HK1188821A - Method and apparatus for determining location offset information - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for determining position offset information

Background

Service providers and device manufacturers (e.g., wireless, cellular, etc.) are continually challenged to deliver value and convenience to consumers by, for example, providing compelling services. One area of development that has emerged is the use of augmented reality to provide location and navigation services to users. For example, modern user devices that utilize augmented reality may overlay graphics and text on a video image that depicts a user's front view. In this regard, for example, by using a camera to generate an image, using a GPS receiver to pinpoint the user device location, and using a compass to determine the direction in which the user device is pointing, the user device can tell the user what they are looking at (e.g., points of interest (POIs), roads, terrain types, boundaries, etc.). However, such augmented reality systems rely on data (e.g., from GPS, compass, etc.) that may be not accurate due to errors related to the location, orientation, etc. of the user device. Incorrect placement of a representation (rendering) that covers the real world depicted on the user device display based on inaccurate data may be useless to the user and, in some cases, may even cause frustration and frustration to the user. Accordingly, service providers and device manufacturers face significant technical challenges in providing accurate location and navigation information to users.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, there is a need for a method for efficiently and effectively determining position offset information.

According to one embodiment, a method comprises: it is determined to present a location-based display at a device, the display including one or more representations of one or more location-based features. The method further comprises the following steps: an input is received specifying offset information for at least one representation of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display. The method further comprises the following steps: determining to present one or more representations in the location-based display based at least in part on the offset information.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause, at least in part, the apparatus to determine to present, at a device, a location-based display comprising one or more representations of one or more location-based features. The apparatus is also caused to receive input specifying offset information for at least one representation of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display. The apparatus is further caused to determine to present one or more representations in the location-based display based at least in part on the offset information.

According to another embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium carries one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause, at least in part, an apparatus to determine to present, at a device, a location-based display including one or more representations of one or more location-based features. The apparatus is also caused to receive input specifying offset information for at least one representation of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display. The apparatus is further caused to determine to present one or more representations in the location-based display based at least in part on the offset information.

According to another embodiment, an apparatus includes means for determining to present, at a device, a location-based display including one or more representations of one or more location-based features. The apparatus also includes means for receiving an input specifying offset information for at least one representation of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display. The apparatus further includes means for determining to present one or more representations in the location-based display based at least in part on the offset information.

Other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description, simply by way of illustration of the many specific embodiments and implementations that include the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. The present invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention have been described by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system capable of determining position offset information, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the components of a correction manager, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the components of a user device, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for determining position offset information, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process for utilizing stored positional offset information, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for determining an approximate location according to one embodiment;

7A-7D are schematic diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the process of FIG. 4, in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a user interface utilized in the process of FIG. 5, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of hardware that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a chip set that may be used to implement an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal (e.g., handheld device) that can be used to implement an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Examples of a method, apparatus, and computer program for determining position offset information are disclosed. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments of the invention. It is apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the embodiments of the invention.

Although various embodiments are described in connection with location-based displays (i.e., augmented reality displays), it is contemplated that the methods described herein may be used with any other location-based display including, but not limited to, mixed reality displays, mapping displays (e.g., two-dimensional maps, three-dimensional maps, terrain maps, etc.), navigation displays, or combinations thereof.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system capable of determining position offset information, according to one embodiment. It is becoming increasingly common for service providers and device manufacturers to bind or generate available navigation and mapping services on a wide array of user devices (e.g., mobile handsets, computers, navigation devices, etc.). Such devices may utilize location-based technologies (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, cellular triangulation, assisted GPS (a-GPS), etc.) to provide navigation and mapping information. For these services, an increasing trend is to break through two-dimensional (2D) maps, providing location services based on three-dimensional (3D) maps or representations of locations and/or routes of interest (rendering). For example, modern devices may utilize an augmented reality mode to overlay graphics and text over a video image showing a building in front of the user. The graphics and text overlaid on the video image may be, for example, icons or labels representing displayed buildings. The representation of the building (e.g., icons, labels, information, etc.) may further overlay the video image based on the location of the building to provide information about the building to the user. For example, the device may initially collect preliminary building information by using a camera to generate an image, a GPS receiver to pinpoint the user device location, and a compass to determine the direction in which the user device is pointing. Based on the preliminary information, further information about the building may be collected from data on the device, a local database, a service provider, the internet, and/or any other place from which data may be obtained. The additional information may include data such as the name or type of the building, an address, a telephone number, a description of the building, services provided by the building, and so forth. As mentioned, the information provided to the user about their surroundings is not limited to buildings, but may be applicable to any location-based feature such as the user's location, other locations, POIs, roads, terrain features, boundaries, etc.

However, such augmented reality systems rely on data (e.g., from a GPS receiver, compass, etc.) that may be not accurate due to errors related to the location, orientation, etc. of the user device. For example, a GPS receiver on a mobile device may provide only about 20 meters of location accuracy, while a compass internal to the mobile device may provide only about 20 degrees of directional accuracy. Thus, these errors can result in incorrect placement of graphical or textual representations that cover, for example, the real world depicted on the mobile device display. These inaccuracies can pose significant problems to users, particularly where location-based features are tight (e.g., two restaurants side-by-side with different ratings, boundaries of multiple adjoining cities, etc.).

To address this issue, the system 100 of FIG. 1 introduces the ability to specify offset information for a representation of a location-based feature and then render the representation on a location-based display based on the offset information. More particularly, system 100 may receive offset information, for example, from a user. By way of example, a user may input offset information to a user device by typing the offset information, by dragging a representation (e.g., using a mouse, touch screen, etc.) to the correct location in a location-based display, or by some other similar manner. The user may enter offset information for each representation in turn, or the user may select to apply offset information provided by the user to a group of representations. The set of representations may include representations manually selected by a user, representations currently visible on a location-based display, representations available in a predetermined area, or all representations generated by the system 100 or available to the system 100. If the apparent error is location information (e.g., geographic coordinates) for a particular location-based feature (e.g., a particular POI), the user may only want to apply the offset information to the representation for the particular location-based feature. However, if the apparent error is directional information that has a significant impact on the placement of many representations, the user may want to apply the offset information to a set of representations (e.g., representations that are available within a predetermined area). Furthermore, the received offset information may also be automatically applied to a representation or a group of representations.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may recognize that the user may return to a particular location, and thus may store the offset information, as well as any other relevant information, for later use. Thus, offset information may also be received from memory. Further, the offset information may be transmitted to other devices in the area. In this way, other devices may use the offset information to present other location-based displays. Similarly, offset information may be received from other devices.

In other embodiments, the location-based display may be based on location information and/or orientation information. In this regard, the system 100 may be capable of determining accuracy information associated with the location information and/or the orientation information and then presenting the representation based on the accuracy information. In one example, the system 100 may be able to determine that a compass used by the user has an accuracy of +/-20 degrees, and then render the representation based on that determination. In another example, system 100 may use other position or orientation measurements, such as from a gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, etc., utilized by the user device to determine the accuracy information. In a further example, rather than utilizing offset information to adjust within the location-based display, the system 100 may rely solely or more primarily on data from the sensors, such as if it has been determined that the accuracy information meets a predetermined accuracy threshold. For example, it may be determined that an accuracy of +/-20 degrees does not meet a predetermined accuracy threshold. However, a narrow enough accuracy of +/-5 degrees may be determined to meet a predetermined accuracy threshold.

More specifically, the system 100 may present, at the device, a location-based display that includes one or more representations of one or more location-based features. The representation may include icons, labels, information, or anything that may be used to represent the location-based features. The location-based features may include user location, other locations, POIs, roads, terrain types, boundaries, or any other feature of a location (or locations). The system 100 may then receive input specifying offset information for at least one representation of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display. As previously discussed, input specifying offset information may be received from a user, from memory at or available to the device, from other devices, and the like. In this regard, the system 100 may further present one or more representations on the location-based display based on the offset information.

