WO2009132679A1 - Dispositif et procédé de navigation - Google Patents

Dispositif et procédé de navigation Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009132679A1
WO2009132679A1 PCT/EP2008/003708 EP2008003708W WO2009132679A1 WO 2009132679 A1 WO2009132679 A1 WO 2009132679A1 EP 2008003708 W EP2008003708 W EP 2008003708W WO 2009132679 A1 WO2009132679 A1 WO 2009132679A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
building
navigation device
buildings
display
local environment
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2008/003708
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Olaf Achthoven
Original Assignee
Tomtom International B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tomtom International B.V. filed Critical Tomtom International B.V.
Priority to TW097116361A priority Critical patent/TW200946874A/zh
Priority to PCT/EP2008/003708 priority patent/WO2009132679A1/fr
Publication of WO2009132679A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009132679A1/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C21/00—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00
    • G01C21/26—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
    • G01C21/34—Route searching; Route guidance
    • G01C21/36—Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
    • G01C21/3626—Details of the output of route guidance instructions
    • G01C21/3635—Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps
    • G01C21/3638—Guidance using 3D or perspective road maps including 3D objects and buildings

Definitions

  • This invention relates to navigation devices and to methods for displaying navigation maps.
  • Illustrative embodiments of the invention relate to portable navigation devices (so-called PNDs), in particular PNDs that include Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality.
  • PNDs portable navigation devices
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • Other embodiments relate, more generally, to any type of processing device that is configured to execute navigation software so as to provide route planning, and preferably also navigation, functionality.
  • Portable navigation devices that include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and are widely employed as in-car or other vehicle navigation systems.
  • a modern PNDs comprises a processor, memory (at least one of volatile and non-volatile, and commonly both), and map data stored within said memory.
  • the processor and memory cooperate to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system may be established, and additionally it is commonplace for one or more additional software programs to be provided to enable the functionality of the PND to be controlled, and to provide various other functions.
  • these devices further comprise one or more input interfaces that allow a user to interact with and control the device, and one or more output interfaces by means of which information may be relayed to the user.
  • output interfaces include a visual display and a speaker for audible output.
  • input interfaces include one or more physical buttons to control on/off operation or other features of the device (which buttons need not necessarily be on the device itself but could be on a steering wheel if the device is built into a vehicle), and a microphone for detecting user speech.
  • the output interface display may be configured as a touch sensitive display (by means of a touch sensitive overlay or otherwise) to additionally provide an input interface by means of which a user can operate the device by touch.
  • Devices of this type will also often include one or more physical connector interfaces by means of which power and optionally data signals can be transmitted to and received from the device, and optionally one or more wireless transmitters/receivers to allow communication over cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks, for example Wi-Fi, Wi-Max GSM and the like.
  • PND devices of this type also include a GPS antenna by means of which satellite-broadcast signals, including location data, can be received and subsequently processed to determine a current location of the device.
  • the PND device may also include electronic gyroscopes and accelerometers which produce signals that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in turn, and in conjunction with location information derived from the GPS signal, velocity and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which it is mounted.
  • electronic gyroscopes and accelerometers which produce signals that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in turn, and in conjunction with location information derived from the GPS signal, velocity and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which it is mounted.
  • location information derived from the GPS signal, velocity and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which it is mounted Typically such features are most commonly provided in in-vehicle navigation systems, but may also be provided in PND devices if it is expedient to do so.
  • the utility of such PNDs is manifested primarily in their ability to determine a route between a first location (typically a start or current location) and a second location (typically a destination).
  • These locations can be input by a user of the device, by any of a wide variety of different methods, for example by postcode, street name and house number, previously stored "well known” destinations (such as famous locations, municipal locations (such as sports grounds or swimming baths) or other points of interest), and favourite or recently visited destinations.
  • the PND is enabled by software for computing a “best” or “optimum” route between the start and destination address locations from the map data.
  • a “best” or “optimum” route is determined on the basis of predetermined criteria and need not necessarily be the fastest or shortest route.
  • the selection of the route along which to guide the driver can be very sophisticated, and the selected route may take into account existing, predicted and dynamically and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about road speeds, and the driver's own preferences for the factors determining road choice (for example the driver may specify that the route should not include motorways or toll roads).
  • the device may continually monitor road and traffic conditions, and offer to or choose to change the route over which the remainder of the journey is to be made due to changed conditions.
  • Real time traffic monitoring systems based on various technologies (e.g. mobile phone data exchanges, fixed cameras, GPS fleet tracking) are being used to identify traffic delays and to feed the information into notification systems.
  • PNDs of this type may typically be mounted on the dashboard or windscreen of a vehicle, but may also be formed as part of an on-board computer of the vehicle radio or indeed as part of the control system of the vehicle itself.
  • the navigation device may also be part of a hand-held system, such as a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant) a media player, a mobile phone or the like, and in these cases, the normal functionality of the hand-held system is extended by means of the installation of software on the device to perform both route calculation and navigation along a calculated route.
  • PDA Portable Digital Assistant
  • Route planning and navigation functionality may also be provided by a desktop or mobile computing resource running appropriate software.
