U.S. patent application number 09/141171 was filed with the patent office on 2001-05-24 for vehicle routing and guidance system.
Invention is credited to HESSING, BERND.
Application Number | 20010001847 09/141171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 7840283 |
Filed Date | 2001-05-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010001847 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HESSING, BERND |
May 24, 2001 |
VEHICLE ROUTING AND GUIDANCE SYSTEM
Abstract
The vehicle routing and guidance system includes a vehicle-based
navigation system (35) located in a vehicle, which includes an
input device (38) for entry of one or more destinations (B) to
which the vehicle is to travel and a self-locating device for
determining location of the vehicle, a superordinate server system
(12) for making navigational information available to the
navigation system, for determining a route (16) to the destination
or destinations (B) provided to the navigation system and for
dividing the route (16) piecewise into route sections (34), and
transmitter and receiver devices for at least temporarily
establishing communication between the server system (12) and the
navigation system (35) to transmit the route sections (34)
separately to the navigation system (35) so that the route (16) is
transmitted in a piecewise manner to the navigation system
(35).
Inventors: |
HESSING, BERND; (HOLLE,
DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL J STRIKER
STRIKER STRIKER & STENBY
103 EAST NECK ROAD
HUNTINGTON
NY
11743
|
Family ID: |
7840283 |
Appl. No.: |
09/141171 |
Filed: |
August 26, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/421 ;
340/905; 342/357.31 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G01C 21/3492 20130101;
G08G 1/096822 20130101; G08G 1/096811 20130101; G01C 21/3415
20130101; G01S 19/42 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/209 ;
342/357.09; 340/905 |
International
Class: |
G08G 001/0969 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 1997 |
DE |
19737256.2-32 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A vehicle routing and guidance system comprising a vehicle-based
navigation system (35) located in a vehicle, said navigation system
(35) including an input device (38) for entry of at least one
destination (B) to which the vehicle is to travel and a
self-locating means for determining location of the vehicle, a
superordinate server system (12) for making navigational
information available to the navigation system, said superordinate
server system including means for determining a route (16) to said
at least one destination (B) and means for dividing the route (16)
into route sections (34), and transmitter and receiver means for at
least temporarily establishing communication between the server
system (12) and the navigation system (35), said transmitter and
receiver means including means for transmitting said route sections
(34) individually and separately to said navigation system (35) so
that said route (16) is transmitted in a piecewise manner to said
navigation system (35).
2. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 1,
wherein the server system (12) includes means for selecting an
individual one of said route sections (34) for transmission
according to said location of said vehicle determined in said
navigation system (35).
3. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 1,
wherein the central server (12) includes means for ascertaining an
actual location of the vehicle.
4. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 2,
wherein the server system (12) includes means for considering new
traffic information (18) arising after start of travel of the
vehicle from a starting point (A) of the route (16) during
preparation of route sections (34) of the route (16) still to be
traveled over by the vehicle.
5. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 4,
wherein the server system (12) includes means for storing a map
(10) including regions (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) through which the
route sections (34) pass, wherein the regions have predetermined
boundaries according to choice.
6. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 5,
wherein the server system (12) includes means for transmitting a
transition point (32) between the regions (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30)
to the navigation system (35) as an autonomous intermediate
destination hidden from the operator of the vehicle.
7. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 6,
wherein the navigation system (35) has means for erasing a route
section (34) already present in the navigation system (35) when a
new one of said route sections (34) is transmitted to the
navigation system (35).
8. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 6
wherein said self-locating means for the location of the vehicle
includes means for determining a deviation of an actual position of
the vehicle from the route (16) and the server central (12)
includes means for automatically taking into account a change of
the route (16) resulting therefrom.
9. A vehicle routing and guidance system comprising a vehicle-based
navigation system (35) located in a vehicle, a superordinate server
system (12) for making navigational information available to the
navigation system, said superordinate server system including means
for establishing a communications link (14) between the navigation
system (35) and the server system (12) prior to start of travel of
the vehicle for transmission of a most updated route (16) for
vehicle travel to a predetermined destination (B) from the server
system (12) to the navigation system (35), and transmitter and
receiver means for at least temporarily establishing communication
between the server system (12) and the navigation system (35).
10. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 9,
wherein the navigation system (35) has a memory (38) including
means for storage of a plurality of individually selectable routes
(16) that are updated by the server system (12) by means of the
communications link (14).
11. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 9,
wherein the communications link (14) is wireless or a wire
connection.
12. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 9,
wherein the server system (12) includes means for copying the route
(16) to the navigation system (35) prior to vehicle travel and
means for transmitting changes in route sections (34) still not
traveled over during travel of the vehicle over the route (16) to
the navigation system.
13. The vehicle routing and guidance system as defined in claim 9),
wherein a plurality of destinations (B) are provided to the
navigation system (35) and the server system (12) includes means
for preparing the route for travel of the vehicle to all of said
destinations.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a vehicle routing and
guidance system and, more particularly, to a vehicle routing and
guidance comprising a navigation system that includes a
self-locating means for the vehicle and a superordinate server
system for making of navigational information available to the
navigation system, whereby the navigational system communicates
with the server system at least temporarily by means of transmitter
and receiver devices.
[0003] 2. Prior Art
[0004] Vehicle-based navigation systems are known for guidance of
vehicles. These systems use map information required for navigation
in the vehicle in order to guide the vehicle to a destination point
predetermined by the operator of the vehicle. All information
required for the entire route is supplied in the vehicle. It is
disadvantageous however that a correspondingly large memory
capacity is required for the memory used in the navigation system
for a number of different destinations over a comparatively large
region or territory. Furthermore it is also disadvantageous that
information effecting the destination of the vehicle, for example
detours, road blockages and so on, is not considered.
[0005] Furthermore superordinate server systems for preparation of
navigational data are known, by means of which routes corresponding
to a destination predetermined by the operator of the vehicle are
transmitted to the vehicle-based navigation system. The entire
navigational information for the chosen destination is transmitted.
It is disadvantageous therefore that a comparatively large amount
of information is to be transmitted and changes during travel over
the route can no longer be considered.
[0006] By "route" a section of a digital chart or map with at least
one destination, which is useable in a vehicle-based navigation
system, is to be understood. For guidance to the destination the
vehicle must be located on the digital chart, which means the
route.
[0007] Furthermore vehicle routing and guidance systems are known
that include traffic guidance devices arranged at fixed locations
along a path of travel of the vehicle, by means of which
navigational information corresponding to the selected route is
transmitted from those traffic guidance devices that the vehicle
passes during its travel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved vehicle routing and guidance system that does not have the
above-described disadvantages.
[0009] These objects, and others which will be made more apparent
hereinafter, are attained in a vehicle routing and guidance system
comprising a vehicle-based navigation system that includes a
self-locating means for the vehicle and a superordinate server
system for making navigational information available to the
navigation system, whereby the navigation system communicates with
the superordinate server system at least temporarily by means of
transmitter and receiver devices.
[0010] According to the invention, the navigation system includes
an input device by which at least one destination is input thereto,
the server system includes means for determining a route for the
vehicle from the at least one destination and means for
transmitting the route determined from the at least one destination
piecewise to the navigation system.
[0011] The vehicle routing and guidance system according to the
invention has the advantage that it provides an efficient dynamic
guidance to a destination, which means that actual changes by means
of additional further transmissions of navigational information are
possible during travel of the vehicle over the route, by
determining the position of the vehicle by means of a comparatively
simple built-in vehicle-based navigational system, for example a
GPS, and by an exchange of comparatively little information for
route guidance with the server system communicating with the
navigational system. It is advantageously possible to provide the
required memory capacity needed for the route section prepared by
the server system in the memory of the vehicle-based navigation
system because the navigation system includes an input device by
which at least one destination is input thereto, the server system
includes means for determining a route for the vehicle from the at
least one destination and means for transmitting the route
determined from the at least one destination piecewise to the
navigation system. The term `piecewise transmission` means that
each route section is transmitted to the vehicle-based navigation
system only when the previous route section has been traversed. By
piecewise transmission of the entire route in route sections prior
to reaching the destination, changes can be considered in sections
or parts of the route over which the vehicle has not traveled
during its travel over the route and can be transmitted to the
navigation system. Thus dynamic navigational information of
significant events which are comparatively far removed from the
actual position of the vehicle can be made available to the
navigation system over the entire route, without adding memory
capacity in the vehicle-based navigation system and additional data
transmission capacity for communication between the navigation
system and the central server system. When an actual position of
the vehicle transmitted to the server system is just in the next
route section, the actual route section already prepared by the
central server is then transmitted to the navigation system of the
vehicle.
