CN105628046A - Navigation device and navigation method - Google Patents

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to a navigation device and a navigation method. The navigation device comprises storage sections (230, 306) for storing cartographic information, wherein the cartographic information comprises information of recognition of a plurality of potential locations, and a preset type place can be located at each potential location corresponding to a potential place; and a searching route module (490) which is laid out to determine the searching route of visiting at least one potential location, and predetermined efficiency measurement based on the possibility of finding the preset type place is used in the determination of the searching route.

Description

Guider and method

Divisional application information

The divisional application of application for a patent for invention case that present patent application is the applying date, and to be on June 17th, 2010, application number be 201080068083.8, denomination of invention is " guider and method ".

Technical field

The present invention relates to guider and the method for programme path. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention relates to portable navigating device (so-called PND), it is manifestly that, receive including global positioning system (GPS) signal and process functional PND. Other embodiments more generally relates to being configured to perform navigation software to provide route planning functional and preferably to also provide for any kind of process device of navigation functionalities.

Background technology

Receive and process functional portable navigating device (PND) including GPS (global positioning system) signal for it is well known that and be widely used as Che Nei or other vehicle navigation system.

In general, modern PND comprises processor, memorizer (at least one in volatile and nonvolatile, and generally both) and is stored in the map datum in described memorizer. Processor and memorizer cooperation, to provide execution environment, can set up operation system of software in described execution environment, and it addition, usually provide one or more extra software programs so that the functional performance of PND is enough controlled, and other function various is provided.

Generally, these devices comprise permission user further and device is mutual and one or more input interfaces of control device, and one or more output interfaces, information relaying can be delivered to user by means of one or more than one output interface. The illustrative example of output interface includes visual displays and speaker for audible output. The illustrative example of input interface includes one or more physical button of on/off operation or the further feature controlling described device (if device is built in the vehicles, then described button be not necessarily required to described device from, but can be on the steering wheel) and for detecting the mike of user spoken utterances. In particularly preferred layout, output interface display can be configured to touch-sensitive display (by means of touch-sensitive covering plate or otherwise) additionally to provide input interface, by means of described input interface, user can operate described device by touch.

The device of this type also will generally include: one or more physical connector interfaces, by means of one or more than one physical connector interfaces can by electric power signal and optionally data signal transmission to described device and receive electric power signal and optionally data signal from described device; And optionally, one or more wireless transmitter/receptors, it is in order to allow communication in cellular telecommunication and other signal and data network (such as, Wi-Fi, Wi-MaxGSM and similar network thereof).

The PND device of this type also includes gps antenna, can receive the satellite broadcast signal including locality data by means of described gps antenna, and with signal described in post processing to determine the current location of described device.

PND device may also include the electronic gyroscope and accelerometer that produce signal, described signal can be treated to determine current angular and linear acceleration, and combine the location information derived from gps signal, it is determined that described device and be therefore mounted with the speed of the vehicles and the relative displacement of described device. Generally, these features are most commonly provided in the vehicles in navigation system, but can also be provided on (if this measure is favourable) in PND device.

The effectiveness of these PND is mainly manifested in it and determines in the ability of the route between the first place (generally, set out or current location) with the second place (generally, destination). These places can be inputted by any one in extensive multiple distinct methods by the user of device, such as, by postcode, street name and number, previously stored " well-known " destination (such as, famous place, municipal administration place (such as, stadium or swimming pool) or other point of interest) and favorite destination or the destination that visited recently.

Generally, PND by be used for data according to the map calculate the software of " best " or " the best " route between address location and destination-address place enable. " best " or " the best " route is based on that predetermined criterion is determined and is not necessarily required to as the fastest or minimal path. The selection of the route that guide driver is along which can be extremely complex, and selected route it is contemplated that existing, prediction and the traffic that receives with dynamic and/or wireless mode and road information, about the historical information of road speeds and driver for determining self preference (such as, driver may specify that route should not include highway or toll road) of the factor of road alternate item.

It addition, described device can monitor road and traffic continuously, and provide due to the situation of change or select to change route, this route will carry out remaining journey. Real-time traffic based on various technology (such as, mobile telephone data exchange, fixed camera, GPS fleet follow the tracks of) monitors that system is just used for identifying traffic delays and information being fed in notice system.

The PND of this type may be typically mounted on instrument board or the windshield of the vehicles, but may also be formed as the part of the wireless airborne computer of the vehicles or be actually formed as the part of control system of the vehicles self. Guider can be also the part of hand held system, described hand held system is such as PDA (portable digital-assistant), media player, mobile phone or fellow, and in these cases, the conventional functionality of hand held system is by means of being installed on device by software to perform route calculation and to be extended along both navigation of the route calculated.

Route planning and navigation functionalities also can be provided by the desktop or mobile computing resource running suitable software. For example, the Royal Automobile club (RAC) provides online route planning and navigational facility at http://www.rac.co.uk place, described facility allows user to input starting point and destination, then the server that the PC of user is connected to calculates route (its each side can be specified) for user, produce map, and generation navigation instruction one group detailed is directed to selected destination for by user from selected starting point. Described facility also provides for the pseudo-3-d reproduction of route and the route preview function that calculate, and described route preview function analog subscriber is advanced along described route, and and then provides the user with the preview of the route calculated.

In the context of PND, once have calculated that route, user just with guider alternately optionally to select the desired route calculated from the list of proposed route. Optionally, user can intervene or guide route selection process, for instance by specifying for specific journey, should avoid or must comply with some route, road, place or criterion. The route calculation aspect of PND forms a major function, and is another major function along the navigation of this route.

During the navigation along the route calculated, these PND usually provide vision and/or audible instruction, user to be directed to along selected route the terminal of described route, i.e. and desired destination. PND also usually shows cartographic information during navigating on screen, these information regular update on screen so that shown cartographic information represents the current location of described device and therefore represents the current location of the vehicles (if described device is used in the vehicles navigation) of user or user.

It is shown in the icon ordinary representation present apparatus place on screen, and between two parties, wherein also just the cartographic information of current and surrounding road near currently displayed device place and other map feature. Additionally, optionally, can above shown cartographic information, the status bar of lower section or side shows navigation information, the example of navigation information includes the distance of the next deviation from present road chosen to user's needs, the character of described deviation is likely to by another icon representation showing specific Departure type (such as, turn left or turn right). Navigation feature also determines that the content of audible instruction, persistent period and sequential, can come along route guiding user by means of described instruction. As can be appreciated, for instance the simple instruction of " turning left after 100m " needs a large amount of process and analysis. As previously mentioned, can being carried out by control stick installing type remote controller, by voice activation or by other proper method any by touch screen or (additionally or alternati) alternately of user and device.

Another critical function provided by described device in a case where is that automatic route recalculates: user deviates the route (unexpected or intentionally) being previously calculated out during navigating; Real-time traffic condition instruction alternative route will more favourable and described device can suitably automatic these situations of identification, or when user actively makes device execution route recalculate due to any reason.

It is known that and allow by user-defined criterion to calculate route; Such as, user may prefer to be calculated scenic route by device, or may want to avoid traffic jam it may happen that, be expected to occur or current occurent any road. Device software will then calculate various route and more favors and include highest number along its route and be labeled as the route that (such as) has the point of interest (being called POI) of beautiful scenery, or use the storage information indicating the occurent traffic in specified link, by the route sequence that possible blocking or the degree owing to blocking the delay caused will calculate. Other is also possible based on POI and route calculation and navigation criteria based on transport information.

