3D path analysis for environmental modeling

• US 8,818,711 B2
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jewel Pathway LLC (IP Edge LLC)
• Original Assignee: Empire Technology Development LLC (Allied Inventors Management, LLC)
• Inventors: Kruglick, Ezekiel
• Primary Examiner(s): To, Tuan C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, ISAAC G
• Application Number:
  US12/642,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20110153208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,712 Days
• Field of Search: 340/995.1, 340/988, 340/435, 340/539.13, 340/539.22, 701/533, 701/532, 701/469, 701/410, 701/426, 701/428, 701/1, 701/3, 701/23, 701/24, 701/26, 701/209, 701/301, 701/408, 701/411, 701/414, 701/420, 701/431, 701/433, 701/439, 701/488, 701/517, 701/521, 701/25, 701/409, 701/434, 701/117, 701/202, 342/357.55, 342/357.4, 342/450, 715/205, 715/230, 715/848, 705/1.1, 705/6, 705/7.11, 705/14.1, 705/51, 382/103, 382/113, 345/589, 345/629, 348/46, 348/51, 348/55
• US Class Current: 701/411
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3841 Data obtained from two or more sources, e.g. probe vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3867 Geometry of map features, e.g. shape points, polygons or for simplified maps
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3889 Transmission of selected map data, e.g. depending on route
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/004 Map manufacture or repair; Tear or ink or water resistant maps; Long-life maps printing processes for maps B41M3/02; by permanently attaching map sections to sheets B42B7/00
• 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

Techniques for constructing a path analysis in an area are provided. Data are received from a mobile device in an area. The data is based on a path that is traversed by the mobile device. A traversable path is then determined from the data received from the mobile device. The traversable path is superimposed on a map and the map, including the traversable path, is packaged for delivery or display to requesting devices.

Claims

1. A method to construct a path analysis in an area, the method comprising:

receiving a first set of location data from a first mobile device, the first set of location data comprising multiple data points of physical locations traversed by the first mobile device that represent a first path in

an area traversed by the first mobile device;

generating, using a processor, a traversable path based on the first set of location data without using traditional maps, the traversable path following a non-predetermined path that at least partially does not adhere to predetermined paths identified in the traditional maps and including a portion that deviates from the first path traversed by the first mobile device, the portion of the traversable path that deviates from the first path traversed by the first mobile device determined based on differences between the first set of location data and one or more second sets of location data from one or more second mobile devices, the one or more second sets of location data comprising multiple data points of physical locations traversed by the one or more second mobile devices in the area traversed by the first mobile device;

superimposing the traversable path onto a map; and

packaging the map for delivery or display of the map at a device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising polling the one or more second mobile devices for the one or more second sets of location data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the map is a three-dimensional map.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the map is a traffic map or a walking map.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving a first set of location data comprises:

assigning an anonymous identification number to the first mobile device; and

tracking the first path of the first mobile device using the anonymous identification number.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of location data is batched by the first mobile device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first set of location data includes GPS data indicative that the first mobile device is used in a vehicle or the first mobile device is used on a person.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the traversable path includes rejecting outlier location data, wherein the outlier location data is inconsistent with the first set of location data.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising at least one of:

rating the traversable path for an intended purpose; and

receiving at least one of picture data or video data from the first mobile device, wherein the map superimposed with the traversable path includes at least one of the picture data or the video data.

10. A method to determine traversable paths in an area, the method comprising:

receiving location data from each of a plurality of mobile devices, the location data comprising multiple data points of physical locations traversed by the plurality of mobile devices that represent paths in an area traversed by the plurality of mobile devices;

generating, using a processor, a traversable path from the location data without using traditional maps, the traversable path following a non-predetermined path that at least partially does not adhere to conventional paths shown in the traditional maps, wherein generating the traversable path includes;

weighting the location data from the plurality of mobile devices; and

interpolating the weighted location data to generate the traversable path such that the traversable path includes portions of more than one of the paths traversed by the plurality of mobile devices; and

delivering a map of the area that includes the traversable path in the area to a requesting device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the traversable path is generated according to a density distribution of the location data received from each of the plurality of mobile devices.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising superimposing the traversable path onto the map of the area.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

receiving at least one of picture data or video data from at least one of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein the at least one of picture data or video data is incorporated into the map.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein receiving location data comprises collecting the location data from the plurality of mobile devices, wherein each of the plurality of the mobile devices logs its location data at intervals.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the map is informed by the traversable path.

21. The method of claim 10, wherein weighting the location data from the plurality of mobile devices includes:

determining whether the plurality of mobile devices are traversing their paths in motorized vehicles based on data collected from the plurality of mobile devices; and

weighting location data from the plurality of mobile devices not traversing their paths in motorized vehicles more than location data from the plurality of mobile devices traversing their paths in motorized vehicles.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the location data from the plurality of mobile devices is further weighted based on an extent to which the area has been mapped and the plurality of mobile devices being trusted mobile devices.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the location data from the plurality of mobile devices traversing their paths in motorized vehicles are given a weight of zero.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein data collected from the plurality of mobile devices used to determine whether the plurality of mobile devices are traversing their paths in motorized vehicles includes one or more of:

accelerometer data from the plurality of mobile devices, orientation data from the plurality of mobile devices, and the location data from the plurality of mobile devices.

25. The method of claim 10, wherein weighting the location data from the plurality of mobile devices includes:

determining a speed at which the plurality of mobile devices are traversing their paths based on data collected from the plurality of mobile devices;

determining a medium, mean, average, or weighted average of the speeds of the plurality of mobile devices; and

weighting location data from the plurality of mobile devices traveling at speeds that approximately equal the medium, mean, average, or weighted average of the speeds of the plurality of mobile devices more than location data from the plurality of mobile devices traveling at speeds that do not approximately equal the medium, mean, average, or weighted average of the speeds of the plurality of mobile devices.

16. A system to model traversable paths in an area, the system comprising:

a location module configured to collect location data from mobile devices in an area, wherein the mobile devices that provide location data are location-enabled to provide the location data and the location data includes multiple data points of physical locations traversed by the mobile devices;

a database configured to store the location data collected from the mobile devices, wherein the location data identifies paths traversed by the mobile devices in the area;

a processor configured

to generate traversable paths in the area based on the paths traversed by the mobile devices without using traditional maps, the traversable paths following a non-predetermined path that at least partially does not adhere to conventional paths shown in the traditional maps and including a portion that deviates from at least one of the paths traversed by the mobile devices, the portion of the traversable paths that deviates from at least one of the paths traversed by the mobile devices determined based on differences between the at least one of the paths traversed by the mobile devices and one or more other paths traversed by others of the mobile devices; and

a map module configured to package a map for display on a device, the map including the area and the generated traversable paths.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to adapt the traversable paths over time to changes that occur in the area.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to anonymize the location data.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to determine secondary data from the location data and wherein the map module is further configured to package the secondary data for display on the device.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the secondary data determines at least one of a popularity of the traversable paths, a density of people anticipated on the traversable paths, or amenities on the traversable paths.