WO2017208180A1

WO2017208180A1 - System and method for seamless navigation

Info

Publication number: WO2017208180A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/053220
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ruchita SHARMA; Amit Kumar Sharma
Original assignee: Sharma Ruchita
Priority date: 2016-06-01
Filing date: 2017-06-01
Publication date: 2017-12-07

Abstract

A system comprising a first device and a second device is provided. The system includes the first device configured for communicating navigation data pertaining to at least a geographical map to the second device. The first device is configured to collect data pertaining to at least a geographical map comprising a current location and a destination location and transmit the navigation data based on the collected data to a second device. The second device is configured for rendering turn-by-turn navigation information to a user. The second device is configured to detect its detachment from the first device and receive the navigation data from the first device, wherein the navigation data comprises at least the source coordinates, a route information and the destination coordinates. Further, the second device is configured to activate the turn-by-turn navigation using the route information on the second device and render the turn-by-turn navigation to the user.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SEAMLESS NAVIGATION FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[001] This disclosure relates generally to navigation systems, and more particularly to a modular device which is a GPS enabled device for rendering 'Turn-by-turn navigation' . BACKGROUND

[002] Using turn by turn navigation provided by maps in a car or a two- wheeler has developed as a preferable practice among people while commuting to new locations. Usage of either stand- alone GPS navigation device (e.g. 'Trailblazer 'navigation system by Map- my-India) or a smartphone to avail a map enabled GPS navigation has become commonplace. Owing to cost and subscription charges of the standalone GPS system, users generally prefer smartphones to avail the GPS enabled navigation.

[003] However, said usage of smartphone for navigation has its own demerits. To name a few, while availing navigation assisted by the phone, it is not convenient to use any other functionality such as Gallery, email etc through the phone itself. Additionally, there is no intuitive way to initiate a map- based navigation within the mobile-phone and simultaneously use the phone for some other purpose, such as usage of mobile -phone apps other than the GPS navigation related apps. Moreover, owing to a limited screen area, enormous information provided by map-based apps have to accessed with utmost discretion and many a times it is not easy to comprehend the rendered information especially by senior citizens or lesser technical-minded persons. For example, older people, who aren't well accustomed for using map based application such as Google, may find it hard to interpret the information and struggle to visualize and identify streets etc, as depicted within the maps.

[004] In addition to aforesaid issues, there are also handling related issues with the smartphone when used as GPS devices during driving any vehicle. The problem further compounds in case of two wheelers. For example, it is not practical to keep the phone in one hand and ride the vehicle, maintain the phone in the pocket/two wheeler trunk/handbag and frequently take it out to see the direction, stop the vehicle and observe the phone to merely check the direction, etc. Likewise, it is a security hazard to continuously interact or see the phone while driving, and the problem worsens in two wheelers, wherein the user may be at risk if he/she attempts to balance the vehicle while interacting with the phone.

[005] Further, poor weather condition such as rain prohibits the use of phone as a navigation tool for the two wheeler vehicles, owing to fear of damage from rains. Further, even if the mobile device is maintained securely within the pocket or vehicle housing and taken out passively to observe the navigation directions, the mobile device navigation 'app' may switch off due to accidental actuation of the touch- sensitive keys within the mobile device.

SUMMARY

[006] In order to solve at least some of the above mentioned problems, there exists a need for a low cost method and a device to render navigation information, that is easier to handle and user-friendly in terms of rendering the information.

[007] Briefly, according to an exemplary embodiment, a system comprising a first device and a second device is provided. The system includes the first device configured for communicating navigation data pertaining to at least a geographical map to the second device. The first device is configured to collect data pertaining to at least a geographical map comprising a current location and a destination location and transmit the navigation data based on the collected data to a second device. The second device is configured for rendering turn-by-turn navigation information to a user. The second device is configured to detect its detachment from the first device and receive the navigation data from the first device, wherein the navigation data comprises at least the source coordinates, a route information and the destination coordinates. Further, the second device is configured to activate the turn-by-turn navigation using the route information on the second device and render the turn-by-turn navigation to the user.

