PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11473922-B2
Application Number: US-201815874926-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Simplified audio navigation instructions

Abstract:
In some implementations, a mobile device can be configured to provide simplified audio navigation instructions. The simplified audio navigation instructions can provide a reduced set of audio navigation instructions so that the audio instructions are only presented to the user when the user wishes to or needs to hear the instructions. A user can enable the simplified audio navigation instructions. The simplified audio navigation instructions can be enabled automatically. The simplified audio navigation instructions can be configured with rules for when to present audio navigation instructions. For example, the rules can specify that audio navigation instructions are to be provided for complex road segments, a user defined portion of a route, or specified road types, among other criteria. The mobile device can be configured with exceptions to the rules such that audio navigation instructions can be presented when the user has, for example, deviated from a defined route.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 obtaining, by a mobile device, a route between a starting location and a destination location, the route including a first portion and a second portion; 
 determining that the mobile device is configured, based on user selection of a control setting associated with presenting simplified navigation instructions for portions of routes determined by the mobile device, to present full navigation instructions for the first portion of the route, and to present simplified navigation instructions for the second portion of the route, 
 wherein the full navigation instructions correspond to detailed information presented for navigating a route, while the simplified navigation instructions correspond to a reduced amount of information presented for navigating a route; 
 obtaining a location of the mobile device along the route; 
 presenting, by the mobile device, full navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to the first portion of the route; 
 presenting, by the mobile device, simplified navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to the second portion of the route; 
 while presenting the simplified navigation instructions, determining, at a first time, that the location of the mobile device has deviated from the second portion of the route; 
 in response to the determination at the first time, presenting, by the mobile device, full navigation instructions while the location of the mobile device has deviated from the second portion of the route; 
 determining, at a second time following the first time, that the location of the mobile device again corresponds to the second portion of the route; and 
 in response to the determination at the second time, presenting, by the mobile device, simplified navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device again corresponds to the second portion of the route. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the simplified navigation instructions include a reduced set of audio instructions. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the full navigation instructions include a zoomed in presentation of the route comprising turn-by-turn instructions. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the simplified navigation instructions include overview instructions. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the overview instructions include an overview navigation display presenting the entire route in conjunction with an indication of a location on the route where the mobile device is presently located. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the full navigation instructions are presented by default in absence of the user selection of the control setting. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the mobile device, a user input selecting the control setting. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the full navigation instructions include a zoomed in presentation of the route providing a close up navigation display of individual turns in conjunction with corresponding audio navigation instructions. 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising:
 obtaining, by a mobile device, a route between a starting location and a destination location, the route including a first portion and a second portion; 
 determining that the mobile device is configured, based on user selection of a control setting associated with presenting simplified navigation instructions for portions of routes determined by the mobile device, to present full navigation instructions for the first portion of the route, and to present simplified navigation instructions for the second portion of the route, 
 wherein the full navigation instructions correspond to detailed information presented for navigating a route, while the simplified navigation instructions correspond to a reduced amount of information presented for navigating a route; 
 obtaining a location of the mobile device along the route; 
 presenting, by the mobile device, full navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to the first portion of the route; 
 presenting, by the mobile device, simplified navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to the second portion of the route; 
 while presenting the simplified navigation instructions, determining, at a first time, that the location of the mobile device has deviated from the second portion of the route; 
 in response to the determination at the first time, presenting, by the mobile device, full navigation instructions while the location of the mobile device has deviated from the second portion of the route; 
 determining, at a second time following the first time, that the location of the mobile device again corresponds to the second portion of the route; and 
 in response to the determination at the second time, presenting, by the mobile device, simplified navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device again corresponds to the second portion of the route. 
 
     
     
       10. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the simplified navigation instructions include a reduced set of audio instructions. 
     
     
       11. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the full navigation instructions include a zoomed in presentation of the route comprising turn-by-turn instructions. 
     
     
       12. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the simplified navigation instructions include overview instructions. 
     
     
       13. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein the overview instructions include an overview navigation display presenting the entire route in conjunction with an indication of a location on the route where the mobile device is presently located. 
     
     
       14. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the full navigation instructions are presented by default in absence of the user selection of the control setting. 
     
     
       15. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the operations further comprise:
 receiving, at the mobile device, a user input selecting the control setting. 