  • the Royal Automobile Club provides an on-line route planning and navigation facility at http://www.rac.co.uk, which facility allows a user to enter a start point and a destination whereupon the server to which the user's PC is connected calculates a route (aspects of which may be user specified), generates a map, and generates a set of exhaustive navigation instructions for guiding the user from the selected start point to the selected destination.
  • the facility also provides for pseudo three-dimensional rendering of a calculated route, and route preview functionality which simulates a user travelling along the route and thereby provides the user with a preview of the calculated route.
  • the user interacts with the navigation device to select the desired calculated route, optionally from a list of proposed routes.
  • the user may intervene in, or guide the route selection process, for example by specifying that certain routes, roads, locations or criteria are to be avoided or are mandatory for a particular journey.
  • the route calculation aspect of the PND forms one primary function, and navigation along such a route is another primary function.
  • PNDs During navigation along a calculated route, it is usual for such PNDs to provide visual and/or audible instructions to guide the user along a chosen route to the end of that route, i.e. the desired destination. It is also usual for PNDs to display map information on-screen during the navigation, such information regularly being updated on-screen so that the map information displayed is representative of the current location of the device, and thus of the user or user's vehicle if the device is being used for in- vehicle navigation.
  • An icon displayed on-screen typically denotes the current device location, and is centred with the map information of current and surrounding roads in the vicinity of the current device location and other map features also being displayed. Additionally, navigation information may be displayed, optionally in a status bar above, below or to one side of the displayed map information, examples of navigation information include a distance to the next deviation from the current road required to be taken by the user, the nature of that deviation possibly being represented by a further icon suggestive of the particular type of deviation, for example a left or right turn.
  • the navigation function also determines the content, duration and timing of audible instructions by means of which the user can be guided along the route. As can be appreciated a simple instruction such as "turn left in 100 m" requires significant processing and analysis.
  • user interaction with the device may be by a touch screen, or additionally or alternately by steering column mounted remote control, by voice activation or by any other suitable method.
  • a further important function provided by the device is automatic route re- calculation in the event that: a user deviates from the previously calculated route during navigation (either by accident or intentionally); real-time traffic conditions dictate that an alternative route would be more expedient and the device is suitably enabled to recognize such conditions automatically, or if a user actively causes the device to perform route re-calculation for any reason. It is also known to allow a route to be calculated with user defined criteria; for example, the user may prefer a scenic route to be calculated by the device, or may wish to avoid any roads on which traffic congestion is likely, expected or currently prevailing.
  • the device software would then calculate various routes and weigh more favourably those that include along their route the highest number of points of interest (known as POIs) tagged as being for example of scenic beauty, or, using stored information indicative of prevailing traffic conditions on particular roads, order the calculated routes in terms of a level of likely congestion or delay on account thereof.
  • POIs points of interest
  • Other POI-based and traffic information-based route calculation and navigation criteria are also possible.
  • route calculation and navigation functions are fundamental to the overall utility of PNDs 1 it is possible to use the device purely for information display, or "free-driving", in which only map information relevant to the current device location is displayed, and in which no route has been calculated and no navigation is currently being performed by the device. Such a mode of operation is often applicable when the user already knows the route along which it is desired to travel and does not require navigation assistance.
  • Devices of the type described above for example the 720T model manufactured and supplied by TomTom International B. V., provide a reliable means for enabling users to navigate from one position to another.
  • Such devices are of great utility when the user is not familiar with the route that they are navigating.
  • the user's unfamiliarity with the route means that the user does not know what buildings along the way will look like. For example, if they are travelling along a road, they don't know what buildings along that road look like and hence how to recognise the buildings, what the local environment looks like, etc. These uncertainties can inconvenience and stress the user of the device.
  • a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a navigation device comprising a processor and a display controllable by the processor, characterised by a store for building data, said building data being representative of a shape of one or more buildings, and a building extrusion module for generating, from building data stored in said store a three-dimensional representation of a building, said processor being responsive to said building extrusion module to control said display to display said three-dimensional representation to a user.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method of displaying a local environment, the method comprising the steps of providing a store of building data, said building data being representative of an outline of one or more buildings, determining a current location of a navigation device and retrieving building data for a local environment according to the current location, generating from said building data, a three dimensional representation of at least one building in the local environment, and controlling a display to display said three dimensional representation of the at least one building.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a Global Positioning System (GPS);
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of electronic components arranged to provide a navigation device;
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which a navigation device may receive information over a wireless communication channel;
  • Figs. 4A and 4B are illustrative perspective views of a navigation device;
  • Fig. 5 is a screenshot from a navigation device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 6 is a schematic representation of the software employed by the navigation device
  • Fig. 7 is an illustrative flow diagram depicting the steps of one method by which the teachings of the present invention may be implemented.
  • Fig. 8 is a further illustrative screenshot from a navigation device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • a navigation device is intended to include (without limitation) any type of route planning and navigation device, irrespective of whether that device is embodied as a PND, a navigation device built into a vehicle, or indeed a computing resource (such as a desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile telephone or portable digital assistant (PDA)) executing route planning and navigation software.
