Navigation system with content delivery mechanism and method of operation thereof

A method of operation of a navigation system includes: generating a time fence with a control unit based on a provider location relative to a travel waypoint; generating a notification based on the time fence meeting or below a tolerable time threshold; and communicating the notification based on a delivery type for providing on a device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a navigation system, and more particularly to a system with content delivery mechanism.

BACKGROUND ART

Modern portable consumer and industrial electronics, especially client devices such as navigation systems, cellular phones, portable digital assistants, and combination devices, are providing increasing levels of functionality to support modern life including location-based information services. Research and development in the existing technologies can take a myriad of different directions.

As users become more empowered with the growth of mobile location based service devices, new and old paradigms begin to take advantage of this new device space. There are many technological solutions to take advantage of this new device location opportunity. One existing approach is to use location information to provide navigation services such as a global positioning system (GPS) for a car or on a mobile device such as a cell phone, portable navigation device (PND) or a personal digital assistant (PDA).

Location based services allow users to create, transfer, store, and/or consume information in order for users to create, transfer, store, and consume in the “real world.” One such use of location based services is to efficiently transfer or route users to the desired destination or service.

Navigation systems and location based services enabled systems have been incorporated in automobiles, notebooks, handheld devices, and other portable products. Today, these systems aid users by incorporating available, real-time relevant information, such as maps, directions, local businesses, or other points of interest (POI). The real-time information provides invaluable relevant information.

However, a navigation system without content delivery mechanism to efficiently deliver content to user has become a paramount concern for the consumer. The inability decreases the benefit of using the tool.

Thus, a need still remains for a navigation system with content delivery mechanism to deliver content efficiently to the user. In view of the increasing mobility of the workforce and social interaction, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is critical that answers be found for these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems. Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of operation of a navigation system including: generating a time fence with a control unit based on a provider location relative to a travel waypoint; generating a notification based on the time fence meeting or below a tolerable time threshold; and communicating the notification based on a delivery type for providing on a device.

The present invention provides a navigation system, including: a control unit for: generating a time fence based on a provider location relative to a travel waypoint, generating a notification based on the time fence meeting or below a tolerable time threshold, and a communication interface, coupled to the control unit, for communicating the notification based on a delivery type for providing on a device.

The present invention provides a navigation system having a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions for execution, the instructions comprising: generating a time fence based on a provider location relative to a travel waypoint; generating a notification based on the time fence meeting or below a tolerable time threshold; and communicating the notification based on a delivery type for providing on a device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

One skilled in the art would appreciate that the format with which navigation information is expressed is not critical to some embodiments of the invention. For example, in some embodiments, navigation information is presented in the format of (X, Y), where X and Y are two ordinates that define the geographic location, i.e., a position of a user.

In an alternative embodiment, navigation information is presented by longitude and latitude related information. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the navigation information also includes a velocity element including a speed component and a heading component.

The term “relevant information” referred to herein includes the navigation information described as well as information relating to points of interest to the user, such as local business, hours of businesses, types of businesses, advertised specials, traffic information, maps, local events, and nearby community or personal information.

The term “module” referred to herein can include software, hardware, or a combination thereof in the present invention in accordance with the context in which the term is used. For example, the software can be machine code, firmware, embedded code, and application software. Also for example, the hardware can be circuitry, processor, computer, integrated circuit, integrated circuit cores, a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), passive devices, or a combination thereof.

Referring now toFIG. 1, therein is shown a navigation system100with content delivery mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system100includes a first device102, such as a client or a server, connected to a second device106, such as a client or server, with a communication path104, such as a wireless or wired network.

For example, the first device102can be of any of a variety of mobile devices, such as a cellular phone, personal digital assistant, a notebook computer, automotive telematic navigation system, or other multi-functional mobile communication or entertainment device. The first device102can be a standalone device, or can be incorporated with a vehicle, for example a car, truck, bus, or train. The first device102can couple to the communication path104to communicate with the second device106.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is described with the first device102as a mobile computing device, although it is understood that the first device102can be different types of computing devices. For example, the first device102can also be a non-mobile computing device, such as a server, a server farm, or a desktop computer. In another example, the first device102can be a particularized machine, such as a mainframe, a server, a cluster server, rack mounted server, or a blade server, or as more specific examples, an IBM System z10™ Business Class mainframe or a HP ProLiant ML™ server.

The second device106can be any of a variety of centralized or decentralized computing devices. For example, the second device106can be a computer, grid computing resources, a virtualized computer resource, cloud computing resource, routers, switches, peer-to-peer distributed computing devices, or a combination thereof.

