WO2019233584A1

WO2019233584A1 - Map route servers, mobile terminals, and related methods and computer program products

Info

Publication number: WO2019233584A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/065039
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter ÖKVIST; Tommy Arngren; Stefan WÄNSTEDT
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2018-06-07
Filing date: 2018-06-07
Publication date: 2019-12-12

Abstract

A map route server includes a network interface circuit, a processor, and a memory. The network interface circuit can communicate with mobile terminals via wireless networks. The processor is connected to the network interface circuit and the memory. The memory stores program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations that include receiving communications from a mobile terminal that indicate an origin and a destination for a travel objective. A map database is responsively queried to determine available travel routes from the origin to the destination. An ambient noise map database is also responsively queried to predict ambient noise levels along the available travel routes. The operations then select at least one candidate travel route from among the available travel routes based on the predicted ambient noise levels, and communicate to the mobile terminal an indication of the at least one candidate travel route that was selected.

Description

MAP ROUTE SERVERS, MOBILE TERMINALS, AND RELATED METHODS AND

COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to providing travel routing for mobile terminals through electronic maps provided by map route servers and related methods and computer program products. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to map route servers, mobile terminals, corresponding methods, and corresponding computer program products.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Electronic mobile communication terminals ("mobile terminals" or terminals) have become part of everyday life throughout the world. Terminal capabilities now include voice calling, text communications, and video communications, eCommerce, map navigation, Internet browsing, etc. Example terminals having map navigation capability include smartphones, tablet computers, laptop computers, personal navigation devices (e.g., dashboard navigation units), handheld satellite navigation devices, etc. One common use for navigation enabled terminals is to navigate from an origin location to a destination. For instance, a user may input a destination street address to a navigation application that is hosted on a terminal. The application communicates with a remote map route server through a wireless link to obtain one or more candidate travel routes from the origin to the

destination, and then provides real-time route guidance along a selected route. Generally, as the user travels the route, the terminal graphically and/or audibly specifies next route segments, such as“turn right on Smith St. in 100 yards.”

[0003] Map routing technologies are presently limited to essentially selecting candidate travel routes based on minimizing distance and/or travel time depending upon transportation mode (e.g., motor vehicle, walking, public vehicle transportation). A need therefore exists for providing improved map routing technology that is responsive to other factors that can affect a user's experience when traveling.

SUMMARY

[0004] Some embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a map route server that includes a network interface circuit, a processor, and a memory. The network interface circuit is configured to communicate with mobile terminals via wireless networks. The processor is connected to the network interface circuit and the memory. The memory stores program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations that include receiving

communications from a mobile terminal that indicate an origin and a destination for a travel objective. A map database is responsively queried to determine available travel routes from the origin to the destination. An ambient noise map database is also responsively queried to predict ambient noise levels along the available travel routes. The operations then select at least one candidate travel route from among the available travel routes based on the predicted ambient noise levels, and communicate to the mobile terminal an indication of the at least one candidate travel route that was selected.

[0005] A potential advantage of these operations is that a user is provided with one or more travel routes that are selected to reduce or minimize ambient noise that is predicted to occur while traveling to the destination. The map route server can avoid routing the user through a geographic location(s) where ambient noise is predicted to be above a threshold defined by the user or which may render the user incapable of comfortably listening to or providing audible communications or content.

[0006] In some further embodiments, the map route server receives reports from the mobile terminals, where each of the reports characterizes ambient noise that is sampled by the mobile terminal and identifies a geographic location of the characterized ambient noise. The map route server updates the noise map database based on the characterizing ambient noises and the geographic locations. In this manner the noise map database dynamically tracks changes in transiently occurring sources of ambient noise.

[0007] Some other embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a mobile terminal that includes a wireless network interface circuit, a processor, and a memory. The wireless network interface circuit is configured to communicate with a map route server via a wireless network. The processor is connected to the network interface circuit and the memory. The memory stores program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations that include obtaining an origin and a destination for a travel objective and determining an ambient noise avoidance rule. The operations communicate to the map route server a request for a route from the origin to the destination and communicate an indication of the ambient noise avoidance rule. The operations then receive from the map route server at least one candidate travel route that was selected by the map route server based on predicted ambient noise levels along available travel routes from the origin to the destination which satisfy the ambient noise avoidance rule. [0008] A potential advantage of these operations is the mobile terminal obtains candidate travel route(s) having predicted ambient noise levels that satisfy the ambient noise avoidance rule.

[0009] Related methods and computer program products are disclosed herein that operate in accordance with the operations by the map route server and the mobile terminals. Accordingly, other map route servers, mobile terminals, and corresponding methods and computer program products according to embodiments will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional map route servers, mobile terminals, methods, and computer program products be included within this description and protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Aspects of the present disclosure are illustrated by way of example and are not limited by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a system in which mobile terminals provide ambient noise reports to a map route server and that can obtain travel routes from the map route server which are selected to reduce/avoid ambient noise during travel, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0012] Figure 2 illustrates graphical information contained in a road map database and contained in an ambient noise map database, which are accessed by a route analyzer module to generate ambient noise avoidance routes that are used for navigation by mobile terminals, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0013] Figure 3 illustrates a travel route that has been displayed superimposed on an ambient noise map, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0014] Figure 4 illustrates two candidate travel routes that have been selected and displayed on a mobile terminal based on ambient noise levels that are predicted to occur along various available travel routes from an origin to a destination of a travel objective, in accordance with some embodiments;

