JP2010210632A - Transmission of specific route information to navigation system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a navigation system for vehicle. <P>SOLUTION: The navigation system for vehicle includes an adaptive routing module (210) which allows input affecting the route computed up to the specified destination provided by an user. A route computing module (204) executed by a navigation server (102) can compute a first route from a starting point to destination. Adaptive route calculation (204) executed by the navigation server (102) may allow the user to input user correction of the first route. The user correction is input by the user, and a second route up to destination is calculated as a function of the user correction. Then the second route is transmitted to the navigation system for vehicle. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates generally to vehicle navigation systems, and more particularly to the use of specific routes in vehicle navigation systems.

  Vehicle navigation systems are becoming increasingly well known in the automotive industry. A typical vehicle navigation system has a global positioning system (GPS) receiver mounted somewhere on the vehicle. The GPS receiver can communicate with a satellite-dependent global positioning system or other local positioning system. The GPS receiver obtains position information that is converted into a form of display for the vehicle operator that indicates the position of the vehicle with respect to a previously determined reference point or other known landmark on a known map database.

  Further typical vehicle navigation systems have a digital map database module with digitized map information that can be processed by a navigation computer designed to process map-related functions. The map matching module is used to match the position or trajectory measured by the positioning module to a position associated with a map position or route provided from a digital map database. This positioning module receives that information from the GPS receiver.

  Typically, a route planning module is also incorporated, which is used to help the driver plan the drive path before or during the drive. One commonly used technique is to search for the shortest route, which is designed to minimize the total distance traveled to the specified destination. There are other techniques that can use the information about traffic conditions on the route to calculate the required time or to calculate a route that avoids certain traffic conditions when using a defined road. There is also a route guidance module that is used to guide the driver along the route generated by the route planning module. Guidance can be given either before or during the drive. Guidance during driving is typically done using visual and / or auditory driver advice.

  A typical vehicle navigation system further includes a human machine interface module that provides a user with a method of interacting with position and navigation computers and devices. The display is typically used to convert the signal into a visual image that is directly visible to the user in real time. In this way, the display is used to provide visual driver advice. The display itself is typically, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube display (CRT), an electroluminescent display (ELD), a head-up display (HUD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD). ), Or an electro-visual device of a touch screen display.

  The human machine interface module further includes an audio-style interface that allows a user to interact with the vehicle navigation system. Auditory driver advice is provided using an audio interface. "Speech" provides the natural interface that does not distract the driver from driving the vehicle and / or attention to the road, so this "speech" is the most common used to achieve auditory driver advice Interface. In this way, the auditory driver advice allows the driver to concentrate on driving, so the information provided by the auditory driver advice can be safe.

  Since the vehicle navigation system can calculate a route based on the current vehicle location, the user can enter the drive destination into the vehicle navigation system while driving. The vehicle navigation system then calculates the optimal route from the starting point to the destination and displays the optimal route for the user on the display. A user of a vehicle navigation system has no influence on the selection of a route to a destination that is selected or calculated by the navigation system. This user can choose not to follow the selected path. However, the user may want to change the selection path based on the user's interests or needs that are not taken into account by the navigation system.

  Various types of vehicles cannot be allowed to drive on a certain route calculated by the vehicle navigation system. For example, a wide body truck cannot travel on narrow roads or dense urban areas. Large transport vehicles or trucks cannot travel on specific bridges or roads that have truck load limits. Furthermore, tall trucks or trucks carrying tall luggage cannot travel under a bridge over the road. Thus, there is a need for a navigation system for a vehicle that allows the user of the vehicle to have several influences on the route to the destination calculated based on the prescribed characteristics.

  The navigation system has an adaptive routing module that allows the user to provide input that affects the computational path to the destination of the drive. The navigation system has a navigation server that communicates with the vehicle navigation system in the vehicle. The navigation server may have a display connected to the input device. The vehicle navigation system may have a control unit that can be connected to an input device and a display. An input device on the navigation server may allow a user to enter a departure and destination so that a route to the destination can be calculated by a route calculation module at the navigation server.

  The departure point may not be required because it may be known by the navigation system based on the location of the vehicle. The route calculation module may be executed by a navigation server that can calculate a first optimal route from a departure point to a destination. An adaptive route calculation module executed by the control unit allows a user to input a user modification of the first path by means of an input device. After a user correction is entered by the user, a second optimal route to the destination can be calculated as a function of the correction entered by the user. Once the second optimum route is obtained, the second optimum route can be transmitted wirelessly to the vehicle navigation system.

  The display may be connected to a control unit of the vehicle navigation system to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) that can display a road network map. The user interface module executed by the control unit may display the second optimal route on the road network map generated on the display. A road network map may have multiple nodes and multiple segments, which may be referred to as map elements, which form roads and intersections on the road network map. The driver may travel to the destination using a vehicle navigation system that guides the driver to the destination using a GUI and possibly an audible command or notification.

  User modifications input to the navigation server may include closing or selecting at least one node in the road network map. The closed node can be calculated and circumvented by a second optimal path presented to the user, and the selected node can be included in the second optimal path. The user modification may also include closing or selecting at least one segment in the road network map. In this way, closed segments can be calculated and avoided by the second optimal path shown to the user, and selected segments can be included in the second optimal path. Furthermore, user modifications can be entered as a function of vehicle characteristics. The characteristics of the vehicle may depend on several different factors such as, for example, vehicle type, load type, and the like.

  The display and input device in a vehicle navigation system may have a touch screen display. In addition, an adaptive routing module can be installed in the navigation system for the vehicle, which allows the user to close or select a node or segment using the road network map GUI generated on the display. To. Further, the touch screen display may allow a user to close or select a node or segment using a road network map GUI generated on the touch screen display. Once the second optimal path is calculated, this path can be stored in a storage location for the control unit, eg, on a hard disk drive.

  A method for generating a route in a vehicle navigation system is further disclosed. An optimal route to a specified destination is generated using a road network map having a plurality of nodes and segments. The user can then provide or enter a user modification of the first optimal route. Once the user correction is entered, a second optimal path is calculated as a function of the user correction. This optimal route is then transmitted to a vehicle navigation system that can be installed in the vehicle. This optimal route can be used for vehicles using several types of methods, including wireless transmission or direct wire transmission or cable transmission, for example when the vehicle navigation system can be connected to a docking station. It can be transmitted to the navigation system.

  User modifications may be entered using a user input device that may be selected from a number of different types of user input devices. The road network map may be shown graphically on a display having a GUI display of the first optimal route along the road network map. User modifications may be entered by the user closing or selecting at least one node or at least one segment in the road network map. The display may include a touch screen display that allows the user to select a node or segment, or the node or segment may be selected by other types of input devices.

If the second optimal path is calculated, closed nodes or closed segments are avoided. The selected node or selected segment may be included in the calculated second optimal path. An adaptive routing module may be used to allow the user to provide user modification of the first optimal path. The adaptive routing module may then use the route calculation module to calculate a new optimal route based on user modifications, or may calculate a new optimal route itself. Once a new optimal route is calculated, this route can be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system and stored in a storage location of the control unit of the vehicle navigation system.
For example, the present invention provides the following items.
(Item 1)
An input device connected to the navigation server and configured to allow the user to enter the destination;
A route calculation module operable to calculate a first route to the destination;
A display for displaying the first route on a road network map having a plurality of map elements; and
An adaptive route calculation module operable to receive a user modification of the first route from the input device, the user modification comprising selecting at least one map element in the road network map; A route calculation module in which two routes are calculated in the adaptive route calculation module as a function of the user modification; and the second route is transmitted to a vehicle navigation system;
A navigation system.
(Item 2)
The navigation system according to item 1, wherein the selected map element is avoided in the second route.
(Item 3)
The navigation system according to item 1, wherein the selected map element is included in the second route.
(Item 4)
The navigation system according to item 1, wherein the user modification is based on characteristics of at least one vehicle.
(Item 5)
Item 5. The navigation system of item 4, wherein the vehicle features can be selected from the group of vehicle features including vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, and vehicle weight.
(Item 6)
The navigation system according to item 1, wherein the second route is transmitted from the navigation server to the vehicle navigation system using a wireless communication system.
(Item 7)
Generating a road network map with a navigation server, the road network map having a plurality of map elements;
Allowing the user to select each map element in the road network map;
Calculating a route to the destination as a function of selecting each map element in the road network map; and
Transmitting a route to a vehicle navigation system in the vehicle;
Generating a route to adapt in a navigation system.
(Item 8)
8. A method according to item 7, wherein the selected map elements are avoided in the second route.
(Item 9)
Item 8. The method according to Item 7, wherein the selected map element is included in the second route.
(Item 10)
8. The method of item 7, further comprising allowing a user to select each map element using the vehicle navigation system.
(Item 11)
11. The method according to item 10, further comprising the step of calculating a second route to the destination with an adaptive route calculation module as a map element selection function using the vehicle navigation system.
(Item 12)
8. The method of item 7, further comprising the step of inputting the vehicle feature by a navigation server, wherein a route to the destination is calculated as a function of the vehicle feature.
(Item 13)
13. A navigation system according to item 12, wherein the vehicle features can be selected from the group of vehicle features including vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, and vehicle weight.
(Item 14)
A navigation server connected to the input device;
A user interface module executable by a navigation server that allows a user to enter a destination with the input device;
A route calculation module executable by the navigation server to calculate a first route to the destination generated on a road network map having a plurality of map elements;
An adaptive route calculation module executable by the navigation server that allows the user to input user corrections of the first route with the input device, the user corrections being at least one map element in the road network map An adaptive route calculation module in which a second path to the destination is calculated in the adaptive route calculation module as a function of the user modification; and
A wireless communication system connected to the navigation server and a vehicle navigation system, wherein the second path is transmitted to the vehicle navigation system using the wireless communication system;
A navigation system.
(Item 15)
The navigation system according to item 14, wherein the selected map element is in the second route.
(Item 16)
15. The navigation system according to item 14, wherein the selected map element is avoided by the second route.
(Item 17)
15. The navigation system according to item 14, further comprising a second adaptive route calculation module executable by the vehicle navigation system in order to allow a user to modify the second route.
(Item 18)
15. A navigation system according to item 14, wherein the user modification has a second modification based on vehicle characteristics.
(Item 19)
Item 19. The navigation system of item 18, wherein the vehicle features can be selected from the group of vehicle features having vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, and vehicle weight. .
(Item 20)
Receiving a first input identifying a destination at a navigation server;
Calculating a first route to the destination using a road network map;
Displaying the first route on a display connected to the navigation server;
Receiving a second input for selecting at least one location on the road network map that is avoided in and included in the second route;
Calculating the second route as a function of selection of at least one location on the road network map; and
Transmitting the second route to a vehicle navigation system;
A method for determining a route in a navigation system.
(Item 21)
21. The method of item 20, wherein the selection of at least one location previously includes a node of the road network map.
(Item 22)
21. The method of item 20, wherein the selection of the at least one location includes a road segment of the road network map.
(Item 23)
The method according to item 20, further comprising displaying the second route on a display of the navigation system for the vehicle.
(Item 24)
24. The method of item 23, further comprising allowing a user to select a location of the road network map to be avoided or included in a third route on a display of the vehicle navigation system. .
(Item 25)
25. A method according to item 24, further comprising the step of calculating the third route as a function of a selected position of the road network map input on the display.
(Item 26)
21. A method according to item 20, wherein the transmitting step includes the step of transmitting the second route to the vehicle navigation system in a wireless communication system.
(Item 27)
A first signal having a destination that can be transmitted from the input device to the navigation server, the route calculation module being executable by the navigation system to generate a first route to the destination; signal;
A second signal that can be transmitted from the navigation server to a display, the display being capable of generating a graphical representation of the first route, wherein the first route comprises a plurality of nodes and a plurality of segments; An adaptive routing module generated above and executable by the navigation server allows a user to input a user modification of the first route at the input device, the user modification comprising at least a selection of map elements; A second signal whose second path to the destination can be calculated by the adaptive routing module as a function of the user modification; and
A third signal transferable from the navigation server to the vehicle navigation system, the vehicle navigation system as a function of the third signal on the display of the vehicle navigation system A third signal capable of generating a graphical display;
A navigation system.
(Item 28)
28. The navigation system of item 27, wherein selection of each map element avoids the selected map element in the second route.
(Item 29)
28. The navigation system of item 27, wherein each map element selection has the selected map element in the second route.
(Item 30)
28. A navigation system according to item 27, wherein the input device and the display include a touch screen display.
(Item 31)
28. The navigation system according to item 27, wherein the third signal can be transmitted to the navigation system for a vehicle by a wireless communication system.
(Item 32)
Means for calculating a first route to a destination at the navigation server, wherein the first route is generated on a road network map having a plurality of map elements;
Means for inputting a user modification of the first path, wherein the user modification comprises a selection of at least one map element;
Means for calculating a second route to the destination as a function of the user modification;
Means for transmitting the second route to a vehicle navigation system;
A navigation system.
(Item 33)
The navigation system according to item 32, wherein the selected map element is not included in the second route.
(Item 34)
The navigation system according to item 32, wherein the selected map element is included in the second route.
(Item 35)
33. A navigation system according to item 32, wherein the user modification further includes vehicle characteristics.
(Item 36)
36. The navigation system of item 35, wherein the vehicle features can be selected from the group of vehicle features having vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, and vehicle weight.
(Item 37)
An input device that allows the user to enter a destination and is connected to a navigation server;
A route calculation module capable of calculating a first route to the destination;
A display for displaying the first route on a road network map having a plurality of map elements; and
An adaptive route calculation module capable of receiving a user modification of the first route from the input device, wherein the user modification includes a selection of at least one map element in the road network map, and the second route comprises the Modules calculated by the adaptive route calculation module, as a function of user modification,
The adaptive route calculation module is capable of determining a difference between the first route and the second route, the difference between the first route and the second route being for a vehicle A system that is transmitted to the navigation system.
(Item 38)
Calculating the first route to the destination with the navigation server;
Generating a road network map of the first route with the navigation server, the road network map having a plurality of map elements;
Allowing the user to select each map element in the road network map;
Calculating an adaptive route to the destination as a function of the selection of the map elements in the road network map;
Determining a difference between the first pathway and the adaptation pathway;
Transmitting the first route and the adaptive route difference to the vehicle navigation system disposed in the vehicle;
Calculating the first route with the navigation stem; and
Applying a difference between the first route and the adaptive route received from the navigation server to determine the adaptive route in the vehicle navigation system;
A method of generating routes to adapt in a navigation system.

It is a block diagram of a navigation system. 1 is a block diagram of an application module located on a vehicle navigation system. 1 is an exemplary road network generated by a vehicle navigation system. FIG. 4 is an exemplary road network having a first route calculated between a starting point and a destination. FIG. 5 shows the road network illustrated in FIG. 4 with an adaptive route calculated between the origin and destination as a function of user input. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method taken by a vehicle navigation system during route calculation.

  Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following drawings and detailed description. All such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are to be included in the specification, which are within the scope of the invention, and are protected by the appended claims. Is intended.

  The present invention may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. The components in the figures need not be to scale, but are emphasized to illustrate the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

  FIG. 1 discloses a navigation system 100 having an adaptive route calculation module that can determine a specific route as a priority function of user input. As illustrated, the navigation system 100 includes a navigation server 102 and a vehicle navigation system 104. The vehicle navigation system 104 has, together with the navigation server 102, a vehicle navigation control unit 106 having a software module programmed to calculate a route from a departure point to a specified destination point. Although not specifically illustrated, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a system bus, a random access memory (RAM), a read only storage device (ROM), such as a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, It may have an I / O adapter for connecting peripheral devices such as a communication adapter and a display adapter. One skilled in the art can appreciate that various computer devices can be used as the vehicle navigation control unit 106.

  The vehicle navigation control unit 106 may be connected to the display 108. In one exemplary navigation system 100, the display 108 may be a touch screen display that functions as both a display and a user input device. In other examples, the navigation control unit 106 may be connected to the user input device 110. The user input device 110 is a keypad, personal computer, laptop computer, vocket PC, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless connection device or telephone, or a user of a navigation system 104 for a vehicle to input data during operation. Other types of computing devices that can tolerate

When the user input device 110 communicates wirelessly with the vehicle navigation control unit 106, both the vehicle navigation control unit 106 and the user input device 110 communicate data between the user input device 110 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106. Can be connected to a wireless communication device capable. Some exemplary communication methods between the user input device 110 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 are infrared, Bluetooth, wireless LAN, USB (Universal).
Includes Serial Bus, optical fiber, direct wire, parallel port, serial port, and network connection.

