Map handling for location based services in conjunction with localized environments

• US 9,389,085 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2011
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Khorashadi, Behrooz, Das, Saumitra Mohan, Gupta, Rajarshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Algahaim, Helal A
• Assistant Examiner(s): WALLACE, DONALD JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US13/010,577
• Publication Number:
  US 20120029817A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,000 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems, methods, apparatuses, devices, articles, and means for map handling for location based services in conjunction with localized environments. For certain example implementations, a method may comprise storing map information corresponding to a particular localized environment that is associated with a particular location context identifier, with the particular localized environment comprising an indoor environment corresponding to at least a portion of a building structure; receiving update information applicable to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment, with the update information being associated with the particular location context identifier; updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the update information so as to produce updated map information; and providing the updated map information to one or more mobile devices that are located at the particular localized environment. Other example implementations are described herein.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

storing map information corresponding to a particular localized environment that is associated with a particular location context identifier, the particular localized environment comprising an indoor environment corresponding to at least a portion of a building structure;

receiving and accumulating update information from a plurality of remote mobile devices, wherein the update information is applicable to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment, the update information being associated with the particular location context identifier, wherein the update information from each remote mobile device comprises a same changed localized environment information;

updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the update information to produce updated map information in response to the update information with the same changed localized environment information having been provided by a predetermined threshold number of remote mobile devices greater than one; and

providing the updated map information to one or more mobile devices that are located at the particular localized environment.

2. The method of claim 1, the method further comprising:

receiving a changed localized environment information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from an affiliated entity device, the affiliated entity device associated with an entity that is affiliated with the particular localized environment; and

updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the changed localized environment information from the affiliated entity device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises modified localized environment information;

and wherein said updating the map information comprises;

modifying the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the modified localized environment information to produce the updated map information.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said modifying comprises:

adding the modified localized environment information to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce the updated map information.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said modifying comprises:

substituting the modified localized environment information for at least a portion of the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce the updated map information.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises replacement localized environment information;

and wherein said updating the map information comprises;

recreating map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the replacement localized environment information to produce the updated map information.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

contacting the affiliated entity device to determine if localized environment information has changed; and

if the localized environment information is determined to have changed, performing said updating the map information by updating the map information based at least partly on the changed localized environment information to produce the updated map information.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the update information comprises data representative of at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information;

and wherein said receiving the update information further comprises;

receiving the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from the plurality of remote mobile devices, the plurality of remote mobile devices located at the particular localized environment.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

analyzing the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information to determine if the at least one incident conflicts with the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said updating the map information comprises:

updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the data representative of the at least one incident and responsive to said analyzing.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that the each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices is positioned within a zone that is labeled as an infeasible area in the map information;

and wherein said updating the map information further comprises;

updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by labeling the zone as a feasible area in the updated map information.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that point of interest information associated with a zone is incorrect;

and wherein said updating the map information further comprises;

updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by disassociating the point of interest information from the zone in the updated map information.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein:

said receiving the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information further comprises receiving corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices; and

said updating the map information further comprises associating the corrected point of interest information with the zone in the updated map information responsive to said receiving of the corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises a tracked trajectory for each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices that passes through an apparent obstacle present in the map information;

and wherein said updating the map information further comprises;

updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by altering the apparent obstacle for the updated map information.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising replacing the map information with the updated map information.

16. An apparatus comprising:

at least one memory to store instructions; and

one or more processors to execute said instructions and cause the apparatus to;

store map information corresponding to a particular localized environment that is associated with a particular location context identifier, the particular localized environment comprising an indoor environment corresponding to at least a portion of a building structure, wherein the update information comprises changed localized environment information;

receive and accumulate update information from a plurality of remote mobile devices, wherein the update information is applicable to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment, the update information being associated with the particular location context identifier, wherein the update information from each remote mobile device comprises a same changed localized environment information;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the update information to produce updated map information in response to the update information having the same changed localized environment information having been provided by a predetermined threshold number of remote mobile devices greater than one; and

provide the updated map information to one or more mobile devices that are located at the particular localized environment.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to:

receive a changed localized environment information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from an affiliated entity device, the affiliated entity device associated with an entity that is affiliated with the particular localized environment; and