[0015] Figure 5 illustrate a data flow diagram and flowchart of operations by a mobile terminal and a map route server which operate to select candidate travel routes based on ambient noise levels, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 6 illustrate a data flow diagram and flowchart of operations by a mobile terminal to provide ambient noise reports to a map route server and corresponding operations by the map route server to update an ambient noise map, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 7 is a block diagram of components of a mobile terminal which are configured to operate in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0018] Figure 8 is a block diagram of components of a map route server which are configured to operate in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Inventive concepts will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of embodiments of inventive concepts are shown. Inventive concepts may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of various present inventive concepts to those skilled in the art. It should also be noted that these embodiments are not mutually exclusive. Components from one embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present/used in another embodiment.

[0020] Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to providing travel routes to mobile terminals that can avoid using route segments that would expose users to excessive ambient noise. The travel routes are determined based on ambient noises that have been identified at locations which have been stored in an ambient noise map database. The ambient noise map database can be populated with locations of ambient noises (also referred to as "ambient noise locations") that are reported by at least some mobile terminals. Figure 1 illustrates a system in which mobile terminals 18, 20, and 22 provide ambient noise reports to a map route server 100. The mobile terminals can request candidate travel routes from the map route server 100, where the candidate travel routes are selected to reduce/avoid ambient noises that are predicted to occur during travel.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, the mobile terminals communicate with the map route server 100 through a network 25 that includes wireless radio access technology nodes, e.g., which communicate with signalling and protocols defined based on GSM, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), New Radio (NR), WiFi, and/or any other wireless communication technologies. The mobile terminals can include, without limitation, a smartphone 18, a tablet or laptop computer 20, and an automobile 22. Each of the various types of mobile terminals can include a display device 34 that displays information 36 can graphically illustrate a map of roads and other travel routes and display indications of ambient noise and travel routes relative thereto.

[0022] The map route server 100 includes a map database 120, an ambient noise map database 110, and a route computer 130. The map database 120 stores data structures containing information defining geographic locations and names of road segments, entrance and exit ramps, pedestrian pathways, points of interest, and other information useful for generating travel routes that can satisfy user-defined travel objectives for traveling from origin to destination locations. The ambient noise map database 110 stores data structures containing information characterizing ambient noises in geographic locations that are reported by mobile terminals through the reports. The route computer 130 operates to update the ambient noise map database 110 responsive to the reports, and responds to routing requests from mobile terminals by selecting and providing thereto travel routes that satisfy the defined travel objectives while also satisfying various defined rules for reducing or minimizing predicted ambient noises while traveling. For example, the route computer 130 of the map route server 100 can avoid routing a user through a geographic location(s) where ambient noise is predicted to be above a threshold defined by the user or which may render the user incapable of comfortably listening to or providing audible communications and enjoying audio content. Various operations that may be performed by the map route server 100 and the mobile terminals 18, 20, and 22 are further described below.

[0023] Figure 2 illustrates graphical information that can be contained in the map database 120 and in the ambient noise map database 110, which are accessed by a route analyzer algorithm 220 which is executed by the route computer 130 to generate ambient noise avoidance routes 230 that are used for navigation by mobile terminals, in accordance with some embodiments. Referring to Figure 2, a graphical representation of road map 210 can be generated and displayed on a display device of a mobile terminal based on information obtained from the map database 120. An ambient noise map 200 can be generated and displayed as an overlay on the roadmap 210 based on information obtained from the ambient noise map database 110.

[0024] The route analyzer algorithm 220 can provide routing guidance to a mobile terminal. For example, the algorithm 220 can receive communications from the mobile terminal that indicate an origin and a destination for a travel objective. The algorithm 220 responsively queries the map database 120 to determine available travel routes from the origin to the destination through the roadmap 210, and queries the ambient noise map database 110 to predict ambient noise levels along the available travel routes based on the noise map 200. The algorithm 220 selects at least one candidate travel route from among the available travel routes based on the predicted ambient noise levels, and communicates to the mobile terminal an indication of the at least one candidate travel route that was selected. Accordingly, because the candidate travel route(s) were selected based on the predicted ambient noise levels, they can represent ambient noise avoidance routes 230 which, when followed, function to reduce or minimize the ambient noise that the user will experience while traveling relative to other available routes the user may otherwise take. A routing application on the mobile terminal may then provide real-time navigation to a user based on travel route, e.g., tum-by-tum rate segment instructions, and may communicate with the algorithm 220 during the trip to obtain updated real-time route guidance, e.g., updated route segments based on changing ambient noise levels, traffic, etc.

[0025] Figure 3 illustrates a travel route 340 that has been displayed superimposed on an ambient noise map 300, in accordance with some embodiments. Referring to Figure 3, the ambient noise map 300 includes shaded areas indicating characteristics, such as loudness and/or frequency spectrum, and locations of ambient noise sources that have been reported by one or more mobile terminals to the map route server 100. In the illustrated example, three high ambient noise areas 320a, 320b, and 320c are displayed on the noise map 300 along with various relatively quiet ambient noise areas including 3l0a, 310b, 3l0c. Different colors, shading, textures, or other visual indicia may be used to indicate the relative loudness (e.g., dB) and/or spectral characteristics of the noise sources. The range of the ambient noise and relative loudness from its source is visually observable by its flow across various numbers of map tiles 302.

