Route calculation method for a vehicle navigation system

• US 7,680,596 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2005
• Issued: 03/16/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ohki, Eric Shigeru, Kurciska, Maja, Tamura, Kazuya, Uyeki, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): CAMBY, RICHARD M
• Application Number:
  US11/096,415
• Publication Number:
  US 20050222764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,812 Days
• Field of Search: 701/26, 701201-213, 701/221, 701/224, 340/988, 340/990, 3409951-99523
• 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 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data

Abstract

Traffic information, including flow information and incident information, obtained through a traffic management system for providing and facilitating the exchange of traffic information between a remote location and a vehicle may be used in route calculation by a navigation device. The navigation device may recalculate a route based on anticipated user error. Alternatively, the navigation device may recalculate a route using received traffic information triggered by the receipt of a traffic information update, or triggered by the passage of an amount of time. The broadcast rate of traffic information updates may vary temporally (providing more frequent updates during peak commute times) or geographically (providing more frequent updates to metropolitan areas with increased traffic information needs). If route calculation is triggered by an elapsed amount of time, the amount of time may vary to be shorter during peak commute times. Additional route calculation techniques allow the incorporation of historical traffic information or the use of the most recent traffic information if incomplete traffic information is available. Still further route calculation techniques may calculate a best route by avoiding zigzagging or evaluating an assigned cost of a potential route.

Claims

1. In a vehicle navigation system having an output screen, a method for calculating at least one travel route to a destination, comprising the steps of:

calculating a first travel route for a vehicle from a first location to said destination;

displaying said first travel route on said output screen;

anticipating an error by a driver of said vehicle resulting in said vehicle deviating from said first travel route to a second location that is not on said first travel route;

calculating a second travel route for said vehicle from said second location to said destination prior to said error by said driver; and

displaying said second travel route on said output screen in response to said error by said driver.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said error comprises missing a turn on the first travel route.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said error comprises turning the wrong direction on said first travel route.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving updated traffic information from a remote location;

using said updated traffic information to calculate a third travel route from a current location to said destination;

estimating a first travel time for said third travel route and a second travel time from said current location to said destination on said second travel route;

determining whether said first travel time is less than said second travel time; and

displaying said third travel route on said output screen if said first travel time is less than said second travel time.

5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said step of receiving updated traffic information comprises receiving updated traffic information from said remote location through a wireless communication network.

6. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said remote location comprises a traffic information supplier.

7. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein said step of receiving updated traffic information comprises receiving updated traffic information from said remote location through a broadcast communication network.

8. In a vehicle navigation system having an output screen, a method for calculating travel routes to a destination, comprising the steps of:

calculating a first travel route for a vehicle from a first location to said destination;

displaying said first travel route on said output screen;

anticipating said vehicle deviating from said first travel route to a second location that is not on said first travel route;

calculating a second travel route for said vehicle from said second location to said destination; and

displaying said second travel route on said output screen in response to said vehicle deviating from said first travel route to said second location.

9. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said deviation comprises missing a turn on the first travel route.

10. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein said deviation comprises turning the wrong direction on said first travel route.

11. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

receiving updated traffic information from a remote location;

using said updated traffic information to calculate a third travel route from a current location on said first travel route to said destination;

estimating a first travel time from said current location to said destination on said first travel route and a second travel time from said current location to said destination on said third travel route; and

displaying said third travel route on said output screen if said second travel time is less than said first travel time.

12. The method as recited in claim 8, further comprising:

receiving updated traffic information from a remote location;

using said updated traffic information to calculate a third travel route from a current location on said second travel route to said destination;

estimating a first travel time from said current location to said destination on said third travel route and a second travel time from said current location to said destination on said second travel route;

determining whether said first travel time is less than said second travel time; and

displaying said third travel route on said output screen if said first travel time is less than said second travel time.

13. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said step of receiving updated traffic information comprises receiving updated traffic information from said remote location through a wireless communication network.

14. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said remote location comprises a traffic information supplier.

15. The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said step of receiving updated traffic information comprises receiving updated traffic information from said remote location through a broadcast communication network.

16. A vehicle navigation system for a vehicle, comprising:

a position detection device for determining a location of said vehicle;

a user input device for receiving information on a destination;

an output screen for displaying at least one travel route; and

a processor in communication with said position detection device, input device and output screen, said processor being programmed to;

calculate a first travel route from said location to said destination;

display said first travel route on said output screen;

anticipate a deviation from said first travel route at a particular location;

calculate a second travel route from said deviation to said destination; and

display said second travel route on said output screen if said vehicle deviates from said travel route at said particular location.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein said deviation comprises missing a turn on the first travel route.

18. The system of claim 16, wherein said deviation comprises turning the wrong direction on said first travel route.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein said vehicle navigation system further comprises a receiver for receiving updated traffic information from a remote location, and said processor is further programmed to:

use said updated traffic information to calculate a third travel route from a current location to said destination;

calculate a first travel time for said third travel route and a second travel time from said current location to said destination on said second travel route; and

display said third travel route on said output screen if said first travel time is less than said second travel time.

20. The system in claim 19, wherein said receiver is configured to receive updated traffic information from said remote location via one of a wireless communication network and a broadcast communication network.