Systems and methods for a PDA with improved route calculation capabilities

• US 6,947,838 B1
• Filed: 10/17/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Childs, Michael E., Krull, Jay Dee, Walters, Thomas H., Burgett, Scott M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Beaulieu, Yonel
• Application Number:
  US10/273,319
• Time in Patent Office: 1,069 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/201, 701/208, 701/209, 701/25
• US Class Current: 701/209
• 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

Abstract

Systems, devices and methods are provided for an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely route calculation capabilities. A PDA 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 PDA is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination. And, the PDA is adapted to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the PDA is on the route at a time when the route calculation is completed. The PDA processes travel along the route, recognizes when the PDA has deviated from the route, and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination.

Claims

1. A personal digital assistant (PDA) with route calculation capabilities, comprising:

a calendar function;

an address book function;

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

a display operable to communicate with the processor and the memory, the display capable of displaying the cartographic data;

wherein the PDA is operable to calculate a route to navigate to the desired destination; and

wherein the PDA is operable to adjust a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the PDA is on (a correct course) the route at a time when the route calculation is completed.

2. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the PDA determines data indicative of a set of travel habits for the PDA on each of the thoroughfares of the plurality of types and stores the travel habit data in the memory.

3. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the PDA regularly calculates a current position and processes the PDA'"'"'s travel along the route.

4. The PDA of claim 3, wherein the display continuously displays the PDA'"'"'s position and uses audio instructions to navigate to the starting point of the route calculation as well as to navigate along the route.

5. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the PDA determines a calculation time for processing the route and determines a travel speed of the PDA, and wherein the PDA uses this information to adjust the starting point for the route calculation.

6. The PDA of claim 5, wherein the travel speed for the PDA is determined based on the greater of a current travel speed of the PDA and either of a learned travel speed or an estimated travel speed of the PDA for a current thoroughfare on which the PDA is located or traveling.

7. The PDA device of claim 1, wherein the PDA includes a wireless communications device.

8. A handheld multifunction device with route calculation capabilities, comprising:

a calendar function;

an address book function;

a processor operable to communicate with 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;

a display operable to communicate with the processor and the memory, the display being capable of displaying the cartographic data, the route to the desired destination, and a location of the device;

wherein the device processes the device'"'"'s location and provides location data to the display; and

wherein the device recognizes when the device has deviated from the route and calculates a new route to navigate to the desired destination, wherein the device adjusts a starting point for the new route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the new route at a time when the route calculation is completed.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein in calculating the new route the device determines a travel speed of the device to determine how far the device will travel on a current thoroughfare before a the new route calculation can be completed.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein in calculating the new route the device estimates a first route calculation time for processing the new route from a current position of the device to the desired destination based on a complexity of the thoroughfares, and wherein the device uses the determined travel speed of the device and the first route calculation time to adjust the starting point for the new route calculation.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein if the device is not on the new route after an actual first route calculation time then the device uses a second route calculation time and the device'"'"'s travel speed to set a new starting point for another new route calculation.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the second route calculation time is equal to or greater than an actual first route calculation time.

13. The device of claim 9, wherein the device uses a set of criteria to analyze adjacency information and to determine a straightest path in order to adjust the starting point for the new route calculation.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the starting point is at an end of a current thoroughfare on which the device is traveling.

15. A navigation method for performing a route calculation on a PDA, comprising:

determining a travel speed of the PDA;

estimating a calculation time for processing a first route of navigation from a first location of the PDA to a desired destination; and

selecting a starting point for the first route of navigation based on the determined travel speed of the PDA and the estimated calculation time for processing the first route of navigation.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein estimating a calculation time for processing the first route of navigation includes assessing a complexity of a route solution between the first location of the PDA and the desired destination.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the method further includes detecting when the navigation PDA has deviated from the first route of navigation, determining a second location of the PDA, and estimating a calculation time for processing a second route of navigation from the second location of the PDA to the desired destination.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein detecting when the PDA has deviated from the first route of navigation and determining the second location of the PDA includes using a global positioning system.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein estimating a calculation time for processing the second route of navigation includes using a calculation time which is equal to or greater than an actual previous route calculation time.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein selecting the starting point includes using a set of criteria to analyze adjacency information and determine a straightest path in order to adjust the starting point.

21. A system, comprising:

a mass data storage adapted to store navigation data;

a server having a processor and memory, wherein the server is adapted to communicate with the mass data storage; and

a multifunction device adapted to communicate with and retrieve navigation data from the server via a communication channel, wherein the multifunction device includes;

a calendar function;

an address book function;

a processor operably coupled to a memory and a display, the memory having cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types;

wherein the system processes the multifunction device'"'"'s travel along the route;

wherein the system recognizes when the device has deviated from the route and is adapted to calculate a new route to navigate the device to the desired destination using an exchange of data, via the communication channel, between the server, the mass storage device and the multifunction device; and

wherein the system is adapted to adjust a starting point for the new route calculation to an appropriate location such that the device is on the new route at a time when the route calculation is completed.

22. The navigation system of claim 21, wherein the communication channel includes a wireless channel.

23. The navigation system of claim 21, wherein the server includes a remote server.

24. The navigation system of claim 21, wherein the server includes a processor operable to respond to a request from the multifunction device by performing calculations on the navigation data and transmitting results to the multifunction device.

25. The navigation system of claim 21, wherein the navigation device is operable to communicate with and retrieve navigation data from the server using Bluetooth technology.

26. The navigation system of claim 21, wherein the multifunction device includes a telecommunication functionality operable for transmitting voice data.

27. A personal digital assistant (PDA), comprising:

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

a display operable to communicate with the processor and the memory, the display capable of displaying the cartographic data;

a calendar function;

an address book function;

means for calculating a route to navigate to the desired destination; and

means for adjusting a starting point for the route calculation to an appropriate location such that the PDA is on a correct course at a time when the route calculation is completed.