Method and apparatus for triggering conveyance of guidance information

• US 9,909,878 B2
• Filed: 03/05/2012
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Beaurepaire, Jerome
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Jelani A
• Application Number:
  US13/412,207
• Publication Number:
  US 20130231857A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,192 Days
• Field of Search: 701428, 701 1, 701117, 701 25, 701412, 701430, 701431, 701472, 701 9, 704246, 704275, 3406866, 3409951
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

An approach for triggering the conveyance of guidance information based on the current line-of-sight of the user is described. A guidance platform processes and/or facilitates a processing of sensor information associated with a device, a user of the device, or a combination thereof to determine (a) line-of-sight information to at least one navigation element, (b) one or more user behavior patterns, or (c) a combination thereof. The guidance platform then determines a timing, a frequency, or a combination thereof of at least one presentation of guidance information based, at least in part, on the line-of-sight information.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

processing, via a processor, sensor information associated with a device, a user of the device, or a combination thereof to determine line-of-sight information to at least one navigation element and one or more user behavior patterns, wherein the one or more behavior patterns include, at least in part, one or more hesitation points;

determining, via the processor, a timing, a frequency, or a combination thereof of at least one presentation of guidance information based, at least in part, on the line-of-sight information; and

initiating the at least one presentation of the guidance information based, at least in part, on the one or more hesitation points,

wherein the hesitation points are determined based on a number of start/stop occurrences within a period of time to indicate the user is lost.

2. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing the sensor information to determine at least one model of a geographic area indicated by the sensor information; and

determining the line-of-sight information based, at least in part, on the at least one model.

3. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing the sensor information to determine location information, direction of travel information, field-of-view information, or a combination thereof associated with the device, the user of the device, or a combination thereof; and

determining the line-of-sight information based, at least in part, on the location information, the direction of travel, the field-of-view information, or a combination thereof.

4. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing the sensor information to cause, at least in part, a prediction of when the at least one navigation element is expected to become visible to the device, the user, or a combination thereof,

wherein the line-of-sight information is based, at least in part, on the prediction.

5. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing the sensor information to determine at least one event occurring within proximity to the device, the user, or a combination thereof, wherein the at least one navigation element is based, at least in part, on the at least one event; and

initiating the at least one presentation of the guidance information based, at least in part, on the at least one event.

6. A method of claim 1, wherein the line-of-sight information is further based, at least in part, on one or more characteristics of the device, the user, the at least one navigation element, an environment in which the device is operating, or a combination thereof.

7. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

processing the sensor information to determine the one or more hesitation points, the one or more behavior patterns, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on a reduction in speed, a change in direction, a change in activity, a stopping, a repeated movement pattern, or a combination thereof.

8. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the sensor information from one or more sensors associated with the device, one or more other devices, or a combination thereof,

wherein the one or more other devices include, at least in part, one or more user-mounted sensors.

9. A method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining at least one type of the at least one presentation of the guidance information based, at least in part, on the line-of-sight information, the one or more behavior patterns, or a combination thereof,

wherein the at least one type includes, at least in part, an audio presentation, a visual presentation, a presentation of additional mapping or navigation element, a highlighting of the at least one navigation element in a user interface, a change in the zoom level of the user interface, or a combination thereof.

10. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

process sensor information associated with a device, a user of the device, or a combination thereof to determine line-of-sight information to at least one navigation element and one or more user behavior patterns, wherein the one or more behavior patterns include, at least in part, one or more hesitation points;

determine a timing, a frequency, or a combination thereof of at least one presentation of guidance information based, at least in part, on the line-of-sight information; and

cause an initiation of the at least one presentation of the guidance information based, at least in part, on the one or more hesitation points,

wherein the hesitation points are determined based on a number of start/stop occurrences within a period of time to indicate the user is lost.

11. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process the sensor information to determine at least one model of a geographic area indicated by the sensor information; and

determine the line-of-sight information based, at least in part, on the at least one model.

12. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process the sensor information to determine location information, direction of travel information, field-of-view information, or a combination thereof associated with the device, the user of the device, or a combination thereof; and

determine the line-of-sight information based, at least in part, on the location information, the direction of travel, the field-of-view information, or a combination thereof.

13. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process the sensor information to cause, at least in part, a prediction of when the at least one navigation element is expected to become visible to the device, the user, or a combination thereof,

wherein the line-of-sight information is based, at least in part, on the prediction.

14. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process the sensor information to determine at least one event occurring within proximity to the device, the user, or a combination thereof, wherein the at least one navigation element is based, at least in part, on the at least one event; and

cause, at least in part, an initiation of the at least one presentation of the guidance information based, at least in part, on the at least one event.

15. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the line-of-sight information is further based, at least in part, on one or more characteristics of the device, the user, the at least one navigation element, an environment in which the device is operating, or a combination thereof.

16. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

process the sensor information to determine the one or more hesitation points, the one or more behavior patterns, or a combination thereof based, at least in part, on a reduction in speed, a change in direction, a change in activity, a stopping, a repeated movement pattern, or a combination thereof.

17. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine the sensor information from one or more sensors associated with the device, one or more other devices, or a combination thereof,

wherein the one or more other devices include, at least in part, one or more user-mounted sensors.

18. An apparatus of claim 10, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine at least one type of the at least one presentation of the guidance information based, at least in part, on the line-of-sight information, the one or more behavior patterns, or a combination thereof,

wherein the at least one type includes, at least in part, an audio presentation, a visual presentation, a presentation of additional mapping or navigation element, a highlighting of the at least one navigation element in a user interface, a change in the zoom level of the user interface, or a combination thereof.