U.S. patent application number 09/203410 was filed with the patent office on 2001-08-16 for vehicle navigation system with route updating feature.
Invention is credited to KEYES, STEVEN R., KING, JOSEPH D., LEARMAN, STEPHEN J..
Application Number | 20010014849 09/203410 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22753877 |
Filed Date | 2001-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010014849 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KING, JOSEPH D. ; et
al. |
August 16, 2001 |
VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM WITH ROUTE UPDATING FEATURE
Abstract
A vehicle navigation system includes an update module that
provides travel advisory information on a real time basis. The
update module receives traffic advisory signals such as intelligent
highway system signals, safety warning system signals and specially
encoded traffic reports from radio stations. The travel advisory
signals are utilized by the navigation system to provide a route
guidance strategy to a driver that is not limited by the
information from a prestored map database. While travelling, the
update module continues to provide information that is utilized to
generate an updated route as appropriate. Additionally, the vehicle
navigation system preferably includes the ability to generate a
beacon signal indicating that the vehicle is in a position or
condition that presents a potential traffic hazard to other
drivers. The beacon signal from the navigation system of this
invention is one example of the kind of travel advisory signal that
the inventive navigation system uses to generate an updated route
guidance strategy.
Inventors: |
KING, JOSEPH D.; (ANN ARBOR,
MI) ; LEARMAN, STEPHEN J.; (SALINE, MI) ;
KEYES, STEVEN R.; (BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
TIMOTHY J. HALLER
NIRO, SCAVONE, HALLER & NIRO
181 WEST MADISON STREET
SUITE 4600
CHICAGO
IL
60602
|
Family ID: |
22753877 |
Appl. No.: |
09/203410 |
Filed: |
December 2, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/29.1 ;
340/990; 342/454; 701/117 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G08G 1/22 20130101; G08G
1/096827 20130101; G01C 21/3492 20130101; G08G 1/096838 20130101;
G08G 1/096844 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/210 ;
701/117; 340/990; 342/454 |
International
Class: |
G01C 021/30 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A vehicle navigation system, comprising: an input module that
allows a vehicle operator to input a desired destination location;
a receiver supported on the vehicle that receives signals
indicative of a current position of the vehicle; a memory module
that contains a prestored map database that includes a plurality of
known location reference points; an update module that receives at
least one travel advisory signal indicative of a current traffic
situation that is not contained in the prestored map database; and
an electronic controller that communicates with the update module,
the input module, the receiver and the memory module and
automatically generates a route guidance strategy to guide the
operator from the current position to the desired location taking
the travel advisory signal into consideration.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the travel advisory signal
comprises at least one of the group consisting of a beacon signal
from another vehicle, a safety warning signal, an intelligent
highway signal, a collision avoidance signal and an encoded radio
signal indicating a traffic condition.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic controller
periodically communicates with the update module and wherein the
electronic controller generates an updated route guidance strategy
responsive to another travel advisory signal.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein the electronic controller
continuously communicates with the update module and generates
another route guidance strategy responsive to another travel
advisory signal.
5. The system of claim 3, further comprising a display that
provides a visible display indicating the route guidance strategy
and information representing the current situation corresponding to
the travel advisory signal.
6. The system of claim 5, further comprising a speaker that
provides an audible indication of selected portions of the route
guidance strategy and audible information representing the current
situation corresponding to the travel advisory signal.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising a transmitter
supported on the vehicle that transmits a beacon signal that serves
as a travel advisory signal indicating that the vehicle presents a
potential current traffic situation.
8. The system of claim 7, wherein the beacon signal includes
information indicative of the position of the vehicle relative to
the prestored map database.
9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a switch that is
selectively activated to activate the transmitter to generate the
beacon signal.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle includes hazard
lights and the switch is automatically activated when the vehicle
operator activates the hazard lights.
11. The system of claim 7, wherein the beacon signal includes
information indicative of a condition of the vehicle.
12. The system of claim 7, wherein the electronic controller
automatically determines that the vehicle presents a potential
current traffic situation and automatically activates the
transmitter to transmit the beacon signal.