  As further illustrated, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may be connected to the map database 112. The map database 112 may be located or stored on a disk storage device (CD-Rom or other suitable storage medium). The map database 112 may have a digital map of the road network for various geographic locations, as well as other types of data regarding the road network and geographic area. The map database 112 allows the vehicle navigation control unit 106 to display a map of geographical locations having a road network. The vehicle navigation control unit 106 may be used to identify an address or destination using a street address or nearby intersection. In addition, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 helps to calculate the driving route and provides driving information such as driving guidance, landmarks, hotels and restaurants information to more accurately determine the actual position of the vehicle or In order to do this, the travel trajectory of the vehicle detected by the sensor can be checked against a known road network.

  The vehicle navigation control unit 106 may be further connected to at least one positioning system 114. The positioning system 114 can be used to determine the geographic location or coordinates of the vehicle, as well as the vehicle's trajectory. “Positioning” includes “determination” of the geographical coordinates of vehicles on the earth. Knowing the vehicle location allows the vehicle navigation control unit 106 to determine the exact location of the vehicle with respect to the road network map. The vehicle navigation control unit 106 may further provide a maneuvering instruction for the driver of the vehicle by knowing the geographical position of the vehicle.

  Three types of exemplary positioning systems 114 that can be used include a stand-alone system, a satellite-based system, and a terrestrial radiation based system. Dead reckoning system is an exemplary stand-alone system that vehicle navigation system 104 may use. Satellite dependent systems that may be used include providing the vehicle with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or other type of system that uses satellites to determine geographic location. Earth radiation dependent systems are systems that use metrology techniques to determine vehicle position. Three commonly used measurement techniques for geographic positioning are arrival time (TOA), angle of arrival (AOA), and arrival time difference (TDOA). All combinations of the positioning systems referenced above (and so on) can be used in the vehicle navigation system 104.

  The wireless access device 116 may be connected to the vehicle navigation control unit 106. The wireless access device 116 may connect the vehicle navigation control unit 106 to the navigation server 102. Path planning, calculations, and data storage may be accomplished by the navigation server 102 and then transmitted wirelessly to the vehicle navigation system 104. This represents a server-based solution where the majority of the processing occurs at the navigation server 102 as opposed to the vehicle navigation control unit 106. The navigation server 102 may transmit data to the vehicle navigation control unit 106 using a wireless data transfer protocol, such as, for example, WAP or other suitable transfer protocol.

  The navigation server 102 may include, for example, road type, road characteristics, road size, road weight limit, road travel limit (ie, dangerous substance limit), height limit or clearance level for passing under the bridge, bridge weight limit, As well as various travel data or road features such as bridge width, construction information, landmark information business information, it can be connected to a map database 118 having a digital map of the road network for various geographic locations. The map databases 112 and 118 may be similar to both the navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation system 104. The navigation server 102 may be further connected to a display 120 that is used to display various types of GUIs to users of the navigation server 102. Further, the navigation server 102 may be connected to a user input device 122 (eg, a keyboard or similar device) that allows a user to enter various types of data.

  The navigation server 102 may further be connected to a wireless access device 124 that allows the navigation server 102 to communicate with the vehicle navigation system 104. The wireless access device 124 of the navigation server 102 and the wireless access device 116 of the vehicle navigation system 104 may wirelessly communicate with each other using an appropriate communication protocol. The wireless access devices 116 and 124 constitute a wireless communication system between the navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation system 104. Once the route is calculated on the navigation server 102, the route can be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system 104.

  In FIG. 2, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 has a digital map database 112. The digital map database 112 has map information in a prescribed format that can be accessed and used by the navigation control unit 106. As described above, the navigation server 102 further includes a digital map database 118 having the same information. The navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may use map information for map related functions such as identifying and providing location, road classification, road name, traffic regulation, traffic information, for example. The map databases 112 and 118 further have road network maps made up of various geographical information. This road network map has nodes and segments that make up the road used by the vehicle to travel to a specified destination. Nodes and segments used in the specification may be referred to as map segments.

  The navigation control unit 106 may have a positioning module 200 for determining the geographical position and trajectory of the vehicle using the positioning device 114. Several different positioning devices 114 can be used to determine the vehicle's travel trajectory and geographical location. The positioning module 200 may have an integration algorithm that uses the output signal generated by the positioning device 114 to determine the geographical position and travel trajectory of the vehicle.

  Once the vehicle's geographic location and travel trajectory are determined, the map matching module 202 can be used to match the location of the vehicle with the location on the road network map generated by the map database 112. The map matching algorithm of the map matching module 202 can be used to place the vehicle at an accurate location on the road network map. The map matching module 202 correlates the road network map with the vehicle position and travel locus as a function of the input from the positioning device 114 by comparing the vehicle travel locus and vehicle position with the route information in the map database 112. Can be given.

  The navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may further include a route calculation module 204. Route calculation is a process of planning a route before or during traveling to a specified destination. The route calculation module 204 may use a shortest route algorithm or a technique for determining a recommended route from a departure point to a destination point. A number of different shortest path algorithms and various shortest path algorithms and techniques may be used by the navigation system 100.

