GB2366396A

GB2366396A - Route planning unit

Info

Publication number: GB2366396A
Application number: GB0006687A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Robert Gooch
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-03-21
Filing date: 2000-03-21
Publication date: 2002-03-06
Also published as: GB0006687D0

Abstract

A route planning unit comprises a visual display 12 arranged to display a table of route information, the table comprising a plurality of lines of information relating to successive sections of a journey. One line of information can be highlighted and keys 18, 20 are provided for changing the highlighting to the next or previous line of information. Notes may be provided, giving an indication of particular landmarks to watch for, and/or particular instructions that need to be followed. The notes may be included in each line of information, or may be selected for display in place of, or superimposed over, the normal display. The displayed information may be retrieved from an internal memory of the unit, or from a separate memory device 30 inserted into the unit. Preferably a keyboard 24 is provided, to enable the driver to enter information to the unit's memory.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> Route Planning Unit The present invention relates to a route planning unit to aid a driver, whether of a private car, a commercial bus or lorry or other vehicle, to undertake a Journey of which he has little or no familiarity.

It is often difficult for a driver to remember all of the details of a journey which he is required to undertake. He must therefore refer to a map or to a note of router instructions from time-to-time: for this purpose, the driver must either find a convenient place to stop, or will try to read the map whilst on the move, which is particularly dangerous.

A number of aids have been proposed for overcoming the above problems. However, such aids have proved difficult to use or have only provided limited amounts of information and therefore provided insufficient assistance.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a route planning unit which comprises a visual display arranged to display a table of router information, the table comprising a plurality of lines of information relating to successive sections of a journey, with one line of information highlighted, and means for changing the highlighting to the next line of information.

In this manner, the driver may have the line of information, relating to the current section of the journey, highlighted in order to enable him to see details which help him with that section of the journey. Then, as he completes that section of the journey, he may select the next section of the journey, for highlighting.

Preferably the unit is arranged to scroll up to the next line of information, or to scroll down to a previous line of information, as desired by the driver.

Preferably each line of information includes the name

of the starting point and the name of the finishing point of the respective section of the journey. Preferably each line of information also includes the number of the road to be followed. Preferably each line of information includes an indication of any junction or exit which is to be taken from the road being followed. Preferably, for buses carrying passengers, each line of information includes an indication of the expected arrival or departure time at the starting or finishing point.

Preferably also each line of information includes notes to assist the driver following the respective section of the journey. Such notes may give an indication of particular landmarks to watch for, and/or particular instructions or directions which need to be followed. These notes may be included in each line of information, or may be selected for display in place of or superimposed over the normal display. For example, the line may contain an indication that notes (or additional notes) are stored in the unit's memory for the line of information which is highlighted: the driver can then select these notes for display; he can cancel this display, when required, and return to the normal display, with the corresponding line of information highlighted.

The information displayed by the unit may be retrieved from an internal memory of the unit. Alternatively , this information may be retrieved from a separate memory device which is inserted into the unit, the separate memory carrying information related to a particular journey.

The unit may be arranged to display a table of fares to charge passengers for various stages of a journey. The driver may select the fares table for display when required, then cancel this and return to the normal display.

Preferably the unit includes a keyboard to enable the

driver to enter his own information into the unit's memory. Preferably the keyboard includes an alpha-numeric section for entering the lines of information, including the notes for each section of the journey. Preferably the keyboard also includes a section having a plurality of symbol keys: this enables the driver to enter, into the notepad section of the memory, a succession of symbols and numbers to defining a succession of route instructions.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a route planning unit, in accordance with the present invention, shown with its keyboard cover closed; FIGURE 2 is a similar view of the route planning unit of Figure 1, shown with its keyboard cover opened; FIGURE 3 is a front view of the route planning unit, shown with its keyboard cover closed; and FIGURE 4 is a similar view of the route planning unit, shown with its keyboard cover open.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a route planning unit which comprises a generally rectangular, flat casing 10 provided on its front face with a flat panel visual display 12, a row of function keys 14 to 22 and a keyboard 24.

The row of function keys is positioned above the visual display 12, adjacent the top of the unit, and comprises an ON/OFF key 14, a CLEAR key 16, a scroll UP key 18, a scroll DOWN key 20 and a NOTEPAD key 22.

