid in navigation from the current location to the
destination, wherein the directions are modified based on the prior
route information to reduce a granularity of the directions.
Additional information may be received at 325 from devices along
one or more routes between the current location and the
destination. At 330, method 300 further modifies the modified
generated directions based on the received additional
information.
[0021] In one embodiment, the additional information may include
social feedback from other users of the devices. The social
feedback may take the form of text, voice, pictures, or
combinations thereof that may be recognized by the navigation
system and used to modify the directions.
[0022] In one embodiment, the additional information comprises
information from another user regarding traffic congestion along a
route between the current location and the destination. Codes may
be used, such as a number on a scale of one to five, with five
being the worst. The other user may simply use their voice to
indicate that traffic is really bad, with that utterance being
translated to be understood by the navigation system that traffic
is bad at the location where the social feedback originated. The
navigation system may use that information to change the route and
corresponding directions. The change may be based on a known
preference of the user to avoid bad traffic, or based on a
recalculated travel time being less than that calculated for the
current route with the bad traffic taken into account. To base the
change in route on a known user preference, an expert system, such
as a neural network approach may be taken, using information
associated with prior route choices to train the system. The
information may include time of day of previous choices of the user
to determine whether a delay would be acceptable to the user at the
current time. For example, a user may tolerate less delay in the
morning and more delay in the evening in exchange for a more
preferred travel experience.
[0023] In a further embodiment, the additional information includes
information from another user regarding traffic congestion along an
alternative route between the current location and the destination.
The method 300 may further select at 330 between the route and the
alternative route based on the additional information.
[0024] In still a further embodiment, generating directions at 320
may include determining a route as a function of the prior route
information such that a user preferred route is used to generate
the directions. The preferred route may be associated with a user
preference for making a right turn instead of a left turn required
by a shorter route, avoiding road construction occurring on a
shorter route, or the preferred route may be associated with a user
preference for speed of travel, or even feeling safer. The
directions associated with the original route may then be
discontinued as the user preferences are learned, and new
directions provided. The new directions may also be modified based
on the user familiarity with the location.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of a computer system 400
to implement methods according to example embodiments. All
components need not be used in various embodiments. One example
computing device in the form of a computer 400 (e.g., a personal
computer, workstation, smart phone, tablet, mobile device, or
server), may include a processing unit 402, memory 403, removable
storage 410, and non-removable storage 412.
[0026] Memory 403 may include volatile memory 414 and non-volatile
memory 408. Computer 400 may include--or have access to a computing
environment that includes--a variety of computer-readable media,
such as volatile memory 414 and non-volatile memory 408, removable
storage 410 and non-removable storage 412. Computer storage
includes random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM),
erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM) & electrically
erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or
other memory technologies, compact disc read-only memory (CD ROM),
Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage,
magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other
magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of storing
computer-readable instructions.
[0027] Computer 400 may include or have access to a computing
environment that includes input 406, output 404, and a
communication connection 416. Output 404 may include a display
device, such as a touchscreen, that also may serve as an input
device. The input 406 may include one or more of a touchscreen,
touchpad, mouse, keyboard, camera, one or more device-specific
buttons, one or more sensors integrated within or coupled via wired
or wireless data connections to the computer 400, and other input
devices. The computer may operate in a networked environment using
a communication connection to connect to one or more remote
computers, such as database servers. The remote computer may
include a personal computer (PC), server, router, network PC, a
peer device or other common network node, or the like. The
communication connection may include a Local Area Network (LAN), a
Wide Area Network (WAN), cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth, or other
networks.
[0028] Computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable
medium are executable by the processing unit 402 of the computer
400. A hard drive, CD-ROM, and RAM are some examples of articles
including a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a
storage device. The terms computer-readable medium and storage
device do not include carrier waves. For example, a computer
program 418 capable of providing a generic technique to perform
access control check for data access and/or for doing an operation
on one of the servers in a component object model (COM) based
system may be included on a CD-ROM and loaded from the CD-ROM to a
hard drive. The computer-readable instructions allow computer 400
to provide generic access controls in a COM based computer network
system having multiple users and servers.
