U.S. patent application number 15/414836 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for map display with directions generating and download facility.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Jeremy A. GREENBERGER, Trudy L. HEWITT, Jana H. JENKINS, Fang LU.
Application Number | 20180209809 15/414836 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62905810 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180209809 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GREENBERGER; Jeremy A. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2018 |
MAP DISPLAY WITH DIRECTIONS GENERATING AND DOWNLOAD FACILITY
Abstract
A map-display-based, computer-implemented approach is provided
for providing directions to a user to assist the user in reaching a
destination. The approach includes, for instance, collecting at a
map display user input data, where the user input data includes the
user's destination. In addition, the approach includes generating,
by a directions generating facility associated with the map
display, directions for the user to use in navigating from a
current location to the user's destination, and downloading the
directions generated by the directions generating facility to a
mobile device of the user to assist the user in reaching the
desired destination after leaving the map display. The downloading
of directions to the user's mobile device may include downloading
the directions in at least one of text data format or voice data
format.
Inventors: |
GREENBERGER; Jeremy A.;
(Raleigh, NC) ; HEWITT; Trudy L.; (Cary, NC)
; JENKINS; Jana H.; (Raleigh, NC) ; LU; Fang;
(Billerica, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62905810 |
Appl. No.: |
15/414836 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08G 1/096816 20130101;
G01C 21/3611 20130101; G01C 21/3664 20130101; G01C 21/3614
20130101; G08G 1/096811 20130101; G08G 1/096775 20130101; G01C
21/3629 20130101; G08G 1/0968 20130101; G01C 21/362 20130101; G01C
21/3623 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/36 20060101
G01C021/36 |
Claims
1. A computer-implemented method comprising: collecting at a map
display user input data, the user input data including a user's
destination; generating, by a directions generating facility
associated with the map display, directions for the user to use in
navigating from a current location to the user's destination;
downloading the directions generated by the directions generating
facility to a mobile device of the user to assist the user in
navigating to the user's destination after leaving the map display;
and wherein the map display comprises an associated video monitor,
and the collecting comprises collecting, at least in part, the user
input data from a group consisting of user gestures in relation to
the map display, user eye gaze in relation to the map display, user
facial movements in relation to the map display, and user head
movement in relation to the map display.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the user
interfaces with the map display to facilitate the collecting at the
map display the user input data, and wherein the collecting further
comprises ascertaining the current location of the user.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the user
input data includes a user-indicated travel route collected at the
map display, and wherein the generating includes generating the
directions from the current location, the user-indicated travel
route, and the user's destination.
4. (canceled)
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the map
display comprises a touch screen, and the collecting comprises, at
least in part, receiving the user input data through the user's
contact with the touch screen.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the map
display comprises an associated voice recognition system, and the
collecting comprises, at least in part, ascertaining the user input
data as voice data input by the user.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, when the downloading
comprises downloading the directions in at least one of text data
format or voice data format to the user's mobile device.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the map
display is at a kiosk, and the downloading comprises wirelessly
downloading the directions to the user's mobile device.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, further comprising
providing a language selection facility to allow the user to select
a language of the downloaded directions in the at least one of text
data format or voice data format.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the map
display comprises multiple data collection modes for the user to
input the user input data, and wherein the collecting comprises
collecting the user input data using at least two data collection
modes of the multiple data collection modes.
11. A system for facilitating providing directions to a user, the
system comprising: a memory; and a processing circuit
communicatively coupled to the memory, wherein the system performs
a method comprising: collecting at a map display user input data,
the user input data including a user's destination; generating, by
a directions generating facility associated with the map display,
directions for the user to use in navigating from a current
location to the user's destination; downloading the directions
generated by the directions generating facility to a mobile device
of the user to assist the user in navigating to the user's
destination after leaving the map display; and wherein the map
display comprises an associated video monitor, and the collecting
comprises collecting, at least in part, the user input data from a
group consisting of user gestures in relation to the map display,
user eye gaze in relation to the map display, user facial movements
in relation to the map display, and user head movement in relation
to the map display.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the user interfaces with the
map display to facilitate the collecting at the map display the
user input data, and wherein the collecting further comprises
ascertaining the current location of the user.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the user input data includes a
user-indicated travel route collected at the map display, and
wherein the generating includes generating the directions from the
current location, the user-indicated travel route, and the user's
destination.
14. The system of claim 11, when the downloading comprises
downloading the directions in at least one of text data format or
voice data format to the user's mobile device.
15. The system claim 14, wherein the map display is at a kiosk, and
the downloading comprises wirelessly downloading the directions to
the user's mobile device.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein the map display comprises
multiple data collection modes for the user to input the user input
data, and wherein the collecting comprises collecting the user
input data using at least two data collection modes of the multiple
data collection modes.