[0012] In another embodiment the vehicle routing and guidance
system according to the invention comprises a vehicle-based
navigation system located in a vehicle, a superordinate server
system for making navigational information available to the
navigation system including means for establishing a communications
link between the navigation system and the server system prior to
start of travel of the vehicle for transmission of a most updated
route for vehicle travel from a predetermined destination from the
server system to the navigation system and transmitter and receiver
means for at least temporarily establishing communication between
the server system and the navigation system. This embodiment
provides the advantage that the vehicle-based navigation system can
be loaded with an updated or actual route according to the
destination selected immediately prior to start. Since the
navigation system is connected with the server system prior to the
start of travel so that the updated route derived from the
predetermined destination by the server system is read into the
navigation system, it is advantageously possible to take into
account all traffic information since the beginning of travel in
preparing the travel route. The vehicle-based navigation system
needs no large memory capacity to set up routes to all eventually
possible destinations since only the actual route associated with
the particular actual destination is copied into the navigation
system and needs to be stored in it. Furthermore travel or traffic
information, for example, street blockages, current traffic
density, traffic predictions and the like, can be taken into
account in preparing the route in a timely manner up to the start
of travel. It is preferable when the navigation system is connected
with the server system by means of a telecommunications server, for
example a wired or wireless telecommunications network, for copying
of the route information.
[0013] In another preferred embodiment of the invention certain
selectable, for example repeatedly used routes, are stored in the
navigation system. The route corresponding to the actually selected
route is updated by the server system via the communications link
before travel starts. Thus dynamic navigational information is made
available in the vehicle results, which means taking updated
traffic information into consideration.
[0014] Additional advantageous embodiments of the invention result
from other features claimed in the appended dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0015] The objects, features and advantages of the invention will
now be illustrated in more detail with the aid of the following
description of the preferred embodiments, with reference to the
accompanying figures in which:
[0016] FIGS. 1a and 1b are, respectively, a simplified block
diagram of a central server for a vehicle routing and guidance
system according to the invention and a portion of a map showing a
starting point and destination used by the vehicle routing and
guidance system according to the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of a vehicle routing
and guidance system according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] A map 10 is shown schematically in FIG. 1b, with the aid of
which the vehicle routing and guidance system according to the
invention is explained in more detail. The present example is based
on an unshown motor vehicle traveling from a starting point A on
the map to a destination B. The driver of the vehicle enters the
destination B into his vehicle-based navigation system 53 at the
starting point A. The navigation system 53 sets up a wireless
communications link 14 with the central server 12 as shown in FIG.
1a. The communications link 14 can be made, for example, by
cellular telephone. The vehicle and also the central server have
receiver and transmitter devices 13.
[0019] The server system 12 conducts the information, namely the
aforementioned destination B, to a processor 17, which computes an
optimum route 16 for reaching the destination with the aid of a
detailed map of the entire area stored in the processor 17. This
route 16 is produced from the stored map 10 and additional actual
external traffic information 18, with which the central server is
continuously provided. The traffic information 18 can include, for
example, information regarding blocked streets, traffic congestion,
unfavorable weather conditions and the like.