The second device106can be centralized in a single computer room, distributed across different rooms, distributed across different geographical locations, embedded within a telecommunications network. The second device106can have a means for coupling with the communication path104to communicate with the first device102. The second device106can also be a client type device as described for the first device102. Another example, the first device102or the second device106can be a particularized machine, such as a portable computing device, a thin client, a notebook, a netbook, a smartphone, a tablet, a personal digital assistant, or a cellular phone, and as specific examples, an Apple iPhone™, Android™ smartphone, or Windows™ platform smartphone.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is described with the second device106as a non-mobile computing device, although it is understood that the second device106can be different types of computing devices. For example, the second device106can also be a mobile computing device, such as notebook computer, another client device, or a different type of client device. The second device106can be a standalone device, or can be incorporated with a vehicle, for example a car, truck, bus, or train.

Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is shown with the second device106and the first device102as end points of the communication path104, although it is understood that the navigation system100can have a different partition between the first device102, the second device106, and the communication path104. For example, the first device102, the second device106, or a combination thereof can also function as part of the communication path104.

The communication path104can be a variety of networks. For example, the communication path104can include wireless communication, wired communication, optical, ultrasonic, or the combination thereof. Satellite communication, cellular communication, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association standard (IrDA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) are examples of wireless communication that can be included in the communication path104. Ethernet, digital subscriber line (DSL), fiber to the home (FTTH), and plain old telephone service (POTS) are examples of wired communication that can be included in the communication path104.

Further, the communication path104can traverse a number of network topologies and distances. For example, the communication path104can include direct connection, personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN) or any combination thereof.

Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown an example of a time fence202. For clarity and brevity, the discussion of the embodiment of the present invention will focus on the first device102delivering the result generated by the navigation system100. However, various embodiments of the present invention can easily be applied with the description with the second device106ofFIG. 1and the first device102interchangeably.

The time fence202is defined as a time value for traveling. For example, the time fence202can represent a remaining travel time to reach a travel waypoint204. For another example, the time fence202can represent the travel time from a provider location206, a recipient location208, or a combination thereof. More specifically, the time fence202can represent “5 minutes away” from the provider location206to the travel waypoint204.

The travel waypoint204is defined as a physical location for travel to. For example, the travel waypoint204can represent a target destination, a rendezvous point, or a combination thereof for a provider210, a recipient212, or a combination thereof can meet. The provider location206is defined as a physical location of the provider210. The recipient location208is defined as a physical location of the recipient212. The travel waypoint204can include the provider location206, the recipient location208, or a combination thereof.

The provider210can represent a user triggering the navigation system100to communicate a notification214based on the time fence202. The recipient212can represent a user receiving the notification214. The notification214is defined as information to notify a travel status216. The travel status216is defined as a state of user's travel. For example, the notification214can include the travel status216of the provider210, the recipient212, or a combination thereof for arriving at the travel waypoint204. For another example, the notification214can include the travel status216to notify the first device102representing a thermostat to adjust the temperature of user's home based on the outside temperature, an arrival time230, or a combination thereof. The arrival time230is defined as a time for arriving at the travel waypoint204.

A provider profile218is defined as personal information regarding the provider210. For example, the provider profile218can include cultural information220, sex, age, gender, profession, or a combination thereof. A recipient profile222is defined as personal information regarding the recipient212. For example, the recipient profile222can include cultural information220, sex, age, gender, profession, or a combination thereof. The cultural information220can include the ethnicity, religion, country of origin, or a combination thereof of the provider210, the recipient212, or a combination thereof.

A delivery type224is defined as a type of mechanism to deliver the notification214. For example, the delivery type224can include an email, a short message service, a phone call, a social network site message, or a combination thereof. A group size226can represent a number of people communicating the notification214. For example, the group size226can represent a plurality of the provider210sending the notification214, a plurality of the recipient receiving the notification214, or a combination thereof.

The notification214can include a content level228of the travel status216. The content level228is defined as a level of detail provided on the notification214. For example, the content level228of the travel status216can include the provider location206, the arrival time230of the provider210, or a combination thereof.

A recipient priority232is defined as the level of importance of the recipient212. For example, the higher the recipient priority232of the recipient212, the greater the content level228in the notification214that the recipient212can receive. For another example, the lower the recipient priority232, the less urgent the notification214can be communicated to the recipient212.

A travel context234is defined as a situation or circumstance surrounding the user's travel. For example, the travel context234can include a traffic condition236, a travel speed238, an activity history240, the provider location206, the recipient location208, the travel waypoint204, or a combination thereof. The traffic condition236can represent no traffic, moderate traffic, heavy traffic, a deadlock, or a combination thereof. The travel speed238is defined as a travel rate for the user's travel. For example, the travel speed238can be represented by kilometers per hour. The activity history240is defined as a log of the user's activity. For example, the activity history240can include the travel context234which the provider210triggered the time fence202to communicate the notification214. For a different example, the activity history240can include a pattern of activity for the recipient212receiving the notification214.

