WO2006002669A1 - Method for assisting real and interactive navigation - Google Patents
Method for assisting real and interactive navigation Download PDFInfo
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- WO2006002669A1 WO2006002669A1 PCT/EP2004/007142 EP2004007142W WO2006002669A1 WO 2006002669 A1 WO2006002669 A1 WO 2006002669A1 EP 2004007142 W EP2004007142 W EP 2004007142W WO 2006002669 A1 WO2006002669 A1 WO 2006002669A1
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- site
- geographic site
- database
- perspective
- current position
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- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
- G01C21/00—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00
- G01C21/26—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
- G01C21/34—Route searching; Route guidance
- G01C21/36—Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
- G01C21/3626—Details of the output of route guidance instructions
- G01C21/3647—Guidance involving output of stored or live camera images or video streams
Abstract
There is provided a method for assisting navigation of an entity capable of moving within a geographic site, comprising the following steps: a) setting up a link to a main database comprising a planimetric map of the geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographical site, b) identifying a current position of said entity within the geographic site, c) searching the database for at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from said current position of the entity, d) displaying simultaneously on a user interface: - in a first window (12), a planimetric map (M) of said geographic site, - on the map (M), a mark (P) corresponding to the current position of the entity (1) within the geographic site, - in a second window (13), the selected perspective shot (L, R, F, B).
Description
METHOD FOR ASSISTING REAL AND INTERACTIVE NAVIGATION
Field of the invention
The present invention generally relates to geographic systems. More specifically, on the one hand, the invention relates to a method and system for assisting navigation of an entity capable of moving in a geographic site and, on the other hand, to a method and system for assisting interactive navigation of a user within a virtual graphic site.
Background of the invention
In recent years, navigation systems have been generalized for displaying a map on a display, such as a liquid crystal display panel, mounted in a vehicle like a car and then guiding routes where the vehicle travels.
Such navigation systems generally display schematic planimetric maps of the geographic site wherein the vehicle travels, the position of the vehicle on the map, which is displayed by a marker like a cross or the like, being refreshed as the vehicle moves, at a predetermined frequency, e.g. every 5 seconds via a positioning system such as a GPS.
Many patents have been filed in connection with this technology (see for instance US patent application No. US- 2003236616 to Kawakami (Pioneer Corp)) .
More recently, GPS systems have been implemented on PDAs for pedestrian and/or vehicle applications.
However, in the inventors' opinion, the existing products have failed to provide true interactivity and user-friendly operation.
Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for assisting navigation of an entity capable of moving within a geographic site, comprising the following steps :
a) setting up a link to a main database comprising a planimetric map of the geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site, b) identifying a current position of said entity within the geographic site, c) searching the database for at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from said current position of the entity, d) displaying simultaneously on a user interface:
- in a first window, a planimetric map of said geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current position of the entity within the geographic site,
- in a second window, the selected perspective shot, e) repeating steps a) to d) in function of the change in the position of said entity.
According to a second aspect, the invention provides a method for assisting interactive navigation of a user within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real distant geographic site, comprising the following steps: a) setting up a link to a main database comprising a planimetric map of the real geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the real geographic site, b) identifying a current position chosen by the user within said virtual graphic site, c) searching the database for at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from a position within the real geographic site corresponding to the current position chosen by the user within the virtual graphic site, d) displaying simultaneously on a user interface:
- in a first window, a planimetric map of the real geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current position chosen by the user,
- in a second window, the selected perspective shot, e) repeating steps a) to d) in function of the change in the position chosen by the user.
Each of the above described method may further comprise the following steps : d.l) setting up a link to a peripheral database comprising a set of data relating to an entity, such as a shop or firm, the sign, name or front of which is visible on the currently displayed perspective shot, d.2) displaying on said user interface, in a third window, data selected from said peripheral database.
The data of said peripheral database comprise, for example, at least one perspective view of the inside of said shop or firm, and also data relating to articles or services available in said shop or firm.
The invention is also directed to a method for doing business comprising all steps of a method as described hereabove, and further including the following step: d.3) setting up a transaction for the selling of at least one selected article or service.
