Method and apparatus for the display of temporal distance data
View Patent ↗An electronic device is built including a memory, a processor, and a display. The processor is configured to calculate an array of estimated travel time data from a first location to a plurality of locations within a destination area from a set of situational parameters and a set of user parameters. These situational parameters may include data such as: the location, condition, and speed limits of roads and paths; the availability of public transportation; terrain information such as elevation, slope, the presence of trails and vegetation; and weather information such as wind speed and precipitation. User parameters may include data such as: the user's mode of transportation, the user's physical abilities, and the load the user is carrying.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a memory configured to store a first location, destination area, user parameters, and situational parameters;
a processor electrically coupled to said memory, and configured to calculate temporal distance data for a destination area from said first location, user parameters, and situational parameters, and store said temporal distance data in said memory; and
a display electrically coupled to said memory, and configured to graphically represent said temporal distance data.
2. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a GPS device electrically coupled to said processor configured to provide said first location.
3. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising:
a network interface electrically coupled to said processor configured to receive at least some of said situational parameters from an external computer.
4. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said user parameters include a mode of transportation.
5. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said user parameters include a user's physical condition.
6. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said user parameters include a load the user is carrying.
7. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of roads.
8. An electronic device as recited in claim 7 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the condition of said roads.
9. An electronic device as recited in claim 7 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the speed limit of said roads.
10. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the current weather conditions.
11. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters include a weather forecast.
12. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters includes terrain data.
13. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters includes elevation data.
14. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of trails.
15. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location and type of emergency services.
16. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of gas stations.
17. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of hotels.
18. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said temporal distance data includes all locations reachable within a time limit.
19. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes temporal contour lines.
20. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes shaded areas.
21. An electronic device as recited in claim 1 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes colored areas.
22. An electronic device comprising:
a memory configured to store a first location, destination area, user parameters, and situational parameters;
a processor electrically coupled to said memory, and configured to calculate temporal distance data for a destination area from said first location, user parameters, and situational parameters, and store said temporal distance data in said memory; and
a printer electrically coupled to said memory, and configured to graphically represent said temporal distance data.
23. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 , further comprising:
a GPS device electrically coupled to said processor configured to provide said first location.
24. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 , further comprising:
a network interface electrically coupled to said processor configured to receive at least some of said situational parameters from an external computer.
25. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said user parameters include a mode of transportation.
26. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said user parameters include a user's physical condition.
27. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said user parameters include a load the user is carrying.
28. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of roads.
29. An electronic device as recited in claim 28 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the condition of said roads.
30. An electronic device as recited in claim 28 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the speed limit of said roads.
31. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the current weather conditions.
32. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters include a weather forecast.
33. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters includes terrain data.
34. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters includes elevation data.
35. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of trails.
36. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location and type of emergency services.
37. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of gas stations.
38. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of hotels.
39. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said temporal distance data includes all locations reachable within a time limit.
40. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes temporal contour lines.
41. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes shaded areas.
42. An electronic device as recited in claim 22 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes colored areas.
43. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data comprising the steps of:
a) receiving a first location;
b) receiving a destination area;
c) receiving user parameters;
d) receiving situational parameters;
e) dividing said destination area into a plurality of regions;
f) calculating an estimated time required to travel from said first location to at least some of said plurality of regions; and
g) saving temporal distance data resulting from said calculating step in a memory; and
h) graphically representing said temporal distance data.
44. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said step of graphically representing said temporal distance data uses an electronic display.
45. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said step of graphically representing said temporal distance data uses a printer.
46. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said first location is received from a GPS device.
47. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein at least some of said situational parameters are received through a network interface.
48. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said user parameters include a mode of transportation.
49. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said user parameters include a user's physical condition.
50. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said user parameters include a load the user is carrying.
51. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of roads.
52. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 51 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the condition of said roads.
53. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 51 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the speed limit of said roads.
54. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the current weather conditions.
55. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters include a weather forecast.
56. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters includes terrain data.
57. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters includes elevation data.
58. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of trails.
59. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location and type of emergency services.
60. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of gas stations.
61. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said situational parameters include the location of hotels.
62. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said temporal distance data includes all locations reachable within a time limit.
63. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes temporal contour lines.
64. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes shaded areas.
65. A method for the graphical display of temporal distance data as recited in claim 43 ,
wherein said graphical representation includes colored areas.