  • a computing resource such as a desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile telephone or portable digital assistant (PDA)
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an example view of Global Positioning System (GPS), usable by navigation devices.
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • NAVSTAR the GPS incorporates a plurality of satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units.
  • the GPS system is implemented when a device, specially equipped to receive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the precise location of that satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning, in most instances, for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (noting that position is not normally, but can be determined, with only two signals using other triangulation techniques). Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited number of users.
  • the GPS system is denoted generally by reference numeral 100.
  • a plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit about the earth 124.
  • the orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites 120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous.
  • a GPS receiver 140 is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the various satellites 120.
  • the spread spectrum signals 160 continuously transmitted from each satellite 120, utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock.
  • Each satellite 120 as part of its data signal transmission 160, transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite 120.
  • the GPS receiver device 140 generally acquires spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal, resulting in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permits the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner.
  • FIG. 2 is an illustrative representation of electronic components of a navigation device 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 is not inclusive of all components of the navigation device, but is only representative of many example components.
  • the navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not shown).
  • the housing includes a processor 210 connected to an input device 220 and a display screen 240.
  • the input device 220 can include a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or any other known input device utilised to input information; and the display screen 240 can include any type of display screen such as an LCD display, for example.
  • the input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device, including a touchpad or touchscreen input so that a user need only touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons.
  • the navigation device may include an output device 260, for example an audible output device (e.g. a loudspeaker).
  • output device 260 can produce audible information for a user of the navigation device 200, it is should equally be understood that input device 240 can include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands as well.
  • processor 210 is operatively connected to and set to receive input information from input device 220 via a connection 225, and operatively connected to at least one of display screen 240 and output device 260, via output connections 245, to output information thereto. Further, the processor 210 is operatively connected to memory 230 via connection 235 and is further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O) ports 270 via connection 275, wherein the I/O port 270 is connectible to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device 200.
  • the external I/O device 280 may include, but is not limited to an external listening device such as an earpiece for example.
  • connection to I/O device 280 can further be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device such as a car stereo unit for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation for example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for connection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or some other network for example.
  • any other external device such as a car stereo unit for hands-free operation and/or for voice activated operation for example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for connection to a mobile phone for example
  • the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or some other network for example.
  • Fig. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor 210 and an antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255, wherein the antenna/receiver 250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for example.
  • the antenna and receiver designated by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna or helical antenna for example.
  • the electronic components shown in Fig. 2 are powered by power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner.
  • power sources not shown
  • different configurations of the components shown in Fig. 2 are considered to be within the scope of the present application.
  • the components shown in Fig. 2 may be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like.
  • the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present application includes a portable or handheld navigation device 200.
  • the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Fig. 2 can be connected or "docked" in a known manner to a vehicle such as a bicycle, a motorbike, a car or a boat for example. Such a navigation device 200 is then removable from the docked location for portable or handheld navigation use.
  • the navigation device 200 may establish a "mobile” or telecommunications network connection with a server 302 via a mobile device (not shown) (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection (such as a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology for example). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile device can establish a network connection (through the internet for example) with a server 302. As such, a "mobile" network connection is established between the navigation device 200 (which can be, and often times is mobile as it travels alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server 302 to provide a "real-time" or at least very “up to date” gateway for information.
  • the establishing of the network connection between the mobile device (via a service provider) and another device such as the server 302, using an internet (such as the World Wide Web) for example, can be done in a known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol for example.
  • the mobile device can utilize any number of communication standards such as CDMA, GSM 1 WAN, etc.
  • an internet connection may be utilised which is achieved via data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 for example.
  • an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 is established. This can be done, for example, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)- connection (GPRS connection is a high-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom operators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet).
  • GPRS General Packet Radio Service
  • the navigation device 200 can further complete a data connection with the mobile device, and eventually with the internet and server 302, via existing Bluetooth technology for example, in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as the GSRM, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
