Terrain overlay for route planner
First Claim
1. A method of generating a closed route for travel, the method comprising:
- a) receiving input data including a start point, an end point, a desired route length, and route characteristics;
b) retrieving geographic information for a plurality of route segments from a storage location, wherein the geographic information includes geographic data and terrain and topology information for each of the plurality of route segments; and
c) processing the geographic information and input data to define i) an outbound path from the start point to a turning point, and ii) an inbound path from the turning point to the end point, wherein the step of processing the geographic data includes the steps of;
c1) selecting one or more route segments from the geographic data for the outbound path based on the input data, andc2) selecting one or more route segments for the inbound path based on the input data; and
d) combining the outbound path and the inbound path into the closed route.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
In described embodiments, closed-loop mapping employs terrain and topology information when generating a closed-loop route given input route characteristics. Terrain and topology information collectively identify, for example, whether the road is 1) flat or inclined; 2) paved, concrete, crushed stone, or dirt; 3) in open or shaded areas, and 4) within certain area types. The location of the start and end points (e.g., a geographic location or position), the length of the desired route, and route characteristics are received as input to generate the closed-loop route. Route characteristics might include, for example, i) particular inclines/declines to modify the cardiovascular exercise from traversing the output closed route, ii) preferred types of terrain the output closed route includes, such as pavement or dirt paths, and iii) particular zones or areas to be included or avoided in the desired route.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of generating a closed route for travel, the method comprising:
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a) receiving input data including a start point, an end point, a desired route length, and route characteristics; b) retrieving geographic information for a plurality of route segments from a storage location, wherein the geographic information includes geographic data and terrain and topology information for each of the plurality of route segments; and c) processing the geographic information and input data to define i) an outbound path from the start point to a turning point, and ii) an inbound path from the turning point to the end point, wherein the step of processing the geographic data includes the steps of; c1) selecting one or more route segments from the geographic data for the outbound path based on the input data, and c2) selecting one or more route segments for the inbound path based on the input data; and d) combining the outbound path and the inbound path into the closed route. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A machine-readable medium, having encoded thereon program code, wherein, when the program code is executed by a machine, the machine implements a method for generating a closed route for travel, comprising the steps of:
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a) receiving input data including a start point, an end point, a desired route length, and route characteristics; b) retrieving geographic information for a plurality of route segments from a storage location, wherein the geographic information includes geographic data and terrain and topology information for each of the plurality of route segments; and c) processing the geographic information and input data to define i) an outbound path from the start point to a turning point, and ii) an inbound path from the turning point to the end point, wherein the step of processing the geographic data includes the steps of; c1) selecting one or more route segments from the geographic data for the outbound path based on the input data, and c2) selecting one or more route segments for the inbound path based on the input data; and d) combining the outbound path and the inbound path into the closed route. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. Apparatus for generating a closed route for travel, the apparatus comprising:
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a data entry module configured to receive input data including a start point, an end point, a desired route length, and route characteristics; control logic configured to retrieve geographic information for a plurality of route segments from a storage location, wherein the geographic information includes geographic data and terrain and topology information for each of the plurality of route segments; and a closed-loop mapping module configured to process the geographic information and input data to define i) an outbound path from the start point to a turning point, and ii) an inbound path from the turning point to the end point, wherein the closed-loop mapping module processes the geographic data by; selecting one or more route segments from the geographic data for the outbound path based on the input data, selecting one or more route segments for the inbound path based on the input data, and combining the outbound path and the inbound path into the closed route. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification