MULTI-MODAL NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20120004841A1
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Published: 01/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Schunder, Mark
• Granted Patent: US 8,731,814 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3423 Multimodal routing, i.e. combining two or more modes of transportation, where the modes can be any of, e.g. driving, walking, cycling, public transport
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3661 Guidance output on an external device, e.g. car radio

Abstract

One or more embodiments may include a multi-modal navigation system and method. Route information may be received for generating a navigation route which may comprise multiple modes of transportation to a destination. GPS data may also be received. The navigation route to the destination across the multiple modes of transportation may be determined. The route may be updated as the route is traversed. The navigation route across the multiple modes of transportation may be output based on the GPS data.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for route navigation using multiple modes of transportation, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving route information for generating a navigation route comprising multiple modes of transportation to a destination;

receiving GPS data;

determining the navigation route to the destination across the multiple modes of transportation, wherein the route may be updated as the route is traversed; and

outputting the navigation route across the multiple modes of transportation based on the GPS data.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving non-route transportation information for multiple transport types; and

outputting the navigation route based additionally on the non-route transportation information.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein the non-route transportation information includes at least one of time information and cost information.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein determining the navigation route further comprises:

receiving a routing change; and

determining the navigation route for each of the multiple modes of transportation based on the routing change.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

outputting the navigation route on a first device, the first device communicating with a second device;

receiving an event on the first device defining a change in the mode of transportation; and

outputting the navigation route on the second device based on the event.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 5 wherein the first or second device is an in-vehicle navigation system or nomadic device.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 wherein the event is a key-off event, a gear change event, or a key-on event.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 wherein the event is a proximity to a transport change location.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the navigation route as speech, graphical images, an SMS message or an electronic mail message.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving traveler criteria; and

determining the navigation route additionally based on the traveler criteria.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 wherein the traveler criteria includes at least one of travel time, scenic route, or ease of travel.

12. A computer-implemented method for route navigation using multiple modes of transport, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving input on a first device defining a destination point;

determining based on the destination point a navigation route on the first device that includes instructions for travelling by multiple modes of transport;

outputting the navigation route on the first device according to at least one mode of transport;

receiving an event defining a change in the mode of transport;

in response to the event, determining if routing of the navigation route is performed on a second device; and

outputting the navigation route on the first device or the second device based on the determining step.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 wherein the event is a vehicle-based event, including a key-off event, a key-on event, or a gear change, or a user input event, including a tactile input or audible input.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving route information for each of the multiple modes of transport based on the destination point from multiple transport information sources; and

determining the navigation route additionally based on the route information from the multiple transport information sources.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 wherein the multiple transport information sources are publicly available sources.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 12

establishing a data connection with the second device;

transferring data representing the navigation route to the second device over the data connection in response to the event; and

outputting the navigation route on the second device.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16 wherein the data connection is at least one of a BLUETOOTH connection, WiFi connection, or cellular connection.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving GPS data; and

outputting the navigation route based on the GPS data.

19. A computer-program product embodied in at least one computer-readable medium for routing a navigation route that comprises multiple modes of transport, the computer program product having computer-readable instructions programmed for:

receiving one or more inputs defining data for determining a multi-modal navigation route;

receiving transport-specific route information and transport-specific non-route information for two or more modes of transport;

determining the multi-modal navigation route based on the transport-specific route information and transport-specific non-route information and the one or more inputs;

outputting the multi-modal navigation route for a first mode of transport;

receiving an event defining a change from the first mode of transport to a second mode of transport; and

outputting the multi-modal navigation route for the second mode of transport.

20. The computer-program product of claim 19 wherein the one or more inputs includes GPS data, a destination, or both.

21. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the route information and the non-route information includes timetables, cost information, map data, train line information, bus line information, traffic information, GPS location data, road and highway information, route corridor information, elevation information, airline and airport information, indoor and/or outdoor foot paths, and bike paths.