U.S. patent application number 11/712562 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for method and device for providing preferences during route travel calculation on a navigation device.
Invention is credited to Sven Jurgens.
Application Number | 20080046176 11/712562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38335541 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080046176 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jurgens; Sven |
February 21, 2008 |
Method and device for providing preferences during route travel
calculation on a navigation device
Abstract
A method and device are disclosed for providing preferences
during route travel calculation on a navigation device. In one
embodiment, the method includes receiving a travel destination
input into a navigation device; and calculating a travel route to
the input travel destination, potential turns in one direction
incurring a relatively higher penalty during travel route
calculation than potential turns in an opposite direction. In
another embodiment, the method includes receiving a travel
destination input to a navigation device; and calculating a travel
route to the received travel destination, the travel route
calculation including a relative preference of potential turns in
one direction over potential turns in an opposite direction.
Inventors: |
Jurgens; Sven; (Paris,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Jacob Eisenberg c/o TomTom
Rembrandplein 35
Amsterdam
1017 CT
NL
|
Family ID: |
38335541 |
Appl. No.: |
11/712562 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
701/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/325 20130101;
H04L 63/12 20130101; G01C 21/3697 20130101; G06Q 20/102 20130101;
G01C 21/367 20130101; G09B 29/102 20130101; G06Q 30/0601
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
701/210 ;
701/211 |
International
Class: |
G01C 21/36 20060101
G01C021/36 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 8, 2006 |
GB |
0604709.6 |
Mar 8, 2006 |
GB |
0604708.8 |
Mar 8, 2006 |
GB |
0604710.4 |
Mar 8, 2006 |
GB |
0604704.7 |
Mar 8, 2006 |
GB |
0604706.2 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving a travel destination input into
a navigation device; and calculating a travel route to the input
travel destination, potential turns in one direction incurring a
relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation than
potential turns in an opposite direction.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein, in a country where a vehicle
normally drives on the right side of the road, potential left turns
incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation
than potential right turns.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in a country where a vehicle
normally drives on the left side of the road, potential right turns
incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation
than potential left turns.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising outputting the
calculated travel route via the navigation device.
5. The method of claim 5, wherein the output includes a visual
display of the calculated travel route.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein potential U-turns incur a
relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation, relative
to turns in one direction and potential turns in an opposite
direction.
7. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when
executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the
navigation device to implement the method of claim 1.
8. A navigation device, comprising: means for inputting a travel
destination into a navigation device; and means for calculating a
travel route to the input travel destination, potential turns in
one direction incurring a relatively higher penalty during travel
route calculation than potential turns in an opposite
direction.
9. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein, in a country where a
vehicle normally drives on the right side of the road, potential
left turns incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route
calculation than potential right turns.
10. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein, in a country where a
vehicle normally drives on the left side of the road, potential
right turns incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route
calculation than potential left turns.
11. The navigation device of claim 8, further comprising means for
outputting the calculated travel route.
12. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein the output includes a
visual display of the calculated travel route.
13. The navigation device of claim 12, wherein the means for
inputting and the means for outputting include an integrated input
and display device.
14. The navigation device of claim 8, wherein potential U-turns
incur a relatively higher penalty during route calculation,
relative to potential turns in one direction and potential turns in
an opposite direction.
15. A navigation device, comprising: an integrated input and
display device to prompt input of a travel destination; and a
processor to calculate a travel route to the input travel
destination, potential turns in one direction incurring a
relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation than
potential turns in an opposite direction.
16. The navigation device of claim 15, wherein, in a country where
a vehicle normally drives on the right side of the road, potential
left turns incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route
calculation than potential right turns.
17. The navigation device of claim 15, wherein, in a country where
a vehicle normally drives on the left side of the road, potential
right turns incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route
calculation than potential left turns.
18. The navigation device of claim 15, wherein the integrated input
and display device is further used to visually display the
calculated travel route.
19. The navigation device of claim 15, wherein potential U-turns
incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation,
relative to potential turns in one direction and potential turns in
an opposite direction.
