Navigation system and method for operating a navigation system

• US 7,593,813 B2
• Filed: 11/22/2003
• Issued: 09/22/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kersken, Ulrich, Hahlweg, Cornelius
• Primary Examiner(s): To; Tuan C
• Application Number:
  US10/514,997
• Publication Number:
  US 20050165539A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,131 Days
• Field of Search: 701/209, 701/210, 701/201, 701/202, 340/995.12, 340/995.23, 340/995.19, 340/990, 340/995.18, 342/357.13, 345/7
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network

Abstract

A navigation system for a motor vehicle includes at least one storage device, at least one navigation map being stored on each storage device, which is read out using a reading device. Associated with the reading device is a changeover device for exchanging storage devices that are to be read out by the reading device. A navigation map and information regarding the instantaneous position of the motor vehicle are displayed to a vehicle occupant via a display device. A control device for the changeover device controls the changeover device so that a point in time for changing over the storage device is identifiable so that during the changeover operation of the storage device, a deviation of the motor vehicle from the route segment currently being traveled is improbable based on the current navigation data of the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A navigation system for a motor vehicle, comprising:

at least one storage device, at least one navigation map being stored on each of the at least one storage device;

a reading device, each of the at least one storage device being read out by the reading device;

a changeover device for the reading device, the changeover device exchanging the at least one storage device to be read out by the reading device;

at least one display device for displaying at least one of a navigation map, a pictogram and information regarding an instantaneous position of the motor vehicle to a vehicle occupant;

a control device for the changeover device to control the changeover device so that a point in time for changing over the at least one storage device is identifiable so that during a changeover operation of the at least one storage device, a deviation of the motor vehicle from a route segment currently being traveled is improbable based on current navigation data of the motor vehicle;

wherein there is a changeover operation between data when the vehicle crosses a border of a navigation map,

wherein it is certain that a vehicle position on a second digital map has been found and the route is determinable, and

wherein from a navigation route of the motor vehicle identified by the navigation system, a turn-free route segment of the navigation route is determined, wherein from a length of the turn-free route segment and a maximum speed permissible for that route segment, a navigation time of the motor vehicle on the route segment is determined, and the ascertained navigation time of the motor vehicle is compared with a time required for a changeover operation of the storage device, and wherein the changeover operation is initiated when the ascertained navigation time is greater than the time required for the changeover operation.

2. A method for operating a navigation system for a motor vehicle, the method comprising:

displaying navigation map data, which are stored on a storage device together with navigation data of the motor vehicle, for a vehicle occupant;

performing a changeover of a storage device when the motor vehicle, as a result of its motion, moves out of a region of the navigation map that is stored on the storage device currently being used by the navigation system; and

selecting a point in time for the changeover of the storage device so that during a changeover operation of the storage device, a deviation of the motor vehicle from a route segment currently being traveled is improbable based on current navigation data of the motor vehicle;

wherein there is a changeover operation between data when the vehicle crosses a. border of a navigation map,

wherein it is certain that a vehicle position on a second digital map has been found and the route is determinable, and

wherein from a navigation route of the motor vehicle identified by the navigation system, a turn-free route segment of the navigation route is determined, wherein from a length of the turn-free route segment and a maximum speed permissible for that route segment, a navigation time of the motor vehicle on the route segment is determined, and the ascertained navigation time of the motor vehicle is compared with a time required for a changeover operation of the storage device, and wherein the changeover operation is initiated when the ascertained navigation time is greater than the time required for the changeover operation.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein after the changeover operation of the memory device, a position of the motor vehicle that was matched using an old navigation map that is stored on the changed-out storage device is used for placing the navigation data of the motor vehicle onto a new navigation map that is stored on the changed-in storage device.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein after the changeover operation of the storage device, a position of the motor vehicle that continued to be matched during the changeover operation is used for placing the navigation data of the motor vehicle onto a new navigation map that is stored on the changed-in storage device.

5. The method of claim 2,

wherein after the changeover operation of the memory device, a position of the motor vehicle that was matched using an old navigation map that is stored on the changed-out storage device is used for placing the navigation data of the motor vehicle onto a new navigation map that is stored on the changed-in storage device.

6. The method of claim 2,

wherein after the changeover operation of the storage device, a position of the motor vehicle that continued to be matched during the changeover operation is used for placing the navigation data of the motor vehicle onto a new navigation map that is stored on the changed-in storage device.