As shown in fig. 1, the system 100 includes a User Equipment (UE) 101 connected to a map platform 103 via a communication network 105. Applications 107 (e.g., augmented reality application 107, navigation application 107, etc.) on the UE101 may utilize the drawing information. The application 107 may also include a correction manager 109 to correct drawing information in the location-based display generated by the application 107. We note that the correction manager 109 can be included in the UE101 as shown, or the correction manager 109 can be provided and operated by the map platform 103. Also, mapping information may be included in a map database 111 associated with the map platform 103 for access by the application 107. In some embodiments, the mapping information is information that may be used by the augmented display application 107 to provide location-based features (e.g., user location, other locations, POIs, roads, terrain features, boundaries, etc.) and related information to the user. The mapping information may also include maps, satellite images, POI information, street and route information, terrain information, boundary information, signature information (signing information) associated with maps, objects and buildings associated with maps, information about people and their locations, coordinate information associated with the above information, and the like, or combinations thereof. A POI may be a specific point location where a person may, for example, find interest or find useful. Examples of points of interest may include airports, bakeries, dams, landmarks, restaurants, hotels, the location of a person, or any point of interest, usefulness, or significance in a sense. Examples of boundaries may include real estate, private and public entertainment venues, schools, roads, buildings, regions, cities, counties/provinces, states, countries, continents, and/or boundaries of any area having boundaries or definitions.

In some embodiments, the mapping information may be associated with content information including real-time media (e.g., streaming broadcasts), storage media (e.g., stored on a network or locally), metadata associated with the media, textual information, location information of other user devices, or a combination thereof. Content may be provided through a service platform 113, the service platform 113 including one or more services 115a-115n (e.g., music services, mapping services, video services, social networking services, content broadcast services, etc.), one or more content providers (not shown) (e.g., online content retailers, public databases, etc.), other content sources available or accessible on the communication network 105. For example, the application 107 may display location-related content information (e.g., content associated with a POI or with a particular location) in a location-based display in addition to or in lieu of POI information and/or other mapping information.

In one embodiment, the image capture module 117 of the UE101 may be utilized in conjunction with the augmented reality application 107 to present drawing information to the user. For example, the user may be presented with an augmented reality interface associated with the augmented reality application 107 or navigation application 107 that presents drawing information, content information, etc. on a location-based display. In some embodiments, the user interface may display a hybrid physical and virtual environment in which 3D objects from the map database 111 are placed on top of live images (e.g., via a camera of the UE 101) or prerecorded images (e.g., a 360 ° panoramic picture) that are overlaid at respective locations. In another embodiment, the mapping information and the map presented to the user may be a simulated 3D environment as an alternative or supplement to a live augmented reality display. Accordingly, the correction manager 109 may operate above an augmented reality location-based display, a simulated 3D display, and/or other location-based display to correct mapping information presented therein.

We note that the UE101 may execute one or more applications 107 to view or access mapping information. As mentioned above, mapping information may include POI information, location information, associations of directions or locations, or a combination thereof. In one example, default settings may allow a user to view information about POIs, buildings, and other targets associated with a location, and associated with an augmented reality display or 3D environment. In a typical use case, a user can point the UE101 at a location-based feature (e.g., a POI) in a location-based display to view corresponding information. More specifically, the application 107 (e.g., the augmented reality application 107) may associate location-based features with geographic coordinates (e.g., from the satellite 119) based on the determined viewpoint. The application 107 may then obtain information corresponding to the location from the map platform 103 for presentation in the location-based display.

In another typical use case, when the user points the UE101 at a location-based feature (e.g., a POI) or in a general direction, the UE101 can present one or more representations of one or more location-based features (e.g., POIs) on a location-based display. The placement of the representations on the location-based display may be based on the geographic coordinates of the respective location-based features in addition to the location, heading reference, and tilt angle of the UE 101. As previously mentioned, the placement of the representations may be inaccurate for a number of reasons, such as errors related to the position, orientation, etc. of the UE 101. Thus, the correction manager 109 may accept offset information for presentation, for example, from a user. In this example, the user may provide the offset information by typing the offset information, by dragging the representation (e.g., using a mouse, touch screen, etc.), or by some other similar manner. As discussed above, the user may enter offset information for each representation in turn, or the user may select to apply offset information provided by the user to a set of representations. Furthermore, the received offset information may also be automatically applied to a representation or a group of representations.

By way of example, the communication network 105 of the system 100 includes one or more networks such as a data network (not shown), a wireless network (not shown), a telephony network (not shown), or any combination thereof. It is contemplated that the data network may be any Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), a public data network (e.g., the internet), a short-range wireless network, or any other suitable packet-switched network, such as a commercially available packet-switched network, a proprietary packet-switched network (e.g., a proprietary cable or fiber-optic network), or any combination thereof. Further, the wireless network may be, for example, a cellular network, and may employ various technologies including enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium (e.g., Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), bluetooth, Internet Protocol (IP) datacasting, satellite, mobile ad-hoc network (MANET), etc.), or any combination thereof.

The UE101 is any type of mobile terminal, fixed terminal, or portable terminal including a mobile handset, station, unit, device, multimedia computer, multimedia tablet, Internet node, communicator, desktop computer, laptop computer, notebook computer, netbook computer, tablet computer, Personal Computer System (PCS) device, personal navigation device, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), audio/video player, digital camera/camcorder, positioning device, television receiver, radio broadcast receiver, electronic book device, gaming device, or any combination thereof, including accessories and peripherals of these devices, or any combination thereof. It is also contemplated that the UE101 may support any type of interface to the user (e.g., "wearable" circuitry, etc.).

In another embodiment, the correction manager 109 may store the offset information as well as any other relevant information. The information may be stored in the UE101 (e.g., cache memory, hard drive, etc.), a local database, the map database 111, or any other storage device available via the communication network 105. The correction manager 109 may further apply the stored offset information to one or more other location-based displays presented based on location information substantially proximate to (similar to) or within a predetermined proximity of the location information associated with the location-based display. In one typical use case, the user may be a guest visiting a particular cafe early every day. In this regard, as the user walks to the coffee shop, the correction manager 109 may identify that the current location information is substantially close to or within a predetermined proximity of the previous location-based displayed location information. Thus. The correction manager 109 can apply the stored offset information to the current location-based display, for example, by automatically calibrating the UE101 based on the stored offset information. In this way, as the user walks to the coffee shop every morning, the user is able to automatically see, in the location-based display of the UE101, for example, the daily specials of the coffee shop that are precisely overlaid on top of the coffee shop.

In another embodiment, the correction manager 109 may communicate offset information to one or more other devices within proximity of the device, where the offset information is used to present other location-based displays at the corresponding other devices. By way of example, a typical cafe may have many guests holding mobile devices at any time during its business hours. When the correction manager 109 receives offset information, for example, from a user, it may then transmit the offset information to other UEs 101 within the proximity of the user's UE 101. The correction manager 109 of the other UE101 can then correct the placement of the representation on the corresponding location-based display based on the communicated offset information.

In another embodiment, the correction manager 109 may obtain other offset information associated with one or more other devices, other offset information collected at one or more other times, or a combination thereof. The correction manager 109 may then generate aggregated offset information based on the offset information, other offset information, or a combination thereof. As provided, the correction manager 109 may obtain and/or store a set of offset information. By way of example, the offset information and/or other offset information may be combined and then averaged to generate aggregate offset information. Further, the offset information may instead be assigned default or user-defined weights, for example, based on a relative proximity (closeness) of the location associated with the other offset information to the location associated with the offset information, while the other offset information may be assigned respective weights automatically or by the user. Thus, the correction manager 109 may generate aggregated offset information based on the weights given to the offset information and/or other offset information.