20. A method, comprising: receiving a travel destination input to a
navigation device; and calculating a travel route to the received
travel destination, the travel route calculation including a
relative preference of potential turns in one direction over
potential turns in an opposite direction.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein, in a country where a vehicle
normally drives on the right side of the road, a relative
preference is given to potential right turns over potential left
turns.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein, in a country where a vehicle
normally drives on the left side of the road, a relative preference
is given to potential left turns over potential right turns.
23. The method of claim 20, further comprising outputting the
calculated travel route via the navigation device.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the output includes a visual
display of the calculated travel route.
25. The method of claim 20, wherein the travel route calculation
includes a relative preference of both potential turns in one
direction and potential turns in an opposite direction, over
potential U-turns.
26. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when
executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the
navigation device to implement the method of claim 20.
27. A navigation device, comprising: means for inputting a travel
destination into a navigation device; and means for calculating a
travel route to the received travel destination, the travel route
calculation including a relative preference of potential turns in
one direction over potential turns in an opposite direction.
28. The navigation device of claim 27, wherein, in a country where
a vehicle normally drives on the right side of the road, a relative
preference is given to potential right turns over potential left
turns.
29. The navigation device of claim 27, wherein, in a country where
a vehicle normally drives on the left side of the road, a relative
preference is given to potential left turns over potential right
turns.
30. The navigation device of claim 27, further comprising means for
outputting the calculated travel route.
31. The navigation device of claim 30, wherein the output includes
a visual display of the calculated travel route.
32. The navigation device of claim 31, wherein the means for
inputting and the means for outputting include an integrated input
and display device.
33. The navigation device of claim 27, wherein the travel route
calculation includes a relative preference of both potential turns
in one direction and potential turns in an opposite direction, over
potential U-turns.
34. A navigation device, comprising: an integrated input and
display device to prompt input of a travel destination; and a
processor to calculate a travel route to the received travel
destination, the travel route calculation including a relative
preference of potential turns in one direction over potential turns
in an opposite direction.
35. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein, in a country where
a vehicle normally drives on the right side of the road, a relative
preference is given to potential right turns over potential left
turns.
36. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein, in a country where
a vehicle normally drives on the left side of the road, a relative
preference is given to potential left turns over potential right
turns.
37. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein the integrated input
and display device is further used to visually display the
calculated travel route.
38. The navigation device of claim 34, wherein the travel route
calculation includes a relative preference of both potential turns
in one direction and potential turns in an opposite direction, over
potential U-turns.
Description
CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS
[0001] The following applications are being filed concurrently with
the present applications. The entire contents of each of the
following applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference:
A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR STORING AND UTILIZING A LAST
DOCKED LOCATION (Attorney docket number 06P057US16) filed on even
date herewith; A METHOD AND DEVICE FOR UTILIZING A SELECTABLE
LOCATION MARKER FOR RELATIONAL DISPLAY OF POINT OF INTEREST ENTRIES
(Attorney docket number 06P057US15) filed on even date herewith; A
METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MAP SWITCHING (Attorney docket number
06P057US14) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE AND
METHOD FOR CONVEYING INFORMATION RELATIONSHIPS (Attorney docket
number 06P057US20) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION DEVICE
AND METHOD OF UPDATING INFORMATION ON A NAVIGATION DEVICE (Attorney
docket number 06P057US18) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE, SERVER, AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING THEREBETWEEN (Attorney
docket number 06P057US17) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD OF ACTIVATING INFORMATION ON A NAVIGATION DEVICE
(Attorney docket number 06P057US12) filed on even date herewith;
AUTOMATIC DISCOVERY OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SETTINGS (Attorney
docket number 06P057US04) filed on even date herewith; A NAVIGATION
DEVICE AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING AUDIO FEATURES IN A NAVIGATION
DEVICE (Attorney docket number 06P057US21) filed on even date
herewith; METHODS OF CUSTOMIZING NAVIGATION SYSTEMS (Attorney
docket number 06P057US03) filed on even date herewith; and A
NAVIGATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEQUENTIAL MAP DISPLAY (Attorney
docket number 06P057US22) filed on even date herewith.
