Calculation of estimated time of arrival (ETA) based on thoroughfare classification and driving history

• US 6,144,917 A
• Filed: 10/30/1998
• Issued: 11/07/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Corporation (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Beesley, Darin J., Walters, Thomas H., Robinson, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Donnelly, Arthur D.
• Application Number:
  US09/183,072
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 701/204, 701/201, 701/213, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/204
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard

Abstract

A portable electronic navigational aid device and method calculates estimated time en route and estimated time of arrival. A user inputs a plurality of variables, including identity, cartographic data, final destination. Upon receiving the inputs, the device determines from cartographic data the estimated distance to the final destination and the type of thoroughfare the inputted trip will traverse. During operation, the device recalls the average driving velocity for the inputted driver over each different type of thoroughfare traversed. Using prestored average velocity data, the device calculates an initial estimated time en route and an estimated time of arrival for a desired route. The device continues to receive GPS data as to the driver'"'"'s position and velocity and updates the average velocity record for that driver on the specific type of thoroughfare. As the average velocity fluctuates, the device adjusts the estimated time en route and the estimated time of arrival. The device further has control processes for potentially erroneous sampling. The device has a predetermined threshold in which data inputs below that threshold will not be averaged into the memory. The second control process of the present invention allows for zero velocity sampling without necessitating a reset of the entire system. If the device samples a zero speed, it will not average that velocity into the system as explained above. Rather, a stop time measured by a counter will be added to the estimated time en route and estimated time to arrival.

Claims

1. A portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle, said device comprising:

a processor;

a display connected to said processor; and

a memory connected to said processor, said memory having cartographic data and a route stored therein, said cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types, wherein said device determines data indicative of the driving habits of said driver for each said type of thoroughfare, stores said driving habit data in said memory, and calculates its current position, and wherein said processor determines an estimated time enroute based upon said driving habit data.

2. The portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle as recited in claim 1, wherein said driving habit data for each type of thoroughfare is comprised of an average driving velocity.

3. The portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle as recited in claim 2, wherein said processor, when determining said average driving speed, eliminates data indicative of driver velocity below a selected threshold speed.

4. The portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle as recited in claim 2 wherein, when said vehicle is stopped, said processor calculates the time said vehicle is stopped and then adds said stopped time to said estimated time en route.

5. A portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle, said device comprising:

a processor;

a display connected to said processor;

an input connected to said processor, wherein said input comprises a keypad,

an I/O port for accepting preprogrammed cartographic data in data cartridges,

and an antenna receiver;

a memory connected to said processor, said memory having cartographic data including data indicative of a first thoroughfare of a first type and a second thoroughfare of a second type; and

a housing, said housing for containing said processor, said display, said input, and said memory, wherein said processor determines driving habits of said driver for each type of said thoroughfare and stores said driving habit data into said memory.

6. The portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein said I/O port accepts preprogramed cartographic data in data cartridges.

7. The portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein said processor determines an average velocity of said device, corresponding to said driver for each thoroughfare classification.

8. The portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle as recited in claim 5, wherein said portable electronic navigational aid device is mountable on said vehicle.

9. A portable electronic navigational aid device for use by a user, said device comprising:

a processor;

a display, and

an input, wherein said input is comprised of a keypad, an I/O port and an antenna receiver, said I/O port accepting preprogramed cartographic data, said cartographic data further comprised of classification of thoroughfare types and personalized average velocity of said user for each said thoroughfare classification.

10. The portable electronic navigational aid device as recited in claim 9, wherein said portable electronic navigational aid device is mountable on a vehicle.

11. A portable electronic navigational aid method, such method comprising:

a means for sampling the current position of the vehicle;

a means of sampling the desired destination of the vehicle;

a means for determining the thoroughfare classification the vehicle is currently on;

a means for processing said input data, said input data processing means comprising means for recalling said average velocity of every thoroughfare classification, a means for updating said average velocity to reflect current driving data, and a means for storing average velocity driving data for every thoroughfare classification; and

a means for calculating time estimations from said processing.

12. The portable electronic navigational aid method as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for processing said input data comprising:

a means for excluding total stop time from average velocity calculation; and

a means for including said total stop time into time estimations.

13. The portable electronic navigational aid method as recited in claim 11, wherein said means for calculating time estimations from said processing comprising:

a means for calculating estimated time en route; and

a means for calculating estimated time of arrival from said processing and said estimated time en route.

14. A portable electronic navigational aid method, such method comprising:

a means for sampling the current position of vehicle;

a means for sampling the desired destination of the vehicle;

a means for determining the thoroughfare classification the vehicle is currently on;

a means for processing said thoroughfare classification data, said processing comprised of a means for recalling said average velocity for every thoroughfare classification, a means for updating said average velocity to reflect current driving data, a means for storing average velocity driving data for every thoroughfare classification, a means for excluding total stop time from average velocity calculation and a means for including said total stop time into time estimations

a means for calculating estimated time en route from said processing;

a means for calculating estimated arrival time from said processing and said estimated time en route.

15. A portable electronic navigational aid device for assisting a driver of a vehicle, said device comprising:

a processor;

a display connected to said processor;

a memory connected to said processor, said memory having a navigational route stored therein, wherein said device calculates its current position and its current velocity, and said processor determines an estimated time to traverse said route and, when said vehicle is stopped for a time, said processor calculates said stopped time and adds said stopped time to said estimated time to traverse said route.