13. A vehicle navigation system, comprising: a receiver that
receives signals generated remotely from the vehicle which are
indicative of a current position of the vehicle relative to
preestablished reference points; an electronic controller that
communicates with the receiver and determines the current position
of the vehicle; and a transmitter that selectively transmits a
beacon signal indicating that the vehicle is in a condition that
presents a potential traffic hazard for other vehicles at the
current position.
14. The system of claim 13, wherein the beacon signal includes
information indicative of the position of the vehicle relative to
the reference points.
15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a switch that is
manually activated to activate the transmitter to generate the
beacon signal.
16. The system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle includes hazard
lights and the switch is simultaneously activated when the vehicle
operator activates the hazard lights.
17. The system of claim 13, wherein the beacon signal includes
information indicative of a condition of the vehicle.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the electronic controller
automatically determines that the vehicle presents a potential
traffic hazard and automatically activates the transmitter to
transmit the beacon signal.
19. A method of operating a vehicle navigation system having a
receiver that receives signals indicative of a current position of
the vehicle relative to established reference points on a prestored
map database, comprising the steps of: (A) determining a current
position of the vehicle; (B) determining a desired destination
position for the vehicle; (C) determining a current traffic
situation that is not stored on the map database based upon a
received traffic advisory signal; and (D) determining a route
guidance strategy using the current position of the vehicle, the
desired destination from step (B), the map database; and the
current traffic situation from step (C).
20. The method of claim 19, wherein steps (C) and (D) are performed
repeatedly and the method includes determining an updated route
guidance strategy responsive to another current traffic situation
from step (C).
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention generally relates to vehicle navigation
systems and more particularly to a vehicle navigation system that
includes the ability to update a chosen route strategy given
current road or traffic conditions, for example.
[0002] Navigation systems are becoming increasingly popular on
passenger vehicles. Typical navigation systems utilize a
satellite-based global positioning system and a prestored map
database that includes a number of established reference points. A
variety of topologies and navigational algorithms are utilized to
provide a navigation solution or route strategy that guides a
vehicle operator to a chosen destination. The navigation system
determines a current position of the vehicle based upon signals
received from the satellite-based global positioning system. The
position information and the chosen destination are then utilized
to determine a route strategy to reach the desired destination
based upon the prestored map database.
[0003] Although navigation systems are becoming more popular and
have proven useful, they are not without limitations. One major
shortcoming is that prestored map databases become at least
partially obsolete very soon after they are distributed. The
primary factors that render a map database effectively obsolete
include road construction, weather conditions, accidents and
changes in the locations of roads or permissible travel patterns
along roads. An attempt at addressing these problems includes
providing periodic updates to map databases. These updates,
however, are prohibitively expensive and insufficient under many
circumstances because it is impossible to predict the location and
effect of weather conditions and traffic accidents, for
example.
[0004] One proposed enhancement has been to utilize cellular
communication networks to provide updated travel information. Such
systems still have drawbacks including expensive monthly fees for
cellular network access and overcrowded communications associated
with limited cellular communication resources.
[0005] This invention addresses the need for having a navigation
system that provides an optimum route strategy that takes into
account road conditions on a real time basis. This invention
provides greater flexibility and effectiveness for vehicle
navigation systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In general terms this invention is a vehicle navigation
system that includes route guidance updating features that are
useful on a real time basis.
[0007] A navigation system designed according to this invention
includes several basic components. An input device allows a driver
to input a desired destination or location. A receiver is supported
on the vehicle that receives signals that indicate a current
position of the vehicle. A memory module is supported on the
vehicle that contains a prestored map database that includes a
plurality of known location reference points. An update module
receives at least one travel advisory signal that indicates a
current traffic situation that is not accounted for in the
prestored database. An electronic controller supported on the
vehicle communicates with the input module, the receiver, the
memory module and the update module to generate a route guidance
strategy to guide the driver from a current position to the desired
destination. Additionally the electronic controller utilizes
further travel advisory signals and determine whether the current
traffic situation affects previously generated route guidance
strategy. Whenever appropriate, the electronic controller
automatically generates an updated route guidance strategy taking
into account the current traffic situation.
[0008] A navigation system designed according to this invention
preferably includes a transmitter supported on the vehicle that
transmits a beacon signal indicating that the vehicle is in a
condition or position that presents a potential traffic hazard for
other vehicles. The transmitter beacon signal preferably is
generated whenever the driver activates the hazard lights of the
vehicle. Alternatively, the beacon signal is automatically
generated by the system electronic controller when certain
preselected conditions are satisfied. The beacon signal from one
vehicle is one type of travel advisory signal that is received by
navigation systems designed according to this invention and placed
in other vehicles, which utilize that information to generate
updated route guidance strategies.
[0009] The various features and advantages of this invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The
drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly
described as follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 diagrammatically illustrates a vehicle navigation
system designed according to this invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates more details of a vehicle
navigation system designed according to this invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 diagrammatically illustrates preferred features
associated with the vehicle navigation system of this
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 20 having a navigation system 22
supported onboard the vehicle. An antenna 24 facilitates
communication between the navigation system 22 and a
satellite-based global positioning system diagrammatically
illustrated at 26. Importantly, this invention is not limited to
satellite-based global positioning systems, but also includes
without being limited to utilizing dead reckoning and map matching
technologies or some combination of location systems. Global
positioning, dead reckoning and map matching systems are known to
those skilled in the art.
[0014] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates more details of the vehicle
navigation system 22. A position receiver 30 receives signals from
the positioning system 26 located remotely from the vehicle 20. The
signals received by the receiver 30 provide an indication of a
current position of the vehicle. An electronic controller 32
processes the signals received by the receiver 30 and utilizes a
prestored map database from a memory module 34 to determine the
current location or position of the vehicle.
[0015] An operator interface 36 preferably includes a display
screen 38 (see FIG. 3) and a plurality of input switches 40 to
facilitate interaction between a vehicle operator or driver and the
navigation system 22. For example, the vehicle operator uses the
input switches 40 to indicate a desired destination location. The
controller 32 preferably is programmed to utilize the information
gathered through the receiver 30 and the map database stored in the
memory module 34 to generate a display on the screen 38 indicating,
for example, a map showing the determined route guidance strategy
to guide the vehicle operator from a current position to the
desired destination.
[0016] The system of this invention presents a substantial
improvement over prior navigation systems in that it includes an
update module 50. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the
update module includes a receiver portion 52 and a transceiver
portion 54. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of travel
advisory signals are received by the receiver 52 and/or the
transceiver 54. Example travel advisory signals include road
condition updates available through intelligent highway systems,
safety warning systems and specially encoded traffic reports from
radio stations, for example. The travel advisory signals preferably
provide indications of construction zones, traffic jams, accidents
or other road hazards (such as may be caused by weather
conditions). These types of signals are known to those skilled in
the art. Given this description, appropriate components to realize
the receiver 52 and transceiver 54 can be chosen from among
commercially available components and systems.
[0017] The travel advisory signals are utilized by the controller
32 to determine the route guidance strategy. Later, when the
vehicle is in route, the controller 32 communicates with the update
module 50 to determine whether the route guidance strategy that has
been presented to the driver should be updated. For example, when a
route guidance strategy includes travelling down a specific highway
and a travel advisory signal received by the receiver 52 indicates
that there is an accident on that highway, the controller 32 can
utilize that information and the prestored map database in the
memory module 34 to generate an updated, alternate route guidance
strategy.
[0018] In the preferred embodiment, the controller 32 preferably
periodically polls the update module 50 to determine whether any
travel advisory signals have been received that would warrant
updating the route guidance strategy provided to the driver. In the
preferred embodiment, the controller 32 automatically provides an
indication to the driver that a travel advisory signal has been
received and that an updated route guidance strategy should be
implemented.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows one example of the type of indication provided
by the controller 32. A light indicator 56 on the instrument panel
of the vehicle preferably is activated when the controller 32
determines that a travel advisory signal warrants updating the
route guidance strategy. Alternatively, the display 38 can be used
to generate messages to the driver indicating, not only that an
updated route guidance strategy is in order but also the type of
information gathered through the travel advisory signal, such as
the fact that an accident is ahead on the anticipated route.
