Showing papers on "Turn-by-turn navigation published in 2014"

Travi-Navi: self-deployable indoor navigation system

Abstract: We present Travi-Navi - a vision-guided navigation system that enables a self-motivated user to easily bootstrap and deploy indoor navigation services, without comprehensive indoor localization systems or even the availability of floor maps. Travi-Navi records high quality images during the course of a guider's walk on the navigation paths, collects a rich set of sensor readings, and packs them into a navigation trace. The followers track the navigation trace, get prompt visual instructions and image tips, and receive alerts when they deviate from the correct paths. Travi-Navi also finds the most efficient shortcuts whenever possible. We encounter and solve several challenges, including robust tracking, shortcut identification, and high quality image capture while walking. We implement Travi-Navi and conduct extensive experiments. The evaluation results show that Travi-Navi can track and navigate users with timely instructions, typically within a 4-step offset, and detect deviation events within 9 steps.

Mapping application with turn-by-turn navigation mode for output to vehicle display

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a method for an application executing on a mobile device. The method renders an animated navigation presentation for output to an external display screen not part of the mobile device. The navigation presentation includes an animated map showing at least a portion of a route to a destination. The method simultaneously displays information regarding a maneuver along the route on a display screen of the mobile device without displaying a same animated map on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the displayed information regarding the maneuver comprises a graphical instruction and a text instruction for a next maneuver along the route.

Behavior modification via altered map routes based on user profile information

Abstract: Methods and systems for an improved navigation environment are provided. The navigation system can route users to preferred locations based on user profile data and past experience with the present driver and other drivers. The system provides more cost-effective and time-sensitive routing by incorporating other information about destinations. Further, the navigation system provides enhanced guidance in foreign or unfamiliar locations by incorporating experience from other drivers and other data.

Context-Aware Personal Navigation Using Embedded Sensor Fusion in Smartphones

Abstract: Context-awareness is an interesting topic in mobile navigation scenarios where the context of the application is highly dynamic. Using context-aware computing, navigation services consider the situation of user, not only in the design process, but in real time while the device is in use. The basic idea is that mobile navigation services can provide different services based on different contexts—where contexts are related to the user’s activity and the device placement. Context-aware systems are concerned with the following challenges which are addressed in this paper: context acquisition, context understanding, and context-aware application adaptation. The proposed approach in this paper is using low-cost sensors in a multi-level fusion scheme to improve the accuracy and robustness of context-aware navigation system. The experimental results demonstrate the capabilities of the context-aware Personal Navigation Systems (PNS) for outdoor personal navigation using a smartphone.

Vision augmented navigation

Abstract: A navigation system may include at least one processing device configured to determine, based on an output of one or more position sensors associated with the navigation system, a current location of at least one component associated with the navigation system and determine a destination location different from the current location. The navigation system may also acquire, from one or more image acquisition devices, a plurality of images representative of an environment of a user of the navigation system and derive, from the plurality of images, visual information associated with at least one object in the environment. The system may also determine one or more instructions for navigating from the current location to the destination location, wherein the one or more instructions include at least one reference to the visual information derived from the plurality of images. The system may also deliver to the user the one or more instructions.

Pedestrian navigation with augmented reality, voice and digital map: final results from an in situ field study assessing performance and user experience

Abstract: This paper reports on a field study comparing the interface technologies voice, digital map, and augmented reality in the context of pedestrian navigation. The in situ study was conducted in the city of Salzburg using a self-implemented smartphone application running on Apple’s iPhone 4. The study involved 24 participants between 22 and 66 years with different experiences in using smartphones and navigation systems. Results show that in the context of GPS-enhanced pedestrian navigation digital map and voice-only interfaces lead to significantly better navigation performance and user experience in comparison to an augmented reality interface. The study also reveals similar results for digital map and voice-only interfaces given that voice instructions are carefully composed.

