TW201028664A - Navigation apparatus, server apparatus and method of providing an indication of likelihood of occupation of a parking location - Google Patents

Abstract

A navigation apparatus (200) comprises a processing resource (202) arranged to support an execution environment. The execution environment supports, when in use, a user interface and a parking availability module (330). The parking availability module (330) is arranged to obtain an identity of a parking location and a commencement time associated with intended occupancy of the parking location. The parking availability module (330) is also arranged to obtain statistical information concerning occupancy of the parking location, and to use the statistical information obtained in order to provide an indication associated with likelihood of availability of the parking location.

Description

201028664 VI. Description of the Invention: [Technical Field to Which the Invention pertains] The invention relates to a navigation device that is, for example, of a type that is capable of recognizing a parking location for a user to select. The invention also relates to a feeding device, which is, for example, capable of recognizing a parking position for a user to select. The invention further relates to a method of providing an indication of the likelihood of occupancy of a parking location, for example, to identify a parking location for a type selected by a user. • [Prior Art] Portable computing devices, such as portable navigation devices (PNDs) that include Global Positioning System (Gps) signal reception and processing functionality, are well known and widely used as in-vehicle or other vehicle navigation systems. In general, modern pNDs contain 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 often one or more additional software programs are provided for the functionality of the PND to be controlled and various other functions are provided. Typically, such devices further include allowing the user to interact with the device and controlling one or more of the input interfaces and one or more output interfaces of the device to relay the information to the user via the or the output interface. Illustrative examples of output interfaces include visual displays and speakers for audio output. Illustrative examples of input interfaces include one or more physical buttons used to control the on/off operation or other features of the device (if the device is built into the vehicle, then the buttons are not necessarily on the device itself, and It is available on the side of the 137835.doc 201028664 and the microphone used to detect the user's words. In a particular configuration, the output interface display can be configured as a touch-sensitive display (via touch-sensitive overlay or other) to additionally provide a wheeled interface through which the user can operate by touch The device. Devices of this type will also include: one or more physical connector interfaces through which the power signal and the conditional data signal can be transmitted to and from the n pieces (4) Receive information & 'and optionally' one or more wireless transmitters/receivers that allow for cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks (eg, Bluet〇〇th) Communication over Wi-Fi, Wi-Max GSM, UMTS and similar networks. 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 (gyr〇sc〇pe) generating an 彳g number and an accelerometer that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in conjunction with positional information derived from the GPS signal. The speed and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which the device is worn is determined. Typically, these features are most commonly provided in the navigation system within the vehicle, but may also be provided in the PND (if this is advantageous). The utility of such PNDs is primarily manifested in their ability to determine the route between the first location (typically, the departure or current location) and the second location (usually the destination). Such locations may be entered by the user of the device by any of a wide variety of different methods 'eg, by postal code, street name, and 137835.doc 201028664 house number, previously stored "familiar" destination (such as famous locations, municipal locations (such as body materials or swimming pools) or other points of interest) and favorite destinations or destinations that have been recently visited. In general, the PND has a function for calculating the "best,, or," optimal "route software between the departure address location and the destination address location based on the map material. The "best" or "best" route is based on predetermined criteria and is not necessarily the fastest or shortest route. The choice of the route that guides the driver can be

For very complex 'and selected routes, consider existing, forecasted and dynamically and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about road speeds, and driver's own preferences for determining road alternatives (eg (4) The road can be designated to include highways or toll roads). The device continuously monitors road and traffic conditions and provides or selects a route change due to changing conditions. The remaining trips will be made on this route. Instant traffic monitoring systems based on various technologies (eg, 'Mobile Phone Data Exchange, Fixed Camera, Gps Team Tracking') are being used to identify traffic delays and feed information into the notification system. This type of chat can usually be installed on the money board or the windshield of the transport guards' but can also be formed as part of the onboard computer of the transport belt radio or as part of the control system of the transport itself. 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 under these conditions, the conventional functionality of the portable system is installed by software It is extended on the device by performing route calculations and navigation along the calculated route. Route planning and navigation functionality can also be provided by a desktop or 137835.doc 201028664 mobile computing resource running the appropriate software. For example, the Royal Automobile Club (rac) provides online route planning and navigation facilities at http://www.rac.co.uk, which allows users to enter starting points and destinations, so the server (using The computing resources communicate with it) calculating the route (which can be specified by the user), generating a map, and generating a detailed set of navigation instructions for directing the user from the selected starting point to the selected destination. 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 50 calculated route. In the case of a PND, once the route is calculated, the user interacts with the navigation device to select the desired calculated 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. PND also often displays map information on the screen during navigation. This information is periodically updated on the screen so that the displayed map information represents the current location of the device and thus the current location of the user or user's vehicle (if the device It is being used for navigation within the vehicle). The icon displayed on the screen usually represents the current device location and is centered, which is also showing the current and surrounding roads near the current device location. 137835.doc -6 - 201028664 Also map information and other map features. In addition, depending on the situation, the navigation information may be displayed in the state above, below or on one side of the displayed map information. Examples of the navigation information include the current road to be selected from the user to the bottom-distance distance, the nature of the deviation This property can be represented by another-illustrated representation of a particular type of deviation (eg, a left turn or a right transition). The navigation function also confirms the content, duration and timing of the audio command, which can be used to guide the user along the route. As you can see, such as "1 read left turn "simple" requires a lot of processing and analysis. As previously mentioned, the interaction of the user with the member can be by touch screen, or otherwise or by a driver-mounted remote control, by voice activation or by any other suitable method. In the following cases, 'another-provided by the device is an automatic route. The user deviates from the previously calculated route during the navigation (accidentally or intentionally); the immediate traffic condition indicates that the alternative route will be more favorable 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. As mentioned above, it is also known to allow the calculation of the line according to user-defined criteria; for example, the user may prefer the scenic road calculated by the device to avoid the possibility that traffic jams may occur, are expected to occur or. The device software will then calculate the various routes and include the highest number of points of interest along its route (known as the points of interest are marked as, for example, having a beautiful view, or using the indication = the traffic conditions on the road that are occurring) The stored information is likely to be blocked or blocked due to blockage. (4) ^ b 137835.doc 201028664 Other POI and traffic information-based route calculation and navigation guidelines are also possible. Although the route calculation and navigation functions are integral to the PND. Utility is important, but it is possible to use the device purely for information display or "free driving", where only map information related to the current device location is displayed, and the route has not been calculated and the device is currently not performing navigation. This mode of operation Often applicable when the user knows the route along which the trip is to travel and does not require navigation assistance. Devices of the above type (eg, GO 930 traffic type manufactured and supplied by TomTom International BV) are provided to enable the user to A reliable way to navigate from one location to another. When the user is unfamiliar with the destination to which they are navigating These devices have great utility when routed to the ground. As indicated above, one or more users can be selected by the user of the PND during a journey or during a journey regarding a journey to begin. Select POI 'Users usually use the menu structure of the PND user interface to select the category of the desired P0I, such as a supermarket or parking lot. The PND application software then uses the data stored on the local end to identify several POIs of the type selected by the user. (for example, a parking lot), and the identified parking lot is presented to the user via the user interface. In addition, as a "value-adding" service, it is hoped that the PND will provide more information about the parking lot or even the parking space. In this regard, the concept The "parking service" can advise the user as to the location of a transportable vehicle and (possibly) whether the parking space is empty. 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. ^To help the user, the PND application software usually The identified parking lot is sorted by the distance from the current location of Pnd 137835.doc 201028664 and indicates the associated distance value adjacent to the listed parking lot. The user can then use the user interface and other parts of the application software. Selecting 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 as a waypoint or final destination along the way. The PND then suitably calculates a route through the selected parking lot or to the selected parking lot. The parking lot can be similarly selected as a destination or along the way navigation point to prepare a route or a journey with respect to the functionality of the PND. Of course, if the user is already on the way and the PND is already providing navigation assistance, the PND integrates the selected parking lot into the calculated existing route, for example by recalculating the existing route to take into account the choices made by the user. However, although the above conceptual parking service is ideal, the actual implementation in the above aspects is problematic because the understanding of the occupancy status of a given parking space or a parking lot is absolutely unknown, because PND is not without I don't know. The above parking service is extremely useful in helping users get to their destination most conveniently. However, the above service presupposes that the PND has a POI database stored by the PND at the local end, which contains an accurate, complete and up-to-date record of parking opportunities (e.g., parking lot or parking space). Similar considerations apply even if the ροι information is stored remotely with respect to the PND and the PND obtains information about the parking opportunity from the remote server via a communication network (eg, a wide area network (WAN)). In fact, the new parking opportunity was created over a period of time and is therefore not a feature in the database until the provider of the P〇I database decides to publish the update of the P0I database. At 137835.doc 201028664, the delay between several publications may be quite large, resulting in pnd having access to incomplete and/or inaccurate databases of parking information. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a navigation device is provided, comprising: a processing resource configured to support an execution environment, the execution environment supporting a user interface and a a parking availability module; wherein: the parking availability module is configured to obtain a parking location identification code and a start time associated with an expected occupancy of the parking location; and the parking availability module is configured to: obtain The statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location 'and the statistical information obtained is used to provide an indication of the likelihood of availability of the parking location. The identification code of the parking location and/or the start time associated with the expected occupancy of the parking location is available via the user interface. The identification code of the parking location and/or the start time associated with the expected occupancy of the parking location may be selected by the user. • The indication associated with the likelihood of availability of the parking location may be provided via the user interface. The indication associated with the likelihood of availability of the parking location may be the statistical information obtained. This statistical information can be a function. This function takes time as a variable. This function can be a probability function. The parking availability module can be configured to use the statistical information to calculate a probability that the placement position is substantially available at the start time associated with the expected occupancy of the parking position. 137835.doc •10· 201028664 This statistic can be obtained by finding the probability that the parking location is available at the start time. .. The statistics can be obtained by accessing a remote data store via a communication network. The apparatus can further include a resource storage configured to store the statistical information. The parking availability module can be configured to provide the indication of the likelihood of availability of the parking location relative to the beginning of the time period, the starting time period being derived from the starting time and a predetermined time margin. The predetermined time margin may be before the start time and/or after the start time. a first predetermined time adjustment time may be before the start time, and a second predetermined time adjustment time may be after the start time, and may be used to calculate the parking position at the first predetermined time adjustment time and the second predetermined The likelihood of availability within the predetermined time margin as depicted by the time adjustment time. • the parking availability module can be configured to obtain additional leaf information about another parking location; the other parking location may be spatially and/or temporally closest to the parking location; and regarding the other location The additional statistical information is obtained in response to a predetermined level at which the parking location is available and the likelihood of being determined to be greater than or equal to the availability. The parking available module can be set up to use the additional statistical information to provide an additional indication associated with the likelihood of availability of the additional parking value. The indication of the likelihood of availability of the parking location may be an indication of one of the categories of availability. I37835.doc -il- 201028664 This statistic can be a category associated with the likelihood of availability of the parking location. The category may be from a group of categories, which may include a positive category, a negative category, and/or a substantially neutral category. The apparatus can further include a route creation module supported by the execution environment in use, the route creation module being configurable to identify the parking position.

