HK1145119A

HK1145119A - Method and system for communication

Info

Publication number: HK1145119A
Application number: HK10111625.8A
Authority: HK
Inventors: 吉汉‧卡若古; 詹姆士‧D‧贝内特
Original assignee: 美国博通公司
Priority date: 2008-11-25
Filing date: 2010-12-14
Publication date: 2011-04-01

Description

Communication method and communication system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to communication systems, and more particularly, to a method and system for map data management using road mirroring features (roadmirroring).

Background

Map databases are essential for many ITS (Intelligent Transportation System) applications in navigation, traffic prediction, route planning. For example, car navigation systems are used to assist users of mobile devices in finding a route from one location to another, through algorithms running in a map database. With the increasing deployment of ITS technology, the need for accurate and complete map databases for national road networks has also emerged. Large-scale geographic information and related attributes are also in a high demand state (in high demand), and it is desirable to generate new databases and update existing databases. The acquisition of this information is basically carried out using all stations, for example by means of aeronautical photogrammetry (aeronautical photogrammetry) or terrestrial surveying (terrestrial surveying).

Other drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following system of the present invention as described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention provides a method and a system for map data management by using road mirroring features (road mirroring). As will be more fully shown and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, and as set forth more completely in the claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the present invention provides a communication method, including:

transmitting a map request (map request) from a mobile device to a mapping service provider (mapping service server) serving a plurality of mobile devices; and

receiving a mirror map (ghost map) from the map service provider, wherein the map service provider creates the mirror map based on road mirror feature information received from the plurality of mobile devices in response to the map request.

Preferably, the map request includes the mobile device identification information and/or a geographic location of interest.

Preferably, the method further comprises collecting the road mirror image characteristic information of current and past geographical locations of the plurality of mobile devices.

Preferably, the method further comprises recording the road mirror image characteristic information in the mobile device together with an associated geographical location, date, time and/or user context (user context).

Preferably, the method further comprises transmitting the recorded mirrored feature information from the mobile device to the mapping service provider.

Preferably, the map service provider overlays (overlaps) the road mirror feature information from the plurality of mobile devices into the representation of the relevant geographic location.

Preferably, the map service provider identifies one or more mirror paths and/or road supplemental (supplemental) information based on the overlaid road mirror feature information from the plurality of mobile devices.

Preferably, the map service provider incorporates into the metadata features related to the one or more mirrored path and/or road supplemental (supplemental) information.

Preferably, the map service provider selects a portion of the metadata based on characteristics of the map request.

Preferably, the map service provider generates the mirror map by associating the selected metadata with a geographic location of interest to the mobile device.

Preferably, the method further comprises presenting the mirror map to a user of the mobile device through a user interface.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising:

one or more circuits for a mobile device, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to transmit a map request (map request) to a map service provider (mapping service server) that serves a plurality of mobile devices; and

the one or more circuits are operable to receive a mirror map (ghost map) from the map service provider, wherein the map service provider creates the mirror map based on road mirror feature information received from the plurality of mobile devices in response to the map request.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are configured to collect road mirror image characteristic information of the geographic location of the mobile device.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to record the road mirror characteristic information in the mobile device with an associated geographic location, date, time and/or user context.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to transmit the recorded mirrored feature information from the mobile device to the mapping service provider.

Preferably, the map service provider identifies one or more mirrored paths and/or road supplemental (supplemental) information based on the overlaid road mirror feature information from the plurality of mobile devices.

Preferably, the one or more circuits are operable to present the mirror map to a user via a user interface of the mobile device.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system using road mirroring features (road collaborative characteristics) to provide map data management in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary map service provider using road mirroring features (road mirroring) to provide map data management in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mobile device employing map data management implemented using road mirroring features (road browsing characteristics), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary mirrored data collection process according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mirror path generator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary mirror map capture process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The present invention proposes a method and system for providing map data management using road mirroring features (road browsing characteristics). In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a mobile device transmits a map request (map request) to a mapping service provider (mapping service server) to provide a map view (map view) or a map picture (map image). Upon receiving a map request from a mobile device, a map service provider generates a mirrored (ghost) map based on road mirroring (ghost) feature information gathered from a plurality of mobile devices associated with the map service provider. The created mirror map will be transmitted by a supporting communication network and received by the mobile device. The map request includes mobile device identification information and/or a geographic location of interest to the mobile device. Road mirror image characteristic information related to the geographic position of the mobile device is collected through a user interface of the mobile device. The collected road mirror image characteristic information is recorded and stored in the mobile device together with the associated geographical location, date, time and/or user context. The mobile device transmits the recorded mirrored feature information to the map service provider over the supporting communication network.

