Patent Application
20250164272
This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0161426 filed on Nov. 20, 2023 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. 119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a search category varying method based on passenger context and a navigation system for performing the same. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a method for variably providing search categories based on passenger context and situation identified by utilizing information obtainable from an inside of a vehicle, and a navigation system for performing the same.
Generally, each of various mobility apparatuses employs a navigation system equipped with a GPS (Global Positioning System) to identify a current location and a current moving speed thereof or to determine a moving speed thereof. The navigation system receives a radio wave indicating a latitude, a longitude, an altitude, etc. from a plurality of artificial satellites, calculates a current location of a moving object to identify the current location of the moving object, and identifies a destination input by a user, and determines a moving route starting from the current location and arriving at the destination.
The navigation system determines the route based on various information related to driving, such as to a distance the destination, an arrival time, a cost such as an optimal distance to the destination, the shortest distance, a traffic condition, use of free or toll road, etc. The navigation system includes not only a component for receiving the destination directly from the user, but also a component that searches for the current location or the surroundings around the destination.
For example, when a user wants to find a restaurant or parking lot around a destination, the navigation system may display restaurants or parking lots as a search category around the destination to display a list of restaurants or parking lots around the destination. In this regard, depending on an order in which the search categories around the destination are displayed, the user may easily find the desired category or not. In other words, a configuration of the navigation system needs to be individualized under the user's situation and the vehicle's status. Therefore, research is needed to vary the order in which the search categories around the destination are displayed depending on the user's situation.
A technical purpose to be achieved using embodiments of the present disclosure is to provide a method in which the navigation system identifies the situation of the passenger based on information on the vehicle status that may be obtained from the inside of the vehicle, and varies a search category for surroundings, based on the identified passenger's situation.
The technical purposes of the present disclosure are not limited to the technical purposes mentioned above, and other technical purposes not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from descriptions as set forth below.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a computing device may comprise: a processor; and a memory connected to the process and configured to store therein instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform: obtaining vehicle information indicating a state of a vehicle from the vehicle; obtaining context information indicating a situation of a passenger using the acquired vehicle information; determining respective priorities of a plurality of surrounding search categories, based on the acquired context information; and displaying the plurality of surrounding search categories under the determined priorities.
In an embodiment, wherein the vehicle information may include at least one of vehicle location information, whether a child lock is activated, DTE (distance to empty) information indicating a fuel level, whether a warning signal is received from the vehicle, whether a wiper is in operation, whether a sunroof is open or closed, or a weight of a loaded cargo.
In an embodiment, wherein the determining the respective priorities of the plurality of surrounding search categories may include setting a priority of a first surrounding search category related to the acquired context information among the plurality of surrounding search categories to a highest or lowest level.
In an embodiment, wherein the determining the respective priorities of the plurality of surrounding search categories may include determining a priority related to each of items of the first surrounding search category.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger includes obtaining the context information using information about a current time, real-time traffic situation, and a specific location.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: comparing obtained current location information with reference location information; determining whether a distance between the current location and the reference location is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; and obtaining context information indicating that the passenger is traveling when the distance between the current location and the reference location is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information may indicating that the passenger is traveling may include: determining whether a distance between a destination and a first location is smaller than a second threshold value; and obtaining context information indicating that the passenger is traveling to the first location when the distance between the destination and the first location is smaller than the second threshold value.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: determining whether a child lock is turned on; and obtaining context information indicating that a child is seated in the vehicle when the child lock is turned on.
In an embodiment, wherein the determining the respective priorities of the plurality of surrounding search categories may include: determining whether children are allowed to enter each of items of each of the plurality of surrounding search categories; and determining a priority of each of the items based on a result of the determination of whether children are allowed to enter each item.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: determining whether a current time is included in a preset meal time; and obtaining context information indicating that the current time is a meal time when the current time is included in the preset meal time.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may further include: determining whether a departure point is a meal place; and obtaining context information indicating that the current time is a dessert time when the departure point is the meal place.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may further include: determining whether a destination is a downtown area; obtaining population density information of the destination based on obtained location information, when the destination is the downtown area; determining whether the population density of the destination is greater than or equal to a first threshold value; and obtaining context information indicating that a parking space is required when the population density of the destination is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: determining whether DTE (distance to empty) is smaller than a first threshold value; and obtaining context information indicating that refueling or charging is required when the DTE is smaller than the first threshold value.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: determining whether a warning signal has been received from the vehicle; and obtaining context information indicating that maintenance of the vehicle is required when the warning signal has been received therefrom.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: determining whether a wiper of the vehicle has been operating for a first threshold time or larger; and obtaining context information indicating that it is raining when the wiper of the vehicle has been operating for the first threshold value or larger.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: determining whether a sunroof of the vehicle has been open for a first threshold time or larger; and obtaining context information indicating that the passenger is driving in non-rainy weather when the sunroof of the vehicle has been open for the first threshold time or larger.