PRIORITY STATEMENT
[0002] The present application hereby claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119 on each of Great Britain Patent Application
numbers 0604709.6 filed Mar. 8, 2006; 0604708.8 filed Mar. 8, 2006;
0604710.4 filed Mar. 8, 2006; 0604704.7 filed Mar. 8, 2006; and
0604706.2 filed Mar. 8, 2006, the entire contents of each of which
is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0003] The present application generally relates to navigation
methods and devices.
BACKGROUND
[0004] Navigation systems are known to calculate travel routes
based upon receiving an input travel destination, and calculating a
current location of the navigation device by receiving Global
Positioning System (GPS) signals and triangulating the position. A
basic route from the GPS position of the navigation device to an
input travel destination can be calculated.
[0005] Alternatively, other routes can be calculated using only
highways, avoiding detours around one or more portions of a
thoroughfare, utilizing traffic information when performing a
travel route calculation, etc. Essentially, known navigation
systems go through a route cost analysis as discussed in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,120,539, for example, the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated herein by reference. A route cost analysis can be done
based upon a number of factors.
[0006] Known navigation systems are constantly trying to refine
their route processing algorithm, and specifically, the route cost
analysis portion of their algorithm. As the route cost analysis
improves, the route processing algorithm can improve, and in
effect, can better provide a travel route to the user of the
navigation device which is closer to an optimum travel route.
SUMMARY
[0007] In at least one embodiment, the present application is
directed to providing improvements to a route cost analysis aspect
of a route processing algorithm in a navigation device. This can be
done, for example, by providing preferences during route
calculation.
[0008] In at least one embodiment of the present application, a
method includes receiving a travel destination input into a
navigation device and calculating a travel route to the input
destination, potential turns in one direction incurring a
relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation than
potential turns in an opposite direction. For example, in a country
where a vehicle normally drives on the right side of the road,
potential left turns incur a relatively higher penalty during
travel route calculation than potential right turns.
[0009] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a navigation device includes an integrated input and display device
to prompt input of a travel destination, and a processor to
calculate a travel route to the input travel destination, potential
turns in one direction incurring relatively higher penalty during
travel route during travel route calculation than potential turns
in an opposite direction.
[0010] In at least one other embodiment of the present application,
a method includes receiving a travel destination input into a
navigation device, and calculating a travel route to the received
travel destination, the travel route calculation including a
relative preference of potential turns in one direction over
potential turns in an opposite direction. For example, in a country
where a vehicle normally drives on the right side of the road, a
relative preference is given to potential right turns over
potential left turns.
[0011] In at least one other embodiment, a navigation device
includes an integrated input and display device to prompt input of
a travel destination, and a processor to calculate a travel route
to the input travel destination, the travel route calculation
including a relative preference of potential turns in one direction
over potential turns in an opposite direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present application will be described in more detail
below by using example embodiments, which will be explained with
the aid of the drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning
System (GPS);
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic
components of a navigation device of an embodiment of the present
application; and
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server,
navigation device and connection therebetween of an embodiment of
the present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of
the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a",
"an", and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well,
unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further
understood that the terms "includes" and/or "including", when used
in this specification, specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or
groups thereof.
[0017] In describing example embodiments illustrated in the
drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity.
However, the disclosure of this patent specification is not
intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and
it is to be understood that each specific element includes all
technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner.
[0018] Referencing the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several
views, example embodiments of the present patent application are
hereafter described. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all
combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an example view of Global Positioning
System (GPS), usable by navigation devices, including the
navigation device of embodiments of the present application. Such
systems are known and are used for a variety of purposes. In
general, GPS is a satellite-radio based navigation system capable
of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and in some
instances direction information for an unlimited number of
users.
[0020] Formerly known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality
of satellites which work with the earth in extremely precise
orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay
their location to any number of receiving units.
[0021] The GPS system is implemented when a device, specially
equipped to receive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for
GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS
satellite, the device determines the precise location of that
satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods.
The device will continue scanning, in most instances, for signals
until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals
(noting that position is not normally, but can be determined, with
only two signals using other triangulation techniques).
Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes the
three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position
relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner.
Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the
receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the
same geometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and
velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by
an unlimited number of users.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the GPS system is denoted generally by
reference numeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit
about the earth 124. The orbit of each satellite 120 is not
necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites 120
and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. A GPS receiver 140, usable in
embodiments of navigation devices of the present application, is
shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the
various satellites 120.
[0023] The spread spectrum signals 160, continuously transmitted
from each satellite 120, utilize a highly accurate frequency
standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each
satellite 120, as part of its data signal transmission 160,
transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite
120. It is appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that
the GPS receiver device 140 generally acquires spread spectrum GPS
satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the
GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position
by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal, resulting in
signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permits the GPS
receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in
a known manner.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic
components of a navigation device 200 of an embodiment of the
present application, in block component format. It should be noted
that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 is not
inclusive of all components of the navigation device, but is only
representative of many example components.
[0025] The navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not
shown). The housing includes a processor 210 connected to an input
device 220 and a display screen 240. The input device 220 can
include a keyboard device, voice input device, and/or any other
known input device utilized to input information; and the display
screen 240 can include any type of display screen such as an LCD
display, for example. In at least one embodiment of the present
application, the input device 220 and display screen 240 are
integrated into an integrated input and display device, including a
touchpad or touchscreen input wherein a user need only touch a
portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality of
display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual
buttons.
[0026] In addition, other types of output devices 250 can also
include, including but not limited to, an audible output device. As
output device 250 can produce audible information to a user of the
navigation device 200, it is equally understood that input device
240 can also include a microphone and software for receiving input
voice commands as well.
[0027] In the navigation device 200, processor 210 is operatively
connected to and set to receive input information from input device
240 via a connection 225, and operatively connected to at least one
of display screen 240 and output device 250, via output connections
245, to output information thereto. Further, the processor 210 is
operatively connected to memory 230 via connection 235 and is
further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output
(I/O) ports 270 via connection 275, wherein the I/O port 270 is
connectable to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device
200. The external I/O device 270 may include, but is not limited to
an external listening device such as an earpiece for example. The
connection to I/O device 280 can further be a wired or wireless
connection to any other external device such as a car stereo unit
for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation for
example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for
connection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phone
connection may be used to establish a data connection between the
navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for
example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the
internet or some other network for example.
[0028] The navigation device 200, in at least one embodiment, may
establish a "mobile" network connection with the server 302 via a
mobile device 400 (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device
with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection
(such as a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology for
example). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the
mobile device 400 can establish a network connection (through the
internet for example) with a server 302. As such, a "mobile"
network connection is established between the navigation device 200
(which can be, and often times is mobile as it travels alone and/or
in a vehicle) and the server 302 to provide a "real-time" or at
least very "up to date" gateway for information.
[0029] The establishing of the network connection between the
mobile device 400 (via a service provider) and another device such
as the server 302, using the internet 410 for example, can be done
in a known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol
for example. The mobile device 400 can utilize any number of
communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc.
[0030] As such, an internet connection may be utilized which is
achieved via data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone
technology within the navigation device 200 for example. For this
connection, an internet connection between the server 302 and the
navigation device 200 is established. This can be done, for
example, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS
(General Packet Radio Service)-connection (GPRS connection is a
high-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom
operators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet.
[0031] The navigation device 200 can further complete a data
connection with the mobile device 400, and eventually with the
internet 410 and server 302, via existing Bluetooth technology for
example, in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize
any number of standards, such as the GSRM, the Data Protocol
Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
[0032] The navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone
technology within the navigation device 200 itself (including an
antenna for example, wherein the internal antenna of the navigation
device 200 can further alternatively be used). The mobile phone
technology within the navigation device 200 can include internal
components as specified above, and/or can include an insertable
card, complete with necessary mobile phone technology and/or an
antenna for example. As such, mobile phone technology within the
navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection
between the navigation device 200 and the server 302, via the
internet 410 for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile
device 400.
[0033] For GRPS phone settings, the Bluetooth enabled device may be
used to correctly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile
phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific
settings may be stored on the navigation device 200 for example.
The data stored for this information can be updated in a manner
discussed in any of the embodiments, previous and subsequent.
