Process and system for the annotation of machine-generated directions with easily recognized landmarks and other relevant information

• US 6,477,460 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2001
• Issued: 11/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grape Technology Group Incorporated (KGB)
• Original Assignee: Metro One Telecommunications, Inc.
• Inventors: Kepler, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Olga
• Application Number:
  US09/796,269
• Publication Number:
  US 20020120397A1
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 701/209, 701/201, 701/208, 701/200, 731/78.R, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3644 Landmark guidance, e.g. using POIs or conspicuous other objects
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/006 Representation of non-cartographic information on maps, e.g. population distribution, wind direction, radiation levels, air and sea routes

Abstract

A method and system for annotating machine-generated directions for a route with retain signage and other readily-recognizable landmarks. The coordinates of a selected area of the route are obtained. The selected area of the route can be any portion of the route from an origination point to a destination point. However, the coordinates of turns along the route as well as points along long stretches of road in the route are of particular interest. Once the coordinates of interest are determined, a database is scanned to identify one or more landmarks or establishments within a definable zone about the coordinates. A scoring algorithm may be employed to score the qualifying landmarks and establishments using factors such as distance, orientation and visibility. Alternatively, a radius search may be performed for establishments that lie within a given radius of the user'"'"'s geocoded location along the travel route, said given radius may be determined by an expansion factor. Means may be employed to limit the number of landmarks or establishments to be annotated. Once the landmarks or establishments are decided upon, driving directions are generated that incorporate one or more of the landmarks or establishments within the zone in the instructions regarding navigation of the route.

Claims

1. A method for generating directions for a travel route, the method comprising:

obtaining a geographic location of a selected area along the travel route;

identifying a selected establishment within a configurable distance from the geographic location of the selected area, the configurable distance being configured as a function of at least an attribute of the selected establishment, wherein the attribute concerns at least the size of the selected establishment; and

generating the directions that incorporate an identification of the selected establishment.

2. A method as in claim 1, further comprising maintaining a database including information regarding a geographic position of the selected establishment.

3. A method as in claim 1, wherein the attribute includes recognizability of a name of the selected establishment.

4. A method as in claim 1, wherein the database includes information regarding an orientation of the selected establishment relative to the geographic location.

5. A method as in claim 1, further comprising scoring one or more establishments within the selected area.

6. A method as in claim 5, wherein the selected establishment has the highest score of all of the establishments.

7. A method as in claim 1, wherein the attribute includes visibility of the selected establishment.

8. A method as in claim 1, wherein the attribute includes the shape of the selected establishment.

10. A method as in claim 1, further comprising providing an audible recitation of the directions which includes an audible identification of the selected establishment.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein the selected area comprises a turn from a first road to a second road.

12. A method as in claim 1, wherein the attribute includes a type of business conducted by the selected establishment.

9. A method for generating directions for a travel route, the method comprising:

obtaining a geographic location of a selected area along the travel route;

identifying one or more landmarks corresponding to the geographic location of the selected area;

randomly selecting at least one of the one or more landmarks; and

generating the directions that incorporate an identification of the at least one of the one or more landmarks.

13. A method for generating directions for a travel route, the method comprising:

obtaining a geographic location of a selected area along the travel route;

identifying at least one zone proximate to the selected area, the size of the zone being configurable as a function of at least an attribute of the travel route in the selected area, wherein the size of the zone is defined by a radius determined by an expansion factor;

identifying one or more landmarks within the zone;

deciding upon at least one of the one or more landmarks in the directions; and

generating the directions that incorporate an identification of the at least one of the one or more landmarks.

14. A method as in claim 13, wherein the shape of the zone is asymmetric.

15. A method as in claim 13, wherein the attribute concerns a complexity of the travel route in the selected area.

16. A method for generating driving directions for a route from a first location to a second location, the method comprising:

maintaining a database, the database comprising entities that are referenced by geocoded locations;

identifying one or more entities from the database within a configurable radius of a geocoded location of the traveler along the route, the geocoded locations of the one or more entities being defined by different zones, each zone having a size which is a function of at least an attribute of the entity defined by the zone; and

generating the driving directions that incorporate an identification of at least one of the one or more entities.

