Navigation Device

• US 20090187335A1
• Filed: 12/31/2008
• Published: 07/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Navigon AG (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Navigon AG (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Muhlfelder, Mathias, Katzer, Jochen
• Granted Patent: US 8,935,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3635 Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3658 Lane guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map

Abstract

A device for ascertaining and displaying a route course for a transportation means comprises a road network. In particular, a navigation device having a data processing device, which is also used to ascertain the route course, and having display means, which are also used to visualize the ascertained route course. The device has at least temporary access to a road network database, and is set up in such a way that upon the existence of a correction of the current direction of the transportation means necessary for following the ascertained route course, which is caused by a transition of the route course from a first road onto a second road, in particular by a road intersection or by a road branch, an automatic change is performed between at least one first and one second operating mode. One of the at least two operating modes causes a visualization of the transition on the display means by at least partial dynamic superposition of at least two visualization layers.

Claims

1. A device for ascertaining and displaying a route course, comprised by a roadway network, for a transportation means, in particular a navigation device, having a data processing device, which is also used for ascertaining the route course, and having display means, which are also used to visualize the ascertained route course, and the device having at least temporary access to a road network database, in which the device is set up in such a way that upon the existence of a correction of the current direction of the transportation means necessary for following the ascertained route course, which is caused by a transition of the route course from a first road onto a second road, in particular by a road intersection or by a road branch, an automatic change is performed between at least one first and one second operating mode, one of the at least two operating modes causing a visualization of the transition on the display means by at least partial dynamic superposition of at least two visualization layers.

2. The device according to claim 1, in which the device is set up in such a way that, using the road network database, available information relevant for the route course may be ascertained and taken into consideration in the visualization.

3. The device according to claim 2, in which the information relates to the real signage of the road network comprised by the route course and in particular means for situating identifiers specific to the route course may be assigned to the signage.

4. The device according to claim 1, in which the device is set up in such a way that the country in which the device is operated may be ascertained, at least one visualization layer being able to be shown on the display means at least partially in consideration of the country, in particular mirror-reversed and/or by using country-specific colors.

5. The device according to claim 1, in which the change between the operating modes may also be implemented in accordance with at least one operating mode control parameter and/or one operating mode policy.

6. The device according to claim 1, in which a visualization layer comprises at least one image data set.

7. The device according to claim 1, in which the superposition is also implemented in accordance with at least one superposition control parameter and/or one superposition policy.

8. The device according to claim 1, in which a visualization layer having at least one photographic or videographic picture of the real transition is also provided.

9. The device according to claim 1, in which a visualization layer having at least one three-dimensionally and/or photorealistically rendered picture of the real transition is also provided.

10. The device according to claim 1, in which a visualization layer is also provided for the representation of at least one graphic curve and/or at least one continuous arrow to symbolize the ascertained route course.

11. The device according to claim 1, in which a visualization layer having a mobile and/or changeable graphic element is also provided, the graphic element symbolizing the current location of the device.

12. The device according to claim 1, in which a visualization layer having further graphic elements is also provided, in particular having traffic signs, bridges, underpasses, points of interest, icons, tunnels, building silhouettes, or landscape features, based on the real surroundings of the road transition.

13. The device according to claim 1, in which the visualization layers are comprised by the device at least partially independently from one another.

14. A method for operating a device for ascertaining and displaying a route course for a transportation means comprised by a road network, in particular a navigation device, having a data processing device, which is also used to ascertain the route course, and having display means, which are also used to visualize the ascertained route course, the device having access to a road network database at least temporarily, the following method steps being comprised:

a) showing the movement direction of the transportation means within the road network, which is at least partially shown on the display means, in the context of a first operating mode;

b) ascertaining a required direction change which is necessary for following the ascertained route course using the transportation means and which is caused by a transition from a first road of the road network onto a second road of the road network, in particular by a road intersection or by a road branch or by a freeway exit;

c) automatically changing from the first operating mode to a second operating mode in the context of which a visualization of the transition on the display means occurs, wherein an at least partial and dynamic superposition of at least two visualization layers is performed.

15. The method according to claim 14, in which information in regard to the road network prevailing after the transition is also at least sectionally ascertained and taken into consideration.

16. The method according to claim 14, in which elevation data in regard to the road network participating at the transition are also ascertained and taken into consideration.

17. The method according to claim 14, in which the characteristics of the roads participating at the transition are also ascertained and taken into consideration, in particular the number of lanes, left/right-hand traffic, geometric properties of the lanes, or overpass situations and/or underpass situations.

18. The method according to claim 14, in which further information relevant in regard to the road network participating at the transition is also ascertained and taken into consideration, in particular information in regard to the real signage of the road, the representations of signs being performed in particular taking into consideration the country in which the device is operated.

19. The method according to claim 14, in which the current local time of day is also ascertained and taken into consideration.

20. The method according to claim 14, in which the characteristics of the environmental conditions prevailing at the transition are also ascertained and taken into consideration, in particular the presence of bridges, underpasses, points of interest, icons, tunnels, building silhouettes, landscape features, or signage.

21. The method according to claim 14, in which the change between operating modes is also performed in accordance with a least one operating mode control parameter and/or one operating mode policy.

22. The method according to claim 14, in which, in addition, an at least partial superposition of a third visualization layer is performed, which comprises further means for identifying the route course along the transition, in particular at least one arrow to symbolize a direction change and/or lane change to be performed using the transportation means.

23. The method according to claim 14, in which, in addition, an at least partial superposition of a fourth visualization layer is performed, which is used to visualize route-specific and/or location-specific information ascertained using the road network database.

24. The method according to claim 14, in which, in addition, an at least partial superposition of further visualization layers is used to represent further information ascertained using the road network database and/or navigation-relevant information ascertained during the operation of the device or beforehand.

25. The method according to claim 14, in which a visualization layer comprises at least one image data set which is taken into consideration during the superposition.

26. The method according to claim 14, in which the superposition of the visualization layers is performed in accordance with at least one visualization control parameter and/or visualization policy.

27. The method according to claim 14, in which at least one visualization layer is at least partially processed in such a way that the information to be visualized is also available for display on the display means mirror-reversed.

28. The method according to claim 14, in which at least one identifier specific to the route course for signage shown using at least one visualization layer is incorporated in the signage.