Method and device for navigation support of a vehicle driver

• US 6,256,582 B1
• Filed: 08/02/1999
• Issued: 07/03/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Helmstädter, Gerald, Schmischke, Kai
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/297,622
• Time in Patent Office: 701 Days
• Field of Search: 701/211, 701/213, 701/201, 701/209, 701/210, 340/988, 340/995, 340/991
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

In a method for navigational assistance to a vehicle driver who is issued instructions which are derived from a comparison of a route, prescribed by route reference points, and respectively determined positions of the vehicle, the route reference points and connections between the route reference points of at least a portion of the prescribed route are represented diagrammatically.

Claims

1. A method for guidance support for the driver of a motor vehicle to whom instructions are provided, the steps comprising:

(a) deriving instructions by comparing a prescribed route and an alternative route predetermined by guidepoints to the positions calculated for the vehicle; and

providing data that describe the prescribed route and the alternative route and guidepoints being transmitted from a fixed computer to a receiving unit located in the vehicle, wherein the guidepoints and connections between the guidepoints of at least one section of the prescribed route and the alternative route are displayed in a single combined graphic representation.

2. Method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the representations of said guidepoints also contain symbols for streets outgoing from said guidepoints that are not located on the prescribed and alternative routes roadway.

3. Method in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the symbols are short lines that differ from said connections between the guidepoints.

4. Method in accordance with any of the preceding claims, characterized in that furthermore a symbol is represented for each position calculated for the vehicle.

5. Method in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that furthermore routes and guidepoints are represented that are located on alternative routes.

6. Method in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that furthermore data regarding traffic are transmitted and are represented in the form of symbols allocated to the respective guidepoints and/or to the routes located between the guidepoints.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that furthermore a symbol is represented for each position calculated for the vehicle.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 10, characterized in that furthermore each guidepoint that the vehicle approaches can be graphically represented, including at least one directional arrow.

7. An apparatus for guidance support for the driver of a motor vehicle, using data that describe a prescribed route and an alternative route with guidepoints being transmitted from a fixed computer to a receiving unit located in the vehicle, comprising

a graphical display device for outputting instructions that are derived by comparing the prescribed route and the alternative route predetermined by guidepoints to the positions calculated for the vehicle, wherein the guidepoints and connections between the guidepoints are displayed in a single combined graphic representation.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the representations of said guidepoints also contain symbols for streets outgoing from the guidepoints that are not located on the prescribed and alternative routes.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the symbols are short lines that differ from the connections between the guidepoints.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the representation for each guidepoint reflects the traffic flow at the guidepoint.