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the changed localized environment information from the affiliated entity device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises modified localized environment information;

and wherein to update the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to;

modify the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the modified localized environment information to produce the updated map information.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein to modify the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to:

add the modified localized environment information to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce the updated map information.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein to modify the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to:

substitute the modified localized environment information for at least a portion of the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce the updated map information.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises replacement localized environment information;

and wherein to update the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to;

recreate map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the replacement localized environment information to produce the updated map information.

22. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions and cause the apparatus to:

contact the affiliated entity device to determine if localized environment information has changed; and

update the map information based at least partly on the changed localized environment information if the localized environment information is determined to have changed.

23. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the update information comprises data representative of at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information;

and wherein to receive the update information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to;

receive the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from the plurality of remote mobile devices, the plurality of remote mobile devices located at the particular localized environment.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions and cause the apparatus to:

analyze the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information to determine if the at least one incident conflicts with the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein to update the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to:

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the data representative of the at least one incident and responsive to analysis of the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that the each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices is positioned within a zone that is labeled as an infeasible area in the map information;

and wherein to update the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by labeling the zone as a feasible area in the updated map information.

27. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that point of interest information associated with a zone is incorrect;

and wherein to update the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by disassociating the point of interest information from the zone in the updated map information.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein:

to receive the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to receive corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices; and

to update the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to associate the corrected point of interest information with the zone in the updated map information responsive to receipt of the corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices.

29. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises a tracked trajectory for each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices that passes through an apparent obstacle present in the map information;

and wherein to update the map information said one or more processors are further to execute said instructions to;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by altering the apparent obstacle for the updated map information.

30. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising instructions to replace the map information with the updated map information.

31. A system comprising:

means for storing map information corresponding to a particular localized environment that is associated with a particular location context identifier, the particular localized environment comprising an indoor environment corresponding to at least a portion of a building structure;

means for receiving and accumulating update information from a plurality of remote mobile devices, wherein the update information is applicable to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment, the update information being associated with the particular location context identifier, wherein the update information from each remote mobile device comprises a same changed localized environment information;

means for updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the update information wherein the update information comprises changed localized environment information in response to the update information with the same changed localized environment information having been provided by a predetermined threshold number of remote mobile devices greater than one; and

means for providing the updated map information to one or more mobile devices that are located at the particular localized environment.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

means for receiving a changed localized environment information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from an affiliated entity device, the affiliated entity device associated with an entity that is affiliated with the particular localized environment; and

means for updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the changed localized environment information from the affiliated entity device.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises modified localized environment information;

and wherein said means for updating the map information comprises;

means for modifying the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the modified localized environment information to produce the updated map information.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein said means for modifying comprises:

means for adding the modified localized environment information to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce the updated map information.

35. The system of claim 33, wherein said means for modifying comprises:

means for substituting the modified localized environment information for at least a portion of the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce the updated map information.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises replacement localized environment information;

and wherein said means for updating the map information comprises;

means for recreating map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the replacement localized environment information to produce the updated map information.

37. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

means for contacting the affiliated entity device to determine if localized environment information has changed; and

means for performing map information updating based at least partly on the changed localized environment information if the localized environment information is determined to have changed.

38. The system of claim 31, wherein the update information comprises data representative of at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information;

and wherein said means for receiving the map information comprises;

means for receiving the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from the plurality of remote mobile devices, the plurality of remote mobile devices located at the particular localized environment.

39. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

means for analyzing the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information to determine if the at least one incident conflicts with the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said means for updating the map information comprises:

means for updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the data representative of the at least one incident and responsive to said analyzing.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that the each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices is positioned within a zone that is labeled as an infeasible area in the map information;

and wherein said means for updating the map information comprises;

means for updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by labeling the zone as a feasible area in the updated map information.