In another embodiment, the correction manager 109 may classify the offset information, other offset information, or a combination thereof based on at least one device, one location sensor, a source of the location information, or a combination thereof, wherein the aggregate offset information is further based on the classification. For example, in addition to relative proximity, the correction manager 109 may identify sensor devices of a certain device type that have more accuracy than other device types, or sensors of a particular location that have more accuracy than other location sensors. Based on this information, the offset information and/or other offset information may be assigned respective weights, either automatically or by a user. Thus, the correction manager 109 may generate aggregated offset information based on the weights given to the offset information and/or other offset information.

By way of example, the UE101, the map platform 103, and the service platform 113 communicate with each other and other components of the communication network 105 using known, new, or still developing protocols. In this context, a protocol includes a set of rules defining how network nodes within the communication network 105 interact with each other based on information sent over the communication links. The protocols are effective at different layers of operation within each node, from generating and receiving physical signals of various types, to selecting a link for transferring those signals, to the format of information represented by those signals, to identifying which software application executing on a computer system sends or receives the information. The conceptually different layers of protocols for exchanging information over a network are described in the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model.

Communication between network nodes is typically effected by exchanging discrete packets of data. Each packet typically includes: (1) header information associated with a particular protocol; and (2) payload information that follows the header information and contains information that can be processed independently of the particular protocol. In some protocols, a packet includes (3) trailer information immediately following the payload and indicating the end of the payload information. The header includes information such as the source of the packet, its destination, the length of the payload, and other attributes used by the protocol. Typically, the data in the payload for a particular protocol includes a header for a different protocol associated with a different, higher layer of the OSI reference model, as well as the payload. The header for a particular protocol typically indicates the type of the next protocol included in its payload. According to which the higher layer protocol is encapsulated in the lower layer protocol. The headers included in a packet traversing multiple heterogeneous networks, such as the internet, typically include a physical (layer 1) header, a data link (layer 2) header, an internetwork (layer 3) header and a transport (layer 4) header, as well as various application headers (layer 5, layer 6, layer 7) as defined by the OSI reference model.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the components of a correction manager, according to one embodiment. By way of example, the correction manager 109 includes one or more components for providing positional offset information. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, correction manager 109 includes control logic 201 that executes at least one algorithm for performing the functions of correction manager 109. For example, the control logic 201 interacts with the rendering module 203 to render or display drawing information (e.g., POI information) on a location-based display of the UE 101. In one embodiment, the rendering module 203 presents the augmented reality display by instructing the image capture module 117 of the UE101 to provide a live camera view of the current location of the UE101 to the user. The image capture module 117 may include a camera, video camera, and/or other image device. In one embodiment, the visual media is captured in the form of an image or a series of images. These images are then rendered in a location-based display by the rendering module 203.

In addition to or in lieu of an augmented reality display, the rendering module 203 may provide a location-based display using the non-reality based representations of particular locations described above (e.g., a 3D simulated environment or other rendered map). For example, rendering module 203 may obtain drawing data (e.g., 3D models, map tiles, map images, terrain features, etc.) from map database 111 or map platform 103 to render the location-based display.

Upon obtaining an underlying location-based display (e.g., an augmented reality display or a rendered map), the rendering module 203 retrieves mapping information (e.g., POI information) to determine what location-based features are visible in the display. The rendering module 203 then renders a representation of the visible location-based features in the location-based display based at least in part on its location information and/or orientation information. In other words, the rendering module 203 renders the representation of the location-based feature so as to display the representation of the location-based feature at a location in the location-based display that corresponds to its location information and/or orientation information.

Next, the control logic 201 instructs the selection module 205 to receive input from the UE101 for selecting a plurality of representations to which the received offset information can be applied. By way of example, the group may be manually selected by the user from the location-based display. For example, the user may tap on a group of overlapping or closely located representations to select the entire group. Also, a group may include representations that are currently visible on the location-based display, representations that are available in a predetermined area, or all representations that are available to the correction manager 109 or generated by the correction manager 109.

Further, the control logic 201 cooperates with the comparison module 207 to determine whether or to what extent the offset information should be applied. In one exemplary use case, the comparison module 207 may determine that accuracy information associated with, for example, location information and/or orientation information, meets a predetermined accuracy threshold. Thus, the comparison module 207 may recommend an application to reduce the offset information to present the representation on the location-based display. In another exemplary use case, the comparison module 207 may determine whether to apply the stored offset information to other location-based displays. For example, if the comparison module 207 determines that the location information of the other location-based display is substantially close to or within a predetermined proximity of the location information associated with the location-based display for which the stored offset information was received, the stored offset information may be employed.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the components of a user equipment according to one embodiment. By way of example, the UE101 includes one or more components for providing location offset information. It is contemplated that the functions of these components may be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. In this embodiment, the UE101 includes: (1) a user interface 301 to present a location-based display including, for example, a representation of a location-based feature, and to receive input specifying offset information for the representation associated with the location-based display; (2) a map platform interface 303 to retrieve content and mapping information from the map platform 103 and/or the service platform 113; (3) a runtime module 305 to execute one or more applications (e.g., augmented reality application 107, navigation application 107); (4) a cache memory 307 for locally storing drawing information and/or related content information; (5) a location module 309 to determine a location of the UE 101; (6) a magnetometer module 311 to determine the horizontal direction and directional heading (e.g., compass heading) of the UE 101; and (7) an accelerometer module 313 to determine a vertical or elevation angle of the UE 101; and (8) an image capture module 117.

The location-based display may be presented to the user via a user interface 301, which may include various communication methods. For example, the user interface 301 may have outputs including a visual component (e.g., a screen), an audio component (e.g., verbal instructions), a physical component (e.g., haptic feedback), and other communication methods. The user input may include a touch screen interface, a microphone, a camera, a scroll-and-click (click) interface, a key interface, and so forth. Further, the user may input a request to launch an application 107 (e.g., an augmented reality or navigation application) and utilize the user interface 301 to receive a location-based display including POIs and/or other drawing information. Through the user interface 301, a user may request presentation of different kinds of content, drawings, or location information. Further, the user may be presented with a 3D or augmented reality representation of a particular location and related targets (e.g., buildings, terrain features, POIs, etc. at a particular location) as part of a graphical user interface on the screen of the UE 101.

The runtime module 305 communicates with the map platform 103 using the map platform interface 303. In some embodiments, the interface is used to obtain content, mapping, and/or location information from the map platform 103, the service platform 113, and/or a content provider (not shown). The UE101 may retrieve the drawing and content information with a request in a client-server format. Also, the UE101 may specify location information and/or orientation information in the request to retrieve the drawing and content information. The location module 309, magnetometer module 311, accelerometer module 313, and image capture module 117 may be utilized to determine location and/or orientation information for determining which direction the UE101 is aimed along (e.g., the viewpoint of the UE 101) so that mapping and content information corresponding to the direction pointed to may be retrieved. Further, the mapping and content information may be stored in cache memory 307 for use in correcting location-based displays at the UE 101.

In one embodiment, the location module 309 may determine the location of the user. The user's location may be determined by a triangulation system such as GPS, assisted GPS (A-GPS), cell of origin, wireless local area network triangulation, or other location inference techniques. Standard GPS and A-GPS systems may use satellites 119 to pinpoint the location (e.g., longitude, latitude, and altitude) of the UE 101. The cell of origin system may be used to determine the cell tower with which the UE101 is synchronized. This information provides a coarse location of the UE101 because the cellular tower may have a unique cellular identifier (cell-ID) that can be mapped geographically. The location module 309 can also use a variety of techniques to detect the location of the UE 101. The GPS coordinates may provide finer detail about the location of the UE 101. As described above, the location module 309 can be utilized to determine location coordinates used by the application 107 and/or the mapping platform 103.