 
     
     
       16. The non-transitory machine-readable medium of  claim 9 , wherein the full navigation instructions include a zoomed in presentation of the route providing a close up navigation display of individual turns in conjunction with corresponding audio navigation instructions. 
     
     
       17. A system comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 a machine-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: 
 obtaining, by a mobile device, a route between a starting location and a destination location, the route including a first portion and a second portion; 
 determining that the mobile device is configured, based on user selection of a control setting associated with presenting simplified navigation instructions for portions of routes determined by the mobile device, to present full navigation instructions for the first portion of the route, and to present simplified navigation instructions for the second portion of the route, 
 wherein the full navigation instructions correspond to detailed information presented for navigating a route, while the simplified navigation instructions correspond to a reduced amount of information presented for navigating a route; 
 obtaining a location of the mobile device along the route; 
 presenting, by the mobile device, full navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to the first portion of the route; 
 presenting, by the mobile device, simplified navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to the second portion of the route; 
 while presenting the simplified navigation instructions, determining, at a first time, that the location of the mobile device has deviated from the second portion of the route; 
 in response to the determination at the first time, presenting, by the mobile device, full navigation instructions while the location of the mobile device has deviated from the second portion of the route; 
 determining, at a second time following the first time, that the location of the mobile device again corresponds to the second portion of the route; and 
 in response to the determination at the second time, presenting, by the mobile device, simplified navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device again corresponds to the second portion of the route. 
 
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the simplified navigation instructions include a reduced set of audio instructions. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the full navigation instructions include a zoomed in presentation of the route comprising turn-by-turn instructions. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the simplified navigation instructions include overview instructions. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20 , wherein the overview instructions include an overview navigation display presenting the entire route in conjunction with an indication of a location on the route where the mobile device is presently located. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the full navigation instructions are presented by default in absence of the user selection of the control setting. 
     
     
       23. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the full navigation instructions include a zoomed in presentation of the route providing a close up navigation display of individual turns in conjunction with corresponding audio navigation instructions.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation (and claims the benefit of priority under 35 USC 120) of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/587,604, filed May 5, 2017, now allowed, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/054,248, filed Oct. 15, 2013, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,644,983, issued May 9, 2017. Both of these prior applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure generally relates to mobile device navigation. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mobile computing devices often include navigation features. A user can enter a starting location and a destination location in a user interface of the mobile device and the mobile device can calculate, or request from a server, a route and instructions for traversing the route from the starting location to the destination location. Often the navigation instructions can include a navigation display (e.g., map and highlighted route). The navigation instructions can include audio instructions that can tell the user which direction to go, which turn to take, etc. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some implementations, a mobile device can be configured to provide simplified audio navigation instructions. The simplified audio navigation instructions can provide a reduced set of audio navigation instructions so that the audio instructions are only presented to the user when the user wishes to or needs to hear the instructions. A user can enable the simplified audio navigation instructions. The simplified audio navigation instructions can be enabled automatically. The simplified audio navigation instructions can be configured with rules for when to present audio navigation instructions. For example, the rules can specify that audio navigation instructions are to be provided for complex road segments, a user defined portion of a route, or specified road types, among other criteria. The mobile device can be configured with exceptions to the rules such that audio navigation instructions can be presented when the user has, for example, deviated from a defined route. 
     Particular implementations provide at least the following advantages: A user will no longer be bothered with instructions for portions of a route that the user is familiar with. The user can be prompted to return to a route when the user deviates from the route. 
     Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and potential advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a graphical user interface for presenting navigation instructions on a mobile device. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a graphical user interface for configuring simplified audio navigation instructions. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a system for providing simplified audio navigation instructions. 
         FIG. 4  is flow diagram of an example process for presenting simplified audio navigation instructions. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an example computing device that can implement the features and processes of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure describes various Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) for implementing various features, processes or workflows. These GUIs can be presented on a variety of electronic devices including but not limited to laptop computers, desktop computers, computer terminals, television systems, tablet computers, e-book readers and smart phones. One or more of these electronic devices can include a touch-sensitive surface. The touch-sensitive surface can process multiple simultaneous points of input, including processing data related to the pressure, degree or position of each point of input. Such processing can facilitate gestures with multiple fingers, including pinching and swiping. 