The invention is also directed to a mobile navigation system comprising:
- a communication port capable of being linked to a server comprising a main database including a planimetric map of a given geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site;
- a position determining device capable of determining the current position of the navigation system within said geographic site,
- a user interface comprising a display capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window, a planimetric map of said geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current position of the system within said geographic site,
- in a second window, at least one perspective shot, selected from the database, of the landscape visible from said current position of the system within the geographic site.
The invention is further directed to a mobile navigation system comprising::
- a memory comprising a main database including a planimetric map of a given geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site;
- a position determining device capable of determining the current position of the navigation system within said geographic site,
- a user interface comprising a display capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window, a planimetric map of said geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current position of the system within said geographic site,
- in a second window, at least one perspective shot, selected from the database, of the landscape visible from said current position of the system within the geographic site.
According to a further aspect, the invention provides a system for interactive navigation within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real distant geographic site, said system comprising:
- a communication port capable of being linked to a server comprising a main database including a planimetric map of the real geographic site and a set
of perspective shots of the landscape visible from . a plurality of positions inside the real geographic site;
- a user interface comprising
- means for selecting a current position within said virtual graphic site, and
- a display capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window, a planimetric map of the real geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current selected position,
- in a second window, at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from a position within the real geographic site corresponding to the current position selected within the virtual graphic site.
The invention is also directed to a system for interactive navigation within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real distant geographic site, said system comprising:
— a memory comprising a main database including a planimetric map of the real geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the real geographic site;
- means for selecting a current position within said virtual graphic site,
— a user interface comprising a display capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window, a planimetric map of the real geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current selected position,
- in a second window, at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from a position within the real geographic site corresponding to the current selected within the virtual graphic site.
Said means for selecting a current position within said virtual graphic site may comprise an arrow panel.
According to a further aspect, the invention provides a data communication network comprising:
- a main server comprising a central database including a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside a given real geographic site;
- at least one local peripheral server linked to the main server and comprising a local peripheral database including a set of data relative to an entity such as a shop or firm, the name, sign or front of which is visible on at least one perspective shot of said central database;
- at least one personal terminal linked to said main server for downloading said perspective shots.
The main server comprises means for correlating a shot selected under request of the personal terminal to data of the peripheral database and means for transmitting to the terminal said data in correlation with the selected shot.
This network may further comprise a public access terminal linked to the main server, 'and at least one host peripheral server linked to the main server and also to the World Wide Web. This host peripheral server may also be linked to the local peripheral server.
The data of said local peripheral database include for example data relative to articles or services available in said shop or firm.
At last, according to a further aspect, the invention provides a computer program for managing, downloading and displaying geographic data memorized onto a main database, these data including a planimetric map of a given geographic site and a set .of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site, this program comprising instructions for processing the following
steps :
- identifying a current position in the geographic site;
- accessing the database;
- searching the database for at least a perspective shot corresponding to the identified position;
- downloading the corresponding data from the database;
- displaying simultaneously the planimetric map of the geographic site and the perspective shots corresponding to the current position.
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Brief description of the drawings
Figure 1 is a schematic view of a network useful for implementing a mobile navigation system according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic view of a network useful for implementing a navigation system according to a second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is a schematic view showing a computer program architecture useful for implementing a navigation system according to the invention.
Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the architecture of a communication network useful for implementing a navigation system according to the invention.
Figure 5 is a front view of a display showing a planimetric map of a given city and perspective shots taken from the position indicated on the map by a marker.
Figure β is a perspective view taken from the inside of a vehicle moving in a street of a given city and equipped with a display showing a planimetric map of the city and perspective
shots taken from the current position of the vehicle.
Figure 7 to 13 illustrate several steps of interactive navigation within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real city.
Figure 14 is a block diagram illustrating the steps involved in a method for doing business involving a method for assisting navigation according to the invention.