Although route calculation and navigation feature are critically important for the overall utility of PND, it is likely that the information that is used purely for by described device shows or " freely driving ", the wherein only display cartographic information relevant to present apparatus place, and wherein not yet calculate route and described device does not currently perform navigation. This operator scheme be commonly available to when the known traveling of user wanted along route and need not navigate auxiliary time.

The device (the model 720T such as, being manufactured by TOMTOM International Private Co., Ltd (TomTomInternationalB.V.) and being supplied) of the above-mentioned type provides for allowing users to navigate to the reliable means of another location from a position.

For making guider calculate route, it is necessary to providing destination (such as address or map reference point) to described guider, it has the specified place that can be uniquely identified by described guider. This interested in the main destination to arriving particular type or classification and the particular location of being less concerned about or be indifferent to described destination help of user is limited. It addition, given destination is likely to look in theory the needs meeting user, but show described given destination when described user arrives and unsatisfactory. Guider does not have the ability considering these situations when calculating route. The target of embodiments of the invention is for solving this shortcoming.

Summary of the invention

For realizing this target, presently preferred embodiment of the invention provides: a kind of route planning device, it comprises: the storage compartments of storing map information, described cartographic information includes the information identifying multiple potential site, and each potential site is corresponding to finding the position at the place, place of predefined type potentially; And search pattern module, its search pattern being arranged to determine at least one visited in described potential site, the described of described search pattern determines the predetermined efficiency measurement using the probability based on the place finding described predefined type.

This allows it is determined that there is a possibility to find the search pattern in the place of wanted type in an efficient way.

In one embodiment, described cartographic information includes the probabilistic information of each potential site, and described probabilistic information corresponding to finding the probability in the place of predefined type at corresponding potential site place.

This allows by considering that potential site actual match improves efficiency in the probability of the demand of user.

Probabilistic information can include time component, and the time change of the probability in the place of predefined type is found in the instruction of described time component at corresponding potential site place.

This permission probabilistic information reflection finds the time of reality (real world) probability in the place of target type to change.

Potential site may correspond to park position, and the place of predefined type may correspond to sky park position.

Therefore, the instruction having efficient search parking position performed empty can be provided the user with.

Search pattern can be sized to visit in multiple described potential site.

Preferably, search pattern visits multiple potential sites to increase the probability in the place finding wanted type.

Route planning device can include the inflow section for receiving order from user, wherein when user should determine that for the search pattern in the place of predefined type via inflow section instruction, search pattern module is arranged to be set as the current location of device homeposition, and search pattern module is arranged to determine search pattern so that from homeposition.

Predetermined efficiency measurement can be based at least partially on the predetermined tolerance relevant with homeposition and potential site.

Search pattern module can include the target recognition section for identifying target location, and predetermined efficiency measurement can based on the predetermined tolerance relevant with target location and potential site.

Search pattern module can further include result and determines that module, described result determine that module is arranged to determine the place that whether have found predefined type at the potential site place visited.

This allows that the information of the result about search is used for (such as) improvement and the follow-up of search pattern is determined.

Route planning device can include location information and determine section, and it is for determining the current location information of at least one current location including device, and wherein result determines that module is arranged to: determine whether to arrive potential site based on location information; Determine whether the vehicles being provided with described device are parked; If it is determined that arrived potential site and determined that the vehicles are parked, it indicates that have found the place of predefined type at potential site place; And if it is determined that arrived potential site and determined that the vehicles are not yet parked, it indicates that do not find the place of predefined type.

This allows for the potential site visited to automatically determine result.

Route planning device can be arranged to determine the whether already out specific potential site of the vehicles after specific potential site place have found the place of predefined type in instruction, and performs at least one in following each when determining the already out specific potential site of the vehicles: passes on already out specific potential site to server; Already out specific potential site is passed on to another route planning device; And/or set or update temporary transient probabilistic information temporarily to replace probabilistic information to use.

This allows that the information of already out for the vehicles specific potential site is used for (such as) and improves the search pattern of other route planning device.

Route planning device can further include more new section, and wherein device is arranged to perform at least one in following each: result being determined, the determination of module is communicated to server; Result is determined, and the determination of module is communicated to another route planning device; Determine that the determination of module carrys out update probability information based on result; And/or determine that the determination of module sets or updates temporary transient probabilistic information temporarily to replace probabilistic information to use based on result.

This allows to use has short term reliability but is likely to have the information (such as, at locality place currently without parking position) of change.

One embodiment includes a kind of server, and it comprises: route planning device; Receiving section, it is for receiving the request to search pattern via network from remote-control device; Sending section, it for sending the search pattern determined by device via network.

This embodiment provides a kind of server for search pattern is supplied to remote-control device.

Described server can include more new section, wherein receives section and is arranged to receive object information from remote-control device, and more new section is arranged to adjust cartographic information based on object information.

This allows server to refine cartographic information based on the object information from remote-control device. Preferably, cartographic information includes probabilistic information, and probabilistic information is based on object information and is updated.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of computer implemented method provides search pattern, and described method comprises: receive the request of the search pattern providing the place for predefined type; From the multiple potential site of cartographic information identification, each potential site is corresponding to finding the position at the place, place of predefined type potentially; Determining the route of at least one visited in potential site, the described of described route determines the predetermined efficiency measurement using the probability based on the place finding predefined type; And export determined route as search pattern.

The method allows to provide the user with the search pattern in the place likely finding wanted type in an efficient way.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to the computer software comprising one or more software modules, one or more than one software module when being operable such that when performing and being performed in environment processor serves as the module of above example and section or the method carrying out above example.

The advantage hereinafter stating these embodiments, and other place that the other details of each in these embodiments and characterizing definition are in the appended claims item enclosed and in detailed description below.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Hereinafter will describe the various aspects of teachings of the present invention referring to accompanying drawing by illustrative example and embody the layout of those teachings, in accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is the schematically illustrate of global positioning system (GPS);

Fig. 2 is electronic building brick schematically illustrate being arranged to provide guider;

Fig. 3 is that guider can receive the schematically illustrate of the mode of information over wireless communication channels;

Fig. 4 A and 4B is the illustrative perspective view of guider;

Fig. 5 is schematically illustrating of the software that uses of guider;

Fig. 6 is the schematic diagram of the road network for embodiments of the invention are described;

Fig. 7 is the flow chart that the method adjusting probabilistic information in embodiments of the invention is described;

Fig. 8 is the flow chart that the method adjusting temporary transient probabilistic information in embodiments of the invention is described;

Fig. 9 a is the flow chart that the method that object information is communicated to central server from guider in embodiments of the invention is described;

Fig. 9 b is the flow chart that the method performed by central server in embodiments of the invention is described;

Fig. 9 c is the flow chart of the method that explanation is performed by embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

Now with particular reference to PND, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are described. It should be kept in mind, however, that teachings of the present invention are not limited to PND, but it is generally applicable to be configured to perform navigation software to provide any kind of process device of route planning and navigation functionalities. Thus, as can be seen here, in the context of subject application, guider is set includes, but is not limited to any kind of route planning and guider, the guider no matter described device is embodied in PND, is built in the vehicles, still the calculating resource (such as, desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile phone or portable digital-assistant (PDA)) performing route planning and navigation software actually it is presented as.

Herein that the reference of section or module is specific restricted without wishing to having, and be considered as described module or section is all of functional can be provided by multiple assemblies. Similarly, individual elements can provide or contribute to the functional of some sections and/or module. Various sections and module can be implemented in hardware, software or both combinations.

