METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING COST DATA FOR USE IN GENERATING A ROUTE ACROSS AN ELECTRONIC MAP

• US 20140303892A1
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: Tomtom North America Incorporated (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Morlock, Clayton Richard
• Granted Patent: US 9,433,843 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/533
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0028 for running, jogging or speed-walking movable endless bands A63B22/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/29 Geographical information databases
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/00 Three dimensional [3D] modelling, e.g. data description of 3D objects
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 17/05 Geographic models
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods

Abstract

A method is disclosed involving receiving GPS data from persona portable training devices of users when traversing an off-road segment of an electronic map together with associated data indicative of a heart rate of a user during the movements. The position and heart rate data for each user traversing the segment are processed using data indicative of a fitness profile for the user. The resulting data is used to determine a normalized cost to be associated with the segment, indicative of the difficulty in traversing the segment. The cost data is generated using a neural network. The resulting cost data for different segments in a network of segments is used to generate route suggestions for users based upon desired workout intensity, fitness levels, etc.

Claims

1. A method for creating cost data for use in generating routes across an electronic map of navigable segments, the method comprising:

receiving probe data from a plurality of users, the probe data comprising, for each user, movement data indicative of the movements of the user with respect to time, and physical exertion data indicative of at least one measure of physical exertion associated with the movements of the user over time;

processing the received probe data for each user using an ability profile for the user to generate normalized routing cost data for one or more of the navigable segments of the electronic map; and

associating the routing cost data with the one or more navigable segments of the electronic map.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the probe data comprises movement data indicative of the movements of the multiple users along one or more given navigable segments of the electronic map and associated physical exertion data, and wherein the method comprises processing the probe data from the multiple users relating to travel of the users along the one or more given navigable segments using the ability profile for each user to enable normalized routing costs for each of the one or more given navigable segments to be generated.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the movement data comprises data indicative of the position of the user with respect to time.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the position data is received from a location determining and tracking means of a personal portable training device arranged to be transported, carried or worn by a user, and wherein the location determining and tracking means comprises a global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receiver.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical exertion data is indicative of a heart rate of the user.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the ability profile is a function of at least a fitness level of the user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the cost data is determined using a machine learning process.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the cost data for the one or more navigable segments is at least one of time and weather dependent.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the or each navigable segment is an off-road segment.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising using the normalized cost data to provide at least one of:

a suggested route to a user based on an ability profile of the user; and

one or more user specified parameters.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the one or more user specified parameters are selected from the group consisting of:

activity time, distance, start position, end position, segment type, and level of physical exertion.

12. A non-transitory computer readable medium including a computer program comprising computer program code means adapted to perform the method of claim 1 when said program is run on a computer.

14. An electronic map comprising data representative of a plurality of navigable segments, and routing cost data associated with one or more of the navigable segments created using the method of claim 1.

16. The method of claim 3, wherein the movement data further comprises elevation data indicative of the elevation of the user with respect to time.

13. (canceled)

15. A system for creating cost data for use in generating routes across an electronic map of navigable segments, the system comprising one or more processors, said one or more processors being arranged to:

receive probe data from a plurality of users, the probe data comprising, for each user, movement data indicative of the movements of the user with respect to time, and physical exertion data indicative of at least one measure of physical exertion associated with the movements of the user over time;

process the received probe data for each user using an ability profile for the user to generate normalized routing cost data for one or more navigable segments of the electronic map; and

associate the routing cost data with the one or more navigable segments of the electronic map.