Methods, systems, and devices for condition specific alerts

• US 8,775,069 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Original Assignee: Garmin Switzerland GmbH (Garmin Limited)
• Inventors: Kabel, Darrin W., Myers, Steven J., Rolf, Devon A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Khoi
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTON, SPENCER D
• Application Number:
  US11/746,922
• Time in Patent Office: 2,616 Days
• Field of Search: 701409-416, 701/418, 701/423, 701/425, 701/433, 701/435, 701/487, 701/532, 701/533, 701/538, 340/944, 3409951-99514, 340/995.19, 340/995.2, 340/995.27
• US Class Current: 701/425
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence

Abstract

Systems, devices, and methods are provided for calculating a course for avoiding user identified criteria. A navigation device with route calculation capabilities includes a processor connected to an input and a memory that includes cartographic data and user identified criteria. A route calculation algorithm can be used to calculate a course between two or more waypoints based on the predefined user criteria of the cartographic data. Performing the route calculation algorithm includes analyzing the cartographic data with a preference for providing the course that identifies and avoids the user identified criteria. A display is connected to the processor and is capable of displaying the calculated route and cartographic data. The device is also adapted to dynamically analyze an area surrounding a present location for user identified criteria to avoid and display the results of the analysis.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

determining, using a processor associated with a navigation device, a present location based on a signal from a global positioning system (GPS);

receiving, using the processor, an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

analyzing, using the processor, off-road cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present;

calculating, using the processor, an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category; and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, alerting a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category using the processor;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water;

wherein the terrain information includes various grades associated with a geographic area; and

wherein the input corresponding to a hazard category to avoid is a maximum grade for a route to the destination waypoint.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the route includes identifying one or more non-user selected waypoints on the course.

3. The method of claim 1, further including using the processor to receive an input associated with a importance ranking of a plurality of user identified criteria and, if an area between the present location and the destination waypoint includes the user identified criteria, calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

6. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operatively coupled to the processor;

an input device operable by a user to provide an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory having off-road cartographic data; and

wherein the processor is operable to—

determine a present location based on a signal received from the receiver,

analyze cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present,

calculate an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category, and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, control the display to visually alert a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water;

wherein the terrain information includes various grades associated with a geographic area; and

wherein the input corresponding to a hazard category to avoid is a maximum grade for a route to the destination waypoint.

7. The navigation device of claim 6, wherein the processor operates on a track log algorithm to record a track log based on a series of the present location values, and operates on a heading algorithm to determine a heading based on the track log, wherein the processor further operates on an analysis algorithm to analyze cartographic data of the heading for the hazard category, and wherein the processor generates a signal for an alert signal when an area between the present location and the destination waypoint contains the hazard category.

8. The navigation device of claim 6, wherein the input device is further operable to be functioned by a user to provide an input corresponding to an importance ranking for a plurality of user identified criteria, wherein the processor is further operable to calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

9. The navigation device of claim 6, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

10. The navigation device of claim 6, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

11. A method comprising the steps of:

determining, using a processor associated with a navigation device, a present location based on a signal from a global positioning system (GPS);

receiving, using the processor, an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

analyzing, using the processor, off-road cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present;

calculating, using the processor, an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category; and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, alerting a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category using the processor;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water;

wherein a plurality of user identified criteria are received including two or more of a predetermined grade, a swamp, a lake, a river, a gorge, a cliff, ice, composition of path surface, non-wheelchair accessible, and a terrain difficulty level.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein calculating the route includes identifying one or more non-user selected waypoints on the course.

13. The method of claim 11, further including using the processor to receive an input associated with a importance ranking of a plurality of user identified criteria and, if the area includes the user identified criteria, calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the terrain information includes various grades associated with a geographic area.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

17. A method comprising the steps of:

determining, using a processor associated with a navigation device, a present location based on a signal from a global positioning system (GPS);

receiving, using the processor, an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

analyzing, using the processor, off-road cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present;

calculating, using the processor, an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category; and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, alerting a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category using the processor;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water; and

wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes stair locations.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein calculating the route includes identifying one or more non-user selected waypoints on the course.

19. The method of claim 17, further including using the processor to receive an input associated with a importance ranking of a plurality of user identified criteria and, if the area includes the user identified criteria, calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the terrain information includes various grades associated with a geographic area.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

23. A method comprising the steps of:

determining, using a processor associated with a navigation device, a present location based on a signal from a global positioning system (GPS);

receiving, using the processor, an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

analyzing, using the processor, off-road cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present;

calculating, using the processor, an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category; and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, alerting a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category using the processor;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water; and

wherein the input corresponding to a hazard category to avoid is a geographic area associated with a lake.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein calculating the route includes identifying one or more non-user selected waypoints on the course.