The map service provider is configured to overlay the collected mirrored feature information to an associated geographic location to identify one or more mirrored path and/or road supplemental (supplemental) information. The supplemental information includes various details related to the geographic location. For example, but not limiting of, the particular geographic location is a gas station (gas station) and is located within an accident alert area. The map service provider is configured to incorporate into the metadata features associated with the identified one or more mirrored path and/or road supplemental (supplemental) information. Exemplary characteristics associated with the identified one or more mirrored paths include various levels of trust (confidence levels) of the identified one or more mirrored paths. The map service provider is operable to select a portion of the metadata associated with the geographic location of interest (specified in the received map request). Generating a mirror map (ghost map) at a map service provider by associating the selected portion of metadata with a geographic location of interest to the mobile device. The generated mirror image map is transmitted to the mobile device through the supporting communication network. Upon receiving the mirror map, the mobile device displays or presents the mirror map to the user in a particular format through a user interface of the mobile device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an exemplary communication system using road mirroring features (road mirroring) to provide map data management, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the system shown includes a data communication architecture 110, a GNSS (Global navigation satellite System) satellite architecture 120, a plurality of map service providers 130 (where a map service provider 130a and a map service provider 130b are shown), a plurality of mobile devices 140 (where a GNSS enabled notebook 140a, a car navigation system 140b, a GNSS enabled cellular phone 140c in a mobile car, a GNSS enabled cellular phone 140d, a GNSS enabled stereo handset (stereo handset)140e, a GNSS enabled smart phone 140f are shown).

The data communication architecture 110 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may enable data communication between multiple communication devices. The data communication architecture 110 includes a wireless network 110a and/or a network 110 b. The wireless Network 110a may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to provide various wireless data services using a particular technology such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), WiFi (Wireless Fidelity), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for microwave Access), or WLAN/LAN (Local Area Network). The internet 110b may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable data communication using the Internet Protocol (IP).

The GNSS architecture 120 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be operable to provide navigation information to a plurality of GNSS receivers. GNSS receivers, including GPS, GALILEO and/or GLONASS receivers, are integrated in the user equipment or are external to the mobile device, such as a GNSS enabled notebook 140a and a GNSS enabled cell phone 140 d.

The map service provider 130 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to create and/or update metadata associated with a geographic location of interest based on road mirroring features, such as road condition data and traffic data associated with the current geographic location of the mobile device 140. The road mirroring feature is actually an unverified (unverified) road mirroring feature associated with the geographical location of interest. Exemplary feedback data includes information indicating that the road is slippery in rainy weather and the construction being performed. The feedback data also shows that traffic on a road at a particular geographic location may be paralyzed and that a vehicle traveling on the road does not cross the particular geographic location. The map service provider 130 is used to collect road mirror image features through various resources, and in this regard, the mobile device 140 is used to collect various road mirror image feature information and record, for example, user context (context), geographical location of interest, date, and time. The map service provider 130 is configured to collect the recorded road mirror image features via the data communication infrastructure 110. The map service provider can identify (identify) some of the mirrored roads based on the road mirror characteristics. Feature information associated with the identified mirror road is merged with the metadata. The metadata is associated with or overlaid (overlaid) on the geographic location of interest and provided to service participants, such as mobile devices 140, through the data communication infrastructure 110.

The mobile device 140 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable various data communications over the wireless network 110b and/or the internet 110 a. The mobile device 140 is used to access various mapping services by contacting the mapping service provider 130. The mobile device 140 is used to collect various road mirror characteristic information, such as current road condition data and/or current traffic data associated with a given geographic location of the mobile device 140. The collected road mirror image features are recorded by the mobile device 140 as mirror image data (ghost data) along with the user identifier or background, geographic location of interest, date, time of day. The mobile device 140 is configured to store the mirrored data of the record and share it with other service participants, here associated with the map service provider 130, via the data communications infrastructure 110.

