System and method for controlling the transmission of traffic information to a vehicle navigation system

• US 8,838,378 B2
• Filed: 01/21/2013
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Yuasa, Go
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheung, Mary
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, RODNEY ALLEN
• Application Number:
  US13/746,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20140207369A1
• Time in Patent Office: 603 Days
• Field of Search: 701117-119, 701/411, 701/414, 701/420, 701/423
• US Class Current: 701/414
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3492 employing speed data or traffic data, e.g. real-time or historical traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0112 from the vehicle, e.g. floating car data [FCD]
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0133 for classifying traffic situation
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0141 for traffic information dissemination
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096822 where the segments of the route are transmitted to the vehicle at different locations and times
• 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

Abstract

Systems and methods for improved vehicle navigation using mobile communication device (e.g., phone) technology as a means for transmitting vehicle route data that has been updated as a result of changed or changing traffic conditions. A mobile communication device is connected between a vehicle and a remote server. Traffic information from both broadcast and mobile network sources is analyzed by the server, a difference(s) therebetween is detected, and the difference(s) is compared to a predetermined difference value. If the detected difference exceeds the predetermined difference value, difference information is extracted and used to produce updated route data, which is then transmitted via the mobile communication device to the vehicle. The transmission of updated route data is limited to only situations where there is a sufficient change in traffic conditions, and the data transmitted is preferably limited to only difference data so as to avoid exceeding mobile communication device plan limits.

Claims

1. A vehicle navigation system comprising:

an onboard vehicle navigation device;

sensors for detecting and reporting vehicle speed and direction;

a broadcast source of traffic information;

a mobile network source of traffic information;

a remotely located server having a processor and memory, the server in communication with the broadcast source of traffic information and the mobile network source of traffic information, and further including a software program adapted to compare traffic information from the broadcast source with traffic information from the mobile network source, to detect a difference therebetween, and to compare any detected difference to a predetermined difference value; and

a mobile communication device in communication with the onboard vehicle navigation device and the server, the mobile communication device acting as a conduit for transmitting route guidance requests from the vehicle navigation device to the server, and for transmitting route guidance data from the server to the vehicle navigation device;

wherein, upon receipt of a request for updated route guidance data from the vehicle navigation device, the server is adapted to transmit updated route guidance data to the vehicle navigation device only when a detected difference between traffic information from the broadcast source and traffic information from the mobile network source is determined to exceed the predetermined difference value.

2. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the sensors for detecting and reporting vehicle speed and direction are a part of the vehicle navigation device.

3. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the sensors for detecting and reporting vehicle speed and direction are adapted to transmit data to the server via the mobile communication device.

4. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the broadcast source of traffic information is satellite-based or FM radio-based.

5. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the mobile network source of traffic information is comprised of one or more vehicles adapted to transmit vehicle travel information to the remotely located server via a mobile communication device.

6. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the server includes a database of map data.

7. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined difference value is based on a traffic condition selected from the group consisting of the length of a traffic jam and a number of traffic accidents within a given section of a calculated route.

8. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

9. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is in wired communication with the vehicle navigation device.

10. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the mobile communication device is in wireless communication with the vehicle navigation device.

11. The vehicle navigation system of claim 1, wherein the server is adapted to send only difference data when transmitting updated route guidance data to the vehicle navigation device.

12. A vehicle navigation system comprising:

a vehicle navigation device, said device further comprising;

a processing device,

a storage device for storing map data,

a GPS receiver for locating the position of the vehicle, and

an onboard display device for displaying a location of the vehicle and a calculated route on a map;

a mobile communication device in communication with the onboard vehicle navigation device and the server, the mobile communication device acting as a conduit for transmitting route guidance requests from the vehicle navigation device to the server, and for transmitting route guidance data from the server to the vehicle navigation device;

a broadcast source of traffic information;

a mobile network source of traffic information; and

a remotely located server having a processor and a database of map data, the server in communication with the mobile communication device, the broadcast source of traffic information and the mobile network source of traffic information, the server further including a software program(s) adapted to perform route guidance calculations based on destination information and vehicle location information received from the mobile communication device, to compare traffic information from the broadcast source with traffic information from the mobile network source, to detect a difference therebetween, and to compare any detected difference to a predetermined difference value;

wherein, upon receipt of an initial request for route guidance data, the server is adapted to calculate a route and to transmit the route to the vehicle via the mobile communication device; and

wherein, upon receipt of a subsequent request for updated route guidance data from the mobile communication device, the server is adapted to transmit updated route guidance data to the mobile communication device only when a detected difference between traffic information from the broadcast source and traffic information from the mobile network source is determined to exceed the predetermined difference value.

13. The vehicle navigation system of claim 12, wherein the broadcast source of traffic information is satellite-based or FM radio-based.

14. The vehicle navigation system of claim 12, wherein the mobile network source of traffic information is comprised of one or more vehicles adapted to transmit vehicle travel information to the remotely located server via a mobile communication device.

15. The vehicle navigation system of claim 12, wherein the predetermined difference value is based on a traffic condition selected from the group consisting of the length of a traffic jam and a number of traffic accidents within a given section of a calculated route.

16. The vehicle navigation system of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device is a mobile phone.

17. The vehicle navigation system of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device is in wired communication with the vehicle navigation device.

18. The vehicle navigation system of claim 12, wherein the mobile communication device is in wireless communication with the vehicle navigation device.

19. The vehicle navigation system of claim 13, wherein the server is adapted to send only difference data when transmitting updated route guidance data to the mobile communication device.

20. A navigation method for navigating a vehicle, comprising:

providing a calculated route to a destination via at least a map presented on a vehicle navigation device located onboard the vehicle;

providing sensors for detecting and reporting vehicle speed and direction and, while navigating the route, using signals from the sensors to update the map;

providing a broadcast source of traffic information;

providing a mobile network source of traffic information;

placing a remotely located server having a processor and memory in communication with the broadcast source of traffic information and the mobile network source of traffic information;

placing a mobile communication device in communication with the onboard vehicle navigation device and the server, the mobile communication device serving as a conduit for transmitting route guidance requests from the vehicle navigation device to the server, and for transmitting route guidance data from the server to the vehicle navigation device;

requesting from the server, by means of the vehicle navigation device and through the mobile communication device, updated route guidance data;

at the server, upon receipt of a request for updated route guidance data from the vehicle navigation device, causing a software program associated with the server to compare traffic information obtained from the broadcast source with traffic information obtained from the mobile network source, to detect a difference therebetween, and to compare any detected difference to a predetermined difference value;

transmitting updated route guidance data from the server to the vehicle navigation device only when a detected difference between traffic information from the broadcast source and traffic information from the mobile network source is determined through execution of the software program to exceed the predetermined difference value; and

upon receipt of the updated route guidance data at the vehicle navigation device, updating the calculated route to the destination.