[0026] Figure 4 illustrates two candidate travel routes 430 and 440 that have been selected and displayed on display device of a mobile terminal based on ambient noise levels that are predicted to occur along various available travel routes from an origin to a destination of a travel objective, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0027] Referring to Figure 4, the map route server 100 may select different routes from an origin to a destination depending upon the transportation mode the user intends to use for travel. For example, the map route server 100 may receive communications from a mobile terminal indicating an origin and a destination for a travel objective, and further indicating which transportation mode among a plurality of defined transportation modes a user will use to complete the travel objective. The map route server 100 may identify the transportation mode from among the plurality of defined transportation modes that include any two or more of: pedestrian; public vehicle transportation (e.g., buss, subway, train); driving an automobile; and driving a motorcycle. Alternatively or additionally, the transportation mode may be identified from among a plurality of modes that include any two or more of: driving in a non- convertible automobile; driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in an open position; driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in a closed position; driving in an automobile with the windows closed and/or sunroof closed; and driving in an automobile with the windows open and/or sunroof open. An application on the mobile terminal may automatically determine the travel mode based on, for example, determining that the mobile terminal has been paired to a known type of vehicle (e.g., Bluetooth pairing, WLAN link), determining that the mobile terminal has been used to access (e.g., electronic ticket) a known type of public transportation vehicle, comparing sensed levels of ambient noise and sensed spectral characteristics of the ambient noise (e.g., presence or absence of wind in a microphone signal, loudness of wind, etc.), and/or may receive user input that indicates a user's selection among the available transportation modes.

[0028] The map route server 100 may, for example, select route 430 from the origin to destination which travels along route segments that pass through relatively quieter ambient noise areas responsive to the transportation mode indicating that the user will be driving a vehicle with a convertible top down and windows down. In contrast, the map route server 100 may select route 440 which travels along route segments that pass through relatively louder ambient noise areas responsive to the transportation mode indicating that the user will be driving an automobile with the top closed and windows closed. The map route server 100 selects the routes based on querying the ambient noise map database 110 to determine the geographic locations and characteristics of ambient noises, illustrated as unidentified noise sources 4l0a, 410b, 4l0c, and identified noise sources 4l0d including aircraft landing, taxing, and/or taking off at an airport 424, trains departing, idling, and/or arriving at station 420, and buses departing, idling, and/or arriving at station 422.

[0029] The map route server 100 may determining a schedule and/or a duration of predictable ambient noise events, and may update the noise map database 110 to indicate the determined schedule and/or the determined duration of the predictable ambient noise events. For example, the server 100 may determine a schedule and/or a duration of predictable ambient noise events by querying at least one of: a train schedule server; a public vehicle transportation schedule server; an airplane flight schedule server; and an outdoor music schedule server.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, the map route server 100 may determine a schedule and/or a duration of predictable ambient noise events based on classifying the ambient noise characterized in the reports by identifying patterns in loudness and/or spectral characteristics over time in the ambient noise characterized in the reports at the identified geographic locations, and predicting a schedule of occurrence of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations. The noise map database 110 can then be updated to indicate the predicted schedule of occurrence of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations. The predicted schedule and duration of the ambient noise events can be used to update the ambient noise map that is displayed on a mobile terminal and can be used more accurately predict ambient noises that would occur along available travel routes from an origin to a destination when operating to select candidate travel routes that a user may travel.

[0031] Figure 5 illustrates a data flow diagram and flowchart of operations by a mobile terminal 500 and a map route server 100 which operate to select candidate travel routes based on ambient noise levels, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] The illustrated operations of the mobile terminal 500 may be performed by a user application hosted by the mobile terminal 500 (e.g., map navigation application) and/or by an operating system of the mobile terminal 500.

[0033] Referring to Figure 5, the mobile terminal 500 responds to initiation 501 of a route guidance mode by obtaining 508 an origin and a destination for a travel objective, e.g., from a user via a user interface, and determines 506 an ambient noise avoidance rule. As will be explained in further detail below, the ambient noise avoidance rule may be determined based a preference defined by the user (e.g., setting requesting a low ambient noise route), based on identifying an ambient noise sensitive application is running, detecting that the user is engaged in a voice call, detecting in a microphone signal that the user is talking, etc. The mobile terminal 500 communicates 510 to the map route server 100 a request for a route from the origin to the destination and communicates an indication of the ambient noise avoidance rule.

[0034] The map route server 100 receives 510 communications from the mobile terminal 500 that indicate the origin and the destination for the travel objective. The server 100 responsively queries 512 the map database 120 to determine available travel routes from the origin to the destination, and queries 514 the ambient noise map database 110 to predict ambient noise levels along the available travel routes. The server 100 selects 518 at least one candidate travel route from among the available travel routes based on the predicted ambient noise levels, and communicates 520 to the mobile terminal 500 an indication of the at least one candidate travel route that was selected. As will be explained in further detail below, the server 100 may also select the candidate travel route based on received indication of the ambient noise avoidance rule.

