WO2009143876A1

WO2009143876A1 - Navigation system and method for providing travel information in a navigation system

Info

Publication number: WO2009143876A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/004613
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rob Van Seggelen
Original assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
Priority date: 2008-05-29
Filing date: 2008-05-29
Publication date: 2009-12-03
Also published as: TW200949202A

Abstract

A navigation system (10) for use in a vehicle and a method of providing travel information in such a system are provided. The system (10) comprises a memory (14), a position detector (17), a processor (13) and an output (11, 15). The memory (14) is provided for storing driven routes. The position detector (17) is for determining a current position of the vehicle. The processor (13) is arranged for determining at least one predicted destination based on the current position and the route information data, determining at least one predicted route based on the at least one predicted destination and generating travel information concerning the at least one predicted route. The output (11, 15) is provided for providing the travel information.

Description

Navigation system and method for providing travel information in a navigation system

Field of the invention

This invention relates to a navigation system for use in a vehicle, the system comprising a memory for storing route information data, a position detector for determining a current position of the vehicle, a processor being arranged for generating travel information and an output for providing the travel information.

This invention further relates to a method for providing travel information in such a navigation system.

Background of the invention

Navigation systems are often used in cars for guiding a user from his or hers current position to a destination. The user uses a user interface of the navigation system to enter the destination into the system. A processor of the system uses stored data describing a modeled version of real world roads to calculate a shortest, fastest or otherwise optimal route. While traveling along the planned route, the navigation system provides directional information to the user in audible and/or visible form. Additionally, the navigation system may provide traffic information, such as information about road blocks or traffic jams. Sometimes, the navigation system also provides other types of travel information, such as a distance to the most nearby gas station, restaurant, hotel or touristic site.

In practice, users tend to only use the navigation system for planning routes to destinations they have never or rarely visited before. After traveling to a certain destination several times, the user knows the route and no guidance by the navigation system is needed anymore. Only when a user expects traffic jams, e.g. when traveling from home to work during rush hours, he may choose to use the navigation device in order to receive relevant traffic information. Consequently, the user may miss important travel information when traveling a known route.

Object of the invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a navigation device with improved usability. Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by providing a navigation system for use in a vehicle, the system comprising a memory, a position detector, a processor and an output. The memory is provided for storing route information data. The position detector is for determining a current position of the vehicle. The processor is arranged for determining at least one predicted destination based on the current position and the route information data, determining at least one predicted route based on the at least one predicted destination and generating travel information concerning the at least one predicted route. The output is provided for providing the travel information.

The navigation system according to the invention proactively informs the user of the system about relevant travel information while traveling, even when there is no planned route. The travel information may, for example, be traffic events (traffic jam, road block, slow traffic) or approaching a point of interest such as a speed camera, traffic light camera or a school. The current position of the vehicle and the route information data together provide useful information about destinations the user will probably (or likely) visit. Such a predicted destination may be either a final destination of the current trip or a point to be passed while travelling somewhere else. For example, when the system detects that the vehicle is on a certain highway and will run into a traffic jam if following this highway for another 10 km, the user may be informed about the traffic jam he will run into. The system may then also suggest taking another route, even when no destination has been entered into the navigation system.

In a preferred embodiment of the navigation system according to the invention, the route information data comprises driven routes, and the processor is further arranged for determining a relevance of at least one of the driven routes based on the current position and determining the at least one predicted destination based on the current position and on the determined relevancies.

People tend to return to the same places very often. For example, people very often go home, to work, to the same shopping center, to the same sports club or to the homes of good friends and family. By storing the driven routes, the navigation system gains knowledge about the places the user visits frequently and about the routes the user usually follows when traveling to these places. When comparing the current position of the navigation system to the stored driven routes or destinations, the system can calculate a relevance of the stored routes, i.e. a probability of the user traveling to one of the known destinations via one of the stored routes. For example, the relevance of a stored driven route may be high when the current position is close to the starting position or the destination of the stored driven route. The relevance of a stored driven route may also be high if the current position is on or close to the optimal (e.g. shortest or fastest) route between the starting point and destination of the stored driven route. When the relevance of a number of stored driven routes has been determined, the system may come up with one or more predicted routes. Subsequently, the system may generate relevant travel information related to the predicted route. If the current position is on one of the stored driven routes, the probability of the user following this stored driven route is high. Other useful parameters for determining the relevance of a route is the current time of day or day of the week, a travel direction, the current route for as far as already traversed or the starting point of the currently driven route. The relevance of a stored driven route may also be influenced by, e.g., the weather (go to the beach), data from the user's agenda (e.g. obtained via wireless communication with a mobile phone or PDA of the user) or the presence of other people in the vehicle.

These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter.

