WO2010072260A1

WO2010072260A1 - Navigation devices and methods for calculating an alternate route based on a response time

Info

Publication number: WO2010072260A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/068229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Victor Shcherbatyuk
Original assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2008-12-23
Publication date: 2010-07-01

Abstract

Navigation device (200) and methods of operating navigation devices (200) are disclosed. A navigation device (200) includes a processor (210) to calculate a planned route between a current location of the navigation device and a desired destination. The processor (210) is configured to calculate an alternate route based on a response time, when the navigation device (200) diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time. The navigation device further includes a receiver (250) operably coupled to the processor (210) and to receive at least one spread spectrum signal such that the processor (210) in conjunction with the receiver (250) operates to determine the current location of the navigation device (200) and to monitor travel along the planned route and a display device (240) operably coupled to the processor (210) to display the alternate route. A method includes monitoring travel of a navigation device (200) along a planned route to a desired destination, calculating an alternate route to the desired destination based on a response time, when the navigation device (200) diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time, and displaying the alternate route via a display device (240).

Description

NAVIGATION DEVICES AND METHODS FOR CALCULATING AN ALTERNATE ROUTE BASED ON A RESPONSE TIME

Field This invention generally relates to navigation devices and methods for calculating an alternate route based on a response time.

Background

Navigation devices were traditionally utilized mainly in the areas of vehicle use, such as on cars, motorcycles, trucks, boats, etc. Alternatively, if such navigation devices were portable, they were further transferable between vehicles and/or useable outside the vehicle, for foot travel for example.

These navigation devices are typically tailored to produce a route of travel based upon an initial position and a selected/input travel destination. As a user of such a navigation device proceeds along the route of travel, the navigation device generally provide directions, and map information is displayed along the route of travel to a user of the navigation device. If the user should deviate from the route of travel, the navigation device identifies the deviation and then calculates a new route of travel to the travel destination. The new route of travel, similar to the original route of travel, is calculated from the position of the navigation device and the selected/input travel destination.

Summary

According to one aspect of the present application, a navigation device is disclosed. The navigation device includes a processor to calculate a planned route between a current location of the navigation device and a desired destination. The processor is configured to calculate an alternate route to the desired destination based on a response time, when the navigation device diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time. The navigation device further includes a receiver operably coupled to the processor and to receive at least one spread spectrum signal such that the processor in conjunction with the receiver operates to determine the current location of the navigation device and to monitor travel along the planned route. The navigation device also includes a display device operably coupled to the processor to display the alternate route. According to another aspect of the present application, a method of operating a navigation device to calculate an alternate route is disclosed. The method includes monitoring travel of a navigation device along a planned route to a desired destination, calculating an alternate route to the desired destination based on a response time, when the navigation device diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time, and displaying the alternate route via a display device.

According to yet another aspect of the present application, computer software includes one or more software modules operable, when executed in an execution environment, to cause a processor to calculate an alternate route to a desired destination based on a response time, when a navigation device diverges from a planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time and store the alternate route in memory included with the navigation device.

Advantages of these aspects are set out hereafter, and further details and features of each of these aspects are defined in the accompanying dependent claims and elsewhere in the following detailed description of various example embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a Global Positioning System (GPS);

Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of electronic components arranged to provide a navigation device; Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which a navigation device may receive information over a wireless communication channel;

Figs. 4A and 4B are illustrative perspective views of a navigation device;

Fig. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a navigation device to calculate an alternate route according to one embodiment of the present application; and Fig. 6 is a flow diagram of a method of operating a system connectable to a navigation device according to one embodiment of the present application.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. Detailed Description

Example embodiments of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to a portable navigation device (PND). It should be remembered, however, that the teachings of the present invention are not limited to PNDs but are instead universally applicable to any type of processing device that may be configured to execute navigation software so as to provide route planning and navigation functionality. It follows therefore that in the context of the present application, a navigation device is intended to include (without limitation) any type of route planning and navigation device, irrespective of whether that device is embodied as a PND, a navigation device built into a vehicle, or indeed a computing resource (such as a desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile telephone or portable digital assistant (PDA)) executing route planning and navigation software.

It will also be apparent from the following that the teachings of the present invention even have utility in circumstances where a user is not seeking instructions on how to navigate from one point to another, but merely wishes to be provided with a view of a given location. In such circumstances the "destination" location selected by the user need not have a corresponding start location from which the user wishes to start navigating, and as a consequence references herein to the "destination" location or indeed to a "destination" view should not be interpreted to mean that the generation of a route is essential, that travelling to the "destination" must occur, or indeed that the presence of a destination requires the designation of a corresponding start location.

