KR20070053371A - Transmission of special routes to a navigation device - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle navigation system includes an adaptive route search module 210 that allows a user to provide input information that affects a route calculated for a given destination. The route calculation module 204 executed by the navigation server 102 may be operable to calculate a first route from the moving origin to the moving destination. The adaptive path calculation module 204 executed by the navigation server 102 may be operable to allow a user to enter user modification information for the first path. After the user enters the user correction information, a second path to the moving destination is calculated according to the user correction information. The second route is then transmitted to the vehicle navigation system 104.

Description

TRANSMISSION OF SPECIAL ROUTES TO A NAVIGATION DEVICE}

1 is a block diagram of a navigation system.

2 is a block diagram of an application module located in a vehicular navigation system.

3 is an exemplary road network created by a vehicular navigation system.

4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary road network with a first route calculated between a trip origin and a trip destination.

5 is a diagram illustrating the road network of FIG. 4 having an adaptive route calculated between a moving start point and a moving destination according to user input information.

6 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method that a vehicular navigation system takes during route calculation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a vehicle navigation system, and more particularly to using a special route in a vehicle navigation system.

Automotive navigation systems are becoming increasingly popular in the automotive industry. A typical vehicle navigation system includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver mounted somewhere on a vehicle. The GPS receiver can communicate with satellite based global positioning systems or other localized positioning systems. The GPS receiver obtains location information that the vehicle operator translates into some form of display indicating the vehicle's relative position to a previously determined reference point or other known feature on a given map database.

In addition, a typical vehicle navigation system includes a digital map database module containing digital map information that can be processed by a navigation computer designed to handle map related functions. The map matching module is used to match the position or trajectory measured by the positioning module with a position related to a place or route on the map provided by the digital map database. The positioning module receives its information from the GPS receiver.

It is also common to also include a route planning module used to assist the vehicle driver in routing prior to or during the journey. One technique commonly used is to find a minimum travel cost route, which is designed to minimize the amount of travel and the costs associated with reaching a given destination. In addition, there are other techniques that can represent the sum of the time required when the driver uses the dedicated road, or calculate a route avoiding the traffic condition by using the traffic condition information on the route. Also included is a route guidance module used to guide the driver along the route generated by the route selection planning module. The guidance function may be given before the movement, or may be given in real time while driving the route. The real time or driving guidance function is typically generated using visual driving guide recommendation information and / or acoustic driving guide recommendation information.

In addition, a typical vehicle navigation system includes a human machine interface that provides a user with a method of interacting with computer and device for positioning and navigation. Visual displays are typically used to convert signals into visual images in real time so that the user can immediately understand them. As such, the display is used to provide visual driving guidance recommendations. The display itself is usually an electro-optical device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, an electroluminescent display (ELD), a head-up display (HUD), a plasma display panel (PDP), a fluorescent display panel (VFD) Or a touch screen display.

In addition, the human machine interface may include a voice-based interface that allows the user to communicate with the vehicle navigation system. Acoustic driving guidance recommendations are provided using a voice-based interface. Speech is the most common interface used to convey acoustic driving guidance recommendations because it provides a natural interface that does not distract the driver from attention to the vehicle's operation and / or driveway. As such, the information provided through the acoustic driving guidance recommendation information may be safe because it enables the vehicle operator to concentrate on driving.

During driving, the user can input a moving destination into the vehicle navigation system because the vehicle navigation system can calculate a route based on the current vehicle position. Subsequently, the vehicle navigation system may calculate an optimum route from the starting point to the destination, and display the optimal route on a display to the user. The user of the vehicular navigation system does not have the influence to select a destination arrival path that is selected or calculated by the navigation system. However, the user may wish to change the already selected path based on the user's interests or needs that the navigation system does not consider at all.

