U.S. patent application number 15/974636 was filed with the patent office on 2018-09-13 for method and system for interactive mapping to provide goal-oriented instructions.
This patent application is currently assigned to LOCATION BASED SERVICES LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is LOCATION BASED SERVICES LLC. Invention is credited to Edward K.Y. Jung, Royce A. Levien, Robert W. Lord, Mark A. Malamud, John D. Rinaldo.
Application Number | 20180261090 15/974636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36756425 |
Filed Date | 2018-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180261090 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jung; Edward K.Y. ; et
al. |
September 13, 2018 |
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR INTERACTIVE MAPPING TO PROVIDE GOAL-ORIENTED
INSTRUCTIONS
Abstract
Provided is a computer system and methods for directing mobile
peer devices. A method includes receiving an itinerary identifying
one or more goals for the peer devices; receiving a priority
associated with the itinerary, the priority identifying at least
one goal of the one or more goals, the priority listing the at
least one goal in order of importance; determining a routing in
accordance with the itinerary and the priority; and broadcasting
the routing. A computer system includes a routing module coupled to
a memory configurable to determine a routing based on priorities
and itinerary goals; a receiver coupled to a processor configurable
to receive the priorities and the itinerary goals from at least two
peer devices over a wireless connection; and a transmitter coupled
to the processor configurable to broadcast the routing to the peer
devices, the routing configurable to direct the peer devices.
Inventors: |
Jung; Edward K.Y.;
(Bellevue, WA) ; Levien; Royce A.; (Lexington,
MA) ; Lord; Robert W.; (Seattle, WA) ;
Malamud; Mark A.; (Seattle, WA) ; Rinaldo; John
D.; (Bellevue, WA) ; Jung; Edward K.Y.;
(Bellevue, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LOCATION BASED SERVICES LLC |
Plano |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
LOCATION BASED SERVICES LLC
Plano
TX
|
Family ID: |
36756425 |
Appl. No.: |
15/974636 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12800954 |
May 26, 2010 |
9965954 |
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15974636 |
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11047465 |
Jan 31, 2005 |
7729708 |
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12800954 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08G 1/096838 20130101;
G08G 1/096883 20130101; G08G 1/096811 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/34 20060101
G01C021/34; G08G 1/0968 20060101 G08G001/0968 |
Claims
1. A method for a mobile peer device to receive real-time routing
to provide a route for the mobile peer device to follow an
itinerary, comprising: connecting with a decision-making device;
determining a mobile device hierarchy from a group of devices
comprising the mobile peer device, the decision-making device, and
at least one or more other mobile peer devices wherein the mobile
device hierarchy designates an order in which the devices in the
group of devices assume the role of the decision-making device if a
connection with the device currently acting as the decision-making
device is lost; receiving at least one priority associated with the
itinerary; transmitting real-time location data of the mobile peer
device to the decision-making device; downloading the route from
the decision-making device, the route determined from the real-time
location data of the mobile peer device and from real-time location
data of the at least one or more other mobile peer devices;
displaying instructions for enabling the mobile peer device to meet
a predetermined individual goal in accordance to the at least one
priority associated with the itinerary; displaying instructions for
enabling the mobile peer device to meet a predetermined group goal
in accordance to the at least one priority associated with the
itinerary, the predetermined group goal differing at least in part
from the predetermined individual goal; identifying one or more
itinerary alteration alternatives in a transmission to the
decision-making device; and receiving from the decision-making
device at least a processed itinerary alterations to the route in
accordance with the at least one priority associated with the
itinerary, the one or more processed itinerary alterations being in
accordance with the at least one priority.
2. The system of claim 14, wherein the circuitry configured for
displaying instructions for enabling the mobile peer device to meet
the predetermined group goal in accordance to the at least one
priority associated with the itinerary, the predetermined group
goal differing at least in part from the predetermined individual
goal, comprises: the circuitry configured for displaying
instructions for enabling the mobile peer device to meet a the
predetermined group goal in accordance to the at least one priority
associated with the itinerary, the predetermined group goal
identifying a location at which the mobile peer device and at least
a second mobile peer device could meet or at least one time at
which the mobile peer device and the at least a second mobile peer
device could meet independent of a predetermined meeting place.
