U.S. patent application number 16/254856 was filed with the patent office on 2019-05-23 for system and method for improved mapping and routing.
The applicant listed for this patent is EXCALIBUR IP, LLC. Invention is credited to Athellina ATHSANI, Marc Eliot DAVIS, Christopher William HIGGINS, Chris KALABOUKIS, Ronald MARTINEZ, Joseph James O'SULLIVAN, Christopher T. PARETTI.
Application Number | 20190158609 16/254856 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41608286 |
Filed Date | 2019-05-23 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190158609 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HIGGINS; Christopher William ;
et al. |
May 23, 2019 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVED MAPPING AND ROUTING
Abstract
A system and method for improved mapping and routing. A request
for the determination of a route is received over a network. The
request comprises an identification of a requesting user, and at
least one objective. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data
available to the network which relating to the requesting user and
the request objectives are retrieved using a global index of data
available to the network. At least one entity which satisfies at
least one request objective and which has a physical location known
to the network is selected using the retrieved spatial, temporal,
topical, and social data. At least one physical route is mapped
between a starting location and the selected entity and is
displayed on a display medium. Sponsored and recommended content
available to the network which relates to the requesting user, and
at least one objective can additionally be displayed on the display
medium.
Inventors: |
HIGGINS; Christopher William;
(New Westminster, CA) ; DAVIS; Marc Eliot; (San
Francisco, CA) ; MARTINEZ; Ronald; (San Francisco,
CA) ; O'SULLIVAN; Joseph James; (Sunnyvale, CA)
; ATHSANI; Athellina; (San Jose, CA) ; KALABOUKIS;
Chris; (Los Gatos, CA) ; PARETTI; Christopher T.;
(San Francisco, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EXCALIBUR IP, LLC |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
41608286 |
Appl. No.: |
16/254856 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12182969 |
Jul 30, 2008 |
10230803 |
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16254856 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/024 20180201;
H04W 4/029 20180201; G06Q 30/02 20130101; G01C 21/3682 20130101;
H04L 67/306 20130101; H04W 4/18 20130101; H04L 67/20 20130101; G01C
21/3484 20130101; H04L 67/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 29/08 20060101
H04L029/08; H04W 4/18 20060101 H04W004/18; G01C 21/34 20060101
G01C021/34; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02; G06Q 30/02 20060101
G06Q030/02; G01C 21/36 20060101 G01C021/36 |
Claims
1-54. (canceled)
55. A method comprising the steps of: receiving, over a network, a
request for a determination of a route, such that the request
comprises an identification of a requesting user and an objective;
retrieving data available to the network relating to the requesting
user and data available to the network relating to the objective by
using a plurality of data sources, wherein at least a subset of the
plurality of data sources comprises a plurality of sensors
accessible to the network that transmit data, and wherein each
sensor of the plurality of sensors is associated with a spatial
reference point; selecting, via the network, a plurality of
entities which satisfy the objective, such that each entity of the
plurality of entities is selected using the retrieved data for the
user and the objective, and each respective entity has a physical
location known to the network, said selection using the retrieved
data for the user and the objective occurs prior to mapping the
route; and mapping, based on said selection, a plurality of
physical routes between a starting location and each entity of the
plurality of entities.
56. The method of claim 55, further comprising the plurality of
data sources using a global index of data available to the
network.
57. The method of claim 56, further comprising relating entities
known to the network with one another using a global graph
comprised with the global index.
58. The method of claim 55, further comprising determining, via the
network, a respective personalized distance for each route of the
plurality of physical routes using spatial, temporal, topical, and
social data available to the network relating to the requesting
user and the objective.
59. The method of claim 58, further comprising displaying, on a
display medium, each route of the plurality of physical routes and
a representation of the respective personalized distance relating
to each route of the plurality of physical routes, said
representation of the respective personalized distance comprising
an indicator associated with a value of the respective personalized
distance.
60. The method of claim 59 comprising the additional step of:
selecting, via the network, one of the plurality of physical routes
that has a most favorable personalized distance, wherein only the
selected route is displayed on the display medium.
61. The method of claim 59 wherein the receiving, retrieving,
selecting, mapping, and displaying steps are repeated on occurrence
of a trigger condition.
62. The method of claim 61 wherein the trigger condition is
selected from a group of the list: a time, a date, the passage of a
fixed time interval, and a calendar event.
63. The method of claim 61 wherein the trigger condition is
selected from the list: proximity of the requesting user to a
location, proximity of the requesting user to an object, proximity
of the requesting user to an event, and proximity of the requesting
user to a person.
64. The method of claim 61 wherein the trigger condition is
specified by the request for the determination of a route.
65. The method of claim 55 wherein the objective comprises a social
objective.
66. The method of claim 55 wherein the objective comprises a
topical objective.
67. The method of claim 55 wherein the starting location is the
current location of the requesting user.
68. The method of claim 55 wherein the request for a determination
of a route specifies the starting location.
69. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having
computer-executable instructions for a method comprising the steps:
receiving, over a network, a request for a determination of a
route, such that the request comprises an identification of a
requesting user and an objective; retrieving data available to the
network relating to the requesting user and data available to the
network relating to the objective by using a plurality of data
sources, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of data sources
comprises a plurality of sensors accessible to the network that
transmit data, and wherein each sensor of the plurality of sensors
is associated with a spatial reference point; selecting, via the
network, a plurality of entities which satisfy the objective, such
that each entity of the plurality of entities is selected using the
retrieved data for the user and the objective, and each respective
entity has a physical location known to the network, said selection
using the retrieved data for the user and the objective occurs
prior to mapping the route; and mapping, based on said selection, a
plurality of physical routes between a starting location and each
entity of the plurality of entities.
70. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
69, wherein the plurality of data sources uses a global index of
data available to the network.
71. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim
70, wherein the global index comprises a global graph that relates
entities known to the network with one another.
72. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 69
comprising the additional step of: determining, via the network, a
respective personalized distance for each route of the plurality of
physical routes using spatial, temporal, topical, and social data
available to the network relating to the requesting user and the
objective.
73. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 72
comprising the additional step of: displaying, on a display medium,
each route of the plurality of physical routes and a representation
of the respective personalized distance relating to each route of
the plurality of physical routes, said representation of the
respective personalized distance comprising an indicator associated
with a value of the respective personalized distance.
74. A system comprising: a processor; a non-transitory
computer-readable storage medium for tangibly storing thereon
program logic for execution by the processor, the program logic
comprising: logic executed by the processor for receiving, over a
network, a request for a determination of a route, such that the
request comprises an identification of a requesting user and an
objective; logic executed by the processor for retrieving data
available to the network relating to the requesting user and data
available to the network relating to the objective by using a
plurality of data sources, wherein at least a subset of the
plurality of data sources comprises a plurality of sensors
accessible to the network that transmit data, and wherein each
sensor of the plurality of sensors is associated with a spatial
reference point; logic executed by the processor for selecting, via
the network, a plurality of entities which satisfy the objective,
such that each entity of the plurality of entities is selected
using the retrieved data for the user and the objective, and each
respective entity has a physical location known to the network,
said selection using the retrieved data for the user and the
objective occurs prior to mapping the route; and logic executed by
the processor for mapping, based on said selection, a plurality of
physical routes between a starting location and each entity of the
plurality of entities.
Description
[0001] This application includes material which is subject to
copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the
facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it
appears in the Patent and Trademark Office files or records, but
otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to systems and methods for
mapping and routing on a network and, more particularly, to systems
and methods for mapping and routing which generate maps and routes
based on user preferences and objectives.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A great deal of information is generated when people use
electronic devices, such as when people use mobile phones and cable
set-top boxes. Such information, such as location, applications
used, social network, physical and online locations visited, to
name a few, could be used to deliver useful services and
information to end users, and provide commercial opportunities to
advertisers and retailers. However, most of this information is
effectively abandoned due to deficiencies in the way such
information can be captured. For example, and with respect to a
mobile phone, information is generally not gathered while the
mobile phone is idle (i.e., not being used by a user). Other
information, such as presence of others in the immediate vicinity,
time and frequency of messages to other users, and activities of a
user's social network are also not captured effectively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method. A
request for the determination of a route is received over a
network. The request comprises an identification of a requesting
user, and at least one objective. Spatial, temporal, topical, and
social data available to the network which relating to the
requesting user and the request objectives are retrieved using a
global index of data available to the network. At least one entity
which satisfies at least one request objective and which has a
physical location known to the network is selected, via the
network, using the retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social
data. At least one physical route is mapped between a starting
location and the selected entity and is displayed on a display
medium.
[0005] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a system
comprising: a request receiving module that receives requests over
a network for the determination of routes, wherein each request
comprises an identification of a requesting user, and at least one
objective; a request data retrieval module that retrieves, for each
request received by the request receiving module, spatial,
temporal, topical, and social data relating to the requesting user
and request objectives using a global index of data available to
the network; an entity selection module that selects, for each
request received by the request receiving module, least one entity
which satisfies the objectives of the request, wherein the at least
one entity is selected using spatial, temporal, topical, and social
data retrieved by the request data retrieval module, and wherein
the at least one entity has a physical location known to the
network; a route determination module that maps, for each request
received by the request receiving module, at least one physical
route between a starting location and the entity selected for the
request; a route display module that displays, for each request
received by the request receiving module, each of the physical
routes mapped for the request.
[0006] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a
method. A request for a map is received over a network. The request
comprises an identification of a requesting user, and at least one
map criteria. Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data available
to the network which relate to the requesting user and the map
criteria are retrieved using a global index of data available to
the network. A personalized targeting profile having at least one
targeting profile criteria is created via the network, using the
retrieved spatial, temporal, topical, and social data. Content
available to the network which relates to the at least one
targeting profile criteria is matched and displayed on a display
medium.
[0007] In another embodiment, the invention is directed to a system
comprising: a map request receiving module that receives, over a
network, requests for maps, wherein each request comprises an
identification of a requesting user, and at least one map criteria;
a map request data retrieval module that retrieves, for each
request received by the request receiving module, spatial,
temporal, topical, and social data available to the network
relating to the requesting user and the map criteria using a global
index of data available to the network; a personalized targeting
profile creation module that creates, for each request received by
the request receiving module, a personalized targeting profile
having at least one targeting profile criteria, wherein the
personalized targeting profile is created using spatial, temporal,
topical, and social data retrieved by the map request data
retrieval module; a content matching module that matches, for each
request received by the request receiving module, content available
to the network which relates to targeting profile criteria within
personalized targeting profiles created by the personalized
targeting profile creation module; and a content display module
that displays on a display medium, for each request received by the
request receiving module, content matched by the content matching
module.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the
accompanying drawings, in which reference characters refer to the
same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating principles of the invention.
[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates relationships between real-world entities
(RWE) and information objects (JO) on one embodiment of a W4
Communications Network (W4 COMN.)
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates metadata defining the relationships
between RWEs and IOs on one embodiment of a W4 COMN.
[0011] FIG. 3 illustrates a conceptual model of one embodiment of a
W4 COMN.
[0012] FIG. 4 illustrates the functional layers of one embodiment
of the W4 COMN architecture.
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates the analysis components of one embodiment
of a W4 engine as shown in FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a W4 engine showing
different components within the sub-engines shown in FIG. 5.
[0015] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the use of a W4 COMN
for the determination of personalized distances between two or more
real world objects
[0016] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of how the users and
devices shown in FIG. 7 can be defined to a W4 COMN.
[0017] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a data model showing
how the RWEs shown in FIG. 8 can be related to entities and objects
within a W4 COMN.
[0018] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a process 900 of how a
network having temporal, spatial, and social data, for example, a
W4 COMN, can be used for the determination of personalized
distances between two or more real world objects.
[0019] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a personal distance
determination engine 1000 that is capable of supporting the process
in FIG. 10.
[0020] FIG. 12 illustrates a user interface for adjusting the
weights of spatial, temporal, social and topical factors in a
personalized distance calculation.
[0021] FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a process 3000 of how
a network having temporal, spatial, and social data, for example, a
W4 COMN, can be used for the determination of an objective based
route.
[0022] FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a objective-based
routing engine 4000 that is capable of supporting the process in
FIG. 13.
[0023] FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a map display with
enhanced content.
[0024] FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of how the objects shown
in FIG. 15 can be defined to a W4 COMN.
[0025] FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a data model showing
how the RWEs shown in FIG. 16 can be related to entities and
objects within a W4 COMN which can be used to provide content
enhanced mapping.
[0026] FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of a process of how a
network having temporal, spatial, and social data, for example, a
W4 COMN, can be used for the content enhanced routing and
mapping.
[0027] FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of a sponsored and
recommended content engine that is capable of supporting the
process in FIG. 18.
[0028] FIG. 20 illustrates one embodiment of a popup in interface
element displayed when a user passes a mouse cursor over an symbol
representing a business which is displayed on a content enhanced
map.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present invention is described below with reference to
block diagrams and operational illustrations of methods and devices
to select and present media related to a specific topic. It is
understood that each block of the block diagrams or operational
illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams or
operational illustrations, can be implemented by means of analog or
digital hardware and computer program instructions.
[0030] These computer program instructions can be provided to a
processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,
ASIC, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that
the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer
or other programmable data processing apparatus, implements the
functions/acts specified in the block diagrams or operational block
or blocks.
[0031] In some alternate implementations, the functions/acts noted
in the blocks can occur out of the order noted in the operational
illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession can in
fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality/acts involved.
[0032] For the purposes of this disclosure the term "server" should
be understood to refer to a service point which provides
processing, database, and communication facilities. By way of
example, and not limitation, the term "server" can refer to a
single, physical processor with associated communications and data
storage and database facilities, or it can refer to a networked or
clustered complex of processors and associated network and storage
devices, as well as operating software and one or more database
systems and applications software which support the services
provided by the server.
