Pedestrian mapping system

• US 20080312819A1
• Filed: 06/12/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Campus Destinations, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Campus Destinations, Inc.
• Inventors: Banerjee, Arup
• Granted Patent: US 8,000,892 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0241 Advertisements

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a system and method for a web-based mapping and routing service for pedestrians, which may include wheeled transportation (e.g. buses). More specifically, the present invention is directed toward use on a college campus. The present invention provides customized pedestrian routes highlighting campus and community locations while providing navigation options concerning walking distance and safety factors. This provides custom routes to each user that are designed to be optimized for safety or speed depending on user input.

Claims

1. A method of identifying a representation of at least one route for guiding a user comprising the following steps:

generating a start and end point;

generating a safety factor;

providing route data comprising segments, safety ratings, and lengths wherein each segment has an associated safety rating and length;

determining at least one route between the start and end point from the route data and the safety factor; and

identifying a representation of the at least one route.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the least one route is determined by selecting a series of at least one segment that has a lowest weight compared to the weight of at least one other series of at least one segment wherein the weight of each segment is calculated by an equation that uses a relationship between the route data and the safety factor.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the equation uses a non-linear relationship between the route data and the safety factor.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the equation comprises:

weight=(length)/((safety rating)̂

(safety factor)).

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one route includes a safer route and a faster route.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein each segment represents a linear geographic line between two nodes.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the route data is at least partially pedestrian route data.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the route data is further at least partially wheeled transportation route data.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one route has both pedestrian and wheeled transportation portions.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying further includes identifying the representation of the at least one route on an electronic display.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of identifying further includes identifying the representation of the at least one route on a printed medium.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one route passes through at least one building.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one route has at least one interim point.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein each segment comprises a line between two points wherein the two points exist in a 3-dimensional space.

15. A computer readable medium having instructions for causing a computer to execute a method comprising:

generating a start and end point;

generating a safety factor;

providing route data comprising segments, safety ratings, and lengths wherein each segment has an associated safety rating and length;

determining at least one route between the start and end point from the route data and the safety factor; and

identifying a representation of the at least one route.

16. A directional guide for safe passage between at least two points comprising

at least one segment having a length and a safety rating connecting the at least two points;

at least one direction identifying the at least one segment; and

wherein the at least one segment is determined from the at least one segment'"'"'s length and safety rating.

17. The directional guide of claim 16 wherein the at least one direction is at least one audio direction

18. The directional guide of claim 16 wherein the at least one direction is at least one textual direction

19. The directional guide of claim 16 wherein the at least one direction is at least one graphical direction

20. The directional guide of claim 16 wherein the at least one segment is further determined by using a safety factor set by a user.