[0035] The mobile terminal 500 responsively receives 522 from the map route server 100 at least one candidate travel route that was selected by the map route server 100 based on predicted ambient noise levels along segments of available travel routes from the origin to the destination which satisfy the ambient noise avoidance rule. The mobile terminal 500 may display 522 the at least one candidate travel route on a display device to enable user selection. The mobile terminal 500 may receive a user selection of a candidate travel route to the map route server 100, and then provide 530 real-time route guidance while the user is traveling along a selected route, e.g., tum-by-tum instructions. The mobile terminal 500 may relay the user selection to the map route server 100 and further communicate therewith to obtain further map data during travel (e.g., map data extended beyond what is stored in the mobile terminal 500) and/or to obtain updated route segments responsive to changes occurring in the ambient noise locations, traffic, etc.

[0036] The mobile terminal 500 can include a display device 750 (Fig. 7) and can perform operations to receive 524 ambient noise map information from the map route server 100 which indicates the predicted ambient noise levels along the at least one candidate travel route, and to display the at least one candidate travel route relative to a rendered map.

A graphical indication of the predicted ambient noise levels can be displayed 526 based on the received ambient noise map information as an overlay on the rendered map.

[0037] In some additional or alternative embodiments, the mobile terminal 500 may determine the ambient noise avoidance rule based on identifying 502 that a noise sensitive application is being executed by the mobile terminal 500, and responsively selecting 506 an ambient noise avoidance rule from among a plurality of ambient noise avoidance rules based on the noise sensitive application that is identified as being executed. The mobile

terminal 500 communicates 510 to the map route server 100 an indication that identifies the ambient noise avoidance rule that is selected. Example noise sensitive applications can include a voice calling application indicating that a voice call is ongoing and/or is being initiated by the user or a calling party, a movie or other audio content generating application, etc. Furthermore, the identification 502 may identify when a movie or other audio content generating application will generate a low- volume segment during playing of which avoidance of excessive ambient noise during travel of one or more route segments will beneficially enable a user to hear the generated audio content. The indication 502 may alternatively or additionally indicate whether a signal from a microphone of the mobile terminal 500 indicates that the user is speaking to someone.

[0038] The mobile terminal 500 may predict a duration during which the noise sensitive application will be executed by the mobile terminal, and determine 506 the ambient noise avoidance rule based on the predicted duration. For example, the rule may indicate the remaining duration of a movie or other content being played through the mobile terminal 500 and/or indicate a remain duration of a telephone call based on querying a calendar to determine a scheduled duration of an ongoing call, e.g., the duration of a scheduled meeting.

[0039] Various event may cause the mobile terminal 500 to initiate reroute during a trip to avoid excessive ambient noise and/or to stop avoiding ambient noise. While the user is being provided route guidance during a trip based on an earlier candidate travel route that was earlier received from the map route server 100, the mobile terminal 500 and the map route server 100 may cooperatively operate to generate an updated candidate route and/or to automatically select and use an updated route responsive to determining that avoidance of ambient noise is desirable and/or responsive to determining that ambient noise avoidance is no longer needed. For example, detecting that an incoming call is being received and/or an outgoing call is being initiated can trigger it the mobile terminal 500 and map route server 100 to plan a travel route that avoids excessive ambient noise, or similarly detecting startup of a movie application or other audio content generating application can trigger planning of a low ambient noise travel route.

[0040] For example, the mobile terminal 500 can respond to a presently occurring identification 502 that the noise sensitive application has begun being executed by the mobile terminal by performing the operations to: determine 506 the ambient noise avoidance rule; communicate 510 to the map route server 100 a request for a route from the origin to the destination and an indication of the ambient noise avoidance rule; receive 522 from the map route server 100 at least one present candidate travel route that was selected by the map route server 100 based on predicted ambient noise levels along available travel routes from the origin to the destination satisfying the ambient noise avoidance rule; and provide 530 updated route guidance toward the destination based on the at least one present candidate travel route. Similarly, the mobile terminal 500 can respond to identifying 502 that the noise sensitive application is no longer being executed by performing operations to select and/or

automatically use a new route that does not seek to avoid ambient noise, e.g., a route selected based on minimizing travel time and/or distance without consideration of ambient noise that could be predicted along the route. [0041] In still other additional or alternative embodiments, the mobile terminal 500 may determine the ambient noise avoidance rule based on determining 504 which transportation mode among a plurality of defined transportation modes a user will use to complete the travel objective. The mobile terminal 500 may select 506 an ambient noise avoidance rule from among a plurality of ambient noise avoidance rules based on identifying which transportation mode a user will use from among defined transportation modes that include any two or more of: pedestrian (i.e., foot travel), public vehicle transportation, driving an automobile, and driving a motorcycle. The defined transportation modes may alternatively include any two or more of: driving in a non-convertible automobile; driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in an open position; and driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in a closed position.

[0042] With further reference to Figure 5, the map route server 100 receives 510 communications from the mobile terminal 500 that indicate the origin and the destination for the travel objective. The server 100 responsively queries 512 the map database 120 to determine available travel routes from the origin to the destination, and queries 514 the ambient noise map database 110 to predict ambient noise levels along the available travel routes. The server 100 selects 518 at least one candidate travel route from among the available travel routes based on the predicted ambient noise levels, and communicates 520 to the mobile terminal 500 an indication of the at least one candidate travel route that was selected.