     When the disclosure refers to “select” or “selecting” user interface elements in a GUI, these terms are understood to include clicking or “hovering” with a mouse or other input device over a user interface element, or touching, tapping or gesturing with one or more fingers or stylus on a user interface element. User interface elements can be virtual buttons, menus, selectors, switches, sliders, scrubbers, knobs, thumbnails, links, icons, radio buttons, checkboxes and any other mechanism for receiving input from, or providing feedback to a user. 
     Overview 
     In some implementations, a mobile device can include navigation software that can generate a route from a starting location to a destination location. For example, the starting location can be a user-specified starting location or the starting location can be automatically determined (e.g., the current location of the mobile device). The destination location can be a user-specified location, for example. Once the route is determined, the mobile device can provide navigation instructions to the user for traversing the route. For example, the navigation instructions can include graphical instructions (e.g., a map with highlighted route). The navigation instructions can include audio instructions (e.g., a voice telling the user where to go). The mobile device can monitor the user&#39;s progress along the route using common location determination technologies (e.g., using global navigation satellite system “GNSS” data, wireless network data, cellular data) and provide navigation instructions corresponding to the user&#39;s (mobile device&#39;s) current location. 
     Often, the user knows most of a route from a starting location to a destination location and just needs help navigating a complex portion of the route or a portion of the route that the user is unfamiliar with. Receiving audio navigation instructions for portions of the route that the user is familiar with can be annoying and can interfere with the enjoyment of other media, such as music, for example. Thus, in some implementations, the mobile device can be configured to provide simplified audio navigation instructions to the user that only present audio navigation instructions for portions of the route identified by the user or identified by the mobile device based on, for example, the complexity of portions of the route. 
     Thus, the mobile device will present audio navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to a portion of the route where audio navigation instructions should be presented. Conversely, the mobile device will not present audio navigation instructions when the location of the mobile device corresponds to a portion of the route where audio navigation instructions should not be presented, as indicated by the audio navigation options described below. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI)  100  for presenting navigation instructions on a mobile device. For example, GUI  100  can be a user interface of the mobile device mentioned above. As illustrated by  FIG. 1 , GUI  100  can present a map. The map can include a highlighted route that traverses road segments  104 - 120  from a starting location  102  to a destination location  122 . In some implementations, the mobile device can be configured to present audio navigation instructions. For example, the audio navigation instructions can provide voice prompts that tell the user how to traverse a route. The voice prompts can tell the user to travel along road segment  104  and turn left onto road segment  106 , for example. In some implementations, the voice prompts can provide instructions to the user for every turn and every road along the route. The voice prompts can provide instructions to continue on road segment  110  or take the exit onto road segment  112 , for example. However, the user may be familiar with road segments  104 - 112  and may not desire audio navigation instructions for the portion of the route that includes road segments  104 - 112 . Since the combination of road segments  114 - 120  is more complicated, the user may desire audio navigation instructions for these road segments. Moreover, the user may not be familiar with road segments  114 - 122  and may wish for audio navigation instructions to be provided for these road segments. 
     Enabling Simplified Audio Navigation Instructions 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a graphical user interface  200  for configuring simplified audio navigation instructions. In some implementations, GUI  200  can include graphical element  202  that can present an interactive element  204  (e.g., toggle, button, etc.) for manually enabling and/or disabling simplified audio navigation instructions. A user can select interactive element  204  to enable or disable simplified audio navigation instructions, for example. When simplified audio navigation instructions are enabled, the mobile device will provide audio navigation instructions (e.g., voice prompts) for some portions of a route and not for other portions of a route. Rules or criteria for identifying portions of a route where audio navigation instructions are presented are described in detail below. 
     In some implementations, GUI  200  can include graphical element  206  for enabling simplified audio navigation instructions automatically when the mobile device has detected playback of media by the mobile device. For example, a user can select interactive element  208  to automatically enable simplified audio navigation instructions when the mobile device determines that the mobile device is currently playing audio media (e.g., music, video soundtrack, podcast, radio, etc.). Thus, the audio navigation instructions will only interrupt the playback of the media for important instructions that the user may need to hear. 