  The shortest path algorithm or technique may further include a path optimization module that uses the planning criteria to plan the path. The quality of a given route may depend on many factors and selection criteria such as distance, road type, speed limit, vehicle position, number of stops, number of turns, and traffic information. The routing criteria can either be fixed at the time of manufacture or can be performed by the user interface module 206. Optimal route determination may use selection criteria and digital road network maps retrieved from map databases 112 and 118 to minimize travel distance and travel time. The navigation system 100 allows a vehicle user to open and close nodes or segments in a road network map and interactively calculate routes, as well as for various types of vehicle features.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may further include a user interface module 206. User interface module 206 may generate a GUI on displays 108 and 120. User interface module 206 allows a user to interact with navigation system 100 and input to navigation system 100. If the display is a touch screen display, the user interface module 206 may receive input from the display 108. User input devices 110 and 122 may also be used to input to user interface module 206. User input may be transmitted to the route calculation module 204.

  The vehicle navigation control unit 106 may further include a route guidance module 208. The route guidance module 208 may be used to guide a driver or user along a route generated by the route calculation module 204. The route guidance module 208 may use the positioning module 200, the map database 112, and the map matching module 202 to guide the driver along the route to the respective destination. The route guidance module 208 further allows the user interface module 206 to generate a road network map GUI on the display 108 of the vehicle navigation system 104. The road network map GUI may indicate where the vehicle is located on the road network map and the direction in which the vehicle is traveling.

  The navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may further include an adaptive route module 210. As described above, the route calculation module 204 can be used to calculate the shortest path between a departure point and a destination point. The adaptive routing module 210 allows the vehicle user or driver to adjust the route calculated by the route calculation module 204 as a user-first function. In one embodiment of the navigation system 100, the adaptive routing module 210 may allow a user to open and close nodes and segments in the road network map. “Open” nodes or segments may be utilized by the route computation module 204 during route computation, but “closed” nodes and segments may not be utilized. Once a node or segment has been opened or closed, the adaptive routing module 210 can communicate this information to the route calculation module 204, which then uses the user-first function as a new priority to the destination. Recalculate the route. The adaptive routing module 210 may calculate a new route for the vehicle.

  The adaptive routing module 210 may allow a driver or user to adjust user-preferred routes that may be related to road attributes or vehicle characteristics. The driver may avoid certain roads or segments based on vehicle weight or payload restrictions. For example, a driver may want to avoid an elevated road that does not provide a height of at least 4 meters. In this case, as a function of these user input priorities of the road attributes, the adaptive routing module 210 may further calculate a new route to avoid roads having bridges that do not provide a height of at least 4 m. The vehicle feature may be selected from a group of vehicle features including vehicle type, load type, vehicle size, load size, vehicle height, load height, and vehicle weight.

  In FIG. 3, an exemplary digital road network map 300 is shown and may be stored in the map databases 112 and 118. As disclosed above, one function of the map databases 112 and 118 is to provide a road network map that can be displayed on the display 108 and the display 120. The map databases 112 and 118 further include maps such as geographical coordinates, road names, road types, address ranges (address ranges), viaduct information (height reference), cargo restrictions, road connection information, intersection information, and right / left turn restrictions. It may have several attributes of the roads contained within. This information is used by the route calculation module 204 to determine the route from the departure point to the destination point.

  The example road network map 300 has a plurality of nodes (320a to 320k) and a plurality of segments (304a to 304t). Nodes 320a through 320k indicate street / road intersections and endpoints and are used to indicate intersections or road endpoints. Segments 304a through 304t are used to indicate a junction, ie a straight course, between two or more nodes 302a through 302k. For this purpose of the disclosed system, segments 304a through 304t can be straight or curved segments.

  The adaptive routing module 210 may allow a driver or user of the navigation system 100 to close or open certain nodes 302a through 302k or segments 304a through 304t that are located on the road network map 300. If the user closes or opens nodes 302a-302k or segments 304a-304t, the route calculation module 204 or adaptive route module 210 may calculate a route according to the guidance entered by the driver or user. The route can then be stored in a storage location of the navigation server 102 or the vehicle navigation control unit 106. In this way, when the user searches for a route from the same departure point to the same destination at the next opportunity, the navigation system 100 can search for a user-preferred route from the storage location.

  As generally described above, the navigation system 100 allows the user to close and open the prescribed nodes 302a-302k and segments 304a-304t that are located in the road network map 300. The segments 304a-304t that are closed and opened may form part of various roads. These segments may incorporate points or intersections from other roads in the course. The adaptive routing module 210 can be configured to allow the vehicle to cross the closed segments 304a to 304t, if necessary.

  The adaptive routing module 210 may subdivide the closed segments 304a-304t into specific parts having two of the nodes 302a-302k that define each closed segment 304a-304t. The adaptive routing module 210 determines the geographic coordinates of the nodes 302a to 302k and uses them to calculate the route. A specific segment 304a to 304t is widened if it does not indicate an intersection or intersection. Closing each node 302a through 302k may close several segments 304a through 304t connected to nodes 302a through 302k. Closed segments 304a through 304t may be calculated from the received geographic coordinates. The route calculation module 204 may receive input from the adaptive routing module 210, or the adaptive routing module 210 may be included as a subroutine of the route calculation module 204.

  In FIG. 4, by way of example only, a vehicle user or driver may wish to travel from node 302k to 302b. The node 302k is input as a departure point, and the node 302b is input as a destination point. The starting point and destination point can also be entered as addresses, or the starting point can be automatically calculated as a function of the vehicle's current location. As a function of these inputs, the route calculation module 204 may calculate an optimal path from the node 302k to the node 302b. Illustratively, the route calculation module 204 uses the segment 304s as the fastest or shortest path from the node 302k to the node 302b travels from the node 302k to the node 302j, and uses the segment 304n from the node 302j to the node 302f. It may be initially determined to travel and then travel from node 302f to node 302b using segment 304h. In this way, this route is indicated to the vehicle driver as the optimum route. This route may be first generated on the display 120 of the navigation server 102 when the user plans to travel using the navigation server 102. This route may also be generated on the display 108 of the vehicle navigation system 104.