The route creation module can be configured to identify the other parking position in response to the indication that the indication associated with the likelihood of availability of the parking location is greater than the likelihood of availability. The route creation module can be configured to identify a plurality of parking locations associated with a selected destination location and obtain respective statistical information regarding the occupancy of the plurality of parking locations from the parking recordable module; and the route creation module can At least a portion of the oblique parking position is configured for selection by a user. The at least a portion of the plurality of parking locations may conform to a predetermined distance (four) and/or a travel time (four) associated with the selected destination location; the route creation module may be configured to determine the distance criterion and/or the criteria consistency. The different criteria and/or attribute criteria for the plurality of parking locations. The predetermined level of the usage criteria for the plurality of parking locations. A small portion may conform to a portion of the parking location that is compliant with the parking location. The route creation module may be at least partially via the placement. The user interface provides the number of parking spaces. I37835.doc -12- 201028664 The dry parking locations can be sorted by availability. ^The right dry parking position can be sorted by the distance relative to the destination location and /; or travel time. (d) Sort by distance and/or travel time in order of availability. The route creation module can be arranged to permit the user to select - the listed parking device for providing navigation assistance to the selected listed parking location. The identification of the likelihood of availability of the parking location may be based on a desired category of one of the parking locations. The parking position is in a plurality of parking positions, and the parking availability module is configured to determine a probability that any one or more of the plurality of parking positions are available. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a server apparatus is provided comprising: a processing resource configured to support an execution environment, the execution environment supporting a parking availability module when in use; wherein the parking availability is The module is configured to obtain a parking location identification code and a start time associated with an expected occupancy of the parking location; and the parking availability module is configured to: obtain statistical information regarding occupancy of the parking location, and The statistical information obtained is used to provide an indication of the likelihood of availability of the parking location. In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, a method of providing an indication of the likelihood of occupancy of a parking position is provided. The method includes obtaining an identification number of a parking location and an associated with an expected occupancy of the parking location Open 137835.doc -13· 201028664 start time; obtain statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location; and use the statistical information obtained to provide an indication of the availability of the parking location; According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program component comprising computer program means for causing a computer to perform the method as set forth above in relation to the third aspect of the invention. The clothing component can be embodied on a computer readable medium. 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 an indication of the possibility of providing a parking position that enables a searcher at a parking location to select a parking position that has an increased arrival This parking position is possible when available. Therefore, the method and the device reduce inconvenience to the user and improve the likelihood that the user will arrive at the final destination on time, since the user is less likely to have to try multiple parking positions before finding an available parking position. . The method and the t-position thus also reduce the workload of the user while driving, since only less attention is paid to paying attention to the available parking position, and therefore, the driver safety is improved. In addition, the method and the device reduce fuel consumption and delay in searching for parking locations, and are therefore used to increase driving efficiency. Moreover, the apparatus and method enable improved route generation and improved navigation assistance. [Embodiment] 137835.doc -14- 201028664 At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. • The same reference numbers 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, it should be borne in mind that the teachings herein are not limited to PNDs, but rather are generally applicable to any type of processing device, such as (but not essentially) configured to carry and/or act. A navigation device that implements navigation software to provide route planning and navigation functionality. Thus, it can be seen that in the context of the embodiments set forth herein, the 'navigation device is intended to include, without limitation, 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 portrayed as a portable computing resource (such as 'portable personal computers (PCs), mobile phones or personal digital assistants (PDAs) that perform, for example, route planning and navigation software). In fact, in some embodiments that do not have the benefits of route planning or navigation software, φ can only use mobile phones, smart phones, or the like. The above conditions are attached to the use of the global positioning of Figure 1 for various purposes. System (GPS) and its analogues. In general, GPS is a satellite radio based 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.

