Mapping travel routes

• US 6,983,204 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2004
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/09/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MediaTek, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Knutson, James Irwin
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Thu V.
• Application Number:
  US10/797,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20040172192A1
• Time in Patent Office: 664 Days
• Field of Search: 701200-202, 701207-211, 701117-120, 701/205, 340988-993, 340/995, 340/996, 342/357.01, 342/357.08, 342/357.13, 342/357.06
• US Class Current: 701/208
• 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 21/3492 employing speed data or traffic data, e.g. real-time or historical traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• 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

Abstract

A method and implementing computer system are provided in which route mapping for vehicles is determined between starting and destination points designated by an operator. Selected mapping is determined in accordance with operator selected travel-related criteria and augmented with traffic-related information. In one embodiment, after an initial route is set, the route is automatically updated whenever the vehicle strays from the set course, or whenever there is a change detected in related traffic conditions, or whenever subsequent changed travel points are input by the operator. The travel route and other related messaging may be conveyed to the operator by audio and/or visual devices onboard the vehicle.

Claims

1. A method for automatically updating a selected travel route for a vehicle from a current position of a vehicle to a predetermined destination, said method comprising:

determining said selected travel route, said selected travel route comprising a series of travel segments along said selected travel route, said selected travel route being based upon a first set of segment traffic flow rates for said travel segments;

receiving current position information related to a current position of said vehicle;

periodically receiving real-time segment traffic flow rates for said travel segments;

determining average traffic segment flow rates for said travel segments for differing time periods for each of said travel segments; and

recalculating said selected travel route to provide a new travel route, said new travel route being based upon said real-time segment traffic flow rates and said average segment traffic flow rates whereby said real-time segment traffic flow rates are used in determining new nearby travel segments which are nearby said current position of said vehicle and said average traffic segment flow rates are used in determining new distant travel segments which are nearby said destination.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 and further including interpolating between said real-time segment traffic flow rates and said average segment flow rates to provide interpolated traffic segment flow rates whereby said interpolated traffic segment flow rates are used in determining new travel segments which are between said nearby travel segments and said distant travel segments.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said current position information is received from a global positioning system (GPS) on a continuing basis.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recalculating is accomplished using said current position as a starting point for said new travel route.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said recalculating is accomplished whenever predetermined changes are detected in either said traffic conditions or whenever said current position is not along said selected travel route.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein said recalculating is accomplished only whenever said predetermined changes exceed a predetermined threshold value.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said recalculating is accomplished only whenever said changes exceed said predetermined threshold value for a predetermined period of time.