CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND PRIORITY
[001] The present application does not claim priority from any patent application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The present disclosure in general relates to the field of navigation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for assisting a user to reach a destination using short range communication.
BACKGROUND
[003] Nowadays, cities and towns are rapidly changing. The roads and directions to reach a particular destination may change rapidly with the construction of flyovers and service roads. For a new user, it is difficult to identify specific address, even if they have visited the place in the past. It is also risky to send children alone to nearby unknown area since they may forgot or miss the path to get back the source place.
[004] There are different navigation tools and mobile applications available in the art to assist the users in navigation, but these applications have their own limitations like dependency on GPS or mobile communication network, cost of the device used for navigation, the devices may not support temporary/diversion routes, or may not work without GPRS/cellular network and the like. Further, small children can be easily misguided and may lose directions to reach the destination.
[005] Hence, without the use of GPS or GPRS or any Cellular network, it becomes extremely difficult to provide navigation assistance to a user. There are other offline applications which can store navigation data offline for providing navigation assistance without the use of GPS. However, these applications depend on the number of offline maps available in the navigation device.
SUMMARY
[006] This summary is provided to introduce aspects related to systems and methods for guiding a user to a destination and the aspects are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
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[007] In one embodiment, a system for guiding a user to a destination is illustrated. The system comprises a wearable device and a set of gateway devices deployed across a geographical area with a set of destinations. In one embodiment, each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices, in the vicinity of the gateway device. Further, each gateway device is configured to maintain a local database configured to store geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the vicinity of the gateway device. In one embodiment, the wearable device is configured to communicate with the gateway devices, wherein the wearable device is enabled with a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory. The processor may execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to accept destination information request associated with a target destination, from the set of destinations, to be reached by a user. The processor may further execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to communicate the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device. The first gateway device is configured to generate dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark, wherein the dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices. The processor may further execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to receive the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device and guide the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device. The processor may further execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to communicate with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination and guide the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
[008] In one embodiment, a processor implemented method for guiding a user to a destination is illustrated. The method may comprise maintaining destination information associated one or more destinations from a set of destinations at each gateway device from a set of gateway devices deployed across a geographical area. In one embodiment, each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices, in the vicinity of the gateway device. In one embodiment, each gateway device may be configured to maintain a local database configured to store geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the
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vicinity of the gateway device. The method may further comprise accepting destination information request over a wearable device, associated with a target destination, from a set of destinations, to be reached by a user. The method may further comprise communicating the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device, wherein the first gateway device is configured to generate dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark. The dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices. The method may further comprise receiving the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device. The method may further comprise guiding the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device. The method may further comprise communicating with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination and guiding the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
[009] In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a program executable in a computing device for guiding a user to a destination is disclosed. The program comprises a program code for maintaining destination information associated one or more destinations from a set of destinations at each gateway device from a set of gateway devices deployed across a geographical area. In one embodiment, each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices, in the vicinity of the gateway device. In one embodiment, each gateway device may be configured to maintain a local database configured to store geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the vicinity of the gateway device. The program comprises a program code for accepting destination information request over a wearable device, associated with a target destination, from a set of destinations, to be reached by a user. The program comprises a program code for communicating the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device, wherein the first gateway device is configured to generate dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark. The dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices. The program comprises a program code for receiving the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device. The program comprises a program code for guiding
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the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device. The program comprises a program code for communicating with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination and guiding the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.
[0011] Figure 1 illustrates a network implementation of a system for guiding a user to a destination, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0012] Figure 2 illustrates a wearable device of the system for guiding a user to a destination, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0013] Figure 3 illustrates a flow diagram for guiding a user to a destination using the system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present subject matter relates to a system for guiding a user to a destination. The system comprises a set of gateway devices deployed across a geographical area. The geographical area comprises a set of destinations that may be reached by a user. Further, the wearable device is configured to communicate with the set of gateway devices. The system enabled a user select a target destination, from the set of destinations, over a wearable device. Further, the wearable device is configured to communicate with the gateway device and generate a navigation path for assisting the user to reach the destination.
[0015] In one embodiment, the wearable device is configured to guide a user of the wearable device to a target destination, from a set of destination in a geographical area, without the use of GPRS/Cellular network or (Global Positioning System) GPS sensor. In one
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embodiment, the set of gateway devices are mounted over traffic signals for guiding the user to reach his destination.