[0033] For the purposes of this disclosure the term "end user" or
"user" should be understood to refer to a consumer of data supplied
by a data provider. By way of example, and not limitation, the term
"end user" can refer to a person who receives data provided by the
data provider over the Internet in a browser session, or can refer
to an automated software application which receives the data and
stores or processes the data.
[0034] For the purposes of this disclosure the term "media" and
"media content" should be understood to refer to binary data which
contains content which can be of interest to an end user. By way of
example, and not limitation, the term "media" and "media content"
can refer to multimedia data, such as video data or audio data, or
any other form of data capable of being transformed into a form
perceivable by an end user. Such data can, furthermore, be encoded
in any manner currently known, or which can be developed in the
future, for specific purposes. By way of example, and not
limitation, the data can be encrypted, compressed, and/or can
contained embedded metadata.
[0035] For the purposes of this disclosure, a computer readable
medium stores computer data in machine readable form. By way of
example, and not limitation, a computer readable medium can
comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer
storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, 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, EPROM, EEPROM, flash
memory or other solid-state memory technology, CD-ROM, DVD, or
other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic
disk storage or other mass storage devices, or any other medium
which can be used to store the desired information and which can be
accessed by the computer.
[0036] For the purposes of this disclosure a module is a software,
hardware, or firmware (or combinations thereof) system, process or
functionality, or component thereof, that performs or facilitates
the processes, features, and/or functions described herein (with or
without human interaction or augmentation). A module can include
sub-modules. Software components of a module may be stored on a
computer readable medium. Modules may be integral to one or more
servers, or be loaded and executed by one or more servers. One or
more modules may grouped into an engine or an application.
[0037] For the purposes of this disclosure an engine is a software,
hardware, or firmware (or combinations thereof) system, process or
functionality that performs or facilitates the processes, features,
and/or functions described herein (with or without human
interaction or augmentation).
[0038] Embodiments of the present invention utilize information
provided by a network which is capable of providing data collected
and stored by multiple devices on a network. Such information may
include, without limitation, temporal information, spatial
information, and user information relating to a specific user or
hardware device. User information may include, without limitation,
user demographics, user preferences, user social networks, and user
behavior. One embodiment of such a network is a W4 Communications
Network.
[0039] A "W4 Communications Network" or W4 COMN, provides
information related to the "Who, What, When and Where" of
interactions within the network. In one embodiment, the W4 COMN is
a collection of users, devices and processes that foster both
synchronous and asynchronous communications between users and their
proxies providing an instrumented network of sensors providing data
recognition and collection in real-world environments about any
subject, location, user or combination thereof.
[0040] In one embodiment, the W4 COMN can handle the
routing/addressing, scheduling, filtering, prioritization,
replying, forwarding, storing, deleting, privacy, transacting,
triggering of a new message, propagating changes, transcoding and
linking. Furthermore, these actions can be performed on any
communication channel accessible by the W4 COMN.
[0041] In one embodiment, the W4 COMN uses a data modeling strategy
for creating profiles for not only users and locations, but also
any device on the network and any kind of user-defined data with
user-specified conditions. Using Social, Spatial, Temporal and
Logical data available about a specific user, topic or logical data
object, every entity known to the W4 COMN can be mapped and
represented against all other known entities and data objects in
order to create both a micro graph for every entity as well as a
global graph that relates all known entities with one another. In
one embodiment, such relationships between entities and data
objects are stored in a global index within the W4 COMN.
[0042] In one embodiment, a W4 COMN network relates to what may be
termed "real-world entities", hereinafter referred to as RWEs. A
RWE refers to, without limitation, a person, device, location, or
other physical thing known to a W4 COMN. In one embodiment, each
RWE known to a W4 COMN is assigned a unique W4 identification
number that identifies the RWE within the W4 COMN.
[0043] RWEs can interact with the network directly or through
proxies, which can themselves be RWEs. Examples of RWEs that
interact directly with the W4 COMN include any device such as a
sensor, motor, or other piece of hardware connected to the W4 COMN
in order to receive or transmit data or control signals. RWE may
include all devices that can serve as network nodes or generate,
request and/or consume data in a networked environment or that can
be controlled through a network. Such devices include any kind of
"dumb" device purpose-designed to interact with a network (e.g.,
cell phones, cable television set top boxes, fax machines,
telephones, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags,
sensors, etc.).
[0044] Examples of RWEs that may use proxies to interact with W4
COMN network include non-electronic entities including physical
entities, such as people, locations (e.g., states, cities, houses,
buildings, airports, roads, etc.) and things (e.g., animals, pets,
livestock, gardens, physical objects, cars, airplanes, works of
art, etc.), and intangible entities such as business entities,
legal entities, groups of people or sports teams. In addition,
"smart" devices (e.g., computing devices such as smart phones,
smart set top boxes, smart cars that support communication with
other devices or networks, laptop computers, personal computers,
server computers, satellites, etc.) may be considered RWE that use
proxies to interact with the network, where software applications
executing on the device that serve as the devices' proxies.
[0045] In one embodiment, a W4 COMN may allow associations between
RWEs to be determined and tracked. For example, a given user (an
RWE) can be associated with any number and type of other RWEs
including other people, cell phones, smart credit cards, personal
data assistants, email and other communication service accounts,
networked computers, smart appliances, set top boxes and receivers
for cable television and other media services, and any other
networked device. This association can be made explicitly by the
user, such as when the RWE is installed into the W4 COMN.
[0046] An example of this is the set up of a new cell phone, cable
television service or email account in which a user explicitly
identifies an RWE (e.g., the user's phone for the cell phone
service, the user's set top box and/or a location for cable
service, or a username and password for the online service) as
being directly associated with the user. This explicit association
can include the user identifying a specific relationship between
the user and the RWE (e.g., this is my device, this is my home
appliance, this person is my friend/father/son/etc., this device is
shared between me and other users, etc.). RWEs can also be
implicitly associated with a user based on a current situation. For
example, a weather sensor on the W4 COMN can be implicitly
associated with a user based on information indicating that the
user lives or is passing near the sensor's location.
[0047] In one embodiment, a W4 COMN network may additionally
include what may be termed "information-objects", hereinafter
referred to as IOs. An information object (JO) is a logical object
that may store, maintain, generate or otherwise provides data for
use by RWEs and/or the W4 COMN. In one embodiment, data within in
an IO can be revised by the act of an RWE An IO within in a W4 COMN
can be provided a unique W4 identification number that identifies
the IO within the W4 COMN.
[0048] In one embodiment, IOs include passive objects such as
communication signals (e.g., digital and analog telephone signals,
streaming media and interprocess communications), email messages,
transaction records, virtual cards, event records (e.g., a data
file identifying a time, possibly in combination with one or more
RWEs such as users and locations, that can further be associated
with a known topic/activity/significance such as a concert, rally,
meeting, sporting event, etc.), recordings of phone calls, calendar
entries, web pages, database entries, electronic media objects
(e.g., media files containing songs, videos, pictures, images,
audio messages, phone calls, etc.), electronic files and associated
metadata.
[0049] In one embodiment, IOs include any executing process or
application that consumes or generates data such as an email
communication application (such as OUTLOOK by MICROSOFT, or YAHOO!
MAIL by YAHOO!), a calendaring application, a word processing
application, an image editing application, a media player
application, a weather monitoring application, a browser
application and a web page server application. Such active IOs can
or can not serve as a proxy for one or more RWEs. For example,
voice communication software on a smart phone can serve as the
proxy for both the smart phone and for the owner of the smart
phone.
[0050] In one embodiment, for every JO there are at least three
classes of associated RWEs. The first is the RWE that owns or
controls the IO, whether as the creator or a rights holder (e.g.,
an RWE with editing rights or use rights to the IO). The second is
the RWE(s) that the IO relates to, for example by containing
information about the RWE or that identifies the RWE. The third are
any RWEs that access the IO in order to obtain data from the JO for
some purpose.
[0051] Within the context of a W4 COMN, "available data" and "W4
data" means data that exists in an IO or data that can be collected
from a known IO or RWE such as a deployed sensor. Within the
context of a W4 COMN, "sensor" means any source of W4 data
including PCs, phones, portable PCs or other wireless devices,
household devices, cars, appliances, security scanners, video
surveillance, RFID tags in clothes, products and locations, online
data or any other source of information about a real-world
user/topic/thing (RWE) or logic-based agent/process/topic/thing
(TO).
[0052] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of relationships between
RWEs and IOs on a W4 COMN. A user 102 is a RWE provided with a
unique network ID. The user 102 may be a human that communicates
with the network using proxy devices 104, 106, 108, 110 associated
with the user 102, all of which are RWEs having a unique network
ID. These proxies can communicate directly with the W4 COMN or can
communicate with the W4 COMN using IOs such as applications
executed on or by a proxy device.
[0053] In one embodiment, the proxy devices 104, 106, 108, 110 can
be explicitly associated with the user 102. For example, one device
104 can be a smart phone connected by a cellular service provider
to the network and another device 106 can be a smart vehicle that
is connected to the network. Other devices can be implicitly
associated with the user 102.
[0054] For example, one device 108 can be a "dumb" weather sensor
at a location matching the current location of the user's cell
phone 104, and thus implicitly associated with the user 102 while
the two RWEs 104, 108 are co-located. Another implicitly associated
device 110 can be a sensor 110 for physical location 112 known to
the W4 COMN. The location 112 is known, either explicitly (through
a user-designated relationship, e.g., this is my home, place of
employment, parent, etc.) or implicitly (the user 102 is often
co-located with the RWE 112 as evidenced by data from the sensor
110 at that location 112), to be associated with the first user
102.
[0055] The user 102 can be directly associated with one or more
persons 140, and indirectly associated with still more persons 142,
144 through a chain of direct associations. Such associations can
be explicit (e.g., the user 102 can have identified the associated
person 140 as his/her father, or can have identified the person 140
as a member of the user's social network) or implicit (e.g., they
share the same address). Tracking the associations between people
(and other RWEs as well) allows the creation of the concept of
"intimacy", where intimacy may be defined as a measure of the
degree of association between two people or RWEs. For example, each
degree of removal between RWEs can be considered a lower level of
intimacy, and assigned lower intimacy score. Intimacy can be based
solely on explicit social data or can be expanded to include all W4
data including spatial data and temporal data.
[0056] In one embodiment, each RWE 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112,
140, 142, 144 of a W4 COMN can be associated with one or more IOs
as shown. FIG. 1 illustrates two IOs 122, 124 as associated with
the cell phone device 104. One IO 122 can be a passive data object
such as an event record that is used by scheduling/calendaring
software on the cell phone, a contact IO used by an address book
application, a historical record of a transaction made using the
device 104 or a copy of a message sent from the device 104. The
other IO 124 can be an active software process or application that
serves as the device's proxy to the W4 COMN by transmitting or
receiving data via the W4 COMN. Voice communication software,
scheduling/calendaring software, an address book application or a
text messaging application are all examples of IOs that can
communicate with other IOs and RWEs on the network. IOs may
additionally relate to topics of interest to one or more RWEs, such
topics including, without limitation, musical artists, genera of
music, a location and so forth.
[0057] The IOs 122, 124 can be locally stored on the device 104 or
stored remotely on some node or datastore accessible to the W4
COMN, such as a message server or cell phone service datacenter.
The IO 126 associated with the vehicle 108 can be an electronic
file containing the specifications and/or current status of the
vehicle 108, such as make, model, identification number, current
location, current speed, current condition, current owner, etc. The
IO 128 associated with sensor 108 can identify the current state of
the subject(s) monitored by the sensor 108, such as current weather
or current traffic. The IO 130 associated with the cell phone 110
can be information in a database identifying recent calls or the
amount of charges on the current bill.
[0058] RWEs which can only interact with the W4 COMN through
proxies, such as people 102, 140, 142, 144, computing devices 104,
106 and locations 112, can have one or more IOs 132, 134, 146, 148,
150 directly associated with them which contain RWE-specific
information for the associated RWE. For example, IOs associcated
with a person 132, 146, 148, 150 can include a user profile
containing email addresses, telephone numbers, physical addresses,
user preferences, identification of devices and other RWEs
associated with the user. The IOs may additionally include records
of the user's past interactions with other RWE's on the W4 COMN
(e.g., transaction records, copies of messages, listings of time
and location combinations recording the user's whereabouts in the
past), the unique W4 COMN identifier for the location and/or any
relationship information (e.g., explicit user-designations of the
user's relationships with relatives, employers, co-workers,
neighbors, service providers, etc.).
[0059] Another example of IOs associated with a person 132, 146,
148, 150 includes remote applications through which a person can
communicate with the W4 COMN such as an account with a web-based
email service such as Yahoo! Mail. A location's IO 134 can contain
information such as the exact coordinates of the location, driving
directions to the location, a classification of the location
(residence, place of business, public, non-public, etc.),
information about the services or products that can be obtained at
the location, the unique W4 COMN identifier for the location,
businesses located at the location, photographs of the location,
etc.
[0060] In one embodiment, RWEs and IOs are correlated to identify
relationships between them. RWEs and IOs may be correlated using
metadata. For example, if an IO is a music file, metadata for the
file can include data identifying the artist, song, etc., album
art, and the format of the music data. This metadata can be stored
as part of the music file or in one or more different IOs that are
associated with the music file or both. W4 metadata can
additionally include the owner of the music file and the rights the
owner has in the music file. As another example, if the IO is a
picture taken by an electronic camera, the picture can include in
addition to the primary image data from which an image can be
created on a display, metadata identifying when the picture was
taken, where the camera was when the picture was taken, what camera
took the picture, who, if anyone, is associated (e.g., designated
as the camera's owner) with the camera, and who and what are the
subjects of/in the picture. The W4 COMN uses all the available
metadata in order to identify implicit and explicit associations
between entities and data objects.
[0061] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of metadata defining the
relationships between RWEs and IOs on the W4 COMN. In the
embodiment shown, an IO 202 includes object data 204 and five
discrete items of metadata 206, 208, 210, 212, 214. Some items of
metadata 208, 210, 212 can contain information related only to the
object data 204 and unrelated to any other IO or RWE. For example,
a creation date, text or an image that is to be associated with the
object data 204 of the IO 202.