Magnetometer module 311 can include an instrument that can measure the strength and/or direction of a magnetic field. Using the same approach as a compass, the magnetometer is able to determine the directional heading of the UE101 using the Earth's magnetic field. The front end of the image capture device (e.g., a digital camera) (or another reference point on the UE 101) may be marked as a reference point in a determined direction. Thus, if the magnetic field points north compared to the reference point, the angle at which the UE101 reference point deviates from the magnetic field is known. Simple calculations can be made to determine the orientation of the UE 101. In one embodiment, the horizontal orientation data obtained from the magnetometer is used to determine the orientation of the user. The direction information may be corrected using the location information of the UE101 to determine where the UE101 is pointing (e.g., at what geographic feature, target, or POI). This information may be utilized to select a first-person perspective to render the drawing and the content information in the location-based display.

Further, the accelerometer 313 may include an instrument capable of measuring acceleration. Using a three-axis accelerometer with X, Y, Z axes, acceleration is provided in three directions with known angles. The front end of the media capture device may again be marked as a reference point in the determined direction. Because the acceleration due to Earth's gravity is known, the accelerometer module 313 can determine the angle at which the UE101 is pointing compared to Earth's gravity when the UE101 is stationary. In one embodiment, the vertical direction data obtained from the accelerometer is used to determine the elevation or tilt angle at which the UE101 is pointed. Information that combines magnetometer information and location information is used to determine a point of view that provides content and mapping information to a user. In this regard, the information may be utilized to select available content items to present navigation information to the user. Moreover, the combined information may be utilized to determine portions of a particular 3D map or augmented reality view that may be of interest to a user. In one embodiment, if the location information associated with one or more available content items does not correspond to a viewpoint (e.g., is not visible in the selected viewpoint), one or more indicators (e.g., arrows or pointers) may be displayed on the user interface to indicate a direction toward the location of the content item.

In another embodiment, rather than determining the viewpoint from a sensor, the user may manually input any one or more of a location, a directional heading, and a tilt angle to specify the viewpoint for displaying the user interface on the UE 101. In this manner, the user may select a "virtual viewpoint" as the location, rather than the current location and the pointing direction of the UE 101.

An image capture module 117 may be used to capture images for supporting a graphical user interface. The image capture module 117 may include a camera, a video camera, combinations thereof, and the like. In one embodiment, the visual media is captured in the form of an image or a series of images. The image capture module 117 may obtain images from a camera and associate the images with position information, magnetometer information, accelerometer information, or a combination thereof. As described above, by combining the position of the user, the horizontal direction information of the user, and the vertical direction information of the user, the observation point of the user can be determined using the combination of the information. This information may be utilized to retrieve mapping and content information from the map cache memory 307 or the map platform 103. In certain embodiments, cache memory 307 includes all or part of the information in map database 111.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a process for determining position offset information, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, correction manager 109 performs this process 400 and is implemented in, for example, a chip set including a processor and memory as shown in FIG. 10. In this regard, control logic 201 may provide means for completing portions of the process 400 as well as means for completing other processes in conjunction with other components of correction manager 109.

In step 401, control logic 201 determines to present at the device a location-based display including one or more representations of one or more location-based features. The one or more location-based features may include user location, other locations, POIs, roads, terrain category, boundaries or any other feature of the location (or locations). In one embodiment, the presented location-based display may be based on location information, orientation information, or a combination thereof associated with the device. For example, the location-based display may include an image captured by the device or a visual image on a viewfinder of the device.

In step 403, control logic 201 may verify whether accuracy information associated with the location information, the direction information, or a combination thereof has been determined. If accuracy information is not determined, control logic 201 may receive an input specifying offset information for at least one of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display in step 405. As described above, input may be received from a variety of sources, including from a user, from memory at or accessible by the device, from other devices, and so forth. In one embodiment, the input is provided as a movement of at least one of the one or more representations. For example, a user may provide input specifying offset information by dragging a representation to the correct location within the location-based display. Control logic 201 may then determine to present one or more representations in the location-based display based at least in part on the offset information in step 407.

However, if control logic 201 is able to confirm that the accuracy information has been determined, control logic may determine whether the accuracy information meets a predetermined accuracy threshold in step 409. In a typical use case, it may be preliminarily determined that the component (or components) used by the UE101 to measure direction, such as a compass, gyroscope, accelerometer, magnetometer, etc., has an accuracy of +/-20 degrees. In this regard, control logic 201 may determine that a predetermined accuracy threshold has not been met. However, if it is later determined that the direction measurement component has an accuracy of +/-5 degrees, control logic 201 may determine that a predetermined accuracy threshold has been met. For example, a user may be in a particular area with a large amount of ferrous metal. When the user leaves the area, the accuracy of, for example, the direction measurement assembly may be increased. In another typical use case, a user may be passing through an area without much radio interference or signal blockage. In those circumstances, it may be preliminarily determined that the GPS receiver utilized by the UE101 has an accuracy of +/-5 meters, which may satisfy a predetermined accuracy threshold. However, when the user enters the city or walks under the bridge, it may be determined that the GPS receiver has an accuracy of +/-20 meters, which may not be accurate enough to meet the predetermined accuracy threshold.

If control logic 201 determines that a predetermined accuracy threshold has been met, control logic 201 may determine in step 411 to reduce the application of offset information to present one or more representations. In this regard, one or more representations within the location-based display may not be adjusted with offset information.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a process for utilizing stored positional offset information, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, correction manager 109 performs this process 500 and is implemented in, for example, a chip set including a processor and memory as shown in FIG. 10. In this regard, control logic 201 may provide means for completing portions of the process 500 as well as means for completing other processes in conjunction with other components of correction manager 109.

In step 501, control logic 201 determines offset information. As described above, the information may be stored at the UE101 (e.g., cache memory, hard drive, etc.), a local database, the map database 111, or any other storage device available via the communication network 105.

Prior to determining to apply the stored offset information to the one or more other location-based displays, control logic 201 may determine in step 503 whether location information associated with the one or more other location-based displays is substantially close to or within a predetermined proximity of location information associated with the location-based display for which the stored offset information was received. For example, if the control logic determines that the location information associated with one or more other location-based displays is not substantially near or within the predetermined proximity, the stored offset information may not be applied to the one or more other location-based displays. In one typical use example, a user may shop recently to a grocery store in a particular shopping mall. Although the user may return to the shopping mall at a later time (e.g., to coffee shop learning at the other end of the shopping mall), the control logic 201 may determine that the return to the shopping mall is not substantially close to or within the predetermined proximity of the grocery store. Thus, in this example, the stored offset information may not be applied in presenting a location-based display of the user's return to the shopping mall.

However, if it is determined that one or more other location-based displays are substantially close to or within the predetermined proximity, then control logic 201 may apply the stored offset information in presenting the one or more other location-based displays in step 505.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a process for determining an approximate location, according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, correction manager 109 performs this process 600 and is implemented in, for example, a chipset comprising a processor and a memory as shown in FIG. 10. In this regard, control logic 201 may provide means for performing portions of the process 600 as well as means for performing other processes in conjunction with other components of the correction manager 109.