[0043] As will be appreciated, the server 100 may also query 516 traffic information and/or obtain other delay indicating information to predict travel times along the available travel routes, and may select 518 the one or more candidate routes based on a combination of the predicted travel times, trip distance, and the predicted ambient noise levels along the available travel routes.

[0044] In a further embodiment, the map route server 100 responds to receipt 510 of communications from the mobile terminal that indicate an ambient noise avoidance rule, and the operations to select 518 the at least one candidate travel route from among the available travel routes are further based on the predicted ambient noise levels along the at least one candidate travel route satisfying the ambient noise avoidance rule. The ambient noise avoidance rule may indicate or may be used to determine, for example, maximum ambient noise loudness that is acceptable along one or more segments of a candidate travel route, maximum ambient noise loudness that is allowed within a defined frequency band (e.g., typical human speech band) along one or more segments of a candidate travel route, maximum ambient noise loudness that is allowed during one or more defined segments of an acceptable candidate travel route, etc.

[0045] As explained above, the map route server 100 may receive 510 communications from the mobile terminal 500 indicating which transportation mode among a plurality of defined transportation modes a user will use to complete the travel objective. The server 100 may further query 514 the noise map database 110 using the transportation mode to better predict ambient noise levels the user may experience based on which transportation mode will be used along the available travel routes. Accordingly, the ambient noise along a route segment that is predicted to be experienced by a user will depend upon whether the user is traveling by enclosed automobile or motorcycle, and may similarly depend upon whether the user will be traveling in an automobile have an open or closed convertible, or in an automobile having windows and/or sunroof open or closed. The server 100 may, for example, predict the ambient noise that will be experienced by a user when reaching a defined location based on applying a variable gain to the ambient noise characteristics, e.g., loudness and/or spectral characteristics, that are obtained from the noise map database 110 for the defined location, and where the gain value is determined based on the transportation mode. For example, the gain value can be highest when the user is traveling as a pedestrian, lower when the user is traveling by motorcycle, still lower when the user is traveling in an automobile with a convertible top open, still lower when the user is traveling in an automobile with a sunroom open and/or windows open, and yet lower when the user is traveling in an automobile with windows and sunroof (if present) closed.

[0046] As explained above, the transportation mode may be identified from among the plurality of defined transportation modes that comprise: pedestrian; public vehicle

transportation; driving an automobile; and driving a motorcycle. Alternatively or additionally, the defined transportation modes may include: driving in a non-convertible automobile;

driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in an open position; and driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in a closed position.

[0047] As will be explained in further detail regarding Figure 6, the map route server 100 may predict ambient noise that will occur along a map route segment based on predicting the schedule and/or duration of ambient noises for various defined locations. Figure 6 illustrate a data flow diagram and flowchart of operations by the mobile terminal 500 to provide ambient noise reports to the map route server 100 and corresponding operations by the map route server 100 to update the ambient noise map 110, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] Referring to Figure 6, the mobile terminal 500 samples 600 ambient noise that is sensed by a microphone 712 (Fig. 7). The mobile terminal 500 characterizes 602 the ambient noise, such as by operations that characterize loudness and/or spectral characteristics (e.g., frequency distribution) of the ambient noise such as loudness of the ambient noise in a defined frequency range which may correspond to range of normal human conversational speech of a male and/or female. The mobile terminal 500 obtains 603 a geographic location of the ambient noise, such as by determining its location based on satellite positioning (e.g., GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems), GPS (Global Positioning System), GLONASS, Beidou or Galileo) and/or based on ground-based network-assisted positioning (e.g., cellular tower triangulation based on signaling time-of- flight or Wi-Fi based positioning).

[0049] The mobile terminal 500 reports 604 the characteristics and the geographic location of the ambient noise through a wireless network interface circuit 730 (Fig. 7) to the map route server 100. An ambient noise reports may be triggered, for example, when the mobile terminal 500 detects ambient noise that exceeds a defined threshold. The mobile terminal 500 may alternatively report 604 the characteristics and the geographic location of the ambient noise periodically, or on request by map route server 100. Correspondingly, the map route server 100 receives 606 ambient noise reports from the mobile terminal 500 and other mobile terminals. For example, the server 100 may receive 606 ambient noise reports from mobile terminals that are roaming throughout a neighborhood, city, metropolitan area, state, country, and other region. Each of the reports characterize ambient noise that is sampled by the mobile terminal and identify a geographic location of the characterized ambient noise. The map route server 100 responsively updates 622 the noise map

database 110 based on the characterized ambient noises and the geographic locations.

[0050] The map route server 100 may operate to classify 608 the ambient noise characterized in the reports by identifying patterns in presence, loudness and/or spectral characteristics over time in the ambient noise characterized in the reports at the identified geographic locations, and responsively predicting 610 durations of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations. The server 100 may then update the noise map database 100 to indicate the predicted durations of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations.

[0051] Alternatively or additionally, the map route server 100 may operate to classify 608 the ambient noise characterized in the reports by identifying patterns in presence, loudness and/or spectral characteristics over time in the ambient noise characterized in the reports at the identified geographic locations, and predict 610 a schedule of occurrence of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations. The noise map database 110 can be updated 622 to indicate the predicted schedule of occurrence of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations. For example, the server 100 may determine a frequency of occurrence and/or absence of a repetitive ambient noise and/or may determine a duration of an occurrence or each occurrence of the ambient noise based on identifying patterns that are observed over time in ambient noise reports for a geographic location that are received by the map route server 100.

[0052] In a further embodiment, the map route server 100 may operate to determine 612 a schedule and/or a duration of predictable ambient noise events, and then update the noise map database 110 to indicate the determined schedule and/or the determined duration of the predictable ambient noise events. For example, the server 100 may query at least one of: a train schedule server 614 to determine a schedule of ambient noises that are created by arriving, idling, and/or departing trains; a public vehicle transportation schedule server 616 to determine a schedule of ambient noises that are created by arriving, idling, and/or departing public vehicles such as buses; an airplane flight schedule server 618 to determine a schedule of ambient noises is created by landing, taxiing, and/or departing airplanes; and an outdoor music schedule server 620 to determine a schedule of ambient noises that will be generated by outdoor music events.

[0053] In addition to adjusting its routing to the destination based on predicted ambient noise, the mobile terminal 500 may also perform operations to remedy occurrence of ambient noises that may interfere with normal speech. For example, responsive to the predicted ambient noise at a location along the at least one candidate travel route being above a defined threshold, the mobile terminal 500 may responsively convert the voice of a user who is operating the mobile terminal 500 during a voice call with another mobile terminal into one or more text messages or chat messages that are communicated to the other mobile terminal, and/or convert the voice into a recording that is filtered to remove noise and sent via text message and/or email to the other mobile terminal. Accordingly, during a phone call the terminal 500 may quickly transition from providing a voice call for user to instead providing a series of text messages or chat messages in lieu of the voice call as the terminal 500 approaches or reaches the location along the travel route where the predicted ambient noise exceeds the defined threshold. These operations may be performed in parallel with the mobile terminal 500 communicating with the map route server 100 to request an updated travel route that may avoid further interference from the excessive ambient noise. [0054] Alternatively or additionally, the mobile terminal 500 may respond to the predicted ambient noise at a location along the at least one candidate travel route being above a defined threshold, by generating a warning notification to a user. The warning notification may be provided to the user at the same time that the user is presented with a candidate route for the user's selection, and/or may be provided as the user approaches a route segment where the excessive ambient noise is predicted to occur. The user may thereby be warned to stop an ongoing phone call, delay starting a phone call, pause playback of a movie or other audio content to avoid interference from the predicted excessive ambient noise.

Cloud Implementation

[0055] Some or all operations described above as being performed by the mobile terminal 500 and/or the map route server 100 may alternatively be performed by another node that is part of a network operator cloud computing resource. For example, those operations can be performed as a network function that is close to the edge, such as in a cloud server or a cloud resource of a telecommunications network operator, e.g., in a CloudRAN or a core network.

Example Mobile Terminal and Map Route Server

[0056] Figure 7 is a block diagram of components of a mobile terminal 500 that are configured in accordance with some other embodiments of the present disclosure. The mobile terminal 500 can include a wireless network interface circuit 730, a location determination circuit 740, a microphone 712, a display device 750, a user input interface 760 (e.g., keyboard or touch sensitive display) at least one processor circuit 710 (processor), and at least one memory circuit 720 (memory). The processor 710 is connected to the wireless network interface circuit 730, the location determination circuit 740, the microphone 712, the display device 750, user input interface 760, and the memory 720. The memory 720 stores program code 722 that is executed by the processor 710 to perform operations. The processor 710 may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor), which may be collocated or distributed across one or more data networks. The processor 710 is configured to execute computer program instructions among program code 722 in the memory 720, described below as a computer readable medium, to perform some or all of the operations and methods for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein for a mobile terminal. [0057] Figure 8 is a block diagram of components of the map route server 100, and which operate according to at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. The map route server 100 can include a network interface circuit 830, at least one processor circuit 810 (processor), and at least one memory circuit 820 (memory). The network interface circuit 830 is configured to communicate with mobile terminals via wireless networks. The map route server 100 may further include the map database 120 and/or the ambient noise map database 110, or may separate therefrom but communicatively networked thereto. The server 100 may further include a display device 840 and a user input interface 850. The memory 820 stores program code 822 that is executed by the processor 810 to perform operations. The processor 810 may include one or more data processing circuits, such as a general purpose and/or special purpose processor (e.g., microprocessor and/or digital signal processor), which may be collocated or distributed across one or more data networks. The processor 810 is configured to execute computer program instructions among program code 822 in the memory 820, described below as a computer readable medium, to perform some or all of the operations and methods for one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein for a map route server.

Further Definitions and Embodiments:

[0058] In the above-description of various embodiments of present inventive concepts, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of present inventive concepts. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which present inventive concepts belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense expressly so defined herein.

[0059] When an element is referred to as being "connected", "coupled", "responsive", or variants thereof to another element, it can be directly connected, coupled, or responsive to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly coupled", "directly responsive", or variants thereof to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, "coupled", "connected", "responsive", or variants thereof as used herein may include wirelessly coupled, connected, or responsive. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity. The term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0060] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements/operations, these elements/operations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element/operation from another element/operation. Thus, a first element/operation in some embodiments could be termed a second element/operation in other embodiments without departing from the teachings of present inventive concepts. The same reference numerals or the same reference designators denote the same or similar elements throughout the specification.