     Determining when to Present Audio Instructions 
     In some implementations, when simplified audio navigation instructions are enabled, audio navigation instructions will only be presented for identified or specified portions of a route. For example, when simplified audio navigation instructions are enabled, the set of audio navigation instructions normally presented to the user for navigating a route can be reduced so that only the set of audio instructions needed or desired by the user are presented to the user while the user navigates the route. In some implementations, the portions of a route where audio navigation instructions will be presented are automatically determined. For example, the mobile device can automatically determine portions of a route where audio navigation instructions will be presented by default. For example, unless the user enables one of the audio navigation options described below, the mobile device will automatically determine for which portions of a route audio navigation instructions should be presented. The user can override the default route portion selection by selecting or enabling one of the user-selectable options described below. In some implementations, audio navigation instructions can be presented for complex portions of a route in addition to the user-specified audio navigation options described below. 
     Determining Complexity of Route Portions 
     In some implementations, the mobile device can automatically determine a portion of a route where audio navigation instructions will be presented based on the complexity of the portion of the route. The complexity of a portion of the route can be determined based on, for example, the number of turns (e.g., road changes) within the portion of the route. For example, a single turn within a five mile portion of the route can be identified as a low complexity portion of the route. Five turns within a one mile portion of the route can be identified as a high complexity portion of the route. For example, complexity can be defined as a ratio of turns per mile (e.g., turns/mile). If a portion of a route is above a threshold complexity ratio (e.g., 3 turns per mile), then the portion of the route can be identified as a portion of the route where audio navigation instructions should be provided. If the portion of the route is less than the threshold complexity ratio, then the portion of the route can be identified as a portion of the route where audio navigation instructions should not be provided. As the user traverses the route, audio navigation instructions will be presented according to the complexity analysis described above. 
     In some implementations, route portion complexity can be determined based on historical navigation data. For example, the mobile device can maintain historical data describing navigation errors committed by the user. For example, the historical data can keep track of locations where a user misses a turn while traversing a route. If the user often misses the same turn, a route segment that includes the often missed turn can be identified as a complex portion of the route and the mobile device can present audio instructions for the often missed turn. 
     In some implementations, route portion complexity can be determined based on crowd sourced navigation data. For example, similar to using the individual user historical data described above to determine complexity of a route portion, historical navigation data can be collected from multiple users using multiple mobile devices. The crowd sourced historical navigation data can be analyzed for common navigation errors (e.g., a commonly missed turn). When a route includes a route portion that is associated with a common navigation error (e.g., missed turn), the route portion can be identified as a complex route portion and audio navigation instructions can be provided for the complex portion of the route. 
     User-Specified Audio Navigation Options 
     In some implementations, the portions of a route where audio navigation instructions will be presented can be specified by the user. For example, the user can provide input to GUI  200  to specify portions of a route where the mobile device should present audio navigation instructions. In some implementations, GUI  200  can present graphical element  210  including interactive element  212  (e.g., toggle, button, etc.) for enabling audio navigation instructions for surface streets only. For example, the user can select interactive element  212  to enable or disable the surface streets only option. In some implementations, when the surface streets only option is enabled, the mobile device will not present audio navigation instructions for highways, freeways, etc. When the surface streets only option is enabled, audio navigation instructions will only be presented for non-highway type roads (e.g., city streets, rural routes, country roads, etc.). For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , if road segment  110  is a highway (e.g., highway, freeway, etc.), then, when the user starts traversing the route, the user will receive audio navigation instructions for the road segments  104 ,  106  and  108 . The mobile device will stop providing audio navigation instructions for road segment  110  (e.g., because road segment  110  is a highway). The mobile device will resume presenting audio navigation instructions when the user exits road segment  110  to begin traversing road segments  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118  and  120  to destination  122 . 
     In some implementations, GUI  200  can present graphical element  214  including interactive elements  216  and  218  for enabling or disabling audio instructions for the last portion of a route. For example, the user can enable or disable audio instructions for the end portion of a route by selecting interactive element  218 . The user can input a number into interactive element  216  (e.g., a text box) to indicate for how much of the end of a route audio instructions should be presented. For example, the user can indicate a number (e.g., 5) to indicate that audio navigation instructions should be presented only for the last 5 miles of a route. In some implementations, the mobile device can be configured to present audio navigation instructions for the starting portion of a route. For example, the user can interact with GUI  200  to specify a first number of miles for presenting audio navigation instructions in the same manner described above for the last number of miles of a route. The user can specify that audio navigation instructions should be presented for the first ten miles of a route, for example. 