Some vehicles may not be allowed to travel on their path calculated by the vehicle navigation system. For example, a wide vehicle may not be able to travel on narrow roads or downtown streets. Heavy trucks or heavy trucks may not be able to pass certain bridges or roads that cannot support the weight of the transport load. In addition, trucks with high bodies or high loads may not be suitable for passing under bridges in lanes. As such, there is a need for a navigation system for a vehicle that allows a user of the vehicle to have some influence on the route calculated for the destination based on certain characteristics.

The navigation system includes an adaptive route search module that allows the user to provide input information that affects the route calculated for the travel destination. The navigation system includes a navigation server in communication with a vehicle navigation system in a vehicle. The navigation server may include a display coupled to the input device. The vehicle navigation system can include a control unit that can be connected to an input device and a display. The input device of the navigation server enables the user to input the moving start point and the moving destination so that the path (route of the moving destination line) to the moving destination can be calculated by the path calculating module included in the navigation server. can do.

The moving origin may not be necessary because the navigation system may already know based on the vehicle location. The route calculation module, which may be executed by the navigation server, may calculate a first optimal route from the moving origin to the moving destination. The adaptive path calculation module executed by the control unit allows the user to input user correction information for the first path using the input device. After the user inputs the user correction information, a second optimal path to reach the moving destination may be calculated according to the correction information input by the user. When the second optimal path is obtained, the second optimal path may be wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle navigation system.

The display may be connected to a control unit of the in-vehicle navigation system to create a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of displaying a road network map. The user interface module, which may be executed by the control unit, may display the second optimal route on the road network map generated on the display. The road network map may include a plurality of nodes and a plurality of segments that form intersections with the roads on the road network map and may otherwise be called map elements. The driver may drive to the destination using a vehicle navigation system that guides the driver to the destination using a GUI and, optionally, artificial voice commands or notifications.

The user correction information input to the navigation server may include closing or selecting at least one node in the road network map. The closed node may be excluded from the second optimal path (which is calculated and provided to the user) and the selected node may be included in the second optimal path. The user modification information may also include closing or selecting at least one segment in the road network map. As such, a closed segment may be excluded from the second optimal path (which is calculated and provided to the user) and the selected segment may be included in the second optimal path. In addition, the user correction information may be input according to the vehicle characteristics. Vehicle characteristics may be based on several different factors, such as the vehicle model, the load cargo type, and the like.

The display and input device of the vehicle navigation system may have a touch screen display. In addition, the adaptive pathfinding module may be disposed within a vehicular navigation system, allowing the user to close or select a node or segment using a GUI of a road network map created on the display. Moreover, the touch screen display may enable a user to close or select a node or segment using a GUI of a road network map created on the touch screen display. If a second optimal path has been calculated, this second optimal path can be stored in a memory location associated with the control unit, for example a hard disk drive.

Methods of generating routes in vehicle navigation systems are also disclosed. The optimal route to reach a given destination (optimal route to a given destination) is generated using a road network map comprising a plurality of nodes and segments. The user is then allowed to provide or input user correction information for the first optimal path. When the user correction information is input, the second optimal path is calculated according to the user correction information. This optimal route is then transmitted to a vehicle navigation system that can be embedded in the vehicle. The optimal route can be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system using several types of methods, such as cable transmission such as when the vehicle navigation system can be plugged into a docking station or direct wire or wireless transmission.

User modification information can be entered using a user input device that can be selected from several different kinds of user input devices. The road network map can be presented graphically on a display containing a GUI representation of the first optimal route along the road network map. The user modification information may be input by the user closing or selecting at least one node or at least one segment in the road network map. The display may have a touch screen display that allows the user to select a node or segment, which node or segment may be selected by another type of input device.

Closed nodes or segments should be avoided (bypassed) in the calculation of the second optimal path. The selected node or segment is included in the calculated second best path. The adaptive pathfinding module can be used to allow the user to provide user correction information for the first optimal path. Subsequently, the adaptive route search module may calculate a new optimal route based on the user correction information using the route calculation module, or may calculate a new optimal route by itself. If a new optimal route has been calculated, this new optimal route can be transmitted to the vehicle navigation system and stored in the memory location of the control unit of the vehicle navigation system.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this embodiment, be within the scope of the invention and be protected by the claims.