42. The system of claim 38, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that point of interest information associated with a zone is incorrect;

and wherein said means for updating the map information comprises;

means for updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by disassociating the point of interest information from the zone in the updated map information.

43. The system of claim 42 wherein:

said means for receiving the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises means for receiving corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices; and

said means for updating the map information further comprises means for associating the corrected point of interest information with the zone in the updated map information responsive to receipt of the corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices.

44. The system of claim 38, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises a tracked trajectory for each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices that passes through an apparent obstacle present in the map information;

and wherein said means for updating the map information comprises;

means for updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by altering the apparent obstacle for the updated map information.

45. The system of claim 31, further comprising means for replacing the map information with the updated map information.

46. An article comprising at least one storage medium having stored thereon instructions executable by one or more processors to:

store map information corresponding to a particular localized environment that is associated with a particular location context identifier, the particular localized environment comprising an indoor environment corresponding to at least a portion of a building structure, wherein the update information comprises changed localized environment information;

receive and accumulate update information from a plurality of remote mobile devices, wherein the update information is applicable to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment, the update information being associated with the particular location context identifier, wherein the update information from each remote mobile device comprises a same changed localized environment information;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the update information to produce updated map information in response to the update information with the same changed localized environment information having been provided by a predetermined threshold number of remote mobile devices greater than one; and

provide the updated map information to one or more mobile devices that are located at the particular localized environment.

47. The article of claim 46, wherein said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to:

receive a changed localized environment information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from an affiliated entity device, the affiliated entity device associated with an entity that is affiliated with the particular localized environment; and

updating the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the changed localized environment information from the affiliated entity device.

48. The article of claim 47, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises modified localized environment information;

and wherein to update the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to;

modify the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the modified localized environment information to produce updated map information.

49. The article of claim 48, wherein to modify the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to:

add the modified localized environment information to the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce updated map information.

50. The article of claim 48, wherein to modify the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to:

substitute the modified localized environment information for at least a portion of the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment to produce updated map information.

51. The article of claim 47, wherein the changed localized environment information comprises replacement localized environment information;

and wherein to update the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to;

recreate map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the replacement localized environment information to produce updated map information.

52. The article of claim 47, wherein said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to:

contact the affiliated entity device to determine if localized environment information has changed; and

if the localized environment information is determined to have changed, update the map information based at least partly on the changed localized environment information.

53. The article of claim 46, wherein the update information comprises data representative of at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information;

and wherein to receive the update information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to;

receive the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information that is associated with the particular location context identifier from the plurality of remote mobile devices, the plurality of remote mobile devices located at the particular localized environment.

54. The article of claim 53, wherein said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to:

analyze the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information to determine if the at least one incident conflicts with the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment.

55. The article of claim 54, wherein to update the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to:

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment based at least partly on the data representative of the at least one incident and responsive to analysis of the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information.

56. The article of claim 53, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that the each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices is positioned within a zone that is labeled as an infeasible area in the map information;

and wherein to update the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by labeling the zone as a feasible area in the updated map information.

57. The article of claim 53, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises one or more indications that point of interest information associated with a zone is incorrect;

and wherein to update the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by disassociating the point of interest information from the zone in the updated map information.

58. The article of claim 57, wherein:

to receive the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to receive corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices; and

to update the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to associate the corrected point of interest information with the zone in the updated map information responsive to receipt of the corrected point of interest information for the zone from each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices.

59. The article of claim 53, wherein the data representative of the at least one incident that apparently conflicts with the map information comprises a tracked trajectory for each remote mobile device in the plurality of remote mobile devices that passes through an apparent obstacle present in the map information;

and wherein to update the map information said instructions stored on said at least one storage medium are further executable by the one or more processors to;

update the map information corresponding to the particular localized environment by altering the apparent obstacle for the updated map information.

60. The article of claim 46, further comprising instructions to replace the map information with the updated map information.