Examples
[0029] 1. A method comprising:
[0030] obtaining a current location and a destination at a user
navigation system;
[0031] obtaining prior route information corresponding to routes
taken by the user;
[0032] generating directions for communication to the user to aid
in navigation from the current location to the destination, wherein
the directions are modified based on the prior route information to
reduce a granularity of the directions;
[0033] receiving additional information regarding a route between
the current location and the destination; and
[0034] further modifying the modified generated directions based on
the received additional information.
[0035] 2. The method of example 1 wherein the additional
information comprises social feedback from other user's
devices.
[0036] 3. The method of example 2 wherein the additional
information comprises information regarding traffic congestion
along a route between the current location and the destination.
[0037] 4. The method of example 3 wherein the additional
information comprises information from another user device
regarding traffic congestion along an alternative route between the
current location and the destination.
[0038] 5. The method of example 4 and further comprising selecting
between the route and the alternative route based on the additional
information.
[0039] 6. The method of any of examples 1-5 wherein generating
directions comprises determining a route as a function of the prior
route information such that a user preferred route is used to
generate the directions.
[0040] 7. The method of example 6 wherein the preferred route is
associated with a user preference for making a right turn instead
of a left turn required by a shorter route.
[0041] 8. The method of any of examples 6-7 wherein the preferred
route is associated with a user preference for avoiding road
construction occurring on a shorter route.
[0042] 9. The method of any of examples 6-8 wherein the preferred
route is associated with a user preference for speed of travel.
[0043] 10. A machine readable storage device having instructions
for execution by a processor of a machine, the instructions
comprising instructions to perform:
[0044] obtaining a current location and a destination at a user
navigation system;
[0045] obtaining prior route information corresponding to routes
taken by the user;
[0046] generating directions for communication to the user to aid
in navigation from the current location to the destination, wherein
the directions are modified based on the prior route information to
reduce a granularity of the directions;
[0047] receiving additional information regarding a route between
the current location and the destination; and
[0048] further modifying the modified generated directions based on
the received additional information.
[0049] 11. The machine readable storage device of example 10
wherein the additional information comprises social feedback from
other user's devices.
[0050] 12. The machine readable storage device of example 11
wherein the additional information comprises information regarding
traffic congestion along a route between the current location and
the destination.
[0051] 13. The machine readable storage device of example 12
wherein the additional information comprises information from
another user device regarding traffic congestion along an
alternative route between the current location and the
destination.
[0052] 14. The machine readable storage device of example 13 and
wherein the instructions further comprise instructions to perform
selecting between the route and the alternative route based on the
additional information.
[0053] 15. The machine readable storage device of any of examples
10-14 wherein generating directions comprises determining a route
as a function of the prior route information such that a user
preferred route is used to generate the directions.
[0054] 16. A device comprising:
[0055] a processor;
[0056] a global positioning device coupled to the processor to
receive global positioning signals;
[0057] a transceiver coupled to the processor to receive wireless
signals; and
[0058] a memory device having a program stored thereon for
execution by the processor to:
[0059] obtain a current location and a destination at a user
navigation system;
[0060] obtain prior route information corresponding to routes taken
by the user;
[0061] generate directions for communication to the user to aid in
navigation from the current location to the destination, wherein
the directions are modified based on the prior route information to
reduce a granularity of the directions;
[0062] receive additional information regarding a route between the
current location and the destination; and
[0063] further modify the modified generated directions based on
the received additional information.
[0064] 17. The device of example 16 wherein the additional
information comprises social feedback from other user's
devices.
[0065] 18. The device of example 17 wherein the additional
information comprises information regarding traffic congestion
along a route between the current location and the destination.
[0066] 19. The device of example 18 wherein the additional
information comprises information from another user device received
via the transceiver, regarding traffic congestion along an
alternative route between the current location and the
destination.
[0067] 20. The device of any of examples 15-19 and wherein the
processor further executes the program to perform selecting between
the route and the alternative route based on the additional
information, and wherein generating directions comprises
determining a route as a function of the prior route information
such that a user preferred route is used to generate the
directions.
[0068] Although a few embodiments have been described in detail
above, other modifications are possible. For example, the logic
flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order
shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. 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.
* * * * *