Method and apparatus for adjusting distance for generating maneuver instruction for navigation system
First Claim
1. A distance adjustment method for a navigation system, comprising the following steps of:
- conducting, by using a central processor unit, a route guidance operation of the navigation system for guiding a user to a destination through a calculated route;
searching an upcoming intersection on the calculated route that requires the user to make a turn therein within a predetermined distance range ahead from a current position;
retrieving data concerning the upcoming intersection from a map database;
retrieving a reference distance from a reference point of the intersection;
determining an adjusted distance based on a direction of a turning maneuver at the intersection and other relevant information derived from the retrieved data concerning the intersection, which further includes the steps of;
incorporating a half width of a road segment where one road segment is involved in the intersection;
incorporating a half width of a center divider of the intersection;
either adding or subtracting the half width of the road segment and the center divider from the reference distance depending on the direction of the turning maneuver;
establishing a final distance from the reference point of the intersection by incorporating the adjusted distance; and
generating a maneuver instruction at a timing when the user has reached the final distance from the reference point of the intersection, thereby notifying the user to make the turning maneuver at the intersection;
wherein the adjusted distance is greater than zero.
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Abstract
A distance adjustment method and apparatus for a navigation system produces a maneuver instruction for an intersection at the most appropriate timing and location during the route guidance. The method includes the steps of: searching an upcoming intersection on the calculated route that requires the user to make a turn therein; retrieving data concerning the upcoming intersection from a map database; adjusting a final distance from a reference point of the intersection by evaluating the retrieved data concerning the intersection; and generating a maneuver instruction at a timing when the user has reached the adjusted final distance from the reference point of the intersection, thereby notifying the user to make a turning maneuver at the intersection.
63 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A distance adjustment method for a navigation system, comprising the following steps of:
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conducting, by using a central processor unit, a route guidance operation of the navigation system for guiding a user to a destination through a calculated route; searching an upcoming intersection on the calculated route that requires the user to make a turn therein within a predetermined distance range ahead from a current position; retrieving data concerning the upcoming intersection from a map database; retrieving a reference distance from a reference point of the intersection; determining an adjusted distance based on a direction of a turning maneuver at the intersection and other relevant information derived from the retrieved data concerning the intersection, which further includes the steps of; incorporating a half width of a road segment where one road segment is involved in the intersection; incorporating a half width of a center divider of the intersection; either adding or subtracting the half width of the road segment and the center divider from the reference distance depending on the direction of the turning maneuver; establishing a final distance from the reference point of the intersection by incorporating the adjusted distance; and generating a maneuver instruction at a timing when the user has reached the final distance from the reference point of the intersection, thereby notifying the user to make the turning maneuver at the intersection; wherein the adjusted distance is greater than zero. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A distance adjustment apparatus for a navigation system, comprising:
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a data storage device which stores map data related to operations of the navigation system; a monitor for displaying information and images related to the operations of the navigation system including selection of a start point and a destination, and route guidance to the destination; a position measuring device for measuring a current position of a user or a user'"'"'s vehicle carrying the navigation system and determining a distance between a point defined by the map data and the current position; and a central processing unit for controlling overall operations of the navigation system including retrieving the map data from the data storage device, establishing a calculated route between the start point and the destination, and guiding a user to the destination; wherein the central processing unit is configured to control the following operations of; conducting a route guidance operation of the navigation system for guiding a user to a destination through a calculated route; searching an upcoming intersection on the calculated route that requires the user to make a turn therein within a predetermined distance range ahead from the current position determined by the position measuring device; retrieving data concerning the upcoming intersection from a map database; retrieving a reference distance from a reference point of the intersection; determining an adjusted distance based on a direction of a turning maneuver at the intersection and other relevant information derived from the retrieved data concerning the intersection, which further includes; incorporating a half width of a road segment where one road segment is involved in the intersection; incorporating a half width of a center divider of the intersection; either adding or subtracting the half width of the road segment and the center divider from the reference distance depending on the direction of the turning maneuver; establishing a final distance from the reference point of the intersection by incorporating the adjusted distance; and generating a maneuver instruction at a timing when the user has reached the final distance from the reference point of the intersection, thereby notifying the user to make the turning maneuver at the intersection; wherein the adjusted distance is greater than zero. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification