JP2011517805A - Portable device and geographic information system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a portable device for providing geographic information to a user. The system includes a portable device that is wirelessly connected to a geographic database. The portable device includes a plurality of sensors that specify a first position and a first direction. The controller is configured to provide required information based on local and distal queries. In addition, the controller can respond to queries on various subjects. Here, the database search is limited to objects, entities or features that fit the selected subject. Finally, the controller is configured to select and order query results based on 2D and 3D query windows.
[Selection] Figure 15

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This invention is related to US Patent Application No. 11,811,516 filed on June 11, 2007 (filed November 22, 2004 and now registered as US Pat. No. 7,245,923). US Provisional Application No. 10 / 035,080, filed March 7, 2008 under 35 USC 119 (e) The contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to systems and devices for identifying geographic information, and more particularly to distributed systems and devices that decode spatial data and geographic data and present this data to the user.

2. History of Related Technology Maps are still the primary means of understanding the spatial environment as well as performing tasks such as road finding, travel planning, and location tracking. There are several drawbacks to a stationary traditional map. First, the orientation of the map is fixed. That is, the map is always facing only one direction (generally north). However, map users can always be in all directions. Therefore, in order to understand the map, the user needs to rotate the user or the map and align the user's reference with the map reference. This process imposes a huge cognitive load on the user. Because it is not always intuitive, it can present considerable difficulties, especially in complex, homogeneous, or unfamiliar spatial environments.

  Furthermore, since the scale of the map is fixed, there is a drawback that it cannot be changed to a different granularity (granularity, granularity). This limitation is one of the most restrictive aspects of paper maps. The scale determines the level of scaling in a certain spatial environment, and determines the details and type of information displayed on the map. However, when planning a trip or finding a destination, the user constantly changes the scale to a different scale, depending on whether they want a detailed view of the surrounding environment or a larger and more schematic view. Need to change. Current solutions to this problem include tourist guides that have multiple maps of a particular area at many different scales. However, this tourist guide is a bulky book, is difficult to carry, and generally consists of several hundred pages, so it takes considerable search time.

  Furthermore, maps are not able to cope with rapid changes in the natural and urban environments. On the map, all spatial environments and the objects (objects) contained in these spatial environments are represented statically regardless of whether they are artificial or natural. Yes, and changes over time. Objects in artificial spaces such as buildings can be created, destroyed and expanded, others such as land parcels can be merged, reduced, or changed in nature (eg Rural areas may be developed). This applies to natural things as well, for example, rivers expand and contract due to flooding. Static two-dimensional maps are limited to the current snapshot, the information quickly becomes obsolete, and worse, it is wrong.

  The map is also limited in its ability to display thematic information about the subject (theme). There are currently many different types of maps such as topographic maps, political maps, technical maps, tourist maps, and contour maps. The content related to the static map theme is determined at the time of printing and is usually limited to one area of interest. Even so, the information displayed is minimal. For example, the tourist map indicates that the building is a church or a restaurant, but it is unlikely that further information, such as the date of the church, the restaurant menu, the type of food, and the like will be obtained.

  Attempts in electronic maps or geographic information systems have proven infeasible for practical reasons. A known disadvantage of current geographic information systems is that the system is not egocentric, ie data based on the user's perspective and what the user intends. It is that we cannot distinguish between them. Prior art lacks an integrated geographic information system that is easily accessible to the user, intuitively understandable, and can provide information to the user based on the user's perspective. .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a system and portable device for providing geographic information to a user. The system includes a portable device connected wirelessly to a geographic database. The portable device includes a plurality of sensors that identify a first position and a first direction, either as a single device or as a combination of multiple devices connected together, and is therefore self-centered And is aligned with the user's position and viewpoint. The controller is part of a portable device and requests based on two different types of queries (search requests): local queries (local query requests) and distal queries (distant search requests). Used to provide information A local query provides information about the first location, and a distal query identifies the first location and first direction to identify features, geographic features, or landmark features that are not in view of the first location. Include information about.

  In addition, the controller can respond to queries on various subjects. Here, the database search is limited to objects, entities or features that fit the selected subject. Use the subject query protocol in both local and distant queries to search related sets of data and find objects, geographic features, or landmarks that fit within a predetermined subject. Can do. Thus, the self-centricity of the present invention is enhanced by the fact that the user can request specific information about the building near the user using a local query on the subject. In addition, the user can request specific information about remote rivers or lakes using a distal query on the subject.