3. The system of claim 14, wherein the circuitry configured for
downloading the route from the decision-making device, the route
determined from the real-time location data of the mobile peer
device and from the real-time location data of the at least one or
more other mobile peer devices, the determining a routing includes
comprises: circuitry configured for performing peer negotiation
between the mobile peer device and at least a second mobile peer
device to determine the itinerary; and circuitry configured for
obtaining a the route at least partially based on the at least one
priority associated with the itinerary.
4. The system of claim 14, wherein the circuitry configured for
transmitting real-time location data of the mobile peer device to
the decision-making device comprises: a circuitry configured for
identifying one or more projected times for arriving at one or more
locations described in the itinerary.
5. The system of claim 14, wherein the circuitry configured for
connecting with the decision-making device comprises: circuitry
configured for connecting with the decision-making device, the
decision-making device configured as one or more of at least one
server or the at least one or more other mobile peer devices in the
mobile device hierarchy.
6. The system of claim 14, wherein the circuitry configured for
downloading the route from the decision-making device, the route
determined from the real-time location data of the mobile peer
device and from the real-time location data of the at least one or
more other mobile peer devices comprises: circuitry configured for
downloading an alternative itinerary from said processed itinerary
alterations from the decision-making device, the alternative
itinerary determined from the real-time location data of the mobile
peer device and from real-time location data of the at least one or
more other mobile peer devices the alternative itinerary responsive
to at least one mobile peer device being unable to meet at a
designated time.
7. The system of claim 14, wherein the circuitry configured for
transmitting real-time location data of mobile peer device
comprises: circuitry configured for transmitting the real-time
location data of the mobile peer device, the mobile peer device
including at least one of a computing device, an electronic mapping
device, a tablet, or a cellular telephone.
8. The system of claim 14, further comprising: circuitry configured
for updating the route based on further real-time location data
received from at least the mobile peer device; and circuitry
configured for broadcasting the updated route to the mobile peer
device.
9. The system of claim 14, further comprising: circuitry configured
for monitoring the mobile peer device for a deviation from the
route; and circuitry configured for reacting to a deviation
by-broadcasting a notification of the-an updated route to the
mobile peer device.
10. A system for a mobile peer device to receive real-time routing
to provide a route for the mobile peer device to follow an
itinerary, comprising: circuitry configured for connecting with a
decision-making device; circuitry configured for determining a
mobile device hierarchy from a group of devices comprising the
mobile peer device, the decision-making device, and at least one or
more other mobile peer devices wherein the mobile device hierarchy
designates an order in which the devices in the group of devices
assume the role of the decision-making device if a connection with
the device currently acting as the decision-making device is lost;
circuitry configured for receiving at least one priority associated
with the itinerary; circuitry configured for transmitting real-time
location data of the mobile peer device to the decision-making
device; circuitry configured for downloading the route from the
decision-making device, the route determined from the real-time
location data of the mobile peer device and from real-time location
data of the at least one or more other mobile peer devices;
circuitry configured for displaying instructions for enabling the
mobile peer device to meet a predetermined individual goal in
accordance to the at least one priority associated with the
itinerary; circuitry configured for displaying instructions for
enabling the mobile peer device to meet a predetermined group goal
in accordance to the at least one priority associated with the
itinerary, the predetermined group goal differing at least in part
from the predetermined individual goal; circuitry configured for
identifying one or more itinerary alteration alternatives in a
transmission to the decision-making device; and circuitry
configured for receiving from the decision-making device at least a
oHe or more processed itinerary alterations--to the route in
accordance with the at least one priority associated with the
itinerary, the one or more processed itinerary alterations being in
accordance with the at least one priority.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is related to and claims the benefit
of the earliest available effective filing date from U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/800,954, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
INTERACTIVE MAPPING TO PROVIDE GOAL-ORIENTED INSTRUCTIONS, filed
May 26, 2010, which is currently co-pending.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present application relates generally to maps.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one aspect, a method includes but is not limited to
receiving an itinerary identifying one or more goals for the at
least two peer devices; receiving a priority associated with the
itinerary, the priority identifying at least one goal of the one or
more goals, the priority listing the at least one goal in order of
importance; determining a routing in accordance with the itinerary
and the priority; and broadcasting the routing to direct the at
least two peer devices. In addition to the foregoing, other method
aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a
part of the present application.