[0034] FIG. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between
the processor 210 and an antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255,
wherein the antenna/receiver 250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for
example. It will be understood that the antenna and receiver
designated by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for
illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately
located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna
or helical antenna for example.
[0035] Further, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in
the art that the electronic components shown in FIG. 2 are powered
by power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, different
configurations of the components shown in FIG. 2 are considered
within the scope of the present application. For example, in one
embodiment, the components shown in FIG. 2 may be in communication
with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the
like. Thus, the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present
application includes a portable or handheld navigation device
200.
[0036] In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 200
of FIG. 2 can be connected or "docked" in a known manner to a
motorized vehicle such as a car or boat for example. Such a
navigation device 200 is then removable from the docked location
for portable or handheld navigation use.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server 302
and a navigation device 200 of the present application, via a
generic communications channel 318, of an embodiment of the present
application. The server 302 and a navigation device 200 of the
present application can communicate when a connection via
communications channel 318 is established between the server 302
and the navigation device 200 (noting that such a connection can be
a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection via
personal computer via the internet, etc.).
[0038] The server 302 includes, in addition to other components
which may not be illustrated, a processor 304 operatively connected
to a memory 306 and further operatively connected, via a wired or
wireless connection 314, to a mass data storage device 312. The
processor 304 is further operatively connected to transmitter 308
and receiver 310, to transmit and send information to and from
navigation device 200 via communications channel 318. The signals
sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other
propagated signals. The transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be
selected or designed according to the communications requirement
and communication technology used in the communication design for
the navigation system 200. Further, it should be noted that the
functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into
a signal transceiver.
[0039] Server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass
storage device 312, noting that the mass storage device 312 may be
coupled to the server 302 via communication link 314. The mass
storage device 312 contains a store of navigation data and map
information, and can again be a separate device from the server 302
or can be incorporated into the server 302.
[0040] The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the
server 302 through communications channel 318, and includes
processor, memory, etc. as previously described with regard to FIG.
2, as well as transmitter 320 and receiver 322 to send and receive
signals and/or data through the communications channel 318, noting
that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices
other than server 302. Further, the transmitter 320 and receiver
322 are selected or designed according to communication
requirements and communication technology used in the communication
design for the navigation device 200 and the functions of the
transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a single
transceiver.
[0041] Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions
for the processor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services
to the navigation device 200. One service provided by the server
302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and
transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the
navigation device 200. According to at least one embodiment of the
present application, another service provided by the server 302
includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms
for a desired application and sending the results of these
calculations to the navigation device 200.
[0042] The communication channel 318 generically represents the
propagating medium or path that connects the navigation device 200
and the server 302. According to at least one embodiment of the
present application, both the server 302 and navigation device 200
include a transmitter for transmitting data through the
communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has
been transmitted through the communication channel.
[0043] The communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular
communication technology. Additionally, the communication channel
318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is,
the channel 318 may include several communication links that use a
variety of technology. For example, according to at least one
embodiment, the communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide
a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic
communications, etc. As such, the communication channel 318
includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the
following: electric circuits, electrical conductors such as wires
and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio-frequency
(rf) waves, the atmosphere, empty space, etc. Furthermore,
according to at least one various embodiment, the communication
channel 318 can include intermediate devices such as routers,
repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.
[0044] In at least one embodiment of the present application, for
example, the communication channel 318 includes telephone and
computer networks. Furthermore, in at least one embodiment, the
communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless
communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency,
infrared communication, etc. Additionally, according to at least
one embodiment, the communication channel 318 can accommodate
satellite communication.
[0045] The communication signals transmitted through the
communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals
as may be required or desired for given communication technology.
For example, the signals may be adapted to be used in cellular
communication technology such as Time Division Multiple Access
(TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSM), etc. Both digital and analogue signals can be transmitted
through the communication channel 318. According to at least one
embodiment, these signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or
compressed signals as may be desirable for the communication
technology.
[0046] The mass data storage 312 includes sufficient memory for the
desired navigation applications. Examples of the mass data storage
312 may include magnetic data storage media such as hard drives for
example, optical storage media such as CD-Roms for example, charged
data storage media such as flash memory for example, molecular
memory, etc.
