Data acquisition apparatus, data acquisition system and method of acquiring data

Abstract

A data acquisition apparatus includes a processing resource operably coupled to an input unit and an output unit. The processing resource is arranged to provide an execution environment for supporting a user interface. An enquiry module is provided and supported by the execution environment. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a communications unit operably coupled to the processing resource for supporting communications over a communications network. The enquiry module is arranged to generate a search query relating to a point of interest and receive search results in response thereto via the communications unit, the enquiry module also being arranged to use the search results to derive data associated with the point of interest.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to a data acquisition apparatus of the type that, for example, proactively obtains data associated with a point of interest. The present invention also relates to a data acquisition system of the type that, for example, proactively obtains data associated with a point of interest for communication to a navigation apparatus. The present invention also relates to a method of acquiring data, the method being of the type that, for example, proactively obtains data in relation to a point of interest.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Portable computing devices, for example Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs) that include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and are widely employed as in-car or other vehicle navigation systems.[0003]In general terms, a modern PND comprises a processor, memory and map data stored within said memory. The processor and memory cooperate to provide an...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0056]It is thus possible to provide a navigation apparatus, a server apparatus and a method therefor capable of enriching or supplementing POI information so as to be of greater quality than POI information absent of temporal information. POI information of improved accuracy and usefulness is thus provided. Indeed, data is generated that can be used to enable a user to maximise the likelihood of arriving at the point of interest in good time or at least in time. In this respect, the supplemented or enriched POI information can thus be beneficially used to provide the user with an opportunity, using a suitable calculation technique, not to waste time travelling to POIs that are unavailable, inaccessible or no longer in existence. Additionally, the user does not have to remember to check operating hours of the POI as the navigation apparatus ensures that this information is checked. Similarly, when a user is en-route, the user can be warned when arrival at the POI selected will be at a time incompatible with the operating hours of the POI and, optionally, provided with an opportunity to select another POI in the event of a delay being encountered en-route that would result in the initial POI selected not being reached in time. The user can thus be provided with one or more warnings during a journey and / or prior to departure. The apparatus and method thus provide an improved user experience in relation to the navigation apparatus, as well as the possibility of saving the user time and inconvenience.

Problems solved by technology

However, a disadvantage of this technique is that a user, wishing to navigate to or via a given point of interest, can arrive at the given point of interest at a time that is incompatible with operating hours of the given point of interest.

Hence, it can be seen that a temporal mismatch can occur between an arrival time and the operating hours of the point of interest.

Overall, this process is typically time consuming, inconvenient and prone to inaccuracy.

Furthermore, telephoning the point of interest relies upon someone being available to respond, and private research is not always successful and reliant upon the searching skills of an individual.

Also, a priori knowledge is not always completely accurate and sometimes prone to imperfect recollection.

This is particularly the case where a POI has varying opening times that are difficult to track in human memory.

Similarly, research results are sometimes prone to error.

Of course, the user may simply forget to obtain information relating to operating hours of the POI prior to departure and other portable electronic apparatus, for example a mobile telephone, may not be able to support Internet access and hence post-departure research.

Such convoluted activity requires time and effort and is not necessarily attractive to the user.