[008] Briefly, according to an exemplary embodiment, a method for providing seamless turn-by-turn navigation on a second device is provided. The method includes detecting detachment of the second device from a first device. The method also includes transferring navigation data from the first device to the second device. The method also includes activating turn-by-turn navigation on the second device based on the navigation data. [009] The summary above is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Further aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the exemplary embodiments can be better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system configured for facilitating a smartphone (first device) to communicate information pertaining to at least a geographical map to a GPS enabled device (second device), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for rendering turn-by-turn navigation information to a user on a display of a GPS enabled device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3 is an exemplary system illustrating a smartphone depicting in an operational interaction with a GPS enabled device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts the GPS enabled device of FIG. 3, with a modified display, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a computing device utilized for implementing the system 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

[0018] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

[0019] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not comprise only those steps but may comprise other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional subsystems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0021] At least one exemplary embodiment is generally directed towards GPS enabled device. In one embodiment, the GPS enabled device incorporates only lighter components (e.g. a GPS receiver IC having an embedded antenna) and avoids a high cost otherwise associated with a full-fledged independent GPS system, while still exhibiting improved results. In order to do so, the GPS enabled device leverages the functionality of the existing smartphones, i.e. the existing 'map based mobile-phone apps', and thereafter renders a final output on the display of the GPS enabled device. While doing so, the GPS enabled device also leads to power-saving within the smartphone by restricting the 'GPS signal receiving' operations within the present GPS enabled device, as long as the GPS enabled device is in active state.

[0022] At least one exemplary embodiment is generally directed to a system comprising a first device and a second device is. In one embodiment, the first device is a GPS enabled device which is interface- able with the second device which is smartphone to access navigation/map related information from internet.

[0023] The word mobile device, smart phone and first device refer the same and is used interchangeably in the description. The word GPS enabled device, portable device, modular device and the second device refer the same and is used interchangeably in the description

[0024] The system includes the first device configured for communicating navigation data pertaining to at least a geographical map to the second device. The first device is configured to collect data pertaining to at least a geographical map comprising a current location and a destination location and transmit the navigation data based on the collected data to a second device. The second device is configured for rendering turn-by-turn navigation information to a user. The second device is configured to detect its detachment from the first device and receive the navigation data from the first device, wherein the navigation data comprises at least the source coordinates, a route information and the destination coordinates. Further, the second device is configured to activate the turn-by-turn navigation using the route information on the second device and render the turn-by-turn navigation to the user.

[0025] In addition to the illustrative aspects, exemplary embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a system 100 configured for facilitating a smartphone (first device) to communicate information pertaining to at least a geographical map to a GPS enabled device (second device), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [0027] In one embodiment, the GPS enabled device 104 as disclosed herein is wirelessly linkable (through a network 115) with the smartphone 102, such that the GPS enabled device 104 may be activated or deactivated with respect to the smartphone 102. In an example, the GPS enabled device 104 may be simply activated to take over the GPS -signal receiving functionality of the smart phone 102. In an example, the GPS enabled device 104 may be fitted within the assembly of the smartphone 102 and capable of being pulled out of the smartphone 102 to get automatically activated and render a display. Accordingly, upon having been activated, the GPS enabled device 104 starts operating to render a 'turn by turn' navigation to the user. For such purposes, the GPS enabled device 104 gathers the current location through its own GPS signal receiving mechanism and extracts the destination location either from the smartphone 102 or from the user. The turn by turn navigation information is achieved by harnessing the web-enabled online maps or map based mobile- phone apps through the smartphone device 102.

[0028] In one embodiment, a portable device is provided. The portable device may be a modular device. In one embodiment, the portable device is the GPS enabled device 104 as shown in FIG. 1. The GPS enabled device 104 includes a current location determination module 106, a destination location determination module 108, a communication module 110, a processing module 112, a display 114 and a sensing module 116.

[0029] The communication module 110 is configured to communicate with a first device 102 (smartphone) so as to gather an information pertaining to at least a geographical map comprising the current and destination locations. In one example embodiment, the first device 102 is a smartphone device or a mobile device. In one example, the communication module 110 may be a receiver (not shown) configured to receive the information associated with turn-by-turn navigation from the smartphone 102. [0030] The GPS enabled device 104 includes the processing module 112 to process the data received through the current location determination module 106, the communication module 110 and the destination location determination module 108 to render a turn by turn navigation information on a display 114 of GPS enabled device 104. The sensing module 116 is configured to trigger said operational interaction among the current location determination module 106, the communication module 110, the destination location determination module 108, the smartphone device 102 and the processing module 112 upon having sensed an activation of the GPS enabled device 104. [0031] In an implementation, said activation corresponds to detachment of the GPS enabled device 104 from the first device, which may be a smartphone 102. In another implementation, said current location determination is a GPS receiving circuit to determine a current location. In another implementation, wherein said destination location determination module 102 operates either based on a user-input or a data received from the smartphone 102 vide the communication module 110.

[0032] In one embodiment, the data is transmitted wirelessly through a network 115 from the mobile device 102 to the GPS enabled device 104. In one example, the data transmitted is the comprises an estimated time of arrival at the destination, traffic conditions falling within the route, current weather conditions weather, call/message alerts, notifications etc. As a part of its processing, the GPS enabled device 104 synchronizes such data, and displays navigation details in timely manner.

