Patent Application
20080195313
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to parameter optimization and, more particularly, relate to utilization of logged data visualization for optimization of an operational parameter associated with a particular route.
A number of different satellite navigation systems are in use today, including, for example, the global positioning system (GPS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), International GNSS Service (IGS), NAVSTAR, GLONASS, and derivations thereof. One of these satellite navigation systems, GPS, enables very accurate location determination or position fixing by utilizing measurements of precise timing signals broadcast from a constellation of more than two dozen GPS satellites in orbit around the earth. Location can be determined, for example, in terms of longitude, latitude, and altitude regardless of time, weather and location. Accordingly, GPS has become a vital tool for not only navigation in the air, on land and at sea, but also for map-making and land surveying.
Another satellite navigation system, IGS, has incorporated NAVSTAR satellites of the United States and GLONASS satellites from Russia along with additional satellite constellations to provide a very robust navigation capability. Generally, IGS provides increased precision in location determination and enables the utilization of enhancements in the capabilities of satellite navigation system devices.
Given the clear utility of satellite navigation systems, satellite navigation receivers or modules capable of receiving satellite navigation-related broadcasts for location determination are in high demand for the provision of increased levels of service within numerous industries. Additionally, given the continuing reduction in the size and cost of highly-capable electronic devices, satellite navigation modules are becoming more commonly encountered and used by consumers. For example, the telecommunications industry has placed satellite navigation modules in mobile terminals such as cellular phones for the provision of location-based services; the automotive industry has placed satellite navigation modules in automobiles for the provision of guidance services; and the maritime industry has placed satellite navigation modules on ships for the provision of services related to safe navigation.
Although existing satellite navigation modules and techniques are adequate when used in the context of guidance services, it is typically desirable to improve upon such modules and techniques.
Accordingly, in order to provide a mechanism by which to perform optimization of an operational parameter associated with a route, exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a method, computer program product and apparatus for providing visualization of logged data in connection with operational parameter optimization. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be employed in a satellite navigation system (e.g., GPS, IGS, GNSS, NAVSTAR, GLONASS, etc.) module. Thus, for example, stored or logged data corresponding to actual previously transited routes may be utilized to provide a capability to utilize best or optimal routes based on real data and compare such real world optimal routes to a current route while transiting the current route.
In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for utilization of logged data visualization for optimization of an operational parameter associated with a particular route. The method may include providing stored route data associated with each of one or more stored routes in which each stored route including respective a first point and a second point and receiving current route data associated with a current route. The current route may include respective a first point to a second point and the route data may be received during transit of the current route. The method may further include comparing the stored route data to the current route data to determine a stored route the same or similar to the current route. The respective stored route may be determined based upon at least the first point of the current route being the same or similar to the first point of the respective stored route. The method may further include presenting a display including at least a portion of the current route data and at least a portion of the stored route data for the respective stored route.
In another exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is provided for utilization of logged data visualization for optimization of an operational parameter associated with a particular route. The computer program product includes at least one computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein. The computer-readable program code includes multiple executable portions. The first executable portion is for providing stored route data associated with each of one or more stored routes in which each stored route including respective a first point and a second point. The second executable portion is for receiving current route data associated with a current route. The current route may include respective a first point to a second point and the route data may be received during transit of the current route. The third executable portion is for comparing the stored route data to the current route data to determine a stored route the same or similar to the current route. The respective stored route may be determined based upon at least the first point of the current route being the same or similar to the first point of the respective stored route. The fourth executable portion is for presenting a display including at least a portion of the current route data and at least a portion of the stored route data for the respective stored route.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided for utilization of logged data visualization for optimization of an operational parameter associated with a particular route. The apparatus may include a route determining element, a data recording element and a data display element. The data recording element may be configured to provide stored route data associated with each of one or more stored routes. Each stored route may include respective a first point and a second point. The route determining element may be configured to receive current route data associated with a current route. The current route may include respective a first point to a second point. The route data may be received during transit of the current route and the route determining element may compare the stored route data to the current route data to determine a stored route the same or similar to the current route. The respective stored route may be determined based upon at least the first point of the current route being the same or similar to the first point of the respective stored route. The data display element may be in communication with the route determining element and the data recording element. The data display element may be configured to present a display including at least a portion of the current route data and at least a portion of the stored route data for the respective stored route.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide an ability to visually compare route data which may be associated with a particular operational parameter with a corresponding route data from a corresponding route or route segment based on logged or stored data associated with the corresponding route or route segment. Accordingly, for example, progress along a current route in terms of the route data and/or operational parameter may be continuously displayed along with a simultaneous display of stored route data and/or operational parameter information which was gathered from a previous traverse of at least the current portion of the route.
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
Embodiments of the present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may 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 satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
The head unit 22 may include a display 23 configured to display images, and a user interface 25 configured to receive an input from a user of the system 10. The display 23 may be, for example, a conventional LCD (liquid crystal display) or any other suitable display known in the art. And the user interface 25 may include, for example, a keyboard, keypad, function keys, mouse, scrolling device, touch screen and/or any other mechanism by which a user may interface with the system.
The navigation module 12 may include any of a number of different navigation devices configured to receive navigation data and generate location data indicative of the location of the navigation module, and thus any entity (e.g., marine craft, motor vehicle, etc.) employing the system 10. For example, the navigation module 12 may include one or more GPS (global positioning system) or other satellite navigation system modules, inertial navigation system modules, terrestrial navigation system modules (e.g., LORAN-C) or the like.
The detection module 14 may include any of a number of different detection and ranging systems for detecting vessels, structures or aids to navigation. For example, the detection module 14 may include a sonar system that uses sound wave transmissions to determine water depth or detect fish and/or other waterborne contacts. Additionally or alternatively, for example, the detection module 14 may include a conventional radar system that uses radio frequency transmissions to determine ranging data and other position-related data associated with surface or airborne vessels or aids to navigation. When the system 10 is utilized in connection with a marine system, the system may include radar and/or sonar systems as described above. However, when the system 10 is utilized in connection with a land-based guidance system, the system 10 may omit the detection module.
The instrument module 16 may be configured to receive one or more operational parameters, or more particularly analog and/or digital data related to one or more operational parameters, measured at one or more particular devices, and communicate those operational parameter(s) to the network 20, oftentimes in a digital format. For example, the instrument module 16 may be configured to receive operational parameters from numerous sensors configured to measure operational parameters at numerous corresponding shipboard or motor vehicle devices. These parameters may include, for example, fuel level, speed, engine RPM (revolutions per minute), engine fluid temperature and/or pressure, battery state of charge, ambient air and/or water temperature, salinity or the like. The instrument module 16 may therefore include or otherwise be in communication with any of a number of different devices such as, for example, a tachometer, speedometer, thermometer, pressure gauge, volt meter, ammeter, fuel level sensor, etc. Where applicable, the instrument module 16 may include analog-to-digital conversion capabilities to communicate digital data to the network 20.
As indicated above, the head unit 22 may be configured to receive data via the network 20, and process and/or display that and/or other data.
The processing element 26 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing element 26 may be embodied as a processor, a coprocessor, a controller or various other processing means or devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit). In an exemplary embodiment, the processing element 26 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 33 or otherwise accessible to the processing element 26. Meanwhile, the communication interface element 29 may be embodied as any device or means embodied in either hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to the network 20 and/or any other device or module in communication with the head unit 22.
When used in the context of guidance services, conventional satellite navigation modules may be configured to provide route determination and/or guidance based on theoretical calculations. Such theoretical calculations, however, may not coincide with real-world situations. Accordingly, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may determine a route based at least in part on data measured or otherwise gathered during previous traversals of a particular route by a particular user. Thus, for example, at one or more times during which a route is traversed, one or more operational parameters may be measured or otherwise gathered, and stored for use in determining future routes. In addition, during traversal of a route, one or more measured operational parameters may be displayed along with corresponding parameters (or other parameters) stored or otherwise formulated in association with a route that may be the same or similar to the respective route. Thus, a user may experience the advantage of viewing operational parameters corresponding to actual logged data from a previous traversal of a route for comparison to the current traversal of the route.
The data recording element 42 may be any means or device (e.g., memory device 33) configured to receive and store one or more routes, or more one or more segments of one or more routes, as well as one or more operational parameters (e.g., from the instrument module 16) for storage in association with a respective route and/or route segment. The route(s) and/or route segment(s) may be defined by a collection of location data provided, for example, by the navigation module 12. During operation, the data recording element 42 may be in communication with the navigation module 12 and the instrument module 16 in order to store operational parameters (e.g., fuel level, speed, engine RPM (revolutions per minute), engine fluid temperature and/or pressure, battery state of charge, ambient air and/or water temperature, salinity, etc.) in association with location data received from the navigation module 12. In an exemplary embodiment, the data recording element 42 may also store time, date and/or day of the week information in association with the operational parameter(s) and/or location data. As explained herein, the location data in a collection of such data defining a route and/or route segment (e.g., starting point, destination, waypoints between starting point and destination), operational parameter(s), and/or time, date and/or day-of-week during which the operational parameter(s) were measured or otherwise gathered may generally be referred to as “route data.” As such, route data may, for example, correlate a particular time/date and location with one or more operational parameter(s) measured or otherwise gathered at that time/date/day-of-week and place.