     In some implementations, GUI  200  can present graphical element  220  including interactive elements  222  and  224  for enabling or disabling audio instructions within a radius distance of a destination location. For example, the user can enable or disable the radius distance option by selecting interactive element  224 . The user can specify the radius distance by inputting a number into interactive element  222  (e.g., a text box). For example, the user can input the number  3  to indicate that instructions should be provided when the user enters within a three mile radius of the destination location of the route. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , the radius distance can be indicated by dotted line  130 . When the user navigates along the route and enters the area delineated by dotted line  130 , the mobile device will begin presenting audio navigation instructions to the user. 
     In some implementations, the user can adjust the radius distance by interacting with GUI  100 . For example, the user can provide a touch input gesture (e.g., touch and drag, two finger touch and separate fingers, pinch fingers together, etc.) to make the radius distance larger or smaller. In some implementations, the mobile device can be configured to provide instructions within a radius distance of the starting location. The user can specify the radius distance for the starting location in the same manner as described above for the destination location. For example, the user can specify that audio navigation instructions should be presented within a two mile radius of the starting location. Once the mobile device moves outside the two mile radius, the mobile device will cease presenting audio navigation instructions for the route. 
     In some implementations, GUI  200  can present graphical element  226  including interactive element  228  for enabling or disabling audio navigation instructions for a previously traveled route. For example, a user can select interactive element  228  to cause the simplified audio navigation instruction options for a previous route to be reversed. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , when a user traverses the route from starting location  102  to destination location  122 , the user can configure the mobile device to only provide navigation instructions for the last 5 miles of the route, as described above. If the starting location  102  is the user&#39;s home and destination location  122  corresponds to a restaurant, for example, the user may wish to reverse the route to go back home after dining at the restaurant. The user can specify the route (e.g., from destination location  122  to starting location  102 ) and the mobile device can determine that the route corresponds to the reverse of the previous route from starting location  102  to destination location  122 . When the mobile device determines that the maintain options during route reversal option is enabled and that the user is reversing a previous route, the mobile device can automatically provide audio navigation instructions for the same portions of the route that audio navigation instructions were provided on the previous trip. For example, on the route from starting location  102  to destination location  122 , the user may have configured the simplified navigation instructions to provide audio navigation instructions for only the last five miles of the trip. On the reverse trip, the mobile device can automatically provide audio navigation instructions for the first five miles of the trip, since on the previous trip the user indicated that the user did not need audio instructions until the last five miles. Similarly, the radius distance and/or surface street settings of the previous trip and be applied to the return trip when the maintain options during route reversal option is enabled. 
     Exceptions 
     In some implementations, the mobile device can present audio navigation instructions for portions of a route not identified by the mobile device or user. For example, if the user deviates from the route on a portion of the route where, based on the complexity of the route or user specified options, no audio navigation instructions should be presented, then based on the detected deviation, the mobile device can begin presenting audio navigation instructions to the user. For example, referring to  FIG. 1 , if the mobile device is configured to prevent audio navigation instructions from being presented to the user while on road segment  110  and the user deviates from the highlighted route by exiting road segment  110  (e.g., highway) onto road segment  124 , then the mobile device can begin presenting audio navigation instructions to the user. The audio navigation instructions can continue until the user returns to a portion of the prescribed route where audio navigation instructions should not be presented. 
     Server Implementation 
     The description above discloses functions and features in terms of a mobile device configured to perform the functions and provide the features described. However, some of the functions and features can be performed by a server in communication with the mobile device over a network connection. For example, the route determination, historical data and crowd sourcing features can be performed by a server that determines a route, analyzes the historical data, and collects the crowd sourced information and transmits the route and navigation instructions to the mobile device for presentation to the user. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a system  300  for providing simplified audio navigation instructions. For example, system  300  can include server  302 . Server  302  can be a navigation server configured to receive route requests from mobile devices  304 ,  305  and  306 . For example, mobile device  304  can send a navigation request that includes a starting location, a destination location and audio navigation instruction options to server  302 . The server  302  can receive the request and generate a route based on the starting location and destination location. 