With the above provisos in mind, Fig. 1 illustrates an example view of Global Positioning System (GPS), usable by navigation devices. Such systems are known and are used for a variety of purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite-radio based navigation system capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and in some instances direction information for an unlimited number of users. Formerly known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality of satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units.

The GPS system is implemented when a device, specially equipped to receive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the precise location of that satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning, in most instances, for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (noting that position is not normally, but can be determined, with only two signals using other triangulation techniques). Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited number of users.

As shown in Figure 1 , the GPS system is denoted generally by reference numeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit about the earth 124. The orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites 120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. A GPS receiver 140 is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the various satellites 120.

The spread spectrum signals 160, continuously transmitted from each satellite 120, utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120, as part of its data signal transmission 160, transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite 120. It is appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that the GPS receiver device 140 generally acquires spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal, resulting in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permits the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner.

Figure 2 is an illustrative representation of electronic components of a navigation device 200 according to an example embodiment of the present invention, in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 is not inclusive of all components of the navigation device, but is only representative of many example components. The navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not shown). The housing includes a processor 210 connected to an input device 220 and a display screen 240. The input device 220 can include a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or any other known input device utilized to input information; and the display screen 240 can include any type of display screen such as an LCD display, for example. In an example arrangement the input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device, including a touchpad or touch screen input so that a user need only touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons. The navigation device may include an output device 260, for example an audible output device {e.g., a loudspeaker, etc.). As output device 260 can produce audible information for a user of the navigation device 200, it is should equally be understood that input device 240 can include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands as well. In the navigation device 200, processor 210 is operatively connected to and set to receive input information from input device 220 via a connection 225, and operatively connected to at least one of display screen 240 and output device 260, via output connections 245, to output information thereto. Further, the processor 210 is operably coupled to a memory resource 230 via connection 235 and is further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O) ports 270 via connection 275, wherein the I/O port 270 is connectible to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device 200. The memory resource 230 comprises, for example, a volatile memory, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory, for example a digital memory, such as a flash memory. The external I/O device 280 may include, but is not limited to an external listening device such as an earpiece for example. The connection to I/O device 280 can further be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device such as a car stereo unit for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation for example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for connection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or some other network for example.

Fig. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor 210 and an antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255, wherein the antenna/receiver 250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for example. It will be understood that the antenna and receiver designated by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna or helical antenna for example.

Further, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the electronic components shown in Fig. 2 are powered by power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, different configurations of the components shown in Fig. 2 are considered to be within the scope of the present application. For example, the components shown in Fig. 2 may be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Thus, the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present application includes a portable or handheld navigation device 200.

In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Fig. 2 can be connected or "docked" in a known manner to a vehicle such as a bicycle, a motorbike, a car or a boat for example. Such a navigation device 200 is then removable from the docked location for portable or handheld navigation use.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the navigation device 200 may establish a "mobile" or telecommunications network connection with a server 302 via a mobile device (not shown) (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection (such as a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology for example). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile device can establish a network connection (through the internet for example) with a server 302. As such, a "mobile" network connection is established between the navigation device 200 (which can be, and often times is mobile as it travels alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server 302 to provide a "real-time" or at least very "up to date" gateway for information. The establishing of the network connection between the mobile device (via a service provider) and another device such as the server 302, using an internet (such as the World Wide Web) for example, can be done in a known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol for example. The mobile device can utilize any number of communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc. As such, an internet connection may be utilized which is achieved via data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 for example. For this connection, an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 is established. This can be done, for example, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)-connection (GPRS connection is a high- speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom operators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet).

The navigation device 200 can further complete a data connection with the mobile device, and eventually with the internet and server 302, via existing Bluetooth technology for example, in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as the GSRM, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.

The navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 itself (including an antenna for example, or optionally using the internal antenna of the navigation device 200). The mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can include internal components as specified above, and/or can include an insertable card (e.g. Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card), complete with necessary mobile phone technology and/or an antenna for example. As such, mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 302, via the internet for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile device.

For GRPS phone settings, a Bluetooth enabled navigation device may be used to correctly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on the navigation device 200 for example. The data stored for this information can be updated.