17. A computer program product for facilitating providing
directions to a user, the computer program product comprising: a
computer readable storage medium having computer readable program
code embodied therewith, the computer readable program code being
executable by a processor to perform a method comprising:
collecting at a map display user input data, the user input data
including a user's destination; generating, by a directions
generating facility associated with the map display, directions for
the user to use in navigating from a current location to the user's
destination; downloading the directions generated by the directions
generating facility to a mobile device of the user to assist the
user in navigating to the user's destination after leaving the map
display; and wherein the map display comprises an associated video
monitor, and the collecting comprises collecting, at least in part,
the user input data from a group consisting of user gestures in
relation to the map display, user eye gaze in relation to the map
display, user facial movements in relation to the map display, and
user head movement in relation to the map display.
18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the user
interfaces with the map display to facilitate the collecting at the
map display of the user input data, the collecting including
ascertaining the current location of the user, and wherein the user
input data includes a user indicated travel route collected at the
map display, and the generating includes generating the directions
from the current location, the user indicated travel route, and the
user's destination.
19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein the map
display is at a kiosk, and the downloading comprises wirelessly
downloading the directions in at least one of text data format or
voice data format to the user's mobile device.
20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the map
display comprises multiple data collection modes for the user to
input the user input data, and wherein the collecting comprises
collecting the user input data using at least two data collection
modes of the multiple data collection modes.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] When traveling to a new location, a traveler may find it
difficult to navigate the local area. Depending on the region, a
person may not even speak the local language. In many areas,
physical street maps are provided to assist visitors. However,
after looking at a street map, a visitor may not be able to
remember every detail because of the number of streets, blocks,
etc., to be crossed from the current location to the destination.
With a mobile device, an individual may take a photograph of the
street map, but the person would need to continually view the
photograph on their mobile device in order to navigate. Sometimes,
when the physical map is too large, the user's device camera may
not even be able to capture the map completely, or clearly.
[0002] This is even more challenging for individuals who may be
vision impaired. Braille may be indicated on a physical map in some
places, but depending on the destination, it may still be difficult
for a vision impaired user to remember all the map details after
reading the Braille map.
[0003] Additionally, if a person is in a location where there is no
service signal for the individual's mobile device, then it may not
be possible to access the Internet to download local map
information or directions to the individual's mobile device. The
individual could download a local map on to their mobile device
before traveling to those places, but the chosen downloaded map may
not work well once there. For instance, there may be multiple local
electronic maps available, but a person may not know which map may
be most helpful at some time in the future.
SUMMARY
[0004] The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and
additional advantages are provided through the provision of a
computer-implemented method, which includes collecting at a map
display user input data. The user input data collected includes a
user's destination, and the computer-implemented method further
includes generating, by a directions generating facility associated
with the map display, directions for the user to use in navigating
from a current location to the user's destination. Additionally,
the method includes downloading the directions generated by the
directions generating facility to a mobile device of the user to
assist the user in navigating to the user's destination.
[0005] In another aspect, a system for facilitating providing
directions to a user is provided. The system includes a memory, and
a processing circuit communicatively coupled to the memory. The
system performs a method, including collecting at a map display
user input data. The user input data collected includes a user's
destination, and the method further includes generating by a
directions generating facility associated with the map display,
directions for the user to use in navigating from a current
location to the user's destination. Additionally, the method
includes downloading the directions generated by the directions
generating facility to a mobile device of the user to assist the
user in navigating to the user's destination.
[0006] In a further aspect, a computer program product for
facilitating providing directions to a user is provided. The
computer program product includes a computer readable storage
medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions
for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method.
The method includes: collecting at a map display user input data,
the user input data including a user's destination, and generating,
by a directions generating facility associated with the map
display, directions for the user to use in navigating from a
current location to the user's destination. The method further
includes downloading the directions generated by the directions
generating facility to a mobile device of the user to assist the
user in navigating to the user's destination after leaving the map
display.
[0007] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] One or more aspects of the present invention are
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed as examples in the
claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and
other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a map display with a
directions generating and download facility, in accordance with one
or more aspects of the present invention;
[0010] FIGS. 2A-2C depict different examples of a map display with
a directions generating facility, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data processing system which
may incorporate or implement one or more aspects of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a process for collecting
user input data, generating route directions and downloading text
and/or voice data to a user's mobile device, in accordance with one
or more aspects of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 5 depicts another embodiment of a computing system
which may implement or facilitate implementing processing, in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 depicts one embodiment of a cloud-computing
environment which may facilitate implementing, or be used in
association with, one or more aspects of the present invention;
and
[0015] FIG. 7 depicts an example of extraction model layers, which
may facilitate implementing directions processing, in accordance
with one or more aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] The description that follows includes exemplary devices,
systems, methods, techniques and instruction sequences that embody
techniques of the present invention. However, it should be
understood that the described invention may be practiced, in one or
more aspects, without the specified details. In other instances,
note that known protocols, structures and techniques have not been
shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Those of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the described
techniques and mechanisms may be applied to various systems to
facilitate providing directions for download to a user's mobile
device, in accordance with one or more aspects of the present
invention.