In step 601, the control logic 201 receives an input specifying an approximate location or location of the UE101 or a user of the UE 101. In one embodiment, the specified approximate location may be used as a starting point for a navigation service, mapping service, or other location-based service. For example, if an initial sensor-based location fix (e.g., GPS fix) is delayed or otherwise unavailable, the user may still manually indicate an approximate location to initiate the service. As mentioned, input may be received from various sources, including from a user, from memory at or accessible to the device, from other devices, and so forth. The received input may be used to specify an approximate location of the user, other users, a starting location, and the like. In one embodiment, the offset information specified by the input may also specify or otherwise indicate an approximate location of the UE101 or user. By way of example, a user may provide input by moving at least one of the representations. In this regard, the user may drag a representation of the user's location to an appropriate location in the location-based display. Similarly, the user may drag the representation of the location (e.g., drag only the map layer) so that the user's location eventually reaches the appropriate place in the location-based display. Further, the user can provide input in many other ways, including indicating an approximate location within the location-based display (e.g., by clicking or tapping on a particular location), inputting an address of a particular location, capturing an image around the user (e.g., taking a picture using a camera module of the UE 101) to indicate a particular location, and so forth.

In step 603, the control logic 201 may determine whether location information is already available, for example, from a GPS receiver of the UE 101. If control logic 201 determines that location information is not available, control logic 201 may present a representation in a location-based display based on the received input in step 605.

However, if control logic 201 determines that location information is available, control logic 201 may determine whether to utilize the location information in step 607. In a typical use case, the control logic 201 can prompt the user via the UE101 to decide whether to utilize the received input provided by the user, the location information provided by the GPS receiver, or both in presenting the representation in the location-based display. For example, if the user decides to utilize both the received input and the location information, control logic 201 may present the received input and the location information as different representations on the location-based display (e.g., pink dots to present the received input and red dots to represent the GPS location information).

In another exemplary use case, the determination of whether to utilize the location information may be based on whether the location information provided by the GPS receiver meets a predetermined accuracy threshold. If control logic 201 determines that location information should not be utilized (e.g., a predetermined accuracy threshold is not met), then presentation of the indication in the location-based display may be based on received input provided by the user. Otherwise, as mentioned, the location information may be utilized in addition to or in lieu of the received input provided by the user to present the representation in a location-based display.

7A-7D are schematic diagrams of user interfaces utilized in the process of FIG. 4, in accordance with various embodiments. In particular, fig. 7A-7D are examples of user interfaces utilizing an augmented reality display that indicates location-based features (e.g., POIs) within a viewpoint utilizing star icons. Since the user interface is an augmented reality display, the image displayed in the drawing is a live image of, for example, a town square.

Fig. 7A shows a user interface with three star icons (e.g., representations 701, 703, and 705) representing three different POIs. In this example, the representations 701, 703, and 705 appear to be exactly overlaid on the location-based display of the town square, at least in terms of location information and/or horizontal direction information. However, the vertical direction (e.g., height) is clearly inaccurate. For example, representations 701 and 705 appear between the first floor and the second floor, while representation 703 appears between the second floor and the roof of the building.

FIG. 7B shows a user interface with six star icons (e.g., representations 711, 713, 715, 717, 719, and 721) and a hand symbol 723. As shown, three star icons with dashed lines (e.g., representations 711, 713, and 715) depict where representations 701, 703, and 705 were located, while three star icons with solid lines (e.g., representations 717, 719, and 721) indicate where they have moved. The hand symbol 723 illustrates the ability to provide offset information by dragging a representation to the correct location within the location-based display of a town square. In this example, the user can provide input specifying offset information for all representations within the location-based display by moving or dragging only one representation (e.g., representation 721 (or original representation 705)).

Fig. 7C shows a user interface with three star icons (e.g., representations 731, 733, and 735) and three labels (representations 737, 739, and 741). As shown, a label comprising the name of the POI (or type of POI) and the distance to the user is overlaid just below the star icon. In this example, the previous movement or dragging of only one star icon provides offset information for both visible and generated representations (e.g., representations 731, 733, and 735) and for non-visible and possibly yet un-generated representations while the user provides the offset information.

Fig. 7D shows a user interface with a fully visible star icon (e.g., representation 751) and a summary (e.g., representation 753) providing information about a particular POI (e.g., hotel). In this example, the summary may appear automatically or by some user action (e.g., clicking or tapping on a particular star icon).

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a user interface utilized in the process of FIG. 5, according to one embodiment. In particular, fig. 8 provides examples of user interfaces (e.g., user interfaces 800, 810, 820, 830, 840, 850, 860, and 870) that utilize a navigation display. By way of example, the user interface 800 provides the user with several options, including "location," "route," "find," "favorites," "set," and "cancel. In this use case, the user has selected the option "route," which causes user interface 810 to appear.

The user interface 810 provides several options to the user, including "start location", "destination", "add destination", "navigate! And cancel. In this example, the starting location and destination may be predetermined (e.g., the last known starting location or destination). Thus, the user may immediately select "navigate! ". However, the user may also view, modify, or confirm the starting location or destination by selecting the "starting location" or "destination". In this use case, the user has selected a "start location" which causes the user interface 820 to appear.

User interface 820 provides several options to the user, including "My location", "address", "favorites", and "Cancel". In this use case, the user has selected "My location," which allows the user to update the user's location or use the last known location of the user. As illustrated in user interface 830, the user has selected "update now" instead of "use last known".

As described above, the user may provide the starting location (e.g., "My location") in a number of ways. As shown, the user interface 840 illustrates that the user may "adjust on the map," "enter an address," or "take a picture" to provide a starting location. In this use case, the user has chosen to provide the starting location by adjusting the starting location on the map. In this regard, the user interface 850 displays a map with the user starting location labeled "A". The user start location is shown as 123Last Road, which may be the Last known location of the user. To see a magnified version of the map, the user has clicked on the magnifying glass icon with a "+" symbol.

In response, the user interface 860 displays an enlarged version with a map that labels the user's starting location as "A". As described above, the user may adjust the starting location (e.g., move at least one representation, click on a location on a map, etc.) in a number of ways, such as dragging the starting location with a label of "A", dragging a map layer, or clicking on a location on a map. In this use case, the user has selected to drag the map layer in order to adjust the user's starting position on the map. Thus, as shown in user interface 870, the user start position has been modified to 456Now Street. Thus, the user selects "done" to begin further navigation.

FIG. 9 illustrates a computer system 900 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Although computer system 900 is described with respect to a particular device or apparatus, it is contemplated that other devices or apparatuses (e.g., network elements, servers, etc.) in FIG. 9 can implement the hardware and components of the illustrated system 900. Computer system 900 is programmed (e.g., via computer program code or instructions) to determine the positional offset information described herein and includes communication structures such as a bus for passing information between other internal and external components of the computer system 900. Information (also called data) is represented as a physical expression of a measurable phenomenon, typically electric voltages, but including, in other embodiments, such phenomena as magnetic, electromagnetic, pressure, chemical, biological, molecular, atomic, sub-atomic and quantum interactions. For example, north and south facing electromagnetic fields or zero and non-zero voltages represent two states (0, 1) of a binary digit (bit). Other phenomena may represent higher-order numbers. The superposition of multiple simultaneous quantum states before measurement represents a qubit. A sequence of one or more digits constitutes digital data that is used to represent a number or code for a character. In some embodiments, information referred to as analog data is represented by a near continuous stream of measurable values within a particular range. Computer system 900, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of determining position offset information.

A bus 910 includes one or more information conductors to facilitate rapid communication of information between devices coupled to the bus 910. One or more processors 902 for processing information are coupled with the bus 910.

