Multiple directions to a destination without providing a specific origin
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented navigation system, comprising:
- an input component for receiving a destination location to which a user wants to travel, without specifying a starting location;
an analysis component for selecting multiple meta-departure points associated with multiple different routes to the destination location from multiple different logical directions from candidate meta-departure points based on at least one of a geographical distribution or cardinal orientation around or relative to the destination location, such that a minimum of meta-departure points cover a maximum percentage of potential inbound travel routes, independent of knowledge of a specific starting location; and
a routing component for automatically generating multiple sets of instructions corresponding to the different logical directions associated with the multiple meta-departure points for geographically navigating the different routes to the destination location from the multiple meta-departure points.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The automatic generation of multiple sets of directions for navigating geographically to a specific destination without specification of an origin. Based on the destination, candidate roads or other transportation conduits are selected for analysis. Candidate meta-departure points are analyzed and selected along the roads based on distribution about the destination, cardinal directions relative to the destination, road metadata, distance to the destination, driving time, and other factors. The number of departure points generated to represent routes to the destination from the several logical cardinal directions is minimized. The generated departure points also represent routes that a majority of people would likely take to the destination. Additionally, the generated departure points originate from places that users are likely to be familiar with and can get to without additional guidance. The final instruction sets for navigating to the destination are presented along with a map that identified the departure points.
18 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented navigation system, comprising:
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an input component for receiving a destination location to which a user wants to travel, without specifying a starting location; an analysis component for selecting multiple meta-departure points associated with multiple different routes to the destination location from multiple different logical directions from candidate meta-departure points based on at least one of a geographical distribution or cardinal orientation around or relative to the destination location, such that a minimum of meta-departure points cover a maximum percentage of potential inbound travel routes, independent of knowledge of a specific starting location; and a routing component for automatically generating multiple sets of instructions corresponding to the different logical directions associated with the multiple meta-departure points for geographically navigating the different routes to the destination location from the multiple meta-departure points. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-implemented method of providing navigation instructions employing a computer programmed to perform the method, comprising:
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receiving destination information associated with a destination, without specifying a starting location; searching for candidate meta-departure points associated with multiple different routes to the destination from multiple different logical directions, independent of knowledge of a starting location; selecting final meta-departure locations from the candidate meta-departure points based on at least one of a geographical distribution or cardinal orientation around or relative to the destination location, such that the final meta-departure points cover a largest percentage of potential inbound travel routes; generating multiple instruction sets corresponding to the multiple different logical directions associated with the final meta-departure points; and presenting the instruction sets, the instruction sets include directions for navigating geographically the multiple different routes from the final meta-departure points to the destination. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A computer-implemented system, comprising:
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computer-implemented means for receiving destination information associated with a destination, without specifying a starting location; computer-implemented means for searching for candidate meta-departure points associated with multiple different routes to the destination from multiple different logical directions; computer-implemented means for selecting final meta-departure locations from the candidate meta-departure points based on at least one of a geographical distribution or cardinal orientation around or relative to the destination location, such that the final meta-departure points cover a largest percentage of potential inbound travel routes; computer-implemented means for generating multiple instruction sets corresponding to the multiple different logical directions associated with the final meta-departure points; and computer-implemented means for presenting the instruction sets, the instruction sets include directions for navigating geographically the multiple different routes from the final meta-departure points to the destination.
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Specification