Navigation system efficiently utilizes power by providing instructions to the driver for only the driver selected portion(s) of route

• US 9,091,562 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2012
• Issued: 07/28/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2012
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Bell, Denise A., Grigsby, Travis M., Jenkins, Jana H., Livingston, Trevor
• Primary Examiner(s): Jabr, Fadey
• Assistant Examiner(s): HEINLE, COURTNEY D
• Application Number:
  US13/535,227
• Publication Number:
  US 20140005926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 701/400, 701/425
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3641 Personalized guidance, e.g. limited guidance on previously travelled routes

Abstract

A method, system and computer program product for conserving power in a GPS-based navigation system. The navigation system receives input from the driver selecting a portion(s) of the route (route from the current location of the vehicle to the destination) where the driver requests guidance. For those portions of the route not selected by the driver to receive guidance, the navigation system implements a low detail mode of operation. In such a mode of operation, the navigation system reduces its update frequency as well as displays less detailed graphics so as to consume less power. For those portions selected by the driver to receive guidance, the navigation system implements a high detail mode of operation, where the navigation system is capable of audio-visually communicating to the driver instructions for reaching a given destination. In this manner, the power consumed by the navigation system will be more efficiently utilized.

Claims

1. A method for conserving power in a GPS-based navigation system, the method comprising:

receiving a destination from a driver of a vehicle;

identifying a current location of said vehicle;

determining a route to travel from said current location of said vehicle to said destination;

presenting to said driver a map of an overview of said route on a display;

receiving input from said driver selecting on said displayed map a first portion of said route requiring said GPS-based navigation system to enter a high detail mode of operation;

implementing, by a processor, a low detail mode of operation on a second portion of said route in response to said driver not selecting said second portion of said route to require said GPS-based navigation system to enter said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation consumes less power than said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises a reduction in update frequency for presenting information by said GPS-based navigation system in comparison to said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises dimming a screen and displaying less detailed graphics than displayed in comparison to said high detail mode of operation;

generating a notification while said vehicle is in said second portion of said route indicating said vehicle is approaching said first portion of said route, wherein said notification is not an update for presenting information;

preemptively updating more frequently the driver with navigation instructions while still in said low detail mode of operation by said GPS-based navigation system prior to said vehicle reaching said first portion of said route; and

implementing said high detail mode of operation upon entering said first portion of said route.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said receiving of said input from said driver selecting said first portion of said route comprises one of the following:

receiving an input from said driver drawing a circle on said displayed map around said first portion of said route; and

receiving an input from said driver selecting a starting point and an ending point on said displayed map corresponding to said first portion of said route.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising:

implementing said high detail mode of operation in response to said driver departing from said route while operating in said low detail mode of operation.

4. A computer program product embodied in a non-transitory computer readable storage medium for conserving power in a GPS-based navigation system, the computer program product comprising the programming instructions for:

receiving a destination from a driver of a vehicle;

identifying a current location of said vehicle;

determining a route to travel from said current location of said vehicle to said destination;

presenting to said driver a map of an overview of said route on a display;

receiving input from said driver selecting on said displayed map a first portion of said route requiring said GPS-based navigation system to enter a high detail mode of operation;

implementing a low detail mode of operation on a second portion of said route in response to said driver not selecting said second portion of said route to require said GPS-based navigation system to enter said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation consumes less power than said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises a reduction in update frequency for presenting information by said GPS-based navigation system in comparison to said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises dimming a screen and displaying less detailed graphics than displayed in comparison to said high detail mode of operation;

generating a notification while said vehicle is in said second portion of said route indicating said vehicle is approaching said first portion of said route, wherein said notification is not an update for presenting information;

preemptively updating more frequently the driver with navigation instructions while still in said low detail mode of operation by said GPS-based navigation system prior to said vehicle reaching said first portion of said route; and

implementing said high detail mode of operation upon entering said first portion of said route.

5. The computer program product as recited in claim 4, wherein the programming instructions for receiving said input from said driver selecting said first portion of said route comprises one of the following:

receiving an input from said driver drawing a circle on said displayed map around said first portion of said route; and

receiving an input from said driver selecting a starting point and an ending point on said displayed map corresponding to said first portion of said route.

6. The computer program product as recited in claim 4 further comprising the programming instructions for:

implementing said high detail mode of operation in response to said driver departing from said route while operating in said low detail mode of operation.

7. A navigation system, comprising:

a memory unit for storing a computer program for conserving power in a GPS-based navigation system; and

a processor coupled to said memory unit, wherein said processor, responsive to said computer program, comprises;

circuitry for receiving a destination from a driver of a vehicle;

circuitry for identifying a current location of said vehicle;

circuitry for determining a route to travel from said current location of said vehicle to said destination;

circuitry for presenting to said driver a map of an overview of said route on a display;

circuitry for receiving input from said driver selecting on said displayed map a first portion of said route requiring said GPS-based navigation system to enter a high detail mode of operation;

circuitry for implementing a low detail mode of operation on a second portion of said route in response to said driver not selecting said second portion of said route to require said GPS-based navigation system to enter said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation consumes less power than said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises a reduction in update frequency for presenting information by said GPS-based navigation system in comparison to said high detail mode of operation, wherein said low detail mode of operation comprises dimming a screen and displaying less detailed graphics than displayed in comparison to said high detail mode of operation;

circuitry for generating a notification while said vehicle is in said second portion of said route indicating said vehicle is approaching said first portion of said route, wherein said notification is not an update for presenting information;

circuitry for preemptively updating more frequently the driver with navigation instructions while still in said low detail mode of operation by said GPS-based navigation system prior to said vehicle reaching said first portion of said route; and

circuitry for implementing said high detail mode of operation upon entering said first portion of said route.

8. The navigation system as recited in claim 7, wherein the circuitry for receiving said input from said driver selecting said first portion of said route comprises one of the following:

circuitry for receiving an input from said driver drawing a circle on said displayed map around said first portion of said route; and

circuitry for receiving an input from said driver selecting a starting point and an ending point on said displayed map corresponding to said first portion of said route.

9. The navigation system as recited in claim 7, wherein said processor further comprises:

circuitry for implementing said high detail mode of operation in response to said driver departing from said route while operating in said low detail mode of operation.