Method of determining routes for use in navigation
First Claim
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1. A method of providing navigation information for a motor vehicle including a navigation system having an electronic control unit, comprising the steps of:
- retrieving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current route that is being used to navigate the motor vehicle to a destination;
receiving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current location for the motor vehicle;
calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, an alternative route from the current location to the destination, wherein a first travel time between the current location and the destination along the alternative route is estimated to be less than a second travel time between the current location and the destination along the current route;
determining, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a first distance corresponding to the alternative route and a second distance corresponding to the distance left to travel on the current route;
calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a dynamic threshold value that changes as a function of one or more inputs that change as the motor vehicle travels towards the destination;
wherein all the foregoing steps are executed by the electronic control unit in the navigation system as the motor vehicle is travelling along the current route towards the destination; and
using, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, the dynamic threshold value, the first distance, the second distance, the first travel time and the second travel time to determine if the alternative route should be displayed for the user.
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Abstract
A method of determining routes for use in navigation is disclosed. The method includes steps of calculating a current route, calculating an alternative route and comparing the difference in times along each route with a minimum time difference. The minimum time difference is calculated using a dynamic threshold value that varies according to the difference in distances along the current route and the alternative route.
52 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing navigation information for a motor vehicle including a navigation system having an electronic control unit, comprising the steps of:
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retrieving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current route that is being used to navigate the motor vehicle to a destination; receiving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current location for the motor vehicle; calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, an alternative route from the current location to the destination, wherein a first travel time between the current location and the destination along the alternative route is estimated to be less than a second travel time between the current location and the destination along the current route; determining, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a first distance corresponding to the alternative route and a second distance corresponding to the distance left to travel on the current route; calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a dynamic threshold value that changes as a function of one or more inputs that change as the motor vehicle travels towards the destination; wherein all the foregoing steps are executed by the electronic control unit in the navigation system as the motor vehicle is travelling along the current route towards the destination; and using, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, the dynamic threshold value, the first distance, the second distance, the first travel time and the second travel time to determine if the alternative route should be displayed for the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of providing navigation information for a motor vehicle including a navigation system having an electronic control unit, comprising the steps of:
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retrieving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current route that is being used to navigate the motor vehicle to a destination; receiving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current location for the motor vehicle; calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, an alternative route from the current location to the destination, wherein a first travel time between the current location and the destination along the alternative route is estimated to be less than a second travel time between the current location and the destination along the current route; determining, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a first distance corresponding to the alternative route and a second distance corresponding to the distance left to travel on the current route; calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a minimum time difference; submitting, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, the alternative route to be displayed for a user when the value of the second travel time minus the first travel time is greater than the minimum time difference; calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a dynamic threshold value that changes as a function of one or more inputs that change as the motor vehicle travels towards the destination; wherein the minimum time difference is calculated from at least the first distance, the second distance and the dynamic threshold value; wherein all the foregoing steps are executed by the electronic control unit in the navigation system as the motor vehicle is travelling along the current route towards the destination; preventing, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, the alternative route from being displayed for the user when the value of the second travel time minus the first travel time is less than or equal to the minimum time difference. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of providing navigation information for a motor vehicle including a navigation system having an electronic control unit, comprising the steps of:
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retrieving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current route that is being used to navigate the motor vehicle to a destination; receiving, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a current location for the motor vehicle; calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, an alternative route from the current location to the destination, wherein a first travel time between the current location and the destination along the alternative route is estimated to be less than a second travel time between the current location and the destination along the current route; determining, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a first distance corresponding to the alternative route and a second distance corresponding to the distance left to travel on the current route; calculating, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a dynamic threshold value that changes as a function of one or more inputs that change as the motor vehicle travels towards the destination, wherein the dynamic threshold value approaches a maximum value asymptotically as a function of the difference between the first distance and the second distance; setting, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, a minimum time difference equal to the dynamic threshold value multiplied by the second travel time; wherein all the foregoing steps are executed by the electronic control unit in the navigation system as the motor vehicle is travelling along the current route towards the destination; and comparing, by the electronic control unit in the navigation system, the value of the second travel time minus the first travel time with the minimum time difference to determine if the alternative route should be displayed for a user. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification