Deviation detection in mobile transit systems

• US 8,898,010 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2013
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Modica, Leo, Stenneth, Leon
• Primary Examiner(s): EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A
• Application Number:
  US13/739,560
• Publication Number:
  US 20140200805A1
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 701445-446, 701/450, 701/466
• US Class Current: 701/466
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/30 Map- or contour-matching
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/22 Multipath-related issues
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/48 by combining or switching between position solutions derived from the satellite radio beacon positioning system and position solutions derived from a further system

Abstract

In one embodiment, a mobile device or a network device is configured to identify when a transit vehicle deviates from a transit path. The mobile device is configured to perform a positioning technique to generate data indicative of the location of a mobile device. Based on the location of the mobile device, a path is identified. The path is associated with an estimated path width based on the classification of the path and/or the accuracy of the positioning technique. A target route is calculated using the estimated path width. As the transit vehicle travels, the target route is compared to the location of the mobile device. If the mobile device and or transit vehicle deviates from the target route, a message is generated. The message may indicate that the transit vehicle is being re-routed and/or recommends the computation of a new path.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data indicative of a location of a mobile device;

identifying a path including a plurality of transit stops based on the location of the mobile device, wherein the plurality of transit stops are bus stops;

accessing characteristic information for the path;

calculating, by a controller, a target route from the characteristic information for the path; and

determining whether the location of the mobile device or a subsequent location of the mobile device deviates from the path based on a comparison of the location of the mobile device to the target route.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adjusting the target route according to an accuracy level of the data indicative of the location of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the accuracy level is dependent on surroundings of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

accessing a building model for an area near the mobile device; and

calculating the accuracy level based on building model.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic information includes a functional classification of the path.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the characteristic information includes a width of the path.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is historical data;

and

the historical data includes clusters of data points collected along the path and arranged based on proximity.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

comparing a distance from the location of the mobile device to a border of the target route; and

extending the border of the target route by a circle of error when the distance exceeds a threshold, wherein the circle of error is based on the accuracy of position circuitry of the mobile device.

9. An apparatus comprising:

a memory configured to store target routes for a plurality of transit routes, wherein the plurality of transit routes are defined by a plurality of public transit stops, wherein the plurality of public transit stops are bus stops; and

a controller configured to receive data indicative of a location of a mobile device and configured to access a target route based on the location of the mobile device, wherein a comparison of the target route and the location of the mobile device or a subsequent location of the mobile device determines whether the location of the mobile device deviates from the target route.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the target routes for the plurality of transit routes are defined by path widths.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the path widths are based on functional classifications of the transit routes.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the path widths are based on accuracy of a positioning system of the mobile device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the path widths are based on a building model associated with the location of the mobile device.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising:

positioning circuitry configured to generate the data indicative of the location of the mobile device.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that when executed are operable to:

receive data indicative of a location of the mobile device at different times;

identify a path including a plurality of transit stops based on the data indicative of the location of the mobile device, wherein the plurality of transit stops are bus stops;

identify a target route based on characteristic information for the path; and

determining whether the mobile device deviates from the path based on a comparison of the location of the mobile device to the target route.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the characteristic information for the path includes a functional classification of the path.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the characteristic information for the path includes a width of the path.

18. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the characteristic information for the path includes an accuracy level of the data indicative of the location of the mobile device.