Systems and methods to provide updates at first device of location of second device as the devices travel to a destination

• US 10,132,639 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2017
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Peterson, Nathan J., Weksler, Arnold S., VanBlon, Russell Speight, Mese, John Carl
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J
• Application Number:
  US15/477,482
• Publication Number:
  US 20180283885A1
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3438 Rendez-vous, i.e. searching a destination where several users can meet, and the routes to this destination for these users; Ride sharing, i.e. searching a route such that at least two users can share a vehicle for at least part of the route
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

In one aspect, a first device includes a processor, a display accessible to the processor, and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to provide directions to a destination on the display, repetitively receive location information that pertains to a location of a second device traveling to the destination, and provide updates on the location of the second device on the display with the directions.

Claims

1. A first device, comprising:

at least one processor;

a display accessible to the at least one processor; and

storage accessible to the at least one processor and bearing instructions executable by the at least one processor to;

provide, on the display, directions to a destination;

receive, repetitively, location information pertaining to a current location of a second device while traveling to the destination;

provide, on the display and with the directions, updates on the current location of the second device;

indicate, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, that the second device has stopped at a particular location; and

provide, on the display, directions to the particular location as long as the second device is stopped at the particular location.

2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

indicate, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, that the second device has taken a detour from traveling to the destination.

3. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

indicate, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, that the second device has stopped traveling to the destination and is traveling elsewhere; and

provide, on the display, directions to follow the second device as it travels elsewhere.

4. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

provide, on the display and responsive to a determination that the second device is no longer stopped at the particular location, directions to the destination and additional updates on the current location of the second device.

5. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

indicate, on the display, an establishment associated with the particular location.

6. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

indicate, on the display, information associated with the particular location.

7. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

indicate, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, a lane in which the second device is currently located.

8. The first device of claim 1, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

indicate, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, a turn made by the second device.

9. A method, comprising:

repetitively receiving, at a first device, location information pertaining to a location of a second device while the second device traverses a geographic area;

providing, on a display accessible to the first device, directions to follow the second device while the second device traverses the geographic area; and

indicating, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, a lane in which the second device is currently located.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the directions are first directions, and wherein the method comprises:

providing, on the display and while providing at least a portion of the first directions, second directions to a destination of the first device and the second device.

11. The method of claim 9, comprising:

presenting, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, a graphic that indicates that the second device has stopped traversing the geographic area.

12. The method of claim 9, comprising:

presenting, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, a graphic that indicates that the second device has made a lane change on a throughway while traversing the geographic area.

13. The method of claim 9, comprising:

presenting, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, an indication of a distance between the first device and the second device; and

updating, on the display, the indication of the distance as the first device and the second device traverse the geographic area.

14. The method of claim 9, comprising:

presenting, on the display and based on at least some of the location information that is received, an indication of an estimated time to travel for the first device to reach a current location of the second device; and

updating, on the display, the indication of the estimated time to travel as the first device and the second device traverse the geographic area.

15. The method of claim 9, comprising:

transmitting, responsive to determining that the first device is stopping, data to the second device that the first device is stopping.

16. The method of claim 9, comprising:

presenting, on the display, a graphical user interface (GUI), the GUI comprising a setting that is selectable by a user to enable the first device to provide directions to follow other devices based on location information that is received and that pertains to locations of the other devices.

17. A computer readable storage medium that is not a transitory signal, the computer readable storage medium comprising instructions executable by at least one processor to:

transmit, to a second device, data that indicates a destination of a first device;

transmit, to the second device, data that provides updates of a current location of the first device as the first device travels to the destination; and

responsive to a determination that the first device has changed lanes while traversing a throughway, transmit data to the second device that indicates that the first device has changed lanes and that indicates a lane of the throughway to which the first device has changed.

18. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

responsive to a determination that the first device has stopped traveling to the destination, transmit data to the second device that indicates that the first device has stopped traveling to the destination.

19. The computer readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions are executable by the at least one processor to:

receive data pertaining to location updates as the second device follows the first device to the destination; and

present, on a display accessible to the first device and based on the data, information pertaining to the location updates along with information pertaining to a current distance between the first device and the second device and information pertaining to a current speed of the second device.