The invention may be better understood with reference to the following figures and detailed description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, like reference numerals in the drawings indicate corresponding parts throughout the different drawings.

In Fig. 1, a navigation system 100 is disclosed having an adaptive path calculation module capable of determining a special path according to a user input preference. As shown in the figure, the navigation system 100 includes a navigation server 102 and a vehicle navigation system 104. The vehicle navigation system 104 includes, along with the navigation server 102, a vehicle navigation control unit 106 that includes a software module programmed to calculate a route from a starting point to a predetermined destination. Although not specifically shown, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may include a central processing unit (CPU), a system bus, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a hard drive. I / O adapters, CD-ROM drives, communication adapters, and display adapters that connect peripheral devices such as disk drives. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that various computing devices may be used as the vehicle navigation control unit 106.

The vehicle navigation control unit 106 may be connected with the display 108. In one example of the navigation system 100, the display 108 may be a touch screen display that is possible as both a display and a user input device. In another example, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may be connected with the user input device 110. The user input device 110 may be a keypad, personal computer, laptop computer, pocket PC, personal digital assistant, wireless access device or telephone, or other type that allows a user of the vehicle navigation system 104 to enter data during operation. It may be a computing device.

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

As further illustrated, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 can be connected to the map database 112. Map database 112 may be located or stored on a disk storage device, CD-ROM, or other suitable storage medium. Map database 112 may include digital maps of road networks for various geographic locations, as well as other types of data about road networks and geographic areas. By means of the map database 112, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may display a map of the geographic location that contains the road network. The vehicle navigation control unit 106 is used to locate an address or destination by using a street address or an intersection near by. Furthermore, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 can assist in the calculation of the driving route, and more accurately determine the current position of the vehicle by matching the vehicle trajectory detected by the sensor with a known road network, or by driving guides, features, hotels And driving information such as restaurant information.

The vehicle navigation control unit 106 can also be connected to at least one positioning system 114. Positioning system 114 may be used to determine the geographic location or coordinates of the vehicle, as well as the trajectory of the vehicle. Positioning involves determining the geographical coordinates of the vehicle on the ground surface. Knowing the location of the vehicle, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may determine the precise location of the vehicle relative to the road network map. In addition, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may provide a vehicle driver with a maneuvering instruction by knowing the geographical location of the vehicle.

Three types of positioning systems 114 that can be used include standalone systems, satellite based systems, and terrestrial wireless based systems. A dead-reckoning (DR) system is an example of a standalone system that can be used by the on-vehicle navigation system 104. Satellite-based systems that may be used include mounting a vehicle with a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, or other type of system for determining geographic location using satellites. Terrestrial wireless-based systems use measurement technology to determine the location of a vehicle. Three commonly used radio positioning techniques include the TOA method (Time of Arrival, a method of measuring the propagation time by using the arrival time of radio waves), and the AOA method (Angle of Arrival). Measurement method to obtain the location), and TDOA (Time Difference of Arrival). Any combination of the above-described positioning systems and other systems may be used for the vehicle navigation system 104.

The radio access device 116 may be connected with the vehicle navigation control unit 106. The wireless access device 116 may connect the vehicle navigation control unit 106 to the navigation server 102. Routing planning, calculation and data storage may be performed by the navigation server 102 and then wirelessly transmitted to the vehicle navigation system 104. This approach is a server-based solution where most of the processing is done in the navigation server 102, not in the vehicle navigation control unit 106. The navigation server 102 can send data to the vehicle navigation control unit 106 using WAP or other suitable transmission protocol.

The navigation server 102 is not only a digital map of the road network for various geographic locations, but also other types of driving data or road features such as road types, road features, road sizes, road weight limits, road transport restrictions (i.e., hazardous material restrictions ), Overpass height or tolerance level, business information, and the like, may also be coupled to the map database 118. The map database 112, 118 may be the same for both the navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation system 104. The navigation server 102 may also be connected to the display 120 used to display various types of GUIs to the user of the navigation server 102. In addition, the navigation server 102 may also be connected with a user input device 122, such as a keyboard or similar device, that allows a user to enter various types of data.