  • the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as the GSRM, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
  • the navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 itself (including an antenna for example, or optionally using the internal antenna of the navigation device 200).
  • the mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can include internal components as specified above, and/or can include an insertable card (e.g. Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card), complete with necessary mobile phone technology and/or an antenna for example.
  • mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 302, via the internet for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile device.
  • a Bluetooth enabled navigation device may be used to correctly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on the navigation device 200 for example. The data stored for this information can be updated.
  • the navigation device 200 is depicted as being in communication with the server 302 via a generic communications channel 318 that can be implemented by any of a number of different arrangements.
  • the server 302 and a navigation device 200 can communicate when a connection via communications channel 318 is established between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 (noting that such a connection can be a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection via personal computer via the internet, etc.).
  • the server 302 includes, in addition to other components which may not be illustrated, a processor 304 operatively connected to a memory 306 and further operatively connected, via a wired or wireless connection 314, to a mass data storage device 312.
  • the processor 304 is further operatively connected to transmitter 308 and receiver 310, to transmit and send information to and from navigation device 200 via communications channel 318.
  • the signals sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other propagated signals.
  • the transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed according to the communications requirement and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation system 200. Further, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into a signal transceiver.
  • Server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass storage device 312, noting that the mass storage device 312 may be coupled to the server 302 via communication link 314.
  • the mass storage device 312 contains a store of navigation data and map information, and can again be a separate device from the server 302 or can be incorporated into the server 302.
  • the navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302 through communications channel 318, and includes processor, memory, etc. as previously described with regard to Fig. 2, as well as transmitter 320 and receiver 322 to send and receive signals and/or data through the communications channel 318, noting that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices other than server 302. Further, the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected or designed according to communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation device 200 and the functions of the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a single transceiver.
  • Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions for the processor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services to the navigation device 200.
  • One service provided by the server 302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the navigation device 200.
  • Another service provided by the server 302 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for a desired application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200.
  • the communication channel 318 generically represents the propagating medium or path that connects the navigation device 200 and the server 302. Both the server 302 and navigation device 200 include a transmitter for transmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted through the communication channel.
  • the communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular communication technology.
  • the communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel 318 may include several communication links that use a variety of technology.
  • the communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communications, etc.
  • the communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: electric circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fibre optic cables, converters, radio-frequency (RF) waves, the atmosphere, empty space, etc.
  • the communication channel 318 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.
  • the communication channel 318 includes telephone and computer networks.
  • the communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication, etc. Additionally, the communication channel 318 can accommodate satellite communication.
  • the communication signals transmitted through the communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals as may be required or desired for given communication technology.
  • the signals may be adapted to be used in cellular communication technology such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. Both digital and analogue signals can be transmitted through the communication channel 318. These signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as may be desirable for the communication technology.
  • the server 302 includes a remote server accessible by the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel.
  • the server 302 may include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • VPN virtual private network
  • the server 302 may include a persona! computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connected between the personal computer and the navigation device 200.
  • a personal computer may be connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to establish an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200.
  • a mobile telephone or other handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the internet, for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the internet.
  • the navigation device 200 may be provided with information from the server 302 via information downloads which may be periodically updated automatically or upon a user connecting navigation device 200 to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection being made between the server 302 and navigation device 200 via a wireless mobile connection device and TCP/IP connection for example.
  • the processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the bulk of the processing needs, however, processor 210 of navigation device 200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes independent of a connection to a server 302.
  • a navigation device 200 includes a processor 210, an input device 220, and a display screen 240.
  • the input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information through a touch panel screen, for example.
  • a touch panel screen for example.
  • Such a screen may be a touch input LCD screen, for example, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the navigation device 200 can also include any additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device 241 , such as audio input/output devices for example.
  • Figs 4A and 4B are perspective views of a navigation device 200. As shown in