  Finally, based on a new process that creates 2D and 3D query windows and weights the query results based on a predetermined relationship to the query window, the controller selects and orders the query results. Has been made. This feature allows the controller to select a probable query result based on the mathematical relationship of a particular object, geographic feature or landmark based on the formulated query and the selected subject. This feature of the present invention is particularly useful for distinguishing between multiple geographic features that overlap or are hierarchical. For example, in a local query, the present invention can distinguish between towns, states, regions, and countries based on the size of the query window and the relative size of each location organized hierarchically.

  Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the drawings and detailed description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing geographic information according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a measurement function of a portable device for providing geographic information according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a user profile for a system for providing geographic information. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a local query according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a distal query according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a local query on the subject according to the invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a distal query on the subject according to the invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a local query having a partition. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a target local query having a plurality of overlapping regions. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a local query having a plurality of target hierarchical regions. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a target local query having a plurality of spaced regions of interest. FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a local query window according to the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a two-dimensional distal query according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating a three-dimensional distal query according to the present invention. FIG. 15 is a reference diagram of a system user who wears the headset of the present invention on his / her ear.

1. System and Portable Device of the Present Invention The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. With particular reference to FIG. 1, a system 1 for providing geographic information is schematically illustrated. As described in more detail below, the system 1 of the present invention is an improvement over a conventional geographic information system. In particular, the system 1 provides users with a more intuitive and self-centered model in their physical environment.

  The system 1 generally includes a mobile device 100, one embodiment of which is shown in FIG. 1, whose components are surrounded by dotted lines. The portable device 100 is connected to the wireless router 14 and the database 16. The portable device 100 is, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless phone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, or an electronic device that can execute a digital instruction based on data supplied from a remote place. It can be any portable electronic device or computer device. The wireless router 14 can be connected to the portable device 100 via a connection via a wireless communication network. The wireless router 14 is further connected to a database 16 that manages and stores geographic information, historical information, etc. for a plurality of landmarks, buildings and places.

  The portable device 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a number of subsystems and sensors adapted to identify a wide range of geographic information. The portable device 100 includes the antenna 12 that enables wireless communication with the wireless transceiver 14 as described above. The portable device 100 further includes a controller 10 coupled to the antenna 12. The controller 10 is configured to receive a signal from an antenna 12, transmit a signal through the antenna 12, and further receive and process data from a plurality of sensors as described below.

  The portable device 100 includes a position sensor 18 such as a global positioning system (GPS) that can determine a position based on variables such as latitude, longitude, and altitude. Hereinafter, the position specified by the position sensor 18 is referred to as an origin. A pitch sensor 20 and a yaw sensor 22 are also included in the portable device 100 to determine a set of angles corresponding to a first direction that can be interpreted as an arrow or vector projected from this origin.

  When the portable device 100 is configured as a combination of a plurality of individual devices, a device that can use a headset (a device that is attached to the head and makes a phone call) and a connected GPS, such as a mobile phone or portable information A terminal (PDA), the above-described electronic device, and the like. Preferably, the headset includes a digital compass.

  Preferably, the headset has a function of providing information regarding the pitch sensor 20, the yaw sensor 22, and the audio output device 26. The headset may be configured to control voice input from the system user for the system user to make a request. Audio input may be made via a microphone integrated into the headset. A device that can use GPS, such as a mobile phone having a GPS function, may include an antenna 12, a controller 10, a display 24, and a GPS sensor 18. Alternatively, the cell phone can be used to provide voice input to the system for making requests via an integrated microphone.

  In addition, the portable device 100 also includes a display 24 and an audio output device 26 that relay information obtained from the database 16 to the user. The audio output device 26 is preferably connected to a set of headphones, and in the best mode, an audio signal can be sent to the user's headphones via the antenna 12 in a wireless communication manner. In another embodiment, the display 24 and the audio output device 26 are separate electronic devices that are remotely located from the portable device 100, and may be disposed in a portable information terminal, for example. In the embodiment, the portable device 100 mainly includes a sensor member and a communication member as described above.

  In FIG. 2, a schematic diagram of the measurement function of the portable device 100 is shown. As already mentioned, the position sensor 18 is preferably configured to identify the first position represented as the origin O. The origin is shown at the center of a set of Cartesian axes X, Y, and Z corresponding respectively to latitude, longitude, and altitude. The portable device 100 can indicate the first direction designated by the arrow A, and the arrow A can be measured by the pitch sensor 20 and the yaw sensor 22. The pitch sensor 20 is configured to measure an angle φ defined as an angle between the straight line A and the projection of the straight line A on the XY plane specified by the straight line B. The yaw sensor 22 is configured to measure an angle θ defined as an angle between the X axis and the straight line B.