The navigation server 102 may also be connected with a wireless access device 124 that enables the navigation server 102 to communicate with the vehicle navigation system 104. The wireless access device 124 of the navigation server 102 and the wireless access device 116 of the vehicle navigation system 104 may communicate wirelessly with each other using an appropriate communication protocol. The wireless access devices 116, 124 establish a wireless communication system between the navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation system 104. If the calculation of the route is made at the navigation server 102, the route may be transmitted to the on-vehicle navigation system 104.

In FIG. 2, the vehicle navigation control unit 106 includes a digital map database 112. The digital map database 112 includes map information in a predetermined format that can be accessed and used by the vehicle navigation control unit 106. As mentioned above, the navigation server 102 also includes a digital map database 118 that also contains similar information. The navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may use map information on map related functions such as identifying and providing a place, a road segment, a road name, traffic regulation, and the like. In addition, map databases 112 and 118 include road network maps of various geographical locations. The road network map includes nodes and segments that form roads used by vehicles traveling towards a given destination. Nodes and segments used herein may be referred to as map segments.

The positioning module 200 may be included in the vehicle navigation control unit 106 that determines the geographical location and trajectory of the vehicle using the positioning device 114. Several different positioning devices 114 may be used to determine the trajectory and geographic location of the vehicle. The positioning module 200 may include a built-in algorithm for determining the geographic location and the trajectory of the vehicle by using the output signal generated by the positioning device 114.

Once the geographic location and trajectory of the vehicle is determined, the map matching module 202 may match the geographic location of the vehicle with a location on the road network map generated by the map database 112. The map matching algorithm of the map matching module 202 may be used to place the vehicle in a suitable place on the road network map. The map matching module 202 can correlate the vehicle location and trajectory according to the input information from the positioning device 114 to the road network map by comparing the trajectory and location of the vehicle with the route in the map database 112.

The navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may also include a route calculation module 204. The calculation of a route is the process of selecting and planning a route before or during a journey to a given destination. The route calculation module 204 can determine the recommended route from the moving origin to the moving destination using the shortest route algorithm or technique. The navigation system 100 may use several different shortest path algorithms and variations of the shortest path algorithms and techniques.

The shortest path algorithm or technique may also include a path optimization module that uses the selection planning criteria to plan the path. The quality of a given route may vary depending on many factors and selection criteria such as distance, road type, speed limit, vehicle location, number of stops, left and right turns, traffic information, and the like. The path selection criteria may be fixed at the time of manufacture or may be configured via the user interface module 206. Best route determination can minimize distance and travel time using selection criteria and digital road network maps retrieved from map databases 112 and 118. The navigation system 100 may allow a user of the vehicle to calculate a route based on interactively opening or closing nodes or segments on the road network map, and based on different types of vehicle characteristics.

As shown in FIG. 2, the navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may also include a user interface module 206. The user interface module 206 can generate a GUI on the displays 108, 120. The user interface module 206 allows a user to enter input information into the navigation system 100 while talking to the navigation system 100. If the display 108 is a touch screen display, the user interface module 206 can receive input information from the display 108. In addition, input information may be input to the user interface module 206 using the user input devices 110 and 122. User input information may be sent to the route calculation module 204.

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

The navigation server 102 and the vehicle navigation control unit 106 may also include an adaptive route search module 210. As described above, the route calculation module 204 can be used to calculate the shortest route between the travel origin and the travel destination. The adaptive route search module 210 may allow a user or driver of the vehicle to adjust the route calculated by the route calculation module 204 according to the user preference information. In one example of the navigation system 100, the adaptive pathfinding module 210 may enable a user to open or close a node or segment on a road network map. An "open" node or segment is one that the path calculation module 204 can utilize in calculating the path, and a "closed" node or segment is not available. When the node or segment is opened or closed, the adaptive route searching module 210 passes this information to the route calculating module 204, and the route calculating module 204 recalculates a new route toward the destination according to user preference information. I can do it. The adaptive route search module 210 may calculate a new route of the vehicle.

