CN113127589A

CN113127589A - Apparatus and method for presenting theme map

Info

Publication number: CN113127589A
Application number: CN202011616214.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 米科·阿尔斯特罗姆; 蒂莫·哈尔科; 埃里克·林德曼; 蒂莫·埃里克松; 亚里·阿卡凯拉; 海基·涅米宁
Original assignee: Amer Sports Digital Services Oy
Current assignee: Songtuo Co
Priority date: 2019-12-31
Filing date: 2020-12-30
Publication date: 2021-07-16
Also published as: TW202143063A; FI20206298A1; GB202020357D0; GB2592730A; GB2592730B; DE102020135162A1

Abstract

According to the present invention, a device (e.g., a personal device) and method for presenting a subject map are provided. The apparatus includes at least one processing core, a display, at least one sensor, a memory including computer program code. According to the invention, the location information is provided by a sensor to determine the location of the device; a query is sent from the device to a topic map database server. The device is then updated with the location-dependent theme map by downloading and storing theme map data in memory. The downloaded topic map is presented to the user as a suggested activity in a first display mode on the display and an activity session is selected. The following sequence is performed: starting an activity to display the performance-related information in a first display mode; entering a first power saving mode by switching from a first to a second display mode, displaying at least a time and function reduced theme map to a user; the second power saving mode is entered by placing at least one processing core into a sleep mode.

Description

Apparatus and method for presenting theme map

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of devices that can be used for multi-core or multi-chip embedded solutions.

Background

A User Interface (UI) enables a user to interact with a device such as an automobile, a smart phone, an automated banking device, or an airplane control system. Different user interfaces are suitable for different purposes. For example, when a user arrives at a new location and wishes to perform an operation at that location, the quality and quantity of information presented to the user when interacting with the user interface must be sufficient to allow intuitive use of the device in the new environment without burdening the user with unnecessary information.

The user interface may be based on presenting information to the user and receiving input from the user. Information may be presented using an output device such as a display, for example, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display. Input may be received from a user via various input devices (e.g., a touch screen display, buttons, a microphone arranged to capture user speech, and/or a joystick that a user may pull).

The conventional user interface of a watch includes a long hand and a short hand that rotate on the dial to indicate the time of day. The digital watch may, for example, include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) type display, digitally indicating the time of day.

The smart watch may include a touchscreen such that a display portion of the touchscreen acts as an output device for the user interface and a touch-sensitive portion of the touchscreen acts as an input device for the user interface. Using a smart watch presents challenges because useful applications often require larger screens to display useful amounts of information using sufficiently large fonts so that the user can read the information without having to enlarge the device.

A personal device (e.g., a smart watch) may keep track of a route that a user is traveling, for example, while jogging or performing another activity. The route may be compiled in the personal device based at least in part on keeping track of the geographic location of the personal device.

However, existing solutions do not provide a person arriving at a location that he or she previously does not know with convenient access to local activities. In addition, where previously visited, the offering and likelihood of the activity may also change over time. As are the preferences of the user. The user may therefore not be aware of all available local activities, even in his or her home. In addition, the user may simply seek inspiration and excitement in exploring the activities available at the location where he or she is located. Therefore, there is a need for a device and service that can provide a user with a selection of suggested activities and latest activities at their current location, regardless of where the user is.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus or device (hereinafter to be understood as being mutually identical) comprising at least one processing core, at least one display, at least one sensor, 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 processing core, enable the apparatus at least to:

-determining a location of the device by a sensor providing location information to the at least one processing core;

-sending a query from the device to a topic map database server, the query comprising an indication of a current location of the device;

-updating the device with a theme map from the server relating to the location by downloading theme map data and storing the theme map data in the at least one memory of the device;

-presenting, on the at least one display, at least one downloaded topic map as one of the suggested activities to a user of the device in a first display mode;

-selecting an active session based on at least one of the following criteria: a user selection input, pre-recorded user preferences, a user activity history, an activity intensity in the location, a particular activity in the location, a time of day, a time of year, a location of the activity, or a second location adjacent to the current location, and performed in the following order:

a) starting the selected activity and displaying performance-related information to the user regarding the user's physical performance in the activity in the first display mode;

b) entering a first power saving mode by switching from the first display mode to a second display mode to display at least time and a theme map with reduced functionality relating to the activity to a user;

c) entering a second power saving mode by placing the at least one processing core into a sleep mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for presenting information to a user of a device, such as a personal device, the device comprising at least one processing core, at least one display, at least one sensor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the method comprising the steps of:

-presenting to the user, on the at least one display, at least one downloaded topic map as one of the suggested activities in a first display mode;

In some embodiments, the selected activity is initiated by a first processing core in the first display mode, the first power saving mode is entered by placing the first processing core in a sleep mode and switching to the second display mode using a second processing core, and a second power saving mode is entered by turning off the second display mode and placing the second processing core in a sleep mode.

In some embodiments, when entering the second power saving mode, a third display mode is entered in which a Real Time Clock (RTC) unit updates the display at least with time at predetermined time intervals.

In some embodiments, the order performed from a) to c) is reversed to the order from c) to a) based on at least one of the following criteria: a user selection input, or acceleration data indicative of a display reading gesture of the user input from an acceleration sensor in the device.

Many embodiments of the first aspect may include at least one feature from the following list:

the device is configured to present to the user a selection of updated topic heat maps created for different athletic activities in the location as one activity type

The device is configured to present to the user, as one activity type, a selection of an updated topic heat map created for a different sporting activity in a second location that is outside but adjacent to the current location

The device is configured to automatically update a topic map associated with the location from the topic map database server when the device is charging and connected to a wireless network covering the current location

The updated topic map is stored in the at least one memory of the device for offline use of heat maps in the activity session

The subject map with reduced functionality is pre-computed by the first processing core and stored in the at least one memory of the device for display by the second processing core to the user in the second display mode

The subject map with reduced functionality is pre-computed by the second processing core and stored in the at least one memory of the device for display by the second processing core to the user in the second display mode

The topic map with reduced functionality is pre-computed and stored in the at least one memory.

The pre-recorded user preferences may include planned activities for a current location or an adjacent location that the user has planned in advance prior to a trip to the current location.

Drawings

FIG. 1A illustrates a system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1B shows a system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary user interface in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2B shows a second exemplary user interface in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 2C illustrates a third exemplary user interface in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary device that can be used to support at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates signaling in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a flow diagram of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary device that can be used to support at least some embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary hardware configuration that can be used to support at least some embodiments of the invention;

fig. 9 shows a flow chart of the main steps performed by an apparatus according to the invention.

Detailed Description

A thematic map database (e.g., a heat map) may be compiled to cover a geographic area. The user may participate in the activity session in the geographic area. The activity types of such activity sessions may include jogging, swimming, and cycling, for example. When a user wishes to participate in his or her activity session, his or her device may determine a route for the activity session based at least in part on the topic map database. Determining the route may include optionally designing the route based in part on user settings, based on where other users have engaged in the same type of active session in the past. For example, a jogging route may be determined based at least in part on an indication of where other users have jogged in the past. Route determination may also be based in part on further considerations, which will be listed below.