Brief description of the drawings

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows a navigation device 10 according to the invention,

Figure 2 schematically shows components of the navigation device 10 of figure 1 , and

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Figure 1 shows a navigation device 10 according to the invention. The navigation device 10 comprises a display 11 for showing, e.g., route information and traffic information. The navigation device 10 further comprises a set of interface elements 12 for enabling the user to interact with the navigation device 10. Preferably, the display 11 is a touch-screen display and the user interface of the navigation device 10 is, at least in part, embodied by menus shown and operated on the touch-screen. The navigation device 10 may also be controlled via a remote control. The navigation device 10 may use voice recognition for receiving control commands from the user. Preferably, the navigation device uses text-to-speech conversion to inform the user about, the planned route, traffic information or other information via audible messages. Figure 2 schematically shows components of the navigation device 10 of figure 1. The navigation device comprises a processor 13 for controlling the functioning of the navigation device 10. The processor 13 is arranged to process input data from, e.g., the user, GPS satellites, traffic information services and other services, to calculate an optimal route for the user to travel to a destination and/or to provide additional travel information. The processor 13 is coupled to the user interface 11, 12 for receiving instructions from the user and coupled to the display 11 for showing, e.g., planned routes, travel information and user interface options. The processor 13 is also coupled to a memory 14 for storing software and data. The memory may, e.g., be a hard disk, solid state memory or an optical storage medium. The software is used by the processor 13 to perform all functions of the navigation device 10. The data comprises, e.g., destinations, map data, user information, graphics and sound data. A speaker 15 is coupled to the processor 13 for providing audible messages. The navigation device 10 may comprise several communication units 16, all coupled to the processor 13. The navigation device 10 comprises a GPS sensor 17 for determining a current position of the navigation device 10. Other suitable techniques may be used as an alternative or additionally, e.g., using information derived from cell based wireless communication systems, such as GSM, UMTS, GPRS, WiFi or WiMAX. Additional sensors such as tacho pulse counters, gyroscopes, accelerometers and barometers may aid in determining the current position. Traffic information and other travel information may, be obtained from a traffic information source via, e.g., AM or FM radio communication, dedicated satellite systems, mobile telephone communication networks (e.g. GSM, UMTS, GPRS) or via a nearby telephone or computer via local communication means, such as Bluetooth or USB. Additional relevant information may be obtained from the internal car infrastructure such as a CAN network or a glass fiber car network. It is to be noted that the navigation device 10 in figure 1 is a portable navigation device 10, comprising the display 11, the user interface 12, the processor 13, the memory 14, the speaker 15, the communication means 16 and the position detector 17. Alternatively, the navigation system according to the invention may comprise one or more separate units. Some functionality may be shared with other systems. For example, the speakers of a car audio set may be used, communication and/or position detection may be performed via a mobile phone of the user or a display and/or memory of a board computer may be used for the navigation system. Below, with reference to figure 3, it is elucidated how the above described navigation system 10 provides travel information, even when the user has not informed the system 10 about the destination he is trying to reach.

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of a method according to the invention. The method starts when the user is traveling without informing the navigation system 10 about the destination of the current trip. In a first position determination step 21, a current position of the vehicle is determined. For this purpose the system 10 will generally use a GPS sensor 17 which communicates with the GPS satellite system. Other suitable techniques may be used as an alternative or additionally, e.g., using information derived from cell based wireless communication systems, such as GSM, UMTS, GPRS, WiFi or WiMAX. A person skilled in the art of navigation systems may know and apply other suitable methods for determining a current position of the navigation system.

In destination prediction step 22, based on the current position of the vehicle, one or more destinations are selected from the route information data. For example, nearby points of interest, large cities, positions on the road currently travelled or other relevant destinations may be selected. Optionally, the more relevant stored routes are filtered out of a larger set of driven routes stored in the memory 14. Relevant driven routes may influence the predicted destinations. The relevance of a stored driven route is based on the current position of the system 10. If the current position is on one of the stored driven routes, the probability of the user following this stored driven route is high. Other useful parameters for determining the relevance of a route is the current time of day or day of the week, a travel direction, the current route for as far as already traversed or the starting point of the currently driven route. The relevance of a stored driven route may also be influenced by, e.g., the weather (go to the beach), data from the user's agenda (e.g. obtained via wireless communication with a mobile phone or PDA of the user) or the presence of other people in the vehicle.

In a route prediction step 23 the system 10 determines at least one predicted route based on the current position and the at least one predicted destination. The system 10 may select only the most relevant route or a small number of relevant routes. Optionally, the system may display the, e.g., ten most relevant routes on the display 11 and let the user select the route he is actually following.