The GPS system is implemented when a device specially equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning for a radio frequency for GPS I37835.doc •15· 201028664 satellite <5. 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 nickname until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (note that it is not usually (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 operate around Earth 〇4. The GPS receiver 106 receives the spread spectrum GPS satellite data signal 1〇8 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, and the transmitted spread spectrum data signals 1 〇 8 each include a data stream including information identifying a specific satellite 丨〇 2, the data stream From the specific satellite 1〇2. The GPS receiver 106 typically requires a spread spectrum data signal ι 〇 8 from at least three satellites 102 to enable calculation of the two dimensional position. The receipt of the fourth spread spectrum data signal enables the GPS receiver 106 to calculate the three dimensional position using a known technique. In FIG. 2, a navigation system includes a navigation device 2. In an embodiment, the navigation device 200 can communicate with a server 150 via a communication channel 152 supported by a communication network, if desired. The communication network can be implemented by any of a number of different configurations. The communication channel 152 generally represents a propagation medium or path connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 150. When the connection 137835.doc -16 - 201028664 is established between the feeder 15 and the navigation device 2, the communication channel i52 is connected. (Note that 'this connection can be a data connection via a mobile device, a direct connection via a personal computer via a personal computer (not shown), etc.) and the feeder 150 can communicate with the navigation device 2A. Communication channel 152 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, communication channel 152 is not limited to single-communication technology; that is, channel 152 may include several communication keys using various techniques. Invite: 彳 &丨; ^ For example, s, communication channel 152 can be adapted to

Providing paths for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communication signals, and the like. Thus 'communication channel 152 includes, but is not limited to, the following, or a combination thereof. Circuitry, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial electrical gauges, fiber optic gauges, converters, radio frequency (RF) waves 'atmosphere, freedom Space, etc. In addition, communication channel 152 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers; transmitters and receivers. In an illustrative configuration, 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. In addition, if desired, the communication channel 152 can accommodate satellite communications. 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 Mobile Telecommunications System (Gsm), etc. Both digital and analog signals can be transmitted via communication channel 152. Such signals may be modulated, encrypted, and/or compressed for communication as desired. I37S35.doc 201028664. In this example 'the navigation device 200 comprising the Gps receiver device 1〇6 or coupled to the GPS receiver device 106 can be via a wireless communication terminal (not shown; not) (such as 'mobile phones, pda and/or have Any device of mobile telephony) to establish a data session (if needed) with a network hardware of a communication network (eg, "action" communication network) to establish a digital connection (eg, via known Bluetooth technology) Digital connection). Thereafter, the mobile terminal or user equipment φ can establish a network connection with the server 150 via its network service provider (e.g., via the Internet). Thus, an "action" network connection is established between the navigation device 2 (when it travels alone and/or while traveling in the vehicle, which can be and often acts) and the server 150, thereby Provide "instant" or at least very "new" gateways for information. In this example, the navigation device 200 is a navigation device having a Bluetooth function, so that the navigation device 200 can be agnostic to the setting of the wireless communication terminal, thereby enabling the navigation device 200 to be associated with the mobile phone model, manufacturing φ Wait for the ever-changing spectrum to work correctly together. Model/manufacturer-specific settings can be stored, for example, on the navigation device 2, if desired. Information that can be updated for this information. Although not shown, instead of requiring the wireless communication terminal to provide access to the communication network, the navigation device 200 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 in the navigation device 2 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 2 and the servo 137835.doc 18 201028664 150 via, for example, the Internet, which is up to date. ^The co-connection method is similar to any wireless terminal capable 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 known manner. In this regard, any number of appropriate data communication protocols may be used, for example, a Tcp/Ip layered agreement. In addition, the mobile device can utilize any number of communication standards, such as CDMA2000, GSM, IEEE 802.11 a/b/c/g/n, and the like. Therefore, it can be seen that an internet connection can be used, and the internet connection can be achieved via a data connection using a mobile phone or mobile phone technology. Server 150 includes (in addition to other components not otherwise described) a processor 154 that forms a processing resource and is operatively coupled to memory 156 and further operatively coupled via wired or wireless connection 158. To the large-capacity data storage device 160. The mass storage device 16〇 contains (especially) navigation data and map information storage. Further details of this information will be set forth below. The mass storage device 16A can also be a separate device from the server 150 or can be incorporated into the server 15A. The processor 154 is further operatively coupled to the transmitter 162 and the receiver 164 for transmitting information to and receiving information from the navigation device 200 via the communication channel 152. The signals transmitted and received may include data, communications, 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 the functions of transmitter 162 and receiver 164 can be combined into a single transceiver. 137835.doc -19· 201028664 As mentioned above, 'navigation device 200 can be configured to communicate with server 150 via communication channel 152' which uses transmitter 166 and receiver ι68 to transmit and receive data via communication channel 152, Note that such devices can be further used to communicate with devices other than server 150. Moreover, transmitter 166 and receiver 168 are selected or designed in accordance with communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of the navigation system, and in a manner similar to that described above with respect to server device 150, The functions of transmitter ι 66 and receiver 168 are combined into a single transceiver. Of course, the navigation device 2 can include other hardware and/or functional portions, which will be described in more detail later herein. The software stored in the server memory 156 provides instructions to the processor 154 and allows the server 150. : providing services to the navigation device 2 and/or performing other data processing tasks. For example, server device 150 can provide a service that includes processing a request for parking location information from navigation device 200 and transmitting the parking location information from mass storage device 16 to navigation device 200. Another service that may be provided by the server 150 includes the use of various algorithms for processing the navigation data for the desired application and transmitting the results of such calculations to the navigation device 200. Of course, the server device 15 can support more details as will be described later. Other functionalities described. 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. Server 150 may 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 a relationship between the feeding device 15〇I37835.doc •20· 201028664 and the navigation device 200. Internet connection. The information from the server 15 can be provided to the navigation device 200 via the information download, or the information download can be periodically updated after the user connects the navigation device 200 to the server 15 and/or via wireless action. The connection device can be more dynamic after the connection between the server 150 and the navigation device 200 is more constant or frequent. Referring to Figure 3, it should be noted that the 'block diagram of the navigation device 200 does not include all of the components of the navigation device' but merely represents 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 204 and a display device (eg, a display 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). In one configuration, one aspect of the input device 204 (touch panel) and display screen 206 are integrated to provide an integrated input and display device that includes a touchpad or touchscreen input to Realizing information input (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and information display via the touch panel screen, so that the user can select one of the plurality of display options or start by simply touching one of the display screens 206. One of a plurality of virtual or "soft" buttons. In this regard, the processor 2〇2 supports a graphical user interface (GUI) that operates in conjunction with the touch screen. 137835.doc 201028664 In navigation device 200, processor 202 is operatively coupled to input device 204 via connection 210 and is capable of receiving round-up information from input device 204 via connection 210 and is operative via respective output connection 212 At least one of display screen 206 and output device 208 is coupled to output information thereto. Output device 208 is, for example, an audio output device (eg, a speaker). Since the output device 208 can generate voice 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 input voice commands. In addition, the navigation device 2A can also include any additional input devices 204 and/or any additional output devices, such as audio input/output devices. The processor 202 is operatively grounded 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 220 / to send information to the I/O port 218, Where 1/〇埠 21 8 can be connected to the 1/〇 device 222 outside the navigation device 200. 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 I/O device 222 can include, but is not limited to, an external listening device, such as an earpiece. The connection to the 1/〇 device 222 can 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 listening to Or a connection to a headset and/or a connection to a mobile phone, wherein the mobile phone connection can be used to establish between the navigation device 200 and the server 15A via, for example, the Internet or any other network. Data connection.圊3 further illustrates an operative connection between processor 2〇2 and antenna/receiver 224 via connection 226, where antenna/receiver 224 may be (eg, 137835.doc -22-201028664) 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. Of course, 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. Turning to 囷4, the memory resource 214 stores a boot loader program (not shown) that is executed by the processor 2〇2 to load a job system 262 from the memory resource 214 for use. The operating system 262 provides an environment in which the application software 264 can operate by the functional hardware component 26 . The operating system 262 is used to control the functional hardware component 26 and is resident between the application software 264 and the functional hardware component 260. The application software 264 provides a work environment' that includes a GUI that supports the core functionality of the navigation device 2 (e.g., 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, parking location determination module 266 includes a data preprocessor 300 that is capable of communicating with an inference engine 302. The data preprocessor 3 can be operatively coupled to a remote map data sharing repository 304, a remote travel data repository 306, and a WAN via 137835.doc -23- 201028664. Remote POI data • Library 308. The inference engine 302 is also capable of accessing the remote ροι database 308. Map. The data sharing database 304 is a database of map related information, and users 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. With location. Further, the data preprocessor 300 and the inference engine 3〇2 are operatively coupled to a temporary data store 310. The above server device will now be described in the context 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. 150 operation. In this regard, each of the navigation devices in the group (eg, the navigation device 200) is configured to collect travel information (including time information) regarding the planned or unplanned journey or journey of the navigation device 2 ability. A record that maintains a change in position over time. The recording of such events may be conditional on the satisfaction of a criterion, for example, the calculated position is substantially constant for a minimum predetermined period of time. The travel data is recorded in a day (e.g., a daily file) stored by the digital memory of the navigation device 200. A subsequent step between the navigation device 200 and the server device 150 is established (eg, using a T〇mT〇mH〇ME system by which the navigation device 2 is coupled to 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 150. Data transfer can therefore occur between the navigation device 200 and the server ι5〇. In this example, the data transfer includes the transfer of the traveldays mentioned above and transmitted by the navigation device 200 to the server device 150's in the case of 137835.doc 24-201028664. Library • 3〇6. The travel profile database 306 will therefore include (especially) location data: and time data (e.g., time stamps or other indications) to identify when the stored location profile is relevant (such as when the navigation device is at a given location) Point or time period. In this example, 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, if the navigation device 200 is equipped with a cellular lightning module or is operatively consuming to a mobile phone), then = 200 Periodic updates can be sent to the server device i5Q without having to wait to interface with 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 2 can be moved by the user along a route (the navigation device 200 provides navigation support for the route), or the navigation device 200 can be powered only by the navigation device 2 but not by the user φ Navigation support is required without providing navigation support (eg, when the user and/or the driver of the vehicle is committed to the free driving mentioned above). Since this aspect is not essential for understanding this example, the selection of the destination location for route calculation purposes (if needed) will be described in more detail without regard to this example. At a point on the trip, for example, at the end of the journey or at a waypoint along the way, the vehicle can stop for a varying amount of time, depending on the nature of the stop. Typically, the driver of the vehicle parks the transport in a parked position, for example, on the side of the road, on the ground floor, or at i37835.doc -25·

201028664 Parking spaces in the yard or in multi-level parking lots or parking lots. As mentioned above, the time may vary, but typically, in this example, if the vehicle remains substantially stationary for a predetermined period of time or more, the vehicle is considered to be in a "parking" state. In this example, the predetermined time period is about 5 minutes, but if desired, the predetermined time period can be a shorter time period 'e.g., about 2 minutes. However, the shorter the predetermined time period, the more likely the so-called false positive (false_p〇sitive) occurs with respect to the detection of the parking position. If desired, the predetermined period of time may also be greater, such as about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 1 hour, or about 2 hours. In order to detect the parking position, the data preprocessor 300 determines (step 4) 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 4〇2) 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. The application 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 continues to periodically acquire the current position. However, when the data preprocessor 300 determines (step 402) that the current location is not the same, the data preprocessor 3 then determines (step 4〇4) whether the current location has remained substantially constant. (in this example) at least the predetermined time period x (eg, about 5 minutes p if the current position does not remain large above I37835.doc • 26 · 201028664 for at least the predetermined time period (eg, data preprocessor 300 continues If 400 ^ 402) 〇, the right has not passed enough time), then the current position is monitored as described above (step or 'if the current position remains on the magnetic pole for at least the predetermined time)

x, then the data preprocessor 300 then communicates (e.g., by coordinates) the identification of the current location to the inference engine 3(). The inference engine then evaluates, for example, whether the current location should be considered a candidate non-stop location with reference to a local P0I database (not shown) or a remote Pm repository stored in the memory resource 214. In this regard, 1 the current position corresponds to a location that is known to be illegally parked (for example, in an area that is illegally parked, such as the red route of London, England, or a bus lane), then consider neglect for further steps. The current location and the above process is repeated (steps 400 to 406). Similarly, the inference engine 302 queries the local POI database or the remote database I 以便 8 to determine (step 408) whether it is known that the current location corresponds to a parking location. If it is determined that the current position corresponds to a known parking position, then the current position does not have to be regarded as a candidate parking position because the local P〇I database and/or the remote p〇I database 308 clearly knows the Parking location. If the inference engine 302 determines that the current location is not known to be associated with a known parking location, then the inference engine 3〇2 therefore stores (at step 410) the current location local (in this example) a candidate location database. (not shown) for subsequent communication to the feeder device 150, for example, when other ambiguous materials are communicated to the server device 150 as described above. 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 (steps 137835.doc • 27 - 201028664 400 to 408) at the feeder device 150 'can store the current location for Further analysis 'to verify that the current position does correspond to an actual parking position, for example, by manual investigation or by confirmation of other reports constituting the same candidate parking position of an actual parking position. Once the candidate parking position has been verified, ie The candidate parking location can be added to the pjj repository 308. In the above embodiment, the candidate parking location is communicated to the server device 150 without further verification at the user end. However, in another embodiment 'navigation The 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 for inquiry (steps) 414) Whether the candidate parking position is an actual parking position, for example, 'by displaying a question and "Yes &quo And the "No" virtual button (step 416) to collect responses from the user. If the user presses "No" virtual, the inference engine 302 moves the candidate parking location from the candidate location database In addition to returning to the manner already described above to monitor the current location (steps 4 to 410), if the user has pressed the "yes" virtual button, the inference engine 302 is provided with a strong indicator (assuming the user The 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, candidate parking locations and The user obtains the confirmation to the communication device 150.) Of course, the sharing of the data can be pre-configured, for example, during the initial configuration of the navigation device 2, and therefore, the permission 137835 can be avoided. .doc -28- 201028664 (step 418) followed by the performance request 1 and assuming that the permission to share the candidate parking location and the user confirmation are not initially obtained, the inference engine 3〇2 waits (step Step 420) A response from the user. 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 navigation device 2 〇〇Used at the local end in the future, and the data preprocessor 300 returns to the current location (steps 4〇〇 to 41〇) of the navigation device 200 in the manner already described above. Or if the user presses "yes" The virtual button (step 420) marks (step 422) the 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 with the servo) When the periodic communication of the device 15 is occurring, it is transmitted to the word processor device 150. Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that within optional functionality 412, requests for permission to share material are also optional and need not be implemented in all embodiments. • Once the entry in the candidate parking location database has been marked and/or otherwise delivered for communication, the data preprocessor 3 returns to the manner already described above to monitor the navigation device 2 The current position (steps 4 to 410) to find any additional parking locations. In another embodiment, the anonymous log data collected and communicated to the server device 15 can be subjected to server side processing instead of the local determination made by the navigation device 2 regarding whether the current location constitutes a candidate parking location. . Referring to Fig. 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 〇) 137835.doc -29· 201028664 data. The analysis engine 155 attempts to identify (step 432) that the recorded position of at least the predetermined time period X is substantially constant (in this example) relative 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 ("current location) should be considered a candidate parking location, for example, in reference to the database 308. In this regard, if the current location corresponds to a self-POI database 308 Knowing that the parking is illegal (eg, as already mentioned above with respect to the previous embodiment 'parking as illegal area') then the analysis engine 155 ignores the current location for further consideration and the succession is substantially constant for at least the predetermined time The additional location of the segment analyzes the above process of the log data (steps 430 through 434) until all of the data in the log has been analyzed (step 434). Similarly, the analysis engine 155 queries the POI repository 308 for determination (step 438). Whether it is known that the current position corresponds to the -parking position. If the #front position is known to correspond to the known parking position, then the current position need not be considered as a candidate parking location because the parking location is known from the POI database 308. If the analysis engine 155 determines (the step is to call the current location as an unknown candidate parking location, the knife analysis engine will store the current location (step In the other candidate location database (not shown) at the local end of the feeding device 150 for further analysis, for example, by manual investigation or by using other navigation devices to analyze the total data A confirmation is made to verify that the current position _ corresponds to the __ actual split position. Once Ρ «Α. , --- has verified the candidate parking position, the candidate parking position can be added to the POI database 3 〇 8. 137335. Doc -30- 201028664 In yet another embodiment, the candidate parking position may undergo further analysis before accepting the candidate parking position as the actual parking position. In an example, the analysis engine 155 also supports a type matching engine (not shown) And the pattern matching engine evaluates another candidate parking location database to perform pattern matching and/or reasoning with respect to candidate parking locations stored in the other candidate parking location database. The sample matching engine is configured to identify (step 450) a cluster or group of candidate parking locations within a predetermined distance. The analysis then attempts to identify (step 452) the usual and parking position A distribution of associated candidate parking locations is collected. For example, a list of candidate locations may indicate a set of roadside parking spaces, and a set of generally regularly arranged candidate parking locations may indicate a parking ramp. In fact, self-navigation The location information obtained by the device 200 can be used to more confidently determine whether a candidate parking location is one of a side parking location or a plurality of roadside parking locations. Additionally or alternatively, the pattern matching engine 155 can detect the time pattern. For example, a repetition of the same or adjacent candidate parking locations associated with the same navigation device occurs. In this case, the pattern matching engine compares the repetition of the same or adjacent candidate parking locations with a predetermined event or occurrence value (eg, 3, 4 or 5) 'and inferred that the candidate parking position is an