[0004] In one aspect, another method for a mobile peer device to
receive routing in real time to provide a route for the mobile peer
device to follow an itinerary includes but is not limited to
connecting with a decision-making device; transmitting real-time
location data of the mobile peer device to the decision-making
device; downloading the route from the decision-making device, the
route determined from the real-time location data of the mobile
peer device and from real-time location data of at least one or
more other mobile peer devices; and displaying instructions for
enabling the mobile peer device to meet a predetermined goal in
accordance with the itinerary.
[0005] In one or more various aspects, related systems include but
are not limited to circuitry and/or programming for effecting the
herein-referenced method aspects; the circuitry and/or programming
can be virtually any combination of hardware, software, and/or
firmware configured to effect the herein-referenced method aspects
depending upon the design choices of the system designer. In one
aspect, a method for a mobile peer device to receive routing in
real time to provide a route for the mobile peer device to follow
an itinerary includes but is not limited to: connecting with a
decision-making device; transmitting real-time location data of the
mobile peer device to the decision-making device; and downloading
the route from the decision-making device, the route determined
from the real-time location data of the mobile peer device and from
real-time location data of at least one or more other mobile peer
devices; and displaying instructions for enabling the mobile peer
device to meet a predetermined goal in accordance with the
itinerary. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are
described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the
present application.
[0006] In one aspect, a computer system includes but is not limited
to a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; a routing module
coupled to the memory, the routing module configurable to determine
a routing based on one or more priorities and one or more itinerary
location possibilities; a receiver coupled to the processor, the
receiver configurable to receive the one or more priorities and the
one or more itinerary location possibilities from at least two peer
devices over a wireless connection; and a transmitter coupled to
the processor, the transmitter configurable to broadcast the
routing to the at least two peer devices, the routing configurable
to direct the at least two peer devices. In addition to the
foregoing, other computer system aspects are described in the
claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present
application.
[0007] In one aspect, a computer program product is provided
including but not limited to a computer readable medium
configurable to perform one or more acts for directing a plurality
of peer devices, the one or more acts including but not limited to:
receiving an itinerary identifying one or more goals for the
plurality of peer devices; receiving a priority associated with the
itinerary, the priority identifying at least two of the one or more
goals in order of importance; determining a routing in accordance
with the itinerary and the priority; and broadcasting the routing
to direct the at least two peer devices. In addition to the
foregoing, other program product aspects are described in the
claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present
application.
[0008] In addition to the foregoing, various other method and/or
system aspects are set forth and described in the text (e.g.,
claims and/or detailed description) and/or drawings of the present
application.
[0009] The foregoing is a summary and thus contains, by necessity,
simplifications, generalizations and omissions of detail;
consequently, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
summary is illustrative only and is NOT intended to be in any way
limiting. Other aspects, features, and advantages of the devices
and/or processes and/or other subject described herein will become
apparent in the text set forth herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] A better understanding of the subject matter of the present
application can be obtained when the following detailed description
of the disclosed embodiments is considered in conjunction with the
following drawings, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer
architecture that supports the claimed subject matter;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a wireless computer environment
appropriate for embodiments of the subject matter of the present
application.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless mesh network of
mobile peer devices appropriate for embodiments of the subject
matter of the present application.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance
with an embodiment of the subject matter of the present
application.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method in accordance
with an embodiment of the subject matter of the present
application.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating how peer devices and
goal-oriented instructions could be implemented in accordance with
an embodiment of the subject matter of the present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Those with skill in the art will recognize that the
disclosed embodiments have relevance to a wide variety of
applications and architectures in addition to those described
below. In addition, the functionality of the subject matter of the
present application can be implemented in software, hardware, or a
combination of software and hardware. The hardware portion can be
implemented using specialized logic; the software portion can be
stored in a memory or recording medium and executed by a suitable
instruction execution system such as a microprocessor.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary computing system for
implementing the embodiments includes a general purpose computing
device in the form of a computer 10. Components of the computer 10
may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit 20, a system
memory 30, and a system bus 21 that couples various system
components including the system memory to the processing unit 20.
The system bus 21 may be any of several types of bus structures
including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and
a 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 also known as Mezzanine bus.
[0019] The computer 10 typically includes a variety of computer
readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media
that can be accessed by the computer 10 and includes both volatile
and nonvolatile media, and removable and non-removable media. By
way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may
comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer
storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data
structures; program modules or other data. Computer storage media
includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or
other memory technology, 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 which can be used to store the desired information and
which can be accessed by the computer 10. Communication media
typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures,
program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a
carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any
information delivery media. The term "modulated data signal" means
a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed
in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of
example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired
media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and
wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless
media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included
within the scope of computer readable media.