It shall be understood that the planimetric maps and perspective shots visible on figures 5, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12 and 13, should be considered, in the depicted examples, as photographs taken by cameras. The applicant replaced these photographs in the corresponding figures by schematic drawings which are more suitable for reproduction by the patent offices.
Detailed description
I. METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSISTING NAVIGATION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a method and system for assisting navigation.
Embodiment 1
According to a first embodiment, there is provided, on the one hand, a method for assisting navigation of an entity 1, such as a vehicle (car, bus, train, metro, boat, etc.), a mobile phone, a PDA (this list should be considered as non exhaustive) , capable of moving within a given geographic site, such as a city, and, on the other hand, a mobile navigation system 2 suitable for implementing at least part of this method.
Navigation system 2, which is mounted on the moving entity 1, is part of a communication network 3 provided with a main server 4, comprising a main database 5 such as a Windows®- compatible Oracle® database, including:
- a planimetric map M of the geographic site, preferably
a digital satellite photographic view of the site, and
- a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of predetermined positions inside the geographic site.
The planimetric map of the geographic site (commonly a city) may be memorized as a satellite Raster type image file under any suitable computer format: TIFF, JPEG, ECW, CALS, BITMAP (BMP), EPS, GIF, PCX, RAS, TARGA (TGA), WPG, SGI, PCT or the like.
Alternatively, the planimetric map may be memorized as a vector cartography type image file under any suitable computer format: DWG, DXF, CXF, BTF, CTR, GPM or the like.
The perspective shots may be memorized as image files under any suitable computer format: TIFF, JPEG, BITMAP (BMP), AVI or the like.
The database 5 is structured so as to create a link between the planimetric map and the perspective shots: for instance, the database 5 comprises a set of identifiers, each identifier being univocally linked to:
- a predetermined position P on the planimetric map M, and
- a perspective shot (such as photographic views) or preferably a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from the position corresponding, in the real geographic site, to position P on the map.
In a preferred embodiment, to each identifier corresponds a set of four perspective shots (F, L, R, B) corresponding respectively:
- F: to a front view of the landscape,
- L: to a left view of the landscape,
- R: to a right view of the landscape, and
- B: to a back view of the landscape.
In other words, shots F, L, R, B correspond respectively to views taken through the windshield, left window, right window
and back window of a car standing at a position, in the geographic site, corresponding to position P on the map.
The main database 5, the creation of which is not directly concerned by the present invention, may be obtained by means of a known process in which a real-time satellite-positioned vehicle equipped with roof cameras travels through a given geographic site in order to take, at predetermined temporal intervals, photographic shots of the landscape.
In fine, the main database 5 provides, under the form of digital files, a computerized virtual geographic site corresponding to the real geographic site.
The navigation system 2 comprises:
- a communication port 6, such as a GSM or GPRS module, capable of being wireless linked to the main server 4,
- a position determining device 7, such as a GPS module, capable of being linked to a satellite 7.1 (or to a terrestrial radiocommunication station 7.2), for determining the current position of the navigation system 2 - and therefore of the equipped moving entity 1 - within the geographic site,
- a user interface 8 including a display 9 and a keyboard 10 which is optional, since the display might be of the finger-sensitive type, and
- a central processing unit (CPU) 11, linked to the communication port 6, to the position determining device 7 and to the user interface 8, and including computer programs suitable for operating the navigation assistance.
The method, according to one aspect of the invention, for assisting navigation of the entity 1 (such as a vehicle, as represented on figure 6) equipped with the navigation system 2 and moving within the geographic site, comprises the following steps :
1) first of all, identifying the geographic site, which is practically done automatically by means of the position
determining device 7, or by the user himself through the user interface;
2) setting up a link to the main database 5 (that is to say to the main server 4), by means of the communication port 6;
3) identifying a current position of the entity 1 within the geographic site, by means of the position determining device 7;
4) communicating the current position of the entity 1 to the main server 4;
5) searching the database 5 for the available data corresponding to the current position of the entity 1, namely the corresponding perspective shot(s) F, L, R, B;
6) downloading the selected data within the navigation system 2 by means of the communication port 6, and
7) displaying simultaneously on the user interface 8:
- in a first window 12 of the display 9, the planimetric map M available in the main database 5,
- on the displayed map M, a mark P corresponding to the current position of the entity 1 within the geographic site, and
- in a second window 13 of the display 9, adjacent and under the first window 12 (see figure 5), the selected perspective shots F, L, R, B.
