Patent Publication Number: US-2019197048-A1

Title: Computerized Search Dependent on Spatial States

Description:
PRIORITY CLAIMS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/580,105, filed on Dec. 22, 2014, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/964,126, filed on Dec. 23, 2013. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The following invention disclosure is generally concerned with computer search systems and more specifically concerned with computer search systems based upon parameters of a spatial nature with particular regard to a local environment. 
     Related Systems 
     Current Location Based Systems (LBS) are well known to the art but all such searches are based upon either the determined location of a device (GPS etc.) or even more simply based upon an entered coordinate (typed latitude-longitude, click on a map, et cetera). In brief, searching and search results use as inputs a measured GPS value. For example, a mobile phone GPS measures a user&#39;s position and database queries having a latitude and longitude value as parametric input returns results which are biased according to the location of the user mobile device, By searching based upon a user&#39;s location, search results can relate more closely to the presumed interests of a user. 
     While systems and inventions of the art are designed to achieve particular goals and objectives, some of those being no less than remarkable, these inventions of the art have nevertheless included limitations which prevent uses in new ways now possible. Inventions of the art are not used and cannot be used to realize advantages and objectives of the teachings presented herein. It should be understood that all of herein referenced materials including those of the provisional application provide considerable definition with regard to elements of these inventions. Therefore, those materials are incorporated herein by reference whereby this specification can rely upon them for enablement of the particular teachings of each. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is made up of computerized search systems which depend on spatial states apparatus and the environments in which they operate including devices and methods. It is a primary function of these computer search systems to provide means by which stored information may be recalled and organized in an efficient manner. It is a contrast to prior art methods and devices that systems first presented here, having search results which depend upon the spatial nature and orientation of devices and the environments in which they are used and operated. 
     The invention includes a mobile device, for example a smartphone, which operates to measure position and pointing direction, Further, an offset is used to compute reference location which can be used in parametric input to a database search query. Search results returned to the user depend upon the location and orientation of the device and in particular arc modified and improved by including an adjustment (position offset) which improves the system focus on a more preferred field of interest 
     OBJECTIVES OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a primary object of the invention to provide new computerized searching systems. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide geography dependent search strategies. 
     It is a further object to provide user localized search apparatus and systems. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide search systems having dependence upon spatial states of apparatus and particularly apparatus with respect to surrounding environments. 
     A better understanding can be had with reference to detailed description of preferred embodiments and with reference to appended drawings. Embodiments presented are particular ways to realize the invention and are not inclusive of all ways possible. Therefore, there may exist embodiments that do not deviate from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as set forth by appended claims, but do not appear here as specific examples. It will be appreciated that a great plurality of alternative versions are possible. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present inventions will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and drawings where: 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram which illustrates steps of a representative version of one method of these teachings; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are also a similar diagram illustrating the method steps; and 
         FIG. 4 through 10  are diagrams having maps illustrated therein with important geocentric constructs overlaid thereon. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     What is disclosed is A method and apparatus for accessing information relating to a remote location by pointing a device from a known or determined location and using a distance offset along that unique vector to define the coordinates of the remote location. The coordinates of the remote location may then be used to search a database of geo-located information. Variations and more advanced versions of such a search are also disclosed. 
     The results of such a search may he text, graphics or audio. Also, the position and pointing direction of the device may be displayed on a map and a cursor may be enabled to roll up and down the vector defined by position and pointing direction of device to enter the position offset and hence define an offset position. The results of such an offset position search could he displayed in real tin1e to the user. The user of such a device could scroll offset distance using thumb wheel, rocker button etc on device. The same method could be used without map by displaying active search results to the user as they scroll in or out and/or change the position and/or pointing direction of device. 
     The position offset may be a simple distance or may be a variable defined by the current local circumstances. Such a variable may be the length of a city block in the local area, the distance to the nearest object of a specific type such as a bridge or hospital, the distance to a “friend”, etc. The distance offset may also be limited by boundaries, either real or virtual, in the local area. Such a boundary may for example be a river or the fence, real or virtual, to a secure or restricted geographical space or area. The system could inform the user of the maximum extent the search is allowed in the direction currently being pointed because of such a limitation. In the case of a river the user of such a device may not be able to cross the obstruction and therefore returning search results located on the other side of the river would be of no use to the user of such a system. 
       FIG. 1  is a flowchart  100  that shows operation of an example version of these database search systems which depend upon the spatial states and parameters of devices and the environments in which they operate. In a first step, an initialization step  101  the user of the system initiates a search. Searches may he done automatically in response to triggered conditionals or under the influence of direct requests by users of these devices. 