A tolerable time threshold242is defined as amount of time tolerated. For example, the tolerable time threshold242can represent the maximum amount of travel time by the provider210to arrive at the travel waypoint204expected by the recipient212. For another example, the tolerable time threshold242can represent the maximum amount of time tolerated by the recipient212for the provider210not notifying the whereabouts of the provider210with the notification214.

For a specific example, the tolerable time threshold242for the recipient212can represent 10 minutes. The time fence202can represent 20 minutes for the provider210to reach the travel waypoint204. The recipient212can tolerate the provider210for not communicating the notification214because the time fence202is still greater than the tolerable time threshold242. In contrast, if the time fence202meets or below the tolerable time threshold242, the recipient212can expect the notification214from the provider210for the travel status216.

A difference level244is the amount or degree of difference between the tolerable time threshold242and the time fence202. For example, the difference level244can be expressed in alphanumeric value, percentage value, or a combination thereof. For further example, if the time fence202and the tolerable time threshold242are equivalent, the difference level244can be 0%. For a different example, if the tolerable time threshold242can represent 30 minutes and the time fence202can represent 15 minutes, the difference level244can represent that the value of the tolerable time threshold242can represent twice the value of the time fence202.

Referring now toFIG. 3, therein is shown an exemplary block diagram of the navigation system100. The navigation system100can include the first device102, the communication path104, and the second device106. The first device102can send information in a first device transmission308over the communication path104to the second device106. The second device106can send information in a second device transmission310over the communication path104to the first device102.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is shown with the first device102as a client device, although it is understood that the navigation system100can have the first device102as a different type of device. For example, the first device102can be a server.

Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is shown with the second device106as a server, although it is understood that the navigation system100can have the second device106as a different type of device. For example, the second device106can be a client device.

For brevity of description in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device102will be described as a client device and the second device106will be described as a server device. The present invention is not limited to this selection for the type of devices. The selection is an example of the present invention.

The first device102can include a first control unit312, a first storage unit314, a first communication unit316, a first user interface318, and a location unit320. The first control unit312can include a first control interface322. The first control unit312can execute a first software326to provide the intelligence of the navigation system100. The first control unit312can be implemented in a number of different manners. For example, the first control unit312can be a processor, an embedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, a hardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combination thereof. The first control interface322can be used for communication between the first control unit312and other functional units in the first device102. The first control interface322can also be used for communication that is external to the first device102.

The first control interface322can be implemented in different ways and can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the first control interface322. For example, the first control interface322can be implemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides, wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

The location unit320can generate location information, current heading, and current speed of the first device102, as examples. The location unit320can be implemented in many ways. For example, the location unit320can function as at least a part of a global positioning system (GPS), an inertial navigation system, a cellular-tower location system, a pressure location system, or any combination thereof.

The location unit320can include a location interface332. The location interface332can be used for communication between the location unit320and other functional units in the first device102. The location interface332can also be used for communication that is external to the first device102.

The location interface332can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the location unit320. The location interface332can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the first control interface322.

The first storage unit314can store the first software326. The first storage unit314can also store the relevant information, such as advertisements, points of interest (POI), navigation routing entries, or any combination thereof.

The first storage unit314can include a first storage interface324. The first storage interface324can be used for communication between the location unit320and other functional units in the first device102. The first storage interface324can also be used for communication that is external to the first device102.

The first storage interface324can receive information from the other functional units or from external sources, or can transmit information to the other functional units or to external destinations. The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinations physically separate from the first device102.

The first storage interface324can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the first storage unit314. The first storage interface324can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the first control interface322.

The first communication unit316can enable external communication to and from the first device102. For example, the first communication unit316can permit the first device102to communicate with the second device106, an attachment, such as a peripheral device or a computer desktop, and the communication path104.

The first communication unit316can also function as a communication hub allowing the first device102to function as part of the communication path104and not limited to be an end point or terminal unit to the communication path104. The first communication unit316can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics or an antenna, for interaction with the communication path104.

The first communication unit316can include a first communication interface328. The first communication interface328can be used for communication between the first communication unit316and other functional units in the first device102. The first communication interface328can receive information from the other functional units or can transmit information to the other functional units.

The first communication interface328can include different implementations depending on which functional units are being interfaced with the first communication unit316. The first communication interface328can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the first control interface322.

The first user interface318allows a user (not shown) to interface and interact with the first device102. The first user interface318can include an input device and an output device. Examples of the input device of the first user interface318can include a keypad, a touchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, or any combination thereof to provide data and communication inputs.

The first user interface318can include a first display interface330. The first display interface330can include a display, a projector, a video screen, a speaker, a headset, or any combination thereof.