FIG. 1A illustrates a system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the inventions. The system includes a device 110, which may include, for example, a smart watch, a digital watch, a smart phone, a tablet device, or another type of suitable device. Device 110 includes a display, which may include, for example, a touch screen display. The size of the display may be limited. The device 110 may be powered by a rechargeable battery, for example. One example of a display that is limited in size is a display worn on the wrist.

Device 110 may be communicatively coupled to a communication network. For example, in fig. 1A, device 110 is coupled to base station 120 via wireless link 112. Base stations 120 may include cellular base stations or non-cellular base stations, where non-cellular base stations may be referred to as access points. Examples of cellular technologies include Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) and Long Term Evolution (LTE), while examples of non-cellular technologies include Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX). The base station 120 may be coupled with a network node 130 via a connection 123. For example, the connection 123 may be a wired connection. The network node 130 may comprise, for example, a controller or a gateway device. Network node 130 may be connected via connection 134 to a network 140, which network 140 may comprise, for example, the internet or a corporate network. The network 140 may be coupled with further networks via a connection 141. In some embodiments, device 110 is not configured to couple with base station 120.

The device 110 may be configured to receive satellite positioning information from a constellation of satellites 150 via a satellite link 151. The satellite constellation may include, for example, a Global Positioning System (GPS) or galileo constellation. Although only one satellite is shown in fig. 1A for clarity, satellite constellation 150 may include more than one satellite. Similarly, receiving positioning information over satellite link 151 may include receiving data from more than one satellite.

Instead of, or in addition to, receiving data from a constellation of satellites, device 110 may obtain positioning information through interaction with a network that includes base station 120. For example, a cellular network may locate devices in various ways, such as trilateration, multilateration, or location based on identification of base stations that may be or are connected. Similarly, a non-cellular base station or access point may know its own location and provide it to device 110, thereby enabling device 110 to position itself within a communication range of the access point.

For example, device 110 may be configured to obtain the current time from satellite constellation 150, base station 120, or by a user requesting the current time. When device 110 has an estimate of the current time and its location, device 110 may, for example, consult a look-up table to determine the time remaining until, for example, a sunset or sunrise. Similarly, the device 110 may acquire knowledge of the time of year.

Network 140 may be coupled to database server 160 via connection 161 or another network connection 141. When the device 110 determines its own current location, it may send a query to the database server 160, which acts as a thematic map database server. The query may include an indication of the current location of the device, obtained, for example, by a global positioning system as described above. Updated theme map data relating to the current location of the device 110 may then be downloaded from the server 160 via the

network connection

161 or 141 and stored in the memory of the device 110.

The device may be configured to present the user with a selection of the updated topic map as a heatmap created for different athletic activities in the location. Thus, the updated thermal map stored in the memory of device 110 may be used offline in an active session.

The device 110 may be configured to provide an active session. The activity session may be associated with an activity type. Examples of activity types include rowing, riding, jogging, walking, hunting, and paraglider. In the simplest form, an active session may include device 110 displaying an environment map and a route on the map that is associated with the active session. The device 110 may be configured to be able to display an indication of the location on the route where the user is currently located, thereby enabling the user to view the location at the current progress, for example, where he is jogging along the route.

According to some embodiments, the device 110 may be configured to present the user with a selection of an updated thematic map as a heat map created for different athletic activities in a second location that is outside but adjacent to the current location. Certain activities (e.g., riding) that a user likes may involve long distance movements and/or long time movements. In planning such activities, it is advantageous to have the heatmap also cover locations near the current location.

In some embodiments, the device may be configured to automatically update the theme map from the server 160 when the device is being charged with the charging device 170 and connected to the wireless network 112.

According to some embodiments, the device 110 is first able to determine a current location of the device to send a query to the topic map database server, the query including an indication of the current location of the device; then, by downloading the theme map data from the server and storing the theme map data in the memory of the device 110, it is updated with the theme map related to its location. The device may then present the user with a selection of the downloaded topic map as a suggested activity type on the display in the first display mode. The selection may be based on at least one criterion of pre-recorded user preferences, user activity history, intensity of activity in the location, special activity in the location, time of day, time of year, or a second location adjacent to the current location. In response to a user selection input, device 110 may initiate an activity session for the selected one of the activities and display a thematic map of the activity in the second display mode.

Processing the heat maps, sensor information, displays, and other hardware needed to track a person's whereabouts and physical performance is a power-consuming task. From a battery performance standpoint, it is important to reduce the energy consumption of the device 110. Thus, the first display mode is contemplated to be employed in situations where the user requires all relevant data and features to perform searching, browsing, and activity selection, as well as using any other functionality provided by the device. This requires a lot of battery power, but once the activity selection is made and the activity is started, the device 110 may enter a low power mode, which focuses only on processing data important for the activity in question. Such a low power mode may involve the use of a second display mode in which, for example, the resolution is reduced, no color is displayed, the map display is simplified, and/or the sensors are turned off and their corresponding information is suppressed on the display.

According to some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least two processing cores, and at least one display having at least two display modes. The first processing core causes the device to determine a current location of the device, send a query from the device to a topic map database server, and update the device with a topic map from the server relating to the location by downloading topic map data and storing the topic map data in at least one memory of the device. In the first display mode, the user is also presented with a selection of the downloaded topic map as a suggested activity type on the display, wherein the activity type is based on at least one of the following criteria: pre-recorded user preferences, user activity history, intensity of activity in the location, special activity in the location, time of day, time of year, or a second location adjacent to the current location. In response to a user selection input, an activity session is started and a subject map of the selected activity is displayed in a second display mode by the second processing core.

In some embodiments, an updated topic heat map may also be created for different athletic activities in a second location that is outside but adjacent to the current location. This may be beneficial in cases where the activity (e.g., riding) occurs over a considerable distance. The device 110 may be configured to automatically update the theme map relating to its location from the theme map database server at any time when the device is charged and connected to a wireless network covering its current location.

In some embodiments, the updated topic map is stored in memory of the device 110 for off-line use. Accordingly, the stored topic map of the active session to be started may be directly displayed in the second display mode.

The activity session in the device 110 may enhance the utility that the user may obtain from the activity, e.g., where the activity involves outdoor sports, the activity session may provide a record of the activity session. In some embodiments, an active session in device 110 may provide context information to the user during the active session. Such context information may include, for example, locally relevant weather information received via base station 120. Such context information may include at least one of: a rain warning, a temperature warning, an indication of the time remaining before sunset, an indication of nearby services related to the activity, a safety warning, an indication of nearby users, and an indication of a nearby location where some other user has taken a photograph. Where the contextual information includes a safety warning, the warning may include a safe route determined in a manner that enables the user to avoid danger. For example, in the event of a chemical leak, the safe route may include a route to the room or to a public transport vehicle. Device 110 may determine a safe route, or device 110 may receive a safe route, at least in part, from a network. The safe route may be determined using existing roads, routes, and other transit routes known to the entity determining the safe route. For example, bus routes may be known from public map services.