actual parking position in response to meeting or exceeding the actual occurrence of the predetermined event or occurrence value. In another example, the pattern matching engine is configured to: identify other candidate parking locations within a predetermined distance of the candidate parking locations (other candidate parking locations associated with the navigation device 2 and/or other navigation devices occur), And identifying any type associated with the identified individual locations of the candidate parking locations. This pattern indicates a collection of parking locations, such as a parking ramp or a group or row of roadside stops 137835, doc • 31- 201028664 placement location 'i. Therefore, the presence of the candidate parking location in the pattern indicates the candidate parking location For an actual parking position. In another example, the analysis can include a pattern matching-combination 'eg, 'using different candidate parking locations within the __ time period' where the different candidate parking locations are - forming a collection of one of the parking locations To arrange. The time period associated with the analysis of the time-inclusive data may be one or more months, such as about two months or about three months. If the analysis engine 155 fails to recognize any of the candidate parking locations, any of the clusters or groups For spatial and/or temporal patterns, the analysis engine 155 may decide to reject (step 454) the cluster of candidate parking locations or mark the cluster of candidate parking locations for further (eg, manual) investigations, such as a field visit to the visitor. ). Thereafter, the analysis engine 155 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)' then the analysis engine 155 updates another 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. 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 location has been identified and a parking location database has been created, an existing parking location database is obtained, or an existing parking location database has been expanded by some of the above processes, which may be generated to enrich Parking statistics for the location database. It should be understood that any parking location database may be in the form of a portion of the POI database (e.g., POI repository 308) 137835.doc -32- 201028664. In this regard, δ 'and in another embodiment 'the navigation device 200 (and other navigation devices) contains (as already mentioned above) a data recording facility that can be used, for example, by geographic location (geolocation) ) coordinates and time stamps to record (especially) location and time. The recorded data is compressed in some instances for storage and/or efficient transmission. In this example, the recorded data is stored in a log file and communicated to the server 150 for processing in the manner 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 15 supports (FIG. 1A) an occupant duration analyzer module 32 operatively capable of accessing the mass storage device. A data binning module 322 of the mass storage device 160, a probability generator module 324 capable of accessing the mass storage device 160, and a parking modeler capable of accessing the mass storage device 160 Module 326. • Referring to circle 11, once the processing of the files is appropriate (for example, when a sufficient number of daily money files have been obtained), the stay duration analysis module 320 accesses (step 46) a first log file. 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 a general The position unchanged is for a predetermined period of time 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 at I37835.doc -33 - 201028664', for example about 5 minutes, about 10 minutes, about 15 minutes, about 30 minutes, about 1 hour, 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 has been found when the navigation device 2 is substantially stationary, the dwell duration analyzer 320 queries (step 464) the parking location database to determine (step 466) whether the navigation device 200 has been stationary. Corresponds to 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 case where the location where the navigation device has been stationary on the large ship does not exist in the parking location database, the 'stay duration analyzer module 32' proceeds to continue analyzing the profile to identify (step 468) that the navigation device 200 has Another period of time when the predetermined period of time X or more is reached. However, if a location in which the navigation device 200 is substantially stationary is found in the parking location database, the first time period is communicated to the data staging storage module 322 to normalize the storage of the first time period. In this regard, the data grid storage module 322 is configured to maintain a count of the received time periods based on a plurality of time intervals (step 47A). In this example, the data grid storage module 322 is maintained in a 24-hour period. Multiple 5 minute intervals inside. The data staging storage module 322 increments the count for each time interval spanned by the first time period. Of course, those skilled in the art should be aware that, for example, a 24-hour period on different days of the week and/or on different days of the year can be maintained by the data storage module 322. 137835.doc •34- 201028664 Complete information. In fact, it should be understood that each time interval can be changed and its duration does not have to be 5 minutes; the duration indicates the granularity of the information held and the 'intervals need not be the same or substantially the same'. However, in order to describe the simple and concise For the sake of '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 about the parking location is stored therein) 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 predetermined time period. Hey. In the event that another time period greater than or equal to the predetermined time period is found, the other time period is selected (step 472) and the above process of processing the data associated with the use of the known parking position is repeated (step 464). Until 472), until another time period corresponding to the navigation device being still greater than or equal to the predetermined time period 不能 cannot be found. When the analysis of the first profile is completed, the dwell duration analyzer module 320 then determines (step 474) whether any other log files that can be analyzed are stored in the mass storage device 16 and, if other The log file still needs to be analyzed, and the dwell duration analyzer module 32 accesses (step 476) another log file stored by the mass storage device 16 and repeats the above procedure with respect to the accessed 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. 137835.doc -35- 201028664 Turning now to Figure 12, once the time information has been pre-processed, the probability generator module 324 sequentially analyzes (step 480) each input in the parking location database; the item, which includes the parking location The identification code and the associated stored storage time information generated in the manner described above. Thus, the first entry 'probability generator module 324 for the parking location database uses the personalized storage 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 the use of least squares techniques. , interpolation techniques, or any other suitable modeling technique known to those skilled in the art to achieve a function to fit the distribution of probabilities. Interpolation techniques are particularly useful when there is a need 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 to the parking position The probability of the joint. In this example, the plurality of probability functions are a function of time, _, which provides the probability that the parking position will be occupied at a given time. If necessary, in order to shift the selected probability, gas & ^ping function by a required amount of time so that the phase 137835.doc • 36 - 201028664 translates the probability function for time to better fit the probability associated with the parking position The actual distribution, the selected probability function can be subjected to a translation component (eg, +1 hour or -1 hour (or longer or shorter time period)) or Z the translation component is associated. In yet another embodiment, the probability function generated in accordance with any of the above techniques can 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 pm to 3 pm). In another example, the parking location may be located in a security ramp that is closed after a certain time (e.g., 8 pm). Therefore, the parking position is unreachable. In the above example, a simple technique for indicating that the parking position is unavailable or unusable at the time is that the parking position is again counted as 1 or another indication in the interval within the time period under consideration. A suitable value for high probability. Although the modification of the probability function can occur in the probability distribution modeling hierarchy, the same method can be applied with respect to the generation of the probability distribution described above (i.e., at computer rate). Once the probability distribution has been characterized by the parking modeler module 326, the characterization (e.g., probability function or its identification code) is stored 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 updating the entry of the parking location to include the characterization. Thereafter, the probability generator module 324 determines (step 488) whether the parking location database contains any other parking location entries having associated stored storage time information that needs to be processed. If the parking location library contains additional entries that need to be processed, repeat the above procedure (steps i37835.doc _37· 201028664 480 to 488) until no additional entries have yet to be processed. Thereafter, the "easy" version of the parking location database is generated (step 490) by, for example, an eXp〇rt function, such that in the absence of the generated probability and/or the stored time information Create a version of the parking location database in the case. 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 examples, by analyzing the occupation of the parking position

