Local navigation alternatives

• US 6,298,304 B1
• Filed: 03/15/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: novero GmbH (Laird Limited)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Limited (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Theimer, Wolfgang
• Primary Examiner(s): Gregory, Bernarr E.
• Application Number:
  US09/268,580
• Time in Patent Office: 932 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/207-212, 701/213-223, 342/357-1-3, 455/403, 455/414, 455/422-460, 455/466
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

A vehicle navigation system calculates a route from a start point to a destination further determines alternative routes within a detour region. If the user of the navigation system has left the calculated route the navigation system suggests alternative routes for returning the vehicle to the suggested route within the detour region.

Claims

1. A vehicle navigation system comprising:

a data processor carried by a vehicle;

a route calculator for providing a suggested route for the vehicle between journey start and end points, and for calculating, for selected positions in a detour region bordering the suggested route, respective detour routes for returning the vehicle to the suggested route, the route calculator being located remote from the vehicle;

means for loading the suggested route and detour routes into the processor;

means for determining the selected position within the detour region closest to the vehicle; and

means responsive to the determining means for providing detour route guidance instructions for returning the vehicle to the suggested route.

2. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the route calculator is operative to provide a plurality of detour routes for each selected position.

3. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 2 wherein the route calculator is operative to prioritize the individual ones of the plurality of detour routes from a selected point.

4. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 3 wherein the individual detour routes are prioritized on the basis of predetermined criteria.

5. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 3 wherein the predetermined criteria are user selectable.

6. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 3 wherein the route guidance instructions for the detour route with the highest prioritization is provided.

7. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 3 wherein the selected points are located within the defined detour region.

8. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the route guidance instructions are aural.

9. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the route guidance instructions are visual.

10. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the means for determining the selected position is responsive to user input.

11. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the means for determining the selected position within the detour region comprises position sensing equipment.

12. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 11 wherein the position sensing equipment is responsive to GPS signals for determining the closest selected position.

13. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 12 further comprising a direction sensor indicating a direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the sensing equipment is further responsive to input from the direction sensor indicating the direction of travel of the vehicle.

14. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 13 wherein the processor is adapted to determine the closest selected position in the direction of travel and provide route guidance instruction from that selected position.

15. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 11 wherein the processor is adapted to indicate to the driver that the suggested route has been left.

16. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein further information can be sent from the remote route calculator if the vehicle moves beyond the detour region.

17. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the scope of the detour region can be selected by the user.

18. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the type of route of preference can be specified for the suggested route.

19. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein the scope of the detour region can be dependent on the type of route being specified.

20. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 19 wherein the selected points are road intersections.

21. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 1 wherein if the car exits the detour region, a new suggested route is requested from the central database.

22. A method for vehicle navigation comprising:

locating a data processor in a vehicle;

locating a route calculator remote from the vehicle;

calculating by the route calculator a suggested route for the vehicle between journey start and end points;

calculating by the route calculator, for selected positions in a detour region bordering the suggested route wherein the vehicle may travel into the detour region, respective detour routes for returning the vehicle to the suggested route;

loading the suggested route and detour routes into the processor;

determining by the data processor the selected position within the detour region closest to the vehicle; and

providing detour route guidance instructions for returning the vehicle to the suggested route.

23. A vehicle navigation system comprising:

a data processor carried by a vehicle;

a route calculator for providing a suggested route for the vehicle between journey start and end points, and for calculating, for selected positions in a detour region bordering the suggested route, respective

a communication link interconnecting the route calculator with the data processor for loading the suggested route and detour routes from the route calculator into the processor;

equipment for sensing position of the vehicle, wherein the data processor determines a selected position of the vehicle within the detour region closest to the vehicle, based on position information of the position sensing equipment; and

the data processor provides detour route guidance instructions for returning the vehicle to the suggested route.

24. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 23 wherein the position sensing equipment comprises dead reckoning equipment carried by the vehicle.

25. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 24 wherein the position sensing equipment further comprises a GPS, global positioning system, receiver carried by the vehicle.

26. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 23 wherein the position sensing equipment comprises a GPS, global positioning system, receiver carried by the vehicle.

27. A vehicle navigation system comprising:

a data processor and vehicular position sensing equipment carried by a vehicle;

a route calculator located remote from the vehicle, the route calculator providing a suggested route for the vehicle between journey start and end points, and wherein the route calculator calculates, for selected positions in a detour region bordering the suggested route, respective detour routes for returning the vehicle to the suggested route, calculations of the route calculator being based on travel information available to the route calculator but unavailable at the vehicle;

a communication link interconnecting the route calculator with the data processor for loading the suggested route and detour routes from the route calculator into the processor;

wherein the data processor determines a selected position of the vehicle within a detour region closest to the vehicle, based on position information of the position sensing equipment; and

the data processor provides detour route guidance instructions for returning the vehicle to the suggested route, based on route data from the route calculator.

28. A vehicle navigation system according to claim 27 wherein individual ones of the plurality of detour routes from a selected point are prioritized on the basis of predetermined criteria, and wherein an input to the data processor enables user selection of the criteria.