25. The method of claim 23, further including using the processor to receive an input associated with a importance ranking of a plurality of user identified criteria and, if the area includes the user identified criteria, calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

26. The method of claim 23, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the terrain information includes various grades associated with a geographic area.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

29. A method comprising the steps of:

determining, using a processor associated with a navigation device, a present location based on a signal from a global positioning system (GPS);

receiving, using the processor, an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

analyzing, using the processor, off-road cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present;

calculating, using the processor, an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category; and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, alerting a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category using the processor;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water; and

wherein the input corresponding to a hazard category to avoid is a geographic area associated with a river.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein calculating the route includes identifying one or more non-user selected waypoints on the course.

31. The method of claim 29, further including using the processor to receive an input associated with a importance ranking of a plurality of user identified criteria and, if the area includes the user identified criteria, calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the terrain information includes various grades associated with a geographic area.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

35. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operatively coupled to the processor;

an input device operable by a user to provide an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory having off-road cartographic data; and

wherein the processor is operable to—

determine a present location based on a signal received from the receiver,

analyze cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present,

calculate an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category, and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, control the display to visually alert a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water; and

wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes stair locations.

36. The navigation device of claim 35, wherein the processor operates on a track log algorithm to record a track log based on a series of the present location values, and operates on a heading algorithm to determine a heading based on the track log, wherein the processor further operates on an analysis algorithm to analyze cartographic data of the heading for the hazard category, and wherein the processor generates a signal for an alert signal when the area between the present location and the destination waypoint contains the hazard category.

37. The navigation device of claim 35, wherein the input device is further operable to be functioned by a user to provide an input corresponding to an importance ranking for a plurality of user identified criteria, wherein the processor is further operable to calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

38. The navigation device of claim 35, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

39. The navigation device of claim 35, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

40. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operatively coupled to the processor;

an input device operable by a user to provide an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory having off-road cartographic data; and

wherein the processor is operable to—

determine a present location based on a signal received from the receiver,

analyze cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present,

calculate an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category, and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, control the display to visually alert a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water;

wherein the input corresponding to a hazard category to avoid is a geographic area associated with a lake.

41. The navigation device of claim 40, wherein the processor operates on a track log algorithm to record a track log based on a series of the present location values, and operates on a heading algorithm to determine a heading based on the track log, wherein the processor further operates on an analysis algorithm to analyze cartographic data of the heading for the hazard category, and wherein the processor generates a signal for an alert signal when the area between the present location and the destination waypoint contains the hazard category.

42. The navigation device of claim 40, wherein the input device is further operable to be functioned by a user to provide an input corresponding to an importance ranking for a plurality of user identified criteria, wherein the processor is further operable to calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

43. The navigation device of claim 40, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

44. The navigation device of claim 40, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.

45. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor;

a display operatively coupled to the processor;

a global positioning system (GPS) receiver operatively coupled to the processor;

an input device operable by a user to provide an input corresponding to a user identified criteria to be avoided, the user identified criteria being a hazard category;

a memory operatively coupled to the processor, the memory having off-road cartographic data; and

wherein the processor is operable to—

determine a present location based on a signal received from the receiver,

analyze cartographic data between the present location and a destination waypoint to determine if a geographic condition associated with the hazard category to avoid is present,

calculate an off-road route to the destination waypoint based on the off-road cartographic data with a preference for avoiding all areas between the present location and the destination waypoint associated with the hazard category, and

if the calculated off-road route avoids the hazard category, control the display to visually alert a user regarding the avoidance of the hazard category;

wherein the off-road cartographic data includes terrain information and information associated with bodies of water;

wherein the input corresponding to a hazard category to avoid is a geographic area associated with a river.

46. The navigation device of claim 45, wherein the processor operates on a track log algorithm to record a track log based on a series of the present location values, and operates on a heading algorithm to determine a heading based on the track log, wherein the processor further operates on an analysis algorithm to analyze cartographic data of the heading for the hazard category, and wherein the processor generates a signal for an alert signal when the area between the present location and the destination waypoint contains the hazard category.

47. The navigation device of claim 45, wherein the input device is further operable to be functioned by a user to provide an input corresponding to an importance ranking for a plurality of user identified criteria, wherein the processor is further operable to calculate a route based on the importance ranking.

48. The navigation device of claim 45, wherein the off-road cartographic data further includes topographic data and street data.

49. The navigation device of claim 45, wherein the off-road cartographic data associated with bodies of water includes coastlines.