[0020] The system memory 30 includes computer storage media in the
form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory
(ROM) 31 and random access memory (RAM) 32. A basic input/output
system 33 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to
transfer information between elements within computer 10, such as
during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 31. RAM 32 typically
contains data and/or program modules that are immediately
accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit
20. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates
operating system 34, application programs 35, other program modules
36 and program data 37. FIG. 1 is shown with program modules 36
including a queuing module in accordance with an embodiment as
described herein.
[0021] The computer 10 may also include other
removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
media. By way of example only, FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive
41 that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic
media, a magnetic disk drive 51 that reads from or writes to a
removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 52, and an optical disk drive
55 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical
disk 56 such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other
removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage
media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment
include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash
memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid
state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 41 is
typically connected to the system bus 21 through a non-removable
memory interface such as interface 40, and magnetic disk drive 51
and optical disk drive 55 are typically connected to the system bus
21 by a removable memory interface, such as interface 50.
[0022] The drives and their associated computer storage media,
discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, provide storage of
computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules
and other data for the computer 10. In FIG. 1, for example, hard
disk drive 41 is illustrated as storing operating system 44,
application programs 45, other program modules 46 and program data
47. Program modules 46 is shown including a queuing module, which
can be configured as either located in modules 36 or 46, or both
locations, as one with skill in the art will appreciate. Note that
these components can either be the same as or different from
operating system 34, application programs 35, other program modules
36, and program data 37. Operating system 44, application programs
45, other program modules 46, and program data 47 are given
different numbers hereto illustrate that, at a minimum, they are
different copies. A user may enter commands and information into
the computer 10 through input devices such as a tablet, or
electronic digitizer 64, a microphone 63, a keyboard 62 and
pointing device 61, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or
touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a joystick,
game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other
input devices are often connected to the processing unit 20 through
a user input interface 60 that is coupled to the system bus, but
may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a
parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor
91 or other type of display device is also connected to the system
bus 21 via an interface, such as a video interface 90. The monitor
91 may also be integrated with a touch-screen panel or the like.
Note that the monitor and/or touch screen panel can be physically
coupled to a housing in which the computing device 10 is
incorporated, such as in a tablet-type personal computer. In
addition, computers such as the computing device 10 may also
include other peripheral output devices such as speakers 97 and
printer 96, which may be connected through an output peripheral
interface 95 or the like.
[0023] The computer 10 may operate in a networked environment using
logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a
remote computer 80. The remote computer 80 may be a personal
computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other
common network node, and typically includes many or all of the
elements described above relative to the computer 10, although only
a memory storage device 81 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The
logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network
(LAN) 71 and a wide area network (WAN) 73, but may also include
other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace in
offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the
Internet. For example, in the subject matter of the present
application, the computer system 10 may comprise the source machine
from which data is being migrated, and the remote computer 80 may
comprise the destination machine. Note however that source and
destination machines need not be connected by a network or any
other means, but instead, data may be migrated via any media
capable of being written by the source platform and read by the
destination platform or platforms.
[0024] When used in a LAN or WLAN networking environment, the
computer 10 is connected to the LAN through a network interface or
adapter 70. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer
IO typically includes a modem 72 or other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 73, such as the Internet. The modem 72,
which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system
bus 21 via the user input interface 60 or other appropriate
mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted
relative to the computer 10, or portions thereof, may be stored in
the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not
limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remote application programs 85 as
residing on memory device 81. It will be appreciated that the
network connections shown are exemplary and other means of
establishing a communications link between the computers may be
used.