In Fig. 3 the navigation device 200 is depicted as being in communication with the server 302 via a generic communications channel 318 that can be implemented by any of a number of different arrangements. The server 302 and a navigation device 200 can communicate when a connection via communications channel 318 is established between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 (noting that such a connection can be a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection via personal computer via the internet, etc.).

The server 302 includes, in addition to other components which may not be illustrated, a processor 304 operatively connected to a memory 306 and further operatively connected, via a wired or wireless connection 314, to a mass data storage device 312. The processor 304 is further operatively connected to transmitter 308 and receiver 310, to transmit and send information to and from navigation device 200 via communications channel 318. The signals sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other propagated signals. The transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed according to the communications requirement and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation system 200. Further, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into a signal transceiver.

Server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass storage device 312, noting that the mass storage device 312 may be coupled to the server 302 via communication link 314. The mass storage device 312 contains a store of navigation data and map information, and can again be a separate device from the server 302 or can be incorporated into the server 302.

The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302 through communications channel 318, and includes processor, memory, etc. as previously described with regard to Fig. 2, as well as transmitter 320 and receiver 322 to send and receive signals and/or data through the communications channel 318, noting that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices other than server 302. Further, the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected or designed according to communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation device 200 and the functions of the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a single transceiver.

Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions for the processor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services to the navigation device 200. One service provided by the server 302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the navigation device 200. Another service provided by the server 302 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for a desired application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200.

The communication channel 318 generically represents the propagating medium or path that connects the navigation device 200 and the server 302. Both the server 302 and navigation device 200 include a transmitter for transmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted through the communication channel.

The communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, the communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel 318 may include several communication links that use a variety of technology. For example, the communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communications, etc. As such, the communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: electric circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio-frequency (RF) waves, the atmosphere, empty space, etc. Furthermore, the communication channel 318 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.

In one illustrative arrangement, the communication channel 318 includes telephone and computer networks. Furthermore, the communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication, etc. Additionally, the communication channel 318 can accommodate satellite communication.

The communication signals transmitted through the communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals as may be required or desired for given communication technology. For example, the signals may be adapted to be used in cellular communication technology such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. Both digital and analogue signals can be transmitted through the communication channel 318. These signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as may be desirable for the communication technology.

The server 302 includes a remote server accessible by the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel. The server 302 may include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.

The server 302 may include a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connected between the personal computer and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a personal computer may be connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to establish an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a mobile telephone or other handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the internet, for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the internet.

The navigation device 200 may be provided with information from the server 302 via information downloads which may be periodically updated automatically or upon a user connecting navigation device 200 to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection being made between the server 302 and navigation device 200 via a wireless mobile connection device and TCP/IP connection for example. For many dynamic calculations, the processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the bulk of the processing needs, however, processor 210 of navigation device 200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes independent of a connection to a server 302.

As indicated above in Fig. 2, a navigation device 200 includes a processor 210, an input device 220, and a display screen 240. The input device 220 and display screen 240 may be integrated into an integrated input and display device to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information through a touch panel screen, for example. Such a screen may be a touch input LCD screen, for example, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Further, the navigation device 200 can also include any additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device 260, such as audio input/output devices for example.

Figs 4A and 4B are perspective views of a navigation device 200. As shown in Fig. 4A, the navigation device 200 may be a unit that includes an integrated input and display device 290 (a touch panel screen for example) and the other components of Fig. 2 (including but not limited to internal GPS receiver 250, microprocessor 210, a power supply, memory systems 230, etc.). The navigation device 200 may sit on an arm 292, which itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc, using a suction cup 294. This arm 292 is one example of a docking station to which the navigation device 200 can be docked.

As shown in Fig. 4B, the navigation device 200 can be docked or otherwise connected to an arm 292 of the docking station by snap connecting the navigation device 292 to the arm 292 for example. The navigation device 200 may then be rotated on the arm 292, as shown by the arrow of Fig. 4B. To release the connection between the navigation device 200 and the docking station, a button on the navigation device 200 may be pressed, for example. Other equally suitable arrangements for coupling and decoupling the navigation device to a docking station are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a navigation device 200 includes a processor 210 to calculate a planned route between a current location of the navigation device and a desired destination. The processor 210 is configured to calculate an alternate route to the desired destination based on a response time, when the navigation device 200 diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time. The navigation device 200 includes a receiver 250 operably coupled to the processor 210 and to receive at least one spread spectrum signal such that the processor 210 in conjunction with the receiver 250 operates to determine the current location of the navigation device 200 and to monitor travel along the planned route, and a display device 240 operably coupled to the processor 210 to display the alternate route.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a method of operating a navigation device 200 for calculating an alternate route is disclosed. The method includes monitoring travel of a navigation device 200 along a planned route to a desired destination, calculating an alternate route to the desired destination based on a response time, when the navigation device 200 diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time, and displaying the alternate route via a display device 240.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a computer software comprising one or more software modules operable, when executed in an execution environment, to cause a processor 210 to calculate an alternate route to a desired destination based on a response time, when a navigation device 200 diverges from a planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time and store the alternate route in memory 230 included with the navigation device. Referring again to Fig. 2, a navigation device 200 includes a processor 210 and a receiver 250 operably coupled to the processor 210 and to receive at least one spread spectrum signal. The processor 210 in conjunction with the receiver 250 operates to determine a current location of the navigation device 200.

