Method and Apparatus for an Integrated Personal Navigation System

• US 20110172909A1
• Filed: 01/08/2010
• Published: 07/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: DP Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Kinsolving, Arthur, Kahn, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 9,068,844 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/1654 with electromagnetic compass
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3423 Multimodal routing, i.e. combining two or more modes of transportation, where the modes can be any of, e.g. driving, walking, cycling, public transport

Abstract

A method and apparatus to provide a global positioning system receiver is described. The Personal navigation system includes at least one motion sensor, the motion sensor capable of identifying a user activity, and distinguishing between walking and driving, or other manual v. mechanical locomotion. The system automatically switches modes to the appropriate format.

Claims

1. A method of utilizing a personal navigation system comprising:

providing navigation to a user, the navigation specifying directions from a first location to a second location;

determining a mode of travel of the user; and

calculating the navigation based on the mode of travel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mode of travel comprises one of:

motorized vehicle, muscle-powered vehicle, and ambulatory motion.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a change in the mode of travel of the user; and

recalculating the navigation based on the change.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the mode of travel comprises:

utilizing a sensor to determine a type of movement executed by the user carrying the device; and

classifying the type of movement to identify the mode of travel.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein utilizing the sensor to determine the type of movement comprises:

identifying a cadence window for a movement;

determining if a motion signature associated with the movement matches the identified cadence window; and

classifying the movement.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a location, speed, and bearing of the device based on a global positioning system (GPS) signal; and

utilizing the GPS signal to calculate the navigation.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining an estimated location, speed, and bearing of the device based on motion sensor data; and

utilizing the motion sensor data with the navigation.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

when the GPS signal is not available, utilizing the motion sensor data to continue providing navigation.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

evaluating an accuracy of the motion sensor data based on the received GPS data.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

initially providing navigation for a first mode corresponding to travel via a motorized vehicle;

detecting a change of the mode when a user exits the motorized vehicle; and

providing a navigation for second mode, the second mode corresponding to ambulatory motion.

11. A personal navigation system including modes, comprising:

a navigation module to provide navigation to a user, the navigation specifying directions from a first location to a second location;

a mode selector to determining a mode of travel of the user; and

a direction calculator to provide the navigation based on the mode of travel.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the mode of travel comprises one of:

motorized vehicle, muscle-powered vehicle, and ambulatory motion.

13. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

the mode selector further to detecting a change in the mode of travel of the user; and

the direction calculator further to recalculate the navigation based on the change.

14. The system of claim 11, wherein determining the mode of travel comprises the mode selector receiving sensor data and utilizing the sensor data to determine a type of movement executed by the user carrying the device, and classifying the type of movement to identify the mode of travel.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein utilizing the sensor data to determine the type of movement comprises identifying a cadence window for a movement, determining if a motion signature associated with the movement matches the identified cadence window, and if so, classifying the movement.

16. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

a GPS location logic to determine a location, speed, and bearing of the device based on a global positioning system (GPS) signal, the navigation module using the GPS signal to calculate the navigation.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

a sensor location logic to determine an estimated location, speed, and bearing of the device based on sensor data, the navigation module using the sensor data with the navigation.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

the navigation module utilizing the sensor location logic determined data when the GPS signal is not available to continue providing navigation.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising:

an evaluation logic to compare the GPS location data and the sensor location data, and adjust the calculations for the sensor location data when a systemic error is identified.

20. The system of claim 11, further comprising:

the navigation module initially providing navigation for a first mode corresponding to travel via a motorized vehicle;

the mode selector detecting a change of the mode when a user exits the motorized vehicle; and

the navigation module providing a navigation for second mode, the second mode corresponding to ambulatory motion.

21. A personal navigation system comprising:

a mode selector to utilize sensor data to determine a mode of movement of a user; and

a navigation module to calculate a navigational path for a user based on the mode of movement.

22. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

the mode selector to determine a change in the mode of movement of the user; and

the navigation module receiving the change in the mode from the mode selector, and recalculating the navigational path based on the change in the mode of movement.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the mode of movement comprises one of:

motorized vehicle, muscle-powered vehicle, and ambulatory motion.

24. A personal navigation system comprising:

user context logic to determine a user'"'"'s current context in using the personal navigation system; and

navigation module to provide navigation based on the user'"'"'s current context and location information.