  After the route calculation module 204 calculates the first route, the adaptive routing module 310 may provide the driver with the option to modify the route by entering the driver or user preference. The user may be able to modify the route by opening and closing each node 302a-302k in the road network map 300. User preferences may be entered using the user input device 122 of the navigation server 120 through a web-based interface or an application window. Alternatively, user preferences can be entered using the display 104 if the display is a touch screen display, or can be entered through the user input device 106 of the vehicle navigation system 104. For example, the vehicle used by the driver may be too large to pass a viaduct located at node 302f. Therefore, the driver is allowed to close the node 302f and the route calculation module 204 can calculate a new route as a priority function of this driver. Similarly, the user can further select nodes 302a through 302k such that the route calculation module 204 has selection nodes 302a through 302k in the path.

  Although not specifically illustrated, the adaptive routing module 210 may further allow a user to input modifications to a route based on vehicle characteristics. The GUI interface may be presented to the user, which provides the user with a selection field or input field that allows the user to select options or input data based on vehicle characteristics. The vehicle features may be selected from a group of vehicle features including vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, vehicle weight, and the like. The types of features that are shown to the user can be designed to suit them for a particular type of vehicle. For example, the adaptive routing module 210 designed for cargo trucks may be different from the module designed for passenger cars or commercial vehicles.

  FIG. 5 shows an exemplary new optimal path calculated by the route calculation module 204 and the adaptive routing module 210 as a driver priority function described above. In the new route from node 302k to node 302b, the vehicle travels from node 302f using segment 304s, from node 302j to node 302e using segment 304l, and from node 302f to node 302b using segment 304c. Take. In this way, the new route avoided the node 302f as requested by the vehicle driver through the input user's preference. The driver may further be able to close certain paths from nodes 302a to 302k instead of the entire nodes 302a to 302k, for example, only traveling on a road in a certain direction.

  In yet another exemplary navigation system 100, the driver can open and close each segment 304a-304s of the road network map 300. Using the previous example, it is assumed that the vehicle driver wants to travel from node 302k to node 302b. The route illustrated in FIG. 4 is initially generated as the first selected route by the route calculation module 204. However, the vehicle driver wants to avoid the segment 304h, the segment 304n, and the segment 304g, for example. In this example, the vehicle driver can open and close each segment 304a to 304t, thereby allowing the driver to avoid each undesired road segment. The driver can further select segments 304a through 304s to be included in the calculated path.

  The vehicle driver may not want to use the segments 304h, 304n, and 304g because a particular road segment may be part of an adjacent range that the vehicle the driver is driving cannot be traversed without difficulty. There may be a number of different reasons that a vehicle driver may want to avoid certain nodes 302a-302k or segments 304a-304t. The exact reason that a particular driver may want to avoid or use a particular segment 304a-304t is that the purpose of the disclosure system is to identify the specific nodes 302a-302k and segments of the road network map, as well as user preference dependencies. If it is intended to provide a vehicle navigation system 100 that can provide a route adapted by the user as a function of selecting or avoiding 304a to 304t, it is inappropriate for the purpose of the disclosed system.

  To avoid segments 304h, 304n, and 304g, the vehicle driver may use display 104 or user input device 106 to select a segment to close. After the driver selects each segment to close or avoid, the route calculation module 204 recalculates a new path that avoids segments 304h, 304n, and 304g. The route shown in FIG. 5 is an example new route for this example.

  In the above example, the segments 304h, 304n and 304g to be closed have their respective nodes connected to the segments 304h, 304n and 304g to be closed. The route calculation module 204 or adaptive routing module 210 may allow a vehicle driver to travel through nodes that may be connected to the segments 304h, 304n, and 304g that are closed. Passing through a node is equivalent to a “via” target. The passage of a particular segment corresponds to the number of “passing” sections connected in series. These “passing” sections have successively connected elements of received geographic coordinates for the road network map.

  In FIG. 1, the navigation system 100 may use a navigation server 114 to calculate a route and to transmit the route to the navigation control unit 106 of the navigation system 104 for the vehicle. A vehicle driver may use the navigation server 102 to enter a starting point and a destination. The navigation server 102 may then calculate a route with the route calculation module 204 and the adaptive routing module 210 and return data for that route to the navigation control unit 102. In this way, the map database 118, map matching module 202, route calculation module 204, and adaptive routing module 210 of the navigation server 114 are used by the user of the navigation server 102. The user may select or close each node 302a-302k or segment 304a-304t, and the navigation server 102 calculates the route as the driver's preferred function.

  Driver preferences may be entered before the first route is calculated by the route calculation module 204. The vehicle driver may close and select nodes 302a through 302k or segments 304a through 304t that may be avoided before the route calculation module 204 calculates the route. The user can also enter user preferences as a function of some of the attributes described above. The adaptive routing module 210 may calculate routes as these setting functions.

  Once the user is satisfied with the route, the user may use the wireless access device 124 of the navigation server 102 to transmit the route to the vehicle navigation system 104. The vehicle navigation control unit 106 may receive its route information from the navigation server 102 through the wireless access device 116, which is located in the vehicle navigation system 104. The vehicle navigation system 104 may be installed in a vehicle that is scheduled to travel using this route information. This route information is stored in a storage location of the vehicle navigation system 104 and can be presented to the user by a menu-style GUI system that allows the user to select a desired route. All of the interfaces used in the navigation system 100 can be placed in a browser environment by using a web browser located in the vehicle.