The record may include information regarding at least one of: the route taken during the active session, the metabolic rate or effect of the active session, the duration of the active session, the energy consumed during the active session, the recording obtained during the active session, and an elevation map along the length of the route taken during the active session. For example, a route may be determined based on the location information. The metabolism and the energy expended may be determined based at least in part on information about users accessible to the device 110. The record may be stored in the device 110, an auxiliary device, or a server or data cloud storage service. Records stored in the server or cloud may be encrypted prior to transmission to the server or cloud to protect the privacy of the user.

The active session may access the backhaul communication link to provide an indication regarding the ongoing activity. For example, search and rescue services may be provided access to information about joggers in a particular area of a forest to allow them to search and rescue if, for example, a chemical leak makes the forest unsafe to humans. In some embodiments, when an activity session begins, routes related to the activity session are provided to the cloud service for storage, enabling the search for missing people along the routes that people would otherwise plan to go.

The user may initiate an active session, for example, by interacting with a user interface of device 110. Where the device 110 has a small form factor, the user interface may be implemented on limited user interaction capabilities (e.g., a small screen, a small touch screen, and/or a limited number of buttons). The limited user interaction capabilities may make it difficult for the user to interact with the device 110 in a complex manner that reduces the likelihood that the user will choose to interact with the device 110. It is therefore meaningful to simplify the interaction between the device 110 and the user in order to make it easier for the user to complete the interaction, thereby making it more likely for the user to perform the interaction.

The device 110 may provide an indication related to the active session to the theme map database 160 to further enhance the theme map database. Such indications may be processed anonymously before being sent to the database in order to protect the privacy of the user and/or to comply with local regulations. Such an indication may include, for example, information about the determined route and the corresponding type of activity.

Generally, the thematic map database 160 may correlate at least one form of data with a geographic location. For example, the topic map database may associate past indications of activity sessions with geographic locations, for example, to enable mapping of areas where activity sessions of a given activity type have been performed. The area may be mapped against the strength or frequency of past indications of activity sessions and types. Thus, a first region of a lake may be associated with higher frequency rowing, while another region of the same lake may be associated with lower frequency (but still non-zero) rowing. Such frequencies may be referred to as intensities, and the thematic map database may generally associate activity type intensities with locations. In addition to intensity, the topic map database may simply correlate whether an activity session of a given activity type was performed in the past at a certain geographic location. In addition to intensity, the topic map database may indicate any specificity of activity in that location. Alternatively or additionally, the traffic density may be associated with a geographic location. The traffic density may include, for example, the traffic density of pedestrians or vehicles. In areas with high traffic density, walking or jogging may be less enjoyable or healthier due to smoke, and thus routes associated with such activities may be determined in a manner that avoids such high traffic density areas. Similarly, crime density may alternatively or additionally be displayed on a map and used for route determination to avoid high crime areas. The avalanche risk density obtained from the weather service can similarly be used to determine the course of the skiing activity in a safe area. In some embodiments, many places where the user has taken pictures may be used in the route to determine the route to access these frequent-picture locations, as such locations are likely to be beautiful and exciting.

In some embodiments, the user may have indicated in the user settings that he wishes to participate in some type of activity session, where such indication may be considered in determining the route of the activity session. For example, settings may be taken into account when designing a route, such that performing an activity session along the route can result in an increase in energy consumption by the user, which is roughly consistent with what the user requires in the settings. Alternatively or additionally, the cardiovascular effects of the activity session may be adjusted to be consistent with the user settings by routing in a suitable manner. Similarly, the user may specify the oxygen consumption (EPOC) effect and/or length of recovery time required after the active session. EPOC refers to excess oxygen consumption after exercise, sometimes colloquially referred to as afterburning.

The route may be determined to be interruptible. For example, where the activity includes riding, the route may tend towards a start and end position near the midpoint of the route to enable the user to shorten the route. The user may specify in the user settings that he wishes to participate in the interruptible route, or interruptible may be a default setting to attempt to comply with, where possible.

The user's body consumption level caused by the route may be modified by determining an elevation change along the route, for example in terms of energy consumption, oxygen consumption, cardiovascular effects, EPOC or length of recovery time. In the case where the user wishes to conduct a light activity session, the route may be determined to be relatively flat, whereas in the case where the user wishes to conduct a heavy activity session, the route may be determined to have more elevation changes. In this sense, using a topic map database in conjunction with altitude data may include, for example: in areas where the topic map database indicates that a corresponding type of activity session has been conducted in the past, a route is determined based on elevation changes to match the required intensity. In general, after identifying suitable areas for a route using a thematic map database, user settings may be employed to determine the route.

The time of year and/or the time of day may be employed in the subject map database or in route determination. For example, the theme map database 160 may include data collected at different times of the year, e.g., the same location may be associated with frequent jogging in the summer and frequent skiing in the winter. Thus, if the query is made in summer, the database may return a jogging route at the location, whereas if the query is made in winter, the database may return a skiing route at the location. Alternatively or additionally, when determining the predicted type of user activity, device 110 may select an activity type from the set of activity types returned by the database that corresponds to a time of year or a time of day. For example, in embodiments where the topic map database does not collect statistics based on time of year or day, respectively, the device 110 may perform this task. As a specific example, a local resident may consider a location safe during the day, but unsafe in the dark. In this case, if a request is made during the day, the route of the user who requested the jogging route may be designed to the location, but if a request is made after the dark, the route may be designed to other locations.

In general, the theme map database 160 may be included in a server or cloud device, or may be at least partially downloaded to the device 110 or auxiliary device for offline use. The auxiliary device is described below in conjunction with fig. 1B. Although primarily described herein as being performed by device 110 for route determination methods, route determination may also occur in another device (e.g., an auxiliary device or a cloud computing device) in other embodiments of the invention. The user may have an account in the cloud computing service where his information may be stored, and he may request that a route be determined and provided to his device (e.g., device 110).

Responsive to a user implicitly or explicitly approving a proposed route, an active session based on the approved proposed route can be initiated.

More than one route may be determined such that at least one determined route is presented to the user as a suggested route. For example, two routes matching the user-defined requirements may be determined, and then the two routes may be presented as suggested routes, and information about each route is also presented to the user. For example, energy consumption, estimated completion time, and/or route length may be presented to assist the user in making the selection. Energy consumption, estimated completion time, and/or other suitable information may be determined based at least in part on altitude information.

Information about the segments of any proposed route may also or alternatively be presented to enable the user to build his route from the interconnected segments.

In some embodiments, the user need not explicitly select a suggested route, but rather the device may infer the route the user is following from the manner in which the positioning information varies. In response, any other suggested routes may be deleted from the display to reduce clutter. In the event that the user deviates from the route, the device may note this from the positioning information and responsively determine an alternative route for the user, which may be displayed again. Thus, the user's motion may result in approval of the proposed route and/or a new determination of a newly proposed route (in the event of a deviation from a previously approved route) via the positioning information. Such a new proposed route may be determined from the current location of the device to the same end point as the originally approved route. Such an end point may comprise the start point of the route, or another point entered by the user. Time remaining, energy consumption, and/or other information about the new proposed route may be presented.