[0025] In the description that follows, the present subject matter
will be described with reference to acts and symbolic
representations of operations that may be performed by one or more
computers, unless indicated otherwise. As such, it will be
understood that such acts and operations, which are at times
referred to as being computer-executed, include the manipulation by
the processing unit of the computer of electrical signals
representing data in a structured form. This manipulation
transforms the data or maintains it at locations in the memory
system of the computer which reconfigures or otherwise alters the
operation of the computer in a manner well understood by those
skilled in the art. The data structures where data is maintained
are physical locations of the memory that have particular
properties defined by the format of the data. However, although the
present subject matter is being described in the foregoing context,
it is/not meant to be limiting as those of skill in the art will
appreciate that some of the acts and operation described
hereinafter can also be implemented in hardware.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram of a wireless network
appropriate for embodiments herein is shown. The wireless network
includes a base station 200, which can be coupled to a server 210,
internally to server 210 or externally to server 210. Base station
200 interacts with a plurality of wireless mobile peer devices 220,
which can be receivers only, designed to receive a real time map
and directions determined at server 210. Mobile peer devices
interact with base station 200 via wireless connection 230. The
wireless connection 230 could include a wireless local area network
connection (WLAN), a radio frequency (RF) connection, infrared or
other method of wireless communication of data, such as a satellite
connection or the like as one of skill in the art with the benefit
of the present disclosure will appreciate. Other wireless
connections can include Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and
location detection systems that include tracking tags and the like.
Other wireless methods appropriate for embodiments herein could
include IEEE 802.11 or Bluetooth type wireless environments.
[0027] Mobile peer devices 220 can include receivers and
transmitters to interact with server 210. Mobile peer devices 220
are shown including different types of mobile peer devices,
including mobile peer devices 220(1) which could be a simple device
capable of only receiving and displaying data. The data could
include written directions or include a map or both. Component
220(2) is shown as a personal electronic assistant, which could be
configured to both send and/or receive data, display maps and/or
directions as generated by server 210. Component 220(3) is shown as
a tablet personal computer (PC) which can also be configured to
both send and/or receive data. Component 220(4) is shown as a
laptop or notebook computer which can also send and/or receive data
and/or directions. Mobile peer devices 220(5) could be implemented
as a simple mobile device which could be configured to receive and
display simple commands in real time. Component 220(6) could be
implemented as a cellular telephone or pager and include a display
configured to show a map and directions in accordance with
embodiments herein. In an embodiment, each of mobile peer devices
220 are peer devices, or each of mobile peer devices 220 are in a
subset of peer devices. More particularly, embodiments are directed
to including two or more mobile peer devices 220 as peers
benefiting from same goal-oriented instructions with respect to
projected locations. The locations could be displayed on each
component 220.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrates a
configuration wherein mobile peer devices 220 are each part of a
mesh network 300 wherein one or more of the mobile peer devices 220
can operate as a server to direct the other mobile peer devices
220. Alternatively, mobile peer devices 220 can be configured to
use the mesh network 300 as a negotiation network wherein a voting
protocol is used to determine which goal the mobile peer devices
220 should meet. The mobile peer devices 220 can have a voting
control hierarchy to determine which goal should be followed by the
mobile peer devices 220 if several goals are presented as options.
One of skill in the art with the benefit of this disclosure will
appreciate that there are several appropriate negotiation network
types for a mobile peer mesh network 300 and the choice can be
according to system requirements. The mesh network 300 can be
configured such that one or more of the mobile peer devices 220 are
decision-making devices. For example, notebook computer 220(4)
could be designated as a decision-making device for the peer mesh
network 300. If notebook computer 220(4) is out-of-range of the
peer devices, a hierarchy of devices could be provided such that
tablet PC 220(3) could be a default decision-making device if
notebook computer 220(4) is not capable of interacting with the
mesh network.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram illustrates a method
in accordance with an embodiment, in which the mobile peer devices
220 wirelessly connected to the base station 200 and server 210 are
coupled to receive data from mobile peer devices 220. More
particularly, the embodiment is directed to determining projected
locations and goal oriented instructions for a peer group. Thus,
for example, a peer group in a predetermined area could separate
for a predetermined amount of time and have a decision-making
device, such as server 210, a predetermined mobile peer device of
mobile peer devices 220, or the like, direct the peer devices in
the peer group to locations that insure that the peer group will be
readily available for meeting or the like at a predetermined time.
Further, the instructions received can allow for real-time
alterations to take place by tracking the peer group, monitoring a
relative success against an itinerary and notifying the peer group
if any changes are required. The monitoring can further include
developing an itinerary based on the monitoring of real-time
location data and providing updates or additional itinerary data to
the peer group.