     In some implementations, server  302  can generate audio navigation instructions for traversing the generated route. For example, when simplified audio navigation instructions are disabled on mobile device  304 , then the server  302  can generate audio navigation instructions for the entire route. In some implementations, when simplified audio navigation instructions are enabled on mobile device  304 , server  302  can generate audio navigation instructions for the entire route. For example, server  302  can generate audio navigation instructions for the entire route and the mobile device  304  can determine where along a route to present audio navigation instructions based on complexity or user-selected options, as described above. 
     In some implementations, when simplified audio navigation instructions are enabled and no user options have been specified, then the server  302  can determine portions of the route for which audio navigation instructions should be generated based on the complexity of portions of the route. For example, server  302  can determine complexity based on turns per mile, as described above. Server  302  can determine complexity based on crowd sourced historical navigation data received from mobile devices  304 - 306 . Server  302  can analyze the historical data to determine locations where navigation areas commonly occur and if those locations are located on the generated route, the portion of the generated route that includes those locations can be identified as a complex portion of the route. 
     In some implementations, when simplified audio navigation instructions are enabled and one of the user specified options is enabled, then server  302  can determine portions of the route for which audio navigation instructions should be generated based on the user selected options. For example, if the user has specified that audio navigation instructions should be presented for the first (or last) five miles of a route, server  302  will generate audio navigation instructions for only the first (or last) five miles of a route. If the user has specified that audio navigation instructions should be presented within a six mile radius of the destination (or starting) location, then server  302  will generate audio navigation instructions for only the portion of the route within the six mile radius of the destination (or starting) location. 
     In some implementations, if the user has enabled the maintain options during route reversal option, the mobile device  304  will determine that the previous route has been reversed and send the appropriate options to the server  302 . For example, the mobile device  304  can determine that the previous route is being reversed by comparing the start location (S1) and destination location (D1) from the previous route to the start location (S2) and destination location (D2) of the subsequent route. For example, if S2 is the same location as D1 and D2 is the same location as S1, then the previous route has been reversed. In some implementations, if the previous route is reversed on the subsequent route, then the simplified audio navigation options can be reversed as well. For example, if on the previous route, the mobile device  304  was configured to provide audio navigation instructions for the last three miles of the route. On the subsequent reverse route, the mobile device  304  can be automatically configured to provide audio navigation instructions for the first three miles of the reverse route. The mobile device  304  can then send the start location (S2), destination location (D2) and reverse audio navigation options to server  302  so that server  302  can generate the route and audio navigation instructions. 
     In some implementations, once server  302  has generated the route and audio navigation instructions, the server  302  can transmit the route (e.g., map data and route data) and audio navigation instructions to mobile device  304 . 
     Map Display 
     In some implementations, the map display presented by the mobile device can present the route to be traveled by a user. For example, the mobile device can include a navigation (e.g., map and route) display as illustrated by  FIG. 1 . In some implementations, the navigation display can present an overview of the route on a map. For example, the overview navigation display can show the entire route and indicate a location on the route where the mobile device is currently located. In some implementations, the navigation display can show a turn-by-turn presentation of the route. For example, the turn-by-turn display can be a zoomed in presentation of the route that presents a close up view of a single turn. In some implementations, the mobile device can present the overview navigation display or the turn-by-turn navigation display based on when (or where) audio navigation instructions are presented to the user of the mobile device. For example, if the mobile device is configured to present audio navigation instructions only for the last four miles of the route, then the mobile device will present the overview navigation display for the first portion of the route where no audio navigation instructions are presented and present the turn-by-turn (e.g., zoomed in) navigation display for the last four miles of the route. 
     Example Process 
       FIG. 4  is flow diagram of an example process  400  for presenting simplified audio navigation instructions. For example, process  400  can present a reduced set of audio navigation instructions to a user so that the user will receive audio navigation instructions when the user needs the instructions without imposing the audio navigation instructions upon the user when the user does not need or want the audio navigation instructions. 
     At step  402 , the mobile device can receive start and destination locations. For example, the user can specify the start location by specifying a location (e.g., an address) or indicating to the mobile device that the current location of the mobile device should be used as the starting location. The user can specify the destination location by inputting an address or selecting an address (e.g., from an address book, webpage, etc.). 