  Therefore, the portable device 100 is configured to specify both the position O and the first direction A using three sensors connected to the controller 10. As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the measurement tolerance of each sensor is not negligible, so the first direction A can be better indicated by a cone C that causes blurring and errors in the measuring device. Thus, for the following detailed description, the first direction is better understood as the cone C incorporates the inherent measurement error of various sensors, as shown in FIG.

  If a headset and GPS enabled device is incorporated to form the portable device 100, the headset includes a digital compass. The digital compass preferably includes a tilt-compensated digital compass integrated with a three-axis (tri-access) accelerometer and a three-axis (tri-access) magnetic sensor; Provides assistance to detect heading direction of compass with 6 degrees of freedom. With six degrees of freedom, the digital compass refers to the movement of the body in three-dimensional space, ie, forward / backward, upward / downward, and left / right movements, and movement on three mutually perpendicular axes. Is converted into a rotational movement (that is, roll, yaw, pitch movement) about the three axes combined. A headset including a digital compass and a GPS device (for example, a mobile phone) connected thereto can be connected wirelessly or by wire. Preferably, when the headset and the mobile phone are connected by wireless communication, Bluetooth or an equivalent connection method is adopted. A person skilled in the art can understand that many methods can be used to connect a headset and a mobile phone, and still be within the scope of the present invention, and a Bluetooth connection is an example of such a connection. Only.

  When a combination of a headset and a device that can use GPS, that is, a device such as a mobile phone having a GPS function, is used as a portable device, the mobile phone having a GPS function can inform the location of the user, A headset having a digital compass function can notify the pointing direction (indicated direction) or altitude in order to specify a target object or the like.

2. Operation of the Controller of the Present Invention The controller 10 is configured to receive various sensor inputs from the position sensor 18, the pitch sensor 19, and the yaw sensor 20 and to communicate with the database 16 to receive information regarding the desired information. Has been. In general, target information is interpreted as geographic information (for example, information about “here” or information about “there”). The information of interest may also include historical facts and data regarding specific buildings or landmarks that can be entered into the database 16.

The controller 10 provides a query-based framework (paradigm) in which the user asks passive questions (by being at a certain location) or questions (by pointing the portable device 100 away). ). The overall query structure of the present invention is self-centric, which is such that the controller 10 holds and indicates information that is available and relevant to the user. Means. Self-centered abstract data types (ADT) can be represented in the following standard query language (SQL) blocks.
> Create Table traveler ((Create traveler table)
> Name varchar (30), (30 variable-length character type data of names)
> Address varchar (45), (45 variable-length character type data of address)
> DoB datetime, (date and time)
> Ego egocentric); (self-centered))

  Each time the portable device 100 is used, the controller 10 must be configured to properly handle all inputs from the sensors. That is, the controller 10 must be able to identify the user, check the accuracy of the position measurement, and receive position measurements from various sensors. By editing and tabulating these tasks, a self-centered space data model can be created. A block diagram showing a user profile (user characteristics) for the portable device 100 is shown in FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows three related tables (data storage locations, tables) required for a self-centered spatial data model. First, a table (egocentric table) related to the self-center shows the position and orientation at the time of a user's search request. Second, the user session (userSESSION) consists of data on the sensor and data accuracy for the query session. Thirdly, the user status (userCONTEXT) table consists of data about the characteristics of the user's query, such as the arm used to point to a specific object. For example, there is a difference between what the user intends when the portable device 100 is pointed at something and the actual direction of the portable device 100 determined by the sensor. By knowing the user's location hand, the self-centered space data model can account for this difference and perform more reliable decoding in the first direction. Some of the data tables may be pre-installed in the portable device 100, and the sensor supplies most data automatically and implicitly.

The self center table models the user's current geographic location, orientation, and time as described above. An example of a table relating to self-centering is represented by the following SQL block.
> CREATE TABLE egocentric ((Create a self-centered table)
> 24, --- ego_id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY, (primary key of self-centered ID number)
> 1,-session_id NUMBER FOREIGN KEY, (session ID number foreign key)
> 45.543156,-x-coordinate (x coordinate)
> 68.54443333, --y-coordinate (y coordinate)
> 13.16747434-z-coordinate (z coordinate)
> 89.528,-yaw angle in degrees (yaw angle)
> 21.367,-pitch angle in degrees (pitch angle)
> 04-27-2003 10: 39: 52.32,-date-time (date-time)
>);