[0062] Some of items of metadata 206, 214, on the other hand, can
identify relationships between the IO 202 and other RWEs and IOs.
As illustrated, the IO 202 is associated by one item of metadata
206 with an RWE 220 that RWE 220 is further associated with two IOs
224, 226 and a second RWE 222 based on some information known to
the W4 COMN. For example, could describe the relations between an
image (IO 202) containing metadata 206 that identifies the
electronic camera (the first RWE 220) and the user (the second RWE
224) that is known by the system to be the owner of the camera 220.
Such ownership information can be determined, for example, from one
or another of the IOs 224, 226 associated with the camera 220.
[0063] FIG. 2 also illustrates metadata 214 that associates the IO
202 with another IO 230. This IO 230 is itself associated with
three other IOs 232, 234, 236 that are further associated with
different RWEs 242, 244, 246. This part of FIG. 2, for example,
could describe the relations between a music file (IO 202)
containing metadata 206 that identifies the digital rights file
(the first IO 230) that defines the scope of the rights of use
associated with this music file 202. The other IOs 232, 234, 236
are other music files that are associated with the rights of use
and which are currently associated with specific owners (RWEs 242,
244, 246).
[0064] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment a conceptual model of a W4
COMN. The W4 COMN 300 creates an instrumented messaging
infrastructure in the form of a global logical network cloud
conceptually sub-divided into networked-clouds for each of the 4
Ws: Who, Where, What and When. In the Who cloud 302 are all users
whether acting as senders, receivers, data points or
confirmation/certification sources as well as user proxies in the
forms of user-program processes, devices, agents, calendars,
etc.
[0065] In the Where cloud 304 are all physical locations, events,
sensors or other RWEs associated with a spatial reference point or
location. The When cloud 306 is composed of natural temporal events
(that is events that are not associated with particular location or
person such as days, times, seasons) as well as collective user
temporal events (holidays, anniversaries, elections, etc.) and
user-defined temporal events (birthdays, smart-timing
programs).
[0066] The What cloud 308 is comprised of all known data--web or
private, commercial or user--accessible to the W4 COMN, including
for example environmental data like weather and news, RWE-generated
data, IOs and IO data, user data, models, processes and
applications. Thus, conceptually, most data is contained in the
What cloud 308.
[0067] Some entities, sensors or data may potentially exist in
multiple clouds either disparate in time or simultaneously.
Additionally, some IOs and RWEs can be composites in that they
combine elements from one or more clouds. Such composites can be
classified as appropriate to facilitate the determination of
associations between RWEs and IOs. For example, an event consisting
of a location and time could be equally classified within the When
cloud 306, the What cloud 308 and/or the Where cloud 304.
[0068] In one embodiment, a W4 engine 310 is center of the W4
COMN's intelligence for making all decisions in the W4 COMN. The W4
engine 310 controls all interactions between each layer of the W4
COMN and is responsible for executing any approved user or
application objective enabled by W4 COMN operations or
interoperating applications. In an embodiment, the W4 COMN is an
open platform with standardized, published APIs for requesting
(among other things) synchronization, disambiguation, user or topic
addressing, access rights, prioritization or other value-based
ranking, smart scheduling, automation and topical, social, spatial
or temporal alerts.
[0069] One function of the W4 COMN is to collect data concerning
all communications and interactions conducted via the W4 COMN,
which can include storing copies of IOs and information identifying
all RWEs and other information related to the IOs (e.g., who, what,
when, where information). Other data collected by the W4 COMN can
include information about the status of any given RWE and IO at any
given time, such as the location, operational state, monitored
conditions (e.g., for an RWE that is a weather sensor, the current
weather conditions being monitored or for an RWE that is a cell
phone, its current location based on the cellular towers it is in
contact with) and current status.
[0070] The W4 engine 310 is also responsible for identifying RWEs
and relationships between RWEs and IOs from the data and
communication streams passing through the W4 COMN. The function of
identifying RWEs associated with or implicated by IOs and actions
performed by other RWEs may be referred to as entity extraction.
Entity extraction can include both simple actions, such as
identifying the sender and receivers of a particular IO, and more
complicated analyses of the data collected by and/or available to
the W4 COMN, for example determining that a message listed the time
and location of an upcoming event and associating that event with
the sender and receiver(s) of the message based on the context of
the message or determining that an RWE is stuck in a traffic jam
based on a correlation of the RWE's location with the status of a
co-located traffic monitor.
[0071] It should be noted that when performing entity extraction
from an IO, the IO can be an opaque object with only where only W4
metadata related to the object is visible, but internal data of the
IO (i.e., the actual primary or object data contained within the
object) are not, and thus metadata extraction is limited to the
metadata. Alternatively, if internal data of the IO is visible, it
can also be used in entity extraction, e.g. strings within an email
are extracted and associated as RWEs to for use in determining the
relationships between the sender, user, topic or other RWE or IO
impacted by the object or process.
[0072] In the embodiment shown, the W4 engine 310 can be one or a
group of distributed computing devices, such as a general-purpose
personal computers (PCs) or purpose built server computers,
connected to the W4 COMN by communication hardware and/or software.
Such computing devices can be a single device or a group of devices
acting together. Computing devices can be provided with any number
of program modules and data files stored in a local or remote mass
storage device and local memory (e.g., RAM) of the computing
device. For example, as mentioned above, a computing device can
include an operating system suitable for controlling the operation
of a networked computer, such as the WINDOWS XP or WINDOWS SERVER
operating systems from MICROSOFT CORPORATION.
[0073] Some RWEs can also be computing devices such as, without
limitation, smart phones, web-enabled appliances, PCs, laptop
computers, and personal data assistants (PDAs). Computing devices
can be connected to one or more communications networks such as the
Internet, a publicly switched telephone network, a cellular
telephone network, a satellite communication network, a wired
communication network such as a cable television or private area
network. Computing devices can be connected any such network via a
wired data connection or wireless connection such as a wi-fi, a
WiMAX (802.36), a Bluetooth or a cellular telephone connection.
[0074] Local data structures, including discrete IOs, can be stored
on a computer-readable medium (not shown) that is connected to, or
part of, any of the computing devices described herein including
the W4 engine 310. For example, in one embodiment, the data
backbone of the W4 COMN, discussed below, includes multiple mass
storage devices that maintain the IOs, metadata and data necessary
to determine relationships between RWEs and IOs as described
herein.
[0075] FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the functional layers
of a W4 COMN architecture. At the lowest layer, referred to as the
sensor layer 402, is the network 404 of the actual devices, users,
nodes and other RWEs. Sensors include known technologies like web
analytics, GPS, cell-tower pings, use logs, credit card
transactions, online purchases, explicit user profiles and implicit
user profiling achieved through behavioral targeting, search
analysis and other analytics models used to optimize specific
network applications or functions.
[0076] The data layer 406 stores and catalogs the data produced by
the sensor layer 402. The data can be managed by either the network
404 of sensors or the network infrastructure 406 that is built on
top of the instrumented network of users, devices, agents,
locations, processes and sensors. The network infrastructure 408 is
the core under-the-covers network infrastructure that includes the
hardware and software necessary to receive that transmit data from
the sensors, devices, etc. of the network 404. It further includes
the processing and storage capability necessary to meaningfully
categorize and track the data created by the network 404.
[0077] The user profiling layer 410 performs the W4 COMN's user
profiling functions. This layer 410 can further be distributed
between the network infrastructure 408 and user
applications/processes 412 executing on the W4 engine or disparate
user computing devices. Personalization is enabled across any
single or combination of communication channels and modes including
email, IM, texting (SMS, etc.), photobloging, audio (e.g. telephone
call), video (teleconferencing, live broadcast), games, data
confidence processes, security, certification or any other W4 COMM
process call for available data.
[0078] In one embodiment, the user profiling layer 410 is a
logic-based layer above all sensors to which sensor data are sent
in the rawest form to be mapped and placed into the W4 COMN data
backbone 420. The data (collected and refined, related and
deduplicated, synchronized and disambiguated) are then stored in
one or a collection of related databases available applications
approved on the W4 COMN. Network-originating actions and
communications are based upon the fields of the data backbone, and
some of these actions are such that they themselves become records
somewhere in the backbone, e.g. invoicing, while others, e.g. fraud
detection, synchronization, disambiguation, can be done without an
impact to profiles and models within the backbone.
[0079] Actions originating from outside the network, e.g., RWEs
such as users, locations, proxies and processes, come from the
applications layer 414 of the W4 COMN. Some applications can be
developed by the W4 COMN operator and appear to be implemented as
part of the communications infrastructure 408, e.g. email or
calendar programs because of how closely they operate with the
sensor processing and user profiling layer 410. The applications
412 also serve as a sensor in that they, through their actions,
generate data back to the data layer 406 via the data backbone
concerning any data created or available due to the applications
execution.
[0080] In one embodiment, the applications layer 414 can also
provide a user interface (UI) based on device, network, carrier as
well as user-selected or security-based customizations. Any UI can
operate within the W4 COMN if it is instrumented to provide data on
user interactions or actions back to the network. In the case of W4
COMN enabled mobile devices, the UI can also be used to confirm or
disambiguate incomplete W4 data in real-time, as well as
correlation, triangulation and synchronization sensors for other
nearby enabled or non-enabled devices.
[0081] At some point, the network effects of enough enabled devices
allow the network to gather complete or nearly complete data
(sufficient for profiling and tracking) of a non-enabled device
because of its regular intersection and sensing by enabled devices
in its real-world location.
[0082] Above the applications layer 414, or hosted within it, is
the communications delivery network 416. The communications
delivery network can be operated by the W4 COMN operator or be
independent third-party carrier service. Data may be delivered via
synchronous or asynchronous communication. In every case, the
communication delivery network 414 will be sending or receiving
data on behalf of a specific application or network infrastructure
408 request.
[0083] The communication delivery layer 418 also has elements that
act as sensors including W4 entity extraction from phone calls,
emails, blogs, etc. as well as specific user commands within the
delivery network context. For example, "save and prioritize this
call" said before end of call can trigger a recording of the
previous conversation to be saved and for the W4 entities within
the conversation to analyzed and increased in weighting
prioritization decisions in the personalization/user profiling
layer 410.
[0084] FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of the analysis components
of a W4 engine as shown in FIG. 3. As discussed above, the W4
Engine is responsible for identifying RWEs and relationships
between RWEs and IOs from the data and communication streams
passing through the W4 COMN.
[0085] In one embodiment the W4 engine connects, interoperates and
instruments all network participants through a series of
sub-engines that perform different operations in the entity
extraction process. The attribution engine 504 tracks the
real-world ownership, control, publishing or other conditional
rights of any RWE in any IO. Whenever a new IO is detected by the
W4 engine 502, e.g., through creation or transmission of a new
message, a new transaction record, a new image file, etc.,
ownership is assigned to the IO. The attribution engine 504 creates
this ownership information and further allows this information to
be determined for each IO known to the W4 COMN.
[0086] The correlation engine 506 can operates two capacities:
first, to identify associated RWEs and IOs and their relationships
(such as by creating a combined graph of any combination of RWEs
and IOs and their attributes, relationships and reputations within
contexts or situations) and second, as a sensor analytics
pre-processor for attention events from any internal or external
source.
[0087] In one embodiment, the identification of associated RWEs and
IOs function of the correlation engine 506 is done by graphing the
available data, using, for example, one or more histograms A
histogram is a mapping technique that counts the number of
observations that fall into various disjoint categories (i.e.
bins.). By selecting each IO, RWE, and other known parameters
(e.g., times, dates, locations, etc.) as different bins and mapping
the available data, relationships between RWEs, IOs and the other
parameters can be identified. A histogram of all RWEs and IOs is
created, from which correlations based on the graph can be
made.
[0088] As a pre-processor, the correlation engine 506 monitors the
information provided by RWEs in order to determine if any
conditions are identified that can trigger an action on the part of
the W4 engine 502. For example, if a delivery condition has been
associated with a message, when the correlation engine 506
determines that the condition is met, it can transmit the
appropriate trigger information to the W4 engine 502 that triggers
delivery of the message.
[0089] The attention engine 508 instruments all appropriate network
nodes, clouds, users, applications or any combination thereof and
includes close interaction with both the correlation engine 506 and
the attribution engine 504.
[0090] FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a W4 engine showing
different components within the sub-engines described above with
reference to FIG. 4. In one embodiment the W4 engine 602 includes
an attention engine 608, attribution engine 604 and correlation
engine 606 with several sub-managers based upon basic function.
[0091] The attention engine 608 includes a message intake and
generation manager 610 as well as a message delivery manager 612
that work closely with both a message matching manager 614 and a
real-time communications manager 616 to deliver and instrument all
communications across the W4 COMN.
[0092] The attribution engine 604 works within the user profile
manager 618 and in conjunction with all other modules to identify,
process/verify and represent ownership and rights information
related to RWEs, IOs and combinations thereof.
[0093] The correlation engine 606 dumps data from both of its
channels (sensors and processes) into the same data backbone 620
which is organized and controlled by the W4 analytics manager 622.
The data backbone 620 includes both aggregated and individualized
archived versions of data from all network operations including
user logs 624, attention rank place logs 626, web indices and
environmental logs 618, e-commerce and financial transaction
information 630, search indexes and logs 632, sponsor content or
conditionals, ad copy and any and all other data used in any W4COMN
process, IO or event. Because of the amount of data that the W4
COMN will potentially store, the data backbone 620 includes
numerous database servers and data stores in communication with the
W4 COMN to provide sufficient storage capacity.