In an embodiment, wherein the obtaining the context information indicating the situation of the passenger may include: determining whether there is a camping site among destinations set by the passenger; determining whether a weight of a cargo loaded on the vehicle is greater than or equal to a first threshold value when there is the camping site among the set destinations; and obtaining context information indicating that the passenger is moving to the camping site when the weight of the cargo loaded on the vehicle is greater than or equal to the first threshold value.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a search category varying method may be performed by a computing device, and the method may comprise: obtaining vehicle information indicating a state of a vehicle from the vehicle; obtaining context information indicating a situation of a passenger using the acquired vehicle information; determining respective priorities of a plurality of surrounding search categories, based on the acquired context information; and displaying the plurality of surrounding search categories under the determined priorities.
In an embodiment, wherein the vehicle information may include at least one of vehicle location information, whether a child lock is activated, DTE (distance to empty) information indicating a fuel level, whether a warning signal is received from the vehicle, whether a wiper is in operation, whether a sunroof is open or closed, or a weight of a loaded cargo.
In an embodiment, wherein the determining of the respective priorities of the plurality of surrounding search categories may include setting a priority of a first surrounding search category related to the acquired context information among the plurality of surrounding search categories to a highest or lowest level.
The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing in detail illustrative embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which:
Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The advantages, features, and methods of achieving them of the present disclosure will become clearer with the embodiments described in detail along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described below and can be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided only to make the disclosure complete and fully inform those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.
It is noted that the same reference numerals are used for the same elements across different drawings as far as possible. Furthermore, in describing the present disclosure, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions will be omitted when they may obscure the essence of the present disclosure.
Unless defined otherwise, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) can have the meaning commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries are not interpreted in an ideal or excessive manner unless explicitly defined otherwise. The terms used in the present specification are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the invention. In this specification, the singular forms include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Furthermore, in describing the components of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended to distinguish the components from others, and the essence, order, or sequence of such components is not limited by these terms. If a component is stated as being “connected,” “coupled,” or “linked” to another component, the component can be directly connected or linked to the other component, but it should be understood that there may also exist other components “connected,” “coupled,” or “linked between them.
The terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
For example, information indicating the status of the vehicle 200 may include information on the vehicle's location (GPS), whether a child lock is activated, DTE (distance to empty) information indicating a fuel level, whether a warning signal is received, whether the wipers are operating, whether the sunroof is open or closed, and a weight of a loaded cargo. The navigation system 100 may identify whether the passenger is currently located within a predefined range around the main activity place such as home or workplace, or not based on the vehicle's location information. Furthermore, whether a child is getting into the vehicle may be identified based on whether the child lock is activated. Whether refueling or charging is required may be identified based on the DTE information. The weather state may be identified based on whether the wipers are operating.
For example, when the passenger is determined to be away from the predefined range around the main activity place, it may be determined that the passenger is traveling. Thus, the navigation system 100 may preferentially display categories related to traveling (tourist attractions, restaurants, scenic roads, etc.). When it is determined that a child is present in the vehicle, the navigation system 100 may not display a place into which the children are not allowed to enter (so-called no-kids zone) in the category-related list. When it is determined based on the DTE information that refueling or charging is necessary, the navigation system 100 may preferentially display the gas station/charging station category. When the wipers are continuously operating, it may be determined that it is rainy. In this case, the navigation system 100 may set the car wash category to have a lower priority. The navigation system 100 may vary the surrounding search category based on the above-identified situation. Furthermore, the navigation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may vary the surrounding search category additionally using a current time, real-time traffic situation, information on a specific place (for example, population density information of a currently located city or destination) in addition to the information indicating the status of the vehicle 200 as described above.
The navigation system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented on at least one computing device. For example, all functions of the navigation system 100 may be implemented on one computing device. Alternatively, some functions of the navigation system 100 may be implemented on a first computing device, and the remaining functions thereof may be implemented on a second computing device. Alternatively, a specific function of the navigation system 100 may be implemented on a plurality of computing devices. For example, the surrounding search category varying function and the function of displaying information about the destination of the navigation system 100 may be implemented separately on different computing devices. The computing device may include any device equipped with a computing means and a communication means. An embodiment in which the navigation system 100 is embodied as the computing device is described in more detail with reference to
Furthermore, the components illustrated in
Hereinafter, with reference to
In operation S100, vehicle information indicating the state of the vehicle may be acquired from the vehicle. For example, as described above with reference to
In operation S200, context information indicating the situation of the passenger may be obtained using the acquired vehicle information. For example, as described above with reference to
In operation S300, respective priorities of the plurality of surrounding search categories may be determined based on the obtained context information. For example, as described above with reference to
Hereinafter, with reference to
Furthermore, in operation S204, it may be determined whether a distance between the destination input from the passenger and a first location is smaller than a second threshold value. When the distance between the destination and the first location is determined to be smaller than the second threshold value (YES), in operation S205, context information indicating that the passenger is traveling to the first location may be additionally obtained. For example, when the first location is a coast, the priority of the scenic road or beach among the surrounding search categories may be set to be high. Furthermore, in the scenic road category, a coastal road may be preferentially displayed. In the restaurant or cafe category, a restaurant or cafe adjacent to the sea may be preferentially displayed. Although an example in which the first location in operations S204 to S205 is the coast is described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Operations similar to operations S204 to S205 may be performed in relation to other terrains or locations other than the coast.