  Another aspect of the present invention is that the adaptive routing module 210 can be installed in the vehicle navigation system 100 so that the user can be further allowed to make correction inputs while driving to the destination. In this way, the user can modify routes based on various types of environments while traveling to the destination. Certain example environments may relate to traffic conditions, construction conditions, weather conditions, and the like.

  In FIG. 6, an exemplary flowchart is described that illustrates how the navigation system 100 may be used to calculate a route to a predetermined destination. In block 600, a user or driver may enter a starting point and a destination. User interface module 206, display 104, and user input device 122 may be used to enter these values. The departure point may be known as a function of the current geographic location where the vehicle navigation system 104 is installed.

  Once the destination is determined, the optimal route to the destination can be calculated by the route calculation module 204 at block 602. The shortest or fastest path can be calculated immediately. In block 604, the optimal route may be displayed to the user. The vehicle driver or user may be presented with an option to enter driver preferences to a predetermined destination at block 606. These driver preferences allow the user to open and close certain nodes 302a-302k or segments 304a-304t of the road network map 300 shown to the user. In addition, the user may enter user preferences based on characteristics of various types of vehicles.

  If the user wants to calculate an adaptation path based on the user's preferences, the user enters these user preferences at block 608. The user may enter these preferences by opening and closing nodes 302a through 302k or segments 304a through 304t, as well as entering certain user attributes and route restrictions to the destination and vehicle restrictions. In step 610, adaptive routing module 210 may provide user input to route calculation module 204, which then calculates a new optimal path as a function of user input and priority. The adaptive routing module 210 may further be able to calculate a new optimal path. A new optimal route may be generated and displayed on the display 120 of the navigation server 102 at block 612. If a new optimal route is accepted, at block 614, the new optimal route may be communicated to the vehicle navigation system 104. The user is further allowed to modify the route using the vehicle navigation system 104.

  Another aspect of the present invention includes a step of calculating a prescribed route to the destination by the navigation server 102. Alternatively, the vehicle navigation system 104 determines a route to the destination. In this way, in order to save time and to reduce the amount of data that needs to be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system 104, the navigation server 102 can adapt the adaptive routing module 210 to calculate an adaptive route. Can be used. The navigation server 102 may then determine the difference between the original route and the adaptive route. The difference between the original route and the adaptive route can be transmitted to the navigation system 104 for the vehicle. The vehicle navigation system 104 may use this difference to determine an adaptive route. Therefore, simple changes to the defined route by the adaptive routing module 210 can be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system 104, and the vehicle navigation system 104 needs to be transmitted from the navigation server 102 to the vehicle navigation system 104. Save time and money by reducing the total amount of data.

  While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims (21)