A table of user session data is used to provide context detection for the user query session. It is also necessary to verify the validity of the detected data in the self-centered table. The user session table displays stored location, orientation, and temporal accuracy information for the query session. If the content of the query changes, for example, if the user decides to use information from one of many different sources for the user's altitude, the user session table is updated. In some cases, it may be better to use the user's altitude obtained from a digital numerical terrain model (DTM) or an object on the model, such as a building. In other cases, for example, when the user is not on the ground, it may be best to use the altitude detected by the position sensor 18. A single user can have many query sessions. This is because the user can use different query configurations. The next SQL block displays some data in the user session table.
> CREATE TABLE userSESSION ((Create user session table)
> 1,-session_id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY, (session ID number, primary key)
> 2,-user_id NUMBER FOREIGN KEY, (user ID number, foreign key)
> 30, --- xy positional accuracy in feet (xy position accuracy feet)
> 40, −− z positional accuracy in feet (z position accuracy in feet)
> 5,-orientation accuracy in angle degrees (azimuth accuracy angle)
> 5, --- temporal accuracy in seconds
> 1,-use sensed Boolean (uses detected z boolean variable)
>);

The third table required for the self-centered spatial data model is the user's query context (search, for example, a hand used for querying by position-or-pointing). FIG. 6 is a table of user situations representing stored data for (request situation). FIG. Knowing with which hand the user is pointing is necessary to compensate for the difference between the actual direction in which the portable device 100 is directed and the direction perceived by the user. The user session table represents context data about the detected spatial attributes in the self-centric table, while the user context table provides personal context information (situation information) about the user. It should be noted that the user context table can be linked to many user session tables, and each user session table can be linked to many self-centric tables. An example of an SQL block for creating a user context table is shown below.
> CREATE TABLE userCONTEXT ((Create user status table)
> User id NUMBER PRIMARY KEY, (user ID number first key)
> Name VARCHAR2 (32), (name name 32 variable-length character type data)
> Pointing_hand VARCHAR2 (10) (position specifying hand variable length character type data 2 10 pieces)
>);

  In order to access and manipulate the above self-centered spatial data model, the controller 10 operates in the framework of query processing (ie, providing information about the first position and first direction). Has been made. The present invention uses a two-stage query process, which is a thematic query operation and a generic query operation. Each of these two stages can be applied to both the local and distal classes of the query. That is, for queries about local space objects or locations ("here"), the present invention can respond to both subject queries and generic queries. Similarly, for queries on objects or locations (“there”) in the distal space, the present invention can respond to both subject queries and generic queries.

  A query on a subject is defined as a comprehensive query process that includes additional constraint elements, and includes the additional constraint elements to narrow the scope of the query to the selected subject. Examples of themes include buildings, rivers, lakes, towns, mountains, etc., information on objects, destinations or locations that can be stored in the database 16.

2.1 Comprehensive Query The portable device 100 is adapted to identify both a first location (“here”) and a first direction (“there”). The question “Where am I?” Is processed by the controller 10 of the present invention to identify the first position. The controller 10 receives information from the position sensor 18 and specifies an area where the user is located. As shown in FIG. 4, the region 40 is elliptical and O represents the first position or origin detected by the position sensor 18. This comprehensive local query is represented in the following SQL block.
> SELECT *. name (name reference)
> FROM * (From)
> WHERE *. geocontains traveller. here;-(Including short-distance travelers * .geo)

On the other hand, the controller 10 is adapted to respond to the query “What is that?” In specifying the first direction. As shown in FIG. 5, this type of query responds by specifying which region intersects the line originating from the first location 51 and specifying the second direction represented by arrow A. can do. In FIG. 5, the target area 50 is shown as an ellipse, the origin is O, and the direction of the arrow A starting from this origin is specified by receiving inputs from the pitch sensor 20 and the yaw sensor 22. A comprehensive distal query is represented by the following SQL block.
> SELECT *. name (name reference)
> FROM * (From)
> WHERE *. geocontains traveller. there; (Including long-distance travelers * .geo)

2.2 Subject Query Similarly, the controller 10 of the present invention is adapted to limit a data set and to respond to a subject query that can include only information about objects or locations of a selected class. Yes. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a local query for a subject. The origin of FIG. 6 lies within a plurality of overlapping ellipses 60, 62, 64. A query on the subject can ask "Where are I in 60 areas?" As described above, the controller 10 receives information from the position sensor 18 and specifies an area where the user is located. As shown in FIG. 6, there are two regions 60, and the origin O is placed only in one of those regions. The origin O is located in many regions 60, 62, 64, but is included only in one of these ellipses (denoted 60). There are two ellipses represented by 60, but only one contains the origin and there is only one answer to a local query on the subject. The following SQL block represents a local query on the subject, which is “town”.
> SELECT town. name (see town name)
> FROM town
> WHERE town. geo overlays traveller. here; (Town. Overlapping traveler at short distance from geo)