[0047] According to at least one embodiment of the present
application, the server 302 includes a remote server accessible by
the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel. According to at
least one other embodiment of the application, the server 302 may
include a network server located on a local area network (LAN),
wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.
[0048] According to at least one embodiment of the present
application, the server 302 may include a personal computer such as
a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may
be a cable connected between the personal computer and the
navigation device 200. Alternatively, a personal computer may be
connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to
establish an internet connection between the server 302 and the
navigation device 200. Alternatively, a mobile telephone or other
handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the
internet, for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server
302 via the internet.
[0049] The navigation device 200 may be provided with information
from the server 302 via information downloads which may be
periodically updated upon a user connecting navigation device 200
to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant
or frequent connection being made between the server 302 and
navigation device 200 via a wireless mobile connection device and
data connection for example. For many dynamic calculations, the
processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the bulk of
the processing needs, however, processor 210 of navigation device
200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes
independent of a connection to a server 302.
[0050] The mass storage device 312 connected to the server 302 can
include volumes more cartographic and route data than that which is
able to be maintained on the navigation device 200 itself,
including maps, etc. The server 302 may process, for example, the
majority of the devices of a navigation device 200 which travel
along the route using a set of processing algorithms. Further, the
cartographic and route data stored in memory 312 can operate on
signals (e.g. GPS signals), originally received by the navigation
device 200.
[0051] In an embodiment of the present application, a method
includes receiving the travel destination input into a navigation
device 200 and calculating a travel route to the input travel
destination. During travel route calculations, potential turns in
one direction incur a relatively higher penalty than potential
turns in an opposite direction. For example, in a country where a
vehicle normally drives on the right side of the road (such as the
United States, mainland Europe, etc.), potential left turns incur a
relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation than
potential right turns. Further, it should be understood that in a
country where a vehicle normally drives on the left side of the
road (such as the United Kingdom, Japan, etc.), potential right
turns will incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route
calculation than potential left turns.
[0052] After receiving a travel destination input into a navigation
device 200, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 is then
able to calculate a travel route to the input travel destination
based on algorithmic data stored in memory 230 and using map
information from the memory 230. The processor 210 determines an
initial current location of the navigation device 200, via GPS data
received via antenna/receiver 250 from Global Positioning
Satellites. This occurs in a known manner. Using the detected GPS
position of the navigation device 200 as an initial position from
which the route is to begin, and using the input travel
destination, the processor 210 can then calculate a travel route,
in conjunction with map information and algorithmic information
stored in memory 230.
[0053] During the aforementioned travel route calculation, many
factors can be taken into account as there are many alternative
roads which can be taken to go from the initial GPS current
location of the navigation device 200 to the input travel
destination. During this calculation, the processor 210 performs a
route cost analysis using algorithmic data stored in memory 230,
and using particular alternative routes stored in the mapping
information of memory 230. This general aspect of performing a
route cost analysis in general route calculation is known to those
of ordinary skill and will not be explained in detail for the sake
of brevity.
[0054] During the route cost analysis, certain types of routes may
be preferenced (assigned a relative preferential value, a
relatively higher weight, for example) over other types of routes.
For example, highway and interstates may be preferenced over small
streets and travel through a city, for example, as taking a highway
is often quicker and thus preferred over traveling through a city.
By way of example, the preference level data used in the route cost
analysis of the travel calculation can include a relatively high, a
relatively medium, or a relatively low preference level (a
relatively high, medium or low weight for use in a route cost
analysis algorithm, for example) which can be operated upon during
a route cost analysis. It should be appreciated that the present
application is not limited to three levels of preference, as such
is merely set forth as an example.
[0055] In connection with at least one embodiment of the present
application, the route cost analysis of the travel route
calculation may include a calculation wherein potential turns in
one direction incur relatively higher penalties during travel route
calculation than potential turns in an opposite direction. For
example, in a country where a vehicle normally drives on the right
side of the road (such as the United States, mainland Europe,
etc.), potential left turns incur a relatively higher penalty
during travel route calculation than potential right turns.