In operation, various road mirror image characteristic information is collected by the mobile device 130 and recorded as mirror image data along with the user identifier and/or background, geographic location of interest, date, time of day. The recorded mirrored data is collected by the mapping service provider 130 through the wireless network 120b and/or the internet 120 a. The map service provider 130 is configured to identify (identify) current road information, such as some mirror (ghost) roads and stateful roads (stateful roads), using the collected road mirror image feature information. The collected road mirror characteristic information is used to create and/or update metadata that is superimposed over relevant geographic locations of interest to the mobile device 140.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary map service provider using road mirroring features (road mirroring) to provide map data management in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 2, an exemplary map service provider 200 is shown, including a map service processor 202, a mirroring path generator 204, a mirroring data database 206, a map database 208, a user database 210, and a provider memory 212.

The map service processor 202 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable control and/or data processing operations of the map service provider 200. The mapping service processor 202 is used to collect road mirror features of service participants, such as the mobile device 140, to identify (identify) mirror paths associated with geographic locations of interest via the mirror path generator 204. The map service processor 202 incorporates the identified mirror path into the geographic location of interest in the map for sharing among the service participants. The map service processor 202 is used to manage and control various aspects of communication with the service participants.

The mirror path generator 204 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable superimposing mirror features such as mirror road condition data and mirror traffic data onto a geographic location of interest. The overlaid mirror features are incorporated into the metadata to provide the mapping service provider 202 with the ability to implement various mapping services. The mirror path generator 204 is configured to identify various mirror paths based on the superimposed mirror features. Depending on the nature of the map service requested, the mirror path generator 204 provides supplemental information (supplemental information), such as the fastest path, the safest path, and accident alerts within the geographic location range of interest. The mirror path generator 204 associates the identified path and associated supplemental information with the metadata and passes to the map service processor 202. The mirror path generator 204 is used to periodically update the mirror path and/or update the mirror path when a map service request is received.

The mirrored data database 206 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may comprise details of road mirroring characteristic information, such as traffic type changes for a given time period, additional lanes added for a given road, and recurring accidents and/or vehicle failures at a given location.

The map database 208 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be enabled to store map data, including, for example, coordinate data representations (coordinate data representation) of a map of a geographic area, details of facility features (e.g., hotels, restaurants, stores or the like) associated with the geographic coordinates of each location. The map database 208 includes RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and instructions.

The user database 210 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of user information associated with the map service provider 130. User information includes, for example, user identifiers, user contexts (contexts), user service profiles (profiles), user device configuration information, phone numbers, and associated location area identifiers and zip codes. The location area identifier is indicated by various addresses, such as an IP address and/or a GNSS address associated with the user. User database 210 includes RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and instructions.

The provider memory 212 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of data and/or other information that may be utilized by the map service processor 202. For example, the provider memory 212 is used to store processed data generated by the map service processor 202. The provider memory 212 stores executable instructions that optionally incorporate the metadata of the image path generator 204 into the geographic location of interest for a particular service request. Some software, such as internet reading software, is stored in the memory 212 to transfer the mirrored feature over the internet 120 a. Provider memory 212 comprises RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage capable of storing data and instructions.

In operation, road mirror characteristic information (such as road condition data and traffic data regarding geographic location, date, time of interest, and user context) is collected by the mobile device 140 and recorded as mirror data. The recorded mirrored data is transmitted to the map service provider 200 through the data communication infrastructure 110. The mapping service processor 202 is used to collect and store mirrored data of the service participants in the mirrored data database 206. The mirror path generator 204 is used to associate the road mirror characteristics of the mirror data stored in the mirror data database 206 with the geographic location of interest. Features related to the mirror path and other supplemental information (such as traffic accident high-speed road segment alerts) are provided by the mirror path generator 204 and incorporated into the metadata. The mapping service processor 202 is used to associate metadata with geographic locations of interest to provide various mapping services for service participants, such as the mobile device 140.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mobile device employing map data management implemented using road mirroring features (road browsing characteristics), in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to fig. 3, a mobile device 300 is shown that includes a GNSS receiver 302, a network interface 304, a processor 306, a memory 308, and a user interface 310 that includes an image capturer, a microphone, a speaker, a sensor, a key input (key input), and/or a display.