A processor (or multiple processors) 902 performs a set of operations on information specified by computer program code related to determining position offset information. The computer program code is a set of instructions or statements providing instructions for the operation of the processor and/or the computer system to perform specified functions. For example, the code may be written in a computer programming language that is compiled into a native set of instructions of the processor. The code may also be written directly using the native instruction set (e.g., and its language). The set of operations includes: bringing information in from the bus 910 and placing information on the bus 910. The set of operations also typically includes: comparing two or more units of information; changing the location of the unit of information; and combining two OR more units of information, for example by addition, multiplication OR logical operation like OR. Each operation of the set of instructions that may be executed by the processor is represented to the processor by information called instructions, such as an operation code of one or more digits. A series of operations performed by the processor 902, such as a series of operation codes, constitute processor instructions, also referred to as computer system instructions, or simply computer instructions. Processors may be implemented as mechanical, electrical, magnetic, optical, chemical or quantum components, among others, alone or in combination.

Computer system 900 also includes a memory 904 coupled to bus 910. Memory 904, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) or any other dynamic storage device, stores information including processor instructions for determining position offset information. Dynamic memory allows information stored therein to be changed by computer system 900. RAM allows storing and retrieving information units stored at locations of so-called memory addresses independently of information at neighboring addresses. The memory 904 is also used by the processor 902 to store temporary values during execution of processor instructions. Computer system 900 also includes a Read Only Memory (ROM) 906 or any other static storage device coupled to bus 910 for storing static information, including instructions that are not changed by computer system 900. Some memory includes volatile memory (storage), which loses the information stored thereon when power is removed. A non-volatile (persistent) memory 908, such as a magnetic disk, optical disk or flash card, is also coupled to bus 910 for storing information, including instructions, that persists even when the computer system 900 is turned off or otherwise loses power.

Information, including instructions for determining position offset information, is provided to bus 910 for use by the processor from an external input device 912, such as a keyboard containing alphanumeric keys operated by a human user or a sensor. A sensor detects conditions in its vicinity and transforms those detections into physical expression consistent with a measurable phenomenon indicative of information in computer system 900. Other external devices coupled 910 to the bus, primarily for interacting with humans, include: a display device 914 such as a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT), a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, and an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED); and a pointing device 916 such as a mouse, trackball, cursor direction keys, or motion sensor for controlling the position of a small cursor presented on display 914 and issuing instructions associated with graphical elements presented on display 914. In some embodiments, such as embodiments in which computer system 900 performs all functions automatically without human input, one or more of external input device 912, display device 914, and pointing device 916 are omitted.

In the illustrated real-time example, special purpose hardware, such as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) 920, is coupled to bus 910. The dedicated hardware is configured to perform operations not performed by the processor 902 quickly enough for a particular purpose. Examples of ASICs include: a graphics accelerator card to generate images for display 914; an encryption board for encrypting and decrypting messages transmitted over a network; a speech recognizer; and interfaces to specific external devices such as robotic arms and medical scanning devices that repeatedly perform some complex series of operations that are more efficiently implemented in hardware.

Computer system 900 also includes one or more instances of a communications interface 970 coupled to bus 910. Communication interface 970 provides a one-way or two-way communication coupling to various external devices such as printers, scanners and external disks, which operate in conjunction with their own processors. Generally, this coupling is connected to local network 980 using network link 978, and local network 980 connects various external devices with their own processors. For example, communication interface 970 may be a parallel port or a serial port or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port on a personal computer. In some embodiments, communications interface 970 is an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) card or a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) card or a telephone modem that provides an information communication connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In some embodiments, a communication interface 970 is a cable modem that converts signals on bus 910 into signals for a communication connection over a coaxial cable or into signals for a communication connection over a fiber optic cable. As another example, communication interface 970 may be a Local Area Network (LAN) card to provide a data communication connection to a compatible LAN, such as ethernet. Wireless links may also be implemented. For wireless links, the communication interface 970 sends or receives or both sends and receives electrical, acoustic or electromagnetic signals, including infrared and optical signals, that carry information streams, such as digital data. For example, in a wireless handheld device such as a mobile telephone like a cell phone, the communications interface 970 includes a radio bandwidth electromagnetic transmitter and receiver called a radio transceiver. In certain embodiments, the communications interface 970 enables connection to the communication network 105 for determining location offset information for the UE 101.

The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing information to processor 902, including instructions for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but not limited to computer-readable storage medium (e.g., non-volatile media, volatile media), and transmission media. Non-transitory media, such as non-volatile media, include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 908. Volatile media include, for example, dynamic memory 904. Transmission media include, for example, twisted pair cables, coaxial cables, copper wire, fiber optic cables, and carrier waves that travel through space without wires or cables, such as acoustic waves and electromagnetic waves, including radio, optical and infrared waves. Signals include man-made transient variations in amplitude, frequency, phase, polarity or other physical properties transmitted through the transmission medium. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, CDRW, DVD, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, optical mark sheets, any other physical medium with holes or other optically recognizable indicia, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, an EEPROM, a FLASH memory, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave, or any other medium from which a computer can read. The term computer-readable storage medium is used herein to refer to any computer-readable medium except transmission media.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible media includes one or both of instructions on a computer-readable storage medium and special purpose hardware 920, such as an ASIC.

Network link 978 typically provides information communication using transmission media through one or more networks to other devices that use or process the information. For example, network link 978 may provide a connection through local network 980 to a host computer 982 or to equipment 984 operated by an Internet Service Provider (ISP). ISP equipment 984 in turn provides data communication services through the public, global packet-switched communication network of networks now commonly referred to as the internet 990.

A computer called a server host 992 connected to the internet manages the process of providing services in response to information received over the internet. For example, server host 992 manages the process of providing information representing video data presented at display 914. It is contemplated that the components of system 900 may be implemented in various configurations within other computer systems, such as host 982 and server 992.

At least some embodiments of the invention are related to the use of computer system 900 for implementing some or all of the techniques described herein. Those techniques are performed by computer system 900 in response to processor 902 executing one or more sequences of one or more processor instructions contained in memory 904, according to an embodiment of the invention. Such instructions, also referred to as computer instructions, software, and program code, may be read into memory 904 from another computer-readable medium, such as storage device 908 or network link 978. Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory 904 enables processor 902 to perform one or more of the method steps described herein. In alternative embodiments, hardware, such as ASIC920, may be used in place of, or in combination with, software to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and software, unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.

The signals transmitted over network link 978 and other networks through communications interface 970, convey information to and from computer system 900. Computer system 900 can send and receive information, including program code, through the networks 980, 990, etc. via network link 978 and communications interface 970. In an example using the Internet 990, a server host 992 transmits program code for a particular application, requested by a message sent from computer 900, through Internet 990, ISP equipment 984, local network 980 and communications interface 970. The received code may be executed by processor 902 as it is received, or may be stored in memory 904 or storage device 908, or any other non-volatile storage for later execution, or both. In this manner, computer system 900 may obtain application program code in the form of signals on a carrier wave.

Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in carrying one or more strings of instructions or data or both to processor 902 for execution. The remote computer loads the instructions and data into its dynamic memory and sends the instructions and data over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to computer system 900 receives the instructions and data on a telephone line and uses an infra-red transmitter to convert the instructions and data to a signal on an infra-red carrier wave serving as network link 978. An infrared detector serving as communications interface 970 receives the instructions and data carried in the infrared signal and places information representing the instructions and data onto bus 910. The bus 910 carries the information to the memory 904, and the processor 902 uses some of the data carried along with the instructions to fetch the instructions from the memory 904 and execute the instructions. The instructions and data received in memory 904 may optionally be stored on storage device 908, either before or after execution by processor 902.