[0017] There currently exist a variety of portable computing
devices (i.e., mobile devices), including wireless computing
devices, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistance
(PDA's), tablets, laptop computers, wireless computers, glasses,
etc., which are small, lightweight and easily carried or worn by a
user. These mobile devices (including cellular phones, internet
protocol (IP) telephones, smartphone devices, etc.) can receive,
and communicate, audio and data packets over wireless networks. In
addition, in certain implementations, mobile devices may possess
facilities which allow for the tracking of the devices, such as by
the Global Positioning System (GPS).
[0018] As noted, when traveling there are a number of instances
when an individual's mobile device may be unable to assist the
person in navigating from a current location to a desired location.
In view of this, there remains a need for a facility to translate
and record just-in-time routing information to a user's mobile
device dynamically, for instance, based on information the user
provides and gains in a local context, such as when standing before
a local map display.
[0019] Generally stated, disclosed herein is a facility to
dynamically translate local physical street map information for
download to a user's mobile device dynamically as the user is
standing in front of the local street map or map display. As
explained further below, the facility includes capturing or
collecting user input data in front of the map display by one or
more of a variety input modes. For instance, the map display may
have an associated touch screen, or itself be a touch screen
display map, which allows a user to contact the map to identify,
for instance, a current location, a destination, as well as (if
desired) a route for the user to take. This approach could be used
for both vision impaired and non-vision impaired users.
Additionally, or alternatively, user gestures, such as hand or arm
gestures in front of the map display may be used as pointers to
different spots on the map display to determine the origin,
destination, and/or desired travel route. The route information is
automatically converted to at least one of text data format or
voice data format, and then downloaded to the user's mobile device
wirelessly, for instance, using Bluetooth.TM. technology, or other
wireless data transfer protocol such as Wi-Fi or Near Field
Communication (NFC). Note that the concepts presented could also be
applied to other applications as well, such as pointing out the
steps in a diagram, and rendering the directions to the user's
mobile device.
[0020] FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a map display 100, in
accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. As
depicted, a user 101 with a mobile device 102 may, for instance,
stand in front of the map display 100 to obtain directional
information on how to navigate from the user's current location to
the user's desired destination. As illustrated, in one or more
embodiments, map display 100 may be implemented as or within a
kiosk, and be configured to provide a local downloadable set of
directions to users on how to travel or navigate from, for
instance, the location of the kiosk to their desired destination.
In one or more implementations, map display 100 includes, by way of
example, a data collection facility 110, as well as a directions
generating and download facility 112. Data collection facility 110
may include various data collection modes and associated
components, such as a touch screen, as well as different video
and/or audio input capabilities to allow a user to interface or
interact with map display 100 in order to obtain a desired set of
directions for download to the user's mobile device. As explained
further herein, various elements of map display 100, including the
data collection facility, and the directions generating and
download facility 112 may be computer-implemented, in one or more
aspects.
[0021] FIGS. 2A-2C depict different examples of a
kiosk-implemented, map display with an associated directions
generating and download facility, in accordance with one or more
aspects of the present invention. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A &
2B, a kiosk 200 may include a map display 201, which may be, in one
or more implementations, a street map. As explained herein, one or
more interfaces 210 may be provided to allow a visitor to interface
with the map display to have directions generated to download to
the user's mobile device while the user is standing in front of the
map display. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, the map display may
include, in one or more implementations, both text and Braille to
allow both non-vision impaired and vision impaired users to
download directions. In FIG. 2C, another embodiment of a kiosk 220
is shown with a map display 221 depicting different floors of, for
instance, a shopping mall. In this scenario, a user may be on one
floor of a shopping mall and wish to navigate to another floor and
the directions generating facility described herein provides an
efficient travel route for the user to take to reach the user's
destination. Again, one or more interfaces 210 are provided as
described herein to allow the system to collect user input data to
assist in the generating, by the directions generating facility,
directions for the user to use in navigating from the current
location to the user's destination. In each embodiment, the map
display also includes or has associated therewith a download
capability as described.
[0022] FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment, a block diagram of a data
processing system 300 which may be used to implement one or more
aspects of the present invention. For instance, data processing
system 300 may be one example, at least in part, of a computer
system associated with the map display and/or of a user's mobile
device, and may include computer usable program code or
instructions implementing processes such as disclosed herein.
[0023] In the depicted example, data processing system 300 includes
a hub architecture including a north bridge and memory controller
hub (NB/MCH) 302 and a south bridge and input/output (I/O)
controller hub (SB/ICH) 304. Processing unit 306, main memory 308,
and graphics processor 310 are coupled to north bridge and memory
controller hub 302. Processing unit 306 may contain one or more
processors and even may be implemented using one or more
heterogeneous processor systems. Graphics processor 310 may be
coupled to the NB/MCH through an accelerated graphics port (AGP),
for example.
[0024] In the depicted example, a local area network (LAN) adapter
312 is coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 304 and audio
adapter 316, keyboard and mouse adapter 320, modem 322, read only
memory (ROM) 324, universal serial bus (USB) and other ports 332,
and PCI/PCIe devices 334 are coupled to south bridge and I/O
controller hub 304 through bus 338, and hard disk drive (HDD) 326
and CD-ROM 330 are coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub
304 through bus 340. PCI/PCIe devices may include, for example,
Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook
computers. PCI uses a card bus controller, while PCIe does not. ROM
324 may be, for example, a flash binary input/output system (BIOS).
Hard disk drive 326 and CD-ROM 330 may use, for example, an
integrated drive electronics (IDE) or serial advanced technology
attachment (SATA) interface. A super I/O (SIO) device 336 may be
coupled to south bridge and I/O controller hub 304.
[0025] An operating system runs on processing unit 306 and
coordinates and provides control of various components within data
processing system 300 in FIG. 3. The operating system may be a
commercially available operating system, such as a Microsoft
Windows.TM. system (Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States, other countries, or
both). An object oriented programming system, such as the Java.TM.
programming system, may run in conjunction with the operating
system and provide calls to the operating system from Java.TM.
programs or applications executing on data processing system 300.
(Java.TM. and other Java.TM. based trademarks are trademarks of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. in the United States, other countries, or
both.)
[0026] Instructions for the operating system, the object-oriented
programming system, and applications or programs may be located on
storage devices, such as hard disk drive 326, and may be loaded
into main memory 308 for execution by processing unit 306. The
processes of the illustrative aspects discussed herein may be
performed by processing unit 306 using computer implemented
instructions, which may be located in a memory such as, for
example, main memory 308, read only memory 324, or in one or more
peripheral devices.
[0027] The hardware embodiments depicted in FIG. 3 may vary
depending on the desired implementation. Other internal hardware or
peripheral devices, such as flash memory, equivalent non-volatile
memory, or optical disk drives and the like, may be used in
addition to or in place of certain hardware depicted in FIG. 3.
Also, the processes of the illustrative aspects described herein
may be applied to other hardware environments, such as to a
multiprocessor data processing system.
[0028] In one or more implementations, data processing system 300
may be a mobile device, and be generally configured with flash
memory to provide non-volatile memory for storing operating system
files and/or user-generated data. A bus system may include one or
more buses, such as a system bus, an I/O bus and a PCI bus. Of
course the bus system may be implemented using any type of
communications fabric or architecture that provides for a transfer
of data between different components or devices attached to the
fabric or architecture. A communications unit may include one or
more devices used to transmit and receive data, such as a modem or
a network adapter. A memory may be, for example, main memory 308 or
a cache such as found in north bridge and memory controller hub
302. A processing unit may include one or more processors or CPUs.
Those skilled in the art should note that the depicted system
example of FIG. 3, as well as other examples referenced herein, are
not meant to imply architectural limitations. For example, as
briefly noted, data processing system 300 may be implemented as
part of a tablet computer, laptop computer, mobile telephone,
personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless computer, vehicle
navigation system, etc, and/or in association with a map display
such as described herein.
[0029] Generally stated, provided herein are computer-implemented
methods, systems and computer program products for facilitating
providing directions to a user, such as when the user is standing
in front of a kiosk-implemented map display. FIG. 4 depicts one
embodiment of processing, in accordance with one or more aspects of
the present invention. As illustrated, user input data is collected
410, for instance, through user contact with a touch screen
associated with the map display, or through user gestures, or other
video and/or audio input. The user input data is analyzed, along
with the current location, that is, the location of the map
display, to generate route directions to the user's destination
420. Note that the directions could be generated in association
with a user input preferred route to take as well. The directions
are converted into downloadable text and/or voice data 430, and the
downloadable text and/or voice data is downloaded wireless to the
user's mobile device 440. After leaving the map display, the user
is then able to navigate by the downloaded text and/or voice data
to reach the user's desired destination.
[0030] Advantageously, one or more aspects of the map display with
associated data collection and directions generating and download
facility may be integrated with or implemented within a kiosk
located to allow visitors to readily access direction information
for download to their mobile devices. Note in this regard that one
or more aspects of the providing of directions to the user may be
implemented remotely from the map display. For instance, through an
Internet connection, processing of video and/or audio user input
may be performed remotely, for instance, via cloud-based
processing. Also note that, as explained herein, a variety of data
collection modes may be provided in association with the map
display to allow the user to input data. For instance, a touch
screen or sensor may be employed in association with the map
display so the user can input by touch, data via the map display.
Further, video data input could be provided by associating a video
monitor with the map display and providing a facility to interpret
the user's action so as to capture for instance, hand gestures
(e.g., pointing to a particular destination), facial expressions,
eye gaze on the map display, etc. Further, an audio capture
facility could be provided to allow the user to speak to the
facility to provide a destination, as well as any route request,
and if desired, a language to use in providing the directions.
[0031] By way of further example, the facility disclosed herein may
detect a user's current location or have access to a pre-programmed
indication of the current location of the facility (e.g., kiosk),
and may detect when a user stands in front of the map display
(e.g., of a street map or other location). The facility may
capture, in one or more embodiments, the user's hand touch on
either, for instance, braille or other locations on the display
map. Further, or alternatively, the facility could detect a user's
hand gesture to detect a starting point, route, and destination if
desired. Still further, the facility could detect user's voice data
by the user talking in the vicinity of the display map. Still
further, video input data such as eye gaze on the display map could
be employed, for instance, as a secondary validation to confirm a
user's intended destination and/or route. Still further, facial
movements could be employed by evaluating the direction the user
looks on the display map as additional data points for validation.
The directions generating facility analyzes all of the user input
data and identifies, for instance, the current location, the user's
destination, and if applicable, any route information between these
two locations input by the user. Detailed directions are generated
to facilitate the user in reaching the desired destination
efficiently. The directions may be converted into one or both of
text data format and voice data format, and then downloaded
wirelessly to the user's mobile device, such as to the user's smart
phone. The user may then start traveling, for instance, walking,
biking, driving, towards the destination using the generated
directions downloaded to the user's mobile device.
[0032] Note that the text and voice data downloaded may be
generated based on the local language of the user's current
location, or alternatively, the user could be presented with text
and/or voice data in the language that the user requests. Also, in
one or more implementations, the system can analyze the user input
data and determine when or how long the directions downloaded might
be valid. For instance, if there is a street fair occurring from
2-6pm local time with many street closures, the facility may
understand this information, and provide directions that are only
valid until 6pm when the fair is over. Note that the same concepts
could be applied to other applications, such as pointing out the
steps in a diagram and rendering the directions to a mobile device.
As noted herein, mobile device refers to any transportable device
capable of receiving the generated directions. Note also that, in
one or more implementations, the mobile device may be a wearable
device, such as Google glasses.
[0033] The various aspects of the computer-implemented methods,
systems and computer program products described herein may be
implemented using existing technologies. For instance, technologies
exist for collecting user input data in a variety of modes, such
as, for instance, collecting user gestures, user contact with a
touch screen, user eye gaze, user facial movement, user head
movement as well as audio recognition. Aspects of the data
collection as well as the directions generating facility may be
provided as a cloud-based service. For instance, in one or more
implementations, data collection, as well as directions generating,
could be facilitated using an existing cloud based service such as
International Business Machines Corporation's Presence Insights.TM.
facility. IBM Presence Insights.TM. is a facility that, in part,
aggregates location and location related metadata to build context
that can be used for analysis and resulting actions. As such, part
of the value that Presence Insights.TM. provides is its ability to
provide location information to users.
[0034] Those skilled in the art will note from the above
description that provided herein are computer-implemented methods,
systems and computer program products which implement, in one or
more aspects, collecting at a map display user input data, where
the user input data includes a user's destination. Further, a
directions generating facility associated with the map display
generates directions for the user to use in navigating from a
current location to the user's destination, and downloads the
directions to a mobile device of the user to assist the user in
navigating to the user's destination after leaving the map display.
In one or more embodiments, the user interfaces with a map display
to facilitate the collecting at the map display of the user input
data. The collecting may further include ascertaining the current
location of the user, for instance, by a current location of the
map display. In one or more embodiments, the user input data
includes a user indicated travel route collected at the map
display, and generating the directions may include using the
current location, the user indicated travel route, and the user's
destination to generate the directions.
[0035] In one or more embodiments, the map display may include an
associated video monitor and video processing capabilities, and the
collecting may include collecting, at least in part, the user input
data from user gestures in relation to the map display, user eye
gaze in relation to the map display, user facial movements in
relation to the map display and/or user head movements in relation
to the map display. In one or more embodiments, the map display may
include or have an associated touch screen, and the collecting may
include, at least in part, receiving the user input data through
the user's contact with the touch screen. In one or more further
embodiments, the map display may include an associated voice
recognition system, and the collecting may include, at least in
part, ascertaining the user input data as voice data input by the
user.
[0036] To restate, the map display may include multiple data
collection modes for the user to input the user input data. For
instance, collecting user input data may include collecting data
from the user using at least two data collection modes of the
multiple data collection modes. In one or more embodiments, the
multiple data collection modes may include, for instance, data
collected via user gestures in relation to the map display, user
contact with the map display, user eye gaze in relation to the map
display, user facial movements in relation to the map display, user
head movements in relation to the map display, audio recognition,
as well as other user input data.