The adaptive route retrieval module 210 enables the driver or user to adjust the route based on user preference information that can be associated with road attributes or vehicle features. The driver may want to avoid certain roads or segments based on vehicle weight or load limits, and the like. For example, a driver may want to avoid overpasses, overpasses, etc. that do not allow at least 4 meters in height. As such, in accordance with this user input preference for road attributes, the adaptive route search module 210 may also calculate new routes to avoid bridged roads that do not allow at least 4 meters in height. The vehicle feature may be selected from a vehicle feature group including a vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, vehicle weight, and the like.

3 shows an exemplary digital road network map 300 that may be stored in a map database 112, 118. As already described, one of the functions of the map database 112, 118 is to provide a road network map that can be displayed on the display 108, 120. In addition, the map database 112, 118 may provide some attributes about the roads in the map, such as geographic coordinates, street names, road types, address ranges, overpass elevations (free height), load limits, road connection information, It may also include intersection information, left and right rotation restrictions, and the like. The route calculation module 204 uses this information to determine the route from the moving origin to the moving destination.

Exemplary road network map 300 includes a plurality of nodes 302a-k and a plurality of segments 304a-t. Nodes 302a-k represent intersections or endpoints of streets / roads, and are used to indicate intersections or end points of roads. Segments 304a-t are used to represent a portion of the roadway or straight line course between two or more nodes 302a-k. For the purposes of the disclosed system, the segments 304a-t may be straight segments or may be embodied segments.

The adaptive pathfinding module 210 may enable a driver or user of the navigation system 100 to close or open any node 302a-k or segment 304a-t located on the road network map 300. . After the user closes or opens node 302a-k or segment 304a-t, route calculation module 204 or adaptive route navigation module 210 calculates or calculates a route to match the instructions entered by the driver or user. can do. The route may then be stored in a memory location of the navigation server 102 or the vehicle navigation control unit 106. As such, after a user finds a route from the same starting point to the same destination, the navigation system 100 may retrieve the user's preferred route from the memory location.

As outlined above, the navigation system 100 allows a user to close or open a given node 302a-k or segment 304a-t located on the road network map 300. Closed or open segments 304a-t may consist of portions of different roads. These segments may incorporate intersections or confluences with other roads in their paths. The adaptive pathfinding module 210 can be configured to allow the vehicle to pass through the closed segments 304a-t if desired.

The adaptive pathfinding module 210 may subdivide the closed segments 304a-t into confined portions in which two nodes 302a-k define each closed segment 304a-t. The adaptive route retrieval module 210 determines the geographic coordinates of nodes 302a-k and uses these geographic coordinates to calculate a route. Confined segments 304a-t stand out when they do not represent confluence points or intersections. Closing an individual node 302a-k may close several segments 304a-t associated with that node 302a-k. The closing segment 304a-t may be calculated from the received geographic coordinates. The route calculation module 204 can receive input from the adaptive route navigation module 210, or the adaptive route navigation module 210 may be included as a subroutine of the route calculation module 204.

In FIG. 4, by way of example only, a user or driver of a vehicle may want to travel from node 302k to node 302b. Node 302k is entered as a moving origin, and node 302b is entered as a moving destination. In addition, the moving start point and the moving destination may be input as an address, or the moving start point may be automatically calculated according to the current vehicle position. Based on these input information, the route calculation module 204 can calculate the optimal route from node 302k to node 302b. As an example, the route calculation module 204 initially runs from the node 302k to the node 302j using the segment 304s, the fastest or shortest route from the node 302k to the node 302b. It may be determined that the segment 304n travels from the node 302j to the node 302f, and the segment 304h travels from the node 302f to the node 302b. As such, this route is provided as the optimum route for the vehicle driver. This route may initially be created on the display 120 of the navigation server 102 if the user is planning a travel route using the navigation server 102. The route may also be generated on the display 108 of the vehicle navigation system 104.