Steps 3) to 7) are repeated at predetermined temporal intervals (e.g. every 5 seconds or every second), in function of the change in the current position of the entity 1, so that the images M, F, L, R, B displayed on the user interface 8 are refreshed at a predetermined frequency whenever the entity 1 moves.
Therefore, the user of the entity 1 (i.e. the driver of the vehicle, the user of the PDA or mobile phone equipped with the navigation system 2) , moving in the streets of a city, is able, at every moment, to visually compare the real landscape he is traveling through with the displayed computerized landscape
available from the database 5 (see figure 6) .
In order to display correctly the images, the system is preferably provided with a media player plug-in, either downloaded from the World Wide Web, or directly available as a stand-alone program.
In an alternative and slightly different embodiment, the database is not memorized in a distant server, but instead available inside the mobile navigation system, either in an embedded memory, or in a removable memory support such as a CD- ROM or DVD.
Embodiment 2
According to a second embodiment, there is provided a method for assisting interactive navigation of a user within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real distant geographic site, and a system 2.1 for interactive navigation within the virtual graphic site, suitable for implementing at least part of this method.
The system 2.1 which may be for example in the form of a home PC, or a work station, as represented on figure 2, is part of a communication network 3 provided with a main server 4 which is similar to the one hereabove disclosed in embodiment 1 and, in particular, comprises a similar database 5 including similar geographic and perspective image data.
For simplicity's sake, the structure and content of the database 5 will not be disclosed again in the present second embodiment.
Instead of navigating in a real geographic site (for example a city) , the user navigates within a virtual graphic site corresponding to the real distant geographic site which, as in the first embodiment, is computerized into:
- a satellite 'type planimetric map M, and
- a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of predetermined positions inside the real geographic site.
The interactive navigation system 13 comprises:
- a communication port, for example a classic network port, a cable port or an and ADSL port, capable of being linked to the server, and
- a user interface 8.1 comprising:
- means 14 for selecting a current position within the graphic site, and
- a display 9.1 capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window 12, a planimetric map M of the real geographic site,
- on the map M, a mark P corresponding to the current selected position,
- in a second window 13, at least one perspective shot - practically four perspective shots F, L, R, B - of the landscape visible from a position within the real geographic site corresponding to the current position P selected within the virtual graphic site.
As depicted on figures 8 to 11, the selection means 14 are provided under the form of a graphic direction arrow panel available on the display 9.1 and which can be clicked on, or touched in case the display 9.1 is of the finger-sensitive type.
The arrow panel 14 comprises a plurality of direction buttons, namely, in the clockwise direction: a forward button 14F, a forward-right button 14FR, a right button 14R, a backward-right button 14BR, a backward button 14B, a backward- left button 14BL, a left button 14L, and a forward-left button 14FL.
Therefore, the arrow panel 14 forms a computerized omnidirectional joystick which enables the user to freely navigate within the graphic site formed by the combination of the planimetric map M and the perspective shots F, L, R, B.
The method for assisting interactive navigation of the user
within the virtual graphic site, comprises the following steps:
1) first of all, choosing the distant geographic site to be navigated by the user;
2) setting up a link to the main database 5, by means of the communication port;
3) identifying a current position chosen by the user within the graphic site (in practice, on the planimetric map M) ;
4) communicating the current position to the server 4;
5) searching the database 5 for the available data corresponding to the current position, namely the corresponding perspective shot(s) F, L, R, B;
6) downloading the selected data within the navigation system 2.1 by means of the communication port, and
7) displaying simultaneously on the user interface 8.1:
- in a first window 12 of the display 9.1, the planimetric map M available in the main database 5,
- on the displayed map M, a mark P corresponding to the current position chosen by the user, and
- in a second window 13 of the display 9.1, adjacent and under the first window 12 (see figure 7), the selected perspective shots F, L, R, B.