  • the navigation device 200 may be a unit that includes an integrated input and display device 290 (a touch panel screen for example) and the other components of fig.
  • GPS receiver 250 including but not limited to internal GPS receiver 250, microprocessor 210, a power supply, memory systems 230, etc.
  • the navigation device 200 may sit on an arm 292, which itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc, using a suction cup 294.
  • This arm 292 is one example of a docking station to which the navigation device 200 can be docked.
  • the navigation device 200 can be docked or otherwise connected to an arm 292 of the docking station by snap connecting the navigation device 292 to the arm 292 for example.
  • the navigation device 200 may then be rotatable on the arm 292, as shown by the arrow of Fig. 4B.
  • a button on the navigation device 200 may be pressed, for example.
  • Other equally suitable arrangements for coupling and decoupling the navigation device to a docking station are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the navigation device determines whether navigating between a start location and a destination location, or being used for "free-driving".
  • the 200 is configured to display map information on-screen.
  • the displayed map information includes an indication of roads and surrounding buildings in the vicinity of the device's current location and, if being used for navigation, an indication of the route to be used.
  • Figure 5 shows a screenshot of a navigation device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the navigation device of the preferred embodiment is configured to provide an enhanced pseudo three-dimensional view (as shown) of a current location that includes 3D extruded representations of buildings.
  • a display 510 of the navigation device shows a local environment 512 in which the navigation device is determined to be located. In a region 514 of the display 510 below the local environment 512, a series of control and status messages is also displayed to a user.
  • the layout of the local environment 512 including map information such as road layout, buildings, and other map features is specified by map data, which is generally stored in the memory 230 of the navigation device or may be provided from the server 302. In the map data, the orientation and layout of roads, the outline of buildings etc. is specified.
  • the processor 210 is configured to determine a current location of the navigation device 200, as described above, and to retrieve map data for the local environment.
  • the local environment 512 contains graphically depicted roads 521 , a route 522 to be followed along certain roads, and buildings 523. Other features of the local environment 512 may also be displayed.
  • the display 510 is shown with a perspective applied, such that roads, buildings etc. converge toward a predetermined vanishing point.
  • one or more buildings 523 are vertically extruded to give an impression of real three-dimensional buildings. It will be noted that, for ease of viewing, only buildings in a central region of the display have been extruded. If, for example, buildings present in a foreground area of the display 510 were to be extruded, then these extruded buildings could obscure the route 522 to be followed or roads upon which the user is travelling.
  • the processor 210 and memory 230 cooperate to establish a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) 450 that functions as an interface between the functional hardware components 460 of the navigation device 200 and the software executed by the device.
  • BIOS Basic Input/Output System
  • the processor 210 then loads from memory 230 an operating system 470 which provides an environment in which application software 480 (implementing some or all of the above-described display functionality) can run.
  • part of this functionality comprises a building extrusion module 490, the function of which will now be described in detail in connection with Fig. 6.
  • Figure 7 is a method of forming an extruded building according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • step 701 an outline of a building in a local environment proximal to the navigation device's current location is determined from map data.
  • step 703 a first copy of the building outline is formed at ground level to represent a floor plan of the building.
  • step 704 a second copy of the building outline is formed at a predetermined elevation to represent a roof of the building.
  • Corresponding points of the first and second building outlines are then connected in step 605 to represent side-walls of the buildings which are then, preferably, applied with shading or light effects to provide a 3D rendition of the building. The process is repeated for each building that it is desired to represent in the local environment in 3D.
  • the second copies of the building outlines are all presented at a single predetermined elevation.
  • the on-screen information including the display of the local environment 512 is periodically updated by redrawing the roads, building and other map information as appropriate to reflect the navigation device's new location.
  • Figure 8 shows a further screenshot of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • a display 810 of the navigation device 200 shows a local environment 812 including a plurality of extruded buildings 814, 816, 818. It will again be noted that the foreground does not feature any extruded buildings in order to avoid obscuring nearby roads and/or a shown navigation route.
  • the method of Figure 7 may therefore comprise a step of determining which buildings are to be extruded in the local environment 812.
  • teachings of the present invention provide an arrangement whereby a user is provided with a more realistic view of a local environment and, in particular, buildings within that local environment.
  • the navigation device may utilise any kind of position sensing technology as an alternative to (or indeed in addition to) GPS.
  • the navigation device may utilise using other global navigation satellite systems such as the European Galileo system. Equally, it is not limited to satellite based but could readily function using ground based beacons or any other kind of system that enables the device to determine its geographic location.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Navigation (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se rapporte à un dispositif de navigation (200) comprenant un processeur (210) et un afficheur (240) qui peut être commandé par le processeur. Le dispositif de navigation est caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une mémoire (230) de données de bâtiments, les données de bâtiments étant représentatives de la forme d'un ou de plusieurs bâtiments, et un module d'extrusion de bâtiments (490) pour générer, à partir des données de bâtiments stockées dans ladite mémoire (230), une représentation tridimensionnelle (401) d'un bâtiment. Selon l'invention, ledit processeur (210) réagit audit module d'extrusion de bâtiments (490) pour commander ledit afficheur (240) et afficher ainsi ladite représentation tridimensionnelle (401) à l'intention d'un utilisateur.
PCT/EP2008/003708 2008-05-02 2008-05-02 Dispositif et procédé de navigation WO2009132679A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
TW097116361A TW200946874A (en) 2008-05-02 2008-05-02 Navigation device and method
PCT/EP2008/003708 WO2009132679A1 (fr) 2008-05-02 2008-05-02 Dispositif et procédé de navigation