     The method then proceeds to step  102  as indicated in the flowchart of the diagram. In a position and pointing direction determining step  102 , the system determines the device location and/or position and pointing direction and/or orientation. This are done by internal sensors which operate within the device to periodically measure same. For example, a GPS receiver and electronic compass can perform these functions. 
     After position and pointing direction are determined, the method then proceeds to step  103 . In step  103  the system prompts a user to choose and enter a desired distance offset. Such offset data may be entered in a variety of ways such as via keypad, voice, touch screen, et. cetera. A user expresses this offset distance based upon a field of which may begin some distance from where the user operates the device. The method proceeds to step  104  in which a user input is made. In step  104  the user enters the desired distance offset from which the user wants the search to be based on. Because a field of interest may be a considerable distance from a user, it is preferable to eliminate search results for those things which are not within the field of interest. 
     The method thereafter includes a step in which a location of an offset position is determined based upon the distance specified by the user in the previous step. In step  105 , an onboard computing platform coordinates of a location which lies the specified distance from the user (device) in the direction which the device was determined to be pointing. In step  105 , the system determines the offset position based upon the determined position and pointing direction of the device and the user entered distance offset. The method then executes step  106 . 
     In step  106  the system queries a database using the determined offset position coordinates as parametric inputs. This database may, for example, be a typical GIS type database comprising information with associated geographic indicators or associations. The method then proceeds to a display results step  107 . In step  107 , the results of the database query are presented to the user by the system. The results may simply be displayed visually via text. and/or graphics or alternately could be presented in audio form. 
       FIG. 2  is a method flowchart  200  diagram that shows operations of alternative advanced versions of the offset search system that includes a default distance offset, for example 10 meters. In step  201  the user of the user of the system initiates a search which depends upon the spatial states of a mobile device and in more particular those states with respect to the environment in which the device is operated. The method then proceeds to step  202 . 
     In step  202  the system determines the device position and pointing direction. Similar to the previous version, the determinations may be made with on-board electronic sensors operated in a loop mode. After position and pointing direction have been correctly measured, the method then advances to step  203 . In step  203  the system queries the user to see if they would like to use the pre-set default distance offset or specify another distance value. The method steps continue to step  204 . In step  204  the system determines if the user has opted to use the pre-set default distance offset. This default distance offset could be user defined or application specific. 
     If the user has opted to use the default distance offset the flowchart branches to step  207 . If the user of the system has not opted to use the default distance offset the flowchart branches to step  205 . In step  205 , the system prompts the user to enter a desired offset distance. The method then proceeds to step  206 . In step  206  the user enters the desired distance offset. The flowchart then branches to step  207 . In step  207  the system determines the offset position based upon the determined position and pointing direction of the device and the selected, i.e., default or user entered, distance offset. The method then goes to step  208 . In step  208  the system queries a database using the determined offset position. The flowchart continues to step  209 . In step  209  the results of the database query are presented to the user by the system. 
       FIG. 3  similarly includes a flow type diagram or flowchart  300  that shows the operation of another alternative advanced version of the offset search system that includes real time updating of the search results as the device position and/or pointing direction and/or the offset distance are changed or modified. In step  301  the user of the user of the system initiates a search and thereafter the method advances to step  302 . 
     In step  302  the system determines position and pointing direction and begins to monitor and re-measure continuously in a loop process the device position and pointing direction. The method continues to step  303 . In step  303  the system determines an instantaneous offset position based upon the determined position and pointing direction of the device and the pre-set default distance offset. The flowchart diagram then indicates advance to step  304 . In step  304 , the system queries a database using the determined offset position. 
     The method then branches to step  305 , In step  305 , the results of the database query are presented to the user by the system. The method then branches to step  306 . In step  306 , the system determines whether the user of the system has opted to deactivate the offset search system. If the user of the system has opted to deactivate the onset search system the flowchart goes to step  309 , in which the offset search system is shut down. If the user of the system has not opted to deactivate the offset search system the flowchart branches to step  307 . 
     In step  307  the system determines if the user has modified the offset distance or the monitored position anti/or pointing direction of the device have changed beyond a pre-set threshold. The user may modify the offset distance in various ways such as key entry, voice, scroll button or roller, et. cetera. By setting a threshold for the change in position or pointing direction the system will able to account for the normal small movements of, for example, a human hand holding a device such as a cell phone, without having to constantly calculate new search results. If any of the offset distance, device position or device pointing direction have changed sufficiently the flowchart branches to step  308 . If any of the offset distance, device position or device pointing direction have not changed sufficiently the flowchart branches to step  310  in which the system continues to display the current. search results and then branches back to step  306 . 