Similarly, the controller 10 of the present invention is adapted to process a distal query on a subject of the type schematically shown in FIG. The topical query for the subject may take the form of “Which area of the ellipse 70 intersects with the line A pointing from the origin O to the detected direction?”. As shown in FIG. 7, the line A pointing in the first direction starts from the origin 71 and intersects the ellipses 70, 72, and 74, and does not intersect the second ellipse 70. Since the query for the subject limits the output to an area or ellipse represented by 70, there is only one answer to the distal query for this subject based on the receipt of input from the pitch sensor 20 and yaw sensor 22. The following SQL block represents a distal query on the subject, the subject being “mountain”.
> SELECT mounttain. name (see mountain name)
> FROM mountain
> WHERE mounttain. geo overlays traveller. there; (Mountains. Overlapping travelers from long distances from geo.)

2.3 Query Window: Local and Distal FIGS. 8-11 illustrate problems that arise when a subject-restricted query returns multiple results or returns no result. For example, FIG. 8 represents an origin O that is not included in any of the surrounding ellipses 82, 84, 86 (eg, on the boundaries of many states). Therefore, there is not one answer to the search request “Where is I located?”.

  Similarly, in FIG. 9, the origin O is located within a plurality of overlapping ellipses / polygons 90 and 92. Each of the ellipses represented by 90 has a similar theme and therefore cannot be distinguished based solely on a query on the subject. FIG. 10 represents an origin O located in a series of hierarchical regions denoted by 100. Thus, the user can be simultaneously located in North America, the United States, New England, and Main City. Finally, FIG. 11 represents an origin O that is not located in any of the polygons 110, 112, 114, 116. Since there may be multiple solutions for a subject-related query, the present invention is based on both the local query window and the distal query window based on the measurement errors of the position sensor 18, the pitch sensor 20, and the yaw sensor 22. Have been made to choose.

  To solve these problems, the controller 10 of the present invention is designed to incorporate the effects of sensor inaccuracies and can select the appropriate granularity for the response to the query. FIG. 12 is a graph showing the accuracy of a general position sensor 18, for example, a GPS sensor. In any position sensor 18, accuracy metadata (generally published by the manufacturer based on a series of calibration measurements) is usually expressed as standard deviation (sigma, sd). The normal distribution empirical rule in statistics shows that 99.7% of all measurements are within 3 sigma, as shown in FIG.

（式１） Using this standard deviation data, the controller 10 of the present invention creates a local query window (QWL). The QWL has an x0-y0 coordinate pair observed at its center and a side that is six times as long as the accuracy of the sensor. Since the standard deviation can be considered as a radius around the origin, the length of the side of the QWL is six times longer. This QWL is defined in Equation 1, and the minimum bounding rectangle is placed around this circle.

(Formula 1)

All entities that have something in common in this query window are candidates for local query results, while entities outside the query window are not candidates. The constraints in the SQL WHERE clause for local queries can be rewritten as follows:
WHERE QWL {inside, coveredBy, overlaps, EQUAL, contains, covers} *. geometry

（式２） The controller 10 is further configured to sort candidates so that the most appropriate response is returned to the user. This classification is determined based on the degree of overlap (OD) between the query window and the candidate geometry (shape), which is the ratio between the common area and window area shown in Equation (2).

(Formula 2)

Depending on the topological relationship between the entity and the query window, different OD ranges are obtained according to equations (3a)-(3f).
(Formula 3a)
QWcontin *. geometry: OD [*. name]> 1 (3a)
(Formula 3b)
QW cover eredBy *. geometry: OD [*. name]> 1 (3b)
(Formula 3c)
QWeequal *. geometry: OD [*. name] = 1 (3c)
(Formula 3d)
QWinside *. geometry: 0 <OD [*. name] <1 (3d)
(Formula 3e)
QW covers *. geometry: 0 <OD [*. name] <1 (3e)
(Formula 3f)
QWoverlaps *. geometry: 0 <OD [*. name] <1 (3f)

  The degree of overlap (OD) is measured for optimal fit. 1 is the ideal value and zero indicates that no entity meets the local query request.