Based on the current location, the navigation device 200 may calculate a planned route between the current location and a desired destination received from a user. The desired destination may be received from the user via an input device 220, e.g., a keypad, button, touch screen, etc. The desired destination may be one or multiple of a point of interest, a favorite place, a recent destination, a previous destination, a pre-programmed destination, and/or a specific address entered by the user, etc. The navigation device 200 displays the planned route to the user via a display device 240 included in the navigation device 200. The user may be directed along the planned route by the display device 240 and/or audible instruction from an output device 260, e.g., a loudspeaker, etc., included in the navigation device 200. Other output devices may be included in other embodiments to assist the user in travelling along the planned route. In various embodiments, a processor may display the planned route along with map information, such that a user may visually understand the planned route as compared to the buildings and/or terrain visible to the user.

In at least one embodiment, the processor 210 may, in conjunction with the receiver 250, monitor travel along the planned route. If the navigation device 200 diverge from the planned route, the processor 210 is configured to calculate an alternate route. Specifically, when travelling along a planned route, a navigation device 200 may diverge from the planned route at a junction, e.g., make a turn not included in the planned route, fail to make a turn included in the planned route, etc. When the navigation device 200 travels through said junction, various alternate routes may exist for travelling between a current location of the navigation device 200 and the desired destination. The processor 210, however, is configured to calculate an alternate route based on a response time such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time. The initial deviation may include an initial turn, exit, and/or offset from a current route of travel of the navigation device 200. As indicated above, calculation of the alternate route may be based on the response time as compared to the estimated travel time to allow a user sufficient time to travel along the alternate route at the initial deviation. An estimated travel time may be calculated as a distance

(D) to an initial deviation divided by a speed (S) of a navigation device 200. Accordingly, an alternate route may include the initial deviation for which:

D / S ≥ Response Time

In one example implementation, when a user diverges from a planned route at a junction, a next junction may be one hundred (100) km (kilometer) from said junction. If the navigation device 200 is travelling one hundred (100) km/hr (kilometer per hour) when the navigation device 200 diverges from the planned route, the estimated travel time to the next junction is about 3.6 seconds (D / S = (0.1 km / 100 km/hr) ^* (360 seconds / 1 minute) = 3.6 seconds). For an alternate route including a turn at the next junction, i.e., an initial deviation from a current route of travel, the processor 210 must calculate an alternate route from the next junction to the desired destination and display the alternate route to the user, with sufficient time for the user to react to the new alternate route. In this particular example implementation, the response time may be a fixed response time of twenty (20) seconds. Accordingly, based on a response time of 20 seconds, because the estimated travel time to the next junction is 3.6 seconds (less than 20 seconds), the processor 210 disqualifies the next junction as the initial deviation to be included in the alternate route to the desired destination. In calculating the alternate route, the processor 210 may disqualify one or more subsequent junctions, until an estimated travel time associated with the junction (the initial deviation) is at least equal to the fixed response time of 20 seconds. The processor 210, then, calculates the alternate route to the desired destination and displays the alternate route to the user via a display device 240 included in the navigation device 200. It should be appreciated that in at least some other embodiments, an estimated travel time may be required to be greater than a response time, i.e., D / S > Response Time.