The keyboard 24 comprises two sections, a first section 24a comprising an array of alpha-numeric keys and a second section 24b comprising an array of symbol keys. A cover 26 is provided for the keyboard 24 and is pivotally mounted adjacent the bottom of the unit: when the cover 26 is closed, as shown

in Figures 1 and 3, it lies flush with the front of the casing 10; when the cover 26 is open, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the cover extends forwardly and forms a rest for helping to support the unit in an upright position when stood on a vehicle dashboard or other horizontal surface.

The top edge of the casing 10 is formed with a slot 28 for insertion of a smartcard 30, for a purpose which will be described. When the unit is switched on, and in a normal mode of operation, the visual display 12 gives a back-lit display of information in the form of a table which comprises a number of horizontal lines and six vertical columns. The six columns are marked with respective headings START/NEW HEADING, ETA (for expected time of arrival), ROUTE NUMBER, JUNCTION EXIT, DESTINATION and NOTEPAD. In each line, therefore, the information is the first column consists of an indication of the starting point, such as a street name, or the road number and name of a town along that road. The second column gives a time for arrival at that point on the journey. The third column gives details of the road to follow. The fourth column gives an indication of which junction or exit the driver is to leave the road which he has been following. The fifth column indicates the destination, e.g. name of a town or village. The sixth column is a notepad which gives notes to assist the driver, such as directions to follow en-route, or landmarks to watch for. At any one time, one of the lines is highlighted and remains highlighted whilst the driver is following this section of his journey. once he completes that section of the journey, he can press the scroll UP key 18 in order to highlight the next line of information, corresponding to the next section of the journey. The driver may press either of the scroll UP or scroll DOWN keys 18,20 at any time, to view any desired line

of information, to check the corresponding section of his journey.

The information which is displayed may be retrieved from an internal memory of the unit. Alternatively, it may be retrieved from a smartcard 30, inserted into the slot 28 in the top edge of the unit, carrying information for the particular journey being undertaken. The smartcard may also be programmed with details of the fare to be paid by passengers carried over different stages of the journey: the unit may be provided with a further key to display the fare table.

The notepad column of the main display may indicate, for any line of information, where the memory contains additional notes to assist the driver: this indication may be given by the letter N in the notepad column for the respective section of the journey. The driver can then press the NOTEPAD key 22, when the respective line of information, is highlighted, to cause the unit to display the additional notes for that section of the journey, preferably as a full screen display. This notepad screen can be cancelled by pressing the key 22, whereupon the screen returns to the normal display, with the corresponding line of information highlighted.

The unit permits the driver to enter his own table of information, for any intended journey, or to edit the stored information, using the keyboard 24. The keyboard section 24b permits the driver to enter selected symbols into the notepad section of the memory: a succession of symbols may be entered to form a complete route sentence, consisting of a succession directions (e.g. turn right, turn left, go straight ahead) at each of a series of hazards (e.g. traffic lights, junctions) or to indicate other hazards (such as pedestrian crossings etc.).

It will be appreciated that the route planning unit which has been described is easy and straightforward to use,

yet will provide a considerable quantity of detailed information, which gives substantial assistance to a driver using the unit.

Claims

Claims A route planning unit which comprises a visual display arranged to display a table of route information, the table comprising a plurality of lines of information relating to successive sections of a journey, with one line of information highlighted, and means for changing the highlighting to the next line of information. 2) A unit as claimed in claim 1, operable for the display to scroll up or down to the next or previous line of information. 3) A unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which each line of information includes the name of the starting point and the name of the finishing point of the respective section of the journey. 4) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each line of information includes the number of the road to be followed.

5) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which each line of information includes an indication of any junction or exit which is to be taken from the road being followed. 6) A unit as claimed in any preceding claims in which, for buses carrying passengers, each line of information includes an indication of the expected arrival or departure time at the starting or finishing point. 7) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which at least some lines of information includes notes to assist the driver following the respective section of the journey.

<Desc/Clms Page number 8>

8) A unit as claimed in claim 7, in which said notes are selectable for display. 9) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising an internal memory from which said information is retrieved. 10) A unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, arranged to retrieve said information from a separate memory device removably receivable by the unit. 11) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, arranged to display a table of fares to charge passengers for respective stages of a journey. 12) A unit as claimed in any preceding claim, including a keyboard enabling a driver to enter his own information. 13) A unit as claimed in claim 12, in which the keyboard includes a plurality of symbol keys enabling the entry of a succession of symbols and numbers defining a succession of route instructions. 14) A route planning unit substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.