17. A method as in claim 16, further comprising the step of searching the database for landmarks that lie within a radius of a user'"'"'s geocoded location along the route.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein said radius is determined by an expansion factor.

19. A method as in claim 16, further comprising the step of performing progressively expansive radius searches of entities along the route based upon their geocoded locations.

20. A method as in claim 19, wherein said search is constrained by a maximum distance.

21. A method as in claim 16, wherein said entities are landmarks.

22. A method as in claim 16, wherein said entities are businesses.

23. A method for generating driving directions for a route from a first location to a second location, the method comprising the steps of:

a) obtaining coordinates proximate to a portion of the route corresponding to an appropriate location to confirm that a traveler is proceeding along the prescribed route;

b) identifying one or more establishments within a definable zone about the coordinates;

c) deciding upon at least one of the one or more establishments within the coordinate zone to include in the driving directions; and

d) generating driving directions that incorporate an identification of the at least one of the one or more establishments within the coordinate zone in the instructions regarding traversal of the route.

24. A method as in claim 23, wherein the step of identifying one or more establishments comprises the step of maintaining a database of records including information regarding the geographic location of a plurality of establishments.

25. A method as in claim 23, wherein the attribute includes recognizability of a name of the selected establishment.

26. A method as in claim 23, wherein the database includes information regarding an orientation of the selected establishment relative to the appropriate location.

27. A method as in claim 23, further comprising scoring one or more establishments having respective zones therearound covering the coordinates.

28. A method as in claim 27, wherein the selected establishment has the highest score of all of the establishments.

29. A method as in claim 23, wherein the attribute includes visibility of the selected establishment.

30. A method as in claim 23, wherein the attribute concerns the shape of the selected establishment.

31. A method as in claim 23, further comprising the step of providing an audible recitation of the driving directions which includes an audible identification of the selected establishment.

32. A method as in claim 23, wherein the attribute concerns the size of the selected establishment.

33. A method as in claim 23, the attribute concerns a type of business conducted by the selected establishment.

34. A method for generating driving directions for a route from a first location to a second location, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining coordinates proximate to a portion of the route corresponding to an appropriate location to confirm that a traveler is proceeding along the route;

maintaining a database of establishments, the database including a plurality of records indicating establishments that have entered into a financial relationship with a directions provider to promote the establishments through the provision of driving directions;

identifying one or more establishments from the database within a definable zone about the coordinates;

deciding upon at least one of the one or more establishments within the definable zone to include in the driving directions; and

generating the driving directions that incorporate an identification of the at least one of the one or more establishments within the definable zone.

35. A method as in claim 34, wherein the step of identifying one or more establishments comprises the step of searching the database for one or more records corresponding to one or more establishments having a geographic location within a predefined distance from the appropriate location.

36. A method as in claim 34, further comprising the step of searching the database for one or more records corresponding to one or more establishments having a predefined orientation relative to the appropriate location.

37. A method as in claim 34, wherein the deciding step comprises scoring one or more establishments within the definable zone.

38. A method as in claim 37, wherein the scoring step includes determining the distance of the establishment under consideration to the appropriate location.

39. A method as in claim 37, wherein the scoring step includes evaluating the amount paid by the establishment to promote said establishment through the provision of driving directions.

40. A method as in claim 37, further comprising the step of selecting the establishment with the highest score.

41. A method for generating driving directions for a route from a first location to a second location, the method comprising:

obtaining coordinates proximate to a portion of the route corresponding to an appropriate location to confirm that a traveler is proceeding along the route;

maintaining a database of location-specific information objects, the database comprising data regarding the geocoded position of said information objects, said information objects being assigned respective expiration times after which said information objects become ineffective;

identifying one or more said information objects from the database within a definable zone about the coordinates;

deciding upon at least one of the one or more said information objects within the definable zone to include in the driving directions; and

generating driving directions that incorporate an identification of the at least one of the one or more said information objects within the definable zone.

42. A method as in claim 41, further comprising searching the database for one or more records corresponding to one or more of said information objects having a predefined orientation relative to the appropriate location.

43. A method as in claim 41, wherein said information objects include at least one information object concerning a road closure.

44. A method as in claim 41, wherein said information objects include at least one information object concerning a road condition.

45. A method as in claim 41, wherein said information objects include at least one information object concerning a weather condition.