While 20 seconds is the response time in the above example implementation, it should be appreciated that a different response time may be used in other embodiments. In one example embodiment, a response time may be fixed between about 5 seconds and about 200 seconds. In another example embodiment, a response time may be fixed between about 15 seconds and about 60 seconds. Further, in other example embodiments, a response time being any discrete time within the above listed ranges may be employed. It should also be appreciated that other suitable response times may be employed in still other embodiments. In one example, a response time may be stored in a 32-bit memory location, such that a response time may be set to any of the 2³² (Ae., 4,294,967,296) possible discrete number capable of being stored in the memory location. It should be appreciated that a smaller or larger memory location may be employed in other embodiment of the present application. A response time may be selected based on one or more of a speed of the navigation device 200, a time period required by a processor to calculate an alternate route, a characteristic of at least one of a junction, a road, and an initial deviation, etc. In one example implementation, a characteristic may include the number of lanes included in a road. For example, a larger response time may be provided for a four-lane road, as compared to a two-lane road, to ensure a navigation device 200 travelling in a lane opposite an initial deviation has sufficient time to changes lanes before travelling along an alternate route at the initial deviation. In another example implementation, a navigation device 200 may include a response time for several speed ranges of the navigation device 200, such as 20 seconds for 0-50 km/hr, 30 seconds for 50-70 km/hr, etc. It should be appreciated that different speed ranges and/or response times may be employed in other example implementations and/or embodiments of the present application. It should further be appreciated that even though a navigation device 200 may employ multiple fixed response times, various response times associated with different junctions may be different from one another.

In at least one embodiment of the present application, when a navigation device 200 diverges from a planned route at a junction, the response time may include a global response time associated with said junction. The global response time may be received through an input device, e.g., 220, 270, 322, etc., included in the navigation device 200 via a communication channel 318 from a system 302, described herein below. The global response time may be stored in memory 230 in the navigation device 200. When a global response time associated with said junction is unavailable from the system 302, the processor 210 may be configured to set the response time to a default response time. The default response time may be zero seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 40 seconds, or other suitable response times, etc.

Regardless of the response time employed by the navigation device 200, the processor 210 is configured to calculate an alternate route based on the response time. When calculated, the alternate route is displayed to the user via the display device 240. In at least some embodiments, the processor 210 may, in conjunction with the receiver 250, monitor travel relative to the alternate route. If the navigation device 200 fails to travel along the alternate route, the processor 210 may be configured to increment the response time associated with said junction and store the incremented response time in memory 230. The response time may be incremented by a time interval, such as 2 seconds, 5, seconds, 10 seconds, or other suitable time intervals, etc. By incrementing the response time in this manner, the navigation device 200 may be able to calculate an alternate route for said junction based on the incremented response time in the future such that the user is able to travel along the alternate route at an initial deviation.

Fig. 5 illustrates one example embodiment of a method of operating a navigation device 200 for calculating an alternate route based on a response time. The method includes step 500 for monitoring travel along a planned route and step 502 for determining if a navigation device 200 diverges from the planned route. If the navigation device 200 does not diverge from the planned route, the method re-enters step 500 for monitoring travel of the navigation device 200 along the planned route. If, however, the navigation device 200 does diverge from the planned route at a junction, the method includes step 506 for determining if a response time for said junction is available. The response time may be available from memory 230 included in the navigation device 200 and/or another suitable location for storing one or more response times. If a response time for the junction in not available, step 506 is provided for using a default response time, as described above. If a response time is available, step 508 is provided for retrieving the response time associated with the junction. The response time may be, e.g., a global response time, a fixed response time, an incremented response time, etc., retrieved from local memory, e.g., memory 230 included in the navigation device 200, a memory integrated into the processor 210, etc., and/or from remote memory, e.g., memory 306 included in system 302, etc.

Once a response time is defined by either step 506 or step 508, the method includes step 510 for calculating an alternate route based on the response time. The alternate route includes an initial deviation from the current travel route of the navigation device 200, e.g., a turn, exit, etc. The method further includes step 512 for determining whether the navigation device 200 makes or fails to make the initial deviation. If the navigation device 200 follows the alternate route at the initial deviation, the method returns to step 500 for monitoring travel along the new planned route, i.e., the alternate route. If the navigation device 200 fails to travel along the alternate route at the initial deviation, the method includes step 514 for incrementing the response time and step 516 for storing the incremented response time in memory. In this manner, the method assumes that when an initial deviation is missed, insufficient response time was allotted for the navigation device 200 to travel along the alternate route. If the navigation device 200 diverges from a planned route at the same junction in the future, the navigation device 200 may use said incremented response time to ensure an alternate route calculated based on the incremented response time provides sufficient time for the navigation device 200 to travel along the alternate route at an initial deviation included in said alternate route. When the navigation device 200 fails to travel along the alternate route at the initial deviation, the navigation device 200 re-enters step 504 to calculated another alternate route based on a response time. The response time may be associated with the initial deviation from the prior alternate route or a different junction along the planned route, the alternate route, or a current route of travel of the navigation device 200. Alternately, in at least some embodiments, the navigation device 200 may re-enter step 510 for calculating an alternate route based on one or multiple of the current location of the navigation device, the desired destination, etc.