[0094] The data collected by the W4 COMN includes spatial data,
temporal data, RWE interaction data, IO content data (e.g., media
data), and user data including explicitly-provided and deduced
social and relationship data. Spatial data can be any data
identifying a location associated with an RWE. For example, the
spatial data can include any passively collected location data,
such as cell tower data, global packet radio service (GPRS) data,
global positioning service (GPS) data, WI-FI data, personal area
network data, IP address data and data from other network access
points, or actively collected location data, such as location data
entered by the user.
[0095] Temporal data is time based data (e.g., time stamps) that
relate to specific times and/or events associated with a user
and/or the electronic device. For example, the temporal data can be
passively collected time data (e.g., time data from a clock
resident on the electronic device, or time data from a network
clock), or the temporal data can be actively collected time data,
such as time data entered by the user of the electronic device
(e.g., a user maintained calendar).
[0096] Logical and IO data refers to the data contained by an IO as
well as data associated with the IO such as creation time, owner,
associated RWEs, when the IO was last accessed, etc. For example,
an IO may relate to media data. Media data can include any data
relating to presentable media, such as audio data, visual data, and
audiovisual data. Audio data can be data relating to downloaded
music, such as genre, artist, album and the like, and includes data
regarding ringtones, ringbacks, media purchased, playlists, and
media shared, to name a few. The visual data can be data relating
to images and/or text received by the electronic device (e.g., via
the Internet or other network). The visual data can be data
relating to images and/or text sent from and/or captured at the
electronic device.
[0097] Audiovisual data can be data associated with any videos
captured at, downloaded to, or otherwise associated with the
electronic device. The media data includes media presented to the
user via a network, such as use of the Internet, and includes data
relating to text entered and/or received by the user using the
network (e.g., search terms), and interaction with the network
media, such as click data (e.g., advertisement banner clicks,
bookmarks, click patterns and the like). Thus, the media data can
include data relating to the user's RSS feeds, subscriptions, group
memberships, game services, alerts, and the like.
[0098] The media data can include non-network activity, such as
image capture and/or video capture using an electronic device, such
as a mobile phone. The image data can include metadata added by the
user, or other data associated with the image, such as, with
respect to photos, location when the photos were taken, direction
of the shot, content of the shot, and time of day, to name a few.
Media data can be used, for example, to deduce activities
information or preferences information, such as cultural and/or
buying preferences information.
[0099] Relationship data can include data relating to the
relationships of an RWE or IO to another RWE or IO. For example,
the relationship data can include user identity data, such as
gender, age, race, name, social security number, photographs and
other information associated with the user's identity. User
identity information can also include e-mail addresses, login names
and passwords. Relationship data can further include data
identifying explicitly associated RWEs. For example, relationship
data for a cell phone can indicate the user that owns the cell
phone and the company that provides the service to the phone. As
another example, relationship data for a smart car can identify the
owner, a credit card associated with the owner for payment of
electronic tolls, those users permitted to drive the car and the
service station for the car.
[0100] Relationship data can also include social network data.
Social network data includes data relating to any relationship that
is explicitly defined by a user or other RWE, such as data relating
to a user's friends, family, co-workers, business relations, and
the like. Social network data can include, for example, data
corresponding with a user-maintained electronic address book.
Relationship data can be correlated with, for example, location
data to deduce social network information, such as primary
relationships (e.g., user-spouse, user-children and user-parent
relationships) or other relationships (e.g., user-friends,
user-co-worker, user-business associate relationships).
Relationship data also can be utilized to deduce, for example,
activities information.
[0101] Interaction data can be any data associated with user
interaction of the electronic device, whether active or passive.
Examples of interaction data include interpersonal communication
data, media data, relationship data, transactional data and device
interaction data, all of which are described in further detail
below. Table 1, below, is a non-exhaustive list including examples
of electronic data.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Examples of Electronic Data Spatial Data
Temporal Data Interaction Data Cell tower Time stamps Interpersonal
GPRS Local clock communications GPS Network clock Media WiFi User
input of time Relationships Personal area network Transactions
Network access points Device interactions User input of location
Geo-coordinates
[0102] Interaction data includes communication data between any
RWEs that is transferred via the W4 COMN. For example, the
communication data can be data associated with an incoming or
outgoing short message service (SMS) message, email message, voice
call (e.g., a cell phone call, a voice over IP call), or other type
of interpersonal communication related to an RWE. Communication
data can be correlated with, for example, temporal data to deduce
information regarding frequency of communications, including
concentrated communication patterns, which can indicate user
activity information.
[0103] The interaction data can also include transactional data.
The transactional data can be any data associated with commercial
transactions undertaken by or at the mobile electronic device, such
as vendor information, financial institution information (e.g.,
bank information), financial account information (e.g., credit card
information), merchandise information and costs/prices information,
and purchase frequency information, to name a few. The
transactional data can be utilized, for example, to deduce
activities and preferences information. The transactional
information can also be used to deduce types of devices and/or
services the user owns and/or in which the user can have an
interest.
[0104] The interaction data can also include device or other RWE
interaction data. Such data includes both data generated by
interactions between a user and a RWE on the W4 COMN and
interactions between the RWE and the W4 COMN. RWE interaction data
can be any data relating to an RWE's interaction with the
electronic device not included in any of the above categories, such
as habitual patterns associated with use of an electronic device
data of other modules/applications, such as data regarding which
applications are used on an electronic device and how often and
when those applications are used. As described in further detail
below, device interaction data can be correlated with other data to
deduce information regarding user activities and patterns
associated therewith. Table 2, below, is a non-exhaustive list
including examples of interaction data.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Examples of Interaction Data Type of Data
Example(s) Interpersonal Text-based communications, such as SMS and
e- communication data mail Audio-based communications, such as
voice calls, voice notes, voice mail Media-based communications,
such as multimedia messaging service (MMS) communications Unique
identifiers associated with a communication, such as phone numbers,
e-mail addresses, and network addresses Media data Audio data, such
as music data (artist, genre, track, album, etc.) Visual data, such
as any text, images and video data, including Internet data,
picture data, podcast data and playlist data Network interaction
data, such as click patterns and channel viewing patterns
Relationship data User identifying information, such as name, age,
gender, race, and social security number Social network data
Transactional data Vendors Financial accounts, such as credit cards
and banks data Type of merchandise/services purchased Cost of
purchases Inventory of purchases Device interaction data Any data
not captured above dealing with user interaction of the device,
such as patterns of use of the device, applications utilized, and
so forth
Determination and Display of Personalized Distance
[0105] In a mobile society, persons are continuously traveling from
one point to another. Often, a person wants or needs to know the
distance between two real-world locations. Numerous services exist
to calculate spatial distance. Such services may be, without
limitation, web based services, such as Yahoo! Maps, Mapquest, or
may be GPS-based services. Such services calculate spatial distance
tied to a specific route and may be able to estimate travel time,
either based on average travel time, or based on real-time traffic
data. Such services may additionally provide for a small degree of
customization, such as finding routes that avoid highways or
tolls.
[0106] The distances calculated by such services are not, however,
typically personalized to any significant degree. A spatial
distance does not factor in a person's goals or objectives in
traveling between two points. Furthermore, it does not factor in a
person's schedule, interests, preferences or social networks in
determining the desirability of particular route. A personalized
distance can be determined that takes such factors into account.
The factors that can be used in determining a personal distance
between two points can be categorized as spatial factors, temporal
factors, social factors, and topical (or logical) factors.
[0107] In one embodiment, calculation of a personalized distance
between two real-world entities can begin with determining one or
more routes between two real-world entities. One or more routes can
be chosen based on a user's preferred mode of travel. For example,
a person may prefer to walk or use public transportation rather
than driving. Routing can simply choose the shortest available
route. Routing can additionally reflect further travel preferences,
such as avoiding highways, tolls, school zones, construction areas,
and so forth. Given a known route, spatial distance can then be
determined for the route. In one embodiment, spatial distance is
the length of the route. In another embodiment, the time to travel
to a destination can be considered a form of spatial distance.
[0108] Spatial distance can be modified by spatial factors not
directly related to distance. Such spatial factors may relate to
additional spatial dimensions such as height, altitude, a floor on
a building, and so forth. Such factors can relate to physical
properties of the route or entities having a location on or near
the route. For example, if a person values scenery or visually
stimulating surroundings, whether natural, or manmade, a route that
has a view of a bay or ocean or skyline can be more desirable. If a
portion of a route has a reputation for being in poor physical
condition or is under construction, the route can be considered
less desirable. Spacial factors may additionally include the
additional dimension of velocity (i.e. direction and speed) of a
user or other entities. Spatial factors may additionally include
environmental conditions tied to physical locations, such as local
weather conditions.
[0109] Spatial distance can then be further modified using temporal
factors, social factors, and topical factors. Temporal factors can
be generally defined as factors that relate to how the passage of
time affects the desirability of a route and the mode of
transportation. The most basic temporal factor is the time it takes
to travel a route. Travel time on a route can be estimated based on
average travel time historically associated with a route.
Alternatively, travel time can be more precisely determined by
monitoring average speed and travel times from real-time monitors
or sensors. Such sensors can be fixed sensors specifically
installed along major avenues of travel for monitoring traffic
flow. Such sensors can also be user devices, such as cellular
telephones or GPSs whose location is continuously monitored and
which can thus be used to determine the speed of travel for
individual user devices whose physical position is known. In one
embodiment, data used to determine travel time on a route may be a
combination of many sources of data from multiple sensor
networks.
[0110] Such travel time can be useful, but can be enhanced by
combining it with historical travel time data accumulated over a
period of time. For example, on Friday, people may historically
leave the office earlier, and traffic predictably suffers a 15 to
20 minute slow down between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM on major routes out
of a city. Thus, the speed of traffic at 5:45 PM may provide an
overly optimistic estimate of travel time between 6:00 PM and 7:00
PM for a person whose commute would normally be 30 minutes.
[0111] Travel time can also be affected by weather conditions.
Thus, when it begins to rain, historically, traffic may suffer a 30
minute slow on major routes out of a city. Thus, if rain is
predicted or if it just begins to rain, travel time for such routes
may be adjusted accordingly. Travel time can also be affected by
local events. For example, a concert may be booked at a large arena
downtown for a specific date starting at 7:00 PM. Historical data
may indicate that traffic slows down in the vicinity of the arena
during concerts, increasing commute times by 10 minutes.
[0112] Temporal factors can additionally include temporal data
relating to the starting point and ending points of a route. For
example, if the destination of a route is a restaurant or a retail
location, if the location closes before the route can be fully
traversed, the route is undesirable. If the wait time to be seated
at a restaurant exceeds, for example, 30 minutes, the route may
also be undesirable. If an event is scheduled to occur at a
location at a particular time, for example, live music begins at 10
PM, a route that arrives at the location after 10:00 PM may be
undesirable.
[0113] Temporal factors can additionally include temporal data
relating to a specific person. For example, if a person has an
appointment, a route that arrives early for the appointment is
desirable. If a person typically engages in specific activities at
home, such as viewing a specific television program, a route that
takes a person to a location away from home, for example, a
restaurant, that is so distant that the person will not be able to
reach home before the program airs may be undesirable.
[0114] Thus, the time it takes to traverse a route, informed by
real-time and historical data, and the impact of such travel time
on cotemporaneous events can be determined for a specific route or
a group of routes. Spatial distance, travel time, and events
affected by travel time can, in one embodiment, be displayed
individually. Alternatively, temporal factors can be used to modify
spatial distance to create a personalized distance. The
personalized distance reflects the overall desirability of the
route. In one embodiment, the distance increases as the
desirability of the route decreases. For example, a route that
reflects a spatial distance of 10 miles may be increased to 30
miles because of slow travel time or because the route will arrive
late for an appointment based on real-time travel estimates. A
route which is expressed as a temporal distance of 10 minutes may
be increased to 30 minutes or "TL" for too long if the route will
arrive late for an appointment based on real-time travel
estimates.
[0115] In one embodiment, temporal factors can be used as weighting
factors or additive factors that are used to modify spatial
distance in a consistent manner. Weighting and additive factors can
be used to reflect a simple, continuous numerical relationship. For
example, if a 10 mile route is projected to have a travel time of
30 minutes, reflecting an average speed of 20 mph, whereas 60 mph
is taken to be an arbitrary target travel speed, a weighted
distance of 30 miles could be computed by multiplying the travel
time by the target travel speed. In another example, an arbitrary
increment of 1 mile can be added to spatial distance for every
additional minute a person is projected to be late for an
appointment. In another embodiment, a pre-defined code or tag could
be associated with the spatial distance, e.g. "10 L" for ten
minutes late, or "TL" for too late or too long.
[0116] Weighting and additive factors can additionally or
alternatively, be used reflect a discrete intervals used
multiplicatively or additionally. For example, if a person is
projected to be late for an appointment from 1 to 10 minutes, a
multiplier of 1.5 or an addition of 10 miles could be applied to
spatial distance, whereas if a person is projected to be 11-20
minutes late, a multiplier of 10 or an addition of 100 miles could
be applied to spatial distance.
[0117] Spatial distance can thus be weighted by temporal factors in
a large number of ways to produce a qualitative personal distance
that reflects spatial distance of a route and also reflects the
impact of temporal factors on the desirability (or even
feasibility) of the route. In one embodiment, the exact methodology
for combining spatial distance and temporal weighting factors can
vary from person to person, and can be customized to reflect the
personality or habits of a person. Thus, a person who hates driving
may heavily weight travel time, whereas an obsessively punctual
person may heavily weight being late for work or appointments. In
one embodiment, the user can explicitly input such preferences. In
another embodiment, such preferences may be imputed user behavior
which is reflected by sensor data and interaction data for the user
accumulated over time.
[0118] Spatial distance can additionally be modified using social
factors. Social factors can be generally defined as factors that
relate to how a person's social relations affects the desirability
of a route. A route can be considered more desirable if the route
is in proximity to one or more individuals who are in a person's
social network or otherwise demonstrate a social relation with a
user on the basis of spatial, temporal, or topical associations,
correlations, overlaps or degrees of separation.