[0033] In addition, the GPS enabled device 104 may store miscellaneous data such as an image representing the user's currently worn outfit, so that such image may be displayed as a moving entity within the turn by turn navigation display at the GPS enabled device 104.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for rendering turn-by-turn navigation information to a user on a display of a GPS enabled device, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 may be described from the perspective of a processor that is configured to execute computer-readable instructions to carry out the functionalities of the above described modules of the system 100 of FIG. 1. In particular, the steps as described in FIG. 2 may be executed for rendering turn-by-turn navigation information to a user on a display of the GPS enabled device. Each step is described in detail below.

[0035] At step 202, an activation of a GPS enabled device with respect to a first device (smartphone) is detected. In one embodiment, the GPS enabled device is communicatively linked to a first device. In one example embodiment, the first device may be a smartphone or any mobile device.

[0036] At step 204, based on said detection at step 202, an operation of receipt of GPS coordinates is triggered within the GPS enabled device. In one embodiment, said triggering also denotes suspension of receipt of GPS coordinates within the first device. In another embodiment, said triggering of receipt of GPS coordinates within the GPS enabled device is also accomplished upon having sensed feeding of a power supply being to the GPS enabled device, despite the fact that the GPS enabled device has not been activated. In yet another embodiment, said triggering is also accomplished upon sensing a low battery status or a substantially high usage in respect of the first device. On other hand, upon having sensed a low battery status within the GPS enabled device, the operation of receipt of GPS coordinates is suspended within the GPS enabled device and re-activated within the first device.

[0037] At step 206, a geographical map information and optionally a destination location information is continuously communicated to the GPS enabled device from the first device. In one example embodiment, geographical map information includes GPS coordinates, the map information and the destination location information.

[0038] In yet another embodiment, the communication from the first device to the GPS enabled device also includes extraneous information like incoming call/SMS alerts, reminders etc, such that the GPS enabled device may be operated upon to accept or reject the incoming alerts directed towards the first device. For example, in order to reject an incoming call directed towards the first device that is otherwise being displayed at the GPS enabled device, the GPS device may be actuated, e.g. by operating upon its touch sensitive surface. This is particularly useful for two-wheeler commuters, as it is presumed that for answering call, a prudent user has to halt driving and thereafter attend or reject the call.

[0039] At step 208, the received GPS coordinates, the map information and the destination location information is processed. At step, 210, a turn-by-turn navigation information is rendered on the display of the GPS enabled device.

[0040] Accordingly, in such a scenario as described at step 206, the communication of geographical map related information to the GPS enabled device and the resulting processing of the GPS coordinates and the map related information by the GPS enabled device is also suspended. In such a scenario, the mobile device 102 renders the navigation information normally. [0041] FIG. 3 is an exemplary system 300 illustrating a smartphone 302 depicting in an operational interaction with a GPS enabled device 304, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] In light of aforesaid description, FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary system 300 wherein a smartphone 302 as a mobile computing device or a mobile phone device has been depicted in an operational interaction with a GPS enabled device 304. Though not shown in the figure, such GPS enabled device 304 comprises a display screen, a processor, an inbuilt memory, an external memory slot, an audio input/output to sound the navigation directions, sensors (GPS, accelerometer, Infra-red etc), wireless transceivers (low-energy bluetooth) for communicating with the mobile device 302, battery or connections for power supply etc.

[0043] In one example, the GPS enabled device 304 may be attached to the mobile device 302 (smartphone) and remain in an inactive state or disabled while being in such attached position. Such inactive state may also pertain to a charging state of the GPS enabled device 304. The manual activation of such GPS enabled device 304 is performed by detaching said GPS enabled device 304 from the smartphone 302. Post-detachment, the GPS enabled device 304 processes self-received GPS coordinates and data received from the mobile device 302 to render a display that includes turn by turn directions to the user to navigate from the current location towards the destination location. In an example, the data transmitted (e.g. wirelessly from the mobile device 302 to the GPS enabled device 304) comprises an estimated time of arrival at the destination, traffic conditions falling within the route, current weather conditions weather, call/message alerts, notifications etc. As a part of its processing, the GPS enabled device 304 synchronizes such data, and displays navigation details in timely manner.

[0044] The destination location is parsed and extracted from the smart phone device 302 by the GPS enabled device 304. In case the same is not feasible, then a user of the GPS enabled device 304 may be also prompted to input the destination location. In the illustration as currently depicted in FIG. 3, the device 304 uses the destination information (i.e.