The stored reference of data or information is included the storage undertaken by mass storage device (such as, CD and disk) or active memory (such as, RAM). The reference of data or information " being stored in " or " being positioned at " is used as writing a Chinese character in simplified form of " can be by ... access ", but does not imply that the physical location of described storage, unless the context otherwise requires.

For explain clear for the purpose of, use the example parking position as objective type to describe some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art is it will be clear that the invention is not restricted to this situation. Can suitably modified described embodiment to allow the present invention to be applied to other objective type, excessively test without by those skilled in the art.

In the following description, various embodiments of the present invention are described. Those skilled in the art is it will be clear that the feature of these embodiments can combine in every way without excessive experiment.

Remembeing above collateral condition, Fig. 1 illustrates the example views of the global positioning system (GPS) that can be used by guider. These systems are known and for numerous purposes. In general, GPS is the navigation system based on satelline radio, and it can determine continuous print position, speed, time and (in some cases) directional information for infinite number user. The GPS being formerly known as NAVSTAR incorporates the multiple satellites operated in split hair track around Earth's orbit. Based on these precise orbit, its position relaying can be delivered to any number and receive unit by gps satellite.

When, when the device being equipped with to receive gps data starts to scan radio frequency to search gps satellite signal specially, implementing GPS system. Upon receiving a radio signal from a gps satellite, described device determines the exact position of described satellite at once via the one in multiple various conventional method. As a rule, described device will proceed to scan for signal, until it has obtained the different satellite-signal of at least three (noting, other triangulation technique can be used to determine position by only two signals, but this is not common practice). By implementing geometric triangulation, receptor utilizes three known positions to determine himself two-dimensional position relative to satellite. Can be carried out this in a known way to determine. It addition, obtain the 4th satellite-signal permission reception device is calculated its three-dimensional position in a known way by identical geometrical calculation. Position and speed data can by infinite number user real-time update continuously.

As shown in fig. 1, GPS system is generally represented by reference number 100. Multiple satellites 120 are in the track around the earth 124. The track of each satellite 120 may not be Tong Bu with the track of other satellite 120, and is actually likely to asynchronous. Show that gps receiver 140 receives spread spectrum gps satellite signal 160 from various satellites 120.

The spread spectrum signal 160 being continually transmitted from each satellite 120 utilizes the frequency standard of the pin-point accuracy realized by the atomic clock of clock like precision. Each satellite 120 launches the data stream indicating described particular satellite 120 as the part of its data signal transmission 160. Those skilled in the relevant art it will be appreciated that GPS receiver device 140 generally obtaining spread spectrum gps satellite signal 160 from least three satellite 120 calculates its two-dimensional position for described GPS receiver device 140 by triangulation. The acquisition (it causes the signal 160 from total of four satellite 120) of extra is permitted GPS receiver device 140 and is calculated its three-dimensional position in a known way.

The illustrative of electronic building brick of guider 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention is represented by Fig. 2 with block components form. It should be noted that the block diagram of guider 200 does not include all component of guider, but only represent many example components.

Guider 200 is positioned at shell (not shown). Described shell includes processor 210, and described processor 210 is connected to input equipment 220 and display screen 240. Input equipment 220 can include key board unit, speech input device, touch panel and/or for inputting other known input equipment any of information; And display screen 240 can include any kind of display screen, for instance LCD display. In particularly preferred layout, input equipment 220 and display screen 240 are through being integrated into integrated form input and display device, the input of described integrated form and display device include touch pad or touch screen input so that user only needs the part touching described display screen 240 just may select the one in multiple display alternate item or activate the one in multiple virtual push button.

Described guider can include output device 260, for instance, audible output device (such as, speaker). Because the user that output device 260 can be guider 200 produces audible information, so should be also understood that, input equipment 240 may also include mike and software for receiving input voice command.

In guider 200, processor 210 is operatively connectable to input equipment 220 via connecting 225 and is set to receive input information from input equipment 220 via connecting 225, and connects 245 at least one being operatively connectable in display screen 240 and output device 260 with to its output information via output. Additionally, processor 210 is operatively coupled to memory resource 230 via connecting 235, and be further adapted for and receive information/will send information to input/output (I/O) port 270 from input/output (I/O) port 270 via connecting 275, wherein I/O port 270 may be connected at the I/O device 280 outside guider 200. Memory resource 230 is including (for example) volatile memory (such as, random access memory (RAM)) and nonvolatile memory (such as, digital memory, for instance flash memory). Exterior I/O device 280 can include, but is not limited to outside listening device, for instance, receiver. Connection to I/O device 280 can additionally for taking office the wired or wireless connection of what its external device (ED) (such as car stereo unit), such as hand-free operation and/or for voice activated operation, for the connection to receiver or headband receiver, and/or such as the connection to mobile phone, wherein mobile phone connection may be used to set up the data cube computation between guider 200 and (such as) the Internet or other network any, and/or in order to set up the connection of server via (such as) the Internet or other network a certain.

Fig. 2 further illustrates via being operatively connected between processor 210 and antenna/receptor 250 connecting 255, and wherein antenna/receptor 250 can be (such as) gps antenna/receptor. It will be appreciated that schematically combine the antenna and receptor that are represented by reference number 250 to illustrate, but antenna and receptor can be assembly positioned apart, and antenna can be (such as) GPS chip aerial or helical antenna.

It addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that, the electronic building brick shown in Fig. 2 is to be powered by power supply (not shown) in a usual manner. As those skilled in the art will understand, it is believed that the different configurations of the assembly shown in Fig. 2 belong in the scope of subject application. For example, the assembly shown in Fig. 2 can intercom mutually via wired and/or wireless connections and fellow thereof. Therefore, the scope of the guider 200 of subject application includes portable or handheld navigation device 200.

Additionally, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Fig. 2 can connect in a known way or " docking " arrives the vehicles such as such as bicycle, motorcycle, automobile or ship. Then this guider 200 can be removed for portable or handheld navigation use from docking location.

Referring now to Fig. 3, guider 200 can via mobile device (not shown) (such as, mobile phone, PDA and/or there is any device of mobile phone telephony) set up and be connected with " movement " or the communication network of server 302, thus setting up numeral connection (such as, via the numeral connection of example Bluetooth technology as is known). Thereafter, move device and can be connected (such as, via the Internet) via the network that its Internet Service Provider sets up with server 302. Thus, set up guider 200 (when it is by oneself and/or in time advancing in the way of being in the vehicles, it can be and often for movement) and be connected with " movement " network between server 302 thus for information offer " in real time " or at least very " new " gateway.

(such as) the Internet (such as, WWW) can be used to carry out the network establishment of connection between mobile device (via ISP) and another device of such as server 302 in a known way. For example, this can include the use of TCP/IP layered protocol. Mobile device may utilize any number kind communication standard, for instance CDMA, GSM, WAN etc.

Thus, available (such as) is via data cube computation, the Internet connection that realizes via the mobile phone telephony in mobile phone or guider 200. In order to this connects, set up the Internet connection between server 302 and guider 200. For example, can via mobile phone or other move device and GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and connect that (high-speed data for moving device that GPRS is connected as being provided by telecommunication operator connects; GPRS is the method being connected to the Internet) carry out this foundation.