[0020] The route 16 is transmitted to the vehicle piecewise by
means of the communications link 14 considering the traffic
information 18 and the map 10. The individual sections of the route
16 are transmitted to the vehicle according to a previously
established division of the map 10. The map 10 is divided into
certain region, of which here, for example, the region 20, region
22, region 24, region 26, region 28 and region 30 are named. The
division of the regions 20 to 30 and also other unshown region can
be according to geographic conditions, administrative organizations
(districts, municipalities, townships and so forth) or other freely
selectable criteria. The individual regions 20 to 30 border each
other at respective transmission points 32(For simplicity of
illustration only one transmission point 32 is shown in FIG. 1, but
they exist between all regions of the map 10). The division of the
regions with the aid of travel-specific border conditions is
advantageous. A partial route or route section can be, for example,
limited to one region on the highway during a long-distance journey
on the highway and cover a comparatively large distance. The route
covers all streets during a city trip and covers a comparatively
small distance.
[0021] The best route 16 for the vehicle is determined in the
central server 12, separately acquired and stored in the central
server according to the requirements of the vehicle that travels
from starting point A to destination B. For example, the route 16
passes through the regions 20, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30. First a first
section 34 of the route 16, which is associated with the section or
portion of the route 16 in the region 20, is copied to the
navigation system of the vehicle. A detailed digital map
exclusively for the region 20 is transmitted to the navigation
system of the vehicle. Since the navigation system of the vehicle
does not detect and store the entire detailed map 10, but only the
region 20, a correspondingly small memory capacity is provided in
the navigation system. Next the transmission point 32 between the
regions 20 and 22 is provided as an intermediate destination for
the navigation system of the vehicle. This means that the driver of
the vehicle obtains no information from this intermediate goal
regarding when he will arrive at the destination B. The autonomous
intermediate destination at the transmission point 32 between the
regions 20 and 22 is however the apparent destination for the
navigation system of the vehicle.
[0022] The navigation system of the vehicle can provide the driver
or operator with the required information in different ways, for
example by display of a suitable map on a display device, by a
digital speech synthesizer or other digital or analog devices for
guiding the vehicle.
[0023] The server system 12 detects an approach of the vehicle to
the transmission point 32 between the regions 20 and 22 by means of
the navigation system in the vehicle. The next section of the route
16, which, in the indicated example, is in region 22, is copied to
the navigation system of the vehicle by means of the receiver and
transmitter devices 13 when the vehicle reaches the transmission
point 32 or shortly prior to reaching the transmission point 32.
Since the region 20 has already been traversed, the navigational
information for it can be erased. Thus no additional memory
capacity is required.
[0024] When the portion of the route 16 in the region 22 is first
copied to the navigation system on reaching the transmission point
32, traffic information 18 generated since the start of the journey
from the starting point A can be processed by the processor 17 and
considered in set up the actual or updated route 16 to be traveled.
The internal route that is set up by the central server 12 can
change during the actual travel over the route 16 without the
driver's knowledge. The copying of the next section of the route on
reaching the next transmission point between the regions 22 and 24
occurs in an analogous manner, which means in this case copying the
section of the route in the region 24 from the central server 12 to
the navigation system of the vehicle. This process is continued
until the destination B is reached.
[0025] As a whole the vehicle routing and guidance system
advantageously divides the work required for navigation of the
vehicle between internal navigation system in the vehicle and the
central server 12. The powerful processor 17 of the central server
12 performs the comparatively difficult calculation of the route 16
and its continuous updating, even after the start of the journey
from the starting point A. Thus a dynamic guidance of the vehicle
is possible, since updated traffic information 18 is considered
during set up or change of the route 16. The autonomous navigation
system of the vehicle only needs to have a small memory capacity,
since the route is only stored piecewise with respect to regions 20
to 30. The navigation system only detects the autonomous
intermediate destinations at the transmission points, that are not
known to the operator, since they are subordinated to the reaching
of the final destination B.