The first control unit312can operate the first user interface318to display information generated by the navigation system100. The first control unit312can also execute the first software326for the other functions of the navigation system100, including receiving location information from the location unit320. The first control unit312can further execute the first software326for interaction with the communication path104via the first communication unit316.

The second device106can be optimized for implementing the present invention in a multiple device embodiment with the first device102. The second device106can provide the additional or higher performance processing power compared to the first device102. The second device106can include a second control unit334, a second communication unit336, and a second user interface338.

The second user interface338allows a user (not shown) to interface and interact with the second device106. The second user interface338can include an input device and an output device. Examples of the input device of the second user interface338can include a keypad, a touchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, a camera, or any combination thereof to provide data and communication inputs. Examples of the output device of the second user interface338can include a second display interface340. The second display interface340can include a display, a projector, a video screen, a speaker, a headset, or any combination thereof.

The second control unit334can execute a second software342to provide the intelligence of the second device106of the navigation system100. The second software342can operate in conjunction with the first software326. The second control unit334can provide additional performance compared to the first control unit312.

The second control unit334can operate the second user interface338to display information. The second control unit334can also execute the second software342for the other functions of the navigation system100, including operating the second communication unit336to communicate with the first device102over the communication path104.

The second control unit334can be implemented in a number of different manners. For example, the second control unit334can be a processor, an embedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, a hardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combination thereof.

The second control unit334can include a second control interface344. The second control interface344can be used for communication between the second control unit334and other functional units in the second device106. The second control interface344can also be used for communication that is external to the second device106.

The second control interface344can be implemented in different ways and can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the second control interface344. For example, the second control interface344can be implemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides, wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof.

A second storage unit346can store the second software342. The second storage unit346can also store the relevant information, such as advertisements, points of interest (POI), navigation routing entries, or any combination thereof. The second storage unit346can be sized to provide the additional storage capacity to supplement the first storage unit314.

For illustrative purposes, the second storage unit346is shown as a single element, although it is understood that the second storage unit346can be a distribution of storage elements. Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is shown with the second storage unit346as a single hierarchy storage system, although it is understood that the navigation system100can have the second storage unit346in a different configuration. For example, the second storage unit346can be formed with different storage technologies forming a memory hierarchal system including different levels of caching, main memory, rotating media, or off-line storage.

The second storage unit346can include a second storage interface348. The second storage interface348can be used for communication between the location unit320and other functional units in the second device106. The second storage interface348can also be used for communication that is external to the second device106.

The second storage interface348can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the second storage unit346. The second storage interface348can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the second control interface344.

The second communication unit336can enable external communication to and from the second device106. For example, the second communication unit336can permit the second device106to communicate with the first device102over the communication path104.

The second communication unit336can also function as a communication hub allowing the second device106to function as part of the communication path104and not limited to be an end point or terminal unit to the communication path104. The second communication unit336can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics or an antenna, for interaction with the communication path104.

The second communication unit336can include a second communication interface350. The second communication interface350can be used for communication between the second communication unit336and other functional units in the second device106. The second communication interface350can receive information from the other functional units or can transmit information to the other functional units.

The second communication interface350can include different implementations depending on which functional units are being interfaced with the second communication unit336. The second communication interface350can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the second control interface344.

The first communication unit316can couple with the communication path104to send information to the second device106in the first device transmission308. The second device106can receive information in the second communication unit336from the first device transmission308of the communication path104.

The second communication unit336can couple with the communication path104to send information to the first device102in the second device transmission310. The first device102can receive information in the first communication unit316from the second device transmission310of the communication path104. The navigation system100can be executed by the first control unit312, the second control unit334, or a combination thereof.

For illustrative purposes, the second device106is shown with the partition having the second user interface338, the second storage unit346, the second control unit334, and the second communication unit336, although it is understood that the second device106can have a different partition. For example, the second software342can be partitioned differently such that some or all of its function can be in the second control unit334and the second communication unit336. Also, the second device106can include other functional units not shown inFIG. 3for clarity.

The functional units in the first device102can work individually and independently of the other functional units. The first device102can work individually and independently from the second device106and the communication path104.

The functional units in the second device106can work individually and independently of the other functional units. The second device106can work individually and independently from the first device102and the communication path104.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is described by operation of the first device102and the second device106. It is understood that the first device102and the second device106can operate any of the modules and functions of the navigation system100. For example, the first device102is described to operate the location unit320, although it is understood that the second device106can also operate the location unit320.

Referring now toFIG. 4, therein is shown a control flow of the navigation system100. The navigation system100can include a threshold module402. The threshold module402determines the tolerable time threshold242ofFIG. 2. For example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the provider profile218ofFIG. 2, the recipient profile222ofFIG. 2, or a combination thereof.

The threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242in a number of ways. For example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the provider profile218. For example, the provider profile218can represent a pizza delivery person. The provider profile218can indicate that the pizza delivery advertised that the pizza will be delivered within 30 minutes guaranteed. The 30 minutes guaranteed delivery can be a well-known advertisement. Based on the provider profile218, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242to represent 30 minutes.

In contrast, the provider profile218can represent the user's boss from the user's workplace. The user's boss can have a tendency to be tardy. Further, the user may not be able to complain to the boss. Based on the provider profile218, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242to represent 60 minutes. More specifically, based on the provider profile218, the threshold module402can determine one instance of the tolerable time threshold242different from another instance of the tolerable time threshold242.

As an example, the threshold module402can determine a various instances of the tolerable time threshold242to change the time that the user can tolerate to wait to receive the notification214ofFIG. 2. More specifically, the greater the time for the tolerable time threshold242, the greater the tolerance that the user can permit. Stated differently, the higher the instance of the tolerable time threshold242, the greater the tolerance that the user can permit for a delay.

For a different example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the recipient profile222. As discussed similarly above, the threshold module402can determine one instance of the tolerable time threshold242different from another instance of the tolerable time threshold242based on the recipient profile222. For a specific example, if the recipient profile222is customer waiting for the pizza delivery, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242to represent 30 minutes. In contrast, if the recipient profile222is a subordinate waiting for the arrival of the user's boss, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242to represent 60 minutes.

For another example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the travel context234ofFIG. 2. More specifically, the travel context234can represent the traffic condition236ofFIG. 2that the provider210ofFIG. 2is currently traveling. The traffic condition236can represent heavy traffic. As a result, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242to represent a higher instance than the tolerable time threshold242when the traffic condition236is no traffic as delay for arrival is likely expected.

For another example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the cultural information220ofFIG. 2. The provider profile218, the recipient profile222, or a combination thereof can include the cultural information220. The threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the cultural information220for adjusting the tolerable time threshold242.

More specifically, the provider profile218can include the cultural information220for one type of ethnicity. The provider210with the one type of ethnicity can have the cultural information220with the reputation of being not punctual. Based on the cultural information220, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242with a greater instance of the tolerable time threshold242than the provider profile218with the cultural information220of other type of ethnicity to accommodate for the frequent tardiness.

For a different example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the provider location206ofFIG. 2. For example, the provider location206can represent 10 kilometers away from the recipient location208ofFIG. 2. The travel speed238ofFIG. 2of the provider210can present 40 kilometers per hour. Based on the provider location206and the travel speed238, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242to represent 15 minutes.

For another example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the recipient location208. For example, the recipient location208can represent 20 kilometers away from the travel waypoint204ofFIG. 2. The provider location206can represent 10 kilometers away from the travel waypoint204. The travel speed238for both the provider210and the recipient212ofFIG. 2can represent 40 kilometers per hour each. The threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the arrival time230ofFIG. 2of the provider210or the recipient212who will arrive later. More specifically, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242to represent 30 minutes based on the arrival time230of the recipient212to the travel waypoint204. Stated differently, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the arrival time230of later instance to arrive at the travel waypoint204.

For another example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the group size226ofFIG. 2. More specifically, the group size226can represent a number of participants in a group of people including a plurality of the provider210, the recipient212, or a combination thereof. Based on the group size226, the threshold module402can change the tolerable time threshold242. For example, if a number of the provider210or the recipient212can represent two people, the threshold module402can increase or decrease the tolerable time threshold242to accommodate the possible difference in the arrival time230for arriving at the travel waypoint204by having a plurality of the provider210, the recipient212, or a combination thereof than if the tolerable time threshold242is based on one person.

For another example, the threshold module402can determine the tolerable time threshold242based on the activity history240ofFIG. 2. More specifically, the activity history240can indicate the pattern of promptness, tardiness, or a combination thereof of the provider210, the recipient212, or a combination thereof. Based on the activity history240, the threshold module402can change the tolerable time threshold242based on the activity history240to increase or decrease the tolerable time threshold242.

For further example, the factors discussed to determine the tolerable time threshold242can be factored individually or combination thereof by the threshold module402. The threshold module402can communicate the tolerable time threshold242to a fence module404.

The navigation system100can include the fence module404, which can couple to the threshold module402. The fence module404generates the time fence202ofFIG. 2. For example, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the recipient profile222.

The fence module404can generate the time fence202in a number of ways. For example, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the provider location206, the travel speed238, the travel waypoint204, or a combination thereof. More specifically, the provider location206can represent 25 kilometers away from the travel waypoint204. The travel speed238can represent an average speed of 50 kilometers per hour. Based on the provider location206, the travel speed238, the travel waypoint204, or a combination thereof, the fence module404can generate the time fence202to represent 30 minutes.