[0119] Such factors could be based on profile data associated with
individuals in a person's social network. For example, a route that
passes the home address of a close friend can be considered more
desirable, as it offers the potential opportunity to drop in on a
friend. Such factors could also be based on dynamic, real time data
associated with persons in a social network. For example, a route
to a location may be considered more desirable if one or more
friends or acquaintances are currently present at that
location.
[0120] Social factors may also make use of interaction or
transaction data associated with individuals in a person's social
network. For example, a route to a location may be considered more
desirable if the location is a business which is frequented or
favorably reviewed by one or more friends or relatives. In another
example, a route containing roads that have been unfavorably
commented on by friends or are habitually avoided by friends can be
considered less desirable.
[0121] Social network factors can also be used in a negative
fashion as well. Thus, if an individual is identified within a
person's social network as a person to be avoided, routes that tend
to avoid the individual and businesses and locales frequented by
the individual may be considered preferable.
[0122] Spatial distance can additionally be modified using topical
factors. Topical factors can be generally defined as including
factors that relate to known information associated with locations,
users, and other entities in the environment. Such factors can
relate to how a person's interests and preferences, as well as
external events, affects the desirability of a route. For example,
topical factors may relate to the general area surrounding the
route. For if a person is safety conscious, a route that passes
through an area that has a high crime rate can be considered less
desirable. If a person enjoys shopping for haute couture, a route
that passes through an area that has a high density of high end
retailers or boutiques may be more desirable. Topical factors may
relate to events occurring on or in the vicinity of the route. For
example, if a festival is occurring in a neighborhood, a route that
passes through the neighborhood may be more or less desirable,
depending on whether a person has an interest in the festival or
not.
[0123] Topical factors may relate to the destination of the route.
For example, a route to a location may be considered more desirable
if the location is a business which is associated with a topic of
interest (or aversion) to the user. For example, if a person is a
fan of blues music, a route to a destination associated with blues
music (i.e. a blue's club) can be considered more desirable. In
another example, if a person doesn't like children, a route to a
destination that is rated as a great family destination can be
considered less desirable. A route to a location may be considered
more desirable if the location is a business which is favorably
reviewed by a favorite reporter or news publication or a friend.
For example, a route to a restaurant which has received glowing
reviews in local publications can be considered more desirable, but
may be less desirable if a user's best friend gives the restaurant
a bad review. Topical factors can thus be weighted by any known
social factor related to the topic.
[0124] In one embodiment, social and topical factors can be used in
addition to temporal factors as weighting factors or additive
factors that are used to modify spatial distance in a consistent
manner to produce a personalized distance. In one embodiment, the
exact methodology for combining spatial distance and temporal
weighting factors can vary from person, and can be customized to
reflect the personality, habits, and preferences of a person.
[0125] Note that the methodologies described above can be extended
to determine a personalized distance which is not tied to a
physical route, or even to spatial or temporal dimensions. In one
embodiment, the route is a straight line between the starting
location and the ending location, a relative distance from a
central third point, or a calculation based on a cluster of
locations, and can be adjusted by social and topical factors.
[0126] In yet another embodiment, spatial and temporal dimensions
are ignored and the personalized distance between the starting
location and the ending location is based on social and topical
factors relating to the requesting user, the starting and ending
location, and all known RWEs and IOs associated with the user and
the starting and ending location Such a personalized distance
becomes, in effect, a metric which measures how closely the
starting and ending locations relate to the requesting user's
interests and associations.
[0127] The embodiments of the present invention discussed below
illustrate application of the present invention within a W4 COMN.
Nevertheless, it is understood that the invention can be
implemented using any networked system which is capable of tracking
the physical location of users and media enabled electronic
devices, and which is further capable of collecting and storing
user profile data, location data, as well as temporal, spatial,
topical and social data relating to users and their devices.
[0128] A W4 COMN can provide a platform that enables the
determination of personalized distances between two or more real
world objects that includes spatial factors, temporal factors,
social factors, and topical factors. The W4 COMN is able to achieve
such a result, in part, because the W4 COMN is aware of the
physical location of persons and the relative location of places,
and is further aware of the preferences of such persons and places
and their relationship to one another and to the greater
network.
[0129] FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the use of a W4 COMN
for the determination of personalized distances between two or more
real world objects.
[0130] In the illustrated embodiment, an individual 702 wishes to
determine a personalized distance between a starting location 720
and an ending location 724. In one embodiment, a user 704 enters a
personalized location request using a user proxy device 704, for
example a PDA or portable media player, which is transmitted to a
W4 COMN 750. In one embodiment, the request comprises the starting
location 720 and the ending location 724. In alternative
embodiments, the user may choose to enter more than two locations,
which in one embodiment, can comprise a starting location 720 and
an ending location 724 and one or more additional locations, for
example an auditorium (i.e. to buy event tickets) and a friend's
house 718 (i.e. to stop and visit.)
[0131] At least one physical route 730 exists between the starting
720 and ending locations 724. The route can be identified by a
mapping application, such as, for example, Yahoo Maps, that is
capable of plotting routes along highways and roads between two
locations. Alternatively, the route can be specified in the
personalized location request. The routes may be, without
limitation, routes proceeding along roads and highways, may be a
pedestrian route, and may include segments utilizing mass transit.
Where a route request comprises more than two locations, each route
will include all locations in the route request, and may provide
alternate routes with differing ending locations. For example a
route request starting at location 720 and including locations 740,
718, and 724 could generate alternate routes ending at location 718
and location 724.
[0132] There are fixed traffic sensors 730 along all or part of the
route. The sensors are in communication with the W4 COMN and
continuously transmit real-time data including at least traffic
information to the W4 COMN. Additionally or alternatively, the W4
COMN can track the location of network user devices which are
traveling on the route 730. For example, the network can determine
the location of cell phones by triangulating cellular signals or
through the use of embedded GPS. Vehicles 708 may additionally
contain sensors or geo-locatable devices which includes the
vehicles rate, direction, and mode of motion. Such vehicles may
include the user's vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the W4
COMN can track alerts and traffic advisories transmitted by local
authorities, or data provided by the local 911 network (not shown.)
Additionally or alternatively, the W4 COMN can track the movement
of air traffic 709 as well as vehicular traffic.
[0133] The route begins at a starting location 720. The starting
location can be a physical point, an address, or a real-world
entity, such as a building or an individual (e.g. the requesting
user.) The route 730 proceeds past a municipal auditorium 740 that
periodically hosts events such as concerts. The route additionally
passes near the home 728 of a friend of the user 702. The route
additionally passes a scenic area 744 such as a shoreline, an
overlook, or a clear view of a city skyline. The location
terminates at an ending location 724. The ending location can be a
physical point, an address, or a real-world entity, such as a
building or an individual whose position is known to the network
(e.g. a friend of the requesting user with a device whose position
is known through, e.g. GPS.)
[0134] The requesting user 702 has three friends 706, 710, and 726
known to the network. User 706 is a friend of requesting user 702,
but has no association with the route 730. User 726 has a home
located 728 on the route 730. User 710 is currently located at the
ending location 724. User 710 has a proxy device 712, such as a
smart phone, that is in communication with the W4 COMN and whose
geographical position can be determined, for example, by GPS
technologies or triangulation of cellular signals.
[0135] Physical locations of any type, such as starting location
720 and an ending location 724, can further contain or be
associated with proxy devices known to the network. Such devices
can include proxy devices associated with, without limitation,
other users' proxy devices, vending machines, printers, appliances,
LANs, WANs, WiFi devices, and RFID tags which can provide
additional information to the network. All of the entities shown in
FIG. 7 may be known to the W4 COMN, and all network connectable
devices and sensors may be connected to, or tracked by, the W4 COMN
(note, all possible connections are not shown in FIG. 7.)
[0136] FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of how the objects shown
in FIG. 7 can be defined to a W4 COMN.
[0137] Individuals 702, 706, 712 and 726 are represented as user
RWEs 802, 806, 810 and 826 respectively. Each individual's devices
are represented as proxy RWEs 804, and 812. Locations 720, 724, and
740 are represented as location (or business) RWEs 820, 824, and
840. The traffic sensor 730 is represented as a sensor RWE 830. The
route 730 is represented as a IO 830 containing route information.
The scenic area is represented by an RWE which includes information
on the location and other attributes of the scenic area. All RWEs
can have additionally have, without limitation, IOs associated with
RWEs proxies, friends, and friends proxies.
[0138] FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a data model showing
how the RWEs shown in FIG. 8 can be related to entities and objects
within a W4 COMN.
[0139] The RWE for the requesting user is associated with a route
IO 830. The route IO 830 includes, in one embodiment, sufficient
data to fully define the physical route, such as road segments and
distances or a set of GPS coordinates. The route IO is directly
associated with a set of RWEs: RWE 820 representing the starting
location of the route; RWE 830 representing a traffic sensor on the
route; RWE 840 representing a municipal auditorium on or near the
route and a scenic area 844; and RWE 824 representing the ending
location.
[0140] In the illustrated embodiment, the route IO is further
associated with two IOs relating to topics: IO 828 representing the
user profile of an RWE 820 representing a friend 820 of the
requesting user whose home address is located on or near the route.
Note that the route IO may be directly related to any or all IOs
associated with physical locations along the route, but is also
indirectly related to an unbounded set of IOs related to spatial,
temporal, and topical factors related to the route and requesting
user. For example, in FIG. 9, the route is indirectly related to
user 802's friends 806, 810, and 820 through user 802's social
network. In FIG. 9, every IO shown is related directly or
indirectly to the route 830.
[0141] The requesting user RWE is associated with friend/user RWEs
806, 810, and 820 through a social network represented by an IO
relating to a topic 803. User RWE 806 is associated with one or
more interaction data IO that can include, without limitation,
communications relating to ending location RWE 824 and other users
or locations. User RWE 810 is associated with the ending location
RWE 824, for example, by an association indicating the user is
physically present at the location. User RWE 810 is also associated
with a user proxy device RWE 812 whose physical location is
known.
[0142] The location RWE 840 for the municipal auditorium is further
associated with an IO having information on events occurring at the
auditorium, including a calendar with dates and times of events.
The location RWE 824 for the destination is further associated with
one or more IOs relating to topics 828 which may include, without
limitation, a calendar of live music to be performed at the
destination, ratings by customers of the destination location, or
reviews of the location by local media.
[0143] In one embodiment, the relationships shown in FIG. 9 are
created by the W4 COMN using a data modeling strategy for creating
profiles and other types of IOs relating to topics for users,
locations, any device on the network and any kind of user-defined
data. Using social, spatial, temporal and topical data available
about a specific user, topic or logical data object, every entity
known to the W4 COMN can be mapped and represented against all
other known entities and data objects in order to create both a
micro graph for every entity, as well as a global graph that
relates all known entities with one another and relatively from
each other. In one embodiment, such relationships between entities
and data objects are stored in a global index within the W4
COMN.
[0144] FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a process 900 of how a
network having temporal, spatial, and social data, for example, a
W4 COMN, can be used for the determination of personalized
distances between two or more real world objects.
[0145] A request is received for the calculation of a personalized
distance 910 between real-world entities, wherein the request
comprises two real-world entities corresponding to a starting
location and an ending location. The request may additionally
include a physical route between the starting location and an
ending location or other criteria. The request may be for the
current time, or may be for a future point in time. One or more
physical routes between the starting location and the ending
location are mapped 920. For every route 930, data is retrieved 940
from network databases 942 and network sensors 944 for entities and
objects associated with the route, wherein the network databases
contain spatial, temporal, social, and topical data relating to
entities and objects within the network. In one embodiment, the
network databases 942 include a global index of RWE and IO
relationships maintained by the W4 COMN. The spatial, temporal,
social, and topical data is used to calculate a personalized
distance 950 using one or more embodiments of methodologies
discussed above. The personalized distance is then displayed 960
for each route.
[0146] FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a personal distance
determination engine 1000 that is capable of supporting the process
in FIG. 10. In one embodiment, the personal distance determination
engine 1000 is a component of a W4 engine 502 within a W4 COMN and
may use modules within the W4 engine to support its functions.
[0147] A request receiving module 1100 receives requests for the
calculation of personalized distances between real-world entities,
wherein the request comprises at least two real-world entities
corresponding to a starting location and an ending location. The
request may additionally include a physical route between the
starting location and the ending location. A route determination
module 1200 maps one or more physical routes between the starting
location and ending location. A route data retrieval module 1300
retrieves spatial, temporal, social, and topical data from network
databases 1320 and sensors 1340 for entities and objects associated
with a route. A personalized distance calculation module 1400 uses
retrieved spatial, temporal, social, and topical data to calculate
a personalized distance using one or more embodiments of
methodologies discussed above. A personalized distance display
module 1500 displays personalized distance on a display medium
1520.
[0148] In one embodiment, the request receiving module provides an
interface for entry of personalized distance requests. The
interface may be a graphical user interface displayable on
computers or PDAs, including HTTP documents accessible over the
Internet. Such an interfaces may also take other forms, including
text files, such as emails, and APIs usable by software
applications located on computing devices. The interface provide.
In one embodiment, a personalized distance request can be entered
on a mapping application interface, such as Yahoo Maps. The request
may be for the current time, or may be for a future point in
time.
[0149] In one embodiment, route determination module may determine
routes using a mapping engine such as that provided by Yahoo! Maps
that is capable of mapping a route between two locations.
Alternatively, the route may be presumed to be a straight line
between two locations, a relative distance from a central third
point, or a calculation based on a cluster of locations.
Alternatively, no physical route may be determined. In one
embodiment, the route determination module returns multiple
physical routes. The routes can be routes consisting entirely of
roads and highways, pedestrian ways, public transportation, or any
combination thereof.
[0150] In one embodiment, the distance display module displays
personalized distance on a user interface. The interface can be a
graphical user interface displayable on computers or PDAs,
including HTTP documents accessible over the Internet. Such an
interface may also take other forms, including text files, such as
emails, and APIs usable by software applications located on
computing devices. In one embodiment, the personalized distance for
one or more routes can be listed as text or numbers. The factors
used to calculate the personalized distance can be listed on same
display as text or numbers so that the user can understand the
basis of the calculation. In one embodiment, distances above and
below a user defined threshold can be automatically excluded or
preferred.
