NAVIGATION SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE WITH DETOUR ALGORITHM

• US 20070067101A1
• Filed: 04/27/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Childs, Michael, Runquist, Shane, Krull, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,184,886 B1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3461 Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries
• 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

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device=s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.

Claims

1. A navigation system with route calculation capabilities, comprising:

a server having a processor and a memory, the memory having cartographic data and a route stored therein to navigate from a beginning position to a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types, the route including a number of decision points; and

wherein the processor operates on a route calculation algorithm and user-selectable preference levels, including high, medium, and low preference levels relating to a portion of a particular thoroughfare in a route in order to calculate a new route.

2. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes:

a mass data storage adapted to store navigation data; and

a navigation device adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and the cartographic data from the server via a communication channel, wherein the navigation device includes a display adapted to display the new route.

3. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the communication channel includes a wireless channel.

4. The navigation system of claim 2, wherein the server includes a processor adapted to respond to a request from the navigation device by performing operations on the user-selectable preference levels relating to the portion of the particular thoroughfare and transmitting results to the navigation device.

5. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the navigation device adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and cartographic data from the server using cellular communication technology.

6. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the server receives data relating to at least a portion of a particular thoroughfare in a route;

and calculates a new route to the desired destination, in view of a selection of the preference levels, wherein the preference level selected is factored into whether a particular portion of a route is selected.

7. A navigation system with route calculation capabilities, comprising:

a server having a processor and a memory, the memory having cartographic data and a route stored therein to navigate from a beginning position to a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types, the route including a number of decision points; and

wherein the processor receives data relating to at least a portion of a particular thoroughfare in a route; and

calculates a new route to the desired destination based on integral re-route distances.

8. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the system further includes:

a mass data storage adapted to store navigation data; and

a navigation device adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and the cartographic data from the server via a communication channel, wherein the navigation device includes a display adapted to display the new route.

9. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the communication channel includes a wireless channel.

10. The navigation system of claim 8, wherein the server includes a processor adapted to respond to a request from the navigation device by performing operations on user-selectable preference levels relating to the portion of the particular thoroughfare and transmitting results to the navigation device.

11. The navigation system of claim 7, further including a navigation device adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and cartographic data from the server using cellular communication technology.

12. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the server calculates the new route to the desired destination, in view of a selection of the preference levels, wherein the preference level selected is factored into whether a particular portion of a route is selected.