[0030] Block 410 provides for receiving an itinerary identifying
one or more goals to be met by at least two of the mobile peer
devices. The one or more goals can be either times, places or other
goals, such as a goal of reaching a certain number of locations
within a certain amount of time, or reaching certain destinations
in a particular order or the like. Thus, for purposes of the
present disclosure, itinerary can mean stated location goals, time
and location goals, timing goals or any intention without firm
predetermined location and timing. For example, an itinerary could
include a plan to meet within in a certain city on a certain day
for the peer group without any predetermined specific location or
time parameters for the day provided. In this context, the
itinerary could be understood to be subject to further alteration,
amendments via a decision-making process, such as those described
herein.
[0031] Block 420 provides for receiving a priority associated with
the itinerary, the priority identifying at least one of the one or
more goals in. order of importance. Block 430 provides for
determining a routing in accordance with itinerary and priority.
Block 440 provides for broadcasting the routing to direct the peer
devices, which include at least two peer devices. Block 450
provides for updating the routing based on real-time location data.
Block 460 provides transmitting the updated routing data.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 5, a flow diagram illustrates a method
in accordance with an embodiment for a mobile peer device. Block
502 provides for connecting with a decision-making device. The
decision-making device can be a server, such as server 210.
Alternatively, the decision-making device can be one of the mobile
peer devices 220 or a combination of the mobile peer devices 220,
as described above with reference to FIG. 3. Block 504 provides for
transmitting real-time location data of the mobile peer device. The
transmitting of location data could be set up automatically on a
periodic basis or be provided upon user discretion.
[0033] Block 506 provides for downloading processed routing data
from a decision-making device, such as a server 210, a mobile peer
device 220 or another source. The downloading can be automatic, as
determined by the decision-making device, such as server 210, or
upon request of a user. In one embodiment, for example, the mobile
peer device functions in a theme park setting or other closed
environment, such as a cruise ship, entertainment facility or the
like. In such environments, the mobile peer device would be
provided to guests of the environment. Guests that are
participating in the closed environment as a group could be
provided with the mobile peer devices upon entry, at which time
routing data from the decision-making device would be provided to
each mobile peer device. The routing could be entirely chosen by
the decision-making device in accordance with environment
parameters.
[0034] Block 508 provides for transmitting itinerary alteration
alternatives. For example, if the mobile peer devices are provided
in a setting that would allow for guests to provide feedback to the
server, decision-making device or to a mesh network for processing,
the mobile peer devices could be configured to transmit data to the
server, decision-making device or other network from each mobile
peer device or one of a group of mobile peer devices. More
specifically, if a group of users have mobile peer devices that
include a map of the environment and the group has identified a
priority with respect to locations to be visited, a list of such
locations in order of priority can be provided to the
decision-making device for taking into account prior to determining
a routing.
[0035] After processing the order of priority of locations within
the environment, Block 510 provides for receiving processed
alterations including times associated with the processed
alterations. The alterations can include on-the-fly alterations
caused by a group of mobile peer devices requiring a change in
their routing.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 6, an embodiment is directed to
providing goal-oriented instructions via the mobile peer devices.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating how the mobile peer devices could
be implemented in a theme park or other predetermined area. As
shown, a park or other area could include locations of interest to
users of the peer devices, such as a restroom 602, a coffee/dining
location 604, a horseback riding location 606 and a transportation
area 608. The locations of interest could have alternate paths
available to the users of the peer devices. The paths are
illustrated by paths 610, 612, 614, 616 and 618. Mobile peer
devices could be used by individuals or groups of individuals shown
as 620, 630, 640, 650, 660 and 670. In an embodiment, each of
individuals 620-670 could be in a same group of individuals that
would like to be provided with routing based on their individual
and group goals. For example, the group may need to meet at the bus
608 for transportation out of a theme park by 5:00 pm. Other than
that goal, each individual could prefer to avoid other members of
the group or prefer to experience the park as sub-groups. For
example, if the group included individuals all on a same tour, and
the tour group included several couples, such as couple 620 and
630, the couples could be identified as a sub-group. Although all
members would be required to meet at 5:00 pm, each sub-group could
have a different itinerary except for the 5:00 pm meeting. The
routing for the group could be processed to take the sub-groupings
into account. The present disclosure includes a method for
directing at least two peer devices, the method comprising:
receiving an itinerary identifying one or more goals for the at
least two peer devices; receiving a priority associated with the
itinerary, the priority identifying at least one goal of the one or
more goals, the priority listing the at least one goal in order of
importance; determining a routing in accordance with the itinerary
and the priority; and broadcasting the routing to direct the at
least two peer devices. Further said method comprising updating the
routing based on real-time location data received from the at least
two peer devices; and broadcasting an updated routing to at least
two peer devices. Additionally, said method monitoring the at least
two peer devices for a deviation from the routing, the deviation by
any one of the at least two peer devices; and reacting to the
deviation by broadcasting a notification of the deviation to at
least the peer device detected as deviating from the routing.