Guider 200 can complete the data cube computation with mobile device further via (such as) existing Bluetooth technology in a known way and be finally completed and the data cube computation of the Internet and server 302, wherein data protocol may utilize any number kind standard, for instance GSRM, data protocol standard for GSM standard.

Guider 200 can include the mobile phone telephony (include such as antenna, or optionally, use the inside antenna of guider 200) of himself in guider 200 itself. Mobile phone telephony in guider 200 can include fixed intraware as noted above, and/or can include can be inserted into card (such as, subscriber identity module or SIM), the mobile phone telephony necessary together with (such as) and/or antenna. Thus, the network that the mobile phone telephony in guider 200 can be set up between guider 200 with server 302 via (such as) the Internet similarly is connected, and it is set up mode and is similar to the mode of any mobile device.

For GPRS phone settings, the guider possessing Bluetooth function may be used to correctly work together with the frequency spectrum being continually changing of mobile phone model, manufacturer etc., for example, model/manufacturer specific settings can be stored on guider 200. The data that may be updated as this information and store.

In figure 3, guider 200 is depicted as communicating with server 302 via general communication channel 318, and communication channel 318 can be implemented by any one in some different layouts. (note when setting up the connection via communication channel 318 between server 302 and guider 200, this connects can be the data cube computation via mobile device, via personal computer being directly connected to via the Internet) time, server 302 can communicate with guider 200.

Server 302 includes (except being likely to other assembly unaccounted) processor 304, and described processor 304 is operatively connectable to memorizer 306 and is further operatively connected to bulk data storage device 312 via wired or wireless connection 314. Processor 304 is further operatively connected to emitter 308 and receptor 310, information to be transmitted into guider 200 via communication channel 318 and to send information from guider 200. The signal sending and receiving can include data, communication and/or other transmitting signal. Can select or design emitter 308 and receptor 310 according to the communicating requirement used in the communication scheme for navigation system 200 and communication technology. Also, it should be mentioned that can be signal transceiver by the function combinations of emitter 308 and receptor 310.

Server 302 is connected further to (or including) mass storage device 312, it is noted that described mass storage device 312 can be coupled to server 302 via communication link 314. Described mass storage device 312 is containing a large amount of navigation datas and cartographic information, and can be similarly the device separated with server 302, or is incorporated in server 302.

Guider 200 is suitable to communicate with server 302 via communication channel 318 and include processor as previously described with regard to figure 2, memorizer etc. and in order to send and to receive emitter 320 and the receptor 322 of signal and/or data via communication channel 318, note, these devices can further in order to the device communication except server 302. It addition, the communication scheme of communicating requirement and communication technology according to using in to(for) guider 200 select or design emitter 320 and receptor 322, and can be single transceiver by the function combinations of emitter 320 and receptor 322.

It is stored in the software in server memory 306 provide instruction for processor 304 and allow server 302 to provide services to guider 200. The services package provided by server 302 is containing processing from the request of guider 200 and from bulk data storage device 312, navigation data being transmitted into guider 200. Another service provided by server 302 includes using various algorithms to process navigation data and the result of these calculating is sent to guider 200 for desired application.

Communication channel 318 typicallys represent the communications media or path that connect guider 200 and server 302. Server 302 and guider 200 all include for via communication channel to launch the emitter of data and for receiving the receptor of the data launched by communication channel.

Communication channel 318 is not limited to particular communication technology. It addition, communication channel 318 is not limited to single communication technology; That is, channel 318 can include some communication links of use multiple technologies. For example, communication channel 318 may be adapted to provide the path for telecommunication, optical communication and/or electromagnetic communication etc. Thus, communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to the one in following each or its combination: circuit, the such as electric conductor such as electric wire and coaxial cable, Connectorized fiber optic cabling, transducer, radio frequency (RF) ripple, air, white space etc. Additionally, communication channel 318 can include middle device, for instance router, transponder, buffer, emitter and receptor.

In an illustrative arrangement, communication channel 318 includes telephone network and computer network. Additionally, communication channel 318 possibility can be applicable to the radio communications such as such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication. It addition, communication channel 318 is applicable to satellite communication.

The signal of communication launched via communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to required for can being the communication technology given or desired signal. For example, described signal can be suitable in cellular communication technology (such as, time division multiple acess (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), CDMA (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM) etc.). Both numeral and analogue signal can be launched via communication channel 318. These signals can be communication technology is likely desired be modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signal.

Server 302 includes the remote server that can be accessed via wireless channel by guider 200. Server 302 can include the webserver being positioned on LAN (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN) etc.

Server 302 can include the personal computer of such as desktop or laptop computer, and communication channel 318 can be the cable being connected between personal computer and guider 200. Or, personal computer can be connected between guider 200 and server 302, to set up the Internet connection between server 302 and guider 200. Or, mobile phone or other handheld apparatus can set up the wireless connections of the Internet, for guider 200 being connected to server 302 via the Internet.

Can download via information and provide the information from server 302 for guider 200, described information is downloaded can regular update automatically, or at once update after guider 200 is connected to server 302 by user, and/or can connect via (such as) wireless mobile connecting device and TCP/IP and set up between server 302 with guider 200 comparatively constant or after being connected frequently comparatively dynamic. For many dynamic calculation, the processor 304 in server 302 may be used to dispose major part and processes needs, but, the processor 210 of guider 200 also can dispose many process and calculating independent of the connection to server 302 often.

As above in fig. 2 indicated by, guider 200 includes processor 210, input equipment 220 and display screen 240. Input equipment 220 and display screen 240 are through being integrated into integrated form input and display device to realize such as input (via directly inputting, menu setecting etc.) via the information of touch panel screen and both information shows. Such as those skilled in the art it is known that this screen can be such as touch input formula lcd screen. It addition, guider 200 may also include any extra input equipment 220 and/or any extra output device 241, for instance audio frequency input/output device.

Fig. 4 A and 4B is the perspective view of guider 200. As shown in Figure 4 A, guider 200 can for including the unit of integrated form input and other assembly (including but not limited to internal gps receiver 250, microprocessor 210, electric supply, accumulator system 230 etc.) of display device 290 (such as, touch panel screen) and Fig. 2.

Guider 200 can be held on arm 292, can use sucker 294 arm 292 is fastened to itself vehicle dashboard/window/etc. This arm 292 is an example of the dock that guider 200 can be docked to.

As demonstrated in Figure 4 B, for instance, guider 200 can dock or be otherwise connected to the arm 292 of dock by guider 200 snaps attached to arm 292. Guider 200 can then can rotate on arm 292, as shown by the arrow of fig. 4b. In order to discharge the connection between guider 200 and dock, for instance the button on guider 200 can be pressed. For guider being coupled to dock and being that those skilled in the art is well-known by other layout suitable on an equal basis of guider Yu dock decoupling.

Referring now to the Fig. 5 in accompanying drawing, memory resource 230 stores start-up loading device program (not shown), described start-up loading device program is performed by processor 210 to load operating system 470 from memory resource 230 and to perform for by functional hardware assembly 460, and described operating system 470 provides the environment that application software 480 can run wherein. Operating system 470 is in order to control functional hardware assembly 460 and to reside between application software 480 and functional hardware assembly 460. Application software 480 provides operating environment, it include supporting guider 200 Core Feature (such as, map inspect, route planning, navigation feature and other function any related to this) GUI. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, this functional part comprises search pattern module 490, now its function is described in detail in conjunction with following figure.