Bangalore Airport) as present at a currently active website page within the smartphone 302, and accordingly decides the 'turn by turn' navigation with respect to the current location and an access of Online geographical maps' through the mobile device 302. In other example, the destination location information may also be extracted from an SMS, a home delivery mobile- app, etc [0045] When the GPS enabled device 304 is again attached to the mobile device 302, the same gets deactivated and starts getting charged. As an extension of the present subject matter, the GPS enabled device 304 may be also wirelessly connected and paired with another device (being a lighter version of said device 304 and not shown in the present figure) that may display ancillary information pertaining to the display rendered in the device 304. In an example, such ancillary information may include information about the approaching landmarks within the route, weather conditions, nearby fuel filling stations etc.

[0046] FIG. 4 depicts the GPS enabled device of FIG. 3, with a modified display. More specifically, the present figure depicts call alerts being displayed along with the 'turn by turn' navigation information.

[0047] FIG. 5 is a block diagram 500 for of a computing device utilized for implementing the system 100 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The modules of the system 100 described herein are implemented in computing devices. The computing device 500 comprises one or more processor 502, one or more computer- readable RAMs 504 and one or more computer-readable ROMs 506 on one or more buses 508.

[0048] Further, the computing device 500 includes a tangible storage device 510 that may be used to execute operating systems 520 and modules existing in the system 100. The various modules of the system 100 including the current location determination module 106, the communication module 110 and the destination location determination module 108, sensing module 116 can be stored in tangible storage device 510. Both, the operating system and the modules existing in the system 100 are executed by processor 502 via one or more respective RAMs 504 (which typically include cache memory).

[0049] Examples of storage devices 510 include semiconductor storage devices such as ROM 506, EPROM, flash memory or any other computer-readable tangible storage device 510 that can store a computer program and digital information. Computing device also includes R/W drive or interface 514 to read from and write to one or more portable computer-readable tangible storage devices 528 such as a CD-ROM, DVD, memory stick or semiconductor storage device. Further, network adapters or interfaces 512 such as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless WI-FI interface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired or wireless communication links are also included in computing device 500. In one embodiment, the modules existing in the system 100 can be downloaded from an external computer via a network (for example, the Internet, a local area network or other, wide area network) and network adapter or interface 512. Computing device 500 further includes device drivers 516 to interface with input and output devices. The input and output devices can include a computer display monitor 518, a keyboard 524, a keypad, a touch screen, a computer mouse 526, and/or some other suitable input device.

[0050] While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.

[0051] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, orders of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts necessarily need to be performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples. Numerous variations, whether explicitly given in the specification or not, such as differences in structure, dimension, and use of material, are possible. The scope of embodiments is at least as broad as given by the following claims.

Claims

Claim:

1. A system comprising:

a first device configured for communicating navigation data pertaining to at least a geographical map to a second device; and wherein the first device comprises a processor and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores a plurality of modules to be executed by the processor, wherein the plurality of modules are configured to:

collect data pertaining to at least a geographical map comprising a current location and a destination location; and

transmit the navigation data based on the collected data to a second device;

the second device configured for rendering turn-by-turn navigation information to a user, wherein the second device comprises a processing module with a memory unit, wherein the memory unit stores a plurality of modules to be executed by the processing module, and wherein the plurality of modules are configured to:

detect detachment of the second device from the first device;

receive the navigation data from the first device, wherein the navigation data comprises at least the source coordinates, a route information and the destination coordinates;

activate the turn-by-turn navigation using the route information on the second device; and

render the turn-by-turn navigation to the user.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is removable attached to the first device.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is configured to gather the current location through its own GPS signal receiving mechanism and extracts the destination location either from the first device or from the user.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device comprises a sensing module configured for sensing an activation to take over the GPS -signal receiving functionality of the first device.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is communicating with second device wirelessly.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device synchronizes navigation data received from first device and displays navigation data in timely manner.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first device is configured to communicate other information data comprising an estimated time of arrival at the destination, traffic conditions falling within the route, current weather conditions, call and message alerts, notifications from first device or combinations thereof to the second device.

8. A method for providing seamless turn -by-turn navigation on a second device, the method comprising:

detecting detachment of the second device from a first device; transferring navigation data from the first device to the second device; and activating turn-by-turn navigation on the second device based on the navigation data.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the navigation data comprises at least the source coordinates, a route information and the destination coordinates.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising transferring to the second device other information data comprising an estimated time of arrival at the destination, traffic conditions falling within the route, current weather conditions weather, call and message alerts from the first device, notifications from first device or combinations thereof.