Further, it should be understood that in a country where a vehicle
normally drives on the left side of the road (such as the United
Kingdom, Japan, etc.), potential right turns will incur a
relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation than
potential left turns.
[0056] Thus, while a route cost analysis algorithm, used when
calculating a travel route typically prefers highways over city
streets and may prefer to avoid all turns for example, the
inventors of the present application have discovered that by taking
into account a relatively higher penalty for potential turns in one
direction as compared to potential turns in an opposite direction
(weighting potential left turns differently than potential right
turns in a route cost analysis when calculating a travel route in a
country where a vehicle normally drives on the right side of the
road, such as the United States, mainland Europe, etc.), a
potentially faster travel route can be calculated. Further, in at
least one embodiment, in such a route cost analysis, any potential
U-turns can incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route
calculation, than both potential left turns and potential right
turns.
[0057] For example, on most roads in a country where a vehicle
normally drives on the right side of the road, such as the United
States for example, drivers are generally allowed to turn right on
a red light. Further, making a turn right is generally quicker than
turning left in these countries. This means that the penalty taken
into account during route cost analysis by processor 210, can be
slightly relatively higher for that of a left turn and slightly
relatively reduced for that of a right turn (at least relative to a
potential left turn). Therefore, the right turn penalty can be
slightly less than a left turn penalty. For example, the right turn
penalty may be 20 seconds in the route cost analysis, as compared
to 25 seconds for the left turn penalty.
[0058] Again, these are merely example penalties, and the
embodiments of the present application should not be limited as
such. Further, turn penalties can be the same in calculations for
all roads. In addition, it should be understood that in a country
where a vehicle normally drives on the left side of the road (such
as the United Kingdom, Japan, etc.), potential right turns will
incur a relatively higher penalty during travel route calculation
than potential left turns.
[0059] Similarly, as potential U-turns can further slow down travel
on a route, a U-turn penalty can be substantially higher during
travel route calculation relative to both potential right turns and
left turns. For example, the U-turn penalty can be 2 minutes or
above, so as to potentially avoid U-turns, whenever possible. It
should be noted that the aforementioned time penalties can be
varied, noting that it is the relative nature of the time penalties
that is important in the travel route calculation. Again, these are
merely example penalties, and the embodiments of the present
application should not be limited as such.
[0060] In at least one other embodiment, a navigation device 200
includes an integrated input and display device (not shown),
integrating both the input device 220 and the display screen 240
for example. The integrated input and display device is able to
prompt input of a travel destination. Thereafter, a processor 210
is included for calculating a travel route to the input travel
destination. During travel route calculation, potential turns in
one direction incur a relatively higher penalty than potential
turns in an opposite direction.
[0061] In a further alternative embodiment of the present
application, a method can include receiving a travel destination
input into a navigation device 200, and calculating a travel route
to the received travel destination. In this embodiment, the travel
route calculation includes a relative preference of potential turns
in one direction over potential turns in another direction. For
example, in a country where a vehicle normally drives on the right
side of the road, a relative preference is given to potential right
turns over potential left turns.
[0062] Thus, during a route cost analysis to a travel destination,
the processor 210 can prefer to include a right turn over a left
turn (in a country where a vehicle normally drives on the right
side of the road, such as the United States for example), as
drivers are generally allowed to turn right on red lights in
countries where a vehicle normally drives on the right side of the
road, including the United States. As such, a relative preference
can be given to potential right turns over potential left turns.
Again, similar to that set forth above, it should be understood
that in a country where a vehicle normally drives on the left side
of the road (such as the United Kingdom, Japan, etc.), potential
left turns can be given preference over potential right turns
during travel route calculation. In a further aspect of this
embodiment, the travel route calculation can include a preference
of both potential right turns and potential left turns over
potential U-turns.
[0063] In an alternative embodiment of the present application, a
navigation device 200 can include an integrated input and display
device, integrating input 220 and display screen 240 of the present
application for example. The device can further include a processor
210 to calculate a travel route to the received destination. The
travel route calculation can include a relative preference of turns
in one direction over turns in an opposite direction.