According to embodiments of the invention, the information that described guider storage (maybe can access) is relevant with multiple places, it at least includes being enough to allowing described device to be planned for the route in those places or from those positional informationes of route of lighting of ground. At least some in described place is identified as belonging to locality type, its demand (that is, the place of objective type) being likely to meet user, but it cannot be guaranteed that it meets the demand of user. These places can be considered (at potential site place) potential place, because it meets the demand of user potentially. For example, when user needs " empty parks position ", described objective type can be " parking position ". The guider of the present embodiment will provide the user with search pattern, and described search pattern is one or more by what park in position (described certain types of place) described in visiting, until that finds sky parks position. It is desirable that described search pattern should have finds the relatively high likelihood parking position, be likely to consider other factors simultaneously, for instance the distance of parking position from described, be parked in described in park any expense of position, and described in park the position physical location relative to other place.

Those skilled in the art is it will be clear that other type of place is equally applicable. For example, user is likely to need hotel, it may be desirable to determining that hotel is looked at before whether satisfactory in person in described hotel. User then will need one or more search patterns for the hotel considered of visiting. The example in hotel will be suitable for the guider of pedestrian's use or is used for the device being installed in the vehicles. On the other hand, when guider is installed in the vehicles, the example most probable parking position finding sky is useful. For conventionally, the example parking position will for describing the present embodiment, but be not construed as having restricted.

In response to the empty user's request parking position, described search pattern block search is stored in the cartographic information in memorizer 230, and determines the multiple places (place of objective type) being likely the requested type of user. Search pattern module is then used by the predetermined efficiency measurement of the probability based on the place finding described requested type and determines route. Then inform described route via output device 260 and/or display device 240 to user, or described route can be exported via described I/O device.

In one embodiment, guider 200 includes location information and determines that section is (such as, GPS unit 324 shown in Fig. 3), it provides at the information of the current location about device 200, and may also provide the direction of movement about device 200 and/or the information of speed. Described location information determines that section can use (such as) GPS to implement. When user indicate need empty park time, search pattern module 490 such as determines, through position of parking as much as possible, the route started from current place (current location of device 200) with minimum travel distance by being designed as by search pattern, and described route has the probability high as far as possible parking position finding sky with minimum travel distance.

This provide the user with very big chance short time/travel distance in find the search pattern parking position. This is better than user is directed to a series of parking lot (individually treating each continuous parking lot) in any way. For example, if nearest parking lot is less, and have some intensive large parking lots at slightly distant location on rightabout, then described large parking lot is likely to have bigger chance to park position with what minimum travel distance found sky.

By means of example, Fig. 6 shows the simplification signal road network of road R1 to R6. Each road has length L1 to the L6 for arbitrary unit, and assumes that in each being parked in described road be possible. The number (Si) parking position on each road can be included in cartographic information, or can based on the length of described road and about road type any information (such as, track number, known park restriction etc.) estimate. In this example, it is assumed that the number parking position on each road Ri is 10 �� Li, because longer road is likely to be of more space for parking (other situation is all identical). Parking lot R7 is positioned at the end of road R6, and has 40 in this example and park position. For the sake of simplicity, R7 can be called " road " herein. Assume that user and guider are close to meet O, and user's instruction guider 200 is planned for the search pattern parking position. According to this example, road R1 to R6 can be all roads that the allowance in predetermined cut-off radius is parked. Or, described road can be all roads with parking lot that can arrive in predetermined travel distance. Described cut-off radius or travel distance can ask the position at described search pattern place or meet O to determine according to user.

Search pattern module 490 is assessed for the cost function from the obtainable each route of next meet; In the case, for the cost function turned left or turn right. Herein, meet is in order to describe possible route bifurcated or to there is any place of selection between two or more route. The first meet that next meet will arrive when being from locality and advance in particular directions. The Oi of specific meet represents by carrying out particular course selection (with i labelling) and the set of accessibility road at described meet. Oi generally determines according to position and place. In this example, O1={R1, R2, R3} represents the set by the accessibility road that turns left, and O2={R4, R5, R6, R7} represent the set by accessibility road of turning right. First example of cost function isWherein Di is the distance between road Ri and meet O. In this example, make this distance for from O to the distance at the midpoint of described road, as it is assumed that this midpoint represents the mean place parking position on described road, but extraneous information (such as, towards the weighting of one end of described road) can be passed through it is modified. It is also possible to road be divided into many sub-roads to consider the different situations on each sub-road. The assessment of the cost function for this example is showed in table 1.

Table 1

As can be seen from Table 1, for the cost function (last column) turned right higher than for the cost function turned left, therefore described search pattern is for turning right. Note that " cost function " is use with its mathematical meaning herein, to mean the function maximizing under optimum or minimizing. Herein, maximization cost function is preferred solution, but can construct other cost function producing preferred result when minimizing. According to the search pattern calculated, guider 200 (via display device 240, speaker 260 or I/O port 270) issues the user with right-handed instruction.

The second example according to cost function, described cartographic information includes and the probabilistic information finding the probability parking position relevant at specified link place. Fig. 6 provides the example probabilistic information Pi of each Ri; In this case it is assumed that described probability is find the total probability parking position on described road, and 0��Pi��1. The example cost function of use Pi isThe result using this cost function in this example shown by table 2.

Table 2

According to this example, instruction user is turned left by described guider at meet O place, because for the cost function turned left more than for the cost function turned right. This is different from according to the cost function C1 instruction provided, because in this example, parks the dependency between (estimation) number of position and the probability parking position finding sky only small. Thus, this example provides, when probabilistic information is available, the search pattern improved.

Probit Pi can estimate according to the understanding of road type and road planning (such as, the number in track, road are unidirectional or two-way road etc.). Or, described probit can be determined (such as, by investigating) by rule of thumb.

3rd example of cost function consider find park position after the final destination that enters of user's given line or target. According to the embodiments of the invention used together with this example cost function, described device is arranged to (such as, via touch screen 220) receive following information from user: what need sky parks position, and find sky park position after, user's given line enters farther place X, and parks position described in being stayed by the vehicles. In figure 6, X represents the target that can arrive from R5 or R6 walking, and Xi represents the central point from Ri (described in park position mean place on the Ri) distance to X. In the case, cost function can beWherein �� is the predetermined constant that the relative importance of Di and Xi is weighted of adjusting the distance. For example, when user will from described park position walk to X time, drive farther to find the position of parking near X can for acceptable; In the case, �� can be set as 10. Example in Fig. 6 uses the result of this cost function be showed in table 3, and for the sake of simplicity, this example uses ��=1.

Table 3

Probability in this example is identical with the probability in the second example of cost function, but the guider in this example may indicate that user turns right (high value that right-hand rotation draws C3), because finding the probability parking position important with the nearness of X than what reduce. This allows described search pattern to consider the place with the potential site of the position relative to other place, and finds the chance in the place of target type.

Another example cost function isC4 is similar to C3, but the weighting between Di and Xi becomes more important along with Xi increases. This may correspond to tolerate from described position of parking to the short distance walking of described target but avoids the cost function of long-distance walking.

Described cost function can carry out weighting according to the expense being parked in locality, for instanceWherein Fi is parked in expense on road Ri or charge.