Indoor space subdivision for indoor navigation

Abstract: There are a number of great attempts to develop an indoor navigation that provide the most optimal path and guidance. Finding a way in large buildings can be a challenging task. In order to represent the real situation to a maximum extent, a representation of the whole room as one single indivisible object is not enough as such representation is very abstract and this could make the navigation difficult and may result into inefficient route planning. In order to provide a smooth navigation path, the presence of humans within the indoor environment and the natural movement of individuals should be taken into consideration. In this paper a two-step indoor space subdivision for indoor navigation is described. Firstly, the indoor space is subdivided into navigable and non-navigable areas considering human perceptions of the environment and human behaviour. Secondly, the navigable space is subdivided applying a constrained Delaunay triangulation. Finally, the guidelines for generation of the navigation network and verification of the proposed model are presented.

Audio navigation assistance

Abstract: Embodiments that relate to head-mounted computing device for providing navigation assistance via audio output are disclosed. For example, in one disclosed embodiment depth image and visible image data are used to generate a three-dimensional mesh of at least a portion of an environment. Using the mesh, at least one feature in the environment is detected. When operating in a familiar navigation mode and based on detecting the feature, a first audio navigation cue is outputted to the user. When operating in an unfamiliar navigation mode and based on detecting the feature, a second audio navigation cue is outputted to the user, where the second audio navigation cue differs from the first audio navigation cue.

Methods and apparatus for user interface navigation

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for user interface navigation may facilitate altering the output of a user interface in response to a predetermined action. Methods and apparatus for user interface navigation may cause a user interface presenting a first resource to present a static and/or dynamically created landing resource upon a user performing a predetermined action. The landing resource may comprise a website, an application, and the like. Methods and apparatus for user interface navigation may cause the user interface to present a return resource to the user upon the user performing the same or different predetermined action. In some embodiments, the return resource may comprise the first resource.

Navigation Route Updates

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for providing navigation routes and/or providing navigation route updates. According to various embodiments of the concepts and technologies disclosed herein, a navigation application can be configured to obtain route data from a routing service. The routing service can be configured to use navigation data locally stored and/or obtained from a number of sources to generate navigation routes and/or to update navigation routes. The generated and/or updated navigation routes can be provided to the user device as route data that can be used to provide navigation directions to a user.

Navigation systems and methods for indicating and reducing line-of-sight errors

Abstract: Navigation systems and methods used to track objects moving in space. One navigation system and method employs trackers having light emitters for indicating when line-of-sight between tracking elements on the trackers and sensors is obstructed or for other errors. Another navigation system and method instructs users on how to place a tracker with respect to an object to reduce line-of-sight issues during a surgical procedure.

Adaptive navigation for virtual environments

Abstract: Navigation speed for most navigation interfaces is still determined by rate-control devices (e.g. joystick). The interface designer is in charge of adjusting the range of optimal speeds according to the scale of the environment and the desired user experience. However, this approach is not valid for complex environments (e.g. multi-scale environments). Optimal speeds might vary for each section of the environment, leading to non-desired side effects such as collisions or simulator sickness. Thereby, we propose a speedadaptation algorithm based on the spatial relationship between the user and the environment and the user’s perception of motion. The computed information is used to adjust the navigation speed in order to provide an optimal navigation speed and avoid collisions. Two main benefits of our approach is firstly, the ability to adapt the navigation speed in multi-scale environments and secondly, the capacity to provide a smooth navigation experience by decreasing the jerkiness of described trajectories. The evaluation showed that our approach provides comparable performance as existing navigation techniques but it significantly decreases the jerkiness of described trajectories.