FIG. 1B illustrates a system in accordance with at least some embodiments of the inventions. The same reference numerals denote the same structures as in fig. 1A. The embodiment of FIG. 1B includes an auxiliary device 110 x.

Device 110 may be communicatively coupled, e.g., communicatively paired, with auxiliary device 110 x. The communicative coupling or pairing is shown in fig. 1A as interface 111, which may be wireless as shown, or wired depending on the embodiment. The auxiliary device 110x may include, for example, a smartphone, tablet computer, or other computing device. Auxiliary device 110x may include a device used by the owner of device 110 to consume media, communicate with or interact with applications. The auxiliary device 110x may be equipped with a larger display screen than the device 110, which may make the auxiliary device 110x more desirable to the user when complex interactions with applications are required, since a larger screen may enable more detailed presentation of interaction options. In embodiments such as those shown in fig. 1A, the auxiliary device 110x is not present.

In some embodiments, in the presence of the auxiliary device 100x, the device 110 is configured to enable the connection capabilities of the auxiliary device 110 x. For example, device 110 may access a network via auxiliary device 110 x. In these embodiments, device 110 need not have connectivity with base station 120, for example, because device 110 may access network resources via interface 111 and auxiliary device 110x has connectivity with base station 120. Such a connection is shown in FIG. 1B as connection 112 x. For example, device 110 may comprise a smart watch and secondary device 110x may comprise a smart phone that may have connectivity to a cellular and/or non-cellular data network. Similarly, in some embodiments, device 110 may receive satellite positioning information or positioning information derived therefrom via auxiliary device 110x in the event that device 110 lacks its own satellite positioning receiver. Satellite connection 151x for the auxiliary device is shown in fig. 1B as connection 151 x.

In some embodiments, the device 110 may have some connectivity and be configured to use the connectivity described above and the connectivity provided by the auxiliary device 110 x. For example, device 110 may include a satellite receiver, enabling device 110 to obtain satellite positioning information directly from satellite constellation 150. Device 110 may then obtain a network connection with base station 120 via auxiliary device 110 x. For example, device 110 may send a query to the topic map database via secondary device 110 x. In some embodiments, the device 110 is configured to request and responsively receive sensor information from the auxiliary device 110 x. Such sensor information may include, for example, acceleration sensor information. In general, processes such as route determination and/or communication processes may be distributed among the devices 110, the auxiliary devices 110x, and/or the cloud computing service in a suitable manner.

Similarly, the network 140 may be coupled to a theme map database server 160, for example, via an auxiliary device 110x and a connection 161, as described in connection with FIG. 1A. Updated theme map data relating to the current location of the device 110 may be downloaded from the server 160 and stored in memory of the device 110 or memory of the secondary device 110 x. The device 110 may be configured to automatically update the theme map from the server 160 when the device is being charged by the charging device 170 and connected to the wireless network 112 either directly or via the auxiliary device 110 x.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary user interface in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present invention. The user interface may be included in, for example, device 110 of FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B. The display 200 is configured to provide a user interface display to a user. The display area 210 provides an application level display to the user. Included in the application level display 210 is a map 220, which may display terrain and/or elevation information, for example. In the example shown, a hill is displayed in the map 220.

According to some embodiments, the user may be presented with a selection of updated heatmaps created for different athletic activities in locations other than but adjacent to the current location. Thus, for example, the display 200 may show a map 220 with hills in a nearby town, county, or autonomous town. The rules of which content is located within the current location of the device 110 and which content is located in neighboring locations may be set by the boundaries between such areas (if the positioning system used contains such data), or simply by a radius (e.g., 10km) relative to the current location.

Some activities (e.g., riding) that a user likes may involve long distance movements and/or long time movements. In planning such activities, it is advantageous to have the heatmap also cover locations near the current location.

A starting point 230 is shown in the user interface, along with a route 240, shown in dashed lines. In this example, the route may be traveled twice to obtain the physical exercise effect desired by the user. The route proceeds along a relatively constant altitude around the hill, and since the user will pass the starting point 230, passing twice has an opportunity to interrupt the active session halfway. To interrupt the session, the user may simply stop at the start point 230, rather than start a second turn along the route. In this example, the area of the map 220 may be indicated in the topic map database as being associated with a past activity session of a type of activity that corresponds to or is actually the same as the session selected by the user. For example, routes may be determined based in part on map information obtained from a map service, such as a proprietary service, a HERE map, or a Google map. Altitude information may be obtained from the same or similar services.

FIG. 2B illustrates a second example of a user interface in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements in fig. 2A. In fig. 2B, a routing view is presented in the application level display area 210. The routing view displays a network of route segments including segment 250a, segment 250b, segment 250c, segment 250d, segment 250e, and segment 250 f. The user may complete a closed route from the starting point 230 to the starting point 230 through various combination options. For example, the first option includes

segments

250a, 250b, 250c, and 250 d. For example, the second selection includes

sequential segments

250a, 250b, 250c, followed by

sequential segments

250e and 250 a. For example, the snippet may be obtained based, at least in part, on a local map and/or a topic map database.

The user may be presented with information about route options, e.g., for a first option, an estimated energy consumption associated with an active session along a route defined by the first option may be presented, as well as for a second option. The user may explicitly or implicitly select one of the presented options, as well as a route that deviates from the presented options, to use a different set of route segments. For example, a user setting the first option may decide to shorten the active session by bringing segments 250e and 250d back to the starting point 230. Alternatively, the user may decide to extend the session by replacing segment 250b with segment 250f in the first option.

In some embodiments, information about route segments is separately presented to enable a user to design a route with greater accuracy. For example, when segment 250a is used as a route segment in a given type of active session, the energy consumption associated with segment 250a may be presented. Similarly, other physiological effects may be exhibited instead of or in addition to energy expenditure, such as EPOC or oxygen expenditure.

FIG. 2C illustrates a third example of a user interface in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention. For example, the route segments of the third example may be determined by a thematic map database (e.g., heatmap) or a map application. In a third example, the session begins at start point 2C1, where the device 110 may be located using, for example, its location capabilities. Initially, the device is not provided with a route, but rather the device may use the user's exercise history and the location of the starting point 2C1 to predict a route. For example, the device may assume that the user intends to repeat an earlier active session starting at this starting point, or to perform a session similar to the earlier session. The user may accept the predicted route or the user may simply begin an active session along the predicted route or other routes. The device may determine which route segment the user selects by observing how the location information of the device changes. In other words, no user interaction with device 110 is required to enable device 110 to determine which route segment is the first route segment along the actual route. In some embodiments, the device does not provide an initial predicted route, but the user may simply start his session, e.g., jogging or walking. The predicted route is then started based on a determination as to which route segment will be in the actual complete route first, which determination is based on the positioning information of the device.