Steps 3) to 7) are repeated:
- each time the user selects a different position, in a sequential mode in which the user needs to repeat pushing or clicking the same button of arrow panel 14 so as to proceed in the same direction, and/or
- at predetermined temporal intervals (for example every 5 seconds or every second) , in a continuous mode in which the user automatically proceeds in the same direction until he changes direction or stops by pushing ox clicking a "stop" button; in the continuous mode, the images displayed on the user interface 9.1 are refreshed at a predetermined frequency.
In an alternative and slightly different embodiment, the
database is not memorized in a distant server, but instead available inside the navigation system, either in an embedded memory or in a removable memory support such as a CD-ROM or DVD.
An example of virtual navigation is illustrated on figures 7 to 11.
As illustrated on figure 7, the marker P is positioned on a main street 15 of the chosen city. The corresponding perspective shots F, L, R, B are visible on the display 9.1 in second window 13.
The user chooses to proceed straight on the same main street 15, by clicking on the forward button 14F, as illustrated on figure 8, until the marker P comes to an intersection 16 of the main street 15 with a cross street 17. The display 9.1 is refreshed and the perspective shots F, L, R, B corresponding to the intersection 16 are immediately displayed (figure 9) .
The user then chooses to turn right in the cross street 17 by clicking on the right button 14R (figure 10) , so that the marker P is routed to the cross street 17, the display 9.1 is refreshed and the corresponding perspective shots F, L, R, B are immediately displayed under the city map M (figure 11) .
Whichever the embodiment, the overall realism of the display depends upon the density of the available positions provided inside the virtual city and also upon the navigation speed and the refreshment frequency.
For instance, supposing:
1) different perspective shots have been taken every meter and included into the database 5,
2) refreshment frequency is 3 Hz at least,
3) velocity of the vehicle 1 or the marker P is 50 km/h, the succession of perspective shots may appear to the user as a continuous iilra.
II . Virtual exploration and method for doing business
In addition, the system and method described hereabove (according to any of embodiment 1 or 2) may be designed to provide interactive on-line services for the user inside the virtual geographic site.
Whenever these services are of commercial nature, the invention provides, according to a second aspect, a method for doing business involving the above-described system and method for assisting navigation.
As depicted on figures 1 and 2, the communication network 3 comprises at least a peripheral server 18 linked to the main server 4 and comprising a local peripheral database relating to an entity 19, the name, sign or front of which is available in the virtual geographic site, that is to say this entity 19 is visible on at least one perspective shot of the main database (figure 12) .
This entity may be the seat of administrative or cultural activities, such as a mayoralty or a museum, which can provide on-line services or even on-line visits.
However, the entity 19 may also be the seat of commercial activities, such as a shop or firm, as in the example illustrated on figure 12, capable of providing on-line commercial services or on-line shopping.
The peripheral server 18 may be either a private server owned by the corresponding entity 19, and providing only particular on-line services, or a shared server providing on¬ line services for several grouped entities (such as the entire museum network of a city) .
As depicted on figures 1 and 2, the main server 4 may also be linked to the World Wide Web, in order to allow the user to be connected to the internet through his navigation system.
In order to provide interactive virtual exploration of the geographic site, the method according to the invention comprises, in addition to the above-recited steps, the
following steps, as soon as the user has selected on the display 9, 9.1 (either by a touch or a click as illustrated on figure 12) an entity 19 he wants to explore:
7.1) identifying the entity 19 selected;
7.2) setting up a link to the corresponding peripheral database (i.e. to the corresponding peripheral server 18),
7.3) downloading, from the peripheral database, data selected by the user,
7.4) displaying on the user interface 8, 8.1, in a third window, the selected data.
In order to achieve these steps, the main server 4 is provided, on the one hand, with means for correlating, under request of the user, the selected entity 19 to the corresponding data available on the peripheral database, and, on the other hand, means for transmitting to the navigation system 2, 2.1 the data in correlation with the selected entity 19.