Fig. 10 illustrates a chip set or chip 1000 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented. Chip 1000 is programmed to determine the positional offset information described herein and includes, for example, the processor and memory components described with respect to fig. 9 incorporated into one or more physical packages (e.g., chips). By way of example, a physical package includes an arrangement of one or more materials, components, and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard) to provide one or more characteristics such as physical strength, dimensional retention, and/or electrical interaction limitations. It is contemplated that, in some embodiments, chipset 1000 may be implemented in a single chip. It is further contemplated that, in some embodiments, the chipset or chip 1000 may be implemented as a "system on a chip". It is further contemplated that in some embodiments, a separate ASIC may not be used, e.g., all of the related functions disclosed herein would be performed by a processor or processors. Chip set or chip 1000, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of providing user interface navigation information associated with availability of functions. Chip set or chip 1000, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of determining position offset information.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 1000 includes a communication mechanism such as a bus 1001 for passing information among the components of the chip set 1000. A processor 1003 is coupled to the bus 1001 to execute instructions and process information stored in, for example, a memory 1005. Processor 1003 may include one or more processing cores, each configured to execute independently. The multi-core processor enables multiprocessing within a physical enclosure. Examples of multi-core processors include two, four, eight, or more numbers of cores. Alternatively or additionally, the processor 1003 may include one or more microprocessors configured to collectively enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and multithreading via the bus 1001. The processor 1003 may also be accompanied by one or more special-purpose components for performing certain processing functions and tasks, such as one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) 1007 or one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) 1009. The DSP1007 is typically configured to process real-world signals (e.g., sounds) in real-time independent of the processor 1003. Similarly, ASIC1009 may be configured to perform special-purpose functions that are not easily performed by a more general-purpose processor. Other specialized components to aid in performing the inventive functions described herein may include one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) (not shown), one or more controllers (not shown), or one or more other special-purpose computer chips.

In one embodiment, the chip set or chip 1000 includes only one or more processors or some software and/or firmware supporting and/or relating to and/or for one or more processors.

The processor 1003 and the accompanying components are connected to a memory 1005 via a bus 1001. The memory 1005 includes two dynamic memories (e.g., RAM, magnetic disk, writable optical disk, etc.) and a static memory (e.g., ROM, CD-ROM, etc.) for storing executable instructions that when executed perform the steps described herein to determine position offset information. The memory 1005 also stores data associated with and resulting from the performance of the present steps.

Fig. 11 is a diagram of exemplary components of a mobile terminal (e.g., handset) for communications, which is capable of operating in the system of fig. 1, according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, mobile terminal 1101, or a portion thereof, constitutes a means for performing one or more steps of determining position offset information. In general, a radio receiver is generally defined in terms of front-end and back-end characteristics. The front-end of the receiver includes all Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry, while the back-end includes all baseband processing circuitry. As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to both: (1) hardware-only implementations (e.g., implementations in analog-only and/or digital circuitry); and (2) a combination of circuitry and software (and/or firmware) (e.g., a combination of processors, software, and memory including digital signal processors that work together to cause a device, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions, as applicable to the particular context). The definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of that term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, and if applicable to the particular context, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) and its additional software/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover if applicable to the particular context, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit in a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a cellular network device or other network devices

The relevant internal components of the phone include a Main Control Unit (MCU) 1103, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 1105, and a receiver/transmitter unit including a microphone gain control unit and a speaker gain control unit. The main display unit 1107 provides a display supporting various applications and mobile terminal functions that perform or support the step of determining positional offset information to the user. Display 1107 includes display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile terminal (e.g., mobile telephone). Moreover, the display 1107 and display circuitry are configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal. The audio function circuitry 1109 includes a microphone 1111 and a microphone amplifier that amplifies the speech signal output from the microphone 1111. The amplified voice signal output from the microphone 1111 is supplied to a coder/decoder (CODEC) 1113.

A radio section 1115 amplifies power and converts frequency in order to communicate with a base station, which is included in a mobile communication system, via antenna 1117. The Power Amplifier (PA) 1119 and the transmitter/modulation circuitry are operatively responsive to the MCU1103, having outputs coupled from the PA1119 to a duplexer 1121 or circulator or antenna switch, as known in the art. The PA1119 is also coupled to a battery interface and power control unit 1120.

In use, a user of mobile terminal 1101 speaks into the microphone 1111 and his voice along with detected background noise is converted into an analog voltage. The analog voltage is then converted to a digital signal by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 1123. The control unit 1103 routes the digital signal to the DSP1105 for processing therein, such as speech encoding, channel encoding, encrypting, and interleaving. In one embodiment, the processed voice signals are encoded by a unit, not shown separately, using a cellular transmission protocol such as enhanced data rates for global evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), etc., as well as any other suitable wireless medium (e.g., microwave access (WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), satellite, etc.), or any combination thereof.

The encoded signal is then routed to an equalizer 1125 for compensation of frequency-based impairments that occur during transmission though the air such as phase and amplitude distortion. After equalizing the bit stream, the modulator 1127 combines the signal with an RF signal generated in the RF interface 1129. The modulator 1127 generates a sine wave by way of frequency or phase modulation. To prepare the signal for transmission, an up-converter 1131 combines the sine wave output from the modulator 1127 with another sine wave generated by a synthesizer 1133 to achieve the desired frequency of transmission. The signal is then sent through a PA1119 to boost the signal to an appropriate power level. In practical systems, the PA1119 acts as a variable gain amplifier whose gain is controlled by the DSP1105 from information received from a network base station. The signal is then filtered within the duplexer 1121 and optionally sent to an antenna coupler 1135 for impedance matching to provide maximum power conversion. Finally, the signal is transmitted via antenna 1117 to a local base station. An Automatic Gain Control (AGC) may be provided to control the gain of the final stages of the receiver. The signal may thus be forwarded to a remote telephone, which may be another cellular telephone, any other mobile telephone or a land-line connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and other telephone networks.

Voice signals transmitted to the mobile terminal 1101 are received via antenna 1117 and immediately amplified by a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) 1137. A down-converter 1139 lowers the carrier frequency while the demodulator 1141 strips away the RF leaving only a digital bit stream. The signal then passes through the equalizer 1125 and is processed by the DSP 1105. A digital to analog converter (DAC) 1143 converts the signal and the resulting output is transmitted to the user through the speaker 1145, all under the control of a Main Control Unit (MCU) 1103, which may be implemented as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) (not shown).

The MCU1103 receives various signals including input signals from the keyboard 1147. The keyboard 1147 and/or the MCU1103 in combination with other user input components (e.g., the microphone 1111) comprise a user interface circuitry for managing user input. The MCU1103 runs a user interface software to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile terminal 1101 to determine position offset information. The MCU1103 also delivers a display command and a switch command to the display 1107 and to the speech output switching controller, respectively. Further, the MCU1103 exchanges information with the DSP1105 and can access an optionally incorporated SIM card 1149 and a memory 1151. Depending upon the implementation, the DSP1105 may perform any of a variety of conventional digital processing functions on the voice signals. Additionally, DSP1105 determines the background noise level of the local environment from the signals detected by microphone 1111 and sets the gain of microphone 1111 to a level selected to compensate for the natural tendency of the user of the mobile terminal 1101.

CODEC1113 includes ADC1123 and DAC 1143. The memory 1151 stores various data including a call of incoming sound data and is capable of storing other data including music data received via, for example, the global internet. The software modules may reside in RAM memory, lightning bolt memory, registers, or any other form of writable storage medium known in the art. The storage device 1151 may be, but is not limited to, a single memory, CD, DVD, ROM, RAM, EEPROM, optical memory, magnetic disk memory, flash memory, or any other non-volatile storage medium capable of storing digital data.