The controller 10 is further adapted to employ at least two schemes to identify optimal candidates and a descending list of candidates. First, the controller 10 can classify candidates based on the deviation (ODD) in the degree of overlap from the target value defined in Equation 4.
(Formula 4)
ODD [*. name]: = abs (OD [*. name] −1) (4)

  This measurement favors candidates in the query window because the two ranges of OD values (0 <OD <1, and OD> 1) are different and there are very large objects that contain the query window. On the other hand, it disadvantages large candidate objects. This scheme for selection is preferred when a query on the subject is used to narrow the scope and size of potential candidates, i.e. the selected subject is a building or a bridge.

As shown in Equations 5a and 5b, the controller 10 normalizes the two OD ranges by the minimum value (ODmin) and the maximum value (ODmax), and calculates the normalized overlap from the target value (ODND (normalized overlap). The deviation of degree)) is preferably calculated.
(Formula 5a)
ifOD [*. name]> 1theODND [*. name]: = abs (1-OD [*. name] / ODmin) (5a)
(Formula 5b)
ifOD [*. name] <1thenODND [*. name]: = abs (1 + GDI * .name] / IODmin) (5b)

  The best candidate is the object with the smallest ODD or ODND value. The second best response can be made from both lists (eg, if the user wants more responses). While the ODD list provides browsing at a coarser or more detailed granularity, the ODND list provides integrated navigation (ie, “second best”).

For example, when the GPS has a standard deviation of 5 meters, the QW area is 900 m ² . For simplicity, assuming that Orono town has an area of 90,000 m ² , Maine has an area of 900,000 m ² and QW is completely included in both (OD) is as follows.
Orono Town 900 / 90,000 = 0.01
Maine 900 / 900,000 = 0.001

  By separating these candidates by the degree of overlap deviation (ODD) from the target value, a value of 0.099 is given to Maine and a value of 0.999 is given to Orono. Normalization of these candidates based on Formula 5a and Formula 5b indicates that Orono Town is “best fit”. The reason we are interested in the region closest in size to the local query window is that the user is likely to aim for spatial objects at a granularity that can be accurately identified.

As mentioned earlier, a local query on a subject is done when the user identifies the subject category that is the object (eg building, road, etc.) and the query is “What building are you in?” It becomes. When the controller 10 processes a local query for a subject, the controller 10 knows the classification of the subject of interest and the above formula unless the system knows the level of granularity that the user wants. The same process as described in 1-5 is used. Unlike in a comprehensive local query, once a descending list of classified best fit regions is created for a local query on the subject, these candidates determine whether they are the selected subject. To be tested. That is, the local query window (QWL) is tested to see if it has anything in common with the building area. In a local query on the subject, the SQL WHERE clause is rewritten as follows:
WHERE QWL {inside, coveredBy, overlaps, equal, contents, covers}
building. geometry.

  In the case of a local query on the subject, the controller 10 is adapted to search the database 16 for candidates having “building geometry” instead of the generic term “geometry”.

  As described above, the distal query is based on the observed position of the position sensor 18 and the observed angles of the pitch sensor 20 and the yaw sensor 22. Similar to the local query, the controller 10 is configured to create a distal query window QWD (distant query window). In the distal query, the user aims at a region away from the current position in the first direction which is the selected direction. The pitch sensor 20 and the yaw sensor 22 specify a first direction, which has a standard deviation specified by the manufacturer of each sensor. Based on the local QWL, the first direction, and in addition to the standard deviation of the pitch sensor 20 and yaw sensor 22, a distal QWD is created by the controller.

  Referring to FIG. 13, the distal QWD is calculated from the user's position O, the standard deviation regarding the position (sdP), the target first direction, and the standard deviation between the pitch sensor 20 and the yaw sensor 22. It is shown as a combination with the standard deviation (sdO) for the resulting direction. The distal QWD is essentially an error propagation region 130. The controller 10 is configured to subdivide the distal QWD into smaller polygons based on a predetermined distance from the user. For example, the region abcd defined by the polygon may be within 50 meters from the user.

（式６） The controller 10 is configured to calculate the area of the abcd polygon, as shown in the following equations 6-11.

(Formula 6)

（式７ａ）

（式７ｂ） Equations 7a and 7b calculate the coordinates of the points a and b with the inputs x0 and y0, and these are the coordinates of the position O of the user specified by the position sensor 18. The standard deviation (sdP) of the detected position is given by the sensor device manufacturer as described above. In a preferred embodiment, the yaw angle is a clockwise angle from magnetic north in the first direction.

(Formula 7a)

(Formula 7b)

（式８） The point O ′ is on the segment dc, which is the distance dist away from the user position O. The coordinates x ′ and y ′ are then used to calculate the coordinates for the QWD corners c and d.