[0151] In one embodiment, a personalized distance can be displayed
as an overlay of a graphical display of a map of the route to which
the personalized distance relates. For example, the personalized
distance could be displayed as a colored highlight over the length
of the route wherein the color indicates the magnitude of the
distance. For example, red could signify a distance of 20 miles or
greater, or, alternatively, a route wherein the personalized
distance is greater than twice the spatial distance. The
personalized distance could also be displayed as a text tag on the
route. Entities and objects which were used in the personalized
distance calculation and which have a physical location close to
the route can additionally be displayed as text tags or symbols on
the map. In an alternative embodiment, the color coding of routes
based on rank of users' likely preferences (e.g. the best route is
colored green, the worst, brown.)
[0152] In one embodiment, in a W4 COMN, the route data retrieval
module 1300 can be component of a correlation engine 506, and makes
use of data relationships within the W4 COMN to retrieve data
related to a route. In one embodiment, the network databases 1320
include a global index of RWE and IO relationships maintained by
the W4 COMN.
[0153] For example, referring back to FIG. 9, a route IO 830 can be
associated with a number of objects and entities that relate to
data that can be used in calculating a personalized distance for
the route. In the illustrated embodiment, the route IO relates to
real-time sensors 832 that are periodically or continuously polled
for data. Sensor data can include traffic data, user presence and
motion data, as well as environmental data, such as temperature,
visibility, and weather. Traffic sensor data can be used to
calculate transit time on the route. Other types of sensed data can
additionally be used as factors in computing personalized distance.
For example, if it starts to rain, transit times can be increased
based on historical data. Additionally or alternatively, if the
requesting user RWE 820 hates driving in rain (e.g. as indicated in
profile or interaction data), rain can be can be a subjective
factor in a personalized distance calculation.
[0154] The route IO 830 further relates to a location RWE 840, an
auditorium having a location near the route. The RWE 842 is
associated with an events IO that can include a calendar of events.
If there is an event scheduled for the time the route will
traversed, the event can be a factor in a personalized distance
calculation. The route IO 830 further relates to an IO relating to
a topic for a scenic location near the route. If the requesting
user 802 values scenic views (e.g. as indicated in profile or
interaction data), the scenic location can be a factor in a
personalized distance calculation.
[0155] In the illustrated embodiment, the route IO 830 is owned by
the requesting user RWE 802. The user RWE 802 is associated through
a social network with three user RWEs 806, 810 and 820 that are
friends of the requesting user. The friend RWEs each relate to data
that can be factors in calculating a personalized distance for the
route. User RWE 806 can have interaction data or profile data
relating to the destination RWE 824, such as emails or text
messages expressing opinions about the destination (e.g. bad food,
great music.) User RWE 810 is physically present at the
destination, possibly increasing the attractiveness of the
location. The profile IO 828 of user/friend RWE 820 indicates the
user RWE's home is near physically near the route, and hence, it
would be easy for the requesting user to drop in.
[0156] The destination location RWE 824 has topical and other IOs
828 associated with it that contain additional data that can be
factors in a personalized distance calculation. A music calendar
may indicate a musical performance at a specific time. Users
outside of the requesting RWE's social networks may have rated the
destination location for food, ambience, and service. Local media
may have reviewed the destination location.
[0157] In one embodiment, the personalized distance calculation
module 1400 can weight spatial, temporal, social, and topical
factors differently. Such weighting may be determined automatically
based on the context of the request. Since each context will have a
potentially unbounded set of associated data, the personalized
distance calculation module 1400 can, if sufficient information is
present, determine the category of the most important factor
depending on context. For example, shop hours (a temporal factor)
become the primary factor for a destination of a distance to a
location that is about to close, but are mostly ignored for
calculations in the middle of business hours. When, for example, a
friend is presently shopping there (a social factor), such a social
factor becomes the most important factor for weighting a spatial
distance.
[0158] In one embodiment every RWE and IO associated with a
personalized distance calculation has at least one data point for
spatial, temporal, social, and topical factors, and can have large
sets of data points for each type of factor. Such factors can be
sorted and ranked for weighting a personalized distance
calculation. Alternatively, or additionally, a users weighting
preferences are stored on the network in a weighting profile, which
can be additionally maintained using a user interface such as that
shown in FIG. 12. The interface 2000 can be used to apply
differential weights to spatial 2400, temporal 2300, social 2100,
and topical factors 2200 using sliders 2420, 2320, 2120, and
2200.
[0159] Objective-Based Routing and Mapping
[0160] Typically, when users enter a request for a route into a
mapping and routing application such as, for example, Yahoo! Maps,
the user specifies a beginning point and an ending point with,
perhaps a few basic parameters such as, for example, avoid highways
or tolls or take public transportation. As discussed above, such
conventional routing may be enhanced by calculating a personalized
distance for the route.
[0161] Often, however, a user may have more complex objectives in
mind than simply proceeding from a starting point to an ending
point including knowing what type of location they desire but not
the exact location of any instances of such a location. A user may
also wish to enter a multipoint routing request that explicitly
states a time constraint, such as, for example, a route including
three specific locations in the possible shortest time, the most
scenic route or a route known to the user or a trusted source.
[0162] Thusly, a user may also wish to enter a request composed of
criteria that are completely unrelated to spatial or temporal
dimensions. For example, a user might wish to enter a routing
request for a type of place, such as a sushi restaurant or bar,
near a group of persons the user is going to meet at a specific
time. In another example, a user might wish to enter a routing
request for two specific places making sure to avoid another
person, place or thing.
[0163] Thus, routing requests can be specifically enhanced by
allowing the entry of routing requests that include spatial,
temporal, social, and topical objectives or constraints. Spatial
objectives can be physical locations or proximity requests
designated by a spatial position and radius, a bounded spatial area
and distances, or by name. A spatial position can be expressed any
way of designative a physical point, such as an address or GPS
coordinates. A spatial area can be any bounded physical area, such
as a country, state, city, neighborhood, or an arbitrary
geometrical area, such as a 10-mile radius from a specific
position, such as a user's current position. A name can be the name
of any entity whose location is known, such as a business or an
event, city, or state, and so forth.
[0164] A spatial objective can also be a user or group of users
whose position or relative positions can be determined by the
network. Such an objective can target the location of one or more
individuals. Such a location can be the current physical location
of the individuals, may be home or work addresses of the
individuals, or can be the projected position of the individuals at
a future point time. Such an objective can be positive, such as a
request to preference specific physical locations for routing or
types of physical locations including maximum and minimum
proximities to stay with or avoid people, places or things, e.g.
for a route to meet friends, or negative, such as a request to
avoid a specific person or people.
[0165] A temporal objective can be expressed as a known specific
target time, such as 8:30 PM today, an unknown specific target
time, such as when a specific contact or event happens, a duration
of known time, such as 8:30-9:30 PM today, or a duration of an
unknown time, such as two hours after it rains. Where a routing
request has multiple objectives, for example, three target
locations, a specific time can be stated for each objective, and a
temporal order or condition can be stated. A specific time can have
a tolerance, such as +/-30 minutes. A temporal objective can be
stated as a constraint, such as no later than 11:30 PM today, or
after 3:30 PM. A temporal constraint can also be stated as an
offset from an event, such as 2 hours before a concert, or 1 hour
before a user's next appointment. A temporal objective can be
placed well into the future, for example, a date more that one
month in the future.
[0166] A social objective is any kind of non-spatial objective that
refers to a person, a group of persons, or a class of persons,
which can include, for example, the behavior, or preferences of
such persons. A person can be a specific individual known to a
user, e.g. Bob Jones, or a specific individual not known to user,
e.g. John Smith as well as a known or unknown conditional
individual expressed as a set of spatial, temporal, social and
topical criteria. A group of persons can be a list of specific
individuals, or can be a predefined group, such as individuals in a
user's social network or in a user's family.
[0167] A class of persons can be a general description of
attributes of user's that fit a specific profile, such as persons
between the ages of 18 to 25 who attended a specific high school,
or a satisfy specific criteria, such as persons who pass a specific
location at least three times a week.
[0168] A social objective can target the behavior of one or many
individuals. Such behavior can include routes traveled by such
individuals, retailers or restaurants frequented by such
individuals, locations visited by such individuals, or the hours
that such individuals are at home or are at work. Such objectives
can be positive, such as a request for a route that includes roads
used by friends, or negative, such as a request to avoid
restaurants frequented by a specific individual or those not well
reviewed by friends.
[0169] A social objective can target the preferences of one or more
individuals. Such preferences can include general categories such
as the type of food preferred by such individuals, the type of
music disliked by such individuals. Such preferences can relate to
specific locations, such as a favorite nightclub, or a favorite
city or neighborhood within a city. Such preferences can relate to
other persons, such as persons liked or disliked by such
individuals. Such preferences can relate to time preferences, such
as a preferred bedtime. Such preferences can relate to travel
preferences, such as a preference to travel no more that 30 minutes
to a location. Such objectives can be positive, such as a request
for a route to a friend's favorite nightclub, or negative, such as
a request to avoid restaurants serving food of a type disliked by a
friend.
[0170] A topical or logical objective is any kind of objective that
refers to a topic or a category that is not spatial, temporal, or
social. Such topics can be specific or generic. Such topics may
refer to genera of locations, such as parks or scenic locations.
Such topics can relate to specific known locations, such as Paris,
or specific unknown locations like the biggest comic book store in
the city. It should be noted that a topical reference to a location
or type of location can be an alias for a spatial reference, such
as, for example, any diner within a city, or can be a topic that
relates to a location, for example, nightclubs that play music
relating to Paris.
[0171] Such topics can relate to any topic, e.g. food and can be
specific or generic. For example, a food topic can be a reference
to a specific dish or drink, such as pasta carbonara and Napa
Valley Merlot, or a generic reference to a type of food, such as
sushi or soup. Such topics can relate to any interest or activity,
e.g. music or other types of entertainment, and can be specific or
generic. For example, such topics can relate to a specific musical
group or can relate to genera of music, e.g. blues. A topical
objective can relate to events. For example, an event topic can
relate to a specific event, such as a festival, or can relate to
categories of events, such as art openings. Topical objectives can
be positive, such as a request for a route to an art opening, or
negative, such as a request to avoid night clubs which play a
particular genera of music.
[0172] Such objective based routing requests can be implemented
using any networked system capable of tracking the physical
location of users and media enabled electronic devices, and which
is further capable of collecting and storing user profile data, as
well as temporal, spatial, topical and social data relating to
users and their devices. One such networked system is a W4 COMN.
FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of the physical components of a
portion of a W4 COMN that can support objective-based route
requests.
[0173] Referring to FIG. 7, a requesting user 702 is currently at a
specific location 720. The simplest type of routing request is
point-to-point, for example, a request for a route from location
720 to location 724. One to many physical routes can be mapped
between the points using conventional mapping and routing
techniques (available roads, shortest routes, avoid tolls, and so
forth). Spatial, temporal, topical, and social data relating to
each of the routes can then be retrieved, and a personalized
distance can be computed for each route. In one embodiment, the
route having the shortest personalized distance is then chosen.
[0174] A point-to-point request can be qualified by temporal,
social, and topical criteria. In one embodiment, temporal, social,
and topical criteria are used to weight the personalized distance
calculation for each of the routes. Thus, for example, a temporal
criteria that specifies the shortest travel time causes the
personalized distance calculation to heavily weight projected
travel time and minimize or ignore other factors. A temporal
criterion that states a specific time or range of times causes the
personalized distance calculation to negatively affect personalized
distance only when projected travel time falls outside the targeted
time or range of times.
[0175] A social criteria that specifies, for example, a wish to be
with friends causes the personalized distance calculation to
heavily weight the presence of the user's friends along a route or
at the destination. A social criteria that specifies, for example,
a desire to avoid a specific person causes the personalized
distance calculation to negatively weight the presence of such a
person along a route or at the destination. A topical criteria that
specifies an interest in a musical performance at the ending
location may negatively weight a route that arrives at the location
after musical performances have ended can be negatively
weighted.
[0176] An objective based routing request can be comprised of
criteria that do not explicitly specify beginning and ending
locations. Referring back to FIG. 7, for example, user 702 may
enter a routing request to have dinner with friend 726, and then,
the same night, to go to a jazz club with good food reviews where,
ideally one or more of user 702's friends, such as users 706, 710,
and 726 will be present. Such a request does not specify a physical
route, nor any specific destination. Such a request must then be
initially resolved to physical locations which may, additionally,
have temporal constraints.
[0177] Thus, rather than initially determining an actual route,
spatial, temporal, social, and topical data are retrieved within
the domain defined by the objectives. Referring to FIG. 9, the data
relevant to such a request can include: the requesting user RWE's
802 current location as determined via, for example, user proxy
device 804; the requesting user's profile; the requesting user's
friends 806, 810, and 826; the profiles and interaction data of
friends 828 and 807 respectively; and IOs relating to topics 828
for jazz and restaurant reviews. In the context of FIG. 9, topical
IO 828 for jazz may refer to multiple locations, only one is shown
in FIG. 9.
[0178] The spatial, temporal, social, and topical data relating to
the request can be correlated to determine spatial locations that
can satisfy the objectives in the request. In one embodiment, every
entity and logical object known to the W4 COMN that is potentially
relevant to the request can be mapped and represented against all
other known entities and data objects in order to create both a
micro graph for every such entity, as well as a global graph that
relates all such known entities with one another. In one
embodiment, such relationships between entities and data objects
are stored in a global index within the W4 COMN.
[0179] The result of such correlation can be a list of locations
that can satisfy the objectives of the request, as well as spatial,
temporal, social, and topical data relating to every such location.
