Turn-by-turn navigation system and next direction guidance method using the same

• US 20050027444A1
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Kim, Hee Jeong
• Granted Patent: US 7,844,394 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers

Abstract

A turn-by-turn navigation system includes a positioning module receiving position information and updating real time road information on a road where a car is currently located, a map database storing map information required for driving the car, a route planning/route guidance module receiving the real time road information and the map information and generating current guidance information and next guidance information, a turn-by-turn graphic user interface module receiving the current and next guidance information and generating current and next guidance images, and an image display unit displaying the current and next guidance images.

Claims

1. A turn-by-turn navigation system comprising:

a positioning module receiving position information and updating real time road information on a road where a car is currently located;

a map database storing map information required for driving the car;

a route planning/route guidance module receiving the real time road information and the map information and generating current guidance information and next guidance information;

a turn-by-turn graphic user interface module receiving the current and next guidance information and generating current and next guidance images; and

an image display unit displaying the current and next guidance images.

2. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the positioning module receives the position information from a global positioning system.

3. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 1, wherein, when the current and next guidance images are displayed on the image display unit, the next guidance image is smaller than the current guidance image.

4. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit further displays a remained distance to a point where a direction change according to the current guidance image should be realized.

5. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit further displays an extent of urgency for coping with a direction change according to the next guidance image after a direction change according to the current guidance image is realized.

6. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 5, wherein the extent of the urgency is divided into a plurality steps by colors.

7. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 1, wherein each of the current and next guidance images comprises a go-straight information, a left turn signal, a right turn signal, a U-turn signal, and a P-turn signal.

8. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit selectively displays one of a high level road approaching signal and a high level road evading signal.

9. The turn-by-turn navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the image display unit displays one of an underground approaching signal and an underground evading signal.

10. A method for guiding a next direction using a turn-by-turn navigation system, the method comprising:

inputting a destination;

identifying a current car position and generating a path to the destination inputted;

generating a current guidance image based on the current car position and a next guidance image; and

displaying the current and next guidance images.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the destination is inputted by a user through one of a keypad, a touch screen, and a voice.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the current car position is captured from a global positioning system.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein when the current and next guidance images are displayed on the image display unit, the next guidance image is smaller than the current guidance image.

14. The method according to claim 10, wherein a remained distance to a point where a direction change according to the current guidance image should be realized is further displayed.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein an extent of urgency for coping with a direction change according to the next guidance image after a direction change according to the current guidance image is realized is displayed on a display unit.

16. The method according to claim 10, wherein the extent of the urgency is divided into a plurality steps by colors.

17. The method according to claim 10, wherein each of the current and next guidance images comprises a go-straight information, a left turn signal, a right turn signal, a U-turn signal, and a P-turn signal.

18. The method according to claim 10, wherein one of a high level road approaching signal and a high level road evading signal is further displayed.

19. The method according to claim 10, wherein one of an underground approaching signal and an underground evading signal is further displayed.