A vehicle navigation system;
An input device configured to allow a user to enter a destination;
Display,
A navigation server connected to the input device and the display and capable of communicating with the vehicle navigation system;
With
The navigation server
A route calculation module operable to calculate a first route to a destination on a road network map including a plurality of map elements, wherein the map elements are nodes or segments, the nodes being roads A route calculation that represents an intersection of roads or the end of a road, the segment represents a portion of the road between two nodes, and the first route is sent to the display for display to the user Module,
An adaptive route calculation module operable to receive a user modification of the first path from the input device, the user modification comprising: a first segment that is part of the first path; An adaptive route calculation module including a selection to close a second segment that is not part of the one path;
Including
A second path from the current location to the destination is used to convert the closed first segment and the second segment to the second based on the user modification using the adaptive route calculation module. Calculated to exclude from the route,
The second route is transmitted to the vehicle navigation system, the second route is stored in the vehicle navigation system, and the stored second route is responsive to user input to the vehicle navigation system. A navigation system that is configured to be recalled from. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the user modification to close the first segment and the second segment is based on at least one vehicle characteristic. The navigation system according to claim 2, wherein the vehicle characteristics can be selected from a group of vehicle characteristics including vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, vehicle weight. The navigation system according to claim 1, wherein the second route is transmitted from the navigation server to the vehicle navigation system using a wireless communication system. A vehicle navigation system;
An input device;
A navigation server connected to the input device;
A user interface module executable by the navigation server, the user interface module allowing a user to enter a destination using the input device;
A route calculation module executable by the navigation server, wherein the route calculation module calculates a first route to the destination generated on a road network map including a plurality of map elements; The map element includes a route calculation module including a node representing a road intersection or road end and a segment representing a portion of the road between the two nodes;
An adaptive route calculation module executable by the navigation server, the adaptive route calculation module enabling the user to input a user modification of the first route using the input device; Selecting a first segment that is part of the first route and a second segment that is not part of the first route as closure targets in the road network map. A second path from the current location to the destination is selected using the adaptive route calculation module as a function based on the user modification as the first segment selected as the closure target And an adaptive route calculation module calculated to exclude the second segment and
A wireless communication system connected to the navigation server and the vehicle navigation system, wherein the second route is transmitted to the vehicle navigation system using the wireless communication system, and the second route is the The wireless communication system stored in a vehicle navigation system and configured to be recalled
With a navigation system. 6. The second adaptive route calculation module executable by the vehicle navigation system, further comprising a second adaptive route calculation module that allows a user to modify the second route. The navigation system described in. The navigation system according to claim 5, wherein the user modification includes a second user modification based on vehicle characteristics. The navigation system according to claim 7, wherein the vehicle characteristics can be selected from a group of vehicle characteristics including vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, vehicle weight. A method for determining a route in a navigation system, the navigation system including a navigation server, a display connected to the navigation server, and a vehicle navigation system in communication with the navigation server, the navigation server comprising: Processing means, communication means, input means, and output means, wherein the navigation server has a road network map including a plurality of map elements, wherein the map elements are nodes or segments, Represents the intersection of roads or the end of the road, the segment representing the part of the road between the two nodes,
The method
The input means receives a first input identifying a destination using the navigation server;
The processing means calculates a first route to the destination using the road network map;
The output means displays the first route on the display connected to the navigation server;
The input means receives a second input for selecting a first segment that is part of the first path and a second segment that is not part of the first path as closure targets. And
The processing means calculates a second route from the current position to the destination so as to exclude the first segment and the second segment selected for closure;
The communication means transmits the second route to the vehicle navigation system, the second route being configured to be stored in the vehicle navigation system, the second route being the input Configured to be recalled from a storage location on the vehicle navigation system in response to a third input received via the means;
Including a method. The method of claim 9, further comprising the output means displaying the second route on a display of the vehicle navigation system. The input means uses the display of the vehicle navigation system to allow the user to indicate the position of the road network map to be avoided in the third route or the position of the road network map to be included in the third route The method of claim 10, further comprising allowing the selection. The method of claim 11, further comprising calculating the third route as a function of the selected location of the road network map input using the display. The method of claim 9, wherein the transmitting includes transmitting the second route to the vehicle navigation system using a wireless communication system. A vehicle navigation system having a first display;
A second display;
An input device for transmitting a first signal indicating a destination;
A navigation server communicable with the vehicle navigation system, connected to the second display and the input device, and having a route calculation module and an adaptive route calculation module;
With
The navigation server
Receiving the first signal from the input device;
Calculating a first path;
Generating a first graphical representation of the first path using the second display by sending a second signal indicative of the first path to the second display; The first route is generated on a road network map including a plurality of map elements, the plurality of map elements including a node representing a road intersection or road end and a portion of the road between the two nodes. And a segment representing
Receiving a user modification of the first route via the input device, the user modification comprising: a first segment that is part of the first route in the road network map; Including a selection to close a second segment that is not part of the path of
A second path from the current location to the destination is used to avoid the closed first segment and the second segment based on the user correction using the adaptive route calculation module To calculate
Generating a second graphical representation of the second route using the first display of the vehicle navigation system by transmitting a third signal indicative of the second route to the vehicle navigation system. When,
Storing the second route in the vehicle navigation system;
Recalling the second route in the vehicle navigation system in response to a user input configured to request recalling the second route;
Run the navigation system. The navigation system of claim 14, wherein the input device and the display include a touch screen display. The navigation system according to claim 14, wherein the third signal can be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system using a wireless communication system. A means for calculating a first route to a destination using a navigation server, wherein the first route is a road portion between a node representing a road intersection or road end and two nodes. Means generated on a road network map including segments to represent;
Means for inputting a user modification of the first path, the user modification comprising a first segment that is part of the first path and a second segment that is not part of the first path Selecting for closed
Means for calculating a second route from a current location to the destination to avoid the first segment and the second segment selected for closure based on the user modification;
Means for transmitting the second route to a vehicle navigation system;
Means for storing the second route in the vehicle navigation system;
Means for recalling the second route from the vehicle navigation system;
With a navigation system. The navigation system of claim 17, wherein the user modification further includes vehicle characteristics. 19. The navigation system of claim 18, wherein the vehicle characteristics can be selected from a group of vehicle characteristics including vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, vehicle weight. An input device connected to the navigation server, the input device operable to allow a user to enter a destination;
A route calculation module operable to calculate a first route to the destination;
A display for displaying the first route on a road network map including a plurality of map elements, the plurality of map elements being between a node representing a road intersection or a road end and two nodes A display including a segment representing a portion of the road;
An adaptive route calculation module operable to receive a user modification of the first route from the input device, the user modification being a part of the first route in the road network map; And selecting a second segment that is not part of the first route for closure, the second route from the current location to the destination is based on the user modification, An adaptive route calculation module calculated by the adaptive route calculation module to exclude the first segment and the second segment selected for closure from the second path;
With
The adaptive route calculation module is operable to determine a difference between the first route and the second route, the difference between the first route and the second route being determined by a vehicle navigation system. And the difference is configured to be stored in the vehicle navigation system, and the difference is configured to be recalled from the vehicle navigation system in response to a user input. A method for adaptively generating a route in a navigation system, the navigation system comprising a navigation server including processing means, communication means, and input means, the method comprising:
The processing means calculates a first route to the destination;
The processing means generates a road network map of the first route, the road network map including a plurality of map elements, and the plurality of map elements indicate a road intersection or a road end. Including a node representing and a segment representing a portion of the road between the two nodes;
The input means that the user selects a first segment that is a part of the first route and a second segment that is not a part of the first route as a closing target in the road network map. Making it possible,
The processing means calculates an adaptive route from a current position to the destination as a function of the first segment and the second segment selected as the closure target in the road network map; The adaptation path is calculated to exclude the first segment and the second segment selected for closure;
The processing means determines a difference between the first path and the adaptation path;
The communication means transmits a difference between the first route and the adaptation route to a vehicle navigation system disposed in the vehicle;
Processing means of the vehicle navigation system calculates the first route;
The processing means of the vehicle navigation system determines the adaptive route in the vehicle navigation system by applying a difference between the first route and the adaptive route received from the navigation server;
The storage means of the vehicle navigation system stores a difference between the first route and the adaptive route, the difference being configured to be recalled from the storage means of the vehicle navigation system That
Including a method.

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