Navigation system with a route exclusion list system

• US 6,362,751 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1998
• Issued: 03/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Didi (HK) Science and Technology Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Magellan DIS, Inc.
• Inventors: Upparapalli, Karunanidhi
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US09/096,103
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 701/209, 701/210, 701/211
• US Class Current: 340/995.19
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3461 Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard

Abstract

A route exclusion list system permits the user to designate certain roads or areas that a navigation system should avoid when planning a route between a beginning point and a destination point. The route exclusion list system generally includes a database of road segments and a cost associated with the road segments, such as estimated time of travel across that road segment or estimated length of travel across that road segment. A display displays a map having a plurality of the road segments. A user input device permits a user to encircle and select displayed road segments. The cost associated with each selected road segment is increased thereby making it unlikely that the navigation system will use any of the selected road segments when determining a route between the beginning point and the destination point. The system can be operated independently of the navigation system and the increase in cost for each road segment can be associated with a specific period of time.

Claims

1. A method for modifying a database of road segments used in a navigation system comprising the steps of:

a.) providing a database of road segments to be traveled by a user;

b.) displaying a map of a plurality of said road segments on a display;

c.) utilizing an input device to encircle and select a plurality of said road segments on said display;

d.) increasing a cost associated with said plurality of selected road segments; and

e.) excluding said selected road segments from a subsequent route determination from said database of roads between a beginning point and a destination point.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of:

determining a current position of a vehicle, using said current position as said beginning point;

selecting said destination point utilizing said input device; and

determining a route on said database of roads between said current position and said destination point, said route not including said selected road segment.

3. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein step d.) includes the further step of associating an exclusion type with said selected road segment and increasing said cost based on said exclusion type.

4. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein step d.) includes the further step of associating at least one day of a week with said selected road segment and increasing said cost on said day.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein step d.) includes the further step of associating a period of time with said day and increasing said cost of said selected road segment on said day during said period of time.

6. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein step d.) includes the further step of associating an expiration time with said selected road segment and permanently removing said increased cost from said selected road segment at said expiration time.

7. A method as recited in claim 1 including the further step of associating said selected road segment with a specific user.

8. A method as recited in claim 1 including the further step of communicating said increased cost of said selected road segment to a navigation system.

9. A route exclusion list system comprising:

a database containing a plurality of road segments to be traveled by a user, said database including a cost associated with each of said road segments;

a display displaying a map of a plurality of said road segments;

an input device, said input device permitting a user to encircle and select a plurality of said road segments on said map; and

an exclusion system, said exclusion system increasing said cost of said selected road segments.

10. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 9 further including a route determination system;

said route determination system determining a route between a beginning point and an destination point;

said input device selecting said beginning point and said destination point; and

said route determination system excluding said selected road segment from said route.

11. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 10 further including a current position determining device, said position determining device determining a current position of a vehicle, said route determination system using said current position as said beginning point when determining said route.

12. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 9 further comprising a memory storage device, said memory storage device storing said selected road segment.

13. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 9 wherein said input device selects a day of the week, said exclusion system associating said selected day of the week with said selected road segment.

14. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 13 wherein said input device selects a time period, said exclusion system associating said selected time period with said selected day of the week.

15. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 9 wherein said input device selects an expiration time, said exclusion system associating said expiration time with said selected road segment, said exclusion system permanently removing said increased cost of said selected road segment at said expiration time.

16. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 9 further including a user identification module, said exclusion system associating said selected road segment with a specific user.

17. A route exclusion list system as recited in claim 9 wherein said input device selects an exclusion type, said exclusion system associating said exclusion type with said road segment and increasing said cost based on said exclusion type.