For a different example, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the provider profile218, the recipient profile222, or a combination thereof. More specifically, the provider profile218can represent a subordinate and the recipient profile222can represent the boss of the recipient212. As a result, the fence module404can generate the time fence202similar to the time fence202determined based on the provider location206, the travel speed238, the travel waypoint204, or a combination thereof to indicate the earnest attempt by the provider210to reach the travel waypoint204.

In contrast, the provider profile218and the recipient profile222can indicate that the provider210and the recipient212are friends. The activity history240can indicate that the provider210has a tendency to be late to reach the travel waypoint204. Based on the provider profile218, the recipient profile222, the activity history240, or a combination thereof, the fence module404can generate the time fence202to be greater than if the time fence202was determined based on the provider location206, the travel speed238, the travel waypoint204, or a combination thereof. More specifically, the fence module404can generate the time fence202having a greater value to accommodate the tardiness.

For another example, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the group size226. Similarly as discussed above, the arrival time230of the provider210can differ based on the group size226. More specifically, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the tardiest instance of the arrival time230amongst all the instances of the provider210arriving at the travel waypoint204. The fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the time fence202based on the provider location206, the travel speed238, the travel waypoint204, or a combination thereof with the tardiest instance of the arrival time230.

For a different example, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the cultural information220for the provider profile218, the recipient profile222, or a combination thereof. The fence module404can generate the time fence202to be greater for one ethnicity than the time fence202of another ethnicity based on the activity history240of being tardy. More specifically, the fence module404can generate the time fence202can be increased or decreased to accommodate for the difference in the cultural information220. The fence module404can communicate the time fence202to a notification module406.

The navigation system100can include the notification module406, which can couple to the fence module404. The notification module406generates the notification214. For example, the notification module406can generate the notification214based on the time fence202, the tolerable time threshold242, or a combination thereof to notify the provider location206to the recipient212.

The notification module406can generate the notification214in a number of ways. For example, the notification module406can generate the notification214based on the time fence202meeting or below the tolerable time threshold242. Stated differently, the notification module406can generate the notification214based on the tolerable time threshold242meeting or exceeding the time fence202.

For further example, the tolerable time threshold242can represent 10 minutes. The time fence202can represent 15 minutes. The notification module406can generate the notification214based on the time fence202meeting or below the tolerable time threshold242to notify the recipient212of the delay caused by the provider210arriving at the travel waypoint204.

It has been discovered that the navigation system100generating the notification214based on the time fence202meeting or below the tolerable time threshold242improves the efficiency of operating the navigation system100, the first device102, or a combination thereof. By controlling the generation of the notification214based on the time fence202meeting or below the tolerable time threshold242, the navigation system100can avoid unnecessary allocation of resource to generate the notification214. As a result, the navigation system100can reallocate the resource for other functionalities of the navigation system100to improve the safety of the user operating the first device102, the navigation system100, or a combination thereof.

For a different example, the notification module406can generate the notification214based on the difference level244ofFIG. 2between the time fence202and the tolerable time threshold242. More specifically, the notification module406can generate the notification214based on the change in the difference level244between the time fence202and the tolerable time threshold242for notifying the recipient212.

For a specific example, the difference level244can be based on a percentage difference between the time fence202and the tolerable time threshold242. For example, if the time fence202and the tolerable time threshold242are equivalent, the difference level244can represent 0%. In contrast if the tolerable time threshold242can represent 30 minutes while the time fence202can represent 60 minutes, the difference level244can represent 100%. Stated differently, the tolerable time threshold242can be half as much the time value of the time fence202.

For further example, the notification module406can generate the notification214based on various instances of the difference level244to accommodate the level of urgency for notifying the recipient212. More specifically, the notification module406can change the delivery type224ofFIG. 2, the content level228ofFIG. 2, or a combination thereof of the notification214based on the difference level244. For example, the notification module406can generate the notification214with the delivery type224of an email if the difference level244is at 100% to remind the recipient212that the provider210is on his or her way.

As the difference level244between the time fence202and the tolerable time threshold242diminishes, the notification module406can change the delivery type224, the content level228, or a combination thereof to accommodate for the increase in urgency level. For example, the notification module406can change the delivery type224from an email to a short message service if the difference level244decreases to 40%. The content level228can be changed to include a hyperlink having the information regarding the current location of the provider location206in the short message service. The notification module406can change the delivery type224representing a phone call if the difference level244decreases to 10% or under to notify the recipient212more urgently.

It has been discovered that the navigation system100generating the notification based on the difference level244improves the safety of the user operating the first device102, the navigation system100, or a combination thereof. More specifically, by triggering the generation of the navigation system100at different instance of the difference level244, the navigation system100can improve efficiency of delivering the notification214by changing the delivery type224, the content level228, or a combination thereof. As a result, the navigation system100can notify the recipient212more efficiently for a safer operation of the first device102, the navigation system100, or a combination thereof.

