Route planning methods and systems

• US 8,386,161 B2
• Filed: 09/05/2009
• Issued: 02/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MiTAC International Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: MiTAC International Corporation (MiTAC Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Chen, Mei-Ling
• Primary Examiner(s): Mawari, Redhwan k
• Application Number:
  US12/554,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20100153006A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,270 Days
• Field of Search: 701/411, 701/467
• US Class Current: 701/400
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3407 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/047 Optimisation of routes or paths, e.g. travelling salesman problem
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management

Abstract

Route planning methods and systems are provided. First, an input corresponding to a specific region is received via an input unit of a personal navigation device. Then, a first predefined location located in the specific region is determined. A first route from a first current position of the device to the first predefined location is planned.

Claims

1. A route planning method for use in a personal navigation device, comprising the steps in order:

receiving a first input corresponding to a specific region via an input unit of the personal navigation device;

determining a first predefined location located in the specific region;

planning a first route from a first current position of the personal navigation device to the first predefined location;

performing a navigation operation according to the first route, thus navigating to the specific region;

determining whether a latest current position of the personal navigation device is close to the specific region and displaying an alert display mode when the latest current position of the personal navigation device is close to the specific region, wherein the alert display mode comprises displaying an alert message for asking a second input corresponding to a specific location within the specific region, displaying a full view map corresponding to the specific region, glistening a picture of the personal navigation device, or displaying a button for selection, wherein when the button is selected, a picture for inputting the specific location is entered;

planning a second route from a second current position of the personal navigation device to the specific location, wherein the second input is received during the navigation operation corresponding to the first route.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising performing a navigation operation according to the second route, thus navigating to the specific location.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an input corresponding to a pass-through region via the input unit;

determining a second predefined location located in the pass-through region; and

planning a third route from a third current position of the personal navigation device, pass-through the second predefined location, and to the first predefined location.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a map or at least one landmark corresponding to the specific region.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the input corresponding to the specific region is performed using voices or texts, or by selecting the specific region via a touch-sensitive screen.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein when the specific region corresponds to several candidate predefined locations, the method further comprises the steps of:

displaying the candidate predefined locations;

receiving a selection corresponding to one of the candidate predefined locations; and

setting the selected candidate predefined location as the first predefined location.

7. A route planning system for use in a personal navigation device, comprising:

an input unit receiving a first input corresponding to a specific region; and

a processing unit determining a first predefined location located in the specific region, planning a first route from a first current position of the personal navigation device to the first predefined location, performing a navigation operation according to the first route, thus to navigate to the specific region,

wherein the processing unit further determines whether a latest current position of the personal navigation device is close to the specific region, and displays an alert display mode when the latest current position of the personal navigation device is close to the specific region;

wherein the processing unit displays the alert display mode by displaying an alert message for asking a second input corresponding to a specific location during the navigation operation and plans a second route from a second current position of the personal navigation device to the specific location, displaying a full view map corresponding to the specific region, glistening a picture of the personal navigation device, or displaying a button for selection, wherein when the button is selected, a picture for inputting the specific location is entered,

wherein the processing unit further performs a navigation operation according to the second route, thus to navigate to the specific location.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the input unit further receives an input corresponding to a pass-through region via the input unit, and the processing unit further determines a second predefined location located in the pass-through region, and plans a third route from a third current position of the personal navigation device, pass-through the second predefined location, to the first predefined location.

9. The system of claim 7, further comprising a display unit displaying a map or at least one landmark corresponding to the specific region.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the input corresponding to the specific region is performed using voices or texts, or by selecting the specific region via a touch-sensitive screen.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein when the specific region corresponds to several candidate predefined locations, the processing unit further displays the candidate predefined locations, receives a selection corresponding to one of the candidate predefined locations, and sets the selected candidate predefined location as the first predefined location.

12. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium comprising a computer program, which, when executed, causes a device to perform a route planning method, and the method comprises:

receiving a first input corresponding to a specific region via an input unit of the device;

determining a first predefined location located in the specific region;

planning a first route from a first current position of the device to the first predefined location;

performing a navigation operation according to the first route, thus navigating to the specific region;

determining whether a latest current position of the device is close to the specific region and displaying an alert display mode when the latest current position of the device is close to the specific region, wherein the alert display mode comprises displaying an alert message for asking a second input corresponding to a specific location within the specific region, displaying a full view map corresponding to the specific region, glistening a picture of the device, or displaying a button for selection, wherein when the button is selected, a picture for inputting the specific location is entered; and

planning a second route from a second current position of the personal navigation device to the specific location, wherein the second input is received during the navigation operation corresponding to the first route.