The route data may be stored by route or by route segment. In this regard, a route may be defined by at least a particular starting point and a particular destination, and may be further defined by a path taken in transit therebetween. Meanwhile, a route segment may be any portion of a route, and may be defined by two or more locations along the route, where the locations may include a starting point, destination and/or waypoints therebetween. For example, a route segment could be a portion of the route between the starting point and a waypoint, between two waypoints, or between a waypoint and the destination. In an exemplary embodiment, the route data could be stored such that, when the data recording element 42 reaches a limit or threshold for available storage space, new route data replaces a substantially similar amount of old route data. The old route data replaced could be, for example, the oldest route data or route data of a lowest priority. Route data priority could be determined based on a number of different factors such as route frequency (e.g., the number of times a particular route is utilized over a given period of time), route status (e.g., a route containing a segment or an entire route that is indicated to be optimal as described in greater detail below), or the like.
The route determination element 46 may be embodied as any device or means embodied in either hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to direct storage of route data for a current route (or route segment), as well as compare route data associated with the current route (or route segment) with previously stored route data (for previous routes) to determine whether the current route (or route segment) corresponds to a previously stored route (or route segment). In some situations the route determination element 46 may recognize a complete previously stored route, while in other situations the route determination element 46 may determine a stored route based on a collection of route segments from various routes. In this regard, the route determination element 46 may be configured to determine one or more candidate routes the same as or similar to a current route based on route data for one or more stored routes. For example, the route determination element may be configured to determine candidate route(s) based on a match or substantial similarity between the starting point, destination and/or time of departure associated with a current route, and corresponding route data associated with one or more stored routes (or collection of route segments that may form a route).
As indicated above, the route determination element 46 may be configured to direct storage of route data defining a current route (or route segment). This route data may again include, for example, a starting point and destination, and, if so desired, one or more waypoints therebetween. In this regard, the route determination element may be configured to determine the starting point of a current route (and subsequent stored route) based on system startup and/or delay of greater than a threshold amount of time at a particular position. The starting point of a current route could also be automatically determined in response to selection of a destination. Alternatively, the user interface of the system may include a manner, such as a start button, by which a user may provide the starting point of a current route.
As indicated above, a route may include one or more segments defined based on one or more waypoints. One or more of these waypoints may be designated by the user, for example, by selection of specific locations. Alternatively, one or more waypoints may be automatically determined by the route determination element 46 in response to a turn, change of course, change of speed, stop, change from one street to another, or the like.
The route determination element 46 may also be configured to determine the destination of a current route (and subsequent stored route), such as based on a match between a current location and a destination previously defined or set for a particular route. Alternatively, the route determination element may be configured to determine the destination based on a shutdown of the system, a delay of a threshold amount of time at a particular position or a known destination for a particular route, in response to a user input, or in any of a number of other manners.
As also indicated above, the route determination element 46 may be further configured to compare route data associated with the current route (or route segment) with previously stored route data (for previous routes) to determine whether the current route (or route segment) corresponds to a previously stored route (or route segment). The route data comparison may be made on any of the different types of route data for a route, including, for example, the time, date, and/or day of the week associated with the current route and stored routes. In this regard, the route determination element 46 may be configured to determine patterns associated with particular routes in order to enable recognition of a current route as the same or similar to a stored route based on a time and starting point associated with the current route. Accordingly, the route determination element 46 may be configured to automatically recognize a stored route that begins at a particular location at substantially a similar time, date and/or day of the week as a current route. Thus, for example, if a vehicle employing the navigation system 40 is started up from a user's home at 8:00 AM on a weekday, the route determination element 46 may be configured to recognize, based on route data, that the user is likely headed to work and may accordingly begin storing route data for the current route, such as for comparison with stored route data for one or more stored instances of the same and/or similar routes (candidate routes) previously traversed by the user between home and work. In an exemplary embodiment, if more than one route may be determined to be a candidate route based on the starting point and/or time, date and/or day of the week information, the route determination element 46 may be configured to defer route determination until more data is available for assisting in route determination and/or to prompt the user to select a route among a list of candidate routes. A route may be considered similar to a stored route if, for example, the routes have the same starting point and destination, regardless of whether the routes share the same waypoints.