(Formula 8)

Once the coordinates for point O ′ are known, controller 10 is adapted to calculate the distance from O ′ to corners c and d of the QWD polygon. This distance dh is calculated in Equation 9.
(Formula 9)
dh [dist, sdP, sdO]: = sdP + dist × tan (sdO) (9)

（式１０ａ）

（式１０ｂ） Equations 10a and 10b calculate the coordinates for points c and d of the corner points (corner points). This is calculated using the coordinates of O ′ and the distance from this point to the corner points c and d of the QWD.

(Formula 10a)

(Formula 10b)

After deployment of the distal QWD, the controller 10 is adapted to follow a defined query protocol described in detail above. And all entities that have part of the same area as this query window are candidates for query results, and entities outside the query window are not candidates. The restrictions on the SQL WHERE clause can be rewritten as follows.
WHERE QWD {inside, coveredBy, overlaps, equal, contents, covers) *. geometry

  A subject-related distal query works with the same algorithm as a distal query, except when the target subject is known for this subject-related query, so that the granularity of the information system to be provided to the user. It becomes possible to decide the level. In order to know the type of subject, it needs to be selected by the user. In one embodiment, the subject distal object selection process can be configured in a manner similar to that of constructing a query for a window query that is not self-centered. By windowing the theme (opening multiple windows on one screen), another theme can be obtained that includes only the input subject matter that overlaps a given region or window. WINDOWING (g, r) is a Boolean operation that consists of testing whether the geometry object g intersects the rectangle r.

  The process of testing whether one vertex of g is within a rectangle is insufficient for the purposes of the present invention. This is because a rectangle can intersect a polygon or polyline without including an end point. Therefore, the controller 10 of the present invention scans the edge of the polygonal boundary line of the object g, and whether the edge intersects one of the plurality of rectangular edges defined by the rectangle abcd shown in FIG. Has been made to test. Thus, the controller 10 performs two inclusion tests. This is because the geometry object g is completely covered by the rectangle r (or may completely contain the rectangle r).

  In another embodiment of the present invention, the user and the sensor of the portable device 100 are in a display window-like manner that is a two-dimensional polygon for two-dimensional map information, as opposed to a rectangle. Provide a perspective view. The first end of the polygon is obtained by adding a positional standard deviation represented as a circle around the origin O in FIG. 13 to the current position of the user.

  The controller 10 can further be configured to provide a conical window query in three dimensions. In this case, as shown in FIG. 14, the query polygon is a cone and the vertex is the current position of the user defined by the origin O plus the query window for the position sensor 18. The radius of the cross section of the cone is an accurate propagation of the pitch sensor 20 and yaw sensor 22 represented by sdP and sdY, respectively.

For a distal query on the subject, the query window QWD is created in the same way as for a distal query as described above. Preferably, the controller 10 is also adapted to use a conical window query. Similar to the local query on the subject, once a sorted descending list of the best matching regions is created, the QWD is tested to see if it has something the same as the subject. When the subject is “building geometry”, the SQL WHERE clause is rewritten as follows.
WHERE QWD {inside, coveredBy, overlaps, equal, contents, covers}
building. geometry

  As already mentioned, the distal query WHERE clause on this subject is different from that for a distal query. Because in this case, the restrictive subject “building.geometry” (building.geometry) is *. This is because it is used in place of geometry (*. geometry). this*. The geometry is to check all geometries that have something the same as the QWD, while the building geometry only checks the building geometry.

3. Portable equipment composed of headset and GPS-enabled device
Referring to FIG. 15, in the embodiment of the present invention, the portable device is configured as a combination of a headset and a digital compass wirelessly connected to a GPS device (for example, a mobile phone having a GPS function). Is described. This headset can be worn on the ears of system users. The components and functions of the headset may be jewelry (jewelry) such as a ring, a bracelet, and a watch as long as it includes a digital compass.

  As described above, the digital compass of the headset includes an integrated tilt compensated digital compass that further detects the heading direction of the compass with six degrees of freedom. A three-axis accelerometer and a three-axis magnetic sensor may be included to provide support. FIG. 15 shows an embodiment of a headset with a digital compass function that is wirelessly connected to a GPS enabled device, preferably via a Bluetooth wireless connection, that is attached to the ear of a system user. ing.

  Referring to FIG. 15, the system user's head and ears are shown at 302 and 304, respectively. Headset 306 is shown mounted on ear 304. The head 302, ears 304, and headset 306 are shown on a reference basis for X, Y, Z coordinates. Headset 306 may include a speaker that fits in / around the ear of the system user and a microphone that is arranged to collect audible words or sounds from the system user. The headset 306 can further include, for example, a transceiver having a Bluetooth function or the like as a wireless transceiver in order to connect to other devices. A mobile phone having a GPS function is included here, but is not limited thereto.

