Navigation system, method and device with detour algorithm

• US 6,687,615 B1
• Filed: 12/21/2001
• Issued: 02/03/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Krull, Jay Dee, Runquist, Shane R., Childs, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/028,343
• Time in Patent Office: 774 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/201, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/210, 701/213, 340/905, 340/988, 340/989, 340/992, 340/995
• 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: 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 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. The navigational aid device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to a memory. The memory includes cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The device is adapted to process the device'"'"'s location and travel along a planned route. And, the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route.

Claims

1. An electronic navigational aid device with detour route calculation capabilities, comprising:

a processor;

a memory adapted to communicate with the processor, the memory having cartographic data and a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types;

a display connected to the processor and capable of displaying the cartographic data;

wherein the device is adapted to process the device'"'"'s location and travel along a planned route;

wherein the device is adapted to dynamically calculate a new route to the desired destination with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare or one or more different thoroughfares in a previous route; and

wherein the device determines data indicative of a set of travel habits for the device on each of the plurality of types of thoroughfares and stores the travel habit data in the memory.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the new route is a detour route which avoids the particular portion of the thoroughfare or the one or more different thoroughfares in the previous route.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the previous route is selected from the group consisting of a previous detour route and the planned route.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the display is adapted to continuously display the device'"'"'s position and wherein the device further provides audio instructions to navigate the routes.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to perform a route cost analysis in order to calculate the new route.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein device includes a portable electronic navigational aid device.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the portable electronic navigational aid device includes a personal digital assistant (PDA).

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the portable electronic navigational aid device includes a wireless communications device.

9. A navigation aid method for performing a detour route calculation, comprising:

dynamically receiving data relating to a portion of a particular thoroughfare in a route;

calculating a new route to a desired destination with a preference for avoiding the particular portion of the thoroughfare in the route; and

wherein calculating a new route to a desired destination includes calculating a second new route different from a first new route, wherein the first new route is a first detour route, and calculating the second new route includes calculating the second new route with a preference for avoiding a particular portion of a thoroughfare in the first detour route and the particular portion of the thoroughfare in the route.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further includes performing a route cost analysis in order to calculate the new route to the desired destination.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further includes displaying the new route.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the method includes avoiding the particular portion of the thoroughfare in the route.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein dynamically receiving data relating to the portion of the particular thoroughfare in the route includes dynamically receiving data defining a distance along the portion of the particular thoroughfare.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the method further includes:

dynamically receiving data relating to one or more thoroughfares in the route; and

calculating a new route to a desired destination with a preference for avoiding the one or more thoroughfares in the route.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein dynamically receiving data relating to one or more thoroughfares in the route includes dynamically receiving data relating to the group consisting of a thoroughfare name and a thoroughfare type.

16. A navigation system with route calculation capabilities, comprising:

a server having a processor and a memory, the memory having cartographic data and a route stored therein to navigate from a beginning position to a desired destination, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types, the route including a number of decision points;

wherein the processor operates on a route calculation algorithm and dynamically received data relating to a portion of a particular thoroughfare in a route in order to calculate a new route; and

wherein the memory stores previously selected route preferences for use in calculating new routes.

17. The navigation system of claim 16, wherein the system further includes:

a mass data storage adapted to store navigation data; and

a navigation device adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and the cartographic data from the server via a communication channel, wherein the navigation device includes a display adapted to display the new route.

18. The navigation system of claim 16, wherein the communication channel includes a wireless channel.

19. The navigation system of claim 16, wherein the server includes a processor adapted to respond to a request from the navigation device by performing operations on the dynamically received data relating to the portion of the particular thoroughfare and transmitting results to the navigation device.

20. The navigation system of claim 16, wherein the navigation device adapted to communicate with and retrieve the route and cartographic data from the server using cellular communication technology.