[0061] As used herein, the terms "comprise", "comprising", "comprises", "include",

"including", "includes", "have", "has", "having", or variants thereof are open-ended, and include one or more stated features, integers, elements, steps, components or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof. Furthermore, as used herein, the common abbreviation "e.g.", which derives from the Latin phrase "exempli gratia," may be used to introduce or specify a general example or examples of a previously mentioned item, and is not intended to be limiting of such item. The common abbreviation "i.e.", which derives from the Latin phrase "id est," may be used to specify a particular item from a more general recitation.

[0062] Example embodiments are described herein with reference to block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations of computer-implemented methods, apparatus (systems and/or devices) and/or computer program products. It is understood that a block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions that are performed by one or more computer circuits. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor circuit of a general purpose computer circuit, special purpose computer circuit, and/or other programmable data processing circuit to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus, transform and control transistors, values stored in memory locations, and other hardware components within such circuitry to implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks, and thereby create means (functionality) and/or structure for implementing the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block(s).

[0063] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a tangible computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer- readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the functions/acts specified in the block diagrams and/or flowchart block or blocks.

Accordingly, embodiments of present inventive concepts may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) that runs on a processor such as a digital signal processor, which may collectively be referred to as

"circuitry," "a module" or variants thereof.

[0064] It should also be noted that in some alternate implementations, the

funct ions/ acts noted in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the flowcharts. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. Moreover, the functionality of a given block of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be separated into multiple blocks and/or the functionality of two or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams may be at least partially integrated. Finally, other blocks may be added/inserted between the blocks that are illustrated, and/or blocks/operations may be omitted without departing from the scope of inventive concepts. Moreover, although some of the diagrams include arrows on communication paths to show a primary direction of communication, it is to be understood that communication may occur in the opposite direction to the depicted arrows.

[0065] Many variations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without substantially departing from the principles of the present inventive concepts. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of present inventive concepts. Accordingly, the above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended examples of embodiments are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the spirit and scope of present inventive concepts. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of present inventive concepts are to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the present disclosure including the following examples of embodiments and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A map route server (100) comprising:

a network interface circuit (830) configured to communicate with mobile terminals (500) via wireless networks;

a processor (810) connected to the network interface circuit; and

a memory (820) storing program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving (510) communications from a mobile terminal that indicate an origin and a destination for a travel objective;

querying (512) a map database to determine available travel routes from the origin to the destination;

querying (514) an ambient noise map database to predict ambient noise levels along the available travel routes;

selecting (518) at least one candidate travel route from among the available travel routes based on the predicted ambient noise levels; and

communicating (520) to the mobile terminal an indication of the at least one candidate travel route that was selected.

2. The map route server (100) of Claim 1, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) further comprise:

receiving (510) communications from the mobile terminal indicating an ambient noise avoidance rule,

wherein the operations to select (518) the at least one candidate travel route from

among the available travel routes are further based on the predicted ambient noise levels along the at least one candidate travel route satisfying the ambient noise avoidance rule.

3. The map route server (100) of any of Claims 1 to 2, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) further comprise:

receiving (510) communications from the mobile terminal indicating which

transportation mode among a plurality of defined transportation modes a user will use to complete the travel objective, wherein the noise map database is further queried (514) using the transportation mode to predict ambient noise levels based on the transportation mode that will be used along the available travel routes.

4. The map route server (100) of Claim 3, wherein the transportation mode is identified from among the plurality of defined transportation modes that comprise: pedestrian; public vehicle transportation; driving an automobile; and driving a motorcycle.

5. The map route server (100) of any of Claims 3 to 4, wherein the transportation mode is identified from among the plurality of defined transportation modes that comprise: driving in a non-convertible automobile; driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in an open position; and driving in a convertible automobile that presently has its convertible top in a closed position.

6. The map route server (100) of any of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) further comprise:

communicating (524) ambient noise map information to the mobile terminal that indicates the predicted ambient noise levels along the at least one candidate travel route that was selected.

7. The map route server (100) of any of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) further comprise:

receiving (606) reports from the mobile terminals, each of the reports characterizing ambient noise that is sampled by the mobile terminal and identifying a geographic location of the characterized ambient noise; and

updating (622) the noise map database based on the characterized ambient noises and the geographic locations.

8. The map route server (100) of Claim 7, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) further comprise:

classifying (608) the ambient noise characterized in the reports by identifying patterns in loudness and/or spectral characteristics over time in the ambient noise characterized in the reports at the identified geographic locations; and predicting (610) durations of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations, wherein the noise map database is updated (622) to indicate the predicted durations of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations.

9. The map route server (100) of any of Claims 7 to 8, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) further comprise:

classifying (608) the ambient noise characterized in the reports by identifying patterns in loudness and/or spectral characteristics over time in the ambient noise characterized in the reports at the identified geographic locations; and predicting (610) a schedule of occurrence of the ambient noise at the identified

geographic locations,

wherein the noise map database is updated (622) to indicate the predicted schedule of occurrence of the ambient noise at the identified geographic locations.