The time information collected is used to derive statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location. In addition, repeat this process for other parking locations to enrich the parking location database. While the above examples have been described in terms of generating statistical information for the probability of time intervals and subsequent (optional) modeling, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there is no need to generate probabilities and, as such, do not have to model. In this embodiment, the stored time information or the like constitutes statistical information rather than an intermediate result or stage of the export of statistical information (e.g., probability function). Thus, statistical information is processed in response to queries from the navigation device or by the navigation device to provide an indication of the likelihood that the parking location is available. In the above embodiment, one of the parking positions of a single transportation vehicle (for example, a car) may be identified in the parking location database only as an area (for example, a rectangular area) constituting the parking position, or the parking position may be in a parking position. The location in the database that is identified as - the point that represents the "" center, the region. Thus, in determining whether the navigation device 20G is parked, an assessment of the location of the navigation device (10) and assuming that the above time column has been met needs to occur. In this regard, 137835.doc -38- 201028664, if the position of the navigation device 200 is within the region or within a predetermined distance (eg, 2 meters) from the point mentioned above, the navigation device 200 is considered The location is in the parking position. As an optional improvement to the quality of the statistical information, the statistical information may 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 below, the parking location may be used. The availability of statistical information associated with the identification code 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 " the local parking location database, see FIG. 13, above The route calculation module 267 of the application software 264 includes a destination selection module 331, a selection module 268, a parking availability module 330, and a route creation module 332. Accessing the local parking location database 328. Further details of the operation of the parking availability module 330 and the route creation module 332 in conjunction with the local parking location database 328 will now be described with respect to the embodiments set forth below. However, familiar with this The skilled artisan will appreciate that one or more of the above components of the application software 264 need not be used, depending on the requirements of the particular embodiment. In operation, the user (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 destination, the user 137835.doc -39- 201028664 configures a route for calculation as follows: Referring to Figures 14 to 23, the user uses one of the user interface supports. The location browser function takes over (step 500, Figure I4) the illustrative destination location input process described below. Although not shown, the user uses a setup menu option supported by the application software 264 to select (in this example) view generation in 3D mode. When the user turns on the navigation device 200, the device 2 acquires the Gps data and performs its own position determination by calculating (in a known manner) the current position of the navigation device 200. As shown in FIG. 15, a display 340 is then presented to the user, which pseudo-two-dimensionally shows that the navigation device 2 is determined to be in a local environment, and one of the displays 34 below the local environment 342 One of the group control and status messages in area 344. By touching the display at the local environment 342, the navigation device 2 updates the display 300 via a user interface by displaying (as shown in FIG. 16) a series of virtual or soft buttons 346, by means of the buttons, The user can (especially) enter the destination that the user wants to navigate to. In this example, the destination selection module 331 is configured to facilitate input of a destination with respect to providing navigation assistance, and provide 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. According to the route creation program and as supported by the destination selection module 331, the navigation device eagle display (as shown in Figure 17) is each associated with a different category of selectable destinations 137835.doc • 40· 201028664 multiple virtual Button. In this case, the display shows an "home" button that, when pressed, will set the destination to the stored auto-navigation position (h〇me 1〇cati〇n) ^ "favorite "A list of destinations that the user has previously stored in the navigation device 200 is displayed when pressed" and if one of the destinations is subsequently selected, the destination of the route to be calculated is set to the selected previous The stored destination. The "near destination" soft button displays a list of selectable destinations that are stored in the memory of the navigation device and that the user has recently navigated to when pressed. The selection of one of the destinations of the list will set the destination location of the route to the location selected (previously visited). The "point of interest" button 351 reveals several options when pressed, by virtue of such Optionally, the user can choose to navigate to any of a plurality of locations, such as a parking lot (parking lot), an automated teller machine (ATM), a gas station, or a tourist attraction, the plurality of locations having been used as the navigation device 200 The user may want to navigate to the location to be pre-stored in the navigation device 200. The triangle"arrow" shaped virtual button provides access to additional sub-menu options for "navigation to" menu options, and "address The button 350 begins a process by which the user can enter the street address of the destination to which the user wants to navigate. In this example, 'because the user knows that the user wants the navigation device 2 to navigate to the street address of the destination, it is assumed that the operation "address" button 350 (displayed on the touch screen by touch) Button) to select a location as the destination, then (as shown in Figure 18), present the user with a series of location input options: by "city center" address input, by zip code" Address input, address entry by "crossroads or intersections" (for example, two 137835.doc 201028664 road forks) 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 and house number" virtual button 352, which is then presented to the user (as shown in Figure 19): for typing Want to navigate to the city

A prompt 3 of the name of the city, the user can select a flag button 356 of the country in which the desired city is located, and a virtual keyboard 358 that can be operated by the user to input the name of the destination city if necessary. In this case, the 'user starts typing the word' Amsterdam", and the navigation device 2 thus responds by providing the user with a list 360 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. 20, the navigation device 200 again displays the virtual keyboard 358 by which the user can input the street name and the prompt 362 for typing the street name. In this case, the user starts to play the purpose. The name of the street where the ground is located, and the navigation device 2 responds by providing the user with a list 364 of selectable street names. In this example, the user wishes to travel to the street Rembrandtplein, and thus, the user The displayed list 364 selects ". Once the street is selected, the navigation device_ then displays (Fig. 21) a limited number of virtual keyboards 366, and prompts the user to type in the user to navigate to. The street number in the street and city is selected. If the user has previously navigated to the house number in the street, the house number is initially displayed. No. If in this case the user...

RembraildtPlein No. 35, the user only needs to use the virtual keyboard 366 to play 137835.doc • 42· 201028664 out the street number ('35") and then touch the "Complete" virtual button 370 displayed in the lower right corner of the display 34〇 . 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 π to complete, and the virtual button 37〇. The application software 264 then causes the user interface to present an inquiry message 372 (Fig. 22) asking the user if a particular arrival time is required. If the user touches the "Yes" virtual button, the time required to estimate the travel 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) Next, when should have left) its current location 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 the "No" virtual button 374. Selecting "No" virtual button 348 causes the user interface to present another query message 376 (Fig. 23) that asks the user if a parking location is required after arrival. If the user touches "No, the virtual button, the functionality of calculating the route to the previously indicated destination is invoked. 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 computing functionality mentioned above, and route creation module 332 follows The selected parking location is identified 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 33 will estimate to arrive at 137835. Doc -43- 201028664 Time Interpretation as Start Time Associated with Expected Occupancy of Parking Locations The beta parking availability module 330 then accesses (step 504) the local parking location database. 328 to obtain association with the parking location and Statistics of 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. Interval Finding Rate Data In the case of the probability function, the 'Parking Availability Module 33' applies the probability function at the beginning 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' may provide statistical information in the form of probability values as an indication of the likelihood of availability, or may process statistical information in another form (eg, as will be described later herein) 'by categorizing statistical information' provides an indication of availability. However, φ in this example provides the probability of availability as a probability value. Thus, 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 0.4), the route creation module 332 considers that the parking location is not acceptable as a candidate destination, and the route creation module 332 selects (step 508) Next is closest to another parking location of the selected destination. The other parking position may be recent in time and/or space. In any case, the route calculation program calculates another estimate for the other parking position to 137835.doc 44 201028664 for the time, and repeats the above process for the other parking position (steps 502 to 506). Therefore, the above process (steps 502 to 508) 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, 'providing 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 5 12) 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, or more advantageously, the application software 264 provides (step 514) to the user - or multiple alternative actions, such as the proposed distance The permission of the parking location that was originally selected for the destination, or the option to modify the selected route (eg, 'choose a completely different destination'). By way of example, if the actual φ is not available near the post office in a town, the user may be allowed to select, for example, another post office in a nearby town where there may be an actual parking location. In fact, it can be configured to look around in this environment if you need the 'application software 264 " adjacent location and determine if it is more likely to find an available parking location than in the immediate vicinity of the search.

