Method and apparatus identifying and presenting location and location-related information

• US 10,873,828 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2019
• Issued: 12/22/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Lau, Chung, Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Quynh H
• Application Number:
  US16/354,122
• Publication Number:
  US 20190215643A1
• Time in Patent Office: 649 Days
• Field of Search: 37920101, 4554562, 4554563, 4554042, 455440
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/021 Services related to particular areas, e.g. point of interest [POI] services, venue services or geofences
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/025 using location based information parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management

Abstract

Method and apparatus to analyze and present location information in an easy-to-digest manner are disclosed. In one embodiment, each piece of location information can include a piece of location-designating information and a piece of location-related information. Location-designating information is primarily for identifying location. Location-related information is information related to location-designating information. The location-designating information and the location-related information can be supplied by a mobile device. With the help of location-related information, each piece of location-designating information can be more accurately transformed into a label to help identify a location. The amount of location information can be reduced. All of the location-designating information pertaining to a given area can be consolidated into one piece of location-designating information related to the label. Consolidation of some of the information may not occur if a piece of location-related information changes by more than a preset value. To better present location information in an easy-to-digest manner, location information can be compared to standards. Presentation can be on a display with respect to a reference location.

Claims

1. An article to at least facilitate electronically presenting data based on at least image data from a mobile electronic device, which includes at least a sensor that could sense signals related to locations of the mobile electronic device, the article comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising a plurality of instructions, when executed by at least a computing device, result in the at least a computing device;

accessing the image data, the image data being associated with a first location, wherein the first location depends on at least data from a first measurement, and wherein the first measurement is from at least the sensor in the mobile electronic device sensing signals related to at least the first location;

accessing a plurality of choices associated with at least the first location;

facilitating presenting the plurality of choices to a user of the mobile electronic device;

receiving a selection via the mobile electronic device of one of the choices, the selection being provided by the user of the mobile electronic device; and

facilitating presenting on a display at least a part of the image data associated with the first location, together with at least a part of a representation of the selection provided by the user,

wherein the presentation of the at least a part of the image data is associated with the first location of the mobile electronic device.

2. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by at least the controller, result in at least the controller receiving comments provided by the user via the mobile electronic device, and facilitating presenting on the display at least a part of the comments.

3. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein the image data is associated with a point of interest in the vicinity of the first location.

4. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by at least the controller, result in at least the controller:

accessing environmental data; and

facilitating presenting at least a part of a representation of the environmental data on the display.

5. An article as recited in claim 4, wherein the environmental data includes data regarding temperature.

6. An article as recited in claim 5, wherein the temperature includes the temperature in the vicinity of the mobile electronic device associated with the first location.

7. An article as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by at least the controller, result in at least the controller:

accessing data regarding speed of the mobile electronic device; and

facilitating presenting at least a part of a representation of the data regarding speed on the display.

8. A computer-implemented method operable to at least facilitate presenting data related to locations of a mobile apparatus that can help identify locations of the mobile apparatus, the mobile apparatus including at least a sensor that could sense signals related to locations of the mobile apparatus, the computer-implemented method comprising:

accessing image data, the image data being associated with a first location of the mobile apparatus, with the first location identified depending on measurements of the sensor in the mobile apparatus sensing signals related to at least the first location;

accessing a plurality of choices associated with at least the first location;

facilitating presenting the plurality of choices to a user of the mobile apparatus;

receiving a selection via the mobile apparatus of one of the choices, the selection being provided by the user of the mobile apparatus; and

facilitating presenting on a display at least a part of the image data associated with the first location, together with at least a part of a representation of the selection provided by the user,

wherein the presentation of the at least a part of the image data is associated with the first location of the mobile electronic device.

9. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 8 comprising accessing location data associated with the first location of the mobile apparatus,

wherein the sensor includes a satellite-signal receiver and a wireless-signal sensor not configured to receive satellite signals,

wherein the location data depends on at least data from a first measurement and data from a second measurement, so that the first location of the mobile apparatus is more accurately determined,

wherein the first measurement is from the satellite-signal receiver in the mobile apparatus receiving signals from a plurality of satellites, and

wherein the second measurement is from the wireless-signal sensor sensing wireless signals that can identify location, with the signals not from satellites, with the signals being around the mobile apparatus, and with at least a portion of the signals having a frequency that is above a Ghz.

10. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9 comprising receiving comments provided by the user via the mobile apparatus, and facilitating presenting on the display at least a part of the comments.

11. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the image data is associated with a point of interest in the vicinity of the first location.

12. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9 comprising accessing a plurality of times and a plurality of labels, each label designating a location of the mobile apparatus, with each of the times being associated with a corresponding label.

13. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12 comprising presenting on the display each of the labels together with its corresponding time, with the plurality of times presented in a chronological order.

14. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9 comprising:

accessing data regarding speed of the mobile apparatus; and

facilitating presenting at least a part of a representation of the data regarding speed on the display.

15. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9 comprising:

accessing data regarding altitude of the mobile apparatus; and

facilitating presenting at least a part of a representation of the data regarding altitude on the display.

16. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9 comprising:

accessing environmental data; and

facilitating presenting at least a part of a representation of the environmental data on the display.

17. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 16, wherein the environmental data includes data regarding temperature.

18. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 17, wherein the temperature includes the temperature in the vicinity of the mobile apparatus associated with the first location.

19. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the mobile apparatus is operable as a mobile phone.

20. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9, wherein the at least a portion of the signals having a frequency that is above a Ghz includes Wi-Fi signals.

21. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9 comprising:

presenting a symbol at a first position on a map, with the first position on the map being based on the first location of the apparatus; and

accessing additional data regarding a plurality of locations of the apparatus to track a movement of the apparatus towards a specific location.

22. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 9,

wherein at least the location data is based on signals wirelessly received from a wireless transceiver circuitry in the mobile apparatus, with the signals not from satellites, and

wherein at least a portion of the wireless transceiver circuity and at least a portion of the satellite-signal receiver (i) are affixed to same substrate, (ii) include Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices, (iii) are inside same enclosure, and (iv) use same power supply.

23. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 22, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry and the satellite-signal receiver share at least a crystal oscillator that is temperature compensated.

24. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including at least executable computer program code stored therein to at least facilitate presenting data regarding locations of a mobile apparatus, the mobile apparatus including at least a satellite-signal receiver and a plurality of additional sensors, the computer readable storage medium comprising:

computer program code for accessing location data associated with a location of the mobile apparatus, with at least a portion of the location data based on signals wirelessly received at least from wireless transceiver circuitry in the mobile apparatus, with at least a portion of the wireless transceiver circuity and at least a portion of the satellite-signal receiver (i) being affixed to same substrate, (ii) including Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices, (iii) being inside same enclosure, and (iv) using same power supply;

computer program code for facilitating presenting a symbol at a position on a map on a display, with the position on the map being based on the location of the mobile apparatus; and

computer program code for accessing additional data regarding a plurality of locations of the mobile apparatus to track a movement of the mobile apparatus,

wherein the location data depends on at least data from a first measurement and data from a second measurement, so that the location of the mobile apparatus is more accurately determined,

wherein the first measurement is from the satellite-signal receiver receiving signals that can identify location, with the signals from a plurality of satellites, and

wherein the second measurement is from at least one of the plurality of additional sensors sensing wireless signals that can identify location, with the signals not from satellites, and with the signals being in the vicinity of the mobile apparatus.

25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry and the satellite-signal receiver share at least a crystal oscillator that is temperature compensated.

26. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the location data is determined by the data from the first measurement if the location is a first location, and by the data from the second measurement if the location is a second location.

27. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the location data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus depends on data regarding a physical layout in proximity to the mobile apparatus.

28. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 27, wherein the data regarding the physical layout includes data regarding a 3D layout of structures in proximity to the mobile apparatus.

29. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 26, wherein the first location is an outdoor location, and the second location is an indoor location.

30. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the computer readable storage medium comprises computer program code for accessing image data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus.

31. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the at least one of the plurality of additional sensors includes at least a sensor configured to receive signals in optical frequencies.

32. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 24, wherein the at least one of the plurality of additional sensors includes at least a sensor configured to received signals with frequencies above a Ghz.

33. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium as recited in claim 24,

wherein the at least one of the plurality of additional sensors includes at least a sensor configured to receive signals in optical frequencies,

wherein the computer readable storage medium comprises computer program code for accessing image data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus,

wherein the location data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus depends on data regarding a physical layout in proximity to the mobile apparatus, and

wherein the data regarding the physical layout includes data regarding a 3D layout of structures in proximity to the mobile apparatus.

34. A mobile apparatus comprising:

a satellite-signal receiver configured to receive signals that can identify location, with the signals received being from a plurality of satellites;

wireless transceiver circuitry, with at least a portion of the wireless transceiver circuity and at least a portion of the satellite-signal receiver (i) being affixed to same substrate, (ii) including Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices, (iii) being inside same enclosure, and (iv) using same power supply; and

a controller configured to;

determine location data associated with a location of the mobile apparatus based on at least data from a first measurement and data from a second measurement, so that the location of the mobile apparatus is more accurately determined,

wherein the first measurement is from the satellite-signal receiver, and

wherein the second measurement is from the mobile apparatus sensing wireless signals that can identify location, with the wireless signals not from satellites, and with the wireless signals being in the vicinity of the mobile apparatus; and

transmit at least the location data via at least the wireless transceiver circuitry to another apparatus to facilitate presenting the location of the mobile apparatus,

wherein the controller is also configured to determine additional data regarding a plurality of locations of the mobile apparatus to track a movement of the mobile apparatus.

35. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry and the satellite-signal receiver share at least a crystal oscillator that is temperature compensated.

36. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the location data is determined by the data from the first measurement if the location is a first location, and by the data from the second measurement if the location is a second location.

37. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the location data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus depends on data regarding a physical layout in proximity to the mobile apparatus.

38. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 37, wherein the data regarding the physical layout includes data regarding a 3D layout of structures in proximity to the mobile apparatus.

39. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 36, wherein the first location is an outdoor location, and the second location is an indoor location.

40. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the controller is configured to store image data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus.

41. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34 comprising at least a sensor configured to receive signals in optical frequencies.

42. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34 comprising at least a sensor configured to received signals with frequencies above a Ghz.

43. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry and the satellite-signal receiver share at least a crystal oscillator that is temperature compensated,

wherein the at least one of the plurality of additional sensors includes at least a sensor configured to receive signals in optical frequencies,

wherein the controller is configured to store image data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus,

wherein the location data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus depends on data regarding a physical layout in proximity to the mobile apparatus, and

wherein the data regarding the physical layout includes data regarding a 3D layout of structures in proximity to the mobile apparatus.

44. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34, wherein the controller is configured to couple to an actuator to facilitate performing at least an operation affecting an environment or a being physically.

45. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 44, wherein the controller is configured to couple to a sensor to sense at least an attribute in the vicinity of the mobile apparatus, with the performing at least the operation depending on at least an output of the sensor.

46. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 45, wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.

47. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 44, wherein the performing at least the operation depends on data associated to a location of the mobile apparatus determined by the mobile apparatus.

48. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 34,

wherein at least the portion of the wireless transceiver circuitry and at least the portion of the satellite-signal receiver are on same semiconductor chip, and

wherein the mobile apparatus is a battery-powered portable device.

49. A mobile apparatus comprising:

a satellite-signal receiver configured to receive signals that can identify location, with the signals received being from a plurality of satellites;

wireless transceiver circuitry, with at least a portion of the wireless transceiver circuity and at least a portion of the satellite-signal receiver (i) being affixed to same substrate, (ii) including Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) devices, (iii) being inside same enclosure, and (iv) using same power supply; and

a controller coupled at least to the satellite-signal receiver and the wireless transceiver circuitry, the controller configured to;

determine location data associated with a location of the mobile apparatus based on at least data from a measurement from the satellite-signal receiver;

transmit at least the location data via at least the wireless transceiver circuitry to another apparatus; and

facilitate presenting a plurality of locations of the mobile apparatus on a display associated with the another apparatus along with at least one point of interest, with the plurality of locations of the mobile apparatus being associated with additional location data determined based on at least data from measurements from the satellite-signal receiver, to track a movement of the mobile apparatus, wherein the at least one point of interest is located between the mobile apparatus and a specific location, and whether the at least one point of interest is facilitated to be presented or not depends on distance between the mobile apparatus and the specific location, with such presentation being updated as the distance changes.

50. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49,

wherein the mobile apparatus is a battery-powered portable device, and

wherein the controller is configured to couple to a sensor.

51. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 50,

wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry and the satellite-signal receiver share at least a crystal oscillator that is temperature compensated, and

wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.

52. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 50, wherein the controller is configured to couple to an actuator to facilitate performing at least an operation affecting an environment or a being physically.

53. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 52,

wherein at least a portion of the actuator is integrated to the mobile apparatus, and

wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor, with at least a portion of the temperature sensor integrated to the mobile apparatus.

54. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 53, wherein the performing at least the operation also depends on location data associated to a location of the mobile apparatus determined by the mobile apparatus.

55. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 52, wherein the performing at least the operation depends on at least an output of the sensor.

56. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 55, wherein the performing at least the operation depends on location data associated to a location of the mobile apparatus determined by the mobile apparatus.

57. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 55, wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor.

58. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 50, wherein at least the portion of the wireless transceiver circuitry and at least the portion of the satellite-signal receiver are on a semiconductor chip.

59. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49,

wherein the mobile apparatus is a battery-powered portable device,

wherein the controller is configured to couple to a sensor,

wherein the wireless transceiver circuitry and the satellite-signal receiver share at least a crystal oscillator that is temperature compensated,

wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor, with at least a portion of the temperature sensor integrated to the mobile apparatus,

wherein the controller is configured to couple to an actuator to facilitate performing at least an operation affecting an environment or a being physically, and

wherein at least a portion of the actuator is integrated to the mobile apparatus.

60. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49,

wherein the mobile apparatus is a battery-powered portable device,

wherein the controller is configured to couple to a sensor,

wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor, with at least a portion of the temperature sensor integrated to the mobile apparatus, and

wherein the controller is configured to couple to an actuator to facilitate performing at least an operation of another electronic device separate from the mobile apparatus.

61. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49,

wherein the mobile apparatus is a battery-powered device,

wherein the controller is configured to couple to a sensor to sense at least an attribute in the vicinity of the mobile apparatus,

wherein the sensor includes a temperature sensor,

wherein the controller is configured to couple to an actuator to facilitate performing at least an operation affecting an environment or a being physically, and

wherein the performing at least the operation depends on location data associated to a location of the mobile apparatus determined by the mobile apparatus.

62. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49,

wherein the mobile apparatus is a battery-powered device,

wherein the controller is configured to couple to a temperature sensor,

wherein the controller is configured to determine the location data associated with the location of the mobile apparatus also based on at least data from another measurement by the mobile apparatus, so that the location of the mobile apparatus is more accurately determined, and

wherein the another measurement is from sensing wireless signals that can identify location, with the wireless signals not from satellites, and with the wireless signals being in the vicinity of the mobile apparatus.

63. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 62, wherein at least the portion of the wireless transceiver circuitry and at least the portion of the satellite-signal receiver are on same semiconductor chip.

64. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49, wherein the another apparatus is a mobile apparatus.

65. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49, wherein the another apparatus is configured to be operable as a cellular phone.

66. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 49 comprising another wireless transceiver circuitry, wherein for the wireless transceiver circuitry and the another wireless transceiver circuitry, one is configured to cover a longer range of transmission, while the other one is configured to cover a shorter range of transmission.

67. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 66, wherein the one configured to cover a longer range of transmission is based on a cellular network.

68. A mobile apparatus as recited in claim 66, wherein the other one configured to cover a shorter range of transmission is based on a Bluetooth network.