The available data may include at least one perspective view of the inside of the entity 19, such as the inside of a shop.
As depicted on figure 13, the system CPU may be programmed to command the opening of a window menu 21 allowing the user to choose, as soon as he has clicked or touched the entity 19, among several types of exploration, for example: "enter shop", "connect to (shop) website", "connect to (on-line) yellow pages" in order to access to the corresponding address and phone number, or directly "call (the shop) on the phone".
Whenever the entity 19 is a shop or a firm, the corresponding database may comprise data relating to articles or services available in the shop or firm.
The invention therefore provides a method for doing on-line business to buy articles or services, involving the above- recited navigation method and system, as illustrated on figure 14.
At a first stage 22, the user navigates through the virtual
city as here-above described.
Whenever the user is interested in visiting a shop which is accessible in the virtual city, in other words for which a link has been set up and commercial data are available, he simply selects at 23 the shop by clicking or touching the corresponding image on the current perspective shot (figure 12) .
The user then chooses at 24 the option proposed by the system, i.e. enter either the virtual shop at 25 or the shop website at 26.
The shop website may be organized as an ordinary website that the user can navigate at 27 to select and buy articles or services, and from which he can exit at 28 anytime and come back to the virtual city navigation at 22.
Entering the virtual shop leads, as described hereabove, to the displaying, in a third window on the display, of at least one perspective shot of the inside of the shop (not illustrated) , in which articles available in stock are visible (stage 29) .
To each article may correspond a link to corresponding data available in the shop database memorized in the corresponding peripheral server 18, so that the user may be allowed at 30 to select articles to be bought (or not, stage 31) , either to buy them now (stage 32), or, in case payment is postponed so as to allow selection of some more articles, to add them to a basket (stage 33) .
Stages 30 to 33 may be repeated until the user decides his basket is full (stage 34) .
Whenever the user, who then becomes a customer, decides to buy the selected article (s), transaction is proceeded (at stage 35) under request, according to a traditional secured e- commerce payment-process .
For example, the customer is asked to provide his bank account or credit; -card number and to choose among various ways of delivery of the articles: home postal delivery, later on-
site retrieval, etc.
Once the transaction is achieved, the user is routed again to the virtual shop he can navigate again or exit (at stage 36) to further navigate the virtual city.
A link may also be set up between the virtual shop and the shop website (if the latter is available) , so that the user may switch from the virtual shop (at stage 29) to the website (at stage 26) and vice-versa, as depicted on figure 14.
As depicted on figure 4, the architecture of the communication network 3 is adapted to allow such virtual exploration, either for commercial or non-commercial purposes.
The network 3 comprises a commercial sub-network 20 comprising at least one peripheral server 18 linked to the main server 4. In the example depicted on figure 4, the commercial sub-network 20 comprises three host peripheral servers, e.g.:
- a local peripheral server 18.1 where the data relating to the virtual shop are memorized on a suitable database,
- a host peripheral server 18.2 including the shop website and which may also be linked to the local peripheral server 18.1 and/or to the World Wide Web, and
- a public access terminal 18.3, so-called "Totem", which may also be linked to the host peripheral server 18.2 to allow access to the shop website or to the internet.
For non-commercial purposes, the communication network may also comprise at least a further peripheral server 18.4, including non-commercial data relating to non-commercial entities available in the virtual city, such as public administrations, signage (for road, rail, or even fluvial information: road works or traffic, shore state, etc.) .
This non-commercial server 18.4 is linked to the main server and may also be linked to the commercial network 20 to provide non-commercial information among commercial information
accessed through the commercial network.
The interactive exploration of the entities such as shops may also be used to access free available data provided by the shops, such as films, music that can be downloaded as files to be listened to or watched at a later time, or real-time files, for instance real-time films taken from webcams, which can be directly displayed by the media player plug-in on the display 9, 9.1 of the navigation system 2, 2.1.
The main server 4 is preferably a large bandwidth server, so as to allow a plurality of simultaneous user connections from various origins.