A mobile phone with a headset and a GPS function, the system user simply points his head at the target object and presses the button on the headset or a remote device connected wirelessly or wired to the headset , Know about the object. Next, the digital digital compass information from the headset (including but not limited to the direction specified by the headset (pointing direction) and altitude) is sent to the system user's mobile phone and equipped with an integrated GPS. Combined with coordinates from mobile phone. The GPS coordinates and digital compass information are sent through a cellular data network to a processing system (such as a system with iPointer ^™ mobile search and content distribution platform or similar functions). The search result is returned to the mobile phone of the system user, and the system user can listen to the explanation of the target object through the headset.

  The headset includes stereo headphones that provide speakers for both ears. In this stereo type, one ear unit may have a digital compass and a speaker and / or microphone, and the other ear unit may have a GPS receiver and a speaker and / or microphone.

When a system user uses the above-mentioned headset stereo type, generally, a mobile phone having a GPS function is not necessary as a part of the system, and a mobile phone having a standard Bluetooth function is used instead. be able to. In this stereo headset, an ear unit having a speaker is disposed on both ears. One ear unit has a GPS function, and the other ear unit has a digital compass function for tilt compensation. Thus, all the system users have to do is rotate their heads and press buttons, and GPS coordinates and digital compass information are sent to the system user's mobile phone via Bluetooth. It is done. The coordinates and digital compass information are then sent to a portable search and content distribution platform (such as iPointer ^™ ) via a cellular phone data network.

The jewelry types of the present invention include those worn as rings, bracelets, watches, etc., but also include digital compass and Bluetooth transceivers that are tilt compensated. When a system user points a finger in a hand wearing a ring, bracelet or wristwatch and presses a button on the user's mobile phone, the mobile phone receives digital compass information from an accessory with a digital compass function that is tilt compensated Receive this information and combine it with coordinates from a mobile phone with GPS capability. This GPS coordinate and digital compass information is sent to the iPointer ^™ mobile search and content distribution platform, or a system with similar functions, via a cellular data network. The search result is returned to the mobile phone of the system user, and the system user can listen to the explanation of the target object through the headset.

4). Summary As described above, the present invention provides a system and a portable device for providing geographic information to a user. The system includes a portable device that is wirelessly connected to a geographic database. The portable device composed of this single device or a combination of a plurality of devices constituting the portable device has a plurality of sensors for specifying the first position and the first direction. The controller is part of the portable device and is adapted to provide the required information based on local and distal queries. In addition, the controller can respond to queries on various subjects, where the database search is limited to objects, entities or features that fit the selected subject. Finally, based on a new process that creates 2D and 3D query windows and weights the query results based on a predetermined relationship to the query window, the controller selects and orders the query results. Has been made.

  It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and represent some of the many embodiments of the present invention. Numerous other configurations can be readily constructed by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

10 controller 12 antenna 16 database 18 position sensor (GPS sensor)
20 Pitch Sensor 22 Yaw Sensor 24 Display 26 Audio Output Device 100 Portable Device

Claims (5)

A system for providing geographic information,
A database containing geographic information and accessible via a network connection;
A portable device comprising a headset and a device that can be connected to the database from a remote location and that can use the global positioning system;
With
The device that can be used by the global positioning system includes at least one controller and a position sensor for specifying the position of the portable device,
The headset includes at least one digital compass adapted to measure the orientation of the portable device oriented in a direction that intersects a particular object, geographic feature or location intended by the user. And
The controller of the device available to the global positioning system is adapted to receive a query on a subject from a user;
The controller is further adapted to retrieve and retrieve a portion of the geographic information from a database selected by a combination of the location of the portable device, a pointing direction specified by the portable device, and a query relating to the subject. And
The system characterized in that the geographic information is about the specific object, geographic feature or location.   The system according to claim 1, further comprising a wireless router for connecting the portable device to the database.   The headset can be used by the controller to determine a first angle that can be used by the controller to calculate the pointing direction, and a second sensor that can be used by the controller to calculate the pointing direction. And a yaw sensor for determining the angle of the system.   The system according to claim 1, further comprising a display connected to a device capable of using the global positioning system function to display information intended by a user.   The subject query includes a predetermined set of object classes, wherein the system can select from the set of object classes in determining a response to the subject query. The portable device according to 1.

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