Navigation apparatus and method of detection that a parking facility is sought

• US 8,756,000 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2008
• Issued: 06/17/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TomTom Navigation B.V (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Tertoolen, Simone Francine
• Primary Examiner(s): EL CHANTI, HUSSEIN A
• Application Number:
  US12/736,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20110106426A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,077 Days
• Field of Search: 701/400
• US Class Current: 701/400
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3476 using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3614 through interaction with a road map, e.g. selecting a POI icon on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3682 output of POI information on a road map G01C21/3614, G01C21/3685 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3685 the POI's being parking facilities
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096888 where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0969 having a display in the form of a map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/141 with means giving the indication of available parking spaces

Abstract

A navigation apparatus is disclosed including a location determination unit and a processing resource arranged to support, when in use, a user interface. In at least one embodiment, the processing resource is operably coupled to the location determination unit in order to obtain location information therefrom. The processing resource is arranged to analyze the location information and the user interface is arranged to generate a message offering assistance in relation to finding a parking facility in response to the processing resource determining that a location information characteristic associated with the location information is in accordance with a predetermined criterion.

Claims

1. A navigation apparatus comprising:

a location determination unit;

a processing resource arranged to support, when in use, a user interface, the processing resource being operably coupled to the location determination unit in order to obtain location information therefrom;

wherein

the processing resource is arranged to monitor driving pattern by analysing the change in the location information with time; and

the user interface is arranged to generate a message offering assistance in relation to finding a parking facility in response to the processing resource determining a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing resource is arranged to support a navigation function, the navigation function being arranged to provide navigation assistance to a selected location.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processing resource is arranged to query a database comprising parking facility information in order to find the parking facility, the parking facility being within a predetermined vicinity of the location selected.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the location selected is a destination location.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the location selected is a waypoint location.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the parking facility found is a closest parking facility with respect to the selected location.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing resource is arranged to support generation of the message when navigation assistance is not being provided.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processing resource is arranged to query a database comprising parking facility information in order to find the parking facility, the parking facility being within a predetermined vicinity of a current location.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the user interface is arranged to await a response from a user following generation of the message, and the processing resource is arranged to record the response when the response is indicative of a declination of the offer of assistance for preventing the message being repeated.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

the processing resource is arranged to support a navigation function;

the user interface is arranged to receive a user response to the message accepting the offer of assistance; and

the processing resource is arranged to initiate a route configuration procedure in response to the user response.

14. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein monitoring driving pattern comprises measuring the speed of the apparatus, and determining a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility comprises determining whether the measured speed is within a predetermined speed range.

15. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein monitoring driving pattern comprises analysing the direction the apparatus travel.

16. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein monitoring driving pattern comprises analysing a path travelled by the navigation apparatus.

17. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein determining a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility comprises determining whether the apparatus is within a proximity threshold with respect to the location selected.

18. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein determining a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility comprises determining whether the apparatus fails to stop at the selected location for a minimum predetermined period of time.

19. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein determining a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility comprises determining whether the apparatus is travelling away from the selected location.

20. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the determination of a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility is made upon or after arrival at the selected location.

21. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein determining a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility comprises correlating a path being travelled to a predetermined path, the predetermined path being one of:

a substantially loop-shaped path, a substantially circular path, a substantially triangular path, a substantially square-shaped path and a reversed course.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the message offering assistance in relation to finding a parking facility indicates a distance to the parking facility.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the navigation function modifies a route to the selected location by replacing the selected location with the parking facility upon an indication that a parking facility is desired.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the message offering assistance in relation to finding a parking facility is provided when the apparatus is in a free driving mode of operation.

11. A method of determination that a parking facility is being sought, the method comprising:

obtaining location information from a location determination unit;

monitoring driving pattern by analysing the change in the location information with time;

determining whether the driving pattern is indicative of searching a parking utility; and

a user interface generating a message offering assistance in relation to finding a parking facility in response to determining a driving pattern indicative of searching a parking utility.

12. A method of modifying a route being used by a navigation apparatus to provide navigation assistance, the method comprising the method of determining that a parking facility is being sought as claimed in claim 11.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising computer program code segments to cause, when executed, a computer to execute the method as claimed in claim 11.