A personalized distance, can be determined for every such location,
and one or more locations having the shortest or most desirable
personalized distance to the user can be automatically (or
manually) selected. For example, in the case of the routing request
discussed above, when data relating to the request is retrieved, it
may be determined based on profile or interaction data 838 that the
user's friend 726 will be at home for the evening, thus the first
physical location in the route will the friend's home 728. A
physical route having the shortest personalized distance from the
user's starting location 720 to the user's friend's house can then
be determined
[0180] It may be further determined that there are one or more
locations featuring jazz music. The personalized distance to each
location can be then be determined. In one embodiment, one or more
physical routes can be selected for each location beginning at the
user's friend's house 718 (the first stop on the requesting user's
route), and ending at the location. The personalized distance to
each location can then be determined factoring in route specific
properties, such as travel time and overall desirability to the
requesting user based on as well as any other spatial, temporal,
social, or topical factors. The location having the shortest or
most desirable personalized distance to the user can be
automatically or manually selected. In one embodiment, more that
one location is selected and is presented to the user as an
alternative route.
[0181] At the time an objective-based routing request is processed,
real-time sensor data as well as historical and interaction data
are taken into account. An objective-based routing request can
additionally be defined as dynamic, and can be periodically, or
continuously updated and reevaluated using real-time sensor and
interaction data. For example, if a route has been mapped for user
702 proceeding on physical route 730, first to user 726's house
728, and from there to location 724, conditions may change to alter
the desirability of the route. A traffic accident on route 730 may
require rerouting to a different physical route, or the arrival of
another undesired person at the friend's house 728 may change the
personal distance associated with that part of the user's route and
thus cause some change in display/routing and/or notification of
the change. Alternate routes may be dynamically evaluated by, for
example, recalculating the personalized distance of each alternate
route, and the most desirable route chosen.
[0182] Interaction data or GPS data may indicate that the user's
friend 710 has cancelled plans to go to location 724 or is stuck in
traffic, rendering the location 724 less desirable. Alternate
locations can then be evaluated to determine if there are any
locations featuring jazz that have are more desirable (i.e. have a
more favorable personalized distance.) If user 702 leaves the
location 720 too late, the user's friend 726 may be in bed, and
thus, the spatial location 728 may be entirely dropped from the
route.
[0183] In one embodiment, routing information is presented to the
requesting user as a map overlay. Alternate routes can be presented
with an indication of the personalized distance of each route. The
map can scroll as the user's physical position changes. If a
routing request is updated in real-time using real-time sensor and
interaction data, the map overlay can be updated in real-time, and
can additionally flash or provide visual alerts for changed
conditions or rerouting.
[0184] In one embodiment, an objective-based routing request is
periodically reprocessed as user proceeds along a route. The
routing request can be reprocessed based on a trigger condition. A
trigger condition can be based on any spatial, temporal, social, or
topical criteria. For example, the request can be reprocessed if a
real-time event indicates travel time may be impacted, for example,
a change in traffic speed along the route, or the proximity of the
user to a location, object, event or person encountered along the
route or at one of the destinations.
[0185] The request can also be reprocessed if an event occurs that
requires the selection of an alternative destination, for example,
if a destination restaurant closes, or if a friend cancels a lunch
appointment. The request can also be reprocessed if the user makes
an unplanned stop. The request can also be reprocessed if the user
alters the criteria of the routing request. Alternatively, the
objective-based routing request may simply be reprocessed at a set
interval, e.g. every 60 seconds to insure the route display remains
fresh.
[0186] FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a process 3000 of how
a network having temporal, spatial, and social data, for example, a
W4 COMN, can be used for the determination of an objective based
route.
[0187] A request is received for mapping an objective-based route
3100, where the request can include spatial, temporal, social, and
topical criteria and where such criteria may be objectives or
constraints. Spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to
request criteria are retrieved 3200 from network databases 3220 and
network sensors 3240. At least one entity that satisfies at least
one objective within the request criteria, and which has a known
physical location, are selected 3300 using the data retrieved from
the network databases 3220 and sensors 3240. At least one physical
route is mapped 3400 between a starting location, such as, for
example, the requesting user's current location or a starting
location specified in the request, and each selected entity.
[0188] A personalized distance is determined 3500 for every route
mapped in step 3400 using the methods discussed above. The
personalized distance can be determined using only the data that
was initially retrieved relating to the request criteria in step
3200. Alternatively, the personalized distance determination may
additionally retrieve additional spatial, temporal, social, and
topical criteria which relates to one or more of the routes
identified in step 3400. The entities and routes having the most
favorable personalized distances are selected 3600 and used to
construct and display one or more suggested routes 3700 that best
meet the criteria of the objective-based route. If a route request
is a dynamic or real-time route request, steps 3200 through 3700
can be repeated until the request expires periodically or based on
a trigger condition.
[0189] FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a objective-based
routing engine 4000 that is capable of supporting the process in
FIG. 13. In one embodiment, the objective-based routing engine 4000
is a component of a W4 engine 502 within a W4 COMN and may use
modules within the W4 engine to support its functions.
[0190] A request receiving module 4100 receives requests for
mapping an objective-based route, where the request can include
spatial, temporal, social, and topical objectives. A request data
retrieval module 4200 retrieves spatial, temporal, social, and
topical data from network databases 4220 and sensors 4240 for
entities and objects associated with request objectives. An entity
identification module 4300 identifies entities that satisfy
objectives within the request and which have a known physical
location using the data retrieved from the network databases 4220
by the request data retrieval module 4200.
[0191] A route determination module 4400 maps one or more physical
routes between a starting location and entities selected. Starting
locations may be, without limitation, a requesting user's location,
or a starting location identified in an objective-based route
request. A personalized distance determination module 4500
determines a personalized distance for every route mapped by the
route determination module 4400.
[0192] The personalized distance can be determined using only the
data that was retrieved relating to the request criteria.
Alternatively, the personalized distance determination may
additionally retrieve additional spatial, temporal, social, and
topical criteria which relates to one or more of the routes
identified by the route determination module 4400. A route
selection module 4600 selects the entities and routes having the
most favorable personalized distances. A route display module 4700
constructs and displays one or more suggested routes using the
selected routes and entities that best meet the criteria of the
objective-based route on a display medium 4720, for example, a user
interface of a user proxy device.
[0193] In one embodiment, the request receiving module provides an
interface for entry of objective-based mapping requests. The
interface may be a graphical user interface displayable on
computers, mobile phones or gaming devices or PDAs, including HTTP
documents accessible over the Internet. Such an interfaces may also
take other forms, including text files, such as SMS, emails, and
APIs usable by software applications located on computing devices.
In one embodiment, a personalized distance request can be entered
on a mapping application interface, such as Yahoo Maps. The request
may be for the current time, or may be for a future point in
time.
[0194] In one embodiment, the request data retrieval module 4200
can be component of a correlation engine 506, and makes use of data
relationships within the W4 COMN to retrieve data related to the
criteria of an objective-based mapping request. For example,
referring back to FIG. 9, a requesting user 802 may have a social
network that relates to user/friend RWEs 806, 810, and 820, who can
have profiles 828, interaction data 807, and physical locations 824
which are known by the network through, for example, a user proxy
device. Thus, an objective-based mapping request that references a
specific friend or a user's entire social network can access
detailed information about the physical location, preferences, and
interactions of persons within the requesting user's social network
using relationships within a W4 COMN. Implicit relationships may
also be derived through W4 sensed data related to a user including
frequency, duration/length, tone and other attributes among users
that demonstrate social relations.
[0195] The W4 COMN can additionally include information about
locations 824 that can include the location's physical position,
the nature of the business conducted at the location RWE 824, and
the business's name and other demographic information. Locations,
such as RWE 824 can be further associated with IOs relating to
topics 828 which can that indicate, for example, that the business
hosts live music of a particular genera, or which can contain
ratings or reviews of the location. Thus, an objective-based
mapping request that references a specific location can retrieve
geographical and demographic information, as well as ratings and
reviews for the location using relationships within a W4 COMN. An
objective-based mapping request that references a topic, such as a
genera of music, can retrieve data relating to all locations which
host the performance of a particular genera of music, and
personalize the rank of those locations according to the relative
W4 data associated with each.
[0196] The W4 COMN can additionally include information about
events 842 occurring at a specific location 840 that can include
the titles, dates and attendees of such events, as well as metadata
about the event, such as the genera of the event, ranking of event,
relevance to other topics, users or objects. Thus, an
objective-based mapping request that references an event can
retrieve biographical, geographical and scheduling information
about the event using information sources and relationships within
a W4 COMN. An objective-based mapping request that involves
locations near location 840 can retrieve data relating to events
occurring at the location 840 during the time frame of the
request.
[0197] The W4 COMN can additionally include real-time sensors 824
that provide real-time data that can include traffic data on
specific roads, as well as environmental conditions existing at
specific spatial points. Objective-based mapping requests can
explicitly specify a physical area, for example, a city or a
geographical radius from a specific point. Alternatively, to the
extent a mapping request retrieves one or more entities having a
spatial locations, the physical area surrounding such spatial
locations are implied by the request. Thus, an objective-based
mapping request can retrieve real-time sensor data for geographical
areas related to the request. Such sensor data retrieval can be
performed before physical routes are mapped, or, alternatively, may
be performed after one or more routes, for example, IO 830, are
selected and may be updated as discussed above.
[0198] In one embodiment, the route display module 4700 displays
routes on a user interface. The interface can be a graphical user
interface displayable on mobile phones or gaming devices, computers
or PDAs, including HTTP documents accessible over the Internet.
Such an interface may also take other forms, including text files,
such as SMS, emails, and APIs usable by software applications
located on computing devices. In one embodiment, routes identified
for an objective-based route can be displayed as an overlay of a
graphical display of a map.
[0199] In one embodiment, the personalized distance of each
displayed route can be displayed as an overlay of a graphical
display of a map of the route to which the personalized distance
relates. For example, the personalized distance could be displayed
as a colored highlight over the length of the route wherein the
color indicates the magnitude of the distance. For example, red
could signify a distance of 20 miles or greater, or, alternatively,
a route wherein the personalized distance is greater than twice the
spatial distance. The personalized distance could also be displayed
as a text tag on the route. Entities and objects which were used in
the personalized distance calculation and which have a physical
location close to the route can additionally be displayed as text
tags or symbols on the map. In an alternative embodiment, the color
coding of routes based on rank of users' likely preferences (e.g.
the best route is colored green, the worst, brown), while another
alternative embodiment uses size to differentiate the suggested
route as the largest and others of further personal distance in
decreasing size.
[0200] Content Enhanced Maps and Routing
[0201] A routing and mapping application that has access to
spatial, temporal, social and topical data for users of the routing
application can provide opportunities to provide enhanced content
to users relating to entities on or near a route or on a map
displayed on an end user device. In one embodiment, enhanced
content takes the form of information on businesses known to the
network related to a displayed map or route. Such information can
include advertisements which can include sponsored content.
[0202] In one embodiment, the businesses displayed are selectively
chosen based on spatial, temporal, social and topical data
associated with an end user, which can include, without limitation,
user profile data, user interaction data, and social network data.
User data can be matched to profiles of businesses or
advertisements such that only businesses of potential interest and
ads targeted to the user are displayed. In one embodiment, such
enhanced content can be displayed as an overlay on a map of a route
or an area selected by a user.
[0203] FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a map display with
enhanced content. A user 5002 has a portable device 5004 which is
capable of displaying a route or map. The user device is connected
to a network having spatial, temporal, social and topical data for
users and businesses, for example, a W4 COMN 5050. In the
illustrated example, the user 5002 has requested a route between a
starting location 5020 and an ending location 5024. The user device
5004 displays a graphic map 5010 which displays a route 5030
between the starting location 5020 and the ending location 5024,
and which further displays areas surrounding the route.
[0204] The map 5010 displays symbols for several businesses located
along the route 5030: an amphitheater 5040; a scuba shop 5048; and
a tennis court 5052. In the embodiment shown, these businesses may
have been selected because of spatial and temporal proximity to the
route 5030, and further because they relate to subject matter of
interest to user 5002 (i.e. suggested content), who both plays
tennis and scuba dives. In one embodiment, all businesses known to
the network who are physically located on the route 5030 and which
relate to subject matter of interest to the user 5002 are
displayed.
[0205] In another embodiment, only businesses which have paid to
have their businesses listed on content enhanced maps are
displayed. In another embodiment, businesses bid against each other
for the right to serve their advertisements or sponsored content to
this user and map/route combination.
[0206] The map 5010 further displays symbols for several businesses
which are not located along the route 5030, but which are within,
or near the bounds of the displayed geographical area: a restaurant
5056; a coffee shop 5060; a hotel 5064; and shopping mall 5068. The
hotel 5064 is not located on the displayed map, but a pointer
displays the direction where the hotel is located. The restaurant
5056 may have been selected because of spatial, temporal, social,
or topical factors for example, because it is on the map and
because it is a favorite restaurant of one or more of the user's
5002 friends. The shopping mall 5068 may have been selected because
of the real-time presence of a friend at the mall.
[0207] The a coffee shop 5060; a hotel 5064; and shopping mall 5068
may have been selected because each may have an advertisement (i.e.
sponsored content) which targets users which fit targeted
advertisement criteria. In one embodiment, a targeted advertisement
criteria can contain any spatial, temporal, social or topical
criteria that define a targeted customer. The targeted
advertisement criteria can be matched to user data, including user
spatial and temporal position, user profile data, user interaction
data, user transaction and historical data and user social network
data, explicit such as in a defined friend's network or implicit
from actual associations, communications and congregations.
Targeted advertisement criteria may be broad, for example, any user
who displays a map which displays the street the business is on.
Targeted advertisement criteria may be narrow, for example, users
whose friends are customers of the business.
[0208] Targeted advertisement criteria may specify a geographic
radius that extends beyond the boundaries of the map. Targeted
advertisement criteria may be a combination of multiple factors and
conditioned on exact criteria as specified by the Advertiser or
Network operator.