In the example shown in fig. 2C, the user has selected route segment 2C2 as the first route segment of their actual route in the active session. As the active session progresses, the device tracks the user's progress along route segment 2C 2. Once the device is able to determine that route segment 2C2 has been selected, the predicted route may be updated so that it starts with route segment 2C2, in case it initially starts with a different route segment. The situation shown in fig. 2C occurs when the user approaches the end of route segment 2C 2. Thus, route segment 2C2 is the traveled portion of the actual route, while the intersection at the end of segment 2C2 provides three options for continuing the route.

For the intersection at the end of route segment 2C2, device 110 presents the user with three options: 2C3, 2C4, and 2C5, which correspond to the individual route segments connected to route segment 2C2 at the intersection. Each of these options is marked with information that the user can select among the options. In detail, the tag indicates at least one of: the total route length obtainable by the respective sub-route, the total exercise session duration obtainable by the respective sub-route, the speed obtainable by the respective sub-route, and the metabolic effect obtainable by the respective sub-route. In general, the sub-route is a portion of the complete actual route of the active session, excluding the already traveled portion of the actual route. Each option in the intersection corresponds to at least one sub-route.

In detail, for example, associated with option 2C4 are multiple sub-routes, because after option 2C4 is selected at the intersection, the user will be presented with a new choice, i.e., turn left or right, at intersection 2C 6. Thus, option 2C4 may be tagged with information about the sub-routes that are accessible through this option.

The device 110 may be configured to compile marked options based on the user's motion history. For example, where the user has often completed an active session of a certain length, the device 110 may display a subset of the possible sub-routes as marked options, such that the marked options presented correspond to a range of total route lengths (or durations or metabolic effects) that cover the user's typical active session and also include shorter and longer options within range. Thus, tags corresponding to sub-routes that do not correspond at all to the user's normal active session need not be presented in the view. In other words, the device may be configured to present the user with tagging options corresponding to the predicted route, as well as variations of the predicted route. Instead of predicting the length of the route or other objectives, the user may provide these objectives to guide the prediction of the route.

Once the user has selected one of the options, device 110 may again determine which option the user has selected based on the device location. In other words, the user need not explicitly select any of options 2C3, 2C4, or 2C5 on the user interface. Then, once the user has reached the next intersection, e.g., 2C6, the device can again present the tagging options corresponding to the active session, which can be completed by various sub-routes starting from the intersection. In addition, the predicted route is updated again, for example, the route segment between the intersection at the end of segment 2C2 and intersection 2C6 is included as the already traveled portion of the general route.

The device 110 may be configured to determine the predicted route based at least in part on at least one of: a theme map database, a year of year, a time of day, user settings of the user, historical information of the user, elevation information, and device location. The user settings of the user may include settings relating to at least one of: a desired energy consumption for the workout session, a desired cardiovascular effect for the workout session, a desired oxygen consumption effect for the workout session, a desired EPOC effect for the workout session, a desired length of recovery time for the workout session, and an indication that the user desires a convenient interruption of the route.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example device capable of supporting at least some embodiments of the present invention. The illustrated device 300 may comprise, for example, a mobile communication device, such as device 110 in FIG. 1A or FIG. 1B. The device 300 may alternatively or additionally correspond to the auxiliary device 110x in fig. 1B. Included in device 300 is a processor 310, which may include, for example, a single-core or multi-core processor, where a single-core processor includes one processing core and a multi-core processor includes more than one processing core. The processor 310 may include more than one processor. The treatment core may include, for example, a Cortex-A8 treatment core manufactured by ARM Holding, or a Steamroller treatment core manufactured by Advanced Micro Devices Corporation. The processor 310 may include at least one Qualcomm Snapdagon and/or Intel Atom processor. The processor 310 may include at least one Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The processor 310 may include at least one Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). Processor 310 may be a mechanism for performing method steps in device 300. The processor 310 may be configured, at least in part, by computer instructions to perform actions.

Device 300 may include memory 320. Memory 320 may include random access memory and/or permanent memory. The memory 320 may include at least one RAM chip. Memory 320 may include, for example, solid state, magnetic, optical, and/or holographic memory. The memory 320 is at least partially accessible by the processor 310. The memory 320 may be at least partially included in the processor 310. The memory 320 may be a means for storing information. Memory 320 may include computer instructions that processor 310 is configured to execute. When computer instructions configured to cause processor 310 to perform certain actions are stored in memory 320 and device 300 as a whole is configured to run under the direction of processor 310 using the computer instructions from memory 320, processor 310 and/or at least one processing core thereof may be considered to be configured to perform the certain actions. The memory 320 may be at least partially included in the processor 310. Memory 320 may be at least partially external to device 300, but accessible to device 300.

The device 300 may include a transmitter 330. Device 300 may include a receiver 340. Transmitter 330 and receiver 340 may be configured to transmit and receive information, respectively, according to at least one cellular or non-cellular standard. The transmitter 330 may include more than one transmitter. Receiver 340 may include more than one receiver. Transmitter 330 and/or receiver 340 may be configured to operate in accordance with, for example, global system for mobile communications (GSM), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), IS-95, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), ethernet, and/or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standards.

The device 300 may include a Near Field Communication (NFC) transceiver 350. NFC transceiver 350 may support at least one NFC technology, such as NFC, bluetooth, Wibree, or the like.

Device 300 may include a User Interface (UI) 360. UI 360 may include at least one of a display, a keyboard, a touch screen, a vibrator configured to signal a user by vibrating device 300, a speaker, and a microphone. For example, a user may operate device 300 via UI 360, e.g., to request route-based active sessions and/or place voice calls when applicable.

The display of the UI 360 may operate in at least two display modes, wherein when the user selects between downloaded theme maps to begin an active session, a first display mode may be used, while a second display mode is used during the active session and only the selected theme map of the currently active session is displayed.

The device 300 may include or be configured to accept a user identity module 370. The user identity module 370 may comprise, for example, a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card installable in the device 300. The user identity module 370 may include information for identifying the identity of the user of the device 300. User identity module 370 may include cryptographic information that may be used to verify the identity of a user of device 300 and/or to facilitate encryption of communication information and billing of the user of device 300 for communications through device 300.

The processor 310 may be equipped with a transmitter arranged to output information from the processor 310 to other devices included in the device 300 via electrical leads internal to the device 300. Such a transmitter may comprise a serial bus transmitter, for example, configured to output information to memory 320 via at least one electrical lead for storage therein. As an alternative to a serial bus, the transmitter may comprise a parallel bus transmitter. Similarly, processor 310 may include a receiver configured to receive information into processor 310 from other devices included in device 300 via electrical leads internal to device 300. Such a receiver may comprise a serial bus receiver configured to receive information from receiver 340, for example, via at least one electrical lead, for processing in processor 310. As an alternative to a serial bus, the receiver may comprise a parallel bus receiver.