Referring again to Figs. 2-3, in at least one embodiment according to the present application, a navigation device 200 may transmit the incremented response time. The incremented response time may, for example, be transmitted to a system 302 along communication channel 318, shown in Fig. 3, via a transmitter 320. Alternatively or additionally, one or multiple response times may also be transmitted to the system 302, when a user travelled along the alternate route at the initial deviation. Each type of response time and associated information may be usable by system 302 in one or more embodiments of the present application. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a system 302 for providing global response time to a navigation device 200 is disclosed. The system 302 includes a processor 304 to couple to a communication channel 318 to receive at least one response time associated with a junction and to provide a global response associated with said junction to a navigation device and a memory 306, 312 operably coupled to the processor to store the global response time, the global response time being a function of the at least one response time.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a method of operating a system 302 connectable to a navigation device 200 is disclosed. The method includes receiving at least one response time associated with a junction, storing a global response time associated with said junction in memory 306 and/or 312, and providing the global response time to a navigation device 200. The global response time is a function of the at least one response time. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a computer software comprising one or more software modules operable, when executed in an execution environment, to cause a processor 304 to receive at least one response time associated with a junction, store a global response time associated with said junction in memory 306 and/or 312, and provide the global response time to a navigation device 200. The global response time is a function of the at least one response time. The global response time is a function of the at least one response time. Referring to

Fig. 3, in at least one example embodiment, a system 302 includes a processor 304 configured to average at least one response time such that the global response time includes an average of at least one response time. By averaging multiple response times provided from multiple users, the system 302 may be able to provide a global response time associated with a junction to substantially ensure a user will be able to travel along an alternate route calculated based on the global response time. It should be appreciated that in other embodiment, various mathematical processes may be employed to increase the reliability of one or more global response times. In at least one example embodiment, when multiple response times are received, a processor 304 may exclude the highest N number of response times and the lowest M number of response times (N and M are integer values greater than or equal to 1 ), thereby protecting the global response times from anomies. N and M may be the same of different values, depending on the particular application of the example. In at least one other example embodiment, a global response time may be a function of a particular number of response times received from users such that after the particular number of response times is received, the global response time becomes fixed. It should be also appreciated that a global response time for a junction may be calculated in one manner, while a global response time for a different junction may be calculated in a different manner.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a method of operating a system connectable to a navigation device is illustrated in Fig. 6. The method includes step 600 for receiving a response time associated with a junction. Server 302 illustrates at least one example embodiment of a system for implementing the method of Fig. 6. It should, however, be appreciated that other servers, systems and/or devices may be employed in other example implementation of one or more of the methods disclosed herein. The response time may be received by a processor 304 included in a system 302. The processor 304 is coupled to a communication channel 318 to receive the response time associated with the junction. The at least one response time may include one or multiple response times.

Further, the one or multiple response times received by the processor 304 may include an incremented response time, a response time employed when a user was able to travel along the alternate route at an initial deviation, etc. When multiple response times are included in the at least one response time, the multiple response times may be received from one or multiple navigation devices 200. In this manner, as a number of response times associated with a junction increases, a global response time, calculated based on the response times, may be more accurate for allowing sufficient time for a navigation device 200 to display an alternate route and a user to travel along the alternate route at the initial deviation. In at least one embodiment, other information may be received by a system 302 in addition to a response time. In one example embodiment, a system 302 may receive a response times associated with a junction and a direction which a navigation device 200 travelled through the junction. In this manner, a global response time may be calculated for each of multiple directions through the junction such that a global response time may be provided to a navigation device 200 for travelling north through a junction and a different global response time may be provided to the navigation device 200 for travelling south through the same junction. It should be appreciated that other directions may be included in information transmitted from a navigation device 20 to a system 302, and vice versa. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments, one or multiple response times and/or other information may be provided to/from a system 302 to help ensure a global response time based on the same provides a user sufficient time to travel along an alternate route at an initial deviation.

In at least one example embodiment, one or multiple response times may be receives from each navigation device 200, which is connectable to the system 302 for receiving updates. For example, a navigation device 200 may subscribe to a service to receive regular updates of map information. In such an example, one or more response times may be transmitted to the system 302, before, after or simultaneously with transmissions of updated map information. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, one or multiple response times may be received from one or multiple navigation devices 200 based on different conditions, processes, timing, etc.