For another example, the notification module406can generate the notification214based on the recipient priority232. More specifically, the notification module406can change the delivery type224, the content level228, or a combination thereof based on the recipient priority232. For a specific example, the recipient212can have the recipient profile222of the user's boss, thus, having the highest instance of the recipient priority232. The notification module406can generate the notification214with the delivery type224of short message service with the in depth information for the content level228based on the recipient priority232to notify the travel status216of the provider210, the recipient212, or a combination thereof. In contrast, if the recipient212represents the recipient profile222with the user's acquaintance, the recipient priority232can represent the lowest instance. As a result, the notification module406can generate the notification214with the content level228of minimal amount of information based on the recipient priority232

It has been discovered that the navigation system100generating the notification based on the recipient priority232improves the efficiency of delivering the notification214. More specifically, based on the recipient priority232, the navigation system100can change the delivery type224, the content level228, or a combination thereof. As a result, the navigation system100can improve the efficiency of delivering the notification214based on who the recipient212is.

For further example, the notification module406can also change the delivery type224, the content level228, or a combination thereof when the difference level244becomes a negative value. More specifically, if the tolerable time threshold242exceeds the time fence202, the difference level244can represent a negative value. The notification module406can generate the notification214including the content level228with more details than if the difference level244was a positive value. The notification module406can communicate the notification214to a communication module408.

For illustrative purposes, the navigation system100is described with the fence module404generating the time fence202based on various factors, although the fence module404can operate differently. For example, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on the difference level244.

More specifically, the fence module404can generate a plurality of the time fence202based on a plurality of the difference level244. For example, the fence module404can generate the time fence202based on a plurality of the difference level244at 10% interval. First, the fence module404can generate the time fence202when the difference level244is at 100%. The fence module404can also generate a plurality of the time fence202when the difference level244is at 90%, 80%, 70%, 50%, 40%, 30%, 30%, 20%, and 10%.

It has been discovered that the navigation system100generating a plurality of the time fence202based on a plurality of the difference level244can improve the efficiency of delivering the notification214. By having the time fence202generated at different instances of the difference level244, the navigation system100can maximize the delivery of the notification to the recipient212. As a result, the navigation system100can improve the safety of operating the first device102, the navigation system100, or a combination thereof.

The navigation system100can include the communication module408, which can couple to the notification module406. The communication module408communicates the notification214. For example, the communication module408can communicate the notification214based on the group size226.

The communication module408can communicate the notification214in a number of ways. For example, the group size226can represent a plurality of the provider210, the recipient212, or a combination thereof. For a specific example, a number of the provider210can represent more than one and the recipient212can represent one. The communication module408can communicate the one instance of the notification214of a plurality of the notification214to the one instance of the recipient212. For a different example, a number of the recipient212can represent more than one and the provider210can represent one. The communication module408can communicate the notification214to a plurality of the recipient212.

For another example, the communication module408can communicate the notification214based on the time fence202, the difference level244, the delivery type224, the recipient priority232ofFIG. 2, or a combination thereof. For a specific example, a plurality of the time fence202can be generated at different instances of the difference level244. The communication module408can communicate the notification214based on each instances of the time fence202.

For further example, the communication module408can communicate the notification214with a different instance of the delivery type224at each instance of the time fence202. Moreover, the communication module408can communicate the notification214based on the recipient priority232. More specifically, depending on the recipient priority232, some of the recipient212will receive the notification214triggered by a certain instance of the time fence202while some of the recipient212will not receive the notification214.

For example, a plurality of the recipient212can represent a user's boss, user's colleague, or a combination thereof. The communication module408can communicate the notification214triggered by each instance of the time fence202if the recipient profile222represents the user's boss based on the highest instance of the recipient priority232. In contrast, the communication module408can communicate the notification214less frequently to the recipient212having a lower instance of the recipient priority232. More specifically, the communication module408can communicate the notification214when the difference level244can represent 0% for the recipient212with the recipient profile222of user's colleague.

It has been discovered that the navigation system100communicating the notification214based on the time fence202, the difference level244, the delivery type224, the recipient priority232, or a combination thereof improves the efficiency of delivering the notification214. By tailoring the delivery according to the recipient priority232, the navigation system100can efficiently allocate the resource for communicating the notification214with various instances of the delivery type224. As a result, the navigation system100can improve the safety of the user operating the navigation system100, the first device102, or a combination thereof.