[0064] In each of the aforementioned embodiments of the present
application, additional penalties and/or preferences can be taken
into consideration during a route cost analysis of a travel route
calculation, in addition to those described above. Thus, it should
be understood that the aforementioned penalties and/or preferences
should not be considered as the only penalties and/or preferences
taken into consideration during a route cost analysis of a travel
route calculation. In addition, any of the aforementioned methods
can include outputting the calculated travel route via the
navigation device 200, and further can include outputting a visual
display of the calculated travel route. The navigation device 200
of embodiments of the present application can include an integrated
input and display device to visually display the calculated
route.
[0065] The methods of at least one embodiment expressed above may
be implemented as a computer data signal embodied in the carrier
wave or propagated signal that represents a sequence of
instructions which, when executed by a processor (such as processor
304 of server 302, and/or processor 210 of navigation device 200
for example) causes the processor to perform a respective method.
In at least one other embodiment, at least one method provided
above may be implemented above as a set of instructions contained
on a computer readable or computer accessible medium, such as one
of the memory devices previously described, for example, to perform
the respective method when executed by a processor or other
computer device. In varying embodiments, the medium may be a
magnetic medium, electronic medium, optical medium, etc.
[0066] Even further, any of the aforementioned methods may be
embodied in the form of a program. The program may be stored on a
computer readable media and is adapted to perform any one of the
aforementioned methods when run on a computer device (a device
including a processor). Thus, the storage medium or computer
readable medium, is adapted to store information and is adapted to
interact with a data processing facility or computer device to
perform the method of any of the above mentioned embodiments.
[0067] The storage medium may be a built-in medium installed inside
a computer device main body or a removable medium arranged so that
it can be separated from the computer device main body. Examples of
the built-in medium include, but are not limited to, rewriteable
non-volatile memories, such as ROMs and flash memories, and hard
disks. Examples of the removable medium include, but are not
limited to, optical storage media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs;
magneto-optical storage media, such as MOs; magnetism storage
media, including but not limited to floppy disks (trademark),
cassette tapes, and removable hard disks; media with a built-in
rewriteable non-volatile memory, including but not limited to
memory cards; and media with a built-in ROM, including but not
limited to ROM cassettes; etc. Furthermore, various information
regarding stored images, for example, property information, may be
stored in any other form, or it may be provided in other ways.
[0068] As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon
reading the disclosure, the electronic components of the navigation
device 200 and/or the components of the server 302 can be embodied
as computer hardware circuitry or as a computer readable program,
or as a combination of both.
[0069] The system and method of embodiments of the present
application include software operative on the processor to perform
at least one of the methods according to the teachings of the
present application. One of ordinary skill in the art will
understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, the
manner in which a software program can be launched from a computer
readable medium in a computer based system to execute the functions
found in the software program. One of ordinary skill in the art
will further understand the various programming languages which may
be employed to create a software program designed to implement and
perform at least one of the methods of the present application.
[0070] The programs can be structured in an object-orientation
using an object-oriented language including but not limited to
JAVA, Smalltalk, C++, etc., and the programs can be structured in a
procedural-orientation using a procedural language including but
not limited to COBAL, C, etc. The software components can
communicate in any number of ways that are well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art, including but not limited to by
application of program interfaces (API), interprocess communication
techniques, including but not limited to report procedure call
(RPC), common object request broker architecture (CORBA), Component
Object Model (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM),
Distributed System Object Model (DSOM), and Remote Method
Invocation (RMI). However, as will be appreciated by one of
ordinary skill in the art upon reading the present application
disclosure, the teachings of the present application are not
limited to a particular programming language or environment.
[0071] The above systems, devices, and methods have been described
by way of example and not by way of limitation with respect to
improving accuracy, processor speed, and ease of user interaction,
etc. with a navigation device 200.
[0072] Further, elements and/or features of different example
embodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for
each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended
claims.
[0073] Still further, any one of the above-described and other
example features of the present invention may be embodied in the
form of an apparatus, method, system, computer program and computer
program product. For example, of the aforementioned methods may be
embodied in the form of a system or device, including, but not
limited to, any of the structure for performing the methodology
illustrated in the drawings.
[0074] Example embodiments being thus described, it will be obvious
that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not
to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the
present invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious
to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the
scope of the following claims.
* * * * *