Smart flashlight: map navigation using a bike-mounted projector

Abstract: While mobile phones affect our behavior and tend to separate us from our physical environment, this very environment could instead become a responsive part of the information domain. For navigation using a map while cycling in an urban environment, we studied two alternative solutions: smartphone display and projection on the road. This paper firstly demonstrates by proof-of-concept a GPS-based map navigation using a bike-mounted projector. Secondly, it implements a prototype using both a projector and a smartphone mounted on a bike, comparing them for use in a navigation system for nighttime cycling. Thirdly, it examines how visuo-spatial factors influence navigation. We believe that our findings will be useful for designing navigation systems for bikes and even for cars, helping cyclists and drivers be more attentive to their environment while navigating, and to provide useful information while moving.

Accessible contextual controls within a graphical user interface

Abstract: A user device may provide a graphical user interface which presents content navigation objects, where each content navigation object may be associated with a content item and is presented within a portion of the graphical user interface. The user device may detect an action that corresponds to a content navigation object, and determine whether the detected action is a command to display content options that may be contextually related to the content item associated with the content navigation object. The user device may display the content options by altering the appearance of the content navigation object, receive an action selecting the content option from the displayed content options, and conceal the content options after the action for selecting the content option has been received.

INSAR: indoor navigation system using augmented reality

Abstract: Indoor navigation applications for mobile devices are being more common and needed for people who want to find inside building destinations. Many indoor navigation applications utilize different technologies, such as Wi-Fi fingerprinting, have been suggested. Most of these applications use a fixed background map and pre-calculated paths to lead the user to their destinations. Users of these systems need general map reading skills and understanding how specifically indoor maps work. In addition, these system types need to implement complex and accurate calculations to determine routing paths before navigation starts - which could be affected by unstable Wi-Fi signals. In this paper, we suggest INSAR or Indoor Navigation System Using Augmented Reality, which utilizes Wi-Fi fingerprinting, augmented reality (AR), and digital compass technologies in an integrated Android-based app. Specifically, we used a Wi-Fi fingerprinting method to determine user position, augmented reality to display real-time navigation information, and a compass to determine destination direction. Additionally, digital compass use to read the destination direction of each reference point (RP) helps direct the users "on the fly" thus reducing potential Wi-Fi signal instability effects.

Using social cues to estimate possible destinations when driving a robotic wheelchair

Abstract: Approaching a group of humans is an important navigation task. Although many methods have been proposed to avoid interrupting groups of people engaged in a conversation, just a few works have considered the proper way of joining those groups. Research in the field of social sciences have proposed geometric models to compute the best points to join a group. In this article we propose a method to use those points as possible destinations when driving a robotic wheelchair. Those points are considered together with other possible destinations in the environment such as points of interest or typical static destinations defined by the user's habits. The intended destina- tion is inferred using a Dynamic Bayesian Network that takes into account the contextual information of the environment and user's orders to compute the probability for each destination. Index Terms—Intention estimation, human aware navigation, semi-autonomous navigation, robotic wheelchair, face control, voice control. I. INTRODUCTION

Measuring quality in optimal navigation routes by navigation systems

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are provided for measuring quality in optimal navigation routes A plurality of nodes having latitude and longitude coordinates is received for analysis The nodes may be map matched with a road network and a traveled route of the navigation device may be determined Alternative routes may be calculated between the origin and destination of the traveled route at a time after the traveled route is completed Comparisons may be made between the traveled route and the alternative routes The comparison data may be used to develop an improved traffic database or the data may be reported to a navigation device or navigation service provider

A driving assistance system, vehicle and method

Abstract: A dynamic route finding system for a follower vehicle comprises a display, for disposition inside the vehicle, a navigation system, employing satellite position sensing for the vehicle, a storage device, including map data of a given territory, and an input system for the navigation system to input the location of a potentially dynamic destination of a subject (vehicle), wherein the navigation system is arranged to permit dynamic updating of the destination through said input system whilst guiding the user towards the subject from its current position. The input system may comprise an optical sensor, for front- facing disposition in the vehicle; a computer, to display on the display images captured by the optical sensor; and a user interface, enabling user commands to be input to the computer, the computer being arranged dynamically to calculate the position of a subject that is captured as an image by the optical sensing means, that has been displayed on the display, and that has been selected by the user, and to input said position as the dynamic destination of the navigation system. The input system may also comprise a telephone transceiver capable of wireless communication with another telephone, whereby the navigation system and a subject telephone may be interconnected and through which the subject telephone, when provided with a requisite application and a GPS position sensor, transmits the position of the subject telephone to the navigation system for use as the destination of the navigation system of said follower vehicle. The input system may also comprise a network of communication modules in multiple vehicles.