     At step  404 , the mobile device can determine that simplified audio navigation instructions are enabled. For example, the mobile device can determine that the user has selected to enable simplified audio navigation instructions on an audio navigation settings interface of the mobile device. The mobile device can determine that simplified audio navigation should be automatically enabled when the mobile device determines that a media application on the mobile device is currently playing audio media (e.g., music), as described above with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     At step  406 , the mobile device can determine which simplified audio navigation options are enabled. For example, the mobile device can determine that the default route complexity based audio navigation instructions should be presented to the user if no other user-selectable options have been enabled or selected. The mobile device can determine that radius based, route distance based (e.g., first/last n miles), street type based audio navigation instructions should be presented. The mobile device can determine if the maintain options during route reversal option has been selected. 
     At step  408 , the mobile device can generate route and audio navigation instructions based on the enabled simplified audio navigation options. For example, the mobile device can transmit start location, destination location and audio navigation options to a server and the server can generate a route and navigation instructions based on the start location, destination location and audio navigation options. In some implementations, the audio navigation instructions can be determined based on a previously traversed route when the maintain options during route reversal option is selected. For example, the server can generate audio navigation instructions for complex portions of the route, portions of the route that are within the user-defined radius of the start or destination location, portions of the route that are the first or last n (e.g., 5, 7, 11 miles, etc.) of the route, or portions of the route that are comprised of non-highway roads. In some implementations, the mobile device can include map data such that the mobile device can compute the desired route and generate the audio navigation instructions according to the default or user-selected options. 
     At step  410 , the mobile device can present the generated route and the audio navigation instructions according to the audio navigation options. For example, the mobile device can receive the map data, route data and audio navigation instructions from the server and present the map, route and audio navigation instructions to the user. The audio navigation instructions can be presented for only the portions of the route indicated by the user (e.g., first/last portion, radius, street type selection) or determined by the mobile device (or server) to be complex portions of the route. 
     In some implementations, the mobile device can present the graphical map and route data in an overview map display when audio navigation instructions are not presented for a portion of the route. In some implementations, the mobile device can present the graphical map and route data in a turn-by-turn map display when audio navigation instructions are presented for a portion of the route. 
     In some implementations, audio navigation instructions can be presented when the user deviates from a prescribed route. Once the user returns to a portion of the prescribed route where audio navigation instructions are not to be presented, the mobile device will cease presenting audio navigation instructions until the mobile device enters a portion of the route where audio navigation instructions are desired by the user, as indicated by the default or selected audio navigation options. 
     Example System Architecture 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an example computing device  500  that can implement the features and processes of  FIGS. 1-4 . The computing device  500  can include a memory interface  502 , one or more data processors, image processors and/or central processing units  504 , and a peripherals interface  506 . The memory interface  502 , the one or more processors  504  and/or the peripherals interface  506  can be separate components or can be integrated in one or more integrated circuits. The various components in the computing device  500  can be coupled by one or more communication buses or signal lines. 
     Sensors, devices, and subsystems can be coupled to the peripherals interface  506  to facilitate multiple functionalities. For example, a motion sensor  510 , a light sensor  512 , and a proximity sensor  514  can be coupled to the peripherals interface  506  to facilitate orientation, lighting, and proximity functions. Other sensors  516  can also be connected to the peripherals interface  506 , such as a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) (e.g., GPS receiver), a temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, magnetometer or other sensing device, to facilitate related functionalities. 
     A camera subsystem  520  and an optical sensor  522 , e.g., a charged coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor, can be utilized to facilitate camera functions, such as recording photographs and video clips. The camera subsystem  520  and the optical sensor  522  can be used to collect images of a user to be used during authentication of a user, e.g., by performing facial recognition analysis. 
     Communication functions can be facilitated through one or more wireless communication subsystems  524 , which can include radio frequency receivers and transmitters and/or optical (e.g., infrared) receivers and transmitters. The specific design and implementation of the communication subsystem  524  can depend on the communication network(s) over which the computing device  500  is intended to operate. For example, the computing device  500  can include communication subsystems  524  designed to operate over a GSM network, a GPRS network, an EDGE network, a Wi-Fi or WiMax network, and a Bluetooth™ network. In particular, the wireless communication subsystems  524  can include hosting protocols such that the device  500  can be configured as a base station for other wireless devices. 