[0037] The processing of a decision-making device, such as a
server, could take into account current location data of each
individual of a group to enable meetings during a specified time
period at a specific location. As described above, if a group would
have to meet at 5:00 pm at bus 608, a routing that enabled the 5:00
pm meeting would direct individuals to take a shortest path to the
bus 608 while considering other locations of interest to the
individuals based on the individual's current location. Thus, for
example, if individuals 620 and 630 are leaving bathrooms 602, and
their itinerary has them having coffee at location 604, and having
a horseback ride at location 606. The order of the visits could
automatically route them to the location 606 closest to bus 608 as
a final location prior to the 5:00 pm meeting time. Conversely, if
individuals 620 and 630 transmit to server 210 a desire to go
horseback riding twice with having a meal at location 604 in
between but the server determines that such an itinerary would be
impossible if the 5:00 pm meeting at the bus were identified as
paramount, an alternative itinerary, error message or the like
would be provided to their mobile peer devices. Similarly, if the
decision-making device discovers that individuals 620 and 630 have
detoured from a previously provided routing, a message, alternative
itinerary or the like could be provided. For example, if individual
620 requires use of bathroom 602 and is unable to meet for
horseback riding 606 at a designated time, his itinerary and those
in his sub-group could be configured to automatically reschedule
activities to insure that the 5:00 pm meeting at the bus 608 is
kept on schedule. Additionally, if server 210 receives data
indicating that individuals in a group will not be capable of
meeting at a given location at a predetermined time, the server can
broadcast to the group the times that the individuals will be
capable of meeting. For example, individual 660, 650 and 670 are at
different locations. Each is a different distance from bus 608. 670
is closest to the bus and 660 is farthest from bus 608. At 4:45 pm,
the decision-making device, such as server 210, could determine
that individual 660 will not arrive at bus 608 by 5:00 pm. Rather
than provide an alternate itinerary, the decision-making device,
such as server 210, broadcasts the time at which individual 660 is
expected to arrive at bus 608 so that the group will know how long
the wait for individual 660 will be.
[0038] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing
specific exemplary processes and/or devices and/or technologies are
representative of more general processes and/or devices and/or
technologies taught elsewhere herein, such as in the claims filed
herewith and/or elsewhere in the present application.
[0039] Those having skill in the art will recognize that the state
of the art has progressed to the point where there is little
distinction left between hardware and software implementations of
aspects of systems; the use of hardware or software is generally
(but not always, in that in certain contexts the choice between
hardware and software can become significant) a design choice
representing cost vs. efficiency tradeoffs. Those having skill in
the art will appreciate that there are various vehicles by which
processes and/or systems and/or other technologies described herein
can be effected (e.g., hardware, software, and/or firmware), and
that the preferred vehicle will vary with the context in which the
processes and/or systems and/or other technologies are deployed.
For example, if an implementer determines that speed and accuracy
are paramount, the implementer may opt for a mainly hardware and/or
firmware vehicle; alternatively, if flexibility is paramount, the
implementer may opt for a mainly software implementation; or, yet
again alternatively, the implementer may opt for some combination
of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Hence, there are several
possible vehicles by which the processes and/or devices and/or
other technologies described herein may be effected, none of which
is inherently superior to the other in that any vehicle to be
utilized is a choice dependent upon the context in which the
vehicle will be deployed and the specific concerns (e.g., speed,
flexibility, or predictability) of the implementer, any of which
may vary. Those skilled in the art will recognize that optical
aspects of implementations will typically employ optically-oriented
hardware, software, and or firmware.
