METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PROVIDING A DESTINATION PREVIEW

• US 20160153789A1
• Filed: 11/28/2014
• Published: 06/02/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Gallar, Enrique Jose, Scheunig, Stephan, Pearce, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 9,874,456 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3635 Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps

Abstract

A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for providing a destination preview while using a navigation device. As a user approaches a destination, a mode of navigation assistance may change from route guidance to destination preview. The destination preview may include an overhead perspective of an area surrounding a destination. The destination preview may be animated so as to allow the user to maintain perspective of the current location, planned route, and other objects while previewing the destination. The animated perspective path, including height, zoom level, angle, and speed of a vantage point, may be calculated so as to provide improved visibility for a user.

Claims

1. A method for providing a destination preview, the method comprising:

receiving an indication that a current remaining travel time to the destination is less than a pre-defined threshold amount of time; and

in response to receiving the indication the current remaining travel time is less than the pre-defined threshold amount of time, causing a mode of navigation assistance to change from a route guidance mode to a destination preview mode, wherein the destination preview mode is based on an overhead perspective.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the mode of navigation assistance to change occurs further in response to identifying an opportune time based on a detected movement.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the mode of navigation assistance to change comprises changing a type of base layer map.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein causing the mode of navigation assistance to change comprises zooming out.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination preview mode provides an animation beginning from a current location to provide a view of the destination from the overhead perspective.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

determining a line of action based on the current location, a planned route, and the destination; and

calculating an animation perspective path from the current location and continuing toward the destination while a vantage point remains on one side of the line of action.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein calculating the animation perspective path comprises determining a height, zoom level, angle, and speed of the vantage point along the animation perspective path.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination is a transition point from one mode of transportation to another, and the destination preview provides display of an end of a route associated with a first mode of transportation, and a beginning of another route associated with a second mode of transportation.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination is a point of interest along a planned route.

10. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

determine to receive an indication that a current remaining travel time to the destination is less than a pre-defined threshold amount of time; and

in response to determine to receive the indication the current remaining travel time is less than the pre-defined threshold amount of time, cause a mode of navigation assistance to change from a route guidance mode to a destination preview mode, wherein the destination preview mode is based on an overhead perspective.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mode of navigation assistance change occurs further in response to identification of an opportune time based on a detected movement.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mode of navigation assistance change comprises a change of a type of base layer map.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the mode of navigation assistance change comprises a zoom out.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the destination preview mode provides an animation beginning from a current location to provide a view of the destination from the overhead perspective.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

determine a line of action based on the current location, a planned route, and the destination; and

calculate an animation perspective path from the current location and continuing toward the destination while a vantage point remains on one side of the line of action.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the calculation of the animation perspective path comprises a determination of a height, zoom level, angle, and speed of the vantage point along the animation perspective path.

17. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the destination is a transition point from one mode of transportation to another, and the destination preview provides display of an end of a route associated with a first mode of transportation, and a beginning of another route associated with a second mode of transportation.

18. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the destination is a point of interest along a planned route.

19. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable program code instructions stored therein, the computer-executable program code instructions comprising program code instructions for:

receiving an indication that a current remaining travel time to the destination is less than a pre-defined threshold amount of time; and

in response to receiving the indication the current remaining travel time is less than the pre-defined threshold amount of time, causing a mode of navigation assistance to change from a route guidance mode to a destination preview mode, wherein the destination preview mode is based on an overhead perspective.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein causing the mode of navigation assistance to change occurs further in response to identifying an opportune time based on a detected movement.