[0037] In one or more implementations, downloading directions may
include downloading the directions in one or both of text data and
voice data formats to the user's mobile device. In one or more
embodiments, the map display may be associated or located at a
kiosk, and the downloading may include wirelessly downloading the
generated directions to the user's mobile device. As noted, a
language selection facility may be associated with the directions
generating facility to allow the user to select a language for the
downloaded directions in text data format or voice data format.
Note that although described as downloading directions in text data
format or voice data format, if desired, the directions could be
downloaded onto the user's mobile device for display on a map
depicted on the user's mobile device, where available.
[0038] Further exemplary embodiments of a computing environment to
implement one or more aspects of the present invention are
described below with reference to FIGS. 5-7.
[0039] By way of further example, FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of
a computing environment 500, which includes a computing system 512.
Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or
configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system
512 include, but are not limited to, a server, a desktop computer,
a work station, a wireless computer, a handheld or laptop computer
or device, a mobile phone, a programmable consumer electronic
device, a tablet, a personal digital assistant (PDA), and the
like.
[0040] Computing system 512 may be described in the general context
of computer system-executable instructions, such as program
modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program
modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic,
data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types.
[0041] As depicted in FIG. 5, computing system 512, is shown in the
form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of
computing system 512 may include, but are not limited to, one or
more processors or processing units 516, a system memory 523, and a
bus 518 that couples various system components including system
memory 523 to processor 516.
[0042] In one embodiment, processor 516 may be based on the
z/Architecture.RTM. offered by International Business Machines
Corporation, or other architectures offered by International
Business Machines Corporation or other companies.
z/Architecture.RTM. is a registered trademark of International
Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA. One embodiment of
the z/Architecture.RTM. is described in "z/Architecture.RTM.
Principles of Operation," IBM Publication No. SA22-7832-10, March
2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
[0043] In other examples, it may be based on other architectures,
such as the Power Architecture offered by International Business
Machines Corporation. One embodiment of the Power Architecture is
described in "Power ISA.TM. Version 2.07B," International Business
Machines Corporation, Apr. 9, 2015, which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety. POWER ARCHITECTURE is a
registered trademark of International Business Machines
Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA. Other names used herein may be
registered trademarks, trademarks, or product names of
International Business Machines Corporation or other companies.
[0044] Bus 518 represents one or more of any of several types of
bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a
peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or
local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of
example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry
Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA)
bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards
Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect
(PCI) bus.
[0045] Computing system 512 may include a variety of computer
system readable media. Such media may be any available media that
is accessible by computing system 512, and it includes both
volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable
media.
[0046] System memory 523 can include computer system readable media
in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM)
530 and/or cache memory 532. Computing system 512 may further
include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile
computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage
system 534 can be provided for reading from and writing to a
non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically
called a "hard drive"). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive
for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic
disk (e.g., a "floppy disk"), and an optical disk drive for reading
from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a
CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media could be provided. In such
instances, each can be connected to bus 518 by one or more data
media interfaces. As described below, memory 523 may include at
least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of
program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of
embodiments of the invention.
[0047] Program/utility 540, having a set (at least one) of program
modules 542, may be stored in memory 532 by way of example, and not
limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application
programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the
operating system, one or more application programs, other program
modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include
an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules 542
generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of
embodiments of the invention as described herein. Alternatively, a
separate directions system, module, logic, etc., 501 may be
provided within computing environment 512.
[0048] Computing system 512 may also communicate with one or more
external devices 514 such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a
display 524, etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to
interact with computing system 512; and/or any devices (e.g.,
network card, modem, etc.) that enable computing system 512 to
communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such
communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces 522.
Still yet, computing system 512 can communicate with one or more
networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area
network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via
network adapter 520. As depicted, network adapter 520 communicates
with the other components of computing system, 512, via bus 518. It
should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or
software components could be used in conjunction with computing
system 512. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,
device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive
arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage
systems, etc.
[0049] One or more aspects may relate to or use cloud
computing.
[0050] It is understood in advance that although this disclosure
includes a detailed description on cloud computing, implementation
of certain teachings recited herein are not limited to a cloud
computing environment. Rather, embodiments of the present invention
are capable of being implemented in conjunction with any other type
of computing environment now known or later developed.
[0051] Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling
convenient, on-demand network access to a shared pool of
configurable computing resources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth,
servers, processing, memory, storage, applications, virtual
machines, and services) that can be rapidly provisioned and
released with minimal management effort or interaction with a
provider of the service. This cloud model may include at least five
characteristics, at least three service models, and at least four
deployment models.
[0052] Characteristics are as follows:
[0053] On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally
provision computing capabilities, such as server time and network
storage, as needed automatically without requiring human
interaction with the service's provider.
[0054] Broad network access: capabilities are available over a
network and accessed through standard mechanisms that promote use
by heterogeneous thin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile
phones, laptops, and PDAs).
[0055] Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are
pooled to serve multiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with
different physical and virtual resources dynamically assigned and
reassigned according to demand. There is a sense of location
independence in that the consumer generally has no control or
knowledge over the exact location of the provided resources but may
be able to specify location at a higher level of abstraction (e.g.,
country, state, or datacenter).
[0056] Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and
elastically provisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly
scale out and rapidly released to quickly scale in. To the
consumer, the capabilities available for provisioning often appear
to be unlimited and can be purchased in any quantity at any
time.
[0057] Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and
optimize resource use by leveraging a metering capability at some
level of abstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g.,
storage, processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource
usage can be monitored, controlled, and reported providing
transparency for both the provider and consumer of the utilized
service.
[0058] Service Models are as follows:
[0059] Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to use the provider's applications running on a cloud
infrastructure. The applications are accessible from various client
devices through a thin client interface such as a web browser
(e.g., web-based email). The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure including network, servers,
operating systems, storage, or even individual application
capabilities, with the possible exception of limited user-specific
application configuration settings.
[0060] Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the
consumer is to deploy onto the cloud infrastructure
consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming
languages and tools supported by the provider. The consumer does
not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructure including
networks, servers, operating systems, or storage, but has control
over the deployed applications and possibly application hosting
environment configurations.
[0061] Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided
to the consumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and
other fundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to
deploy and run arbitrary software, which can include operating
systems and applications. The consumer does not manage or control
the underlying cloud infrastructure but has control over operating
systems, storage, deployed applications, and possibly limited
control of select networking components (e.g., host firewalls).
[0062] Deployment Models are as follows:
[0063] Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely
for an organization. It may be managed by the organization or a
third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0064] Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by
several organizations and supports a specific community that has
shared concerns (e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and
compliance considerations). It may be managed by the organizations
or a third party and may exist on-premises or off-premises.
[0065] Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to
the general public or a large industry group and is owned by an
organization selling cloud services.
[0066] Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of
two or more clouds (private, community, or public) that remain
unique entities but are bound together by standardized or
proprietary technology that enables data and application
portability (e.g., cloud bursting for load-balancing between
clouds).
[0067] A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a
focus on statelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic
interoperability. At the heart of cloud computing is an
infrastructure comprising a network of interconnected nodes.
[0068] A cloud computing node may include a computer system/server,
such as the one depicted in FIG. 5. Computer system/server 512 of
FIG. 5 may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments
where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are
linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud
computing environment, program modules may be located in both local
and remote computer system storage media including memory storage
devices. Computer system/ server 512 is capable of being
implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth
hereinabove.
[0069] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrative cloud computing
environment 50 is depicted. As shown, cloud computing environment
50 comprises one or more cloud computing nodes 10 with which local
computing devices used by cloud consumers, such as, for example,
personal digital assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone 54A, desktop
computer 54B, laptop computer 54C, and/or automobile computer
system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 may communicate with one
another. They may be grouped (not shown) physically or virtually,
in one or more networks, such as Private, Community, Public, or
Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combination thereof.
This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offer infrastructure,
platforms and/or software as services for which a cloud consumer
does not need to maintain resources on a local computing device. It
is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shown in
FIG. 5 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing
nodes 10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with
any type of computerized device over any type of network and/or
network addressable connection (e.g., using a web browser).
[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, a set of functional abstraction layers
provided by cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 6) is shown. It
should be understood in advance that the components, layers, and
functions shown in FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and
embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. As depicted,
the following layers and corresponding functions are provided:
[0071] Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and
software components. Examples of hardware components include
mainframes 61; RISC (Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture
based servers 62; servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65;
and networks and networking components 66. In some embodiments,
software components include network application server software 67
and database software 68.
[0072] Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from
which the following examples of virtual entities may be provided:
virtual servers 71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73,
including virtual private networks; virtual applications and
operating systems 74; and virtual clients 75.
[0073] In one example, management layer 80 may provide the
functions described below. Resource provisioning 81 provides
dynamic procurement of computing resources and other resources that
are utilized to perform tasks within the cloud computing
environment. Metering and Pricing 82 provide cost tracking as
resources are utilized within the cloud computing environment, and
billing or invoicing for consumption of these resources. In one
example, these resources may comprise application software
licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloud
consumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other
resources. User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing
environment for consumers and system administrators. Service level
management 84 provides cloud computing resource allocation and
management such that required service levels are met. Service Level
Agreement (SLA) planning and fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement
for, and procurement of, cloud computing resources for which a
future requirement is anticipated in accordance with an SLA.
[0074] Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for
which the cloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of
workloads and functions which may be provided from this layer
include: mapping and navigation 91; software development and
lifecycle management 92; virtual classroom education delivery 93;
data analytics processing 94; transaction processing 95; and
directions processing 96.
[0075] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skills in the art without departing from the
scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the
embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement
over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skills in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed
herein.
[0076] The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a
computer program product at any possible technical detail level of
integration. The computer program product may include a computer
readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program
instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects
of the present invention.