The GNSS receiver 302 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be operable to receive GNSS satellite broadcast signals and convert them to GNSS baseband signals. The GNSS baseband signals may be suitable for further processing by the processor 606 to determine location information of the mobile device 300.

The network interface 304 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable transmission and/or reception of radio signals over wired and/or wireless networks. In this regard, the transmitted wireless signals include navigation information transmitted to the various map service providers 110.

The processor 306 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable processing of received satellite signals and signals transmitted over a supporting communication network. The processor 306 is configured to process the road mirror image feature collected via the user interface 308 and record it as mirror image data along with the geographic location of interest, the user context (context), the date, and/or the time of day and store it in the memory 310. The mirrored data is shared with the map service provider 110 to support the map service. The processor 306 is configured to request a map service for a particular geographic location of interest from the map service provider 110. For example, the processor 306 may be configured to communicate the current geographic location of the mobile device 300 to the mapping service provider 110 to obtain complete map data of interest, such as a complete map including a possible mirror path indicating a problem path (problematic path) for an area surrounding the mobile device 300.

The user interface 308 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable servicing of the mobile device 300 by registering user inputs and/or displaying various services to a user. The user interface 608 includes a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, a display, an image capture (image capture), a touch screen, a light, a voice recognition system, and/or any other type of interface used by the mobile device 300.

The memory 310 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code that may enable storage of data and/or other information that may be used by the processor 306. For example, the memory 310 is used to store processed information generated by the processor 306. The memory 310 is also used to store information, such as configuration information for the mobile device, which is used to control various operations of the mobile device 300. Additionally, memory 310 stores some executable instructions for running various applications on mobile device 300. Various mapping services received from the mapping service provider 110 are stored in the memory 310.

In operation, the mobile device 300 is able to access various map services from the map service provider 110a, such as map views of a particular geographic area of interest. The received information of the map service is stored in the memory 310. The processor 31 is operable to interact with the memory 310 and the user interface 308 to present received map services to a user via the user interface 308. The mobile device 300 is used to collect various road mirror features through the user interface 308. The collected road mirror image features are recorded as mirror image data along with the geographical location of interest, user background, date, time of day. The processor 306 processes the collected recorded mirrored data and shares it with the map service provider 110 through the network interface 304. The mobile device 300 is used to access a mapping service for a desired geographic location of interest, the mapping service from a mapping service provider 110. For example, the current location of the mobile device 300 provided by the GNSS receiver 302 may be communicated to a map service provider to generate a map view of the indication information, such as the mirrored roads and the safest roads in the area surrounding the mobile device 300.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary mirrored data collection process according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, exemplary steps begin at step 402, where the map service provider 200 requests the mobile device 300 to provide road mirror feature information. In step 404, the mobile device 300 collects road mirroring features, such as road condition data and traffic data, related to the current geographic location of the mobile device 140. In step 406, the collected road mirror image features are recorded as mirror image data along with the geographic location of interest, date, time of day, and user context. In step 408, the mirrored data is transmitted to the map service provider 200 through the data communication infrastructure 110. In step 410, the mapping service provider 200 receives the mirrored data and stores it in the mirrored data database 206. The exemplary step ends at step 412.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary mirror path generator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, exemplary steps begin at step 502, where the map service provider 200 receives a map service request from the mobile device 300. In step 504, the mirror path generator 204 is configured to upload the mirror data from the mirror data database 206. In step 506, the mirrored data is superimposed into the geographic location of interest associated with the received map service request. In step 508, the mirror path generator 204 is used to determine possible mirror paths by analyzing the mirror data. The determined mirror paths are classified based on characteristics of the mirror data, such as one-way lanes, sidewalks. In step 510, supplemental information is determined based on the mirrored data. In step 512, the mirror path generator 204 incorporates the characteristics associated with the determined mirror path and the associated supplemental information into metadata and stores in the map database 208. The exemplary step ends at step 514.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary mirror map capture process according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, exemplary steps begin in step 602 with the mobile device 300 requesting a mapping service from the mapping service provider 200. The mobile device 300 sends the geographic location of interest and the user information along with the service request. In step 604, the map service provider 200 selects a search constraint (restriction) based on the characteristics of the received service request. In step 606, the map service processor 202 uploads the latest metadata in the map database 208 and filters the metadata based on the selected search constraints. In step 608, the map service processor 202 generates a mirror map (by associating the filtered metadata with the geographic location indicated by the received request) and communicates to the mobile device 300 through the data communication infrastructure 110. In step 610, the mobile device 300 displays or presents the received mirrored map via the user interface 308 and stores it in the memory 310. The exemplary step ends at step 612.