     An audio subsystem  526  can be coupled to a speaker  528  and a microphone  530  to facilitate voice-enabled functions, such as speaker recognition, voice replication, digital recording, and telephony functions. The audio subsystem  526  can be configured to facilitate processing voice commands, voice printing and voice authentication, for example. 
     The I/O subsystem  540  can include a touch-surface controller  542  and/or other input controller(s)  544 . The touch-surface controller  542  can be coupled to a touch surface  546 . The touch surface  546  and touch-surface controller  542  can, for example, detect contact and movement or break thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensitivity technologies, including but not limited to capacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies, as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements for determining one or more points of contact with the touch surface  546 . 
     The other input controller(s)  544  can be coupled to other input/control devices  548 , such as one or more buttons, rocker switches, thumb-wheel, infrared port, USB port, and/or a pointer device such as a stylus. The one or more buttons (not shown) can include an up/down button for volume control of the speaker  528  and/or the microphone  530 . 
     In one implementation, a pressing of the button for a first duration can disengage a lock of the touch surface  546 ; and a pressing of the button for a second duration that is longer than the first duration can turn power to the computing device  500  on or off. Pressing the button for a third duration can activate a voice control, or voice command, module that enables the user to speak commands into the microphone  530  to cause the device to execute the spoken command. The user can customize a functionality of one or more of the buttons. The touch surface  546  can, for example, also be used to implement virtual or soft buttons and/or a keyboard. 
     In some implementations, the computing device  500  can present recorded audio and/or video files, such as MP3, AAC, and MPEG files. In some implementations, the computing device  500  can include the functionality of an MP3 player, such as an iPod™. The computing device  500  can, therefore, include a 36-pin connector that is compatible with the iPod. Other input/output and control devices can also be used. 
     The memory interface  502  can be coupled to memory  550 . The memory  550  can include high-speed random access memory and/or non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical storage devices, and/or flash memory (e.g., NAND, NOR). The memory  550  can store an operating system  552 , such as Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X, WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks. 
     The operating system  552  can include instructions for handling basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks. In some implementations, the operating system  552  can be a kernel (e.g., UNIX kernel). In some implementations, the operating system  552  can include instructions for performing voice authentication. For example, operating system  552  can implement the simplified audio navigation features as described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     The memory  550  can also store communication instructions  554  to facilitate communicating with one or more additional devices, one or more computers and/or one or more servers. The memory  550  can include graphical user interface instructions  556  to facilitate graphic user interface processing; sensor processing instructions  558  to facilitate sensor-related processing and functions; phone instructions  560  to facilitate phone-related processes and functions; electronic messaging instructions  562  to facilitate electronic-messaging related processes and functions; web browsing instructions  564  to facilitate web browsing-related processes and functions; media processing instructions  566  to facilitate media processing-related processes and functions; GNSS/Navigation instructions  568  to facilitate GNSS and navigation-related processes and instructions; and/or camera instructions  570  to facilitate camera-related processes and functions. 
     The memory  550  can store other software instructions  572  to facilitate other processes and functions, such as the simplified audio navigation processes and functions as described with reference to  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     The memory  550  can also store other software instructions  574 , such as web video instructions to facilitate web video-related processes and functions; and/or web shopping instructions to facilitate web shopping-related processes and functions. In some implementations, the media processing instructions  566  are divided into audio processing instructions and video processing instructions to facilitate audio processing-related processes and functions and video processing-related processes and functions, respectively. 
     Each of the above identified instructions and applications can correspond to a set of instructions for performing one or more functions described above. These instructions need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules. The memory  550  can include additional instructions or fewer instructions. Furthermore, various functions of the computing device  500  can be implemented in hardware and/or in software, including in one or more signal processing and/or application specific integrated circuits.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180119
Publication Date: 20221018
Grant Date: 20221018
Priority Date: 20131015
Inventors: KANDANGATH, ANIL K.
TU, XIAOYUAN
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G01C21/3641", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01C21/3667", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01C21/3629", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01C21/3641", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01C21/3629", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01C21/3667", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01C21/3629", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G01C21/3641", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 52810354