10. The map route server (100) of any of Claims 7 to 9, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) further comprise:

determining (612) a schedule and/or a duration of predictable ambient noise events, wherein the noise map database is updated (622) to indicate the determined schedule and/or the determined duration of the predictable ambient noise events.

11. The map route server (100) of Claim 10, wherein the operations performed by the processor (810) to determine (612) a schedule and/or a duration of predictable ambient noise events, comprise:

querying at least one of: a train schedule server (614); a public vehicle transportation schedule server (616); an airplane flight schedule server (618); and an outdoor music schedule server (620).

12. A mobile terminal (500) comprising:

a wireless network interface circuit (730) configured to communicate with a map route server (100) via a wireless network;

a processor (710) connected to the network interface circuit; and

a memory (720) storing program code that is executed by the processor to perform operations comprising:

obtaining (508) an origin and a destination for a travel objective; determining (506) an ambient noise avoidance rule; communicating (510) to the map route server (100) a request for a route from the origin to the destination and communicating an indication of the ambient noise avoidance rule; and

receiving (522) from the map route server (100) at least one candidate travel route that was selected by the map route server (100) based on predicted ambient noise levels along available travel routes from the origin to the destination which satisfy the ambient noise avoidance rule.

13. The mobile terminal (500) of Claim 12, wherein the operations performed by the processor (710) further comprise:

determining (504) which transportation mode among a plurality of defined

transportation modes a user will use to complete the travel objective, selecting (506) an ambient noise avoidance rule from among a plurality of ambient noise avoidance rules based on the transportation mode, wherein the indication communicated (510) to the map route server (100) identifies the ambient noise avoidance rule that is selected.

14. The mobile terminal (500) of Claim 13, wherein the transportation mode is identified from among the plurality of defined transportation modes that comprise: pedestrian; public vehicle transportation; driving an automobile; and driving a motorcycle.

15. The mobile terminal (500) of any of Claims 12 to 14, wherein the operations performed by the processor (710) further comprise:

identifying (502) that a noise sensitive application is being executed by the mobile terminal; and

selecting (506) an ambient noise avoidance rule from among a plurality of

ambient noise avoidance rules based on the noise sensitive application that is identified as being executed, wherein the indication communicated (510) to the map route server (100) identifies the ambient noise avoidance rule that is selected.

16. The mobile terminal (500) of Claim 15, wherein the operations performed by the processor (710) further comprise: predicting a duration during which the noise sensitive application will be executed by the mobile terminal; and

determining (506) the ambient noise avoidance rule based on the predicted duration.

17. The mobile terminal (500) of any of Claims 12 to 16, further comprising a display device (750), wherein the operations performed by the processor (710) further comprise: receiving (524) ambient noise map information from the map route server (100)

which indicates the predicted ambient noise levels along the at least one candidate travel route;

displaying (522), on the display device, the at least one candidate travel route relative to a rendered map; and

displaying (526) on the display device as an overlay on the rendered map a graphical indication of the predicted ambient noise levels based on the received ambient noise map information.

18. The mobile terminal (500) of any of Claims 12 to 17, wherein the operations further comprise:

sampling (600) ambient noise;

characterizing (602) the ambient noise;

obtaining (603) a geographic location of the ambient noise; and

reporting (604) the characterization and the geographic location of the ambient noise through the wireless network interface circuit (730) to the map route server (100).

19. The mobile terminal (500) of Claim 18, wherein the operations to characterize (602) the ambient noise comprise:

characterizing loudness and/or spectral characteristics of the ambient noise.

20. The mobile terminal (500) of any of Claims 12 to 19, wherein the operations performed by the processor (710) further comprise:

responsive to the predicted ambient noise at a location along the at least one candidate travel route being above a defined threshold, converting a voice of a user operating the mobile terminal for a voice call with another mobile terminal to a text message that is communicated to the other mobile terminal.

21. The mobile terminal (500) of any of Claims 12 to 20, wherein the operations performed by the processor (710) further comprise:

responsive to the predicted ambient noise at a location along the at least one candidate travel route being above a defined threshold, generating a warning notification to a user.

22. A method by a map route server (100) comprising:

23. The method of Claim 22, further comprising performing the operations of any of Claims 2 to 11.

24. A method by a mobile terminal comprising:

obtaining (508) an origin and a destination for a travel objective;

determining (506) an ambient noise avoidance rule;

communicating (510) to a map route server a request for a route from the origin to the destination and communicating an indication of the ambient noise avoidance rule; and

receiving (522) from the map route server at least one candidate travel route that was selected by the map route server based on predicted ambient noise levels along available travel routes from the origin to the destination which satisfy the ambient noise avoidance rule.

25. The method of Claim 24, further comprising performing the operations of any of Claims 12 to 21.

26. A computer program product for a map route server, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code executable by a processor of the map route server to perform operations comprising: receiving (510) communications from a mobile terminal that indicate an origin and a destination for a travel objective;

27. The computer program product of Claim 26, further comprising performing the operations of any of Claims 2 to 11.

28. A computer program product for a mobile terminal, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code executable by a processor of the mobile terminal to perform operations comprising: obtaining (508) an origin and a destination for a travel objective; determining (506) an ambient noise avoidance rule;

29. The computer program product of Claim 28, further comprising performing the operations of any of Claims 12 to 21.