The invention provides a method and a system for map data management by using road mirroring features (road mirroring features). In accordance with various embodiments of the invention, a mobile device (such as the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d of the system shown in FIG. 1) transmits a map request to a map service provider (such as the map service provider 130 a). Upon receiving a map request from the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d, the map service provider 130a creates a mirror map based on the road mirror feature information (collected from a plurality of mobile devices associated with the map service provider). The created mirror map is transmitted (transmitted) by the data communication infrastructure 110 and received by the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d via the network interface 304. The map request includes mobile device identification (configuration) information and/or a geographic location of interest to the user of the GNSS enabled cell phone 140 d. Road mirror feature information is collected via the user interface 308, which is related to the geographic location of the GNSS enabled cell phone 140 d. The collected road mirror image characteristic information is recorded and stored in the memory 310 together with the associated geographical location, date, time of day, and/or user context.

The GNSS enabled cell phone 140d may be operable to communicate the recorded road mirror feature information to the mapping service provider 130a via the data communication infrastructure 110. The mirror path generator 204 of the map service provider 130a is configured to overlay the collected mirror feature information to the associated geographic location to identify one or more ghhot paths and/or road supplemental information via the mirror path generator 204. The mirror path generator 204 incorporates characteristics and/or road supplemental information associated with the identified one or more mirror paths into the metadata. The map service provider 130a is operable to select a portion of the metadata associated with the geographic location of interest (as indicated by the received map request). A mirror map is generated by the map service processor 202 by associating a selected portion of the metadata with a geographic location of interest to the mobile device. The generated mirror map is transmitted to the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d via the data communication infrastructure 110. Upon receiving the mirror map, the GNSS enabled cell phone 140d may display or present the mirror map to the user via the user interface 308 in a format that is preferred by the user. The presentation may be presented in audio and/or video format.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a machine and/or computer readable storage and/or medium, having stored thereon, a machine code and/or a computer program having at least one code section executable by a machine and/or a computer, enabling the machine and/or computer to perform the steps for map data management using road mirroring features (road mirroring) described herein.

In general, the invention can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. The present invention can be realized in an integrated manner in at least one computer system or in a separate manner by placing different components in a plurality of interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware, software, and firmware may be a specialized computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.

The present invention can also be implemented by a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods of the invention and which, when loaded in a computer system, is able to carry out these methods. The computer program in the present document refers to: any expression, in any programming language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduced in different formats to implement specific functions.

While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

2. The communication method of claim 1, wherein the map request comprises the mobile device identification information and/or a geographic location of interest.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, comprising collecting the road mirror image characteristic information of the current and past geographical locations of the plurality of mobile devices.

4. A communication method according to claim 3, comprising recording the road mirror image characteristic information in the mobile device together with the associated geographical location, date, time and/or user context (user context).

5. The communication method of claim 4, comprising transmitting the recorded mirrored feature information from the mobile device to the mapping service provider.

6. The communication method of claim 4, wherein the map service provider superimposes (overlay) the road mirror image feature information from the plurality of mobile devices into the representation of the relevant geographic location.

7. A communication system, comprising:

8. The communication system of claim 7, wherein the map request includes the mobile device identification information and/or a geographic location of interest.

9. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein said one or more circuits are configured to collect road mirror characterization information of said mobile device geographic location.

10. The communication system according to claim 9, wherein the one or more circuits are configured to record the road mirror image characteristic information in the mobile device along with an associated geographic location, date, time, and/or user context.