[0020] The controller 32 is capable of automatically or
autonomously generating an updated route guidance strategy. The
driver preferably has the option of choosing to have an updated
strategy presented and to have secondary alternate strategies
generated in the event that the driver does not approve of the
updated strategy.
[0021] Since the update module 50 preferably is activated to
constantly receive travel advisory signals as they become
available, the controller 32 is able to update the route guidance
strategy on a real time basis. Therefore, a navigation system
designed according to this invention provides the substantial
advantage of having a prestored map database that is effectively
updated on a real time basis given current traffic conditions. In
one example, the controller 32 continuously monitors the travel
advisory signals received through the update module 50. In another
example, the travel advisory signals are monitored on a periodic
basis.
[0022] A navigation system designed according to this invention
preferably not only receives update travel advisory signals but
also provides a beacon signal that serves as one example of the
travel advisory signals discussed above. The transceiver 54
preferably is programmed to selectively generate a beacon signal
under certain conditions. A switching device 58 preferably is
provided that responds to the electronic controller 32 when the
antenna 24 should be used to transmit the beacon signal from the
transceiver 54.
[0023] The beacon signal is especially useful when a vehicle
operator realizes that the vehicle is in a position or condition
that presents a potential traffic hazard to other drivers. For
example, if the engine stalls at an intersection, the driver will
impede the flow of traffic through that intersection until the
engine has been enabled or the car is removed from the
intersection.
[0024] The system preferably includes a switch that is manually
activated by the driver to generate the beacon signal. FIG. 3
illustrates one example of such a switch 60. In this example, the
switch 60 is a hazard light switch to activate flashing hazard
lights 62 on the vehicle 20. Whenever the driver activates the
hazard lights by manipulating the switch 60, the transceiver 54
preferably responsively is activated to generate the beacon signal
to be transmitted from the antenna 24. The beacon signal preferably
provides an indication to other navigation systems on other
vehicles that the vehicle represents a potential traffic hazard at
the current location.
[0025] The beacon signal preferably provides location information
of the vehicle 20. In some embodiments, the beacon signal also
includes information regarding the nature of the vehicle condition,
such as an indication that the vehicle was involved in an accident
or the engine has stalled. The driver can utilize the input
switches 40 to cause an appropriate signal to be generated.
[0026] In another example, the beacon signal is sometimes generated
automatically without requiring manual switch operation. In one
embodiment, the controller 32 is programmed to recognize when the
vehicle 20 is not travelling as would be expected given the current
vehicle location. For example, when the controller 32 determines
that the vehicle is on an expressway where the speed limit is 55
miles per hour and the controller 32 also determines that the
vehicle is not moving, that serves as an indication that the
vehicle is not travelling as should be expected given the current
vehicle position. The controller 32 preferably is programmed to
monitor such conditions and determine when it is likely that a
traffic condition exists at the current vehicle location that
warrants generating a beacon signal indicating the situation to
alert other drivers having suitable vehicle navigation systems.
[0027] Another example where the beacon signal is automatically
generated is when an airbag within a vehicle has been deployed, the
controller 32 determines that the vehicle has been involved in an
accident and, accordingly, causes the beacon signal to be
generated. The controller 32 preferably is programmed to recognize
a variety of situations where a beacon signal would be useful and
causes the beacon signal to be generated accordingly.
[0028] Given this description, those skilled in the art will be
able to choose from commercially available components and to design
any specific circuitry or software that is necessary to accomplish
the results provided by this invention.
[0029] The description just given provides, through the example of
the currently preferred embodiments, example implementations of
this invention. Variations and modifications to the disclosed
embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do
not necessarily depart from the purview and spirit of this
invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention
can only be limited by the following claims.
* * * * *