Navigation device and method for driving break warning

• US 8,483,943 B2
• Filed: 10/10/2007
• Issued: 07/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Geelen, Pieter, Jones, Rory, Jurgens, Sven-Erik
• Primary Examiner(s): Hellner, Mark
• Application Number:
  US11/907,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20080167800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,099 Days
• Field of Search: 340/576, 340/439, 701/201, 701/208, 701/410, 701/431
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3655 Timing of guidance instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096791 where the origin of the information is another vehicle

Abstract

A method and device are disclosed for navigation. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining a route of travel, in a navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location; determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and prompting, upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route. In at least one embodiment, the navigation device includes a processor to determine a route of travel based upon at least a received destination location and to determine whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and an output device to prompt, upon the processor determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining a route of travel, in a navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location;

determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and

prompting, upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route wherein the prompting includes displaying, on an integrated input and display device of the navigation device, at least one of a selection to enable output of the warning and a selection not to enable output of the warning, wherein the enabling occurs subsequent to receipt of an indication of a selection to enable the warning output.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least a second threshold is met, the second threshold being less than the first threshold; and

outputting the warning upon determining that the second threshold is met.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one of an icon and a message are displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the warning is output for a limited duration.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the determining includes determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least one additional threshold is met, the at least one additional threshold being less than the first threshold, and wherein the warning is again output upon determining that the at least one additional threshold is met.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device, the at least one of an icon and a message being displayed on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device for a limited duration.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the display of at least one of an icon and a message is varied in color based upon the at least one additional threshold representing a time for the driving break being met.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the outputting of the warning includes output of an audible warning, at least upon the at least one additional threshold, representing a time for the driving break, being met.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device, the at least one of an icon and a message being displayed on the integrated input and display device of the navigation device for a limited duration.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the display of at least one of an icon and a message is varied in color based upon the at least one additional threshold representing a time for the driving break being met.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein the icon is selectable, the method further comprising outputting selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein the icon is selectable, the method further comprising outputting selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the icon is selectable, the method further comprising outputting selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the outputting includes at least one of an audible output and a visual output.

19. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between the second threshold and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

24. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

25. The method of claim 6, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

26. The method of claim 6, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

29. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement a method comprising:

determining a route of travel, in a navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location;

determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and

prompting, upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route wherein the prompting includes displaying, on an integrated input and display device of the navigation device, at least one of a selection to enable output of the warning and a selection not to enable output of the warning, wherein the enabling occurs subsequent to receipt of an indication of a selection to enable the warning output.

30. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement a method comprising:

determining a route of travel, in a navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location;

determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and

prompting, upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route wherein the prompting includes displaying, on an integrated input and display device of the navigation device, at least one of a selection to enable output of the warning and a selection not to enable output of the warning, wherein the enabling occurs subsequent to receipt of an indication of a selection to enable the warning output and determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least a second threshold is met, the second threshold being less than the first threshold; and

outputting the warning upon determining that the second threshold is met.

31. A method, comprising:

enabling a navigation device to output a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located;

determining a route of travel, in the navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location;

determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and

outputting the warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, upon the warning being enabled and upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold, and determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least a second threshold is met, the second threshold being less than the first threshold, wherein the warning is output upon determining that the second threshold is met.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the at least one of an icon and a message are displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the determining includes determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least one additional threshold is met, the at least one additional threshold being less than the first threshold, and wherein the warning is again output upon determining that the at least one additional threshold is met.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the warning is output at a time when the second threshold is met and at a threshold driving break time.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device, the at least one of an icon and a message being displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein the display of at least one of an icon and a message is varied in color based upon the at least one additional threshold representing a time for the driving break being met.

38. The method of claim 32, wherein the icon is selectable, the method further comprising outputting selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

40. The method of claim 31 wherein the outputting includes at least one of an audible output and a visual output.

41. The method of claim 31, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between the second threshold and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

42. The method of claim 31, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

44. The method of claim 42, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

45. The method of claim 43, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

46. The method of claim 34, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

47. The method of claim 34, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

49. The method of claim 47, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

50. The method of claim 48, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

51. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement a method comprising:

enabling a navigation device to output a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located;

determining a route of travel, in the navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location;

determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and

outputting the warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, upon the warning being enabled and upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold, and determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least a second threshold is met, the second threshold being less than the first threshold, wherein the warning is output upon determining that the second threshold is met.

52. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor of a navigation device, causing the navigation device to implement a method comprising:

enabling a navigation device to output a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located;

determining a route of travel, in the navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location;

determining whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and

outputting the warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, upon the warning being enabled and upon determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold, and determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least a second threshold is met, the second threshold being less than the first threshold, wherein the warning is output upon determining that the second threshold is met and determining, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least one additional threshold is met, the at least one additional threshold being less than the first threshold, and wherein the warning is again output upon determining that the at least one additional threshold is met.

53. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor to determine a route of travel based upon at least a received destination location and to determine whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold; and

an output device to prompt, upon the processor determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the first threshold, a user of the navigation device to enable output of a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, during travel along the determined route wherein the output device includes an integrated input and display device, to display at least one of a selection to enable output of the warning and a selection not to enable output of the warning, wherein the enabling occurs subsequent to receipt of an indication of a selection to enable the warning output.

54. The navigation device of claim 53, wherein the processor is further useable to determine, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least a second threshold is met, the second threshold being less than the first threshold and wherein the output device is useable to output the warning upon determining that the second threshold is met.

55. The navigation device of claim 54, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device.

56. The navigation device of claim 55, wherein the at least one of an icon and a message are displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

57. The navigation device of claim 54, wherein the warning is output for a limited duration.

58. The navigation device of claim 57, wherein the processor is further useable to determine, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least one additional threshold is met, the at least one additional threshold being less than the first threshold, and wherein the warning is again output upon determining that the at least one additional threshold is met.

59. The navigation device of claim 58, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device, the at least one of an icon and a message being displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

60. The navigation device of claim 59, wherein the display of at least one of an icon and a message is varied in color based upon the at least one additional threshold representing a time for the driving break being met.

61. The navigation device of claim 54, wherein the warning is output at a time when the second threshold is met and at a threshold driving break time.

62. The navigation device of claim 61, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device, the at least one of an icon and a message being displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

63. The navigation device of claim 62, wherein the display of at least one of an icon and a message is varied in color based upon the at least one additional threshold representing a time for the driving break being met.

64. The navigation device of claim 55, wherein the icon is selectable, and the integrated input and display device is further useable to output selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

65. The navigation device of claim 59, wherein the icon is selectable, and the integrated input and display device is further useable to output selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

66. The navigation device of claim 62, wherein the icon is selectable, and the integrated input and display device is further useable to output selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

67. The navigation device of claim 64, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

68. The navigation device of claim 64, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

69. The navigation device of claim 65, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

70. The navigation device of claim 66, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

71. The navigation device of claim 54, wherein the outputting includes at least one of an audible output and a visual output.

72. The navigation device of claim 54, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between the second threshold and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

73. The navigation device of claim 54, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

74. The navigation device of claim 73, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

75. The navigation device of claim 73, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

76. The navigation device of claim 74, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

77. The navigation device of claim 58, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

78. The navigation device of claim 58, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

79. The navigation device of claim 78, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

80. The navigation device of claim 78, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

81. The navigation device of claim 79, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

82. A navigation device, comprising:

an integrated input and display device to enable a navigation device to output a warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located; and

a processor to determine a route of travel, in the navigation device, based upon at least a received destination location and to determine whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold, the warning to break from driving a vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, being output via at least the integrated input and display device upon the warning being enabled and upon the processor determining that travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed a first threshold wherein the processor is further useable to determine, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least a second threshold is met, the second threshold being less than the first threshold, wherein the warning is output, via at least the integrated input and display device, upon determining that the second threshold is met.

83. The navigation device of claim 82 wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device.

84. The navigation device of claim 83, wherein the at least one of an icon and a message are displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

85. The navigation device of claim 82 wherein the processor is further useable to determine, during travel along the determined route and upon the warning output being enabled, whether or not at least one additional threshold is met, the at least one additional threshold being less than the first threshold, and wherein the warning is again output upon determining that the at least one additional threshold is met.

86. The navigation device of claim 82 wherein the warning is output at a time when the second threshold is met and at a threshold driving break time.

87. The navigation device of claim 86, wherein the outputting of the warning includes displaying at least one of an icon and a message on the integrated input and display of the navigation device, the at least one of an icon and a message being displayed on the integrated input and display of the navigation device for a limited duration.

88. The navigation device of claim 87, wherein the display of at least one of an icon and a message is varied in color based upon the at least one additional threshold representing a time for the driving break being met.

89. The navigation device of claim 83, wherein the icon is selectable, the integrated input and display device being further useable to output selectable options to aid in implementing the driving break, upon receipt of an indication of selection of the icon.

90. The navigation device of claim 89, wherein the selectable options include points of interest along the determined route of travel.

91. The navigation device of claim 82, wherein the outputting includes at least one of an audible output and a visual output.

92. The navigation device of claim 82 wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between the second threshold and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

93. The navigation device of claim 82 wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

94. The navigation device of claim 93, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

95. The navigation device of claim 93, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

96. The navigation device of claim 94, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

97. The navigation device of claim 85, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, and at least one of a time parameter and a distance parameter.

98. The navigation device of claim 85, wherein the determining of whether or not travel along the determined route will at least one of meet and exceed at least one of the second threshold and the at least one additional threshold, is based upon a comparison between a time count during operation of the navigation device and the second threshold.

99. The navigation device of claim 98, wherein the time count begins when at least one of the navigation device is docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed above a threshold speed.

100. The navigation device of claim 98, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.

101. The navigation device of claim 99, wherein the time count is paused when at least one of the navigation device is un-docked, and the vehicle, in which the navigation device is located, is traveling at a speed below a threshold speed.