In this example, the three] 37835.doc i (Fig. 25), for example, a rendered three-dimensional view, the two-dimensional view 380 includes the other parking position. • 45· 201028664 It should be understood that the views of Figure 25 are provided for illustrative purposes to facilitate understanding and are not geographically absolutely accurate. Once the user has observed the location of the other parking: location, the other parking location can be accepted by touching the "Complete" virtual button 382, or the "Return" virtual button 384 can be selected for use. The person can return to the previous screen 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. > also provides the user with a "complete," virtual button 388 that the user can press to indicate that the calculated route is acceptable; a "find alternative" virtual button 390 that the user can press To enable the navigation device 2 to calculate another route to the selected destination; and a "Details" virtual button 392, the user can press it to reveal a selectable option 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 a three-dimensional view of the current and starting position of the navigation device 2 (not shown). . The user then begins his journey and the navigation device 200 directs 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 position information, the navigation device 200 according to the navigation device 200 in a known manner. The determined change in location updates the map and directs the user by providing visual and (as appropriate) voice navigation commands until the selected destination is reached or the selected destination is reached. 137835.doc • 46- 201028664 In another embodiment, where the identified parking position is a plurality of parking positions in one of a set of parking positions (eg, a parking lot), the parking availability module 330 can use any suitable A statistical technique is used to calculate the probability that one of the plurality of parking positions is available, the identification number of 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 (Fig. 27), the POI selection module 268 facilitates input by the user to the POI. The user selects a parking location using the P0I selection module 268 that is 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 52) a point of interest close to the desired destination. In this example, the point of interest is a parking location. For the sake of simplicity and simplicity of description, the desired destination is the destination described above with respect to the foregoing examples, ie TomTom International B.V.'s office at Rembrandtplein 35, Amsterdam. Since the technique for POI selection is known, the description will not be described in more detail in the light of the 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 P0I 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, closest to) the selected destination. In this example, a predetermined distance criterion is used to limit the number of identified parking positions. The predetermined distance 137835.doc -47· 201028664 The 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 associated with 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 Pn(t), where n identifies the parking position in a total of t selected parking positions. As with the previous embodiment, the probability function Pn(1) is based on the respective Poisson distribution. 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 prior embodiments, the statistics and/or probability models may include a custom aspect 'e.g.' time shift factor for one or more of the parked locations. A lookup table of probability data for different time intervals within the time period (e.g., one day) of the type described above may be used, for example. In the case of a probability function, the parking availability module 330 applies a probability function' to the start time derived from each of the estimated arrival times in order to obtain the respective probability that each of the several parking positions is occupied. Once the statistical information has been obtained for each parking location, the parking availability module 137835.doc -48 - 201028664 group 330 sorts the parking locations by availability (step 528). The parking availability module 330 is provided where two or more parking locations are available at the same probability or within a predetermined margin (in particular, the parking locations have equal or close probability of being available). A secondary ordering of 〇 right dry parking positions (〇r(jering 〇r(10)...call) may be performed to additionally rank the parking positions by distance from the selected destination or by any other desired criteria (eg, travel time). Thereafter, the parking availability module 330 passes 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 two of the plurality of parking positions. The user selects one of the listed parking positions, and then, the application software 264 is similar to the above regarding 囷25 And the manner of the manner described in Figure 26 continues. In the above embodiment where the navigation device 200 provides the user with an indication of one or more parking positions, The statistical information is associated with a particular start time. In another embodiment, the parking availability module 330 provides an indication of the likelihood of availability of one or more parking locations over a period of time 'because the user may arrive early Or arrive at the destination late. In this example, if the user will arrive at the zoom position during the start time period, the start time period is used to perform the calculation of the probability that a given parking position is available. The segment or margin is centered on the estimated arrival time/start time in time. However, if necessary, the time margins used before and after the start time may be different time margins (eg, 137835.doc •49- 201028664 The first predetermined time adjustment time of 5 minutes before the start time and the second predetermined time adjustment time of 15 minutes after the start time are replaced. Any suitable known statistical technique may be used. In another embodiment Providing an indication of the likelihood of availability of a parking location, which is pre-stored material or a result of the calculation, in the above embodiment Either one may be modified to classify the probability that the parking location is occupied according to any suitable scheme rather than using a pure value (classify 〇r eateg〇dse). Thus, for example, by assigning a range from a range (such as in The number between 丨 and 5) or by assigning a color (such as the "traffic light" scheme, the traffic light scheme is a category containing a positive category, a negative category, and/or a substantially neutral category. An example of a relatively coarse classification is used to classify statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location. The navigation device 2 can provide the classified statistical information instead of, for example, a probability to the server, thereby simplifying the user's Understanding of the occupancy status of the parking location. As a further improvement with respect to the above related embodiments, the application soft 264 (eg, 'Using Route Computation Module 267') can be configured to permit the user to select a category of parking location 'eg, free parking. Location, paid parking, residential parking, disabled parking, visitor parking and/or restricted parkingWith 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 saved and used in the above embodiments is as described above, 137835.doc -50- f S ] 201028664 is recommended to be related to a single day, but statistical information can be saved and used (for example, for different days, months or seasons). Further details of the statistical information). In the above example, statistical information is obtained by accessing the local parking location database 328. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this information may be obtained from a remote data store of the remote server (e.g., data store 160 of server 150), wherein server 150 is deployed to support at least the system. Ten requests for news. In fact, it should be appreciated that while some of the above embodiments are described in the context of local access to information with respect to navigation device 200, those skilled in the art will appreciate that prominent functionality may be provided away from navigation device 200. Some or all of the navigation device 200 is configured to submit a request for the required information. For example, as suggested above, the local parking location database 3 can be located remotely from the navigation device 200 (eg, at the server 15), and the processing resources 154 of the server 150 can be configured to support At least part of the parking availability module 33 and/or the route creation module 332 necessary to identify the parking location (as described above with respect to previous embodiments associated with the use of statistical information). Further, it should be understood that the feeder (9) described herein is not necessarily intended to provide a single servo 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 feeders may be provided to support different functionalities as needed. For example, the processing of the location information harvested and as described above may be provided by (4) m||> @ may provide - or a plurality of servers to support ((4) to) the navigation device 2〇〇137835.doc 201028664 route The determination of functionality and the determination of the likelihood of occupancy of the parking location. With respect to the use of the concepts of usability and occupation described herein, it is familiar to those skilled in the art that the operations associated with one concept imply an operation related to another concept. For example, statistical information such as the probability p associated with the parking location being occupied is clearly associated with statistical information such as the probability that the parking location is available i p . 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 collection of bits (for example, several parking bays, such as on-street parking). 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 a pair (instead of (or in fact, in addition to GPS). For example, a navigation device Other global navigation satellite systems, such as the European Galileo system, can be utilized. Similarly, it is not limited to satellite-based, but can be easily used based on ground-based beacons or any other system that enables the device to determine its geographic location. An alternative embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program produced by a computer system, such as a series of computer instructions for storing, for example, a magnetic disk, CD_R〇M. , 〇M or fixed disk tangible data recording medium, or embodied in computer data signals, the signal is transmitted through tangible media or wireless media (for example, microwave or infrared) to form the series of computer instructions can constitute the above All or part of the described functionality' can also be stored in any memory device (volatile or non-volatile I37835. Doc-52-201028664), such as semiconductor memory devices, magnetic memory devices, optical memory devices, or other memory devices. It will be well understood by those skilled in the art, although the preferred embodiment is by software. To implement a certain functionality, but the functionality can be implemented only in hardware (eg, by one or more ASICs (special application integrated circuits) or actually by a mixture of hardware and software). The scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the implementation of the software. Finally, it should be noted that although the scope of the appended claims states a particular combination of features described herein, the scope of the invention is not limited to the following claims The particular combination 'and the subject matter' is extended to include any combination of features or embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not the specific combination is specifically recited in the accompanying claims. 1 is a schematic illustration of an illustrative portion of a Global Positioning System (GPS) that can be used by a navigation device; FIG. 2 is a navigation device and server device Schematic diagram of a navigation system or data collection system for communication between the devices; FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the electronic components of the navigation device of FIG. 2 or any other suitable navigation device; FIG. 4 is a structural stack used by the navigation device of FIG. Figure 5 is a more detailed schematic diagram of the parking position determining module of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a flow chart of a method for collecting parking position information constituting an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a method for the Figure 6 And a flowchart of the optional 137835.doc-53-201028664 functional configuration of another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing another method of determining the position of the parking position of another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a flow chart showing a method for processing candidate parking position information in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a module for collecting statistical information supported by processing resources of a server device; Flowchart of a method for collecting parking duration medical information of a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 is a flow chart of a method for processing parking duration information collected according to FIG. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a route calculation module supported by the navigation device or server device of Figure 3; Figure 14 is a diagram of a method of providing an indication of the likelihood of occupancy of a parking position in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 15 through Figure 26 are schematic screen faces associated with the operation of the navigation device of Figure 3 for selecting a parking position; Figure 27 is a view of a parking position provided to form another embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart of another method of indicating an indication of the likelihood; and FIG. 28 is a schematic screen view associated with the operation of the method of FIG. 27 of the navigation device of FIG. [Main component symbol description] 100 GPS system 102 Satellite 137835.doc -54- 201028664 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 Bulk data storage device / Bulk data storage 162 Transmitter 164 Receiver 166 Transmitter 168 Receiver 200 Navigation device # 202 Processor 204 Input device 206 Display screen 208 Output device 210 Connection 212 Connection 214 Memory Resources 216 Connection 218 Input/Output (I/O)埠137835.doc -55- 201028664 220 Connection 222 I/O Device 224 Antenna/Receiver 226 Connection 260 Functional Hardware Components 262 Operating System 264 Application Software 266 parking position 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 Handler 320 dwell duration analyzer module 32 2 data storage module 324 probability generator module 326 parking modeler module 328 local parking location database 330 parking availability module 331 destination selection module 332 route creation module 137835.doc • 56- 201028664 340 Display 342 Local Environment 344 Area. 346 Virtual or Soft Button 348 ”Navigate to "Virtual Button 350 ” Address" Button 351 "Points of Interest" Button 352 "Street & House Number"Virtual Buttons • 354 A prompt to type the name of the city to which you wish to navigate 356 Flags 358 Virtual Keyboard 360 List 362 Tips for Typing Street Names 364 List 366 Virtual Keyboard Win 368 提示 Prompt 370 "Complete" "Virtual Button 372 Query Message 374 "No"Virtual Buttons • 376 Enquiry Message 378 Enquiry Message 379 "View Location" Virtual Button 380 Reproduce 3D View 382 "Complete" Virtual Button 137835.doc -57- 201028664 384 386 388 390 392 "Back "Virtual button calculated route" "Complete" virtual button" Generation " virtual buttons " details " virtual button 137835.doc -58-