Device 300 may include other components not shown in fig. 3. For example, where device 300 comprises a smart phone, it may comprise at least one digital camera. Some devices 300 may include a back camera that may be used for digital photography and a front camera that may be used for video telephony. The device 300 may comprise a fingerprint sensor arranged to at least partially authenticate a user of the device 300. In some embodiments, the apparatus 300 lacks at least one of the above-described devices. For example, some devices 300 may lack NFC transceiver 350 and/or subscriber identity module 370.

Processor 310, memory 320, transmitter 330, receiver 340, NFC transceiver 350, UI 360, and/or user identity module 370 may be interconnected in a number of different ways by electrical leads internal to device 300. For example, each of the aforementioned devices may be independently connected to a main bus internal to apparatus 300 to allow the devices to exchange information. However, it will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that this is only an example and that, depending on the embodiment, various ways of interconnecting at least two of the aforementioned devices may be chosen without departing from the scope of the invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates signaling in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention. The device 110, server 4AA and other users 4BB of fig. 1A and 1B are arranged on a vertical axis from left to right. In general, the other users 4BB comprise a group of users other than the user of the device 110, however, in some cases, the user of the device 110 may also be comprised in the group of other users 4 BB.

In the overall phase 410 (which may occur over a period of time that precedes other phases in the figure, possibly several months or more), other users 4BB provide to the server 4AA indications of their locations and the activity types implicitly or explicitly selected in those locations. For example, these indications may relate to activity types and corresponding locations of activity sessions in which other users are engaged, thereby enabling the server 4AA to associate activity types with corresponding sessions by constructing a topic map database.

In stage 420, the server 4AA may build or update the topic map database based on the indication received in stage 410 and/or other indications obtained in the server 4 AA. The topic map database may include a heat map, for example. The topic map database associates activity types with locations, thereby enabling a determination of a function of statistical strength of the activity types relative to the locations. In some embodiments, the theme map database further includes at least some route information, such as a set of outdoor activity routes available in a city.

In stage 430, device 110 queries the database by sending a query to the server, the query including an implicit or explicit indication of the location of device 110. In response, server 4AA sends a set of activity types associated with the location, area and/or environment of device 110 back to device 110 in stage 440.

Stage 450 includes determining a route based at least in part on the set of activity types received in stage 440 and presenting the route to the user as a suggested route. Determining the route has been described above.

An optional stage 460 includes sending an indication of the type of activity selected by the user, which may, but need not, be a suggested type of activity, to the server 4 AA. The message of stage 460 may also include an indication of the current location of device 110.

As an alternative to the above-described stages, device 110 may request server 4AA to determine a route in stage 430, so that device 110 provides its current location and the type of activity to which the route relates in stage 430. Server 4AA may then responsively determine a route based at least in part on the subject map and information in the request of stage 430. In these embodiments, device 110 is notified of the route in stage 440.

As another alternative, device 110 may query the area associated with the activity type in the topic map database in stage 430, the query of stage 430 including an indication of the activity type. These areas, once notified to device 110 in stage 440, enable device 110 to determine a path in a manner that routes through the areas associated with the correct activity type.

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention. The stages of the method shown may be performed, for example, in the device 110, or, for example, in a control means configured to control the function of the device 110 when implanted in the device 110.

Stage 510 includes determining a predicted type of user activity based at least in part on the subject map database and the current location of the device. Stage 520 includes presenting, by the device, the predicted user activity type as a suggested activity type to the first user. Finally, stage 530 includes initiating an activity session of the suggested activity type in response to the first user approving the suggested activity type.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with at least some embodiments of the invention. The stages of the method shown may be performed, for example, in the device 110, or may be performed, for example, in a control means configured to control the functions of the device 110 when implanted in the device 110.

Stage 600 includes determining a current location of a device. Stage 610 includes an act of sending a query from the device to a topic map database server. The query may include an indication of the current location of the device. In stage 620, the device 110 is updated with the location related topic map by downloading the topic map data and storing the topic map data in a memory of the device. In stage 630, the user is presented with a selection of the local topic map as a suggested activity type in a first display mode. The theme map to be downloaded may be selected based on at least one of the following criteria: pre-recorded user preferences, user activity history, activity intensity in the location, special activity in the location, time of day, time of year, or a second location adjacent to the current location. Finally, in stage 640, in response to the user approving the suggested activity type, the activity session begins and is displayed in a second display mode.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second exemplary apparatus that can be used to support at least some embodiments of the invention. The illustrated device includes a microcontroller 710 and a microprocessor 720. Microcontroller 710 may comprise, for example, a Silabs EMF32 or Renesas RL78 microcontroller, or the like. The microprocessor 720 may include, for example, a Qualcomm Snapdagon processor or an ARM Cortex based processor, such as, for example, a processor similar to the processor 310 shown in FIG. 3. In the example of fig. 7, microcontroller 710 and microprocessor 720 are communicatively coupled with an inter-core interface, which may include, for example, a serial or parallel communication interface. In general, the interface between microcontroller 710 and microprocessor 720 may be considered an inter-processing unit interface. Such an interface may also include a shared memory for predetermined or triggered data exchanges between microcontroller 710 and microprocessor 720.

In the example shown, microcontroller 710 is communicatively coupled with buzzer 770, Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface 780, pressure sensor 790, acceleration sensor 7100, gyroscope 7110, magnetometer 7120, satellite positioning circuitry 7130, bluetooth interface 7140, user interface buttons 7150, and touch interface 7160. Pressure sensor 790 may include, for example, an atmospheric pressure sensor.

Microprocessor 720 is communicatively coupled with optional cellular interface 740, non-cellular interface 750, and USB interface 760. The microprocessor 720 may also be communicatively coupled to a display 730 via a microprocessor display interface 722. Similarly, microcontroller 710 may be communicatively coupled with display 730 via microcontroller display interface 712. Microprocessor display interface 722 may include communication circuitry contained within microprocessor 720. The microcontroller display interface 712 may include communication circuitry contained in the microcontroller 710.

Microcontroller 710 may be configured to determine whether a triggering event has occurred, wherein, in response to the triggering event, microcontroller 710 may be configured to cause microprocessor 720 to transition into and out of a sleep state. When microprocessor 720 is in a sleep state, microcontroller 710 may control display 730 via microcontroller display interface 712. Thus, when microprocessor 720 is in a sleep state, microcontroller 710 may provide a diminished experience to the user, for example, via display 730.

In response to a triggering event, microcontroller 710 may cause microprocessor 720 to transition from a sleep state to an active state. For example, in the event that the user indicates, e.g., via button 7150, that he wishes to initiate a cellular communication connection, microcontroller 710 may transition microprocessor 720 to an active state because, in the embodiment of fig. 7, cellular interface 740 is controllable by microprocessor 720 but cannot be used directly by microcontroller 710. In some embodiments, when microprocessor 720 is dormant, cellular interface 740 is also in a dormant state. The cellular interface 740 may include, for example, an electrical interface to a cellular transceiver. The cellular interface 740 may include control circuitry for a cellular transceiver.

