Navigation system, method and device with detour algorithm

• US 6,999,873 B1
• Filed: 11/05/2003
• Issued: 02/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Original Assignee: Garmin Limited
• Inventors: Childs, Michael, Krull, Jay Dee, Runquist, Shane R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/701,771
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 701200-213, 340/988, 340/989, 340/992, 340/905, 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 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• 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

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 route;

wherein the device is adapted to 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 is adapted to select a distance to avoid in a current route from among a number of user input options in a detour route menu.

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 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.

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

5. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

a processor;

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory having cartographic data, the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types;

wherein the device is adapted to calculate a route to navigate to a desired destination;

a display in communication with the processor and capable of displaying the cartographic data, the route, and the device'"'"'s position; and

wherein the device is adapted to calculate a new route including determining a distance to avoid from a number of integral distances.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is adapted to perform a route cost analysis based on the received data.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein the route includes a route selected from the group consisting of an originally planned route and a previous detour route, and wherein the new route is a new detour route which avoids the portion of the particular thoroughfare in the route.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein the received data includes data defining a distance along the portion of the particular thoroughfare.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein in calculating the new route the device is adapted to assign a preference for avoiding the distance along the portion of the particular thoroughfare.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the preference includes received data relating to a preference level.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is adapted to calculate a new route using received data relating to one or more thoroughfares in the route.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the received data relating to one or more thoroughfares in the route includes a data relating to the group consisting of a thoroughfare name and a thoroughfare type.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein the device is adapted to calculate a new route using received data relating to one or more sections in the route.