TW201028653A - Apparatus for enriching a representation of a parking location and method of enriching a representation of a parking location - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus (150) for enriching a representation of a parking location comprises a processing resource (154) arranged to analyse temporal information concerning occupation of a parking location and derive statistical information concerning occupation of the parking location from the temporal information analysed.

Description

201028653 t VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a device for enriching the performance of a parking position, which is, for example, capable of accessing parking location information and supplementing the parking location information with additional information Types of. The present invention is also directed to a method of enriching the performance of a parking location. The method is, for example, accessing parking location information and supplementing the type of parking location information with additional information. [Prior Art] ^ A piggyback computing device, for example, a portable navigation device (PND) that includes global S-bit system (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality, is well known and widely used as a navigation system for in-vehicle or other vehicles. . In general, modern PNDs include a processor, memory, and map data stored in the memory. The processor cooperates with the memory to provide an execution environment, typically a software operating system is established in this environment, and in addition, one or more additional software programs are often provided to enable the functionality of the PND to be controlled, and to provide various other functions. Typically, these devices further include allowing the user to interact with the device and controlling one or more input interfaces and one or more output interfaces of the device to relay the information to the use via the output interface. By. Description of the output interface. Steep examples include the appearance display and the speaker for the audio output. Illustrative examples of input interfaces include - or multiple features - or multiple features used to control the on/off operation or other features of the device (if the device is built into the vehicle, the buttons are not necessarily on the device itself) Instead, it can be on the steering wheel and a microphone for detecting the user's words. In a specific configuration 137834.doc 201028653, the output interface display can be configured as a touch-sensitive display (by touch-sensitive overlay or other) to additionally provide an input interface by which the user can Touch to operate the device.

Devices of this type will also include one or more physical connector interfaces through which power signals and optionally data signals can be transmitted to and received from the device. Receive > item number 'and optionally, one or more wireless transmitters/receivers, which allow for cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks (eg, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi, as appropriate) -Max GSM, UMTS and similar networks) communication. This type of PND also includes a GPS antenna with which satellite broadcast signals including positional data can be received and subsequently processed to determine the current position of the device. The PND may also include an electronic gyroscope (gyrGseGpe) and an accelerometer that generate signals that can be processed to determine the t-anterior angular and linear acceleration, and that the junction σ derives position information from the GPSk number to determine the device and thus The speed and relative displacement of the vehicle on which the device is installed. By way of f, these features are most commonly provided in the transport (4) navigation system, but can also be provided in the PND (if this is advantageous). To be expressed on the monthly force of the route between the first position (usually, the starting or current position) and the second position (usually the destination). Such locations can be entered by the user of the device by any of a wide variety of different methods, for example, BB 藉 by postal code, street name and house number, previously stored "family sarcophagus" , destination (such as a famous location, municipal I37834.doc 201028653 t location (such as 'stadium or swimming pool) or other points of interest) and favorite destinations or destinations that have been recently visited. Usually, PND is used to map data Calculate the functionality of the "best" or "best" route software between the starting address location and the destination address location. The "best" or "best" route is based on predetermined criteria Determined and is not the most determined or shortest route. The choice of route to guide the driver can be very complex 'and the selected route can take into account existing, predicted and dynamic and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about road speed and driver's determination Self-preference for factors of road alternatives (for example, drivers can specify routes that should not include highways or toll roads). The device continuously monitors road and traffic conditions and provides or chooses to change routes due to changing conditions on which the rest of the trip will take place. An instant traffic monitoring system based on various technologies (eg, mobile phone data exchange, fixed camera, GPS fleet tracking) is being used to identify traffic delays and feed information into the notification system. This type of PND if f can be installed in transport. The instrument panel or windshield of the guard, but may also form part of the onboard computer of the vehicle radio or actually form part of the vehicle's own control system. The navigation device can also be part of a portable system, such as a pDA (portable digital assistant), media player, mobile phone or the like, and in these cases the conventional functionality of the portable system is by software It is installed on the device to perform route calculations and to extend along the calculated route. Route planning and navigation functionality can also be provided by desktop or mobile computing resources that operate on appropriate software. For example, the Royal Automobile Club (RAc) 137834.doc 201028653 provides online route planning and navigation facilities at http://www.rac.co.uk, which allows users to enter starting points and destinations, thus, servo The device (the user's computing resources communicate with it) calculates the route (which can be specified by the user), generates a map, and generates a detailed set of navigation instructions for directing the user from the selected starting point to the selected purpose. Ground. The facility also provides pseudo-three-dimensional rendering and route preview functionality for the calculated route, which simulates the functionality of the user traveling along the route and thereby provides the user with a preview of the calculated route. In the case of a PND, once the route is calculated, the user interacts with the navigation device to select the desired route from the list of proposed routes, as appropriate. Depending on the situation, the user may intervene or direct the route selection process, for example by specifying certain routes, routes, locations or guidelines for a given journey. The route calculation aspect of the PND forms a major function, and navigation along this route is another major function. During navigation along the calculated route, such PNDs often provide visual and/or audio commands' to direct the user along the selected route to the end of the route, i.e., the desired destination. The pND also often displays map information on the screen during navigation, which is periodically updated on the screen so that the displayed map information represents the current location of the device and thus represents the current location of the user or user's wheel tool (if The device is being used for navigation within the vehicle). The icon displayed on the screen typically represents the current device location and is centered, as is the map information and other map features of the current and surrounding roads that are near the current device location. In addition, depending on the situation, the navigation information may be displayed in the status bar above, below or on the side of the displayed map information of 137S34.doc 201028653. Examples of the navigation information include the distance from the current road that the user needs to select to the next deviation. The nature of the deviation, this property can be represented by another representation that indicates a particular type of deviation (eg, a left turn or a right turn). The navigation function also determines the content, duration and timing of the voice commands, which can be used to guide the user along the route. As you can see, simple instructions such as "100 m turn left, • need a lot of processing and analysis. As previously mentioned, the user's interaction with the cymbal can be initiated by a job, or otherwise or by a driver's wrist-type remote control, by a voice, or by any other suitable method. The other important function provided by the device is automatic route recalculation under the following conditions: the user deviates from the previously calculated route during navigation (accidentally or intentionally), and the immediate traffic condition indicates that the alternative route will be more advantageous and The device can automatically recognize such conditions as appropriate, or if the user actively causes the device to perform route recalculation for any reason. ❹ As mentioned above, it is also known to allow the calculation of routes according to user-defined criteria; for example, 'users may prefer landscape roads calculated by ^' or may wish (4) traffic jams may occur and are expected to occur Or any road that is currently taking place. The device software will then calculate various routes and prefer to route its route to include the highest number of points of interest (known as buckles I), which are labeled (for example) with beautiful views, or used to indicate on a particular road. The stored information of the traffic conditions that are occurring is sorted by the possible blockage or the level of delay due to the blockage. Other POI-based and traffic-based route calculation and navigation guidelines are also available 137834.doc 201028653