In another example, calculate Local Search route (being confined to target X), its calculation is similar to the mode of above search pattern, but chooses the described final goal X (or the neighbouring road) starting point as search, and use cost functionWherein Nj is the set (be similar to Oj above, but based on the first meet arrived after sailing out of from the starting point near X) of road. Then pass through the route of other point a certain planned from current location to the starting point of described Local Search route or described Local Search route to determine described search pattern. This will provide for following Local Search route, and it has the very big probability parking position finding the sky near target X, but any weighting does not give the starting point of described search pattern and the described distance parked between position. When different directions can be chosen from the starting point of described Local Search route, search pattern can be calculated by each in these directions, and choose best search pattern as described Local Search route. This allows to produce following search pattern, wherein thinks that current location is unimportant for determining described search pattern.

In the example utilizing probability, probability can be time dependence. For example, different probability can be set for different time interval (such as, the interval in table 4). Different location can use different time interval, therefore a parking lot can have " 8:00-9:00 on working day " and the interval of " 9:00-10:00 on working day ", and another parking lot can have " 7:30-8:30 on working day " and the interval of " 8:30-10:30 on working day ". Then current time that is available and that ask described search pattern is associated probability or utilize with arrive described in park probability that the estimation time correlation of position joins to calculate described route. Also can calculate described probability in the random time selected by user, in order to planning is for the route of future usage. Time change can be passed through to store to implement for each some probability being associated with different time parking position (or parking a group). Or, a certain mathematical function with time variable can be used to provide the probability changed over. In other example, can by the interpolation of stored probability data or extrapolation be calculated the probability at special time place. Described probability is without setting according to fixed interval, but described probability can be allowed to change in arbitrarily small interval, particularly when using mathematical function or interpolation/extrapolation. Guider 200 can obtain current time (such as, via input from user of data cube computation (such as, I/O port 270) or (such as, via input equipment 220)) from internal clocking or from external source. Allow described probability to change over the described probabilistic information of permission and be more accurately reflected in the probability that potential site place finds the place of target type.

Table 4

Period	Time		Period	Time
					Morning on working day	00:00-7:00		Night on working day	00:00-10:00
Working day morning peak	7:00-9:30		Morning at weekend	10:00-12:00
					Working day is in the daytime	9:30-17:00		Weekend is in the daytime	12:00-17:00
Working day evening peak	17:00-18:00		Weekend evenings	17:00-21:00
					Evening on working day	18:00-00:00		Night at weekend	21:00-00:00

Above example utilizes the tolerance based on distance (such as, park the distance between position and the current location of guider, or park the distance between position and target). But, the present invention can use a certain other tolerance (such as, based on the tolerance estimating traveling time) to implement.

User can be given to the right to choose of cost function and the chance changing described parameter (such as, the �� in above C3 and C4), in order to produce to be suitable for the search pattern being currently needed for of user. For example, if user near its destination and wants to park as quickly as possible, then C2 can be best cost function. On the other hand, if user can not walking distance and after parking set access specific objective, then have the C4 of high alpha-value be likely to comparatively suitable.

For illustrate simple for the purpose of, above example does not consider the situation that search pattern can be turned back voluntarily, but can revise described example to allow to turn back. No matter likewise, it is assumed that all roads be two-way and direct of travel how all can enter on described road any park position. The adapted embodiment removing these hypothesis can be constructed by those skilled in the art.

For illustrate simple for the purpose of, above example by next meet by the direction provided to calculate route. But, in alternative embodiments, when user asks route, calculate (such as) complete search route up to a certain greatest length. Described complete search route can be constructed by following operation: calculates the route possible up to each of maximum search path length; Assess the cost function for each in these routes; And select best route as described complete search route based on described cost function. It is desirable that the described cost function calculated for each in described route will be only dependent upon road and the parking lot of described route visiting. The example of the cost function that can use in this embodiment isWherein Qj is the route calculated including road Ri. Di be from current location to road Ri the distance on average parking position. This example cost function is similar to C2 above, but can change other cost function of use into, for instance be similar to the cost function of C1 or C3 to C6. Calculate complete search route and be likely to need relatively multiprocessing resource, but be likely to the search pattern producing to improve.

Route Planning Algorithm known in the art generally uses the cost function based on distance or time to be planned for the route of the specific objective with ad-hoc location. In certain embodiments, the one in these algorithm known may be adapted to use the cost function being similar to above-described cost function.

According to some embodiments, guider 200 determines the result of search, i.e. whether search is successful, and if it succeeds, determines the place finding described objective place. In one embodiment, when described objective is empty parks, finding when parking of sky, please user confirm via input equipment 220 via display device 240. Do not find park time, it is possible to ask user to confirm. In another embodiment, when described device stopping mobile (such as) reaches predetermined amount of time, based on next self-align information, search pattern module 490 is determined that the information of section 324 is determined to find and is parked position. Similarly, if guider 200 continues to move past and potential parks position, then search pattern module 490 can determine that that not yet finds sky parks position. In another embodiment, when guider 200 detect have been turned off vehicle ignition device time, described search pattern module is determined to find and is parked position. Similarly, if not cutting off the igniter of the vehicles and guider 200 parks position through potential, then can determine that that not yet finds sky parks position.

In certain embodiments, in order to calculate from the potential distance parking position, mean place has been assigned to and multiple has parked position, for instance, above example assume described in park position be the center at road. But, when considering whether in time parking, it is considered to whether through last be likely to park position (such as, being determined by whether arriving the far-end of road) be likely to comparatively suitable.

In determining the embodiment of result of search, it is possible to various modes use described result. For example, described information can be used to update the probabilistic information in described cartographic information. Also can by the result of search via communication channel 318 (such as, the Internet) it is transmitted into central server 302, so that central server 302 can update the probabilistic information being stored in server 302 place or described result be distributed to other guider 200 to allow other guider 200 to use described object information. When guider 200 can directly communicate with one another, described object information directly (rather than via central server 302) can be supplied to other guider 200. Guider 200 it be also possible to use described result to update temporary transient probabilistic information, as described in greater detail below. Similarly, central server 302 or other guider 200 can use the search result information received to update temporary transient probabilistic information. Guider 200 also can receive object information from central server 302 or another guider 200, and uses this object information received to come update probability information and/or temporary transient probabilistic information. Communication between guider 200 and central server 302 and/or other guider 200 can via any suitable communication channel 318, for instance, via the connection of mobile communication network to the Internet.

Fig. 7 shows the method for update probability information in guider 200 according to an embodiment. Described method starts in step 700 place, and in step 710 place, is determined about whether arriving next potential site (such as, parking position). When arriving potential site, determine that in step 720 place whether described possible position is objective type (such as, empty park position). If described potential site be objective type (such as, that has found sky parks position), then described method proceeds to step 730, adjusts probabilistic information in step 730 place to increase the probability in the place finding described target type at current potential site place. Between in use when interdependent probability, this adjustment can include increasing described probability always, or only in current time or increase described probability about current time. After increasing described probability, described method terminates in step 740 place. If determine in step 720 place do not find target type at described potential site place place (such as, that does not find sky parks position), then described method proceeds to step 750, reduces the probability finding objective at current potential site place in step 750 place. In step 760 place, described method then determines whether any other potential site is stayed in described search pattern. When there being other potential site, next one potential site is set as current potential site (step 770) by described method, and then returns to step 710. When not having other potential site, described method terminates in step 740 place.

When described probability be based on previous n times attempt to find park position (wherein y time success), p=y/N. Park position if be successfully found, then new probability can be set as p=(y+1)/(N+1), and if do not find and park position, then p=y/ (N+1). If the value of p is estimated value, then can produce initial estimate by the value of setting y and N. For example, N can reflect the confidence level of estimated value, because bigger N will draw with the slow probability that new data changes, and y can set to draw specific estimation probability based on N. Pass by time, described probability will close to the value that more can represent actual probabilities because described probabilistic information is owing to finding at each potential site place or not finding parking position and correspondingly updating described probability and refined of sky.