     Hence the system will continue to display the results of the latest search until the offset distance, device position or device pointing direction have changed. In step  308 , the system determines the new offset position based upon the determined position and pointing direction of the device and the current distance offset. The flowchart then branches to step  304  and presents the results of the modified search to the user. 
       FIGS. 4 through 6  are map views  400 ,  500  &amp;  600  illustrating the operation of such a system. In  FIG. 4  a device is at position  401 , the cross street of Grove and Larkin in San Francisco at Latitude 37.778651 Longitude −122.416593, pointing in direction  402 . A distance offset  403  of 50 m has been entered and the system is able to determine the coordinates of the offset position  404  as Latitude 37.778876 Longitude −122-417674. By searching a database using the coordinates of the offset position  404  the system returns a result of “Civic Center Plaza”. 
     In  FIG. 5  the device position  50  I and pointing direction  502  and the same as in  FIG. 4  but the distance offset  503  has been increased to 100 m. The system is able to determine the coordinates of the offset position  504  as Latitude 37.779211 Longitude −122.418911. By searching a database using the coordinates of the offset position  504  the system returns a result of “San Francisco City Hall”. 
     In  FIG. 6  the device position  601  and distance offset  603  are the same as in  FIG. 4 , Latitude 37.778651 Longitude −122.416593 and 50 m respectively, but the pointing direction  602  has been changed. The system is able to determine the coordinates of the offset position  604  as Latitude 37.778159 Longitude −122.417516. By searching a database using the coordinates of the offset position  604 , the system returns a result of “Bill Graham Civic Auditorium”. 
     These examples illustrate the change of search results based upon modifying the pointing direction and distance offset but it should he appreciated that changing the location of the device will also modify the search results. By using the three parameters of position, pointing direction and distance offset a user of such a system is able to define a location of interest remotely. 
     A variation of such a search may be to define the search as within a certain distance of the determined offset position.  FIG. 7  is a map view  700  illustrating the operation of such a system. A device is a location  701  pointing in direction  702  with a distance offset  703  of 100 meters. The offset position is determined to be located at the coordinates marked as  704 , By also including a search radius  705  of 50 meters the system is able to determine a search area centered on the determined offset position  704  with a circular perimeter  706 . This search radius may be a pre-set default or may be entered by the user of such a system in various ways including a keypad or a scroll button, voice, et cetera. By searching the database for points of interest within the determined search area the system is able to return results of both the Civic Center Plaza and San Francisco City Hall. 
     Another variation of such a search may be to define the search as within a geometric shape between the determined location of the device and the determined offset position.  FIG. 8  is a map view  800  illustrating the operation of such a system, A device is a location  801  pointing in direction  802  with a distance offset of 100 meters. The offset position is determined to be located at the coordinates marked as  803 . The search area is defined as a rectangle  804  bounded by the determined position of the device and the determined offset position and with a width that may be a default, say 20 meters, or set by the user of the system. 
     A more advanced version of such a search may be created by using two offset positions.  FIG. 9  is a map view  900  illustrating the operation of such a system. A device is a location  901  pointing in direction  902  with a first distance offset of 100 meters. The first offset position is determined to be located at the coordinates marked as  903 . A second distance offset of 50 meters is then used to determine the coordinates second offset position marked as  904 . The search area is defined as a rectangle  904  bounded by the first determined offset position  903  and the second offset position  904  and once again with a width that may be a default, say 20 meters, or set by the user of the system. 
     An example or a special use of such a system as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 &amp; 9  is if such a system is pointed directly down a street.  FIG. 10  is a map view  1000  illustrating the operation of such a system. A device is a location  1001  pointing in direction  1002  with a position offset of 100 meters. The offset position is determined to be located at the coordinates marked as  1003 . The search area is defined as a rectangle  1004  bounded by the determined position of the device and the determined offset position and with a width that is the width or some multiple of the width of the street being pointed down. The street width could be known to the device given its knowledge of its position provided, for example, by GPS. In such a case, the search results could be displayed so as to differentiate the results from the left and right sides of the street as viewed from the perspective of the system. An example may be simply to have two columns of results with the headings left and right and listing the results of the search in a closest to farthest format. Another option may be to display the results of such a search on a map interface. 
     The examples above are directed to specific embodiments which illustrate preferred versions of devices and methods of these inventions, In the interest of completeness, a more general description of devices and the elements of which they are comprised as well as methods and the steps of which they are comprised is presented herein. 
     One will now fully appreciate how advanced search systems, which depend on the spatial states of mobile apparatus and the environments in which they operate may be fully realized to effect highly efficient search results. Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with clear and concise language and with reference to certain preferred versions thereof including best modes anticipated by the inventors, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited by the description of the preferred versions contained therein, but rather by the claims appended hereto.