In some embodiments of the invention, an apparatus of the invention comprises at least two processing

cores

710, 720, at least one display 730 having at least two display modes, and at least one

memory

7170, 7180 comprising computer program code, the apparatus being configurable to determine a current location of the apparatus and to send a query comprising an indication of the current location of the apparatus to a map database server. The device may then be updated with the theme map from the server in relation to its location by downloading the theme map data and storing the theme map data in the at least one memory of the device.

The device may then present the user with a selection of the downloaded topic map as a suggested type of activity on the display 730 in the first display mode. The selection may for example be based on at least one of the following criteria: pre-recorded user preferences, user activity history, activity intensity in the location, specific activity in the location, time of day, time of year, or a second location adjacent to the current location.

In response to user input via user interface button 7150 or touch interface 7160, when an activity session is initiated, a theme map of the selected activity is displayed by microcontroller 710 and displayed on interface 712 in a second display mode.

The trigger event protocol may be used to place the microprocessor 720 into a sleep state, either directly or via a memory shared between the microcontroller 710 and the microprocessor 720.

In various embodiments, at least two of the elements shown in FIG. 7 may be integrated on the same integrated circuit. For example, microprocessor 720 and microcontroller 710 may be provided as processing cores in the same integrated circuit. In this case, for example, cellular interface 740 may be a cellular interface of the integrated circuit included in the integrated circuit, where cellular interface 740 may be controlled by microprocessor 720 rather than microcontroller 710. In other words, various hardware features of the integrated circuit may be controlled by one of microcontroller 710 and microprocessor 720, but not both. On the other hand, certain hardware features may be controlled by any processing unit. For example, in such an integrated embodiment, USB interface 760 and USB interface 780 may be the same USB interface of the integrated circuit and may be controlled by either processing core.

Further illustrated in fig. 7 are a memory 7170 and a memory 7180. Memory 7170 is used by microprocessor 720 and may be based on DDR memory technology, such as DDR2 or DDR 3. The memory 7180 is used by the microcontroller 710 and may be based, for example, on SRAM technology.

An exemplary hardware configuration of a dual processor wristwatch-type device 800 that can be used to support at least some embodiments of the present invention is shown in fig. 8. A first high power microprocessor or microcontroller unit (MCU)820 is shown to include a first processing core and a second low power Application Processor (AP) or microcontroller unit 830 includes a second processing core. Alternatively, two or more processing cores with different characteristics may be provided within the same microprocessor 820. Both processors (or processing cores) are capable of controlling the device display 810 and displaying information on the display 810, as indicated by arrows a and B, respectively. The display 810 may be a touch screen display. A sensor (not shown, e.g., item 7130 in fig. 7), such as a GPS sensor, provides location information to at least one processing core to enable the device to determine its location.

During normal operation, the device 800 employs a first activity display mode controlled by the first processor 820 when a theme map of a suggested activity, which may be downloaded from the server 870 via the communication interface 822 of the first processor 820, is presented to the user on the display 810. Communication interface 822 may correspond to, for example, any one or more of

interfaces

740 and 760 in fig. 7. The selection of the active session may be based on a user selection input, a pre-recorded user preference, a user activity history, an activity intensity in the location, a particular activity in the location, a time of day, a time of year, or a second location adjacent to the current location.

The first processor 820 starts the selected activity and displays performance related information related to the user's physical performance, including sensor information related to location, distance, speed, heart rate, etc., to the user in a first activity display mode. The first activity pattern is active for a predetermined time or ends, for example, when the acceleration sensor information indicates that the user is in a stable performance mode based on tempo, rhythmic motion, heart rhythm, etc.

The first processor 820 may then generate a reduced version of the subject map of the selected activity or may download the reduced map from the server 870 as needed. The need may be based on the type of device, the user's preferences, and/or the user's location, and the server may provide the appropriate activity selection for download.

Device 800 may enter the first power saving mode by determining the last known context and/or performance of the user. After determining what to display in the second display mode by context, the first processor 820 may enter a sleep mode and switch from the first display mode to the second display mode. In a dual processor embodiment, the second display mode may be controlled by the second processor 830. In the second display mode, time and other information related to the activity, such as user location provided by a GPS sensor, may be displayed. An "attenuation" map is referred to herein as an attenuated version of the subject map. For example, this may mean one or several of the following: less or no color, lower display resolution, slower display update, reduced content, etc.

In some embodiments, where two processors are involved, a first power saving mode and a second power saving mode may be used. From a power saving perspective, the preferred sequence is to first put the first processing core, which will consume more power, to sleep. This may be controlled by a second processor of lower power, for example, when the first processor has nothing to execute. In some alternative embodiments, where only one processor is used, only one power saving mode may be used. In both cases, the final power saving mode involves a complete or almost complete shutdown of any processing core in the device, while a clock unit 860, such as a Real Time Clock (RTC) unit, is used to keep track of time. When the motion sensor or button press indicates that the user is looking at the display, the RTC unit provides a time signal to display time-related context, such as time and a reduced theme map, on the display.

The reduced topic map may be downloaded from the server 870 or may be generated by the first processing core 820 and stored in its memory 821. In the dual processing core embodiment, the image of the reduced subject map may be copied (arrow C in fig. 8) to the memory 831 of the low-power second processor 830 so as to be displayed therefrom in the second display mode.

When the user's performance continues on a steady path and there is no indication that the user is looking at the display, the device 800 may enter the second power saving mode by turning off the second display mode and will cause the second processing core 830 to enter the sleep mode.

In the second power saving mode, the only process running in the device may be the real time clock in the RTC unit 860. The RTC unit is preferably a stand-alone unit connected to the battery of the device, for example. The processing core may then be completely shut down. The RTC unit may also be integrated in one of the

processors

820 or 830 or in both, but will thus need to power at least some of the hardware around the processor in question, with a power consumption of a few micro-amps. Which alternative RTC cell to use depends on design choice.

In a single processor embodiment, of course, no map transmission is required within the device, and in addition a second display mode may be used in the same manner as for the dual processor, whereby the reduced theme map is displayed on the display 810 from the memory 821. Thus, a single processor may have three levels of operation and power consumption: full operation, mute operation, and sleep (with or without an internal RTC clock). During performance, acceleration sensor 840 may continuously sense the motion of device 800. In some embodiments, the processor may be in a reduced mode of operation if the activity and/or context is deemed to require a fast wake up of the processing core. Waking up from a sleep state takes longer. Various power saving modes may also be entered, for example, when the device 800 believes that the user is sleeping. Indeed, various sensor inputs and combinations thereof may be used to determine the context of the user and to select the appropriate time to enter a particular power saving mode. Such inputs may include time (e.g., nighttime), acceleration sensor inputs, ambient light, location signals from a GPS sensor, and so forth.

The reverse power save sequence may be initiated simply by the user pressing a button, or may be initiated automatically. In some embodiments, for example, when vertical movement is sensed by the smart acceleration sensor 840, the corresponding sensor signal may have a pre-recorded threshold that when exceeded is interpreted as raising the arm for reading the display 810. Then, power controller 850 powers either high power processor 820 or low power processor 830, depending on the embodiment (single or dual processor) and the previous context or display mode of apparatus 800. To speed up the wake-up of a sleeping processing core, its power supply (e.g. a switched mode power supply, SMPS) may be left on. Another alternative embodiment is to turn off the SMPS and connect a Low Dropout (LDO) regulator, which acts as a fast power supply for the sleeping processing core in parallel with respect to the SMPS.

