Smart detour

• US 20070162223A1
• Filed: 01/09/2006
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MiTAC International Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Thales Navigation Incorporated (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Clark, Brant
• Granted Patent: US 7,590,490 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/210
• 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

Abstract

A method of and apparatus for generating an alternate route for a system to travel to a predetermined destination are described. The method comprises determining a velocity of a system traveling along a primary route; and generating an alternate route to the primary route if the system velocity is below a predetermined motion threshold. A navigation system for generating an alternate route to a destination includes a motion sensor for detecting the navigation system velocity along a primary route and a controller coupled with the motion sensor. The controller receives a motion signal indicating navigation system motion and generates an alternate route to the primary route responsive to the motion signal indicating navigation system motion different from a predetermined motion threshold value.

Claims

1. A method of generating an alternate route for a system to travel to a predetermined destination, comprising:

determining a velocity of a system traveling along a primary route; and

generating an alternate route to the primary route if the system velocity is below a predetermined motion threshold.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generating step is performed if the system velocity is below the predetermined motion threshold for a time period greater than a predetermined timeout value.

3. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a user response regarding generating an alternate route.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the generating step is performed if the system velocity is below the predetermined motion threshold for a time period greater than a predetermined timeout value and the user indicates an alternate route is to be generated.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generating step generates an alternate route based on a predetermined detour distance.

6. A method according to claim 3, wherein the generating step generates an alternate route based on a user-specified detour distance.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing route information to a user based on the generated alternate route.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the generating step is performed if an alternate route generation enablement setting is enabled.

9. A method according to claim 3, wherein the user response includes a user request for generation of an alternate route.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the user response further includes at least one of a user-specified motion threshold, a user-specified timeout value, and a user-specified detour distance.

18. A memory or a computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method of claim 1.

11. A navigation system for generating an alternate route to a destination, comprising:

a motion sensor configured to detect the navigation system velocity along a primary route; and

a controller operatively coupled with the motion sensor and arranged to receive a motion signal indicating navigation system motion, the controller arranged to generate an alternate route to the primary route responsive to the motion signal indicating navigation system motion different from a predetermined motion threshold value.

12. A navigation system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is arranged to determine if the motion signal differs from the predetermined motion threshold value for a time period greater than a predetermined timeout value.

13. A navigation system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is arranged to generate the alternate route based on a predetermined detour distance.

14. A navigation system according to claim 11, further comprising:

a user interface device operatively coupled with the controller and arranged to provide information to a user and receive user commands.

15. A navigation system according to claim 14, wherein the user interface device is arranged to receive a user response regarding generation of an alternate route.

16. A navigation system according to claim 15, wherein the user response includes a user request for generation of an alternate route;

and

wherein the controller is arranged to generate the alternate route if the user requests generation of the alternate route.

17. A navigation system according to claim 15, wherein the user response includes at least one of a user-specified motion threshold, a user-specified timeout value, and a user-specified detour distance.