[0016] Initially, the wearable device is configured to accept destination information request associated with the target destination, to be reached by a user. The wearable device is configured to communicate the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device. The first gateway device is configured to communicate with other gateway devices and compute a navigation path between the first gateway device and a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target destination. Once the navigation path is generated, the navigation path is received by the wearable device. The wearable device, after receiving the navigation path, is configured to display or audibly guide the user to traverse through one or more intermediate gateway devices in between the first gateway device and the second gateway device to reach the destination.
[0017] In one embodiment, the wearable device is configured to control the traffic signals for the user when the user approaches a traffic signal while traversing the navigation path or even when road crossing is required. The wearable device may be in the form of a smart watch, School/College ID card, Mobile phone, walking cane/stick, glasses and the like. The wearable device may be enabled with any short range wireless communication module such as wi-fi, zigbee, or Bluetooth and the like, to communicate with the gateway devices. The wearable device is enabled with an output means such as small display/speaker for display/audible the route information and an input means such as a keypad for enter the destination information.
[0018] In one embodiment, each gateway device is configured to broadcast a pedestrian event to the neighbourhood gateway devices based on a pedestrian flag set in the wearable device. The pedestrian flag is indicative of a pedestrian or a visually impaired person in the vicinity of the gateway device. In one embodiment, the neighbourhood gateway devices are configured to generate a set of traffic alerts based on the pedestrian flag set and a number of people in the vicinity of the gateway device. The traffic alerts are generated in order to alert the vehicle users, in the vicinity of the gateway device, with the presence of the visually impaired user. In one embodiment, the set of traffic alerts include a school zone alert, a speed limit alert, and the like.
[0019] The wearable device may also be enabled to perform biometric authentication (heartbeat, eye retina/iris scan, finger scan, multi spectral skin texture scan, etc.) of the user to
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authenticate the user. The wearable device may also be enabled to generate alerts if the wearable device is removed or fails to authenticate the user.
[0020] In one embodiment, each gateway device is configured to store information of a subset of gateway devices in the vicinity of the gateway device. The gateway device is also configured to store information about a set of landmarks in the vicinity of the gateway device. The gateway device may also complete details of streets, house numbers, next traffic signal and their directions of each land mark in the vicinity. In one embodiment, the gateway devices are capable of creating mesh navigation routing between the gateway devices based on the availability.
[0021] While aspects of described system and method for guiding user to a destination may be implemented in any number of different computing systems, environments, and/or configurations, the embodiments are described in the context of the following exemplary system.
[0022] Referring now to Figure 1, a network implementation 100 of a system 102 with a wearable device 104 and a set of gateway devices 108 for guiding a user to reach a destination is disclosed. Although the present subject matter is explained considering that the method for guiding a user to reach a destination is implemented on the wearable device 104, it may be understood that the method may also be implemented in a variety of computing systems, such as a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a notebook, a workstation, a mainframe computer, a server, a network server, and the like. In one implementation, the method may be implemented in a cloud-based environment. It will be understood that the wearable device 104 may be accessed by multiple users through one or more user devices. Examples of the wearable device 104 may include, but are not limited to, a portable computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a smart watch. The wearable device 104 is communicatively coupled to a set of gateway device 108 through a network 106.
[0023] In one implementation, the network 106 may be a wireless network, a wired network or a combination thereof. The network 106 can be implemented as one of the different types of networks, such as, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and the like. The network 106 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network. The shared network represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of
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protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), and the like, to communicate with one another. Further the network 106 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices, and the like. Further, the wearable device 104 is connected to the set of gateway device 108 installed over a set of traffic signals using a short range wireless communication channel. The short range wireless communication channel may be a Bluetooth channel, a zigbee protocol or a wi-fi channel. The process of guiding the user to reach a destination is further elaborated with respect to figure 2.
[0024] Referring now to Figure 2, the wearable device 104 is illustrated in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the wearable device 104 may include at least one processor 202, an input/output (I/O) interface 204, and a memory 206. The at least one processor 202 may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the at least one processor 202 is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory 206.