In some embodiments, the RTC unit may also start the processing core. For example, if a relatively long time has elapsed since the user last attempted to look at the display, it is difficult to predict the context, which may change. Thus, the user may no longer be interested in viewing the diminished topic map, which may no longer display the user's correct location and/or activity. Rather than just displaying a stored thematic map that is relevant to the wrong context, the time delay from the last display action may be used as an indication that the context may have changed. When the RTC unit displays this time delay, this information can be used, for example, to activate a GPS sensor to check the location and to start at least one low power processor to update the context of the user, including retrieving a theme map that matches the user's current location.

The context correlation image may be retrieved from memory by using the LDO regulator as a power source for a sleeping processor, which provides a fast wake-up. After waking up, the stored image may be transferred to the display directly from the internal memory of the processor or from an external storage unit.

Reference is now made to fig. 9, which shows a flow chart of the main steps performed by the device according to the invention. The apparatus includes at least two processing cores, at least one display having at least two display modes, at least one memory including computer program code.

In step 910, the current location of the device is determined and a query for available activity or topic maps at the current location of the device is sent from the device to a topic map database server.

In step 920, the device is updated with the topic map from the topic map database server relating to the current location by downloading and storing the topic map data in the at least one memory of the device.

In step 930, the at least one downloaded topic map as a selection of the local heat map is presented to a user of the device as a suggested activity using a first activity display mode provided by the high-powered first processing core. The active session may be selected based on at least one of the following criteria: a user selection input, a pre-recorded user preference, a user activity history, an activity intensity in the location, a particular activity in the location, a time of day, a time of year, or a second location adjacent to the current location.

In step 940, the selected activity is started and displayed to the user in a display mode containing performance related information related to the user's physical performance in the activity.

Next, in step 950, the first power saving mode is entered by placing the first processing core in the sleep mode and by switching from the first display mode to the second display mode. The second display mode may use a low power second processing core to display time and static information related to the activity to the user. In some embodiments, a pre-computed static topic map related to an activity is shown at a predetermined time interval along with the current time. A graphical reduced theme map may be used in the second display mode.

Finally, in step 960, a second power saving mode is entered by turning off the second display mode and also placing the low power second processing core in a sleep mode. A third display mode is entered in which a Real Time Clock (RTC) unit is used to maintain time. When requested by user input or sensor request, a pre-stored thematic map may be displayed showing the predicted location of the user on the map at that time.

In the following, the device may step back to the second and/or first display mode by activating the second and/or first processing core from hibernation. This may be triggered according to at least one of the following criteria: a user selection input, acceleration data input from an acceleration sensor in the device, indicative of a display reading gesture of the user.

It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments of the invention are not limited to the particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but extend to equivalents thereof as may be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent art. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. When a numerical value is referred to using terms such as "for example," "approximately," or "substantially," the exact numerical value is also disclosed.

Various items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, any single element of the list should not be construed as equivalent to any other element of the same list solely based on their presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. Additionally, various embodiments and examples of the invention may relate to alternatives for various components thereof. It should be understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as actual equivalents of each other, but are to be considered as independent and autonomous representations of the present invention.

Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable or technically feasible manner in one or more embodiments. In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of lengths, widths, shapes, etc., to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.

While the above examples illustrate the principles of the invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not intended to be limited except as by the appended claims.

The verbs "comprise" and "comprise" are used herein as open-ended definitions, neither excluding, nor necessitating the existence of additional unrecited features. The features recited in the dependent claims may be freely combined with each other, unless explicitly stated otherwise. In addition, it is to be understood that the use of "a" or "an" (i.e., singular forms) herein does not exclude a plurality.

Industrial applicability

At least some embodiments of the invention may find industrial application in enhancing the usability and/or personal safety of devices.

Claims

1. An apparatus, such as a personal device, comprising at least one processing core, at least one display, at least one sensor, at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to enable, with the at least one processing core, the apparatus at least to:

-selecting an active session based on at least one of the following criteria: a user selection input, a pre-recorded user preference, a user activity history, an activity intensity in the location, a particular activity in the location, a time of day, a time of year, a location of the activity, or a second location adjacent to the current location, and performed in the following order:

2. The device of claim 1, comprising at least two processing cores, wherein the selected activity is initiated by a first processing core in the first display mode, wherein the first power saving mode is entered by placing the first processing core in a sleep mode and by switching to the second display mode using a second processing core, and wherein the second power saving mode is entered by turning off the second display mode and placing the second processing core in a sleep mode.

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein when entering the second power saving mode, a third display mode is entered, wherein a Real Time Clock (RTC) unit updates the display at least with time at predetermined time intervals.

4. A device according to any of claims 1-3, characterized in that the order of execution from a) to c) is reversed to the order from c) to a) based on at least one of the following criteria: a user selection input, or acceleration data input from an acceleration sensor in the device indicative of a display reading gesture of the user.

5. The device of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the device is configured to present to the user a selection of updated topic heat maps created for different athletic activities in the location as one activity type.

6. The device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the device is configured to present to a user, as one activity type, a selection of an updated theme heat map created for a different athletic activity in a second location that is outside but adjacent to the current location.

7. The device of any of claims 1-6, wherein the device is configured to automatically update the theme map associated with the location from the theme map database server while the device is charging and connected to a wireless network covering the current location.

8. The device of any one of claims 1-7, wherein an updated topic map is stored in the at least one memory of the device for offline use of heatmaps in the activity session.

9. The device of any of claims 1-8, wherein the subject map with reduced functionality is pre-computed by the first processing core and stored in the at least one memory of the device for display by the second processing core to the user in the second display mode.

10. The device according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the subject map with reduced functionality is pre-computed by the second processing core and stored in the at least one memory of the device for display by the second processing core to the user in the second display mode.

11. A method for presenting information to a user of a device, such as a personal device, the device comprising at least one processing core, at least one display, at least one sensor, and at least one memory including computer program code, the method comprising the steps of:

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of initiating the selected activity is performed by a first processing core in the first display mode, wherein the step of entering the first power saving mode is performed by placing the first processing core in a sleep mode and by using a second processing core to switch to the second display mode, and wherein the step of entering the second power saving mode is performed by turning off the second display mode and placing the second processing core in a sleep mode.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the step of entering the second power saving mode comprises the additional step of entering a third display mode, wherein the display is updated at least with time at predetermined time intervals by a Real Time Clock (RTC) unit.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, further comprising the steps of: reversing the order performed from a) to c) to the order from c) to a), based on at least one of the following criteria: a user selection input, or acceleration data input from an acceleration sensor in the device indicative of a display reading gesture of the user.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, further comprising the step of: the topic map with reduced functionality is pre-computed and stored in the at least one memory.