In a travel information generating step 24 travel information concerning the at least one predicted route is generated. Travel information may, e.g., comprise information about traffic jams and roadblocks or other information influencing the expected time needed until reaching the (predicted) destination. In the event of an expected delay, also information may be generated for suggesting alternative routes. Travel information may also comprise other information, such as a distance to the most nearby gas station, restaurant, hotel or parking. In an output step 25, the travel information is provided to the user, e.g., via the display 11 or the speakers 15. The amount of detail of the provided travel information may depend on the number of predicted routes used for generating the travel information. If only one predicted route is used, the system 10 may provide very detailed information and several alternative routes in the event of an expected delay. If several predicted routes are used for generating the travel information, only a list of nearby and on route traffic jams may be provided. As soon as the user selects one of the predicted routes, the detail level of the travel information may be increased. The amount of detail provided may also depend on the probability of driving on a predicted route. As the probability of following a certain recorded driven route increases, the detail level of the provided travel information may increase.

If the predicted destination is based on appointment data from a user's agenda, the system 10 may also indicate whether the user will arrive in time. If, due to traffic delays, the user is expected to arrive too late, the system 10 may search for a faster route. If no faster route is found, the system 10 may suggest calling the other party in order to inform him or her about the delay. If the system 10 is coupled to a mobile phone, the system 10 may even (semi-)automatically call the other party. If the user is expected to arrive too early, the system 10 may present some options for planning a short stop, e.g., at a gas station or restaurant.

It will be appreciated that the invention also extends to computer programs, particularly computer programs on or in a carrier, adapted for putting the invention into practice. The program may be in the form of source code, object code, a code intermediate source and object code such as partially compiled form, or in any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the method according to the invention. It will also be appreciated that such a program may have many different architectural designs. For example, a program code implementing the functionality of the method or system according to the invention may be subdivided into one or more subroutines. Many different ways to distribute the functionality among these subroutines will be apparent to the skilled person. The subroutines may be stored together in one executable file to form a self-contained program. Such an executable file may comprise computer executable instructions, for example processor instructions and/or interpreter instructions (e.g. Java interpreter instructions). Alternatively, one or more or all of the subroutines may be stored in at least one external library file and linked with a main program either statically or dynamically, e.g. at run-time. The main program contains at least one call to at least one of the subroutines. Also, the subroutines may comprise function calls to each other. An embodiment relating to a computer program product comprises computer executable instructions corresponding to each of the processing steps of at least one of the methods set forth. These instructions may be subdivided into subroutines and/or be stored in one or more files that may be linked statically or dynamically. Another embodiment relating to a computer program product comprises computer executable instructions corresponding to each of the means of at least one of the systems and/or products set forth. These instructions may be subdivided into subroutines and/or be stored in one or more files that may be linked statically or dynamically.

The carrier of a computer program may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, the carrier may include a storage medium, such as a ROM, for example a CD ROM or a semiconductor ROM, or a magnetic recording medium, for example a floppy disc or hard disk. Further the carrier may be a transmissible carrier such as an electrical or optical signal, which may be conveyed via electrical or optical cable or by radio or other means. When the program is embodied in such a signal, the carrier may be constituted by such cable or other device or means.

Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being adapted for performing, or for use in the performance of, the relevant method.

It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements, and by means of a suitably programmed computer. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A navigation system (10) for use in a vehicle, the system comprising: a memory (14) for storing route information data, a position detector (17) for determining a current position of the vehicle, - a processor (13) being arranged for: determining at least one predicted destination based on the current position and the route information data, determining at least one predicted route based on the at least one predicted destination, and - generating travel information concerning the at least one predicted route, and an output (11, 15) for providing the travel information.

2. A navigation system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein: - the route information data comprises driven routes, and wherein the processor (13) is further arranged for: determining a relevance of at least one of the driven routes based on the current position, and determining the at least one predicted destination further based on the determined relevancies.

3. A navigation system (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the route information data comprises a starting position and a destination of the driven routes, and - the processor (13) is arranged for determining the relevance of the at least one of the driven routes in dependence of a relative position of the current position of the vehicle with respect to the starting position and the destination of the at least one driven route.

4. A navigation system (10) as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the route information data comprises a time of use of the driven routes, the navigation system (10) further comprises a clock for determining a current time, and the processor (13) is arranged for determining the relevance of the at least one of the driven routes in dependence of the current time and the time of use of the at least one driven route.

5. A navigation system (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a receiver (16) for receiving traffic information, the processor (13) further being arranged for: determining an expected travel time required for completing the predicted route, determining an effect of the traffic information on the expected travel time, using the effect of the traffic information for generating the travel information.

6. A method of providing travel information in a navigation system (10) for use in a vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

(21) determining a current position of the vehicle, - (22) determining at least one predicted destination based on the current position and on stored route information data,

(23) determining at least one predicted route based on the at least one predicted destination, and

(24) generating travel information concerning the at least one predicted route, and

(25) providing the travel information.

7. A method of providing travel information as claimed in claim 6, wherein the determining at least one predicted destination comprises determining a relevance of at least one driven route based on the current position and determining the at least one predicted destination further based on the determined relevancies,

8. A computer program product which program is operative to cause a processor to perform the method as claimed in claim 6 or 7.