The physical transformation from moving from the provider location206, the recipient location208, or a combination thereof to the travel waypoint204results in the movement in the physical world, such as people using the first device102, the vehicle, or a combination thereof, based on the operation of the navigation system100. As the movement in the physical world occurs, the movement itself creates additional information that is converted back into determining the tolerable time threshold242, the time fence202, the notification214, or a combination thereof for the continued operation of the navigation system100and to continue the movement in the physical world.

The first software326ofFIG. 3of the first device102ofFIG. 3can include the modules for the navigation system100. For example, the first software326can include the threshold module402, the fence module404, the notification module406, and the communication module408.

The first control unit312ofFIG. 3can execute the first software326for the threshold module402to determine the tolerable time threshold242. The first control unit312can execute the first software326for the fence module404to generate the time fence202. The first control unit312can execute the first software326for the notification module406to generate the notification214. The first control unit312can execute the first software326for the communication module408to communicate the notification214.

The second software342ofFIG. 3of the first device106ofFIG. 3can include the modules for the navigation system100. For example, the second software342can include the threshold module402, the fence module404, the notification module406, and the communication module408.

The second control unit334ofFIG. 3can execute the second software342for the threshold module402to determine the tolerable time threshold242. The second control unit334can execute the second software342for the fence module404to generate the time fence202. The second control unit334can execute the second software342for the notification module406to generate the notification214. The second control unit334can execute the second software342for the communication module408to communicate the notification214.

The modules of the navigation system100can be partitioned between the first software326and the second software342. The second software342can include the threshold module402, the fence module404, and the notification module406. The second control unit334can execute modules partitioned on the second software342as previously described.

The first software326can include the communication module408. Based on the size of the first storage unit314, the first software326can include additional modules of the navigation system100. The first control unit312can execute the modules partitioned on the first software326as previously described.

The first control unit312can operate the first communication interface328ofFIG. 3to communicate the tolerable time threshold242, the time fence202, the notification214, or a combination thereof to or from the second device106. The first control unit312can operate the first software326to operate the location unit320ofFIG. 3. The second control unit334can operate the second communication interface350ofFIG. 3to communicate the tolerable time threshold242, the time fence202, the notification214, or a combination thereof to or from the first device102through the communication path104ofFIG. 3.

The first control unit312can operate the first user interface318ofFIG. 3, the second user interface338ofFIG. 3, or a combination thereof to display the provider location206, the recipient location208, a travel waypoint204, a route, a geographic region, or a combination thereof. More specifically, the first user interface318, the second user interface338, or a combination thereof can display the digital depiction of the provider location206, the recipient location208, a travel waypoint204, a route, a geographic region, or a combination thereof to represent the physical world.

The navigation system100describes the module functions or order as an example. The modules can be partitioned differently. For example, the notification module406and the communication module408can be combined. Each of the modules can operate individually and independently of the other modules. Furthermore, data generated in one module can be used by another module without being directly coupled to each other. For example, the notification module406can receive the tolerable time threshold242from the threshold module402. Further, “communicating” can represent sending, receiving, or a combination thereof the data generated to or from one to another.

The modules described in this application can be hardware implementation or hardware accelerators in the first control unit312or in the second control unit334. The modules can also be hardware implementation or hardware accelerators within the first device102or the second device106but outside of the first control unit312or the second control unit334, respectively as depicted inFIG. 3. However, it is understood that the first control unit312, the second control unit334, or a combination thereof can collectively refer to all hardware accelerators for the modules.

The modules described in this application can be implemented as instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to be executed by the first control unit312, the second control unit334, or a combination thereof. The non-transitory computer medium can include the first storage unit314ofFIG. 3, the second storage unit346ofFIG. 3, or a combination thereof. The non-transitory computer readable medium can include non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), solid-state storage device (SSD), compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), or universal serial bus (USB) flash memory devices. The non-transitory computer readable medium can be integrated as a part of the navigation system100or installed as a removable portion of the navigation system100.

Referring now toFIG. 5, therein is shown a flow chart of a method500of operation of the navigation system100in a further embodiment of the present invention. The method500includes: generating a time fence with a control unit based on a provider location relative to a travel waypoint in a block502; generating a notification based on the time fence meeting or below a tolerable time threshold in a block504; and communicating the notification based on a delivery type for providing on a device in a block506.

It has been discovered that the navigation system100generating the time fence202based on the provider location n206relative to the travel waypoint204improves the efficiency and safety of the user operating the navigation system100, the first device102, or a combination thereof. By generating the time fence202, the navigation system100can generate the notification214based on the time fence202meeting or below the tolerable time threshold242. As a result, the navigation system100can communicate the notification214based on the delivery type224for improving the efficiency and the safety of the user.

The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or system is straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization. Another important aspect of the present invention is that it valuably supports and services the historical trend of reducing costs, simplifying systems, and increasing performance. These and other valuable aspects of the present invention consequently further the state of the technology to at least the next level.