[0025] The I/O interface 204 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces, for example, a web interface, a graphical user interface, and the like. The I/O interface 204 may allow the wearable device 104 to interact with a user directly or through the client devices 104. Further, the I/O interface 204 may enable the wearable device 104 to communicate with other computing devices, such as web servers and external data servers (not shown). The I/O interface 204 can facilitate multiple communications within a wide variety of networks and protocol types, including wired networks, for example, LAN, cable, etc., and wireless networks, such as WLAN, cellular, or satellite. The I/O interface 204 may include one or more ports for connecting a number of devices to one another or to another server.
[0026] The memory 206 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory, such as static random access memory (SRAM) and dynamic random access memory (DRAM), and/or non-volatile memory, such as read only memory (ROM), erasable programmable ROM, flash memories, hard disks, optical disks, and magnetic tapes. The memory 206 may include modules 208 and data 210.
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[0027] The modules 208 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., which perform particular tasks, functions or implement particular abstract data types. In one implementation, the modules 208 may include a user interface module 212, a communication module 214, a navigation module 216, and other modules 218. The other modules 218 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions of the wearable device 104. The data 210, amongst other things, serves as a repository for storing data processed, received, and generated by one or more of the modules 208. The data 210 may also include a repository 226, and other data 228. The repository 226 is configured to store information to connect with the set of gateway devices.
[0028] In one embodiment, the system 102 comprises a set of gateway devices 108. In one embodiment, destination information associated one or more destinations from a set of destinations at each gateway device from the set of gateway devices 108. The set of gateway devices 108 may be deployed across a geographical area. In one embodiment, each gateway device may be mounted at a traffic signal in the geographical area. In one embodiment, each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices 108, in the vicinity of the gateway device. In one embodiment, each gateway device may be configured to maintain a local database configured to store geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the vicinity of the gateway device. In one embodiment, the gateway devices 108 are configured to communicate with the wearable device 104 and generate navigation path to reach a target destination.
[0029] In one embodiment, the user interface module 212 of the wearable device 102 is configured to accept destination information request, associated with a target destination, from a set of destinations, to be reached by a user. The target destination may be in the form of landmark in the geographical area.
[0030] In one embodiment, the communication module 214 of the wearable device 102 is configured to communicate the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device. The first gateway device is configured to generate dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark. The dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices.
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[0031] In one embodiment, the navigation module 216 of the wearable device 102 is configured to receiving the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device. The navigation module 216 is configured to guide the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device. While the user is travelling over the navigation path, each of the intermediate gateway devices are configured to assist the user by confirming presence of the user on the right track.
[0032] Once the user reaches the second gateway device, communication module 214 of the wearable device 102 is configured to communicate with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
[0033] Further, the navigation module 216 of the wearable device 102 is configured to guide the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination. The method for guiding the user to reach the destination is further illustrated with respect to the block diagram of figure 3.
[0034] Referring now to figure 3, a method 300 for guiding the user to reach the destination is disclosed, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. The method 300 may be described in the general context of computer executable instructions. Generally, computer executable instructions can include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, procedures, modules, functions, and the like, that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The method 300 may also be practiced in a distributed computing environment where functions are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing environment, computer executable instructions may be located in both local and remote computer storage media, including memory storage devices.
[0035] The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 300 or alternate methods. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 300 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Furthermore, the method 300 can be implemented in any suitable hardware, software, firmware, or combination thereof. However, for ease of explanation, in the embodiments described below, the method 300 may be considered to be implemented in the above described system 102.
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[0036] At block 302, the system 102 is configured to maintain destination information associated one or more destinations from a set of destinations at each gateway device from a set of gateway devices deployed across the geographical area. In one embodiment, each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices 108, in the vicinity of the gateway device. In one embodiment, each gateway device may be configured to maintain a local database configured to store geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the vicinity of the gateway device.
[0037] At block 304, the user interface module 212 of the wearable device 102 is configured to accept destination information request, associated with a target destination, from a set of destinations, to be reached by a user. The target destination may be in the form of landmark in the geographical area.
[0038] At block 306, the communication module 214 of the wearable device 102 is configured to communicate the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device. The first gateway device is configured to generate dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark. The dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices.
[0039] At block 308, the navigation module 216 of the wearable device 102 is configured to receiving the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device.
[0040] At block 310, the navigation module 216 is configured to guide the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device.
[0041] At block 312, once the user reaches the second gateway device, communication module 214 of the wearable device 102 is configured to communicate with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
[0042] At block 314, the navigation module 216 of the wearable device 102 is configured to guide the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
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[0043] Although implementations for methods and systems for guiding a user to reach a destination has been described, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as examples of implementations for guiding the user.
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WE CLAIM:
1. A system for guiding a user to a destination, the system comprising:
a set of gateway devices deployed across a geographical area with a set of destinations, wherein each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices, in the vicinity of the gateway device, wherein each gateway device is configured to maintain a local database configured to store a geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the vicinity of the gateway device;
a wearable device configured to communicate with the gateway devices, wherein the wearable device is enabled with:
a memory; and
a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured to execute programmed instructions stored in the memory to:
accept a destination information request associated with a target destination, from the set of destinations, to be reached by a user;
communicate the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device, wherein the first gateway device is configured to generate a dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark, and wherein the dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices;
receive the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device;
guide the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device;
communicate with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination; and
guide the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
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2. The system of claim 1, wherein the geographical location information associated with each destination is stored at the gateway device, in the vicinity of the destination, in the form of one of more directions to guide the user to reach the destination.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is configured to communicate with the set of gateway devices through one or more short-range communication protocols, wherein the one or more short-range communication protocols comprise wi-fi, Bluetooth, and zigbee.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wearable device is configured to communicate with the gateway devices to operate a set of traffic signals in the geographical area to assist the user in navigation.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein each gateway device is configured to broadcast a pedestrian event to the neighbourhood gateway devices based on a pedestrian flag set in the wearable device, wherein the neighbourhood gateway devices are configured to generate a set of traffic alerts based on the pedestrian flag set and a number of people in the vicinity of the gateway device, and wherein the set of traffic alerts include a school zone alert, a speed limit alert.
6. A method for guiding a user to a destination, the method comprising steps of:
maintaining, by a processor, destination information associated one or more destinations from a set of destinations at each gateway device from a set of gateway devices deployed across a geographical area, wherein each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices, in the vicinity of the gateway device, wherein each gateway device is configured to maintain a local database configured to store a geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the vicinity of the gateway device;
accepting, by the processor, a destination information request associated with a target destination, from a set of destinations, to be reached by a user;
communicating, by the processor, the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device, wherein the first gateway
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device is configured to generate a dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark, and wherein the dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices;
receiving, by the processor, the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device;
guiding, by the processor, the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device;
communicating, by the processor, with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination; and
guiding, by the processor, the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the geographical location information associated with each destination is stored at the gateway device, in the vicinity of the destination, in the form of one of more directions to guide the user to reach the destination.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the wearable device is configured to communicate with the set of gateway devices through one or more short-range communication protocols, wherein the one or more short-range communication protocols comprise wi-fi, Bluetooth, and zigbee.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the wearable device is configured to communicate with the gateway devices to operate a set of traffic signals in the geographical area to assist the user in navigation.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein each gateway device is configured to broadcast a pedestrian event to the neighbourhood gateway devices based on a pedestrian flag set in the wearable device, wherein the neighbourhood gateway devices are configured to generate a set of traffic alerts based on the pedestrian flag set and a number of people in the vicinity of the gateway device, and wherein the set of traffic alerts include a school zone alert, a speed limit alert.
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11. A non-transitory computer readable medium embodying a program executable in a computing device for guiding a user to a destination, the computer program product comprising:
a program code for maintaining destination information associated one or more destinations from a set of destinations at each gateway device from a set of gateway devices deployed across a geographical area, wherein each gateway device is configured to communicate with a sub-set of gateway devices, from the set of gateway devices, in the vicinity of the gateway device, wherein each gateway device is configured to maintain a local database configured to store a geographical location information associated with each destination, from the set of destinations, in the vicinity of the gateway device;
a program code for accepting a destination information request associated with a target destination, from a set of destinations, to be reached by a user;
a program code for communicating the destination information request to a first gateway device in the vicinity of the wearable device, wherein the first gateway device is configured to generate a dynamic routing information to reach a second gateway device in the vicinity of the target landmark, and wherein the dynamic routing information comprises a navigational path from the first gateway device to the second gateway device via one or more intermediate gateway devices;
a program code for receiving the navigational path to reach the target destination from the first gateway device;
a program code for guiding the user to traverse through the navigational path to reach the second gateway device;
a program code for communicating with the second gateway device to receive the geographical location information associated with the target destination; and
a program code for guiding the user to reach target destination using the geographical location information associated with the target destination.