In addition, operation S300 of determining the priority of each of the plurality of surrounding search categories according to an embodiment may include determining the priority of each of items of each category. When context information indicating that a child is seated in the vehicle is obtained through operations S211 to S212, in operation S301, whether children is allowed to enter each of the items of each of the plurality of surrounding search categories may be determined, and in operation S302, the priority of each of the items may be determined based on the determination result of operation S301. For example, the priority of a place which the children are not allowed to enter may be determined to be the lowest, and thus, the place which the children are not allowed to enter may not be displayed in the category-related list.
Although the case where the priorities of the items of the category are set to be different from each other, based on whether children are allowed to enter has been described, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The priorities of the items of the category may be set to be different from each other in various ways based on the acquired context information.
In one example, in operation S223, it may be determined whether a starting point on the navigation system is a meal place. When the starting point is the meal place at the meal time (YES), it may be determined that the meal has already been finished, and in operation S224, context information indicating that the current time is dessert time may be acquired. In this case, in operation S300, the priority of a cafe, bakery, etc. may be set to be high. Hereinafter, with reference to
Furthermore,
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In other words, the computing device 500 may include various components in addition to the components as illustrated in
The processor 510 may control all operations of the components of the computing device 500. The processor 510 may be configured to include at least one of a CPU Central Processing Unit, an MPU Micro Processor Unit, an MCU Micro Controller Unit, a GPU Graphics Processing Unit, or any further type of a processor well known in the technical field of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the processor 510 may perform computations of at least one application or program for executing operations/methods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The computing device 500 may have one or more processors.
Next, the memory 520 may store therein various data, commands, and/or information. The memory 520 may cargo therein the computer program 560 from the storage 550 to execute operations/methods according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The memory 520 may be embodied as a volatile memory such as RAM. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
Next, the bus 530 may provide a communication function between the components of the computing device 500. The bus 530 may be embodied as various types of buses such as an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.
Next, the communication interface 540 may support wired and wireless Internet communication of the computing device 500. Furthermore, the communication interface 540 may support various communication schemes other than Internet communication. To this end, the communication interface 540 may be configured to include a communication module well known in the technical field of the present disclosure.
Next, the storage 550 may non-temporarily store therein one or more computer programs 560. The storage 550 may be configured to include a non-volatile memory such as Read Only Memory ROM, Erasable Programmable ROM EPROM, Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM EEPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, a removable disk, or any form of computer-readable recording medium well known in the art to which the present disclosure belongs.
Next, the computer program 560 may include one or more instructions that cause the processor 510 to perform the operations/methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure when being loaded into the memory 520. That is, the processor 510 may execute one or more loaded instructions to perform the operations/methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
For example, the computer program 560 may include instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to perform: obtaining vehicle information indicating a state of a vehicle from the vehicle; obtaining context information indicating a situation of a passenger using the acquired vehicle information; determining respective priorities of a plurality of surrounding search categories, based on the acquired context information; and displaying the plurality of surrounding search categories under the determined priorities.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the surrounding search category may vary based on the situation of the passenger, such that a destination that better suits the user's needs may be displayed first as a search result, thereby providing convenience to the user. Furthermore, unlike a navigation operating on a mobile terminal, more precise varying of the search category may be achieved based on unique information that may be obtained from the vehicle.
Various embodiments and the effects thereof according to the present disclosure have been mentioned with reference to
While all components comprising the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described as being combined or operating in conjunction, it should not be understood that the present disclosure is limited to such embodiments. That is, within the scope of the objectives of the present disclosure, all such components can selectively be combined and operate in one or more configurations.
Although operations are illustrated in a specific order in the drawings, it should not be understood that the operations must be performed in that specific order or sequentially, or that all the illustrated operations are required to achieve desired results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Furthermore, the separation of various components in the described embodiments should not be understood as necessary, and the described program components and systems can generally be integrated into a single software product or packaged into multiple software products.
While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the attached drawings, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Therefore, the described embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is to be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical spirits within the equivalent scope are to be interpreted as included within the rights of the present disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2023-0161426 | Nov 2023 | KR | national |
