Method and System for Providing Navigation Assistance on a Mobile Device

• US 20110282570A1
• Filed: 05/17/2010
• Published: 11/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Ito, Daisuke, Tanioka, Hideaki
• Granted Patent: US 8,478,516 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3623 using a camera or code reader, e.g. for optical or magnetic codes
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3676 Overview of the route on the road map

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing navigation assistance on a mobile device are provided. A method may include extracting information from at least one of a first map image and an address image, wherein the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map and the address image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized written address. The method may also include communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server. The method may further include receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device. The method may additionally include displaying the second map image including the routing information.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

extracting information from a first map image;

communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server;

receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device; and

displaying, based on the first map image and the routing information, a second map image substantially similar to the first map image, wherein the second map image includes one or more graphical elements indicative of the routing information.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising capturing the first map image by the mobile device.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a third map image, wherein displaying the second map image includes displaying the second map image based on the first map image, the third map image and the routing information.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more graphical elements indicate at least one of:

a present location of the mobile device;

a starting location for navigation;

a destination location for navigation;

a route to be taken by the user of the mobile device in order to reach a desired location;

a geographical orientation of the third map relative to cardinal directions; and

a geographical landmark.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the extracted information includes at least one of:

an approximate destination address associated with a destination symbol depicted in the first map image; and

geographical coordinates associated with elements depicted in the first map image.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the elements depicted in the first map image include at least one of:

a street depicted in the first map image;

a landmark depicted in the first map image; and

one or more boundaries of the first map image.

8. A method comprising:

extracting information from at least one of a first map image and an address image, wherein;

the first map image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized map; and

the address image is a digitized picture of a non-digitized written address;

communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server;

receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device; and

displaying the second map image including the routing information.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the non-digitized written address includes a handwritten address or a machine-printed address.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein second map includes one or more graphical elements indicate at least one of:

a present location of the mobile device;

a starting location for navigation;

a destination location for navigation;

a route to be taken by the user of the mobile device in order to reach a desired location;

a geographical orientation of the third map relative to cardinal directions; and

a geographical landmark.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the extracted information includes at least one of:

an approximate destination address associated with at least one of the destination symbol depicted in the first map image and the non-digitized written address; and

geographical coordinates associated with elements depicted in the first map image.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the elements depicted in the first map image include at least one of:

a street depicted in the first map image;

a landmark depicted in the first map image; and

one or more boundaries of the first map image.

13. A method comprising:

extracting information from an address image, wherein the address image is a digitized picture of a plurality of non-digitized written addresses;

communicating the extracted information to a mapping service server;

receiving, from the mapping service server in response to communicating the extracted information, a second map image including routing information for assisting navigation of a user of a mobile device among the non-digitized written addresses; and

displaying the second map image including the routing information.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of non-digitized written address include a handwritten address or a machine-printed address.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein second map includes one or more graphical elements indicate at least one of:

a present location of the mobile device;

a starting location for navigation;

the plurality of non-digitized written addresses;

a route to be taken by the user of the mobile device in order to reach the plurality of non-digitized written addresses;

a geographical orientation of the third map relative to cardinal directions; and

a geographical landmark.

16. A method according to claim 15, wherein the one or more graphical elements indicating the plurality of non-digitized written addresses include selectable elements allowing a user of the mobile device to select an order by which the non-digitized written addresses are to be navigated.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the one or more graphical elements indicating the plurality of non-digitized written addresses include information indicative of a desired order by which the addresses are to be navigated.

18. A method according to claim 13, wherein the extracted information includes at least one of:

an approximate destination address associated with at least one of the destination symbol depicted in the first map image and the non-digitized written address; and

geographical coordinates associated with elements depicted in the first map image.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein the elements depicted in the first map image include at least one of:

a street depicted in the first map image;

a landmark depicted in the first map image; and

one or more boundaries of the first map image.

20. A method according to claim 13, wherein the plurality of non-digitized written addresses include information indicative of a desired order by which the addresses are to be navigated.