Apparatus and methods of displaying navigation instructions

Abstract: A device is disclosed for generating navigation instructions for display on a display device of a portable navigation device, comprising: means for accessing a repository storing digital map data pertaining to a navigable network along which the navigation device can travel; means for generating, for display on the display device, a three-dimensional perspective view of a model representative of the map data as though from a camera positioned at an elevation and pitch angle behind a current position of the portable navigation device, that is updated to follow the device as it travels along a planned route through the navigable network; and means for generating, in response to detecting that the current position of the navigation device is closer than a predetermined distance to a decision point in the planned route, a fast forward preview of the upcoming decision point by advancing the position of the camera for the three- dimensional perspective view along the planned route at a speed faster than the rate of travel of the current position of the device. Methods of operation of the device, and related computer software, are also disclosed.

A mobile indoor navigation system

Abstract: A mobile indoor navigation system comprises: • a mobile communication device incorporating a user interface; a display for navigating a user from a first location to a second location; and a camera; • a number of passive navigation markers disposed at a number of locations; at least one of which in use is viewed by the camera as the marker is in the field of view of the camera; and • a processor which compares signals representative of the viewed passive navigation markers with signals stored on a database and displays navigation information dependent upon the comparison.

An assisting, constrained 3D navigation technique for multiscale virtual 3D city models

Abstract: Virtual 3D city models serve as integration platforms for complex geospatial and georeferenced information and as medium for effective communication of spatial information. In order to explore these information spaces, navigation techniques for controlling the virtual camera are required to facilitate wayfinding and movement. However, navigation is not a trivial task and many available navigation techniques do not support users effectively and efficiently with their respective skills and tasks. In this article, we present an assisting, constrained navigation technique for multiscale virtual 3D city models that is based on three basic principles: users point to navigate, users are lead by suggestions, and the exploitation of semantic, multiscale, hierarchical structurings of city models. The technique particularly supports users with low navigation and virtual camera control skills but is also valuable for experienced users. It supports exploration, search, inspection, and presentation tasks, is easy to learn and use, supports orientation, is efficient, and yields effective view properties. In particular, the technique is suitable for interactive kiosks and mobile devices with a touch display and low computing resources and for use in mobile situations where users only have restricted resources for operating the application. We demonstrate the validity of the proposed navigation technique by presenting an implementation and evaluation results. The implementation is based on service-oriented architectures, standards, and image-based representations and allows exploring massive virtual 3D city models particularly on mobile devices with limited computing resources. Results of a user study comparing the proposed navigation technique with standard techniques suggest that the proposed technique provides the targeted properties, and that it is more advantageous to novice than to expert users.

Displaying Navigation Information Within a Secondary User Interface of a Mobile Device

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems of displaying navigation information on a mobile device include determining navigation directions to a destination location and providing related navigation information for display on a primary user interface while the mobile device is operated in an active operating mode. Upon detecting a transition of the mobile device from the active operating mode to a passive operating mode, a subset of location information is configured for display on a secondary user interface. The passive location information can include one or more of a semantic place label associated with the mobile device's current location and a directions indicator in which a user of the mobile device should travel along the navigation directions in order to reach the destination location from the mobile device's current location and/or device orientation. The navigation information can be updated continuously, periodically and/or upon reaching turn points within the navigation directions.

