Method and system for communicating navigation information

• US 20050131643A1
• Filed: 12/10/2003
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chahrouri, Gebran G., Nguyen, Bich Tu, Khouri, Joseph F., Shaffer, Shmuel
• Granted Patent: US 7,035,734 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/210
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3492 employing speed data or traffic data, e.g. real-time or historical traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

A method for communicating navigation information includes receiving destination information from a user. The destination information comprises a desired destination of the user. The method includes determining a first route to the destination and communicating the first route to the user. The method includes monitoring position information of a plurality of vehicles and identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles. The method also includes determining a second route to the destination to avoid the area and communicating the second route to the user.

Claims

1. A method for communicating navigation information, comprising:

receiving destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

determining a first route to the destination;

communicating the first route to the user;

monitoring position information of a plurality of vehicles;

identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles;

determining a second route to the destination to avoid the area; and

communicating the second route to the user.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises identifying an area causing traffic delay based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second route is determined when a threshold amount of route diversions of the plurality of vehicles are identified.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises identifying an area causing traffic delay based on speed of the plurality of vehicles.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second route comprises a modification of the first route.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating to a number of users respective routes that include the area causing traffic delay; and

monitoring position information of the number of users to determine when traffic delay is reduced in the area.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring position information of a second plurality of vehicles;

determining when the traffic delay is reduced in the area using the position information of the second plurality of vehicles;

updating the second route to the destination to include the area; and

communicating the updated second route to the user.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving second destination information from a second user, the second destination information comprising a desired destination of the second user;

determining a third route to the second destination;

communicating the third route to the second user;

determining a fourth route to the second destination to avoid the area; and

prioritizing when to communicate the second route to the user or the fourth route to the second user based on respective positions of the user and the second user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a construction area.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a traffic accident.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises at least a temporary closure of at least a portion of a road.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

communicating parameters relating to the area causing traffic delay to a mobile navigation system; and

wherein determining a second route to the destination comprises determining a second route to the destination at the mobile navigation system.

13. A system for displaying navigation information, comprising:

a mobile navigation system comprising an interface operable to receive destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

a central navigation server wirelessly coupled with the mobile navigation system, the central navigation server operable to determine a first route to the destination;

the interface further operable to communicate the first route to the user;

the central navigation server further operable to;

monitor position information of a plurality of vehicles;

identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles; and

determine a second route to the destination to avoid the area; and

the interface further operable to communicate the second route to the user.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the central navigation server is operable to determine the second route when a threshold amount of route diversions of the plurality of vehicles are identified.

16. The system of claim 13, wherein a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay based on speed of the plurality of vehicles.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the second route comprises a modification of the first route.

18. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a plurality of additional mobile navigation systems each operable to communicate to a number of users respective routes that include the area causing traffic delay; and

wherein the central navigation server is operable to monitor position information of the number of users to determine when traffic delay is reduced in the area.

19. The system of claim 13, wherein the central navigation server is operable to:

monitor position information of a second plurality of vehicles;

determine when the traffic delay is reduced in the area using the position information of the second plurality of vehicles;

update the second route to the destination to include the area; and

wherein the interface is operable to communicate the updated second route to the user.

20. The system of claim 13, further comprising:

a second mobile navigation system wirelessly coupled with the central navigation server, the second mobile navigation system comprising a second interface operable to receive second destination information from a second user, the second destination information comprising a desired destination of the second user;

wherein the central navigation server is operable to determine a third route to the second destination;

wherein the second interface is operable to communicate the third route to the second user; and

wherein the central navigation server is operable to;

determine a fourth route to the second destination to avoid the area; and

prioritize when to communicate the second route to the user or the fourth route to the second user based on respective positions of the user and the second user.

21. The system of claim 13, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a construction area.

22. The system of claim 13, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a traffic accident.

23. The system of claim 13, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises at least a temporary closure of at least a portion of a road.

24. A method for communicating navigation information, comprising:

receiving destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

monitoring position information of a plurality of vehicles;

identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles;

determining a route to the destination to avoid the area; and

communicating the route to the user.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises identifying an area causing traffic delay based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the route to the destination to avoid the area is determined when a threshold amount of route diversions of the plurality of vehicles are identified.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises identifying an area causing traffic delay based on speed of the plurality of vehicles.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising:

monitoring position information of a second plurality of vehicles;

determining when the traffic delay is reduced in the area using the position information of the second plurality of vehicles;

updating the route to the destination to include the area; and

communicating the updated route to the user.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a construction area.

30. The method of claim 24, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a traffic accident.

31. The method of claim 24, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises at least a temporary closure of at least a portion of a road.

32. A system for communicating navigation information, comprising:

means for receiving destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

means for determining a first route to the destination;

means for communicating the first route to the user;

means for monitoring position information of a plurality of vehicles;

means for identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles;

means for determining a second route to the destination to avoid the area; and

means for communicating the second route to the user.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein means for identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises means for identifying an area causing traffic delay based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the second route is determined when a threshold amount of route diversions of the plurality of vehicles are identified.

35. The system of claim 32, wherein means for identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises means for identifying an area causing traffic delay based on speed of the plurality of vehicles.

36. The system of claim 32, wherein the second route comprises a modification of the first route.

37. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

means for communicating to a number of users respective routes that include the area causing traffic delay; and

means for monitoring position information of the number of users to determine when traffic delay is reduced in the area.

38. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

means for monitoring position information of a second plurality of vehicles;

means for determining when the traffic delay is reduced in the area using the position information of the second plurality of vehicles;

means for updating the second route to the destination to include the area; and

means for communicating the updated second route to the user.

39. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

means for receiving second destination information from a second user, the second destination information comprising a desired destination of the second user;

means for determining a third route to the second destination;

means for communicating the third route to the second user;

means for determining a fourth route to the second destination to avoid the area; and

means for prioritizing when to communicate the second route to the user or the fourth route to the second user based on respective positions of the user and the second user.

40. The system of claim 32, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a construction area.

41. The system of claim 32, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a traffic accident.

42. The system of claim 32, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises at least a temporary closure of at least a portion of a road.

43. The system of claim 32, further comprising:

means for communicating parameters relating to the area causing traffic delay to a mobile navigation system; and

wherein means for determining a second route to the destination comprises means for determining a second route to the destination at the mobile navigation system.

44. Software embodied in a computer readable medium, the computer readable medium comprising code operable to:

receive destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

determine a first route to the destination;

communicate the first route to the user;

monitor position information of a plurality of vehicles;

identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles;

determine a second route to the destination to avoid the area; and

communicate the second route to the user.

45. The medium of claim 44, wherein code operable to identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises code operable to identify an area causing traffic delay based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles.

46. The medium of claim 45, wherein the second route is determined when a threshold amount of route diversions of the plurality of vehicles are identified.

47. The medium of claim 44, wherein code operable to identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises code operable to identify an area causing traffic delay based on speed of the plurality of vehicles.

48. The medium of claim 44, wherein the second route comprises a modification of the first route.

49. The medium of claim 44, wherein the code is further operable to:

communicate to a number of users respective routes that include the area causing traffic delay; and

monitor position information of the number of users to determine when traffic delay is reduced in the area.

50. The medium of claim 44, wherein the code is further operable to:

monitor position information of a second plurality of vehicles;

determine when the traffic delay is reduced in the area using the position information of the second plurality of vehicles;

update the second route to the destination to include the area; and

communicate the updated second route to the user.

51. The medium of claim 44, wherein the code is further operable to:

receive second destination information from a second user, the second destination information comprising a desired destination of the second user;

determine a third route to the second destination;

communicate the third route to the second user;

determine a fourth route to the second destination to avoid the area; and

prioritize when to communicate the second route to the user or the fourth route to the second user based on respective positions of the user and the second user.

52. The medium of claim 44, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a construction area.

53. The medium of claim 44, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a traffic accident.

54. The medium of claim 44, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises at least a temporary closure of at least a portion of a road.

55. The medium of claim 44, wherein the code is further operable to:

communicate parameters relating to the area causing traffic delay to a mobile navigation system; and

wherein code operable to determine a second route to the destination comprises code operable to determine a second route to the destination at the mobile navigation system.

56. A method for communicating navigation information, comprising:

receiving destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

determining a first route to the destination;

communicating the first route to the user;

monitoring position information of a plurality of vehicles;

identifying an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles;

determining a second route to the destination to avoid the area when a threshold amount of route diversions of the plurality of vehicles are identified; and

communicating the second route to the user.

57. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

monitoring position information of a second plurality of vehicles;

determining when the traffic delay is reduced in the area using the position information of the second plurality of vehicles;

updating the second route to the destination to include the area; and

communicating the updated second route to the user.

58. The method of claim 56, further comprising:

receiving second destination information from a second user, the second destination information comprising a desired destination of the second user;

determining a third route to the second destination;

communicating the third route to the second user;

determining a fourth route to the second destination to avoid the area; and

prioritizing when to communicate the second route to the user or the fourth route to the second user based on respective positions of the user and the second user.

59. A system for displaying navigation information, comprising:

a mobile navigation system comprising an interface operable to receive destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

the mobile navigation system operable to determine a first route to the destination;

the interface further operable to communicate the first route to the user;

a central navigation server wirelessly coupled with the mobile navigation system, the central navigation server operable to;

monitor position information of a plurality of vehicles;

identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles; and

communicate to the mobile navigation system parameters relating to the area causing traffic delay;

the mobile navigation system operable to determine a second route to the destination to avoid the area based on the parameters; and

the interface further operable to communicate the second route to the user.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles.

61. The system of claim 60, wherein the central navigation server is operable to communicate the parameters when a threshold amount of route diversions of the plurality of vehicles are identified.

62. The system of claim 59, wherein a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises a central navigation server operable to identify an area causing traffic delay based on speed of the plurality of vehicles.

63. The system of claim 59, wherein the second route comprises a modification of the first route.

64. The system of claim 59, further comprising:

a plurality of additional mobile navigation systems each operable to communicate to a number of users respective routes that include the area causing traffic delay; and

wherein the central navigation server is operable to monitor position information of the number of users to determine when traffic delay is reduced in the area.

65. The system of claim 59, wherein:

the central navigation server is operable to;

monitor position information of a second plurality of vehicles;

determine when the traffic delay is reduced in the area using the position information of the second plurality of vehicles; and

communicate to the mobile navigation system that traffic delay is reduced in the area;

the mobile navigation system is further operable to update the second route to the destination to include the area; and

the interface is operable to communicate the updated second route to the user.

66. The system of claim 59, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a construction area.

67. The system of claim 59, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises a traffic accident.

68. The system of claim 59, wherein the area causing traffic delay comprises at least a temporary closure of at least a portion of a road.

69. A method for communicating navigation information, comprising:

receiving destination information from a user, the destination information comprising a desired destination of the user;

determining a first route to the destination;

communicating the first route to the user;

monitoring position information of a plurality of vehicles;

identifying an area improving traffic flow using the position information of the plurality of vehicles;

determining a second route to the destination to include the area; and

communicating the second route to the user.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein identifying an area improving traffic flow using the position information of the plurality of vehicles comprises identifying an area improving traffic flow based on route diversions of the plurality of vehicles.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the second route comprises a modification of the first route.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein the area improving traffic flow comprises an opening of a roadway.