Referring again to Fig. 6, the method includes step 602 for storing a global response time associated with said junction. The global response time may be stored in memory associated with a system 302, e.g., memory 306 and/or memory 312 (mass data storage) coupled to the processor 304 through wired or wireless connection 314. It should be appreciated that other memory may be associated with the system 302, locally or remotely, for storing one or multiple global response times such that the global response times may be retrieved and/or accessed by a processor 304 included in the system 302. The method further includes step 604 for transmitting the global response time to a navigation device 200. The global response time may be transmitted directly to the navigation device 200 through a wired or wireless connection between the navigation device 200 and system 302 and/or through a computer network including one or multiple intermediate devices, e.g., a server, a personal computer, a mobile telephone, PDA, etc. The system 302 may provide, for example transmit, send, broadcast, download, etc., a global response time based on a request from a navigation device 200, automatically upon detection of a navigation device 200, based on an action or a schedule of a system 302, a navigation device 200, and/or a user, etc. As explained above, when the navigation device 200 receives the global response time, the global response time is stored in memory, e.g., memory 230, etc. When the navigation device 200 diverges from a planned route at the junction, the global response time associated with that junction may be retrieved from memory 230 such that an alternate route may be calculated based on the global response time, as illustrated in the example embodiment of Fig. 5. The server 302 of Fig. 3 provides at least one example embodiment of a system for implementing the method of Fig. 6. In the particular example embodiment, the server 302 is configured to transmit a global response time to the navigation device 200, via a communication channel 318. The global response time may include multiple global response times. Each of the multiple global response times is associated with a different junction. In this manner, the system 302 provides a navigation device 200 with multiple global response times such that a global response time is available for various junctions at which a user may diverge from a planned route. In various embodiments of the present application, system may be configured to provide a global response time for each junction included in map information stored in a navigation devices. In at least some other embodiments, a system 302 may be configured to transmit multiple global response times for each junction within a geographic region. The geographic region may be limited by a system 302, unlimited, within a particular distance of an address programmed into the navigation device 200, set by a user via an input device 220, etc. It should be appreciated that a number of global response times transmitted to a navigation device 200 may be larger or smaller depending on various factors, e.g., bandwidth of a communication channel, map information transmitted to a navigation device 200, a type and/or coverage of a subscription for a navigation device 200, memory 230, etc.

The communication channel 318, as described above, may include a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection through a personal computer via the Internet, etc. In one example embodiment, a server 302 may be coupled via a transmitter 308 and a receiver 310 to a communication channel 318, e.g., computer network, Internet, LAN, WAN, etc. A navigation device 200 may periodically connect to the communication channel 318 to provide one or multiple response times to the system 302 and/or receive one or multiple global response times provided by the system 302. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments, a navigation device 200 may be consistently in communication with the system 302 through a communication channel 318. Further, a communication channel 318 may include one or multiple communication channels. In at least one example, a system 302 may transmit through one communication channel and receive through a different communication channel. In at least the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 3, the processor 304 is coupled to the communications channel 318 via a transmitter 308 and a receiver 310. It should be appreciated that the transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be included in a single component. In at least one example, a transmitter 308 and a receiver 310 are included in a network interface device for communicating with the Internet. In other embodiments of the present application, a transmitter 308 and/or receiver 310 may be integrated into a processor 304.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, a system for calculating an alternate route is disclosed. The system includes a navigation device 200 including a receiver 322 and a server 302 including a transmitter 308 to provide at least one global response time to the navigation device 200. The navigation device 200 includes a processor 210 to calculate an alternate route based on the global response time, when the navigation device 200 diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the global response time. According to at least one other embodiment, a method for calculating an alternate route based on a global response time is disclosed. The method includes providing a global response time to a navigation device 200, receiving a global response time, storing the global response time in memory 230, and calculating an alternate route based on the global response time, when the navigation device 200 diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the global response time. It should be appreciated that a computer-readable medium may include a computer- executable for performing each of the methods disclosed herein, alone or in various combinations.

Alternative embodiments of the invention can be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system, the computer program product being, for example, a series of computer instructions or program segments stored on a tangible data recording medium (computer readable medium), such as a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk, or embodied in a computer data signal, the signal being transmitted over a tangible medium or a wireless medium, for example, microwave or infrared. The series of computer instructions or program segments can constitute all or part of the functionality of the method of embodiments described above, and can also be stored in any memory device, volatile or non-volatile, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory device.