III. Software
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program 37 suitable for implementing the above-described method for assisting navigation.
This program is implemented at least partly in the main server and eventually partly in the navigation system 2, 2.1 in order to create a link between the main database 5 and the user interface 8, 8.1.
This computer program 37 is divided into several program modules which work together so as to manage, pick up and transfer the data from the main database, i.e.:
- a "top" module 38 programmed for managing the geographic data;
- a "system" module 39 programmed for managing the user profiles authorized to access the database;
- a "renderer" module 40 programmed to generate the images from the data: lines, points, symbols, texts, etc. ;
- a "graphic" module 41 programmed for managing the visualization of the data: generation of windows on the display, of instruments for selection of the entities inside the displayed virtual geographic site;
- an "edit" module 42 programmed for managing data modifications and transformation of the coordinate data (i.e. position in the real geographic site) to database-compatible data;
- an "input/output" module 43 programmed for loading the data within the database into different levels and tables and for the downloading of the data;
- a "videocontrol" module 44 programmed for taking into account the current position of the mobile entity (see embodiment 1 described hereabove) or the current position chosen by the user (see embodiment 2 described hereabove) and for synchronizing display of the planimetric map M and the perspective shots F, L, R, B.
The invention presents many advantages.
First, the system and method for assisting navigation described hereabove provide efficient navigation assistance, even for someone having difficulties reading a planimetric map.
In addition, the method for doing business described hereabove creates a user-friendly environment wherein any customer is able to do interactive shopping in the same way as if he was walking and/or driving through a real city.
In particular, whenever an article is not available the city where the user lives, he is able, with the business method according to the invention, to find it wherever it is available and buy it immediately on-line.
More generally, the navigation and business methods according to the invention provide entirely interactive navigation through a virtual city, having access to any commercial and ' non-commercial services, as soon as the corresponding entities (public administrations, shops, firms) have computerized their data and allowed access to them through the main database.
Claims
1. Method for assisting navigation of an entity (1) capable of moving within a ' geographic site, comprising the following steps: a) setting up a link to a main database (5) comprising a planimetric map of the geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site, b) identifying a current position of said entity (1) within the geographic site, c) searching the database (5) for at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from said current position of the entity, d) displaying simultaneously on a user interface (8) :
- in a first window (12) , a planimetric map (M) of said geographic site,
- on the map (M) , a mark (P) corresponding to the current position of the entity (1) within the geographic site,
- in a second window (13), the selected perspective shot (L, R, F, B) , e) repeating steps a) to d) in function of the change in the position of said entity (1) .
2. Method for assisting interactive navigation of a user within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real distant geographic site, comprising the following steps: a) setting up a link to a main database (5) comprising a planimetric map of the real geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the real geographic site, b) identifying a current position chosen by the user within said virtual graphic site, c) searching the database for at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from a position within the real geographic site corresponding to the current position chosen by the user within the virtual graphic site, d) displaying simultaneously on a user interface (8.1):
- in a first window (12), a planimetric map (M) of the real geographic site,
- on the map (M) , a mark (P) corresponding to the current position chosen by the user,
- in a second window (13), the selected perspective shot (L, R, F, B) , e) repeating steps a) to d) in function of the change in the position chosen by the user.
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the following steps: d.l) setting up a link to a peripheral database (18) comprising a set of data relating to an entity (19), the sign, name or front of which is visible on the currently displayed perspective shot (B) , d.2) displaying on said user interface (8, 8.1), in a third window, data selected from said peripheral database (18) .
4. Method according to claim 3, wherein said entity (19) is a shop or firm.
5. Method according to claim 4, wherein the data of said peripheral database comprise at least one perspective view of the inside of said shop or firm.
6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the data of said peripheral database (18) comprise data relating to articles or services available in said shop or firm.