I may. Although the route calculation and navigation functions are important for the overall utility of the PND, it is possible to use the device purely for information display or "free driving", where only the information related to the current device location is displayed, and it has not been calculated The route and the device are currently not performing navigation. This mode of operation is often applicable when the user is known to travel along the route and does not require navigation assistance. • Devices of the above type (for example, the GO 930 traffic model manufactured and supplied by TomTom International BV·) are provided to enable the user to navigate the JL from a ® i to be reliable when the user is unfamiliar with These devices are extremely useful when routed to their destination. As indicated above, one or more p〇Is may be selected by a user of the PND after a journey or during a trip regarding a journey to begin. In order to select a POI during a journey, the user typically uses the menu structure of the user interface of the PND to select the category of the desired POI, such as a supermarket or a parking lot. The PND application software then uses the data stored on the local end to identify a number of POIs (e.g., parking lots) of the type selected by the user, and presents the identified parking lot to the user via the user interface. In addition, as a "value added" service, it is hoped that PND will provide more information about parking lots or even parking spaces. In this regard, the conceptual "parking service" can be about the location of a parkable vehicle and (possibly) If the parking space is empty, advise the user. In fact, if necessary, only the service can be configured to display an empty parking space. Usually, the parking service shows the user the closest parking space β to help the user. The PND application software usually sorts the identified parking spaces by distance from the current location of Pnd and indicates the associated distance value adjacent to the listed parking 137834.doc 201028653. The user can then use the user The screen and other parts of the application software select one of the identified parking lots. In response to the user selecting one of the identified parking lots by the application software, the application software sets the selected parking lot to navigate along the way. The waypoint or final destination, and the pND then appropriately calculates a route through the elective parking lot or to the selected parking lot. About the functionality • Select the parking lot as a destination or a navigation point along the way to prepare a route or a journey. Of course, if the user is already on the way and the pND is already providing navigation assistance, the PND will integrate the selected parking lot into the calculated In the existing route, the integration is taken into account, for example, by recalculating the existing route to take into account the choice made by the user. However, although the above conceptual parking service is ideal, the actual implementation in the above aspect is problematic because The knowledge of the occupancy status of a given parking space or a parking lot is absolutely unknown, as PND is not omniscient. The above parking service is extremely useful in helping users reach their destination most conveniently. However, the above services are presupposed. The PND has a POI database stored by the PND on the local end, which contains accurate, complete and up-to-date records of parking opportunities (eg, parking lot or parking space), even if the ροι information is relative to the PND. Stored at the remote end and the PND is acquired from the remote server via a communication network (eg, a wide area network (WAN)) Information about parking opportunities, similar considerations still apply. In fact, new parking opportunities are created over a period of time and are therefore not characteristic of the p〇I database until the provider of the POI database decides to publish the p〇I database. Until the update. Sometimes the delay between several publications may be quite large, resulting in PND 137834.doc 201028653 access to incomplete and/or inaccurate database of parking information. [Description of the Invention] In a first aspect, a device for enriching performance of a parking location is provided, the device comprising: a processing resource configured to analyze time information regarding occupancy of a parking location and derived from the analyzed time information Statistics of the occupancy of the parking location. The apparatus can further include a data store configurable to store the derived statistical information about the occupied position of the parking position in an associated manner relative to the one of the parking positions. The time information is obtained from a plurality of data sets, the time data information associated with the plurality of navigation devices, respectively. The plurality of daily files may respectively include the plurality of data sets. The processing resource can support a dwell duration analyzer when in use, the dwell duration analyzer configured to identify a dwell duration greater than a predetermined time period from the time information. • The dwell duration may be about a position within the predetermined distance relative to the park position or a predetermined distance from the park position. The position of the parking position can be a substantially central position of the parking position. The processing resource can support a data binning module when in use, the data storage module configured to store the time information about the occupied location of the parking location to obtain information about the parking location. Occupied storage time information. The personalized storage time information may be an intermediate stage in the export of the statistical information or the export of the statistical information. 137834.doc 201028653 The data storage module can be configured to store the time information identified by the dwell duration analyzer as having a dwell duration greater than the predetermined time period. The processing resource can be configured to analyze additional time information regarding the occupancy of another parking location and derive additional statistical information about the occupancy of the other parking location from the analyzed additional time information. The data store can be configured to store the additionally derived statistical information in a correlated manner with respect to another identification code of the other parking location. ® This processing resource, when used, supports a probability generator that is configured to generate a chance that the parking location is occupied. The processing resource can support a parking modeler when in use. The parking modeler is configured to characterize a distribution of the probability that the parking position is occupied as a function of time. This distribution of the probability that the parking position is occupied can be characterized using a least squares technique. The apparatus further includes a plurality of functions for determining the probability that the parking position is occupied as a function of time; wherein the parking modeler is configurable to select by using a probability function from the plurality of functions Associated with the parking location to characterize the probability distribution. The parking modeler can be configured to select the probability function and a translation component to translate the selected probability function with respect to time. This distribution of the probability that the parking position is occupied may be a uniform probability distribution. This distribution of the probability that the parking position is occupied may incorporate a priori knowledge of the occupancy of the parking location. The a priori 137834.doc •11- 201028653 solution can be a time of understanding when the parking location is unreachable. This a priori knowledge can be related to the -(d) segment when the occupancy of the parking position is not permitted. The occupancy of the parking location may not be permitted during the predetermined time period. The parking modeler can be configured to understand the a priori and characterize the distribution of the probability that the parking position is occupied. The probability generator can be configured to use interpolation (int〒iati〇n) to compensate for the lack of data or the insufficient amount of data. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a feeding device comprising the device as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention. According to a third aspect of the present invention, a method of enriching one of a parking position is provided, the method comprising: analyzing time information regarding occupancy of a parking position; and deriving information about the parking position from the analyzed time information The statistical information occupied by it. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer program component is provided, comprising computer program component means for causing a computer to perform the method as described above in relation to the third aspect of the invention. The computer program component can be found on a computer readable medium hip. The advantages of the embodiments are set forth below, and additional details and features of each of these embodiments are defined in the accompanying separate items and elsewhere in the following embodiments. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a navigation device, a server device, and a method of enriching one of the parking positions, which enables creating and/or maintaining a parking location database for any number of parkings that can be supported by the navigation device. The related service provides the most complete parking location repository possible. 137834.doc -12· 201028653 The method and apparatus provide a low cost and minimally invasive way of constructing and/or maintaining map data on parking locations. The device and the method are therefore also used to expand the database of performance of the parking location with statistical information, which can be usefully used to support the depreciation service associated with the available parking location. The expanded parking information contains more details about the purpose of the parking location, and additional details have been obtained without the need to manually monitor each parking location. [Embodiment] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings by way of example only. At least one embodiment of the invention. The same reference numerals will always be used in the following description to identify similar parts. One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to a PND. However, 'should remember' that the teachings herein are not limited to pND, but rather are generally applicable to any type of processing device, such as (but not essentially) configured to carry navigation software in a portable and/or mobile manner. Provides route planning and navigation functional processing devices. Thus, it can be seen that, in the context of the embodiments set forth herein, the navigation device is intended to include, without being limited to, any type of route planning and navigation device, whether the device is embodied as a PND, a vehicle such as a car, It is actually embodied as a portable computing resource (for example, a portable personal computer (PC), a mobile phone, or a personal digital assistant (pDA) that performs, for example, route planning and navigation software). In fact, for some embodiments that do not have the benefits of route planning or navigation software, only mobile phones, smart phones, or the like can be used. 137834.doc -13- 201028653 Remember the above conditions. The Global Positioning System (GPS) and its analogues of Figure 1 are used for various purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite-based radio navigation system that is capable of determining continuous position, speed, time, and (in some cases) direction information for an unlimited number of users. The GPS, formerly known as NAVSTAR, incorporates a plurality of satellites orbiting the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their position to any number of receiving units. A GPS system is implemented when a device that is specifically equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. After receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the exact location of the satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. In most cases, the device will continue to scan the signal until it has obtained at least three different satellite signals (note that 'usually not (but can) use other triangulation techniques to determine position by only two signals) . After performing a geometric triangulation, the receiver uses three known locations to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellite. This determination can be made in a known manner. In addition, obtaining a fourth satellite signal allows the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner by the same geometric calculation. Location and speed data can be continuously updated in real time by an unlimited number of users. As shown in FIG. 1, GPS system 100 includes a plurality of satellites 102 that orbit the earth 104. The GPS receiver 106 receives the spread spectrum GPS satellite data signal 108 from a plurality of satellites of the plurality of satellites 1〇2. The spread spectrum data signal 1〇8 is continuously transmitted from each satellite 102. The transmitted spread spectrum data signals 1〇8 each contain a data stream including information identifying a particular satellite 1〇2. From this particular satellite 102. The GPS receiver 106 typically 137834.doc -14- 201028653 requires spread spectrum data signals 108 from at least three satellites 102 to be able to calculate a two-dimensional position. The reception of the fourth spread spectrum data signal enables the GPS receiver 106 to use one Know the technology to calculate the three-dimensional position. In Fig. 2, a navigation system includes a navigation device. In an embodiment, 'if necessary, the navigation device 200 can communicate with a server 150 via a communication network 152. Communication, the communication network can be implemented by any of a number of different configurations. Communication channel 152 generally represents a propagation medium or path connecting navigation device 200 to server 150. When establishing ® is connected between the server 150 and the navigation device 2 via the communication channel 152 (note that this connection can be a direct connection via a mobile device, via a personal computer (not shown) via the Internet When connected, etc., the server 150 can communicate with the navigation device 200. Communication channel 152 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, communication channel ι 52 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, channel 152 may include several communication links using various techniques. For example, communication channel 152 can be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communication signals, and the like. Thus, communication channel 152 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio frequency (RF) waves, atmosphere, free space, and the like. . In addition, communication channel 152 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers. In an illustrative configuration, the communication channel 152 is supported by the telephone network and the computer network. In addition, communication channel 152 may be capable of accommodating wireless communications, such as infrared communications, radio frequency communications (such as microwave frequency communications), and the like. 137834.doc •15· 201028653 In addition, the 'communication channel 152 can accommodate satellite communications if needed. Communication signals transmitted via communication channel 152 include, but are not limited to, signals that may be needed or desired for a given communication technology. For example, the signals may be suitable for use in cellular communication technologies, such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. Both digital and analog signals can be transmitted via communication channel 152. These signals may be modulated, encrypted, and/or compressed signals that may be desired for communication. In this example, the navigation device 200 including the GPS receiver device 1〇6 or coupled to the Gps receiver device 106 can be via a wireless communication terminal (not shown) such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or with a mobile phone Any device of the technology) to establish a data session (if needed) with the network hardware of the communication network (eg, "action" communication network) to establish a digital connection (eg, via digital Bluetooth technology known) connection). Thereafter, the mobile terminal or user equipment can establish a network connection with the server 150 via its network service provider (eg, via the Internet P, thus establishing the navigation device 200 (when it is alone and/or When traveling in transit, it can be an "action" network connection between the mobile device and the feeding device 150 to provide "instant" or at least very "new" for the information. In this example, the navigation device 200 is a navigation device having a Bluetooth function so that the navigation device can be agnostic to the setting of the wireless communication (4), thereby enabling the navigation device 200 to be associated with the mobile phone model. The ever-changing spectrum of the manufacturer, etc. - works correctly. If required, the model / 137834.doc -16. 201028653 Manufacturer-specific settings can be stored, for example, on the navigation device 2 。. This information can be updated Information stored.

Although not shown, (d) requires the wireless communication terminal to provide access to the communication network. The navigation device 2GG may of course include mobile phone technology (e.g., it includes an antenna) or an internal antenna that uses the navigation device 2 as appropriate. The mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can also include an add-in card (e.g., a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card). Thus, the mobile phone technology within the navigation device 2 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 2 and the server 150 via, for example, the Internet, in a manner similar to any wireless communication capability. The way of the terminal. As explained above, the establishment of a network connection between a mobile device (via a service provider) and another device, such as server 15 , can be performed, for example, using the Internet in any suitable manner known per se. . In this regard, any number of appropriate data communication protocols may be used, for example, a Tcp/Ip layered agreement. In addition, mobile devices can utilize any number of communication standards, such as CDMA2000, GSM, IEEE 802.11 3/15/(;/§/11, etc. Therefore, it can be seen that an internet connection can be used and an internet connection can be used. The mobile phone or mobile phone technology is formed via a data connection. The server 150 includes (in addition to other components that may not be described) a processor 154 that forms a processing resource and is operatively coupled to the memory 156. And further operatively connected to the mass storage device 160 via a wired or wireless connection 158. The mass storage device 16 contains, in particular, storage of navigational data and map information. Further details of this information will be discussed later. The mass storage device 16 can also be a device separate from the I37834.doc 17 201028653 server 150 or can be incorporated into the server 150. The processor 154 is further operatively coupled to the transmitter 162 and the receiver 164, Transmitting information to and from the navigation device 200 via the communication channel 152 "The transmitted and received signals may include data, Signals and/or other propagating signals. Transmitter 162 and receiver 164 may be selected or designed in accordance with communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of the navigation system. Additionally, it should be noted that transmitter 162 and receiver may be employed. The functions of 164 are combined into a single transceiver. As mentioned above, 'navigation device 200 can be configured to communicate with server 150 via communication channel 152', which uses transmitter 166 and receiver 168 to transmit and receive data via communication channel 152. Note that these devices can be further used to communicate with devices other than the server i 5. In addition, the transmitter 166 and receiver are selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of the navigation system. 168, and in a manner similar to that described above with respect to server device 150, the functionality of transmitter 166 and receiver 168 can be combined into a single transceiver. Of course, navigation device 2 can include other hardware and a functional portion, which will be described in more detail later herein, 0. The software stored in the server memory 156 provides instructions to the processor 154 and The server 150 is allowed to provide services to the navigation device 2 and/or perform other data processing tasks. For example, the server device 15 may provide a request to process parking location information from the navigation device 2G0 and Parking location information from the large-capacity data storage device to the navigation device. Another service that can be provided by the server 15〇 includes using various algorithms for processing navigation data and calculating these for the desired 137834.doc 201028653 application. The result is sent to the navigation device 200. Of course, the server device 15 can support other functionality as will be described in more detail below. Server 150 can be used as a remote source of data that can be accessed by navigation device 2 via, for example, a wireless channel. The server 15 can include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network (vpN), and the like. In fact, as mentioned above, a personal computer (PC) can be connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 150 to establish an internet connection between the server 15A and the navigation device 200. The information from the server ι5〇 can be provided for the navigation device 2 via the information download. The information download can be periodically updated after the user connects the navigation device 2 to the server 15 自动, and/or The information download can be more dynamic after a more constant or frequent connection between the server 105 and the navigation device 2 via the wireless mobile connection device. Referring to Figure 3, it should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 2 does not include all of the components of the navigation device, but rather represents only a number of example components. The navigation device 2 is located within a housing (not shown). The navigation device 2 includes a processor 2〇2 coupled to an input device 2〇4 and a display device (eg, a display honor screen 206). Although reference is made herein to the singular form of input device 204, those skilled in the art will appreciate that input device 2〇4 represents any number of input devices including keyboard devices, voice input devices, touch panels, and/or for input. Any other known input device for information. Likewise, display screen 206 can include any type of display screen such as a liquid crystal display (LCD). 137834.doc • 19- 201028653 In one configuration, one aspect of input device 204 (touch panel) and display screen 206 are integrated to provide an integrated input and display device that includes touch Board or touch screen input to realize information input (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and information display through the touch panel, so that the user can select a plurality of parts only by touching one of the screens 2〇6 One of the display options or one of a plurality of virtual or "soft" buttons. In this regard, processor 202 supports a graphical user interface (GUI) that operates in conjunction with a touch screen. In the navigation device 200, the processor 202 is operatively coupled to the input device 204 via connection 210 and is capable of receiving input information from the input device 204 via connection 210 and is operatively coupled to the display screen via respective output connections 212 At least one of 206 and output device 208 is to output information thereto. Output device 208 is, for example, an audio output device (eg, a speaker). Since the output device 208 can generate audio information for the user of the navigation device 200, it should be understood that the input device 204 can also include a microphone and software for receiving an input voice command. In addition, the navigation device 2 can also include any additional Input device 204 and/or any additional output device, such as an audio input/output device. The processor 202 is operatively coupled to the memory resource 214 via the connection 216 and further adapted to receive information from the input/output (I/O) port 218 via the connection 22/to send information to the I/O 218, where 1/〇埠 21 8 can be connected to I/O device 222 external to navigation device 200. The memory resource 214 includes, for example, volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), and non-volatile memory such as digital memory such as flash memory. External 1/〇 device 222 may include, but is not limited to, an external listener 137834.doc 201028653, such as an 'album. The connection to the 1/0 device 222 may additionally be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device (such as a 'car stereo unit), such as for hands-free operation and/or for voice-activated operation for to the earpiece or head The connection of the headset and/or the connection to the mobile phone wherein the mobile phone connection can be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 15A via, for example, the Internet or any other network. Figure 3 further illustrates the operative connection between the processors 2'' via connection 226, where the antenna/receiver 2: can be connected to: eg a GPS antenna/receiver. It should be understood that the antenna and receiver represented by reference numeral 224 are schematically combined for purposes of illustration, but the antenna and receiver may be separately positioned components, and the antenna may be, for example, a Gps patch antenna or a helical antenna. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the electronic components shown in Figure 3 are powered by one or more power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, various configurations of the components shown in Figure 3 are contemplated. For example, the components shown in Figure 3 can communicate with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Accordingly, the navigation device 200 described herein can be a portable or handheld navigation device. Referring now to Figure 4, the memory resource 214 stores a boot loader program (not shown) that is executed by the processor 2〇2 to load an operating system 262 from the memory resource 2 14 For use by the functional hardware component 26, the operating system 262 provides an environment in which the application software 264 can operate. Operating system 262 is used to control functional hardware component 260 and resides between application software 264 and functional hardware component 260. The application software 264 provides 137834.doc -21 - 201028653 an operating environment 'The operating environment includes a GUI that supports the core functions of the navigation device 200 (eg, map view, route planning, navigation functions, and any other functions associated therewith) . The portion of the application software 264 includes a parking location determination module 266 and a route calculation module 267 that supports the route calculation functionality. Further details of the route calculation module 267 will be described later herein with respect to subsequent embodiments. Referring to Figure 5, the parking location determination module 266 includes a data preprocessor 3 that is capable of communicating with an inference engine 302. The data preprocessor 3 can be operatively coupled to a remote map data sharing database 304, a remote travel data database 3〇6, and a remote p〇I via the WAN mentioned above. Database 308. The inference engine 302 is also capable of accessing the remote POI database 3〇8. The map data sharing database 304 is a database of map related information, and the user of the navigation device can contribute information to the database, for example, roadblocks, identification of new roads and map features, and identification codes of new points of interest. position. Additionally, data preprocessor 300 and inference engine 302 are operatively coupled to a temporary data store 310. The above server device 15 will now be described where the travel material has been generated by a group or community of navigation devices and communicated to the server device 150 or another computing resource to create and/or supplement the travel material database 306. Operation In this regard, each of the navigation devices in the group (eg, 'navigation device 200) is configured to collect travel information (including time) regarding the planned or unplanned journey or journey of the navigation device 2〇〇 Information) ability. A record that maintains changes in position over time. The recording of such events (3⁄4 'required) may be conditional on the satisfaction of a criterion, for example, I37834.doc • 22- 201028653 is calculated to be substantially unchanged for a minimum predetermined period of time. The travel data is recorded in a log (e.g., log file) stored by the digital memory of the navigation device 200. A subsequent step between the navigation device 200 and the server device 15 is established (eg, using a T〇mT〇m H〇ME system by which the navigation device 200 interfaces with a personal computer (PC) or other computing device). When the communication session is established and the communication session is established via an internet connection to which the PC is coupled, the log is communicated to the server device 15 . Data transfer can therefore occur between the navigation device 200 and the server 15A. In this example, the data transfer includes transmitting the travel log referred to above and generated by the navigation device 200 to the servo device 150, the contents of which are stored in the travel material database 306. The travel profile database 〇6 will therefore contain (in particular) location data and time data (eg, time stamps or other indications) in order to identify the location information stored (such as when the navigation device is in a given location). - time point or time period ^ In this example, the location data is recorded as longitude and latitude coordinates. Of course, if the navigation device 200 is properly equipped to support wireless communication over the WAN (eg, where the navigation device 2 is equipped with a cellular phone module or operatively coupled to a mobile phone), the navigation device 2 0 0 sends periodic updates to the server device 丨5 〇 without waiting for connection to the PC. In the operation of the first embodiment (Fig. 6), it is assumed that the navigation device 2 is powered on and traveling. The navigation device 200 can be moved as the user travels along a route (the navigation device 200 provides navigation support for the route), or the navigation device 200 can only be powered by the navigation device 2 but the user does not require navigation support. No navigation support is provided (for example, when the user and/or I37834.doc • 23 201028653 drivers of the vehicle are committed to the freedom of care mentioned above). Since this aspect is not essential for understanding this example, it will not be described in more detail in this example for the purpose of route calculation purposes) the choice of destination location.

At the point in the journey, for example, at the end of the journey or at the point of navigation along the journey, the vehicle can stop for a varying amount of time, depending on the nature of the stop. Usually the driver of the transport guard parks the wheel tool in the parking position, for example, on the roadside, in the ground parking lot parking lot or in the parking space of the multi-level parking lot or parking lot. ^ mentioned above, this time can be changed However, often, in this case, the vehicle is kept substantially stationary for a predetermined period of time or more, and the vehicle is considered to be in the "parking" state. In this example, the predetermined period of time is about 5 minutes, but if desired, the predetermined period of time can be a shorter period of time, such as about 2 minutes. However, the shorter the predetermined time period, the more likely the so-called false-positive is to detect the parking position. If desired, the predetermined period of time may also be greater, such as about 1 minute, about 15 minutes, about 3 minutes, about 1 hour, or about 2 hours. In order to detect the parking position, the data preprocessor 3 determines (step 4 〇〇) the current position of the navigation device 200. This information is calculated by the application software 264 based on data received by the GPS receiver 224 and other components (e.g., accelerometer and dead reckoning techniques) and is therefore available to the data preprocessor 300. The data preprocessor 300 then determines (step 402) whether the current location has changed. Of course, the initial position determination will not have a corresponding previous position to compare with, but the subsequent position determination will not suffer from this minor hindrance. Application 137834.doc •24· 201028653 The program software 264 periodically calculates the current location, and this information is also periodically acquired by the data preprocessor 300. Therefore, when the data preprocessor 3 recognizes that the current position is substantially constant, the data preprocessor 3 继续 only continues to periodically acquire the current position. However, when the data preprocessor 300 determines (step 402) that the position of the current position is substantially constant, the data preprocessor 300 then determines (step 4〇4) whether the front position has remained substantially constant. (in this example) at least the predetermined period of time 例如 (eg, about 5 minutes). If the current location does not remain substantially constant for at least the predetermined period of time (eg, if sufficient time has not elapsed), the data pre-processor 300 continues to monitor the current location as described above (steps 400, 402) ° or 'if The current position remains unchanged for at least the predetermined time period X, and the data preprocessor 300 then communicates (eg, by coordinates) the identification of the current location to the inference engine 302. The inference engine 3〇2 then refers to the local repository (not shown) stored in the memory resource 214, for example.

• or the remote P〇1 database 308 to assess whether the current location should be considered a candidate parking location. In this regard, if the current location corresponds to a location that is known to be illegally parked (eg, in an area that is illegally parked, such as the so-called "red route" or bus lane in the UK), then for further consideration Ignoring the current location and repeating the above process (steps 4〇〇 to 4〇6) β Similarly, the inference engine 302 queries the local POI database or the remote database 〇8 to determine (step 408) whether Know that the current position corresponds to a parking position. If it is determined that the current position corresponds to a known parking position, it is no longer necessary to regard the current position as a candidate parking position because it is from the local end! >01 database and/or remote p〇I 137834.doc • 25· 201028653 The database 308 clearly knows the parking location β if the inference engine 302 determines that the current location is not known to be associated with a known parking location The inference engine 3〇2 thus stores (step 410) the current location local (in this example) a candidate location database (not shown) for subsequent communication to the server device 150, such as above When the other log data is transmitted to the server device 150, the identification code of the candidate parking location can also be represented as a coordinate. In this example, the data preprocessor 300 then proceeds back to the manner already described above to monitor the current location (step ^ 4005. 408) ° at the feeder device 150, the current location can be stored for further analysis so that For example, verifying that the current location does correspond to an actual parking location by manual investigation or by confirmation of other reports constituting the same candidate parking location of an actual parking location ^ Once the candidate parking location has been verified, the candidate can be parked The location is added to the database 3〇8. In the above embodiment, the candidate parking position is communicated to the server device 150 without further verification at the user end. However, in another embodiment, the navigation device 200 can provide additional optional functionality (step 412) to request input from the user once the candidate parking location has been identified. In this regard (FIG. 7), the inference engine 302 interacts with the user interface to interrogate (step 414) whether the candidate parking location is an actual parking location, for example, by displaying a question and "Yes" & &quot No "virtual button (step 4丨6) to collect responses from the user. If the user presses the "no" virtual button, the inference engine 302 removes the candidate parking location from the candidate location database and returns The current position has been monitored in the manner described above (steps 4〇〇 to 137834.doc -26- 201028653 410). If the user has pressed the "yes" virtual button, the inference engine 3〇2 is provided with a strong mismatch (Assuming the user's behavior is not malicious): the candidate parking location corresponds to an actual parking location. Acting through the user interface, the inference engine 302 can query (step 418) the user's permission to share the information (eg, 'candidates' The parking location and the confirmation obtained from the user to the server device 150. Of course, the sharing of the data can be pre-configured, for example, during the initial configuration of the navigation device. And, therefore, subsequent requests for the grant (step 418) may be avoided. However, assuming that the grant and user confirmation of sharing the candidate parking location is not initially obtained, the inference engine 3〇2 waits (step 420) for use. Responding to the response. If the user decides not to grant the navigation device 200 permission to share the information, in this example the candidate parking location remains in the candidate location database for the navigation device 2 to use at the local end in the future, and The data preprocessor 300 returns to the current location (steps 4A to 41A) of the navigation device 200 in the manner already described above. Alternatively, if the user refers to the "Yes" virtual button (step 42) Marking (step 422) an entry in the candidate parking location database containing the candidate parking location and its user confirmation for the next available opportunity (eg, as described above, when periodically communicating with the server device 150) When it occurs, it is communicated to the server device 150. Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that within the optional functionality 412, the request for permission to share the material is also optional. It does not have to be implemented in all embodiments. Once the entries in the candidate parking location database have been marked and/or delivered in other ways as 137834.doc •27· 201028653, the data preprocessor 300 returns to the above The manner has been described to monitor the current position of the navigation device 200 (steps 4A-410) in order to find any additional parking locations. In another embodiment, it is collected and communicated to the anonymous device of the feeder device 150. The log data can be subjected to server side processing instead of being determined by the navigation device 200 as to whether the current location constitutes a candidate parking location. Turning to 囷8, the analysis engine 155 constituting another parking position determining module is supported by the server device 150, and the analysis engine 155 analyzes (step 43) the log data received with respect to the navigation device 200. The analysis engine ι 55 attempts to identify (step 432) substantially unchanged (in this example) the recorded position of the predetermined time period X with respect to time. This process is repeated until the analysis engine 155 has found a location that is substantially constant for at least the predetermined time period or has analyzed all of the data in the log (step 434). The analysis engine then evaluates (step 436) whether the found location (when the location is) should be considered a candidate parking location, for example, reference to repository 308. In this regard, if the current bit is set to correspond to a location that is known to be parked as illegal (eg, as previously mentioned with respect to previous embodiments, parking is illegal) then the analysis engine 155 proceeds to further Considering the process of ignoring the current location and continuing to analyze the log data for substantially the remaining location for at least the predetermined time period (steps 43A through 434) until all data in the log has been analyzed (step 434) . Similarly, the analysis engine 155 queries the database 308 to determine (step 438) whether it is known that the current location corresponds to - parking only. If the current position is known to correspond to the known parking position, then the current position need not be considered as a candidate parking position since the parking location is known from the 137834.doc • 28· 201028653 POI database 308. If the analysis engine 155 determines (step 438) that the current location is an unknown candidate parking location' then analyzes (4) the current location storage (step, in another candidate location database (not shown) at the local end of the feeder 150 For further analysis, to verify that the current location does correspond to an actual parking location, for example, by manual investigation or by verification with the analysis results of the other navigation devices. Once the candidate parking location has been verified, The candidate parking location is added to the POI database 3〇 8. In yet another embodiment, the candidate parking location may undergo further analysis before accepting the candidate parking location as the actual parking location. In an example, the analysis engine 155 also supports a type matching engine (not shown) that evaluates another candidate parking location database to perform pattern matching with respect to candidate parking locations stored in the other candidate parking location database and / or reasoning. In this regard, the pattern matching engine is configured to identify (step 450) candidate parking spaces within a predetermined distance The clustering or grouping is then performed. The analysis then attempts to identify (step 452) the distribution of candidate parking locations that are typically associated with the collection of parking locations. For example, a list of candidate locations may indicate a set of roadside parking spaces, and generally rule The set of candidate parking positions arranged to indicate a parking lot. In fact, the position information obtained from the navigation device 200 can be used to more confidently determine whether a candidate parking position is a side parking position or a plurality of roadside parking positions. Alternatively or additionally, the pattern matching engine 155 can detect time patterns, such as 'repetition of the same or adjacent candidate parking locations associated with the same navigation device. In this regard, the pattern matching engine is compared. The same or adjacent candidate 137834.doc • 29- 201028653 The recurrence of the parking position occurs with a predetermined event or occurrence value (eg, 3 4 or 5) and is inferred in response to the actual occurrence of the predetermined event or the occurrence of the value The candidate parking position is an actual parking position. In another example, the pattern matching engine is configured to: identify in the candidate stop Other candidate parking locations within the predetermined distance of the location (occurring with other candidate parking locations associated with the navigation device 2 and/or other navigation devices), and identifying respective locations associated with the identified. candidate parking locations Any pattern that indicates a collection of parking locations, such as a parking lot or a set or a series of roadside parking locations, and thus, the presence of the candidate parking location in the pattern indicates that the candidate parking location is an actual parking In another example, the analysis can include a pattern matching-combination, for example, using different candidate parking locations for a period of time, wherein the different candidate parking locations are of a type that constitutes one of the parking locations The time period for which the data is included may be one or more months, for example, about two months or about three months. φ If the analysis engine 155 fails to identify any spatial and/or temporal patterns in the cluster or group of candidate parking locations, the analysis engine 155 may decide to reject (step 454) the cluster or marker candidate (four) locations of the candidate parking locations. This cluster is for further (eg, manual) surveys, such as field visits (10) ❺ AH). Thereafter, the analysis engine i55 determines (step 456) whether additional clustering of candidate parking locations is still required for pattern analysis. Of course, if a pattern is identified (step 452), the analysis engine 155 updates the additional candidate parking location database to indicate the identification prior to analyzing any additional clusters of candidate parking locations (step 456) as mentioned above. The candidate parking location is associated with one of the candidate parking locations 137834.doc 201028653. Although not shown in Figure 9, the sets of candidate parking locations identified by the pattern matching engine are used to update the POI database 308. Once the parking position has been identified and a parked location database has been created, an existing parking location database is obtained, or (10) an existing parking location database is expanded by the above-described processing, which may be generated to enrich the considered Parking statistics for the location database. It should be understood that any parking location database may be part of a ροι database (e.g., p〇I database 3〇8). In this regard, and in another embodiment, the navigation device 200 (and other navigation devices) includes (as already mentioned above) a data recording facility capable of, for example, by geolocation coordinates and The timestamp is recorded in 5 (especially) location and time. In some instances, the recorded material is compressed for storage and/or efficient transmission. In this example, the recorded data is stored in a log file and communicated to server 150 for processing in a manner that will be described below. The recorded data constitutes a data set, and it should be understood that the server 150 receives a plurality of pending data sets. In order to harvest useful information from the log file, the processing resource 154 of the server 150 supports (FIG. 10) an occupant duration analyzer module 320 that is operatively capable of accessing the mass storage device, and a large-capacity storage device. The data storage module 322 of 160, the probability generator module 324 capable of accessing the mass storage device 160, and the parking modeler module 326 capable of accessing the mass storage device 160. Referring to Figure 11, once the processing of the files is appropriate (e.g., when 137834.doc • 31 · 201028653 has obtained a sufficient number of log files), the dwell duration analysis module 320 is accessed (step 46). A first log file is available for analysis. The stay duration analysis module 320 then searches (step 462) the time information in the case of location information to identify a first time period during which the location information shows that the navigation device associated with the log file has The substantially constant position reaches a predetermined time period X or more. The predetermined time period is set to reflect a duration corresponding to a minimum duration constituting the parking state. For example, the predetermined period of time can be about 2 minutes or more, such as about 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 3 minutes, or about 2 hours. However, it should be understood that, as already mentioned above, the shorter the selected time period, the more likely the time period may be mistakenly considered or misunderstood as being related to the parking state (i.e., 'false positives may occur'). Once the first time period when the navigation device 200 has been substantially stationary has been found, the dwell duration analyzer 320 queries (step 464) the parking location database to determine (step 466) whether the location in which the navigation device 200 has been stationary is φ Should be in a known parking position. In this regard, the position at which the navigation device has been stationary is not necessarily the same as the position of the known parking position, and the navigation device 2〇〇 only needs to be located at or within a predetermined distance from the position of the known parking position so that "qualified" for parking in the known parking location. In the event that the location where the navigation device has been substantially stationary is not present in the parking location database, the dwell duration analyzer module 32 proceeds to continue analyzing the files to identify (step 468) that the navigation device 200 is stationary Another time period of the predetermined time period X or more. However, if the location where the navigation device 2 is located in the parking location database is found in the parking location database, the first 137834.doc •32- 201028653 time period is transmitted to the data storage storage module 322 for storage. In the first instance, the data storage module 322 is configured to maintain a count of the received time periods based on a plurality of time intervals (steps). In this example, the bayonet storage module 322 maintains a plurality of 5 minute intervals over a 24 hour period. The data-based storage module 322 increments the count for each time interval of the (d) period of the first time period. Of course, those skilled in the art can 'know', for example, about the 24-hour period in different days and/or different days of the week, the data storage module 322 can maintain more π-wide information. . In fact, it should be understood that 'every time interval can be changed and its duration does not have to be 5 minutes; the duration indicates the granularity of the information held. Again, the time intervals need not be the same or substantially the same. However, for simplicity and conciseness of description, a single 24-hour period containing a 5-minute interval is described in this example. Once the time information about the occupancy of the parking location has been stored, the data storage module 322 updates the parking location database (in this example, the stored storage time information occupied by the parking location is stored in Wherein, and the dwell duration analyzer module 32 continues to analyze the log file as described above to identify (step 468) another time period during which the navigation device 200 has been stationary for greater than or equal to the The predetermined time period ^^, in the case where another time period greater than or equal to the predetermined time period X is found, the other time period is selected (step 472), and the processing of the data associated with the use of the known parking position is repeatedly processed. The above procedure (steps 464 to 472) until an additional time period corresponding to the navigation device being still greater than or equal to the predetermined time period X cannot be found. 137834.doc -33- 201028653 When the field has been analyzed for the first-log, slot case, the dwell duration analyzer module 320 then determines (step 474) whether any other days (4) that can be analyzed are stored in the large In the capacity storage device (10), and if other day broadcasts still need to be analyzed, the dwell duration analyzer module 32 accesses (step 476) another log file stored by the mass storage device (10), and The above procedure is repeated by taking the next log file (steps 462 to 474). Once all available log files have been analyzed, the above analysis procedure is completed and a subsequent analysis phase can be used with respect to the stored data. Turning to circle 12, once the time information has been pre-processed, the probability generator module 324 sequentially analyzes (step 48) each entry in the parking location database, which contains the identification number of the parking location and is generated in the manner described above. The associated stored time information. Thus, for the first entry of the parking location database, the probability generator module 324 uses the personalized stored time information to generate (step 482) the period in which the parking position being analyzed spans the time interval/bin. The respective probability of being occupied during each time interval (24 hours in this example). This can be achieved, for example, by knowledge of the number of navigation devices associated with the analyzed profile. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that other statistical techniques can be used to generate individual probabilities. Thereafter, in an example, the individual chances need not be further processed. However, in another example, the parking modeler module 326 can be used to characterize (step 484) the distribution of the probability that the parking position is occupied as a function of time. This characterization can be achieved, for example, via using least squares techniques, interpolation techniques, or any other suitable modeling technique known to those skilled in the art, so that 137834.doc •34· 201028653 fits a function to Probability distribution ^ Interpolation techniques are particularly useful when it is necessary to compensate for the lack or insufficient quantity of data points. Alternatively, a plurality of predefined probability functions or models including, for example, a uniform probability function may be provided and one of the plurality of probability functions may be selected by the parking modeler 326, the function most closely fitting the associated parking position The probability of distribution. In this example, the plurality of probability functions are a function of time, i.e., the functions provide a probability that the parking position is occupied at a given time.

If desired, the selected probability function can be subjected to a translational component (eg, 'to shift the selected probability function by a desired amount of time to translate the probability against time to better fit the actual distribution associated with the parking position. +1 hour or 4 hours (or longer or shorter time period)) or associated with the translation component. In a further embodiment, the probability function generated according to any of the above techniques may be modified or incorporated with a priori knowledge associated with (e.g., arriving or using) a parking location. For example, the use of a parking location may be illegal during certain hours of the day (such as 2 pmD pm). In another example, the parking position may be located at a safe parking area that is closed after a certain time (eg, 8 (four). Therefore, the parking position #I is in the above example, indicating that the parking position is unavailable or unavailable in the department. The technique is to set the parking position to a suitable value for the high probability in the consideration of the middle (four) interval. Although the modification of the machine function can occur in the probability distribution modeling hierarchy, The generation of the probability distribution described above (ie, applying the same method in the calculation. 137834.doc -35- 201028653 Once the probability distribution has been characterized by the parking modeler module 326, the characterization is stored (eg ' a probability function or its identifier) to record the association between the parking position and the characterization, such as in a related manner. In this example, the parking location database is updated by including an entry for the parking location to include the characterization. "After that, the probability generator module 324 determines (step 488) whether the parking location database contains the associated formatting required to be processed. Any other parking location entry for the message. If the parking location library contains additional entries that need to be processed, repeat the above process (steps 480 to 488) until no additional entries have yet to be processed. Thereafter, (for example) The "easy" version of the parking location database is generated (step 49〇) by a remit function (exp〇rt functi〇n), so that in the absence of the generated probability and/or the stored time information Create a version of the parking location database. In this example, the cleaned version of the database also stores the exported statistics in a relevant manner. Therefore, as can be seen from the above example, by analyzing the data on the parking location Collect time information to derive statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location. Also 'repeating this process for other parking locations to enrich the parking location database' although it is already taking advantage of the time interval and subsequent (optional) The above examples are described in the case of modeling to derive statistical information, but those skilled in the art should understand that there is no need to generate probabilities, and the same It is not necessary to generate a model. In this embodiment, the stored time information or the like constitutes statistical information, rather than constitute an intermediate result or stage of derivation of statistical information (eg, probability function). Statistical information is processed from a navigation device or by a query made by the navigation device 137834.doc -36 - 201028653 to provide an indication of the likelihood that the parking location is available. In the above embodiment, a single transportation vehicle (eg, a car) One of the parking positions may be identified in the parking location database as only one area (eg, a rectangular area) constituting the parking position, or the parking position may be identified in the parking location database as one of the areas, the center " The location of the point. Thus, in determining whether the navigation device 200 is parked, an assessment of the location of the navigation device 2 needs to occur. In this regard, and assuming that the time column has been satisfied, the navigation device 200 is considered to be within a predetermined distance (eg, 2 meters) if the position of the navigation device 200 is within the region or a point from the point mentioned above. The location is in the parking position. As an optional improvement to the quality of the statistical information, the statistical information can be further processed using any suitable known technique to cause the statistical information to reflect the average occupancy or availability of a given parking location. As will be described hereinafter, the availability of statistical information associated with the identification code of the parking location may be used to identify one or more parking locations for the user of the navigation device 2. In this regard, in this example, the cleaned version of the parking location database is stored in the digital memory by the navigation device 2 (hereinafter referred to as "local parking location database") „see figure The route calculation module 267 of the application software 264 mentioned above includes a destination selection module 331, a POI selection module 268, a parking availability module 330, and a route creation module 332. The module 33A can access the local parking location database 328. The parking availability module 330 and the route creation module 332 will now be described with respect to the embodiments set forth below in conjunction with the local parking space 137834.doc -37- 201028653. Further details of the operation of database 328. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the above components of application software 264 need not be used, depending on the requirements of a particular embodiment. (To the office of the European Patent Office in The Hague (located

Visitors to Patentlaan 2, Rijswijk) need navigation assistance to TomTom International B.V.'s office in Rembrandtplein 35, Amsterdam. In order to use the navigation device 200 to implement navigation to the above destinations, the user configures a route for calculation as follows. Referring to Figures 14 through 23, the user assumes (step 500, Figure 14) an illustrative destination location input process as will be described hereinafter by a user interface support one location browser function. Although not shown, the user uses a setup menu option supported by the application software 264 to select (in this example) the view generation in the three-dimensional mode. When the user turns on the navigation device 200, the device 2 acquires GPS data and performs its own position determination by calculating (in a known manner) the current position of the navigation device 2〇〇. As shown in FIG. 15, 'the user is presented with a display 340 whose pseudo two-dimensional display is not: the navigation device 200 is determined to be in the local environment' and in one of the regions 344 of the display 340 below the local environment 342. One group of control and status messages. By touching the display at the local environment 342, the navigation device 2 updates the display 3 by displaying (as shown in FIG. 16) a series of virtual or soft buttons 346 via the user interface. When the button is pressed, the user can (especially) enter the destination that the user wants to navigate to. In this example, the destination selection i37S34.doc • 38- 201028653 module 331 is for facilitating the input of a destination with respect to providing navigation assistance, and providing the route creation module 332 with an indication of one of the selected destinations. By touching "Navigation to" virtual button 348, navigation device 200 initiates route computation functionality, one of which includes implementing one of the route creation procedures via the route creation module 332 mentioned above. Based on the route creation program and as supported by the destination selection module 33, the navigation device 2 displays (as shown in Figure 17) a plurality of virtual buttons each associated with a different category of selectable destinations. In this case, the display shows an "home" button that, when pressed, will set the destination to the stored home navigation location (home l〇cation). The "Favorites" button, when pressed, reveals a list of destinations that the user has previously stored in the navigation device 2, and if one of these destinations is subsequently selected, the purpose of the route to be calculated Set to the selected previously stored destination. The "Nearest Destination" soft button, when pressed, reveals one of the selectable destinations that are stored in the memory of the navigation device 2 and that the user has recently navigated to The list. The selection of one of the destinations that make up this list will set the destination location of this route to the location selected (previously visited). The "point of interest" button 351 reveals several options when pressed With these options, the user can choose to navigate to any of a number of locations, such as a parking lot (parking lot), an automated teller machine (ATM), a gas station, or a tourist attraction, which has been used as a navigation The location of the device 200 may be pre-stored in the navigation device 200 by the location that the user may want to navigate to. The triangle"arrow" shaped virtual button provides a navigation to the "Navigation to" menu Additional children's access to the menu options, and the " address " 350 by 137834.doc -39- 201028653 New users can begin a process whereby a user wants to enter the street address of the destination to the navigation. In this example, 'because the user knows that the user wants the navigation device 2 to navigate to the destination street address, it is assumed that the operation "address" is pressed by the slave 3 50 (displayed on the touch screen by touch) Button) to select a location as a destination, then (as shown in Figure 18), present the user with a series of location input options: by "city center" for address input, by "post

Code " address input, address entry by "crossroads or intersections, (for example, intersections of two roads) and address input by "street and house number". In this example, the user knows the street address and house number of the destination and therefore selects "street & house number" virtual button 352, which is then presented to the user (as shown in Figure 19): for typing A prompt 354 that the user wants to navigate to the name of the city, a flag button 356 by which the user can select the country in which the desired city is located, and a virtual one that can be operated by the user to input the name of the destination city if necessary Keyboard 358. In this case, the user initiates the word "Amsterdam", and the JL navigation device 200 thus responds by providing the user with a list 36 of selectable cities. In this case, the user wants to navigate to Amsterdam, and after selecting Amsterdam from the list 360, as shown in FIG. 2A, the navigation device again shows that the user can input the virtual keyboard of the street name and type the street. The name of the prompt 362. In this case, the user begins to name the street in which the destination is located, and the navigation device _ responds by providing the user with a list 364 of selectable street names. 137834.doc 201028653 In this example, the user wishes to travel to the street Rembrandtplein, and therefore, the user selects "Rembrandtplein" from the displayed list 364. Once the street is selected, the navigation device 200 then displays (囷21) limited. Mainly a digital virtual keyboard 366, and prompting the user to type the street number in the selected street and city that the user wants to navigate to by prompt 368. If the user has previously navigated to one of the street numbers in the street, the initial • The house number should not be displayed. If in this case the user wants to navigate to

Rembrandt Plein No. 35, the user only needs to use the virtual keyboard 366 to play the street number ("35") and then touch the "Complete" virtual button 370 displayed in the lower right corner of the display. If the user wants to navigate to a different house number on the Rembrandtplein, all the user has to do is operate the virtual keyboard 366 to enter the appropriate house number or street number. In the case where the user decides to request navigation to the suggested house number, the user touches "Complete" virtual button 37 应用^ application software 264 then causes the user interface to present an inquiry message 372 (Fig. 22), The inquiry message 372 询问 asks the user if a specific arrival time is required. If the user touches the "yes" virtual button, the time required to estimate the trip to the destination is called (after the user provides the desired arrival time) and the user is advised when they should leave (or when the user is late) In this case, when should have left) its current location in order to arrive at its destination's functionality on time. In this case, the user does not care to arrive at a particular time and therefore selects "No" virtual button 374. Selecting the "No" virtual button 348 causes the user interface to present another query message 376 (FIG. 23) that asks the user if the location needs to be parked after arrival. If the user touches the "No" virtual button, Then call the function of calculating a route from 137834.doc •41- 201028653 to the destination indicated previously. In this example, the user needs to park the location after reaching the selected destination. Thus, route creation module 332 finds a parking location that is as close as possible to the selected destination and calculates an estimated time of arrival with respect to the selected parking location by the route calculation functionality mentioned above. The route creation module 332 then identifies the selected parking location to the parking availability module 330 along with the calculated estimated time of arrival (or, if applicable, the desired time of arrival by the user) (step 502). Thereafter, the parking availability module 330 interprets the estimated arrival time as the start time associated with the expected occupancy of the parking location. The parking availability module 330 then accesses (step 504) the local parking location database 328 to obtain statistical information associated with the parking location and with respect to the occupancy of the parking location. In this example, the statistical information is, for example, a Poisson distribution based probability function p(t), but may use different times within one of the time periods (eg, one day) of the type described above. Find the probability data for the interval. In the case of the probability function, the parking availability module 33 applies a probability function with respect to the start time in order to obtain the probability that the parking position is occupied. The parking availability module 330 then passes the probability that the parking location is occupied to the route creation module 332 as an indication of the likelihood of availability with the parking location. In this regard, the parking availability module 33 can provide statistical information in the form of probability values as statistical information on the availability of availability in another form (eg, as will be described later, by Information Classification) provides an indication of availability. However, in this example, the possibility of availability is provided as a probability value. 137834.doc • 42· 201028653 Accordingly, the route creation module 332 then evaluates (steps 5-6) the indication by, for example, comparing the indication associated with the likelihood of availability with a predetermined probability threshold. In this example, if the indication is greater than or equal to the predetermined probability threshold (such as about 〇.4), the route creation module 332 considers that the parking location is not acceptable as a candidate destination, and the route creation module 332 selects Next (step 508) is next to another parking location that is closest to the selected destination. The other parking position may be recent in time and/or space. In any case, the 'route calculation program calculates another estimated arrival time' with respect to the other parking position' and repeats the above process with respect to the other parking position (steps 5〇2 to 506). Therefore, the above process (steps 5〇2 to 5〇8) is repeated until an acceptable parking position is found or there is no additional parking position within a predetermined distance of the parking position. However, assuming that the other parking location is acceptable, the route creation module 332 provides an additional query message 378 (FIG. 24) via the user interface to interrogate (step 510) whether the user is acceptable for the other parking location. . If the user responds by confirming that the other parking location is acceptable, the route calculation program uses (step 512) the location of the selected other parking location for route calculation and subsequent navigation assistance. In the event that the user indicates disapproval of the other parking location, the process may terminate the 'or more beneficial' application software 264 to provide (step 514) to the user - or multiple alternative actions, such as the proposed distance The option to park the location of the destination that was originally selected, or to modify the selected route (for example, to select a completely different destination). By way of example, if the actual parking near a post office in a town is not available, the user may be allowed to select another post office in the immediate vicinity of the town 137834.doc -43- 201028653, where the actual parking location may be possible. In fact, if necessary, the application Soft 264 can be configured to "review" adjacent locations in such environments and determine if it is more likely to find an available parking location than in the immediate vicinity of the search. 'If the user wants to view the location of the other parking location, the user can select "view location" virtual press...79, so the application soft 264 provides the user interface (Fig. 25), for example, reproduction The three-dimensional view 380' in this example, the three-dimensional view 38'' includes the other-parking position. It should be understood that the view of Figure 25 is provided for illustrative purposes to facilitate understanding and is not geographically absolutely accurate. Once used The position of the other parking position has been observed, and the other parking position can be accepted by touching the "Complete" virtual button 382, or the "Return" virtual button 384 can be selected to enable the user to return to the previous The screen is to reject (or accept) the other parking position. The navigation device 200 then calculates the route between the current location and the selected (another) parking location and displays the calculated route 386 via the user interface, as shown in FIG. The user is also provided with a "Complete" virtual button 388 that the user can press to indicate that the uncalculated route is acceptable; a "find alternative" virtual button 390 that the user can press to The navigation device 2 is caused to calculate another route to the selected destination; and a "Details" virtual button 392 that the user can press to reveal selectable options to display more detailed information about the currently displayed route 386. In this case, 'assume that the user thinks that the displayed route is acceptable, and once the "Complete" button 388 has been pressed, the user is presented with the navigation device 2 137834.doc -44 - 201028653 current, starting position 3D view (not shown). The user then begins his journey and the navigation device 2 guides the user. The navigation device 200 periodically acquires GPS data and performs its own position determination by calculating (in a known manner) the current position of the navigation device 200. Using the calculated current location information, the navigation device 2 updates the map in a known manner based on the determined changes in the location of the navigation device 200, and directs the user by providing visual and (as appropriate) voice navigation commands until Fast to the selected destination or to the selected destination. In another embodiment, where the identified parking position is a number of parking locations in one of the parking locations (eg, 'parking'), the parking availability module 330 can be calculated using any suitable statistical technique. One of the plurality of parking positions is a probability that the parking position is not important. In fact, this technique can be suitably applied to any of the embodiments described herein.

In yet another embodiment (圊27), the POI selection module 268 facilitates the input of the POI by the user P. The user selects a parking location using the PCH selection module 268 accessible via the screen of FIG. In this regard, after launching the "point of interest" virtual button 351, the application software 264 executes the POI selection module 268 to allow the user to select (step 520) - a point of interest close to the desired destination. In this example, the point of interest is a parking location. For simplicity and conciseness of description, the desired destination is the destination described above with respect to the foregoing examples, namely TomTom International B.V.'s office at Rembrandtplein 35, Amsterdam. Since the techniques for POI selection are known, the technique will not be described in more detail herein by 137 834.doc -45. 201028653 for simplicity and conciseness of the description. However, it should be understood that the user may be permitted to select an arrival time if necessary. Once the user has selected (step 52) the destination, the identification code (e.g., including coordinates) of the selected POI is passed to the route creation modeling group 332 by the p〇l selection module 268. The route creation module 332 then accesses the local parking location database 328 to identify and select (step 522) a number of parking locations near (in this example, most recently) the selected destination. In this example, a predetermined distance criterion is used to limit the number of identified parking positions. The predetermined distance criterion is the distance from the selected destination. The predetermined criteria can be pre-configured by the user during route selection or during setup of the navigation device 200. For each identified parking location, the route creation module 332 uses the route calculation functionality (not shown) of the application software 264 to calculate the estimated time of arrival. Thereafter, the route creation module 332 identifies the selected parking locations along with the respective calculated estimated arrival times to the parking availability module 33 (step 524). The parking availability module 33 then accesses (step 526) the local parking location database 328 to obtain information relating to each of the plurality of selected parking locations and for the occupancy of each of the plurality of parking locations . In this example, the statistical information is the probability function 匕(1), where n identifies the parking position in a total of t selected parking positions. The probability function Pn(t) is based on the respective Poisson distribution as in the previous embodiment. However, as in the case of the prior embodiments, a lookup table of probability data associated with each of the parking locations or a probability profile that constitutes a probability model associated with the occupancy of a typical parking location may be used. Get a statistical lookup from the common lookup table. Of course, as with the previous embodiment, the statistics and/or probability 137834.doc -46 - 201028653 Type 2 may include customized aspects for - or a plurality of parking locations in the parking locations - for example, time shifting Factor. A look-up table of, for example, probability data for different time intervals within one of the types described above, such as one day, may be used. In the case of a probability function, the parking availability module 330 applies a probability function with respect to the start time derived from each estimated arrival time in order to obtain the individual machines occupied by each of several parking positions. • Once the statistics have been obtained for each parking location, the parking availability module 330 sorts the parking locations by availability (step 528). In the case where two or more parking positions are available at the same probability or within a predetermined margin (in detail, the parking positions have equal or close: a probability of being available), the parking availability module may The secondary sorting of k parking locations is performed to otherwise rank the parking locations by distance from the picking destination or by any other desired criteria (eg, travel time). • Thereafter, the parking availability module 330 communicates the ordered parking locations along with the associated calculated odds to the route creation module 332, whereupon the route creation module 332 displays the parking location via the user interface. An ordered list (Fig. 28) that identifies at least some of the parking positions. The user selects one of the listed parking locations and then the application software 264 continues in a manner similar to that described above with respect to Figures 25 and 26. In the above embodiment in which the navigation device 200 provides the user with an indication of the availability of one or more parking locations, the statistical information used is related to the specific opening time of the 137834.doc • 47· 201028653. In other embodiments, the parking availability module 330 provides an indication of the likelihood of a plurality of parking locations for one or more usage modules over a period of time, because of the use of the von The person may arrive early or arrive late at the destination. In this example, if the user goes to the τ position during the start time period, then the start time period is used to perform the probability of being available for a given parking position. Calculation. The start time period or margin is centered on the estimated arrival time/start time. However, if necessary, at the beginning

The time margin used before and after the time can be replaced by different time margins (for example, a first predetermined time adjustment time of 5 minutes before the start time and a third predetermined time adjustment time of 15 minutes after the start time) . Any suitable known statistical technique can be used. In another embodiment, any of the above embodiments that provide an indication of the likelihood of availability of a parking location, which is pre-stored material or a result of the calculation, may be modified to be according to any suitable solution instead of Use pure values to classify the probability that the parking location is occupied (classify 〇r eateg〇Hse). Thus, the occupancy of the parking location can be made, for example, by assigning a number from a range (such as between 1 and 5) or by assigning a color (such as a "traffic light" scheme portion) Statistical information classification. The navigation device 200 provides the classified statistical information, rather than, for example, a probability to the server, thereby simplifying the user's understanding of the occupancy status of the parking position. As a further improvement with respect to the above related embodiments, the application software 264 (eg, 'Using Route Calculation Module 267') can be configured to permit the user to select a category of parking locations, for example, free parking spaces, paid parking spaces, resident parking Space, disabled parking spaces, visitor parking spaces and / 137834.doc •48- 201028653 or stay in restricted parking spaces. With regard to a stay-restricted parking space, the user may be permitted to specify the desired maximum or minimum stay duration for the parking position, if desired. With this information, the route calculation module 267 can limit the identified parking positions to only those parking positions designated by the user. The user can similarly specify other categories and/or attributes of the parking location, as appropriate. Although the statistical information stored and used in the above embodiments is as described above, the recommendations are related to a single day, but further details on statistical information (for example, statistical information for different days, months or seasons) can be saved and used. In the above example, the statistical information is obtained by accessing the local parking location database 328. However, those skilled in the art should be aware that remote data storage (eg, servo) can be obtained from the remote server. The data storage device 16 of the device 150 obtains the information, wherein the server j 5 is deployed to support at least the request for statistical information. Actually, it should be understood that although the local device is stored relative to the navigation device 2 Some of the above embodiments are described in the context of information, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that some or all of the outstanding functionality may be provided away from the navigation device and that the navigation device 2 is configured to submit Request for the required information. For example, as suggested above, the local parking location database 328 can be located remotely from the navigation device (eg, at the server), and the processing resources 154 of the server 150 can be configured to support (eg, At least a portion of the parking availability module 33 and/or the route creation module 332 necessary to identify the parking location is described with respect to the prior embodiments associated with the use of statistical information. 137834.doc -49- 201028653 In addition, it should be understood that the server 15 described herein is not necessarily intended to provide a single server for all of the functionality described above with respect to all embodiments. The truth is that those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more servers may be provided to support different functionality as needed. For example, the processing of the location information harvested and as described above may be provided - or a plurality of servers, and - or a plurality of different servers may be provided to support (if necessary) the route calculation functionality of the navigation device 2 And the determination of the likelihood of occupancy of the parking location. With respect to the use of the concepts of usability and occupancy described herein, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the operations associated with one concept imply an operation related to another concept, such as, for example, associated with a parked location being occupied. The statistical information of the probability P is obviously associated with statistical information such as the probability that the parking position is available. In addition, reference herein to a parking location is intended to cover all types of locations where the vehicle can be parked, including but not limited to one or more parking spaces in a parking lot or parking lot, one parking space or parking. a set of bits (eg, several parking bays, such as roadside parking spaces) beta. Although the embodiments described in the foregoing detailed description refer to GPS,

It should be noted that the navigation device may utilize any of the position sensing techniques as an alternative to GPS (or indeed, in addition to GPS, the navigation device may utilize other global navigation satellite systems, such as the European Galileo system, for example. As such, it is not limited to satellite-based, but can be readily implemented using ground-based beacons or any other system that enables the device to determine its geographic location. Alternative embodiments of the present invention can be implemented for use by computer systems. Computer program 137834.doc •50· 201028653 The product of the computer program is (for example) a series of computer instructions stored on a tangible data recording medium such as a magnetic disk, CD_R (10), r〇m or a fixed disk. Or embodied in a computer data signal transmitted via tangible media or wireless media (eg, microwave or infrared). The series of computer instructions may constitute all or part of the functionality described above' and may also be stored in any Memory devices (volatile or non-volatile), such as semiconductor memory devices, magnetic memory It is also well understood by those skilled in the art that although the preferred embodiment implements a certain functionality by software, the functionality is equally applicable only in the art. In hardware (for example, by one or more ASICs (special application integrated circuits) or actually by a mixture of hardware and software. Therefore, the invention should not be considered to be limited to software implementation. Finally, it should also be noted that although the appended claims form a specific combination of the features described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific combination of the following main φ sheets, but the scope of the invention is expanded. In order to include any combination of the features or embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not the specific combination has been specifically recited in the accompanying claims. FIG. 1 is a global positioning system that can be used by a navigation device. Schematic illustration of an exemplary portion of (GPS); FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a navigation system or data collection system that supports communication between a navigation device and a server device Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of the electronic 137834.doc • 51· 201028653 component of the navigation device of Figure 2 or any other suitable navigation device; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of the architectural stack used by the navigation farm of Figure 3; @5为4 is a more detailed schematic diagram of the determination module; FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a method for collecting parking position information constituting one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 7 is a large and soil used in FIG. FIG. 8 is a flow chart of another method of determining the position of the parking position of another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 is a flow chart constituting the present invention. A flowchart of a method for processing candidate parking position information in the fourth embodiment; FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a module for collecting statistical information supported by a processing resource provided by a feeding device; FIG. Figure 5 is a flow chart of a method of collecting parking time information; ❹ Figure 12 is a flow chart of a method of processing parking duration information collected according to circle 11; Figure 13 is a navigation device or server device of Figure 3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a method of providing an indication of the possibility of occupying a parking position according to still another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 to FIG. FIG. 27 is another schematic diagram of an operation for selecting a parking position; FIG. 27 is another indication of the possibility of providing a parking position for 137834.doc -52 - 201028653 according to another embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart of the method; and FIG. 28 is a schematic screen image associated with the operation of the method of FIG. 27 with respect to the navigation device of FIG. 3" 'phase element symbol description' 100 GPS system 102 satellite 104 earth 106 GPS receiver 108 Spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 150 Server/server device 152 Communication channel 154 Processor 155 Analysis engine 156 Memory 158 Wired or wireless connection 160 Large-capacity data storage device / Large-capacity data storage 162 Transmitter 164 Receiver 166 Transmitter 168 Receiver 200 Navigation Device 202 Processor 204 Input Device 206 Display Screen 137834.doc -53· 201028653 208 Output Device 210 Connection 212 Connection 214 Memory Resource 216 Connection 218 Input/Output (I/O)埠220 Connection 222 I/O Device 224 Antenna/Receiver 226 Connection 260 Function Hardware Component 262 Operating System 264 Application Software 266 Parking Location Determination module 267 route calculation module 268 POI selection module 300 data preprocessor 302 inference engine 304 remote map data sharing database 306 remote travel data database 308 remote POI database 310 temporary data storage 320 Time analyzer module 322 data storage module 137834.doc 54· 201028653

324 326 328 330 331 332 340 344 344 346 348 350 351 352 354 356 358 360 362 364 366 368 370 372 Probability Generator Module Parking Modeler Module Local Parking Location Library Parking Availability Module Destination Selection Module The route creation module displays the local environment area virtual or soft button " navigate to "virtual button"address" button "point of interest" button ••street and house number" virtual button to type in the navigation desired The name of the city name, the flag, the button, the virtual keyboard list, the prompt list for the street name, the virtual keyboard, the "complete" virtual button query message 137834.doc -55- 201028653

374 376 378 379 380 382 384 386 388 390 392 "No" Virtual button inquiry message inquiry message M view position" virtual button reproduction 3D view"Complete "virtual button"Return"virtual button calculated route" Complete the "virtual button" find alternative virtual button "details" virtual button

137834.doc -56-

Claims (1)

201028653 VII. Patent application scope: 1' A device for enriching one of the parking positions, the device comprising: a processing resource configured to analyze time information about occupancy of a parking location and from the analyzed time information Export statistics about the occupancy of this parking location. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the time information is from a plurality of data sets. The obtained plurality of data sets includes the time information associated with a plurality of navigation devices, respectively. _ 3. > The device of claim 2, the plurality of log files in the file respectively contain the plurality of data sets. 4. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing resource supports a dwell duration analyzer when in use, the dwell duration analyzer, configured to identify a time greater than a predetermined time from the time information The duration of the stay of the segment. 5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing resource supports a data storage module when in use, and the data storage module is configured The time information about the occupancy of the parking location is stored in order to obtain the personalized storage time information about the occupancy of the parking location. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the data storage module is configured to store the time information identified by the dwell duration analyzer as having a dwell duration greater than the predetermined time period. The apparatus of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the processing resource is configured to analyze additional time information regarding occupancy of another parking location and to plead guilty from the analyzed time Additional information about the occupation of the other parking position 137834.doc 201028653 is derived. 8. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the processing resource supports a probability generator when in use, the probability generator configured to generate a probability that the parking location is occupied. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the processing resource supports a parking modeler when in use. The parking modeler is configured to characterize a distribution of the probability that the parking position is occupied as a function of time. 10. The distribution of the probability of the device of claim 9 wherein the parking location is occupied is characterized using a least squares technique. 11. The apparatus of claim 9 which further comprises a plurality of functions for determining the probability that the parking position is occupied by a function of time, wherein the parking modeler is configured to act from the plurality of functions A probability function is selected for association with the parking position to characterize the probability distribution. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the parking modeler is configured to select the probability function and a translation component to translate the selected probability function with respect to time. 13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the distribution of the probability that the parking location is occupied is a uniform probability distribution. 14. The device of claim 9, wherein the distribution of the probability that the parking location is occupied incorporates a priori knowledge of the occupancy of the parking location. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the a priori knowledge relates to a time period when the occupancy of the parking location is not permitted. 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the parking modeler is configured to incorporate the a priori knowledge into the distribution of the probability that the parking location is occupied 137834.doc -2- 201028653 in the characterization . 17. In the case of claim 8, the probability generator is configured to use interpolation to compensate for the lack of data or the insufficient amount of data. 18. A method of enriching performance of a parking location, the method comprising: analyzing time information regarding occupancy of a parking location; and deriving statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location from the analyzed time information. 19. A computer program component comprising computer program means for causing a computer to perform the method of claim 18. 20. The computer program component of claim 19, embodied in a computer readable medium. I37834.doc