It will also be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Whilst embodiments described in the foregoing detailed description refer to GPS, it should be noted that the navigation device may utilize any kind of position sensing technology as an alternative to (or indeed in addition to) GPS. For example the navigation device may utilize using other global navigation satellite systems such as the European Galileo system. Equally, it is not limited to satellite based but could readily function using ground based beacons or any other kind of system that enables the device to determine its geographic location.

It will also be well understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that whilst the preferred embodiment implements certain functionality by means of software, that functionality could equally be implemented solely in hardware (for example by means of one or more ASICs (application specific integrated circuit)) or indeed by a mix of hardware and software. As such, the scope of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to being implemented in software. Lastly, it should also be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features or embodiments herein disclosed irrespective of whether or not that particular combination has been specifically enumerated in the accompanying claims at this time.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1. A navigation device (200) comprising: a processor (210) to calculate a planned route between a current location of the navigation device and a desired destination, the processor (210) being configured to calculate an alternate route to the desired destination based on a response time, when the navigation device (200) diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time; a receiver (250) operably coupled to the processor (210) and to receive at least one spread spectrum signal such that the processor (210) in conjunction with the receiver (250) operates to determine the current location of the navigation device (200) and to monitor travel along the planned route; and a display device (240) operably coupled to the processor (210) to display the alternate route.

2. The navigation device according to claim 1 , wherein the response time includes a fixed time between about 5 second and about 200 seconds.

3. The navigation device according to claim 1 , wherein the response time includes a global response time associated with said junction.

4. The navigation device according to claim 3, further comprising an input device (220, 270, 322) to receive the global response time via a communication channel from a system (302).

5. The navigation device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the processor (210) is configured to set the response time to a default response time when a global response time associated with said junction is unavailable from the system (302).

6. The navigation device according to any of claims 3-5, wherein the processor (210) is configured to increment the response time associated with the junction, when the user fails to travel along the alternate route at the initial deviation.

7. The navigation device according to claim 6, further comprising memory (230) associated with the processor (210) to store the incremented response time.

8. The navigation device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a transmitter (260, 270, 320) to transmit the incremented response time to the system (302).

9. The navigation device according to claim 1 , wherein the response time is a function of at least one of a current speed of the navigation device (200), a configuration of a road and/or street, and a time period required by the processor (210) to calculate the alternate route.

10. A method of operating a navigation device (200) to calculate an alternate route, the method comprising: monitoring travel of a navigation device (200) along a planned route to a desired destination; calculating an alternate route to the desired destination based on a response time, when the navigation device (200) diverges from the planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time; and displaying the alternate route via a display device (240).

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the response time includes a fixed time between about 15 second and about 60 seconds

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising receiving a global response time associated with said junction via a communication channel (318) from a system (302) and storing the response time in memory (230); the response time including the global response time.

13. The method according to any of claims 10-12, further comprising incrementing the response time when the user fails to travel along the alternate route at the initial deviation and storing the incremented response time in memory (230).

14. The method according to claim 13, further comprising transmitting the incremented response time via communication channel (318).

15. A computer readable medium including program segments for, when executed on a processor (210) of a navigation device (200), causing the navigation device (200) to implement the method of any of claims 10-14.

16. A computer software comprising one or more software modules operable, when executed in an execution environment, to cause a processor (210) to: calculate an route to a desired destination based on a response time, when a navigation device diverges from a planned route at a junction, such that an estimated travel time to an initial deviation included in the alternate route is at least equal to the response time; and store the alternate route in memory (230) included with the navigation device.

17. The computer software according to claim 16, wherein the one or more modules is further operable to cause the processor (210) to receive a global response time associated with said junction from a system (302), the response time including the global response time.

18. The computer software according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the one or more modules is further operable to cause a processor to increment the response time when the user fails to travel along the alternate route at the initial deviation and store the incremented response time in memory (230).

19. The computer software according to any of claims 16-18, wherein the one or more modules is further operable to cause the processor (210) to retrieve the response time from memory associated with the processor (210), the response time being associated with said junction.

20. The computer software according to claim 16, wherein the one or more modules is further operable to cause the processor (210) to set the response time based on at least one of a speed associated with a navigation device, a time period required by the processor (210) to calculate the alternate route, and a characteristic of at least one of said junction, a road, and the initial deviation.