Electronic device and operation method thereof

• US 9,733,099 B2
• Filed: 04/03/2012
• Issued: 08/15/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: Thinkware Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Park, Gyuhyeon, Lee, Kyunam, Choi, Changjin, Ahn, Mihwa
• Primary Examiner(s): Frejd, Russell
• Application Number:
  US14/117,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20150185035A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,960 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map
• 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 1/096883 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

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an electronic device and operating method of the electronic device reflecting real traffic situation more precisely, by navigating a path in consideration of both real-time traffic information and statistical traffic information.

Claims

1. An electronic device, comprising:

an output unit; and

a control unit for providing a path from a starting point to a destination through the output unit by;

considering real time traffic information about a first section, wherein the first section starts at the starting point and continues to a predetermined point; and

considering statistical traffic information about a second section, wherein the second section starts at the predetermined point and continues to the destination.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein

the control unit providing the path by considering, for the second section, statistical traffic information of an expected time point to enter the second section.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein

the path is a smallest time-consuming path from the starting point to the destination.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein

the control unit obtaining statistical traffic information about the second section, based on at least one of each day s attribute condition and weather condition.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein

the control unit configuring a path for the first section, considering real-time traffic information about start-time-point at the starting point.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein

the predetermined point is a point reachable from the starting point in a predetermined period of time, considering the real-time traffic information.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein

the control unit providing the path by considering, in case of failure to obtain the real-time traffic information, statistical traffic information about the first section.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein

the control unit providing the path by considering, in case there exists an accident in the second section, at least one of real-time traffic information and statistical traffic information about the second section in accordance with a valid time of the accident.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein

the control unit determining if the accident exists in the second section through real-time traffic information at the time point of searching the path.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein

the control unit providing the path by considering, in case of determining that the accident in the second section will be finished before an expected entering time of the second section, statistical traffic information for the second section.

11. The device of claim 8, wherein

the control unit providing the path by considering, in case of determining that the accident will be continued after an expected entering time of the second section, real-time traffic information for the second section.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein

the control unit outputting an overall summary map including the starting point, the destination, and the path, through the output unit.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein

the control unit, in case of corresponding to a predetermined condition for re-searching, while providing route guidance according to the path, re-searching for a path.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein

the predetermined condition for re-searching is at least one of:

a case that a predetermined cycle for re-searching arrives;

a case that a difference between statistical traffic information about the second section at an expected entering time of the second section and real-time traffic information about the second section at an expected entering time of the second section is equal to or more than a predetermined standard value; and

a case that an accident occurs between a current position of a vehicle and the destination.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein

in case the accident occurs, the control unit outputting information about the accident through the output unit.

16. The device of claim 13, wherein

the control unit outputting a user interface questioning if the re-searched path would be navigated through the output unit.

17. An operating method of an electronic device, comprising:

receiving a starting point and a destination; and

providing a path from the starting point to the destination through an output unit, by;

considering real time traffic information about a first section, wherein the first section starts at the starting point and continues to a predetermined point; and

considering statistical traffic information about a second section, wherein the second section starts at the predetermined point and continues to the destination.

18. The method of claim 17, the providing comprising:

providing the path by considering, for the second section, statistical traffic information of an expected time point to enter the second section.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein

the path is a smallest time-consuming path from the starting point to the destination.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein

the statistical traffic information considered for the second section is obtained based on at least one of each day'"'"'s attribute condition and weather condition.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

configuring a path for the first section in consideration of real-time traffic information about start-time-point at the starting point.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein

the output unit outputs an overall summary map including the starting point, the destination, and the entire path.

23. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

in case of corresponding to a predetermined condition for re-searching, re-searching for a path.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

outputting a user interface questioning if the re-searched path would be navigated through the output unit.

25. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

in case an accident occurs between a current position of a vehicle and the destination while navigating the path, outputting information about the accident through the output unit.

26. A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program for executing the method of claim 17.