Claims (1)

201028664 VII. Patent Application Range 1. A navigation device that includes a processing resource that is configured to support an execution environment that supports a user interface and a parking availability module when in use. ' > , the parking availability module is configured to obtain one of a parking location identification: a start time associated with an expected occupancy of the parking location; and the parking availability module is configured to: obtain 2 about the parking location Based on the statistical information, and using the statistical information obtained to provide an indication associated with the likelihood of availability of the parking location. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the statistical information is a function. 3. For example. Monthly project! Or the device of claim 2, wherein the parking availability module is configured to use the statistical information to calculate a probability that the parking location is substantially available at the start time associated with the expected occupancy of the parking location. The device of the monthly claim 1 wherein the statistical information is obtained by finding that the parking location is substantially available at the start time. 5. The device of claimant or 2, wherein the statistical information is obtained by accessing a remote data store via a communication network. The device of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a data store configured to store the statistical information. 7' means for π to claim 1 or 2 wherein the parking availability module is configured to provide a possible steepness of the availability of the parking position relative to the start time period from which the start time period begins Time and a scheduled 137835.doc 201028664 time margin is derived. 8. The device of claim 2 or 2, wherein the parking availability module is configured to obtain additional statistical information about another parking location that is spatially and/or temporally closest to the The parking location, the additional statistical information about the other location is obtained in response to the parking location being available at a predetermined level that the likelihood is determined to be greater than or equal to the likelihood of availability. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the parking availability module is configured to use the additional statistical information to provide an additional indication associated with the likelihood of availability of the other parking location. 10. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the indication of the likelihood of availability of the parking location is an indication of a category of availability. 11. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the statistical information is a category associated with a likelihood of availability of the parking location. 12. The device of claim 2 or 2, further comprising a route creation module supported by the environment during use. The route creation module is configured to identify the parking location. 13. The device of claim 12, wherein the route creation module is configured to identify the other indication in response to the likelihood that the indication associated with the availability of the parking location is greater than the likelihood of availability ·—Parking location. 14. The device of claim 12, wherein the route creation module is configured to identify a plurality of parking locations associated with a selected destination location and obtain respective statistics for the occupancy of the plurality of parking locations from the parking availability module 137835.doc -2- 201028664; and the route creation module is configured to provide at least a portion of the plurality of parking positions for selection by a user. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least a portion of the plurality of parking locations meet a predetermined distance criterion and/or a travel time criterion associated with the selected destination location, the route creation module configured to determine Consistency of distance criteria and/or the travel time guidelines. 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of parking locations are ordered by availability. 17. The device of claim 14, wherein the plurality of parking locations are ordered by a distance relative to the selected destination location and/or travel time. 18. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the identification of the likelihood of availability of the parking location is based on a desired category of one of the parking locations. 19. The apparatus of claim 2 or 2, wherein the parking location is one of a plurality of parking locations, and the parking availability module is configured to determine that any one or more of the plurality of parking locations are available Probability. 20. A server device, comprising: a processing resource configured to support an execution environment, the execution environment supporting a parking availability module when in use; wherein the parking availability module is configured to obtain a parking location An identification code and a start time associated with an expected occupancy of the parking location; and the parking availability module is configured to: obtain statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location, and cause (iv) the statistical information obtained to provide - an indication associated with the likelihood of availability of the parking location. 137835.doc 201028664 21. A method of providing an indication of the likelihood of occupancy of a parking location, the method comprising: obtaining a location of a parking location and a start time associated with an expected occupancy of a parking location; Obtaining statistical information about the occupancy of the parking location; and using the statistical information obtained to provide an indication of the likelihood of availability of the parking location. 22. A computer program component comprising computer code means for causing a computer to perform the method of claim 21. 23. The computer program component of claim 22, embodied on a computer readable medium. 137835.doc -4