Multi-modal navigation system and method

• US 8,731,814 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2010
• Issued: 05/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Schunder, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HIEP VAN
• Application Number:
  US12/829,819
• Publication Number:
  US 20120004841A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 701/201
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3423 Multimodal routing, i.e. combining two or more modes of transportation, where the modes can be any of, e.g. driving, walking, cycling, public transport
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3661 Guidance output on an external device, e.g. car radio

Abstract

One or more embodiments may include a multi-modal navigation system and method. Route information may be received for generating a navigation route which may comprise multiple modes of transportation to a destination. GPS data may also be received. The navigation route to the destination across the multiple modes of transportation may be determined. The route may be updated as the route is traversed. The navigation route across the multiple modes of transportation may be output based on the GPS data.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

Receiving destination information at a vehicle computing system (VCS);

determining a route to the destination, wherein different portions of the route are based on different modes of transportation;

outputting at least a user-driven portion of the route on a vehicle display;

detecting a vehicle event defining an end to the user-driven portion of the route; and

outputting a remaining non-user-driven route on a portable device based on the event detection.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving non-route transportation information for multiple transport types; and

outputting the navigation route based additionally on the non-route transportation information.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2 wherein the non-route transportation information includes at least one of time information and cost information.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein determining a route further comprises:

receiving a routing change; and

determining a route for each of the different modes of transportation based on the routing change.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle event is a key-off event, a gear change event, or a key-on event.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 wherein the vehicle event is a proximity to a transport change location.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising presenting the route as speech, graphical images, an SMS message or an electronic mail message.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving traveler criteria; and

determining the route additionally based on the traveler criteria.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8 wherein the traveler criteria includes at least one of travel time, scenic route, or ease of travel.

10. A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving input on a first device defining a destination;

determining a route to the destination on the first device, including instructions for travelling by multiple modes of transport;

outputting the route on vehicular device, according to a user-driven portion of the route;

receiving a vehicular event defining an end to the user-driven portion of the route; and

in response to the event, outputting the navigation route on a portable device.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 wherein the event includes a key-off event, a key-on event, or a gear change.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving route information for each of the multiple modes of transport based on the destination point from multiple transport information sources; and

determining the route additionally based on the route information from the multiple transport information sources.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12 wherein the multiple transport information sources are publicly available sources.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 10

establishing a data connection with the portable device;

transferring data representing the navigation route to the portable device over the data connection in response to the event; and

.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14 wherein the data connection is at least one of a BLUETOOTH connection, WiFi connection, or cellular connection.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 10 further comprising:

receiving GPS data; and

outputting the navigation route based on the GPS data.

17. A tangible computer-program product embodied in at least one computer-readable medium, having computer-readable instructions programmed for:

receiving input on a first device defining a destination;

determining a route to the destination on the first device, including instructions for travelling by multiple modes of transport;

outputting the route on vehicular device, according to a user-driven portion of the route;

receiving a vehicular event defining an end to the user-driven portion of the route; and

in response to the event, outputting the navigation route on a portable device.