Or, described probabilistic information can be stored as the numeral between 0 and 1. In the case, when finding when parking of sky, can basisIncrease described probability, wherein p_newFor adjusted probability, and p_oldFor the probability before adjusting. ��⁺For the parameter more than 1, it adjusts whenever the degree changing described probability when parking finding sky. Arranging according to this, described probability will remain less than 1. When not finding when parking of sky, can basisReduce described probability, wherein ��^-For the parameter more than 1, it adjusts when the degree changing described probability when parking not finding sky. Adjusting according to this, described probability will remain in more than 0. This allows described probabilistic information to become more accurately and automatically adapts to find the change of the actual probabilities in the place of described target type.

Fig. 8 is illustrated in the method setting temporary transient probability in the embodiment of guider 200. According to this embodiment, temporary transient probability can be set, and use described temporary transient probability to replace elementary probability (that is, above (such as) about the probability described by Fig. 7) at short notice. Step 800,810,820,840,860 and 870 correspond respectively to the step 700 of Fig. 7,710,720,740,760 and 770. In step 850, determining in step 820 after current potential site place not yet finds the place of target type, for current potential site, temporary transient probability is set as zero, or is set as other low value a certain. For example, when search empty when parking, this is reflected in current position currently without parking position, and uses this information when allowing to recalculate in the near future search pattern. Park the probability that position is associated will be returned to described elementary probability sooner or later with described. This replys and can progressively occur after the scheduled time or can (such as) occur gradually according to following formula:

$p\left(t\right)\left\{\begin{array}{cc}(1-\frac{t}{T})p\left(0\right)+\left(\frac{t}{T}\right)p_{\mathrm{basic}},& 0<t<T\\ p_{\mathrm{basic}},& t\&GreaterEqual;T\end{array}\right.$

Herein, p (t) represents at the time t probability that is associated with potential site of place, and it is that basis is not the free determination parking position to measure. p_basicFor the elementary probability used when being absent from temporary transient probability, and T is the parameter determining the persistent period using described temporary transient probability. This allows to adjust described probabilistic information to consider the information with short-lived validity.

Fig. 9 shows the method according to embodiment, wherein the information of the result of the search about being undertaken by the first guider 200 being sent to central server 302, described central server 302 can be then used by described information to be come update probability information and/or temporary transient probabilistic information and the information being updated over is supplied to the second guider 200. This allows to share information between guider to improve sample size and the accuracy of information.

Fig. 9 a shows the method performed by the embodiment of the first guider 200. Step 910,911,912,914,916 and 917 be similar to the step 700 of Fig. 7,710,720,740,760 and 770. In step 912, determining that, after specific potential site place finds the place of described target type, this information is communicated to central server 320 by the first guider 200. Described method then terminates in step 914 place. On the other hand, if determine the place not finding described target type at described potential site place in step 912 place, then in step 915 place, this information is communicated to central server 320. Described method next proceeds to step 916.

Fig. 9 b shows the method performed by the embodiment of central server 320. Described method starts in step 920 place, and in step 921 place, central server 320 determines whether to receive object information from guider 200, for instance, the first guider 200 information passed in step 914 or 916. When having been received by object information, described method proceeds to step 922, determines in step 922 place whether described object information indicates and has found objective. When have found target, in step 923a place, central server 320 increases the dependent probability (it is corresponding to finding the potential site at described objective place) in the probabilistic information being stored in central server 320 place. This step improves described probabilistic information (as described above for guider 200) by probabilistic information according to described fresh information correction. As the replacement scheme of step 923a or except step 923a, the temporary transient probability being stored in central server 320 place can be reduced. When parking stall, this reflects the reduction finding the probability parking position at current time, and this reduction is to be parked position caused by the parked vehicle being associated with the first guider 200 and use. The described temporary transient probability being stored in central server 320 place is similar to above for the temporary transient probability described by guider 200.

If determine the place not finding target type in step 922 place, then in step 924a place, central server 320 reduces the dependent probability (it is corresponding to finding the potential site at described objective place) in the probabilistic information being stored in central server 320 place. It is similarly to above for the adjustment to probability described by guider 200. As the replacement scheme of step 924a or except step 924a, the temporary transient probability at central server 320 place can be will be stored in and be set as zero (or little numeral), to reflect that described objective type is not currently in described potential site place (such as, it does not have empty parks position) and can not in the information at described potential site place at least one short time. Described method then returns to step 921.

When not receiving object information in step 921 place, described method proceeds to step 925, and determines whether to receive the request to information from guider 200. Described request can contain solicited message, it is one or more that described solicited message can include in following each: the type of objective, the current location of device 200, the departure place of search pattern, target X (final destination), set journey (setting out) time, type of vehicle, or other user preference for search pattern. Being understood by those skilled in the art that, depending on the details of embodiment, out of Memory can be included in described solicited message.

If not receiving request, then described method returns to step 921. If having been received by the request to information, then return information is supplied to guider (step 926), and described method then returns to step 921. The described return information being supplied to guider can be any information being adapted to determine that probabilistic information, and can be (such as) following form: paired position and probability data; With the position data paired for the parameter in predetermined party formula; Or in predetermined party formula parameter (when described parameter is not specific be attached to potential site). Or, central server 320 can determine that described search pattern, and described reply data can be the data identifying described search pattern.

In alternative arrangement, when search pattern has to be planned, guider 200 does not send the request to information. But, when being updated (such as, periodically update) map datum or guider software by central server 320, from central server 320, the probability being updated over and/or temporary transient probabilistic information are sent to guider 200. The life-span type of objective (life-span will depend upon which) depending on described temporal information and the frequency updated, send temporal information in this way and be likely to unrealistic. In the case, elementary probability information will only be sent.

The probabilistic information that the object information collected by central server 320 will produce can be used to the future refining in guider. Therefore, even if not providing in the information (such as, the probabilistic information being corrected) embodiment to guider 200 at central server 320, object information being sent to central server 320 and is alternatively useful.

Fig. 9 c shows the method to central server 320 solicited message performed by the embodiment of guider 200. Described method starts in step 930 place, and in step 931 place, described guider receives the request determining search pattern from user. In step 932 place, the request including solicited message is sent to central server 320 by guider 200, and described central server receives described request in step 925 place. Guider 200 receives the return information passed on by central server 320 in step 926 in step 933 place. Guider 200 determines described search pattern in step 934 place based on described return information (and being potentially based on the extraneous information being stored in described guider place, for instance cartographic information). The described of described search pattern is determined and can perform according to any one in preceding embodiment or example. If described return information includes search pattern, then can omit step 934. In step 935 place, described search pattern is supplied to user. For example, this can be following form: presents complete search route to user via display device 240 on map, or provides audio frequency and/or visually indicate.

In certain embodiments, guider 200 can directly (rather than via central server 320) communicate with one another. For example, in the case, object information can be communicated to all guiders in regional area 200 (or subset, for instance the guider 200 in predefined group). For automatically sharing the embodiment of object information, device 200 need not send solicited message. In other embodiments, solicited message can be sent to all local guider 200 or subset, and in response to described request, described guider 200 provides return information. When target X is not limited to the current location of guider 200, " regional area " considered above can for be confined to target X but not the region of current location.

Being associated with the vehicles (such as, be installed in the vehicles) at guider 200 and be previously found in the embodiment parking position, guider 200 can be determined when that the described vehicles park position described in just leaving or vacating. This can based on from user input or due to position-based infomation detection to guider 200 move (be likely to consider that some devices 200 also can use away from the vehicles, for instance, for pedestrian navigation). When guider 200 determines that parking position vacates, other guider 200 (as mentioned above) in central server 320 and/or described regional area can be delivered this information to. Central server 320 and/or other guider 200 can set temporary transient probability then according to method as described above, with (such as) by described temporary transient probability being set as 1 or increasing described temporary transient probability (such as, according to the method for adjusting elementary probability as described above) in a predefined manner and reflect the existence parking position recently vacated.

In the embodiment above, whole cartographic informations can be stored in local storage 230 by device 200, or obtains some or all cartographic informations via the Internet or other communication channel 318 from server 320.

In another embodiment, guider 200 is route planning device (such as, perform the desktop PC of route planning software), and it is asked in response to the user of search pattern by operating in the way of being similar to above-described embodiment. Those skilled in the art is it will be clear that other calculation element can be used. Described route planning device also can be embodied in server 320, described server 320 is from via network (such as, the Internet) it is connected to the information terminal of server 320 (such as, desktop PC and mobile phone) receive request, and reply by the information describing search pattern. As it has been described above, this server may act as central server 320.

In the equipped embodiment of guider 200 to determine positional information, can at any point place during the journey that must make decisions about route to be followed or provided the user with instruction before described point. In the embodiment determining positional information, for instance, owing to reaching a certain condition (such as, arrive meet, when user deviates described search pattern, or through predetermined amount of time since calculating described search pattern from the last time), described search pattern can be recalculated.

Will be apparent to from foregoing teachings, teachings of the present invention provide one to arrange, so as to providing the user with maximally effective search pattern (considering to find the probability of the destination of desirable type) based on predetermined efficiency measurement.

It will also be appreciated that, although the various aspects of the present invention and embodiment are been described by before this, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to specific arrangements set forth herein, but expands to and comprise all layouts belonging in the scope of the appended claims and to its amendment and change.

For example, although the embodiment described in foregoing detailed description with reference to GPS, it should be noted that guider can utilize any one location sensing technology as the replacement scheme (or it practice, except GPS) to GPS. For example, guider is available uses other GLONASS, for instance European galileo system. Similarly, it is not limited to based on satellite, but can easily be used the beacon based on ground or other any one enable devices to determine that the system in its geographical position plays a role.

Those skilled in the art also will be well understood by, although preferred embodiment is implemented a certain functional by means of software, but described functional can equally only with hardware (such as, by means of one or more ASIC (special IC)) implement or actually implemented by the mixing of hardware Yu software. Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as limited to implemented in software.

Finally, should also be noted that, although appended claims states the particular combination of feature described herein, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combination advocated, but expand to any combination comprising feature disclosed herein or embodiment, no matter now whether specifically enumerate described particular combination in the dependent claims.

Claims (15)

1. a route planning device (200; 302), it is characterised in that comprise:

Storage compartments (230; 306), its storing map information, described cartographic information includes the information identifying multiple potential site, and each potential site is corresponding to finding the position at the place, place of predefined type potentially; And

Search pattern module (490), its search pattern being arranged to determine at least one visited in described potential site, the described of described search pattern determines the predetermined efficiency measurement using the probability based on the place finding described predefined type.

2. device (200 according to claim 1; 302), wherein said cartographic information includes the probabilistic information of each potential site, and described probabilistic information corresponding to finding the described probability in the place of described predefined type at corresponding potential site place.

3. device (200 according to claim 2; 302), wherein said probabilistic information includes time component, and the time change of the described probability in the place of described predefined type is found in the instruction of described time component at described corresponding potential site place.

4. the device (200 according to arbitrary aforementioned claim; 302), wherein said potential site is corresponding to parking position, and position is parked corresponding to empty in the described place of predefined type.

5. the device (200 according to arbitrary aforementioned claim; 302), wherein said search pattern is sized to visit multiple described potential site.

6. the device (200 according to arbitrary aforementioned claim; 302), it comprises the inflow section (220) for receiving order from user further, wherein

When user should determine that for the search pattern in the place of predefined type via described inflow section (220) instruction, described search pattern module (490) is arranged to described device (200; 302) current location is set as homeposition, and

Described search pattern module (490) is arranged to determine described search pattern so that from described homeposition.

7. device (200 according to claim 6; 302), wherein said predetermined efficiency measurement is based at least partially on the predetermined tolerance relevant with described homeposition and described potential site.

8. the device (200 according to arbitrary aforementioned claim; 302), wherein said search pattern module (490) includes the target recognition section for identifying target location (X), and described predetermined efficiency measurement is based on the predetermined tolerance relevant with described target location (X) and described potential site.

9. the device (200 according to arbitrary aforementioned claim; 302), wherein said search pattern module (490) comprises result further and determines that module, described result determine that module is arranged to determine the place that whether have found described predefined type at the potential site place visited.

10. device according to claim 9, when directly or indirectly depending on claim 4, described device comprises location information further and determines section (324), and it is used for determining and includes described device (200; 302) current location information of at least one current location, wherein said result determines that module is arranged to:

Determine whether to arrive potential site based on described location information,

Determine and be provided with described device (200; 302) whether the vehicles are parked,

If it is determined that arrived described potential site and determined that the described vehicles are parked, it indicates that have found the place of described predefined type at described potential site place, and

If it is determined that arrived described potential site and determined that the described vehicles are not yet parked, it indicates that do not find the place of described predefined type.

11. device (200 according to claim 10; 302), wherein said device (200; 302) specific potential site place it is arranged in instruction after have found the place of described predefined type, determine the whether already out described specific potential site of the described vehicles, and perform at least one in following each when determining the already out described specific potential site of the described vehicles:

Already out described specific potential site is passed on to server (302),

Already out described specific potential site is passed on to another route planning device (200), and/or

Set or update temporary transient probabilistic information temporarily to replace described probabilistic information to use.

12. the device (200 according to any claim in claim 9 to 11; 302), when directly or indirectly depending on claim 2, described device comprises more new section further, and wherein said more new section is arranged to perform at least one in following each:

Described result is determined, and module described is determined and is communicated to server (302),

Described result is determined, and module described is determined and is communicated to another route planning device (200),

Determine that module described determines the described probabilistic information of renewal based on described result, and/or

Determine that the described of module is determined setting or update temporary transient probabilistic information temporarily to replace described probabilistic information to use based on described result.

13. a server (302), it comprises:

Device according to any claim in claim 1 to 5;

Receiving section (310), it is for receiving the request to search pattern via network (318) from remote-control device (200); And

Sending section (308), it for sending the described search pattern determined by described search pattern module (490) via described network (318).

14. server according to claim 13, it comprises further:

More new section, wherein

Described reception section (310) is arranged to receive object information from described remote-control device (200), and

Described more new section is arranged to adjust described cartographic information based on described object information.

15. the computer implemented method that search pattern is provided, it is characterised in that comprise:

Receive the request to the search pattern providing the place for predefined type;

From the multiple potential site of cartographic information identification, each potential site is corresponding to finding the position at the place, place of described predefined type potentially;

Determining the route of at least one visited in described potential site, the described of described route determines the predetermined efficiency measurement using the probability based on the place finding described predefined type; And

Export described determined route as described search pattern.