Method and system for generating and presenting off-road travel routes

• US 20060116814A1
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Published: 06/01/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Primordial, Inc. (Polaris Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Primordial, Inc. (Polaris Inc.)
• Inventors: Milbert, Randy L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,756,635 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for generating and presenting off-road travel routes based on terrain and obstruction analysis. The method includes a Threat Analyzer (100) for assessing threats that may impede progress, a Graph Builder (102) for constructing a graph representing an individual'"'"'s environment, a Route Generator (104) for generating a route that avoids the threats, and a Route Presenter (106) for guiding the individual along the route. The Threat Analyzer (100) includes an Obstruction Analyzer (202) for detecting obstructions in aerial imagery. The Graph Builder (102) includes a Cost Evaluator (712) that takes into account traversal speeds for individuals across various types of terrain. The Route Presenter (106) overlays the route on aerial imagery and provides real-time guidance as the individual traverses the route.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for electronically generating and presenting a travel route, the method comprising:

a. electronically identifying threats that impede progress,

b. electronically generating a route that avoids said threats,

c. electronically presenting said route,

d. electronically retrieving traversal speeds for a traveler across various terrain types,

e. electronically determining the terrain type at each node along a set of possible routes,

f. electronically determining traversal times along said set of possible routes based on said traversal speeds and said terrain type at each node along said set of possible routes, and

g. electronically selecting said route from said possible routes based on said traversal times.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented by one or more hardware or software devices.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein said method is implemented in a computer-readable medium including one or more computer-readable instructions embedded therein and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of the method.

2. A computer-implemented method for electronically generating and presenting a travel route, the method comprising:

a. electronically identifying threats that impede progress,

b. electronically generating a route that avoids said threats,

c. electronically presenting said route,

d. electronically retrieving the position of a traveler,

e. electronically retrieving the orientation of said traveler,

f. electronically retrieving the position of a waypoint along said route,

g. electronically determining the angle between said traveler and said waypoint, and

h. electronically indicating said angle to said traveler.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein electronically indicating said angle to said traveler includes:

a. electronically retrieving a frame from a video camera associated with said traveler,

b. electronically determining the field of view of said video camera,

c. electronically determining the visibility of said waypoint,

d. electronically determining the horizontal position in said frame corresponding to said waypoint, and

e. electronically indicating to said traveler the presence of said waypoint in said frame at said horizontal position.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein said method is implemented by one or more hardware or software devices.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein said method is implemented in a computer-readable medium including one or more computer-readable instructions embedded therein and configured to cause one or more computer processors to perform the steps of the method.