[0040] The foregoing detailed description has set forth various
embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block
diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block
diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions
and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art
that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams,
flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or
collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software, firmware, or
virtually any combination thereof. In one embodiment, several
portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented
via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field
Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs),
or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will
recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in
whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard
integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on
one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one
or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one
or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or
more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination
thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code
for the software and or firmware would be well within the skill of
one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition,
those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the
subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as
a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative
embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies equally
regardless of the particular type of signal bearing media used to
actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing
media include, but are not limited to, the following: recordable
type media such as floppy disks, hard disk drives, CD ROMs, digital
tape, and computer memory; and transmission type media such as
digital and analog communication links using TOM or IP based
communication links (e.g., packet links).
[0041] In a general sense, those skilled in the art will recognize
that the various aspects described herein which can be implemented,
individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware,
software, firmware, or any combination thereof can be viewed as
being composed of various types of "electrical circuitry."
Consequently, as used herein "electrical circuitry" includes, but
is not limited to, electrical circuitry having at least one
discrete electrical circuit, electrical circuitry having at least
one integrated circuit, electrical circuitry having at least one
application specific integrated circuit, electrical circuitry
forming a general purpose computing device configured by a computer
program (e.g., a general purpose computer configured by a computer
program which at least partially carries out processes and/or
devices described herein, or a microprocessor configured by a
computer program which at least partially carries out processes
and/or devices described herein), electrical circuitry forming a
memory device (e.g., forms of random access memory), and/or
electrical circuitry forming a communications device (e.g., a
modem, communications switch, or optical-electrical equipment).
[0042] Those skilled in the art will recognize that it is common
within the art to describe devices and/or processes in the fashion
set forth herein, and thereafter use standard engineering practices
to integrate such described devices and/or processes into data
processing systems. That is, at least a portion of the devices
and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data
processing system via a reasonable amount of experimentation. Those
having skill in the art will recognize that a typical data
processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit
housing, a video display device, a memory such as volatile and
non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors and digital
signal processors, computational entities such as operating
systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications
programs, one or more interaction devices, such as a touch pad or
screen, and/or control systems including feedback loops and control
motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity;
control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or
quantities). A typical data processing system may be implemented
utilizing any suitable commercially available components, such as
those typically found in data computing/communication and/or
network computing/communication systems.
[0043] All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application
publications, U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign
patent applications and non-patent publications referred to in this
specification and/or listed in any Application Data Sheet are
incorporated herein by reference, in their entireties, to the
extent that such texts/drawings are not inconsistent with
herewith.
[0044] The herein described aspects depict different components
contained within, or connected with, different other components. It
is to be understood that such depicted architectures are merely
exemplary, and that in fact many other architectures can be
implemented which achieve the same functionality. In a conceptual
sense, any arrangement of components to achieve the same
functionality is effectively "associated" such that the desired
functionality is achieved. Hence, any two components herein
combined to achieve a particular functionality can be seen as
"associated with" each other such that the desired functionality is
achieved, irrespective of architectures or intermedial components.
Likewise, any two components so associated can also be viewed as
being "operably connected", or "operably coupled", to each other to
achieve the desired functionality, and any two components capable
of being so associated can also be viewed as being "operably
couplable", to each other to achieve the desired functionality.
Specific examples of operably couplable include but are not limited
to physically mateable and/or physically interacting components
and/or wirelessly interactable and/or wirelessly interacting
components and/or logically interacting and/or logically
interactable components.
[0045] While particular aspects of the present subject matter
described herein have been shown and described, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein,
changes and modifications may be made without departing from the
subject matter described herein and its broader aspects and,
therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope
all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit
and scope of this subject matter described herein. Furthermore, it
is to be understood that the invention is defined by the appended
claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in
general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims
(e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as
"open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as
"including but not limited to," the term "having" should be
interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be
interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be
further understood by those within the art that if a specific
number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an
intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence
of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an
aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain
usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more"
to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases
should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim
recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any
particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same
claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least
one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or
"an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one
or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles
used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly
recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such
recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the
recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations,"
without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations,
or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where
a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is
used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one
having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a
system having at least one of A, B, and C, would include but not be
limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B
together, A and C together, Band C together, and/or A, B, and C
together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to
"at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a
construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art
would understand the convention (e.g.," a system having at least
one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that
have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together,
Band C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
[0046] While the present subject matter has been shown and
described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will
be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and
other changes in form and detail may be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present subject matter,
including but not limited to additional, less or modified elements
and/or additional, less or modified steps performed in the same or
a different order.
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