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/EP2008/003708 WO2009132679A1 (fr) 2008-05-02 2008-05-02 Dispositif et procédé de navigation

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009132679A1 true WO2009132679A1 (fr) 2009-11-05

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TW (1) TW200946874A (fr)
WO (1) WO2009132679A1 (fr)

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TWI572848B (zh) * 2015-12-14 2017-03-01 台灣國際航電股份有限公司 三維地圖產生裝置
TWI584224B (zh) * 2015-12-14 2017-05-21 台灣國際航電股份有限公司 三維地圖產生方法

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0803706A2 (fr) * 1996-04-26 1997-10-29 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Appareil de navigation avec fonction d'affichage de changement de forme
EP1531322A2 (fr) * 2003-11-13 2005-05-18 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Appareil d'affichage de carte
EP1855263A1 (fr) * 2005-03-02 2007-11-14 Navitime Japan Co., Ltd. Dispositif et procede d'affichage de carte

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0803706A2 (fr) * 1996-04-26 1997-10-29 Pioneer Electronic Corporation Appareil de navigation avec fonction d'affichage de changement de forme
EP1531322A2 (fr) * 2003-11-13 2005-05-18 Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Appareil d'affichage de carte
EP1855263A1 (fr) * 2005-03-02 2007-11-14 Navitime Japan Co., Ltd. Dispositif et procede d'affichage de carte

Also Published As

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