[0209] In one embodiment, targeted advertisement criteria can
include detailed information on sales and incentive programs
associated with the advertisement. For example, a marketing program
may be offering coupons, a percentage discount, other commercial
incentives or non-commercial incentives such as reputation scores
or reward points. In one embodiment, a targeted advertisement
criteria can additionally offer means to communicate with an
advertiser. For example, the advertising profile may specify that
when an advertiser symbol on a map is selected, a real-time chat
window in communication with sales associates opens up or a call is
initiated to reservations, etc.
[0210] In one embodiment, if a route has been generated in response
to an objective-based routing request, any spatial, temporal,
social or topical criteria within the request itself can also be
used to select businesses or targeted advertisements. For example,
a route containing a dinner reservation, a movie, then coffee, may
suggest a date, and the system could suggest "Send Them Flowers to
Let Them Know You Had a Good Time" targeted advertisement, while a
route containing a bakery, a florist and a dress shop could include
targeted advertisements for local wedding planners or ceremony
venues.
[0211] In one embodiment, user profile or preferences data can be
used to control the display of suggested and sponsored content. A
user can choose to suppress all content and simply display a map
and a route. Alternatively, a user can condition display of
suggested and sponsored content using any spatial, temporal,
social, or topical criteria. For example, a user may limit display
of sponsored content for places along a route that are offering a
10% or more incentive, sponsored content for places offering points
for a specific reward program, or sponsored content for places
rated well by the users friends. In one embodiment, users pay a
periodic subscription fee for an ad free or an "ad control" version
of their maps.
[0212] FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of how the objects shown
in FIG. 15 can be defined to a W4 COMN. User 5002 is represented as
user RWE 5402. and Businesses 5020, 5024, 5040, 5048, 5052, 5056,
5060, 5064, and 5068 are represented as business or location RWEs
5420, 5424, 5440, 5448, 5452, 5456, 5460, 5464, and 5468
respectively.
[0213] FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a data model showing
how the RWEs shown in FIG. 16 can be related to entities and
objects within a W4 COMN which can be used to provide content
enhanced mapping.
[0214] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the user RWE 5402
is directly associated with an IO relating to user profile and
preferences data 5406, an IOs relating to a social network 5407,
and a topical IO which can relate to the user's interests and
activities. The user RWE 5402 can also be indirectly related to an
unbounded set of IOs related to spatial, temporal, and topical
factors related to the requesting user through intermediate IOs.
For example, the requesting user 5402 can be indirectly related to
topical IOs which represent the interests or interaction data of
persons associated with the user's social network 5407.
[0215] The RWE for the requesting user 5402 and the users proxy is
directly associated with a map IO 5410. The map IO 5410 includes,
in one embodiment, sufficient data to fully define the content of
the map displayed on the user's proxy device. The IO can include
the geographical bounds of the map, an image of the map, symbols
representing businesses and other entities, and one or more routes
that are displayed on the map. The map IO is associated with a
route IO 5430 of a route displayed on the map. The route IO 5430
includes, in one embodiment, sufficient data to fully define the
physical route, such as road segments and distances or a set of GPS
coordinates.
[0216] The map IO is directly associated with a set of RWEs
displayed on the map. The RWEs include an RWE for the starting
location 5420 of the route 5430, an RWE for the ending location
5424 of the route 5430, and a set of business RWEs 5440, 5448,
5452, 5456, 5460, and 5468. The business RWEs 5440, 5448, 5452,
5456, 5460, and 5468 are each associated with an IO 5441, 5449,
5453, 5457, 5461, and 5469 respectively that contain a profile of
each business, which can include the type of business, products
offered, hours of operation, current incentives and so forth.
Businesses 5460, 5464 and 5468 are each further associated with
advertisements 5462, 5466 and 5470 respectively.
[0217] FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of a process 6000 of how
a network having temporal, spatial, and social data, for example, a
W4 COMN, can be used for the content enhanced routing and mapping.
Note that the processes and methods illustrated in FIG. 18 can be
integrated with objective-based routing and mapping as shown in
FIG. 13, but are not limited to such an embodiment.
[0218] A request is received for a map 6100 from a user. In one
embodiment, the request is a request for mapping an objective-based
route 6100, where the request can include spatial, temporal,
social, and topical criteria, where such criteria may be objectives
or constraints. Alternatively, the request can be a conventional
request for a point to point route or for a map displaying a
bounded physical area that contains only spatial criteria. Spatial,
temporal, social, and topical data related to request criteria and
the requesting user are retrieved 6200 from network databases 6220
and network sensors 6240. In one embodiment, the network databases
6220 include a global index of RWE and IO relationships maintained
by the W4 COMN.
[0219] The spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to
request criteria and the requesting user are used to create 6300 a
personalized targeting profile 6320 for every instance of a map
request. The personalized targeting profile 6320 is then used to
match sponsored and recommended content 6400 which relate to the
targeting profile criteria. Sponsored content refers to any content
an advertiser pays to have displayed to end users, such as, for
example a map icon ad copy, a map overlay or translucent ad copy, a
banner advertisement, a text link advertisement, a display ad copy
advertisement, a mouseover ad copy or any other form of
advertisement. Recommended content refers to information about
businesses which may be interest to an end user, such as, for
example, business profile information, ratings, reviews, and so
forth. Finally, sponsored and recommended content is displayed 6500
on a user interface 6520 which displays the requested map. If a
route request is a dynamic or real-time route request, steps 6200
through 6600 can be repeated until the request expires.
[0220] Note that, in one embodiment, steps 6100 and 6200 can
correspond to the steps 3100 and 3200 of process 3000 in FIG. 13
and processes 3000 and 6000 may be executed substantially in
parallel. Furthermore, sponsored and recommended content displayed
by step 6500 of process 600 may be displayed on the map displayed
by step 3700 of process 3000.
[0221] FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of a sponsored and
recommended content engine 7000 that is capable of supporting the
process in FIG. 18. In one embodiment, a sponsored and recommended
content engine 7000 is a component of a W4 engine 502 within a W4
COMN and may use modules within the W4 engine to support its
functions.
[0222] A map request receiving module 7100 receives requests for a
map from an end user. A map request data retrieval module 7200
retrieves spatial, temporal, social, and topical data from network
databases 7220 and sensors 7240 related to request criteria and the
requesting user. A personalized targeting profile 7300 creation
module uses spatial, temporal, social, and topical data related to
request criteria and the requesting user to create a personalized
targeting profile 7320 for the map request. A content matching
module 7400 uses personalized targeting profiles 7320 to match
sponsored and recommended content 7420 which relate to the
targeting profile criteria. A content display module 7500 displays
sponsored content on a display medium 7520.
[0223] In one embodiment, the request receiving module 7100
provides an interface for entry of mapping requests. The interface
may be a graphical user interface displayable on mobile phones or
gaming devices, computers or PDAs, including HTTP documents
accessible over the Internet. Such an interfaces may also take
other forms, including text files, such as SMS, emails, and APIs
usable by software applications located on computing devices. In
one embodiment, a personalized distance request can be entered on a
mapping application interface, such as Yahoo Maps.
[0224] In one embodiment, the request receiving module 7100
provides for entry of a request for an objective-based route, where
the request can include spatial, temporal, social, and topical
criteria, and where such criteria may be objectives or constraints.
Alternatively, the request can be a conventional request for a
point to point route or for a map displaying a bounded physical
area that contains only spatial criteria.
[0225] In one embodiment, the personalized targeting profile 7300
creation module creates targeting profiles 7320 that include
spatial, temporal, social, and topical criteria that define
attributes of the requesting user and the map request, and which
indicate the type of businesses and advertisements the requesting
user is interested in and which relate to the current map request.
For example, the targeting profile 7320 can contain, without
limitation, geographic boundaries that delimit a physical area, the
requesting user's interests based on data about the starting point,
route and destination(s), user profile data or user interaction
data, the requesting user's recent purchasing behavior, and savings
or incentives programs the user participates in.
[0226] In one embodiment, sponsored and recommended content reside
on one more databases 7420 reserved for such content.
Alternatively, sponsored and recommended content may be distributed
throughout network databases 7220. In one embodiment, sponsored
content includes advertisements which an advertiser wishes to
direct to users whose targeting profile contains one or more
spatial, temporal, social, and topical criteria. For example, in
the case of spatial criteria, an advertiser may wish to target
users who live in a particular zip code or any users requesting a
route within a three mile radius of a specific location, or users
of specific demographic or purchasing pattern history.
[0227] In the case of temporal criteria, an advertiser may wish to
target users requesting a route on a specific day, or who are
projected to be on the road at a specific time, or who are
projected to be late for an objective. In the case of social
criteria, an advertiser may wish to target a member of a specific
social networking group, or an advertiser may target users whose
friends are among the advertiser's customers or critics. In the
case of topical criteria, an advertiser may wish to target users
having a specific interest, such as an interest in a specific
genera of music.
[0228] Referring back to the map displayed in FIG. 15, for example,
the hotel 5064, the coffee shop 5060 and the shopping mall 5068 are
displayed on the user's proxy device 5004 because each is
associated with a targeted advertisement (5466, 5462, and 5070 of
FIG. 17) which is, in some way, relevant to the end user or the end
user's map request. For example, the hotel 5064 is located off of
the displayed map, but the advertisement, 5466 of FIG. 17, may have
targeted users who are from out-of-town, who travel frequently, are
in a specific line of business and are driving in a specific zip
code. The coffee shop advertisement, 5462 of FIG. 17, may have
targeted requesting users who traveling on route 5030 between 7:00
AM and 9:00 AM on weekdays. The shopping mall advertisement, 5070
may have targeted users whose friends patronize shops within the
mall.
[0229] In one embodiment recommended content includes basic
business profile information, such as products offered, hours of
operation, and so forth, for businesses which have attributes which
indicate the businesses may be of interest to the requesting end
user in the context of the current mapping request or the current
known contexts of the user's life. In one embodiment, such
recommended content can include data for all businesses whose
location is on a displayed map and a user can mouseover or select
each business as indicated on the map for more information or
sponsored content. Spatial, temporal, social, and topical data can
be used to select recommended content.
[0230] For example, in the case of spatial criteria, businesses may
be selected that are within three blocks of the user's projected
route. In the case of temporal criteria, only businesses that are
open for business within a specific time range may be selected. In
the case of social criteria, only businesses which are frequented
by the friends of the requesting user are selected. In the case of
topical criteria, only businesses relating to the requesting user's
hobbies or interests are selected.
[0231] Referring back to the map displayed in FIG. 15, for example,
the amphitheater 5040, scuba shop 5048, tennis Court 5052 and
restaurant 5056 are displayed on the user's proxy device 5004
because each is associated spatial, temporal, social or topical
data associated with the map request and the requesting user. For
example, each of the entities 5040, 5048, 5052 and 5056 are,
spatially, on or near the requesting user's projected route 5030.
The scuba shop 5048 and tennis Court 5052 may have been selected
because the requesting user's profile, e.g. 5406 of FIG. 17, lists
scuba and tennis as interests of the requesting user. The
amphitheater 5040 may have been selected because a future event,
e.g. 5441 of FIG. 17, indicates a favorite performer of the
requesting user will be performing there. The restaurant 5056 may
have been selected because persons within the requesting user's
social network, e.g. 5407 of FIG. 17 have favorably reviewed the
restaurant.
[0232] Referring back to FIG. 19, in one embodiment, the content
display module displays content on a user interface. The interface
can be a graphical user interface displayable on mobile phones or
gaming devices, computers or PDAs, including HTTP documents
accessible over the Internet. Such an interface may also take other
forms, including text files, such as SMS, emails, and APIs usable
by software applications located on computing devices. In one
embodiment, content can be displayed as an overlay of a graphical
display of a map to which the content relates.
[0233] For example, selected content can be displayed on a map in a
manner similar to that shown in FIG. 15, where initially, a single
symbol is displayed indicating a business entities for which there
is sponsored or recommended content. In one such embodiment,
further information can be displayed in a popup window regarding
the selected content when a mouse cursor is moved over the symbol.
FIG. 20 illustrates one possible embodiment of such an interface
element. A map 7000 is displayed which shows symbols for starting
location 7010, an ending location 7020, and a business, a scuba
shop 7030. When a mouse cursor 7200 is moved near or over the
symbol for the scuba shop 7030, a popup window 7400 is
displayed.
[0234] The popup window contains the business name 7420 and data
regarding the location 7440, such as address, telephone number,
hours of operation, and products and services offered. If sponsored
content, such as a targeted advertisement, is available for the
location, it is displayed in a separate area 7460 on the popup
window. The popup window can also display data 7480 which reveals
temporal 7484, social 7482, and topical 7486 relationships between
the content and the requesting user or the map request.
[0235] While various embodiments have been described for purposes
of this disclosure, such embodiments should not be deemed to limit
the teaching of this disclosure to those embodiments. Various
changes and modifications may be made to the elements and
operations described above to obtain a result that remains within
the scope of the systems and processes described in this
disclosure.
[0236] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the methods and
systems of the present disclosure may be implemented in many
manners and as such are not to be limited by the foregoing
exemplary embodiments and examples. In other words, functional
elements being performed by single or multiple components, in
various combinations of hardware and software or firmware, and
individual functions, may be distributed among software
applications at either the client level or server level or both. In
this regard, any number of the features of the different
embodiments described herein may be combined into single or
multiple embodiments, and alternate embodiments having fewer than,
or more than, all of the features described herein are possible.
Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among
multiple components, in manners now known or to become known. Thus,
myriad software/hardware/firmware combinations are possible in
achieving the functions, features, interfaces and preferences
described herein. Moreover, the scope of the present disclosure
covers conventionally known manners for carrying out the described
features and functions and interfaces, as well as those variations
and modifications that may be made to the hardware or software or
firmware components described herein as would be understood by
those skilled in the art now and hereafter.
* * * * *