Navigation system

• US 7,865,305 B2
• Filed: 07/03/2008
• Issued: 01/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Arai, Masayuki, Kinoshita, Yoshitaka, Sengoku, Koji, Tsuge, Masakuni, Sugawara, Aiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli; Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US12/668,226
• Publication Number:
  US 20100179752A1
• Time in Patent Office: 915 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/210
• 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 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data

Abstract

A navigation server and the like capable of making a navigation device 200 output a route having adequacy in view of various circumstances is provided. A navigation server 100 recognizes a navigation route r(k) for guiding the automobile 2 to the destination position p₂ which is set according to the first algorithm by the navigation device 200. Further, a support route R(k) for guiding the automobile 2 from a current position (or a departure position) p₁ to the destination position p₂ which is set according to the first algorithm is recognized. Still further, a first index c₁(k) representing an adequacy of the navigation route r(k) in view of the second algorithm is evaluated. On condition that the first index c₁(k) satisfies a predetermined condition, the support route R(k) is output in place of the navigation route r(k) by the navigation device 200.

Claims

1. A navigation system configured from a navigation device and a navigation server which supports guiding of a mobile body by a navigation device, on the basis of communication with the navigation device,

the navigation server comprising:

a first support processing unit which recognizes a navigation route for guiding the mobile body to a destination position, which is set according to a first algorithm by the navigation device, on the basis of communication with the navigation device;

a second support processing unit which recognizes a departure position and the destination position of the mobile body on the basis of communication with the navigation device, and sets a support route for guiding the mobile body from the departure position to the destination position according to a second algorithm showing preference to short required moving time or the distance of the mobile body, good fuel consumption, low toll fare, or passing a specified point or a specified link for the mobile body; and

a third support processing unit which evaluates a first index representing an adequacy of the navigation route recognized by the first support processing unit in view of the second algorithm, and makes the navigation device output the support route in place of the navigation route on the basis of communication with the navigation device, on condition that the first index satisfies a predetermined condition,

the navigation device comprising;

a first processing unit which recognizes a departure position and a destination position of the mobile body, and sets and outputs a navigation route for guiding the mobile body from the departure position to the destination position on the basis of the first algorithm; and

a second processing unit which makes the navigation server recognize the navigation route set by the first processing unit on the basis of communication with the navigation server, and subsequently outputs a support route in place of the navigation route, on condition that the support route set at the navigation server for guiding the mobile body from the departure position to the destination position is recognized,

wherein on condition that a current position of the mobile body departs from the navigation route or the support route being output, the first processing unit newly sets and outputs the navigation route taking the current position as a new departure position, and the second processing unit makes the navigation server recognize the navigation route newly set by the first processing unit on the basis of communication with the navigation server, and subsequently outputs the support route in place of the navigation route, on condition that the support route newly set at the navigation server for guiding the mobile body from the new departure position to the destination position is recognized.

2. The navigation system according to claim 1,

wherein the third support processing unit evaluates a second index representing an adequacy of the support route set by the second support processing unit in view of the second algorithm, and makes the navigation device output the support route in place of the navigation route on the basis of communication with the navigation device, on condition that the first index satisfies the predetermined condition, the predetermined condition being a condition in which a deviation between the first index and the second index exceeds a threshold value.

3. The navigation system according to claim 1,

wherein the second support processing unit sets the support route according to the second algorithm which differs from the first algorithm.

4. The navigation system according to claim 1,

wherein on condition that the current position of the mobile body departs from the navigation route or the support route being output;

the first processing unit sets a new navigation route including a route which connects the current position of the mobile body and a position of the navigation route exceeding a predetermined range which takes the position of the mobile body as reference.