Navigation system for a vehicle

• US 6,163,751 A
• Filed: 10/14/1997
• Issued: 12/19/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive GmbH (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Van Roekel, Jauke
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US08/950,401
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/202, 701/207, 701/209, 701/210, 701/211, 73/178 R, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/210
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• 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 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09685 where the complete route is computed only once and not updated
• 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 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

The invention relates to a navigation system for a vehicle, including an arithmetic circuit (1) which is arranged

to evaluate traffic information received,

to calculate a first route without taking into account the traffic information and a second route while taking into account the traffic information,

to determine the position of the vehicle by means of at least one sensor signal, and also including an output device (6) for outputting route information supplied by the arithmetic circuit (1). In order to enhance the user friendliness of such a system, the arithmetic circuit (1) is also arranged

to supply the output device (6) with selection information offering a second route as an alternative for the first route, and

to supply route information concerning the route taken after output of the selection information.

Claims

1. A navigation system for a vehicle, including an arithmetic circuit for evaluating traffic information received, for calculating a first static route without taking into account the traffic information and a second dynamic route while taking into account the traffic information, for determining the position of the vehicle by at least one sensor signal,

and also including an output device for outputting route information supplied by the arithmetic circuit, and means for selecting one of the first static route and second dynamic route based upon a determined position of the vehicle when the user initially drives the vehicle along the beginning of one of the first static and second dynamic routes and wherein the arithmetic circuit is arranged to supply the output device with route information from the selected route.

2. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arithmetic circuit is arranged to supply the output device with the selection information offering the second route as an alternative for the first route, provided that the expecting driving time via the second route is shorter than the expected driving time via the first route.

3. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traffic information is RDS (Radio Data System) information.

4. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traffic information is information transmitted via the GSM network.

5. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output device is arranged for the optical output of the route information.

6. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arithmetic circuit is arranged to supply the output device with additional information.

7. A navigation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the additional information is the relevant distance between the vehicle and the location of the traffic jam or the traffic obstruction in the event of a traffic jam or a traffic obstruction along the first route.

8. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said navigation system is mounted in the vehicle.

9. A navigation systems as claimed in claim 1, wherein the traffic information is RDS/TMC (Radio Data System/Traffic Message Channel) information.

10. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein that the output device is arranged for the acoustical output of the route information.

11. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output device is arranged for the optical output of the selection information.

12. A navigation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the output device is arranged for the acoustical output of the selection information.

13. A method of providing navigation information for a vehicle including the steps of:

providing an arithmetic circuit to evaluate traffic information received, to calculate a first static route without taking into account the traffic information and a second dynamic route while taking into account the traffic information, and to determine the position of the vehicle by at least one sensor signal;

outputting route information supplied by the arithmetic circuit to an output device;

selecting one of the first static route and second dynamic route based upon a determined position of the vehicle when the user initially drives the vehicle along the beginning of one of the first static and second dynamic routes, wherein the arithmetic circuit is arranged to supply the output device with route information for the selected route.