[0026] A deviation of the vehicle from the predetermined route 16
is detected by the server system 12 by means of a self-location of
the vehicle, so that immediate influences can be immediately taken
into consideration for an eventual change of route 16 during
preparation of the navigational information. Either the information
that the original predetermined route 16 was abandoned is
transmitted to the operator of the vehicle or a new route 16 is
prepared internally, which means not known to the operator of the
vehicle and copied to the navigation system. Changes in the
subsequent regions 20 to 30 resulting from the changes of the route
16 are then considered internally by the server system 12, when the
sections of the route 16 passing through the respective regions 20
to 30 to be later traversed are transmitted on reaching the
respective transmission points.
[0027] An additional embodiment of the vehicle routing and guidance
system according to the invention is shown schematically in FIG. 2.
The same parts as in FIG. 1 are provided with the same reference
number in FIG. 1 and are not explained in further detail.
[0028] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 the autonomous
navigation system 35 of the vehicle is connected with the central
server 12 by a communications link 14 before the start of the trip.
The communications link 14 can be a line connection, such as a
telephone line, a broad band cable or similar connection, in this
case. Furthermore the radio link illustration in FIG. 1 to the
central server 12 can also occur. The navigation system 35 has an
interface 36, by which communication with the central sever 12 is
possible. The destination B is transmitted to the central server 12
by means of an input device 38. The optimum route 16 is determined
by the processor 17 of the central sever and transmitted to the
navigation system 35. The navigation system 35 has a memory unit
38, in which the navigational information transmitted according to
the route 16 can be stored. Since a loading of the route 16 in the
memory can occur shortly prior to the start of the trip or journey,
the updated traffic information 18 from the processor 17 can be
considered in planning the optimum route 16.
[0029] In practice either the memory 38 of the navigation system 35
is portable, for example in the form of a diskette or CD-ROM or
DVD, which is insertable in a suitable data processing unit for
storing the actual route 16 or the navigation system 35 is coupled
directly with the communications link 14 via the interface 36.
Since only the actual route 16 is stored in the memory 38, the
memory capacity can be reduced to a required minimum, since the
entire map 10 (FIG. 1) with all the eventual possible destinations
does not need to be stored in it.
[0030] If necessary the memory 38 can store several routes usually
used as standard routes by the vehicle. By connection to the
central server 12 shortly prior to the start of the trip an update
of the route 16 can take place, whereby the actual traffic
information currently available in the central server 12 is
considered in planing the route 16. Also the advantage that the
entire road network with all its destinations does not need to be
made available or stored in the navigation system 35 results.
[0031] A combination of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 for the
vehicle routing and guidance system is possible. Thus prior to the
start of the journey a route 16 corresponding to a selected
destination B can be loaded into the navigation system 35, by means
of an line-type communications link 14, for example by means of an
ISDN. The actual position of the vehicle is monitored by the
central server 12 by means of a self-location performed by the
vehicle during its travel over the route 16 from the starting point
A to the destination B. Only when changes in the route 16 in
individual regions 20 to 30 through which the route 16 passes occur
in the intervening time, which means after loading the route 16, an
appropriate data exchange and correction of the route 16 occurs in
the navigation system 35 by means of updated traffic information
18. The data exchange is kept to a minimum during travel because
the data exchange only concerns the eventually required changes in
the route 16.
[0032] The present invention is not limited to the above-described
embodiments. For example, it is also possible to input several
destinations, instead of a single destination B, with the help of
knowledge from a customer service representative, or with
commercial carriers, whereby the central server 12 determines an
optimum route 16 for travel to several destinations.
[0033] The disclosure in German Patent Application 197 37 256.2-32
of Aug. 27, 1997 is incorporated here by reference. This German
Patent Application, at least in part, describes the invention
described hereinabove and claimed in the claims appended
hereininbelow and provides the basis for a claim of priority for
the instant invention under 35 U.S.C. 119.
[0034] While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodied in a vehicle routing and guidance system, it is not
intended to be limited to the details shown, since various
modifications and changes may be made without departing in any way
from the spirit of the present invention.
[0035] Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal
the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying
current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications
without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art,
fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or
specific aspects of this invention.
[0036] What is claimed is new and is set forth in the following
appended claims.
* * * * *