Patent Issued for Systems and methods for exploring a geographic region (USPTO 11567632): Apple Inc.
2023 FEB 16 (NewsRx) -- By a
The assignee for this patent, patent number 11567632, is
Reporters obtained the following quote from the background information supplied by the inventors: “Certain applications that run on electronic devices provide user interfaces that display digital maps or other types of representations of cities, states, countries, or other geographic regions. For example, a user will, in some circumstances, interact with user interfaces of a map-based application to view digital maps of a geographic region. The user will, in some circumstances, search for a location of the geographic region, directions from a starting location to an ending location, or a point of interest in the geographic region.
“Exemplary user interface hierarchies include groups of related user interfaces used for: organizing files and applications; storing and/or displaying digital images, editable documents (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation documents), and/or non-editable documents (e.g., secured files and/or .pdf documents); recording and/or playing video and/or music; text-based communication (e.g., e-mail, texts, tweets, and social networking); voice and/or video communication (e.g., phone calls and video conferencing); and web browsing. A user will, in some circumstances, need to perform such user interface navigations within or between a file management program (e.g., Finder from
“But methods for performing these navigations and animating the transition between related user interfaces in a user interface hierarchy are cumbersome and inefficient. In addition, these methods take longer than necessary, thereby wasting energy. This latter consideration is particularly important in battery-operated devices.
“Additionally, abrupt transitions between different user interfaces can be distracting and jarring for users, reducing the efficiency and enjoyment of the user when using the device.
“As described above, one aspect of the present technology is the gathering and use of data available from specific and legitimate sources to improve exploration of an area by visually impaired users. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to identify a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, online identifiers, telephone numbers, email addresses, home addresses, data or records relating to a user’s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other personal information.
“The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to deliver targeted content that may be of greater interest to the user in accordance with their preferences. Accordingly, use of such personal information data enables users to have greater control of the delivered content. Further, other uses for personal information data that benefit the user are also contemplated by the present disclosure. For instance, data of the user’s previous routes data be used, in accordance with the user’s preferences to plan current and future routes.
“The present disclosure contemplates that those entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities would be expected to implement and consistently apply privacy practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. Such information regarding the use of personal data should be prominent and easily accessible by users, and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate uses only. Further, such collection/sharing should occur only after receiving the consent of the users or other legitimate basis specified in applicable law. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations that may serve to impose a higher standard. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly.
“Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, such as in the case of exploring a geographic region, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data while the user is exploring a geographic region or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide data associated with the user’s current location, route, or traveling preferences. In yet another example, users can select to limit the amount of shared data, such as only sharing the user’s current location, only sharing the user’s current route, as well as other limiting features that limit the amount of information shared by the user. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app.
“Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user’s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing identifiers, controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data at city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods such as differential privacy.
“Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data. For example, content can be selected and delivered to users based on aggregated non-personal information data or a bare minimum amount of personal information, such as the content being handled only on the user’s device or other non-personal information available to the content delivery services.”
In addition to obtaining background information on this patent, NewsRx editors also obtained the inventors’ summary information for this patent: “Current methods for displaying user interfaces for exploring a geographic region are outdated, time consuming, and inefficient. For example, some existing methods use complex and time-consuming user interfaces, which may include multiple key presses or keystrokes, and may include extraneous user interfaces. In addition, these methods take longer than necessary, thereby wasting energy. This latter consideration is particularly important in battery-operated devices.
“Accordingly, the present technique provides electronic devices with faster, more efficient methods and interfaces for exploring a geographic region. Such methods and interfaces optionally complement or replace other methods for exploring a geographic region. Such methods and interfaces reduce the number, extent, and/or nature of the inputs from a user, reduce the cognitive burden on the user, and produce a more efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated computing devices, such methods and interfaces conserve power and increase the time between battery charges. Further, such methods and interfaces also streamline exploration of geographic regions, which reduce unnecessary received inputs and improves user efficiency and output.
“The above deficiencies and other problems associated with user interfaces for electronic devices (e.g., with touch-sensitive surfaces) are reduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In some embodiments, the device is a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the device is portable (e.g., a notebook computer, tablet computer, or handheld device). In some embodiments, the device is a personal electronic device (e.g., a wearable electronic device, such as a watch). In some embodiments, the device has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the device has a touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or “touch-screen display”). In some embodiments, the device has a graphical user interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or more modules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory for performing multiple functions. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the GUI primarily through stylus and/or finger contacts and gestures on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, the functions optionally include image editing, drawing, presenting, word processing, spreadsheet making, game playing, telephoning, video conferencing, e-mailing, instant messaging, workout support, digital photographing, digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing, note taking, and/or digital video playing. Executable instructions for performing these functions are, optionally, included in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium or other computer program product configured for execution by one or more processors.
“In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and one or more input devices. The method includes displaying a map of a geographic region on the display. The method also includes detecting, via the one or more input devices, a first user input to select a starting location on the map. After detecting the first user input, the method further includes detecting, via the one or more input devices, a second user input to select a first direction of navigation from the starting location. In response to detecting the second user input, the method further includes determining a path on the map that traverses in the first direction of navigation and connects the starting location to an ending location, and providing audio that includes traversal information about traversing along the path in the geographic region in the first direction of navigation and from the starting location to the ending location.
“In accordance with some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising one or more programs, the one or more programs including instructions which, when executed by an electronic device with a display and one or more input devices, causes the electronic device to display a map of a geographic region on the display. The instructions also cause the electronic device to detect, via the one or more input devices, a first user input to select a starting location on the map. After detecting the first user input, the instructions also cause the electronic device to detect, via the one or more input devices, a second user input to select a first direction of navigation from the starting location. In response to detecting the second user input, the instructions also cause the electronic device to determine a path on the map that traverses in the first direction of navigation and connects the starting location to an ending location, and provide audio that includes traversal information about traversing along the path in the geographic region in the first direction of navigation and from the starting location to the ending location.”
The claims supplied by the inventors are:
“1. A method, comprising: at an electronic device with a display and one or more input devices, including a touch-sensitive surface corresponding to the display: displaying a map of a geographic region on the display; detecting, via the touch-sensitive surface corresponding to the display, a first user input to select a first position on the map, wherein the first position on the map corresponds to a starting location on the map; in response to detecting the first user input to select the first position on the map: in accordance with a determination that the first position on the map corresponds to a street intersection, setting the starting location to the first position on the map; and in accordance with a determination that the first position on the map corresponds not to the street intersection, setting the starting location to a nearest street intersection from the first position on the map; after detecting the first user input, detecting, via the one or more input devices, a second user input to select a first direction of navigation relative to the starting location, wherein the second user input selects the first direction of navigation without selecting an ending location of a path that traverses in the first direction of navigation; and in response to detecting the second user input: determining the ending location based on the starting location and the first direction of navigation; and providing, based on a verbosity setting, audio that includes traversal information about traversing along the path in the geographic region in the first direction of navigation and from the starting location to the ending location, wherein the path connects the starting location to the ending location.
“2. The method of claim 1, further comprising in response to detecting the first user input and before detecting the second user input, providing audio that includes a description of the starting location.
“3. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting the first user input comprises detecting a double tap gesture over a location on the map to designate the location as the starting location.
“4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the ending location based on the starting location and the first direction of navigation comprises: determining a first intersection along the path from the starting location; and designating the first intersection as the ending location.
“5. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the second user input, and in accordance with a determination of at least one point of interest along the path between the starting location and the ending location, providing the audio that includes the traversal information comprises providing audio information about the at least one point of interest.
“6. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the second user input, and in accordance with a determination of a distance from the starting location and the ending location, providing the audio that includes the traversal information comprises providing audio information that includes the distance.
“7. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the second user input, and in accordance with a determination of a distance from the starting location to a second nearest intersection along the path and between the starting location and the ending location, providing the audio that includes the traversal information comprises providing audio information about the distance from the starting location to the second nearest intersection.
“8. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the second user input, and in accordance with a determination of at least one hazard along the path between the starting location and the ending location, providing the audio that includes the traversal information comprises providing audio information about the at least one hazard.
“9. The method of claim 1, wherein in response to detecting the second user input, and in accordance with a determination of an elevation change along the path between the starting location and the ending location, providing audio that includes the traversal information comprises providing audio information about the elevation change.
“10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the audio that includes the traversal information comprises providing an audio description of the ending location.
“11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: detecting, via the one or more input devices, a third user input to select an intersection on the map; and in response to detecting the third user input to select the intersection, providing audio of names of one or more thoroughfares that bisect the intersection.
“12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after detecting the first user input, detecting, via the one or more input devices, a third user input that includes a drag gesture over a plurality of locations around the starting location; and in response to detecting the third user input: determining one or more paths on the map that connect the starting location to one or more of the plurality of locations; and providing audio that includes traversal information about traversing along the one or more paths from the starting location.
“13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: in response to detecting the third user input, and in accordance with a determination that the third user input is being performed: determining a location of the plurality of locations that is associated with a current position of the drag gesture; determining a plurality of paths that are connected to the starting location; and providing audio that includes traversal information about traversing along a first path of the plurality of paths that connects the starting location to a location on the map nearest to the location that is associated with a current position of the drag gesture.
“14. The method of claim 13, wherein providing audio of the traversal information comprises providing a cardinal direction of travel from the starting location and along the first path of the plurality of paths.
“15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: in response to detecting the third user input: determining the one or more paths that are connected to the starting location and are bisected by the drag gesture; and providing audio that includes street names of each path of the one or more paths in an order that the one or more paths are bisected by the drag gesture.
“16. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after detecting the second user input, detecting, via the one or more input devices, a third user input to designate a new location on the map as a new starting location; and in response to detecting the third user input, designating the new location as the new starting location.
“17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: after detecting the third user input, detecting, via the one or more input devices, a fourth user input to designate a previous starting location as the new starting location; and in response to detecting the fourth user input, designating the previous starting location as the new starting location.
“18. The method of claim 1, wherein the ending location includes an intersection that is closest to the starting location in the first direction of navigation.
“19. The method of claim 1, further comprising: after selecting the starting location and after detecting the second user input, detecting, via the one or more input devices, a third user input and movement of the third user input to a first location on the map; in response to detecting movement of the third user input to the first location on the map: selecting a second direction of navigation based on a relative direction between the starting location and the first location on the map; determining a second ending location based on the starting location and the second direction of navigation; and providing, based on the verbosity setting, second audio information that includes traversal information about traversing from the starting location to the second ending location in the second direction of navigation; after providing the second audio information, detecting further movement of the third user input to a second location on the map; and in response to detecting further movement of the third user input to the second location on the map: selecting a third direction of navigation based on a relative direction between the starting location and the second location on the map; determining a third ending location based on the starting location and the third direction of navigation; and providing, based on the verbosity setting, third audio information that includes traversal information about traversing from the starting location to the third ending location in the third direction of navigation.
“20. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input is a tap input.
“21. The method of claim 1, wherein the second user input is a drag gesture in the first direction, and wherein movement of the drag gesture changes the first direction of navigation to a second direction of navigation and changes the ending location to a second ending location in the second direction of navigation.”
There are additional claims. Please visit full patent to read further.
For more information, see this patent: Everitt, Aaron M. Systems and methods for exploring a geographic region.
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