The data display element 44 may be embodied as any device or means embodied in either hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to visually display route data for a current route and for a stored route determined to by the route determination element 46 as the same or similar to the current route. In this regard, the data display element 44 may receive data (e.g., location data and/or operational parameter data) from the navigation module 12 and/or the instrument module 16 for display, from the data recording element 42 and/or the route determination element 46. The user may select one or more types of data for display. For example, the user may select to display fuel economy and/or location data to direct the data display element to visually display fuel economy data and/or location data for both the current route and respective stored route. Alternatively, a “display all” function may be provided to direct the data display element to visually display all available data. In either instance, although the route data for the current route and the route data for the respective stored route may be displayed in a number of different manners, in one exemplary embodiment, the route data for the current route may be displayed at least partially simultaneously with the route data for the respective stored route.
In an exemplary embodiment, the data display element 44 may drive the display 23. In response to the route determination element 46 determining or otherwise recognizing a stored route the same or similar to the current route by, the route determination element 46 may identify the respective stored to the data recording element 42. Route data for the respective stored route may then be communicated from the data recording element 42 to the data display element 44 for display along with the route data for the current route. In this regard, and in particular for the at least partial simultaneous display of the current route data and stored route data, display of the respective route data may be synchronized with respect to, for example, the time of departure or distance from the starting point in each of the routes. Thus, for example, if location data is displayed by the data display element 44, progress along the route path may be displayed for the current route along with an indication of the position at the same relative time within the respective stored route. The user may therefore judge or compare progress during the current route with respect to progress at the same relative time during a previously completed running of the same or similar route. In other words, the data display element 44 may be configured to display current route data and also route data corresponding to a “ghost rider” (e.g., the stored route data) illustrating position or operational parameter data for a route at a corresponding time or position in the stored route.
In an exemplary embodiment, the data display element 44 may be configured to display current route data and stored route data in different and/or distinct manners in order to enable differentiation by the user. For example, current route data and stored route data could be displayed in different colors, in separately labeled display consoles, in association with different icons, etc. The user may be able to select display characteristics regarding the display of the current route data and/or the stored route data.
As shown in
Returning to
Although shown in different consoles, both current-route and stored-route data may be displayed in a single data console. Additionally, although the stored-route data console 74 and the current-route data console 76 are illustrated as providing fuel consumption information, any operational parameter data could additionally or alternatively be displayed. In an exemplary embodiment, data console information may even be displayed without indications of position along the current route and/or stored route. Further, although the consoles are illustrated as including numeric data, it should be understood that one or both of the consoles may additionally or alternatively include operational parameter(s) in the form of graphs, gauge readings, or other like representations.
In an exemplary embodiment, in response to the route determination element 46 determining more than one stored candidate routes the same or similar to the current route, the route determination element 46 may identify, to the data recording element 42, a selected one of those stored candidate routes. Selection of a stored candidate route may be performed in a number of different manners, including based on predefined rules for route selection. The predefined rules may be input by the user. As an alternative, the user may be presented with a list of candidate routes for manual selection. Route data corresponding to the selected candidate stored route may then be communicated to the data display element 44 for display.
In cases in which route selection is performed automatically based on predefined rules, the predefined rules may provide criteria for route selection. The criteria could be, for example, shortest time, shortest distance, best fuel economy, most recent route, etc. Accordingly, for example, if the criterion is shortest time, the route determination element 46 may communicate to the data recording element 42 to have the stored data corresponding to the route between the starting point 62 and the destination 64 that has the shortest overall travel time. Thus, the data recording element 42 may communicate the selected route data to the data display element 44 for simultaneous display with the current route data to enable the user to compare the current route to an optimal route in terms of time.
In an exemplary embodiment, rather than selecting a complete single route meeting the criteria (e.g., the shortest time), an optimal route in terms of time, distance, fuel economy, or in terms of any other operational parameter, may be created from optimal route segments. In other words, for example, rather than selecting a complete route having the best fuel economy, an optimal route could be created from a collection of route segments (possibly from different transit instances of the same or different routes) which combine to provide the best fuel economy for a transit from the starting point 62 to the destination 64. The optimal route may then be provided to the data display element 44 for simultaneous display with the current route data to enable the user to compare the current route to an optimal route in terms of fuel consumption.
As another alternative, an average route may be determined or otherwise formulated based on an average of route data and/or operational parameters associated with a portion of, if not all, multiple stored routes determined the same or similar to the current route. Accordingly, the stored route may be embodied as an average route for simultaneous and synchronized display along with the current route data.
As shown in
Additionally or alternatively, any other operational parameter may be utilized as the basis for synchronizing the display of current and stored route data based on the consumption of the operational parameter in embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, distance traveled, distance to go, estimated battery life, fuel consumption, time since departure, and other parameters may be utilized as the basis for comparison.
Accordingly, blocks or steps of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks or steps of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks or steps in the flowchart, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions or steps, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
In this regard, one embodiment of a method of providing utilization of logged data visualization for optimization of an operational parameter associated with a particular route, as shown in
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these embodiments pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