[0077] The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible
device that can retain and store instructions for use by an
instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium
may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage
device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an
electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or
any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of
more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium
includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk,
a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static
random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only
memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a
floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or
raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon,
and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable
storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being
transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely
propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves
propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g.,
light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical
signals transmitted through a wire.
[0078] Computer readable program instructions described herein can
be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a
computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or
external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a
local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network.
The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical
transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls,
switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter
card or network interface in each computing/processing device
receives computer readable program instructions from the network
and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage
in a computer readable storage medium within the respective
computing/processing device.
[0079] Computer readable program instructions for carrying out
operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions,
instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine
instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware
instructions, state-setting data, configuration data for integrated
circuitry, or either source code or object code written in any
combination of one or more programming languages, including an
object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++, or the
like, and procedural programming languages, such as the "C"
programming language or similar programming languages. The computer
readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user's
computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software
package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote
computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the
latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's
computer through any type of network, including a local area
network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may
be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet
using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments,
electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic
circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable
logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program
instructions by utilizing state information of the computer
readable program instructions to personalize the electronic
circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present
invention.
[0080] Aspects of the present invention are described herein with
reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of
methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products
according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood
that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block
diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations
and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable
program instructions.
[0081] These computer readable program instructions may be provided
to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose
computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to
produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via
the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing
apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts
specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in
a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a
programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to
function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable
storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an
article of manufacture including instructions which implement
aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block
diagram block or blocks.
[0082] The computer readable program instructions may also be
loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing
apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps
to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or
other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that
the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable
apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified
in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
[0083] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate
the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible
implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products
according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this
regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent
a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one
or more executable instructions for implementing the specified
logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the
functions noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in
the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in
fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of
the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations
of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can
be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that
perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations
of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
[0084] In addition to the above, one or more aspects may be
provided, offered, deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service
provider who offers management of customer environments. For
instance, the service provider can create, maintain, support, etc.
computer code and/or a computer infrastructure that performs one or
more aspects for one or more customers. In return, the service
provider may receive payment from the customer under a subscription
and/or fee agreement, as examples. Additionally or alternatively,
the service provider may receive payment from the sale of
advertising content to one or more third parties.
[0085] In one aspect, an application may be deployed for performing
one or more embodiments. As one example, the deploying of an
application comprises providing computer infrastructure operable to
perform one or more embodiments.
[0086] As a further aspect, a computing infrastructure may be
deployed comprising integrating computer readable code into a
computing system, in which the code in combination with the
computing system is capable of performing one or more
embodiments.
[0087] As yet a further aspect, a process for integrating computing
infrastructure comprising integrating computer readable code into a
computer system may be provided. The computer system comprises a
computer readable medium, in which the computer medium comprises
one or more embodiments. The code in combination with the computer
system is capable of performing one or more embodiments.
[0088] Although various embodiments are described above, these are
only examples. For example, computing environments of other
architectures can be used to incorporate and use one or more
embodiments. Further, different instructions, instruction formats,
instruction fields and/or instruction values may be used. Many
variations are possible.
[0089] Further, other types of computing environments can benefit
and be used. As an example, a data processing system suitable for
storing and/or executing program code is usable that includes at
least two processors coupled directly or indirectly to memory
elements through a system bus. The memory elements include, for
instance, local memory employed during actual execution of the
program code, bulk storage, and cache memory which provide
temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce
the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storage during
execution.
[0090] Input/Output or I/O devices (including, but not limited to,
keyboards, displays, pointing devices, DASD, tape, CDs, DVDs, thumb
drives and other memory media, etc.) can be coupled to the system
either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. Network
adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the data
processing system to become coupled to other data processing
systems or remote printers or storage devices through intervening
private or public networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet
cards are just a few of the available types of network
adapters.
[0091] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and
"the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood
that the terms "comprise" (and any form of comprise, such as
"comprises" and "comprising"), "have" (and any form of have, such
as "has" and "having"), "include" (and any form of include, such as
"includes" and "including"), and "contain" (and any form contain,
such as "contains" and "containing") are open-ended linking verbs.
As a result, a method or device that "comprises", "has", "includes"
or "contains" one or more steps or elements possesses those one or
more steps or elements, but is not limited to possessing only those
one or more steps or elements. Likewise, a step of a method or an
element of a device that "comprises", "has", "includes" or
"contains" one or more features possesses those one or more
features, but is not limited to possessing only those one or more
features. Furthermore, a device or structure that is configured in
a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be
configured in ways that are not listed.
[0092] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below, if any, are intended to include any structure,
material, or act for performing the function in combination with
other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of
the present invention has been presented for purposes of
illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive
or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of one or more aspects of the invention and
the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill
in the art to understand one or more aspects of the invention for
various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
* * * * *