An optionally incorporated SIM card 1140 carries, for example, important information such as the cellular phone number, the carrier supplying service, subscription details, and security information. The SIM card 1149 serves primarily to identify the mobile terminal 1101 on a radio network. The card 1149 also contains a memory for storing a personal telephone directory, text messages, and user-specific mobile terminal settings.

While the invention has been described in connection with a number of embodiments and implementations, the invention is not so limited but covers various obvious modifications and equivalent arrangements, which fall within the purview of the appended claims. Although features of the invention are expressed in certain combinations among the claims, it is contemplated that these features can be arranged in any combination and order.

Claims (38)

1. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination to present, at a device, a location-based display comprising one or more representations of one or more location-based features;

an input for specifying offset information for at least one of the one or more representations related to the location-based display; and

at least one determination to present the one or more representations in the location-based display based, at least in part, on the offset information.

2. A method of claim 1, wherein the location-based display is based on location information, orientation information, or a combination thereof associated with a device, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination of accuracy information associated with the location information, the direction information, or a combination thereof,

wherein the determination to present the one or more representations is further based at least in part on the accuracy information.

3. A method of claim 2, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination of whether the accuracy information meets a predetermined accuracy threshold; and

reducing application of the offset information to present at least one determination of the one or more representations based at least in part on the determination regarding the accuracy threshold.

4. A method according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

storing at least one determination of the offset information; and

applying the stored offset information to at least one determination of one or more other location-based displays presented based at least in part on location information substantially proximate to or within a predetermined proximity to location information associated with the location-based display.

5. A method according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

transmitting the offset information to at least one determination of one or more other devices within proximity of the device,

wherein the offset information is used to determine that other location-based displays are presented at respective other devices.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein the input, the offset information, or a combination thereof further specifies an approximate location of a device or a user of the device for a navigation service, a mapping service, a location-based service, or a combination thereof.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein the input is provided as a movement of at least one of the one or more representations within the location-based display, a captured image, an indication of an approximate location, or a combination thereof.

8. A method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

retrieving at least one determination of other offset information associated with one or more other devices, other offset information collected at one or more other times, or a combination thereof; and

generating at least one determination of aggregated offset information based, at least in part, on the offset information, the other offset information, or a combination thereof.

9. A method according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal are further based, at least in part, on the following:

at least one determination to classify the offset information, the other offset information, or a combination thereof based at least on a device, a location sensor, a source of location information, or a combination thereof,

wherein the aggregated offset information is further based at least in part on the classification.

10. The method of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the location-based display is at least one of an augmented reality display, a mixed reality display, a virtual reality display, a mapping display, a navigation display, or a combination thereof.

11. A method, comprising:

determining to present a location-based display at a device, the location-based display including one or more representations of one or more location-based features;

receiving input specifying offset information for at least one of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display; and

determining to present the one or more representations in the location-based display based at least in part on the offset information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the location-based display is based on location information, orientation information, or a combination thereof associated with a device, the method further comprising:

determining accuracy information associated with the location information, the direction information, or a combination thereof,

wherein the determination to present the one or more representations is further based at least in part on the accuracy information.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining whether the accuracy information satisfies a predetermined accuracy threshold; and

determining, based at least in part on the determination regarding the accuracy threshold, to reduce application of the offset information to present the one or more representations.

14. The method of any of claims 11 to 13, further comprising:

determining to store the offset information; and

determining to apply the stored offset information to one or more other location-based displays presented based at least in part on location information substantially proximate to or within a predetermined proximity of location information associated with the location-based display.

15. The method of any of claims 11 to 14, further comprising:

determining to transmit the offset information to one or more other devices within proximity of the device,

wherein the offset information is used to determine that other location-based displays are presented at respective other devices.

16. The method of any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the input, the offset information, or a combination thereof further specifies an approximate location of a device or a user of the device for a navigation service, a mapping service, a location-based service, or a combination thereof.

17. The method of any of claims 11-16, wherein the input is provided as a movement of at least one of the one or more representations within the location-based display, a captured image, an indication of an approximate location, or a combination thereof.

18. The method of any of claims 11 to 17, further comprising:

determining to retrieve other offset information associated with one or more other devices, other offset information collected at one or more other times, or a combination thereof; and

determining to generate aggregated offset information based at least in part on the offset information, the other offset information, or a combination thereof.

19. The method of any of claims 11 to 18, further comprising:

determining to classify the offset information, the other offset information, or a combination thereof based at least on a device, a location sensor, a source of location information, or a combination thereof,

wherein the aggregated offset information is further based at least in part on the classification.

20. The method of any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the location-based display is at least one of an augmented reality display, a mixed reality display, a virtual reality display, a mapping display, a navigation display, or a combination thereof.

21. 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:

determining to present a location-based display at a device, the location-based display including one or more representations of one or more location-based features;

receiving input specifying offset information for at least one of the one or more representations associated with the location-based display; and

determining to present the one or more representations in the location-based display based at least in part on the offset information.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the location-based display is based on location information, orientation information, or a combination thereof associated with a device, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determining accuracy information associated with the location information, the direction information, or a combination thereof,

wherein the determination to present the one or more representations is further based at least in part on the accuracy information.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determining whether the accuracy information satisfies a predetermined accuracy threshold; and

determining, based at least in part on the determination regarding the accuracy threshold, to reduce application of the offset information to present the one or more representations.

24. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 23, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determining to store the offset information; and

determining to apply the stored offset information to one or more other location-based displays presented based at least in part on location information substantially proximate to or within a predetermined proximity of location information associated with the location-based display.

25. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determining to transmit the offset information to one or more other devices within proximity of the device,

wherein the offset information is used to present other location-based displays at respective other devices.

26. The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 25, wherein the input, the offset information, or a combination thereof further specifies an approximate location of a device or a user of the device for a navigation service, a mapping service, a location-based service, or a combination thereof.

27. An apparatus of any of claims 21-26, wherein the input is provided as a movement of at least one of the one or more representations within the location-based display, a captured image, an indication of an approximate location, or a combination thereof.

28. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determining to retrieve other offset information associated with one or more other devices, other offset information collected at one or more other times, or a combination thereof; and

determining to generate aggregated offset information based at least in part on the offset information, the other offset information, or a combination thereof.

29. An apparatus according to any one of claims 21 to 28, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determining to classify the offset information, the other offset information, or a combination thereof based at least on a device, a location sensor, a source of location information, or a combination thereof,

wherein the aggregated offset information is further based at least in part on the classification.

30. The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 29, wherein the location-based display is at least one of an augmented reality display, a mixed reality display, a virtual reality display, a mapping display, a navigation display, or a combination thereof.

31. The apparatus of any of claims 21-30, wherein the apparatus is a mobile phone further comprising:

user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile telephone through the use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile telephone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile telephone.

32. A computer-readable storage medium carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to perform at least the method of any of claims 11-20.

33. An apparatus comprising means for performing the method of any of claims 11 to 20.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the device is a mobile phone, further comprising:

user interface circuitry and user interface software configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile telephone through the use of a display and configured to respond to user input; and

a display and display circuitry configured to display at least a portion of a user interface of the mobile telephone, the display and display circuitry configured to facilitate user control of at least some functions of the mobile telephone.

35. A computer program product including one or more sequences of one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause an apparatus to at least perform the method of any of claims 11-20.

36. A method comprising facilitating access to at least one interface configured to allow access to at least one service, the at least one service configured to perform the method of any of claims 11-20.

37. A method comprising facilitating a processing of and/or processing (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal, the (1) data and/or (2) information and/or (3) at least one signal based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 11-20.

38. A method comprising facilitating creating and/or facilitating modifying (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality, the (1) at least one device user interface element and/or (2) at least one device user interface functionality based, at least in part, on the method of any of claims 11-20.