After the route calculation module 204 calculates the first route, the adaptive route search module 310 may provide the driver with an option to correct the route by inputting the driver or user preference information. A user may be allowed to modify the route by opening or closing individual nodes 302a-k contained in the road network map 300. The user preference information may be input through a web-based interface or an application window using the user input device 122 of the navigation server 102. Alternatively, the user preference information may be input using the display 108 when the display 108 is a touch screen display, or may be input through the vehicle navigation control unit 106 of the vehicle navigation system 104. . As an example, the size of the vehicle being used by the driver may be too large to pass overpasses, overpasses, etc., located at node 302f. In this case, the driver is allowed to close the node 302f so that the route calculation module 204 can calculate a new route according to this driver's preference. Similarly, the user may select nodes 302a-k such that the route calculation module 204 includes the selected nodes 302a-k in the path.

Although not specifically shown, the adaptive route searching module 210 may allow a user to enter correction information into the route based on the vehicle characteristics. A GUI interface may be provided to the user that provides the user with a selection field or input field that enables the user to select an option or enter data based on the characteristics of the vehicle. The vehicle feature may be selected from a vehicle feature group including a vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, vehicle weight, and the like. The type of feature provided to the user can be designed to fit a particular vehicle. For example, the adaptive pathfinding module 210 designed for a cargo truck may be different than that designed for a passenger vehicle or a commercial vehicle.

5 shows an exemplary new optimal route calculated by the route calculation module 204 or the adaptive route search module 210 in accordance with the driver preferences described above. The new route from node 302k to node 302b travels to node 302j using segment 304s, and travels from node 302j to node 302e using segment 304s. 304c selects to travel from node 302e to node 302b. As such, the new route avoids node 302f as required by the vehicle driver through the input of user preference information. In addition, the driver may be allowed to close any course including one node 302a-k instead of the entire node 302a-k, such as driving only a certain distance in any direction.

In another exemplary navigation system 100, the driver is allowed to open or close individual segments 304a-s on the road network map 300. Using the previous example, the case where the vehicle driver wants to travel from node 302k to node 302b will be described. The path shown in FIG. 4 is initially generated by the path calculation module 204 as a preferred first path. However, the vehicle driver wants to avoid the segment 304h, the segment 304n and the segment 304g, for example. In this example, the vehicle driver is allowed to open or close individual segments 304a-t, thereby allowing the driver to avoid individual road segments that are not desired. In addition, the driver may select the segments 304a-s included in the calculated route.

The vehicle driver may select these segments 304h, segments 304n because the segments 304h, 304n and 304g may be part of an adjacent area that the driving vehicle cannot traverse without great difficulty. And may not want to use segment 304g. There may be several reasons why a vehicle driver wants to avoid certain nodes 302a-k or segments 304a-t. The exact reason a particular driver may want to avoid or use a particular segment 304a-t is irrelevant to the purpose of the published system (this is indicated by the user to a particular node 302a-k) or segment ( It is related to providing a navigation system 100 that can provide an adapted route based on selection or avoidance (removal) for 304a-t) as well as based on user preference information.

To avoid segments 304h, segments 304n and segments 304g, the vehicle driver may choose to close these segments using display 108 or user input device 110. After the driver chooses to close or avoid these individual segments, the route calculation module 204 again calculates a new route to avoid the segments 304h, segments 304n, and segments 304g. The path shown in FIG. 5 is an example of a new path showing this example.

In the above example, the closed segment 304h, segment 304n and segment 304g include individual nodes connected with the closed segments 304h, 304n and 304g. The route calculation module 204 or the adaptive route navigation module 210 may enable the vehicle driver to travel via nodes that may be connected with the closed segments 304h, 304n and 304g. Passing through a node is equivalent to being "passed through". Passing through a particular segment corresponds to a number of successive "pass through" zones. This "via" zone contains the consecutive elements of the received geographical coordinates related to the road network map.