7. Mobile navigation system (2) comprising:
- a communication port (6) capable of being linked to a server (4) comprising a main database (5) including a planimetric map of a given geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site;
- a position determining device (7) capable of determining the current position of the navigation system (2) within said geographic site,
- a user interface (8) comprising a display (9) capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window (12), a planimetric map (M) of said geographic site,
- on the map (M) , a mark (P) corresponding to the current position of the system (2) within said geographic site,
- in a second window (13), at least one perspective shot (L, R, F, B), selected from the database (5), of the landscape visible from said current position of the system (2) within the geographic site.
8. Mobile navigation system comprising:
- a memory comprising a main database including a planimetric map of a given geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site;
- a position determining device capable of determining the current position of the navigation system within said geographic site,
- a user interface comprising a display capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window, a planimetric map of said geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current position of the system within said geographic site,
- in a second window, at least one perspective shot, selected from the database, of the landscape visible from said current position of the system with±n the geographic site.
9. System for interactive navigation within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real distant geographic site, said system comprising:
- a communication port capable of being linked to a server (4) comprising a main database (5) including a planimetric map of the real geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the real geographic site;
- a user interface (8.1) comprising
— means (14) for selecting a current position within said virtual graphic site, and
- a display (9.1) capable of simultaneously displaying:
- in a first window (12), a planimetric map (M) of the real geographic site,
- on the map (M) , a mark corresponding to the current selected position,
- in a second window (13) , at least one perspective shot (L, R, F, B) of the landscape visible from a position within the real geographic site corresponding to the current position selected within the virtual graphic site.
10. System for interactive navigation within a virtual graphic site corresponding to a real distant geographic site, said system comprising:
- a memory comprising a main database including a planimetric map of the real geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the real geographic site;
- means for selecting a current position within said virtual graphic site,
- a user interface comprising a display capable of simultaneously displaying: - in a first window, a planimetric map of the real geographic site,
- on the map, a mark corresponding to the current selected position,
- in a second window, at least one perspective shot of the landscape visible from a position within the real geographic site corresponding to the current selected within the virtual graphic site.
11. System according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the means for selecting a current position within said virtual graphic site comprise an arrow panel (14) .
12. Data communication system comprising:
- a main server (4) comprising a central database (5) including a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside a given real geographic site;
- at least one local peripheral server (18.1) linked to the main server (4) and comprising a local peripheral database including a set of data relative to an entity (19), the name, sign or front of which is visible on at least one perspective shot (B) of said central database;
- at least one personal terminal linked to said main server (4) for downloading said perspective shots ; wherein said main server (4) comprises means for correlating a shot selected under request of the personal terminal to data of the peripheral database and means for transmitting to the terminal said data in correlation with the selected shot.
13. System according to claim 12, further comprising a public access terminal (18.3) linked to the main server.
14. System according to claim 12 or 13, comprising at least one host peripheral server (18.2) linked to the main server (4) and al-so to the World Wide Web.
15. System according to claim 14, wherein said host peripheral server (18.2) is also linked to said local peripheral server (18.1) .
16. System according to any of claims 12-15, wherein said entity (19) is a shop or firm, and wherein the data of said local peripheral database include data relative to articles or services available in said shop or firm.
17. Computer program for managing, downloading and displaying geographic data memorized onto a main database, these data including a planimetric map of a given geographic site and a set of perspective shots of the landscape visible from a plurality of positions inside the geographic site, this program comprising instructions for processing the following steps :
- identifying a current position in the geographic site;
- accessing the database;
- searching the database for at least a perspective shot corresponding to the identified position;
- downloading the corresponding data from the database;
- displaying simultaneously the planimetric map of the geographic site and the perspective shots corresponding to the current position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2004/007142 WO2006002669A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2004-06-29 | Method for assisting real and interactive navigation |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2004/007142 WO2006002669A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2004-06-29 | Method for assisting real and interactive navigation |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO2006002669A1 true WO2006002669A1 (en) | 2006-01-12 |
Family
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Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2004/007142 WO2006002669A1 (en) | 2004-06-29 | 2004-06-29 | Method for assisting real and interactive navigation |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO2006002669A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2009124156A1 (en) * | 2008-04-01 | 2009-10-08 | Decarta Inc. | Gradually changing perspective map |
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