Methods and systems for collaborative navigation and operation with a mobile device and a wearable device

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for collaborative navigation and operation on two mobile devices. The method may include establishing a wireless connection between a first mobile device and a second mobile device, and generating navigation data by the first mobile device for collaborative navigation based on a location of the first mobile device. The method may also include selecting a first subset of the navigation data for display by the first mobile device, and selecting a second subset of the navigation data for display by the second mobile device. The method may also include transferring the second subset of navigation data to the second mobile device and coordinating the display of the first subset of navigation data on the first mobile device with display of the second subset of navigation data on the second mobile device.

Destination and travel information application

Abstract: Methods and systems for an improved navigation environment are provided. The navigation system can route users to preferred locations based on user profile data and past experience with the present driver and other drivers. The system provides more cost-effective and time-sensitive routing by incorporating other information about destinations. Further, the navigation system provides enhanced guidance in foreign or unfamiliar locations by incorporating experience from other drivers and other data.

Eye gaze enabled navigation system

Abstract: A navigation system is configured to generate a sequence of driving instructions for directing a driver of a vehicle from a current location to a final destination. The navigation system is configured to capture sensor data that reflects the field of view of the driver and to identify objects in that field of view. The navigation system then customizes the driving instructions to reference specific objects, thereby generating context-specific driving instructions. The navigation system is also configured to identify particular objects upon which the driver is focused, and to generate context-specific driving instructions relative to such objects of focus. The navigation system may also provide correction information to the driver upon determining that the driver has incorrectly focused on a different object than an object referenced in a context-specific driving instruction.

A cloud-based outdoor assistive navigation system for the blind and visually impaired

Abstract: Safe navigation in non-familiar outdoor environments is a challenging activity for the blind and visually impaired (BVI) people. This work introduces a cloud-based outdoor assistive navigation system (COANS) for BVI people. The main goal of the system is to provide easy street navigation and help to make outdoor walk in non-familiar environment less stressful. Hardware part from the user-side includes an android-based mobile phone and an external low-cost L1 GPS receiver to improve position accuracy. Applying the technique known as Real Time Kinematic (RTK) ameliorates the issue of the user position estimation. Interaction between the application and the user is based on voice commands (user-side) and voice notifications (system-side), together with the user-friendly “shaking” and “swiping” commands. The test scenarios for the system include traffic light status detection, zebra crossing path detection, and a bench discovering within a short distance from the user. In order to evaluate overall system performance, two groups of tests have been conducted. One is for GPS location accuracy from RTKLib and the other is for server-client communication time. It shows the usability of the proposed COANS system.

Experience Maps: Experience-Enhanced Routes for Car Navigation

Abstract: People spend a considerable time per day driving a car. Navigation technology helps the driver to find a location, to see traffic details, or to estimate the arrival time. Selecting a certain route influences the driving experience (i.e., the user experience while driving) through factors such as traffic density, landscape, or road type. However, current navigation systems mainly optimize routes regarding time, distance, or fuel efficiency--neglecting important driving experience factors: The fastest route might still be packed with traffic which stresses drivers or negatively influence their mood. In contrast, a slightly slower route could for instance offer a better driving experience with less traffic and scenic views. In this paper, we propose a concept that allows for experience-optimized routing to make driving more joyful and pleasurable. We also present the results of a web survey with 114 participants that we conducted to explore the users' preferences and opinions regarding taking the experience into account for route guidance.

Autonomous vehicle global navigation approach associating sensor based control and digital maps

Abstract: This paper proposes a global navigation strategy for autonomous vehicle combining sensor based control and digital maps information. In order to avoid localization problems in urban environments, this approach intends to solve the global navigation focusing on two local navigation tasks: road lane following and road intersection maneuvers. For that, it is important to use digital maps, once they provide a rich database containing information about the environment structure, like speed limit, number of lanes, traffic directions, etc. Associating the data extracted from the digital map with local navigation approaches, the vehicle is able to perform its global navigation task. The experiments take into account real data and a simulated scenario, which show the viability of this approach.