In FIG. 1, the navigation system 100 may calculate a route using the navigation server 102 and transfer the calculated route to the vehicle navigation control unit 106 of the on-vehicle navigation system 104. The vehicle driver may input a moving start point and a moving destination using the navigation server 102. Subsequently, the navigation server 102 may calculate a path using the path calculating module 204 and the adaptive path searching module 210, and may transmit data about the path back to the navigation control unit 106. As such, the user of the navigation server 102 uses the map database 118, the map matching module 202, the route calculation module 204, and the adaptive route navigation module 210 of the navigation server 102. The user can select or close individual nodes 302a-k or segments 304a-t, and the navigation server 102 will calculate the route in accordance with driver preferences.

The driver symbol may be input before the first route is calculated by the route calculation module 204. In addition, the vehicle driver may close or select nodes 302a-k or segments 304a-t that should be avoided before the route calculation module 204 calculates the route. In addition, the user may input user preference information according to the above-described several attributes. The adaptive path searching module 210 may calculate a path according to the above-described setting elements.

If the user has obtained a satisfactory route, the user may transmit this route to the vehicle navigation system 104 using the wireless access device 124 of the navigation server 102. The vehicle navigation control unit 106 can receive this route from the navigation server 102 via the wireless access device 116 located in the vehicle navigation system 104. The vehicle navigation system 104 may be located within a vehicle that is about to drive using this route. This route may be stored in a memory location of the on-vehicle navigation system 104 and provided to the user through a menu-based GUI system that allows the user to select this route if desired. All interfaces used in the navigation system 100 may be provided as a browser environment using a web browser located in a vehicle.

In another aspect of the present invention, the adaptive route search module 210 may be positioned within the vehicle navigation system 100, so that the user may be allowed to enter correction information during driving of the route towards the destination. As such, the user can modify the route based on various situations while driving toward the destination. Some examples of such situations may relate to traffic conditions, construction conditions, weather conditions, and the like.

6 shows an exemplary flow diagram illustrating a method by which the navigation system 100 can be used to calculate a route to a given destination. In step 600, the user or driver may enter a moving origin and a moving destination. The user interface module 206, the display 120, and the user input device 122 may be used to input such a value. The starting point of travel may already be known depending on the current geographical location of the vehicle in which the vehicle navigation system 104 is incorporated.

If a travel destination has been determined, the best route to reach this destination in step 602 may be calculated by the route calculation module 204. In this example, the shortest course or the fastest course can be calculated. In step 604, this optimal path may be displayed to the user. In step 606, the vehicle driver or user may be provided with the option to enter a driver symbol for a given destination. This driver preference allows the user to open or close any node 302a-k or segment 304a-t in the road network map 300 provided to the user. Moreover, the user can input user preference information based on different types of vehicle characteristics.

If the user wants to calculate an adaptation path based on the user preference information, the user inputs the user preference information in step 608. The user entering this user preference information is by opening or closing nodes 302a-k or segments 304a-t and by entering any user attributes or ratings regarding the route or vehicle reaching the destination. Can be done. In step 610, the adaptive route searching module 210 may provide this user input information to the route calculating module 204, and then the route calculating module 204 calculates a new optimal route according to the user input information and preferences. . It is also possible for the adaptive pathfinding module 210 to operate to calculate this new optimal path. In step 612, a new optimal route may be generated and displayed on the display 120 of the navigation server 102. If this new optimal route is acceptable, this new optimal route may be sent to the vehicle navigation system 104 at step 614. The user is also allowed to modify this route using the vehicle navigation system 104.

Another form of the invention involves using a navigation server 102 to calculate a normal route to reach a destination. Alternatively, the vehicle navigation system 104 may determine the route to reach the destination. As such, in order to save time and reduce the amount of data that must be delivered to the vehicle navigation system 104, the navigation server 102 can use the adaptive route navigation module 210 to calculate the adaptive route. The navigation server 102 can then determine the difference between the original path and the adaptive path. The difference between the original route and the adaptive route may be communicated to the vehicle navigation system 104. The vehicle navigation system 104 can use this car to determine the adaptive route. Therefore, only the amount of change made by the adaptive path navigating module 210 for the normal path is transmitted to the vehicle navigation system 104, whereby data to be transmitted from the navigation server 102 to the vehicle navigation system 104. Reducing the amount of money saves time and money.

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

According to the present invention, an optimal route can be calculated by selecting an arbitrary map element.

Claims (18)

As a navigation system, An input device connected to the navigation system server that allows a user to enter a travel destination; A route calculation module for calculating a first full route from a current position to the destination; A display for displaying said first full route on a road network map comprising a plurality of map elements; Receive user modification information for the first full route from the input device, comprising selecting one or more map elements in the road network map, and from the current location to the destination based on the user modification information Adaptive Path Calculation Module for calculating the second full path of the Including, And the second full path is transmitted to the vehicle navigation system. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the selected map element is excluded from the second full route. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the selected map element is included in the second full route. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the user modification information is based on at least one vehicle feature. The navigation system of claim 4, wherein the vehicle feature is selected from a vehicle feature group comprising a vehicle type, a load cargo type, a vehicle size, a load cargo size, a vehicle height, a load cargo height, and a vehicle weight. The navigation system of claim 1, wherein the second full path is transmitted from the navigation server to the in-vehicle navigation system using a wireless communication system. As a navigation system, A navigation server connected to the input device, A user interface module executed by the navigation server to allow a user to input a destination using the input device; A route calculation module, executed by the navigation server, for calculating a first full route from a current location to the destination, which is generated on a road network map including a plurality of map elements; Executed by the navigation server to allow the user to enter user modification information for the first full route, including using the input device to select one or more map elements from the road network map, An adaptive route calculation module that calculates a second total route from the current location to the destination based on the user correction information; A wireless communication system coupled to the navigation server and the vehicle navigation system to transmit the second full path to the vehicle navigation system. Navigation system comprising a. 8. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the selected map element is included in the second full route. 8. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the selected map element is excluded from the second full route. 8. The navigation system of claim 7, further comprising a second adaptive route calculation module executed by the vehicle navigation system to allow a user to modify the second full route. 8. The navigation system of claim 7, wherein the user modification information includes second modification information based on vehicle characteristics. 12. The navigation system of claim 11, wherein the vehicle feature is selected from a vehicle feature group including a vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, and vehicle weight. As a navigation system, Means for calculating a first full route from a current location to a moving destination in a navigation server, wherein the first full route is generated on a road network map including a plurality of map elements. and, Means for inputting user correction information for the first full path, wherein the user correction information comprises selecting one or more map elements; Second full path calculating means for calculating a second full path from the current position to the moving destination based on the user correction information; Means for transmitting the second full path to a vehicle navigation system Navigation system comprising a. The navigation system of claim 13, wherein the selected map element is not included in the second full route. The navigation system of claim 13, wherein the selected map element is included in the second full route. The navigation system of claim 13, wherein the user modification information further comprises a vehicle feature. 17. The navigation system of claim 16, wherein the vehicle feature is selected from a vehicle feature group comprising a vehicle type, cargo type, vehicle size, cargo size, vehicle height, cargo height, and vehicle weight. As a navigation system, An input device that connects to the navigation server and allows a user to enter a travel destination; A route calculation module operative to calculate a first full route from a current location to the moving destination; A display for displaying said first full route on a road network map comprising a plurality of map elements; Receive user modification information for the first full route from the input device comprising selecting one or more map elements from the road network map, and from the current location to the destination based on the user modification information An adaptive path calculation module that calculates a second full path of s and operates to determine a difference between the first full path and the second full path Including, The difference between the first full path and the second full path is transmitted to a vehicle navigation system.

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