Devices, methods, and systems for managing route-related information

• US 7,865,306 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael Mays
• Original Assignee: Michael Mays
• Inventors: Mays, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US11/540,067
• Publication Number:
  US 20070067104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,558 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/211, 348/148, 348/565, 348/153, 348/159, 340/995.1, 340/995.19, 340/995.2, 725/105, 434/69, 386/46, 386/69, 386/70, 386/125
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3647 Guidance involving output of stored or live camera images or video streams
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0266 based on the position of the vehicle

Abstract

A method can include, for a predetermined route, automatically processing a first set of machine instructions to create a visual travel guide for the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising a second set of machine instructions adapted to cause an information device to render: an identification of a destination of the predetermined route; a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video adapted to substantially reproduce a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection; a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos; at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

for a predetermined route, automatically processing a first set of machine instructions to create a visual travel guide specific to the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising a second set of machine instructions that, when executed, cause an information device to render, in a predetermined arrangement;

an identification of a destination of the predetermined route;

a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a unique road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video, when played, substantially reproducing a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection as recorded via one or more video information recording devices attached to the automobile;

a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos;

at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and

an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically creating the first set of machine instructions based on user-provided commands.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically creating the second set of machine instructions.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically creating the second set of machine instructions based on user-provided commands.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically receiving a request for the visual travel guide.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically providing the visual travel guide, the provided visual travel guide automatically customized to at least one of an origin, current location, approach, route, and destination of a traveler associated with the request.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically transmitting the visual travel guide via a network.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically modifying the second set of machine instructions based on user-provided commands.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

automatically generating a third set of machine instructions based on user-provided commands provided upon performance of said second set of machine instructions.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render an identification of a turn located along the predetermined route.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render a visual representation of a turn located along the predetermined route.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render an identification of a landmark associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render a visual representation of a landmark associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render a map associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render a map associated with the road intersection.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render a promotional item.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the second set of machine instructions, when executed, render an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

18. A computer-readable medium comprising first computer-executable instructions for activities comprising:

for a predetermined route, creating a visual travel guide specific to the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising second computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause an information device to render, in a predetermined arrangement;

an identification of a destination of the predetermined route;

a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a unique road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video, when played, substantially reproducing a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection as recorded via one or more video information recording devices attached to the automobile;

a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos;

at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination; and

an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.

19. A computer-readable medium comprising first computer-executable instructions for activities comprising:

for a predetermined route, a visual travel guide specific to the predetermined route, the visual travel guide comprising second computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause an information device to render, in a predetermined arrangement;

an identification of a destination of the predetermined route;

a plurality of videos, each video corresponding to a unique road intersection located approximately on the predetermined route, each video, when played, substantially reproducing a view of a driver of an automobile approaching the road intersection as recorded via one or more video information recording devices attached to the automobile;

a plurality of textual descriptions associated with the plurality of videos;

at least one of an identification of an origin of the predetermined route and an identification of an approach to the destination;

a visual representation of a landmark associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route; and

an advertisement associated with at least a portion of the predetermined route.