Navigation device and method

• US 9,257,044 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Issued: 02/09/2016
• 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: Boschker, Breght
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G
• Assistant Examiner(s): PAIGE, TYLER D
• Application Number:
  US12/736,726
• Publication Number:
  US 20110118972A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,421 Days
• Field of Search: 701/400, 701/408, 701/409, 701/410, 701/411, 701/412, 701/416, 701/422, 701/428, 701/439, 340/905
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 device is disclosed including a processor; and a store containing map data. In at least one embodiment, the map data includes a temporally-variable feature and the processor is arranged, in a route planning process, to determine a status of the temporally-variable feature according to temporal information.

Claims

1. A navigation device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory store containing map data, the map data being modified with predetermined temporal information for a predetermined time period to include a temporally-variable feature, the predetermined time period including a start time and an end time or a start time and duration, a weight or cost attribute for each road segment associated with the temporally-variable feature, and

the processor being arranged to;

determine, in a route planning process, a status of the temporally-variable feature according to the temporal information,

wherein the weight or cost attribute for at least one high capacity road within a predetermined distance from the temporally-variable feature is reduced to avoid a selection of low capacity roads in the route planning process between a start location and a destination location according to the status; and

provide at least one route determined in the route planning process.

2. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the temporally-variable feature of the map data is a map feature having a temporally-variable attribute or a map feature having temporally-variable validity.

3. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the map data comprises first map data comprising map feature information and second map data comprising the temporally variable feature.

4. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a data receiving device to receive data;

wherein the second map data is received from the data receiving device and stored in the store.

5. The navigation device of claim 1, further comprising a temporal mapping module arranged to determine a status of the temporally-variable feature according to the temporal information.

6. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the map data comprises a plurality of temporally-variable features, each feature having associated temporal information indicating a period of time for which the respective feature is temporally-variable.

13. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein pre-determined temporal information includes at least one of start time information, a start time for each change to the map data, end time information identifying an end time of each change to the map data, feature information identifying features for change, and attribute information identifying feature for change.

14. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the weight is graduated based on a distance from the event or point of interest.

15. The navigation device of claim 14, wherein the POI or event is permanent or temporary.

18. The navigation device of claim 1, wherein the temporally-variable feature is one or more of:

a road, a point of interest (POI), a car park and further includes closure or restriction data for an associated temporally-variable feature.

7. A method of determining a route from a start location to a destination location, the method comprising:

determining, by a processor, a status of one or more temporally-variable map features according to temporal information using pre-determined temporal information related to the one or more temporally-variable features, the predetermined temporal information including a start time and an end time or a start time and duration, wherein the one or more temporally-variable features temporarily modifies map data for a predetermined time period; and

determining the route from the start location to the destination location with respect to the status of the one or more temporally-variable map features using a weight or cost attribute for each road segment associated with the temporally-variable feature,

wherein the weight or cost attribute for at least one high capacity road within a predetermined distance from the temporally-variable feature is reduced to avoid a selection of low capacity roads in the route determination between the start location and the destination location according to the status; and

providing at least one determined route.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the determining the status of a temporally-variable feature comprises determining, according to the temporal information, a value of an attribute associated with a map feature, or whether a map feature is available for consideration in the route.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving first map data comprising information associated with the one or more temporally-variable features;

wherein the route is determined according to the first map data and second map data comprising map feature information.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining, according to the first map data and the temporal information, a status of a map feature included in the second map data.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising determining, according to the first map data and the temporal information, a status of a map feature additional to the second map data.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the route is a route to one of the one or more temporally-variable features associated with the destination.

12. A system, comprising:

a server communicatively coupled to a navigation device, wherein the navigation device includes a data storage having first map data stored therein, the server being arranged to communicate second map data to the navigation device herein the second map data includes pre-determined temporal information identifying a temporally-variable map feature used modify the second map data for a predetermined time period, the predetermined time period including a start time and an end time or a start time and duration, a weight or cost attribute for each road segment associated with the temporally-variable feature and the navigation device being arranged to receive the second map data and to determine a route according a combination of the first and second map data,

wherein the weight or cost attribute for at least one high capacity road within a predetermined distance from the temporally-variable feature is reduced to avoid a selection of low capacity roads in the route planning process between a start location and a destination location according to the predetermined time period; and

provide at least one route determined in the route planning process.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the predetermined time period is a duration of one or more events.