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
• • 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
  • G01C21/3453—Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
  • G01C21/3476—Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• • 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
  • G01C21/3605—Destination input or retrieval
  • G01C21/3614—Destination input or retrieval through interaction with a road map, e.g. selecting a POI icon on a road map
• • 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
  • G01C21/3679—Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities
  • G01C21/3682—Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities output of POI information on a road map
• • 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
  • G01C21/3679—Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities
  • G01C21/3685—Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities the POI's being parking facilities
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/091—Traffic information broadcasting
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
  • G08G1/096708—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the received information might be used to generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
  • G08G1/096716—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the received information might be used to generate an automatic action on the vehicle control where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
  • G08G1/096733—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where a selection of the information might take place
  • G08G1/09675—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where a selection of the information might take place where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0967—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
  • G08G1/096766—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission
  • G08G1/096775—Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits where the system is characterised by the origin of the information transmission where the origin of the information is a central station
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
  • G08G1/096805—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route
  • G08G1/096827—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the transmitted instructions are used to compute a route where the route is computed onboard
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
  • G08G1/096833—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where different aspects are considered when computing the route
  • G08G1/096844—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where different aspects are considered when computing the route where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
  • G08G1/096855—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the output is provided in a suitable form to the driver
  • G08G1/096861—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the output is provided in a suitable form to the driver where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
  • G08G1/096877—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the input to the navigation device is provided by a suitable I/O arrangement
  • G08G1/096883—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the input to the navigation device is provided by a suitable I/O arrangement where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
  • G08G1/096877—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the input to the navigation device is provided by a suitable I/O arrangement
  • G08G1/096888—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle where the input to the navigation device is provided by a suitable I/O arrangement where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/09—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
  • G08G1/0962—Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
  • G08G1/0968—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
  • G08G1/0969—Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle having a display in the form of a map
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08G—TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS
  • G08G1/00—Traffic control systems for road vehicles
  • G08G1/14—Traffic control systems for road vehicles indicating individual free spaces in parking areas
  • G08G1/141—Traffic control systems for road vehicles indicating individual free spaces in parking areas with means giving the indication of available parking spaces

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a navigation apparatus of the type that, for example, is capable of providing a suggestion of a point of interest near a selected location.
• the present invention also relates to a method of configuring a route, the method being of the type that, for example, provides a suggestion of a point of interest information near a selected location in relation to a route to be configured.
• Portable computing devices for example Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs) 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.
• PNDs Portable Navigation Devices
• GPS Global Positioning System
• a modern PND comprises a processor, memory and map data stored within said memory.
• the processor and memory cooperate to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system is typically 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) additionally to 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 Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max, GSM, UMTS and the like.
• PNDs 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 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.
• 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 with which the user's computing resource is communicating 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 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 recalculation 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.
• a route 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, 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 GO 930 Traffic 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 to the destination to which they are navigating.
• one or more POIs can be selected by a user of the PND in respect of a journey to be embarked upon or during a journey.
• a user typically negotiates a menu structure of a user interface of the PND in order to select a category of POI desired, for example a supermarket or a petrol station.
• the application software of the PND identifies, using locally stored data, a number of POIs of the type selected by the user and presents the identified POIs to the user via the user interface.
• the application software typically orders the POIs identified by distance from a current location of the PND and indicates an associated distance value adjacent the POI listed.
• the user can then select one of the POIs identified by the user interface and the application software.
• the application software either sets the POI selected as a waypoint or an ultimate destination and the PND then calculates a route either via the POI selected or to the POI selected, as appropriate.
• the selection of the POI as a destination or a waypoint can similarly be made in relation to functionality of the PND to prepare a route or an itinerary.
• the PND integrates the POI chosen into an existing route calculated, for example by recalculating the existing route to take into account the selection made by the user.
• a disadvantage of this technique is that a user, wishing to navigate to or via a given point of interest, has to negotiate a menu structure and undergo a dedicated POI selection procedure, typically including selection of a category of POI. This procedure is more time consuming than a simple route selection procedure where a user simply selects a destination, and possibly a starting point and/or a waypoint, without negotiating a menu structure dedicated to POI selection.
• a simple route selection procedure where a user simply selects a destination, and possibly a starting point and/or a waypoint, without negotiating a menu structure dedicated to POI selection.
• the user can be unaware of a POI in the vicinity of the location selected that is of interest or use to the user, resulting in a missed opportunity to navigate to a more convenient or appropriate location.
• the user is unable to determine easily the relative positions of the POI and the location nearby.
• a navigation apparatus comprising: a processing resource arranged to support, when in use, a user interface, the user interface being arranged to permit selection of a location; wherein the user interface comprises a view generation engine; the processing resource is arranged to query a database comprising point of interest data in order to find a point of interest within a predetermined vicinity of the location selected; and the view generation engine is arranged to generate a view identifying the point of interest in response to the point of interest being found.
• the view generation engine may be arranged to generate the view so as to identify both the location selected and the point of interest.
• Identification of the location selected and the point of interest may comprise visually identifying the locations of both the location selected and the point of interest.
• the user interface may be arranged to provide a route creation procedure, the route creation procedure permitting the selection of the location.
• the location selected may be a destination of a route for calculation.
• the location selected may be an intermediate location in a route for calculation.
• the processing resource may be arranged to support a route calculation procedure; the route calculation procedure may comprise the route creation procedure.
• the route calculation procedure may be initiated in response to a request to navigate to or via a location to be selected; the request to navigate to or via the location to be selected may be received via the user interface.
• the processing resource may be arranged to support a route planning procedure; the route planning procedure may comprise the route creation procedure.
• the route planning procedure may be initiated in response to a request to prepare a route including a location to be selected as a destination; the request to prepare the route may be received via the user interface.
• the route planning procedure may be initiated in response to a request to create an itinerary; the request to create the itinerary may be received via the user interface.
• the user interface may be arranged to support display of a selectable user interface element in response to the processing resource finding the point of interest; the identification of the point of interest may comprise provision of the selectable user interface element.
• the route creation procedure may be arranged to replace the location selected with a location associated with the point of interest in response to an indication of selection of the point of interest.
• the indication of selection of the point of interest may be by interaction with the selectable user interface element.
• the route calculation procedure or the route planning procedure may use the point of interest in place of the location selected in response to the indication of selection of the point of interest.
• the selection may be a user selection.
• the selectable user interface element may be a button or selectable icon indicative of the point of interest.
• the view generation engine may be arranged to generate another view in response to the indication of selection, the another view comprising the point of interest.
• the another view may be substantially centred on the point of interest.
• the view generated may be a rendered three-dimensional view.
• the another view may be another rendered three-dimensional view.
• the three-dimensional view and/or the another three- dimensional view may be a static bird's eye view.
• a level of magnification may be employed in relation to the view such that both the location selected and the point of interest may be visible on a screen displaying, when in use, the view.
• the user interface may be arranged to permit user selection of a category of the point of interest to be found.
• the point of interest may be a parking facility.
• the processing resource may be arranged to calculate a measure relating to a separation of the location selected from the point of interest.
• the measure may be estimated.
• the measure may be a distance.
• the measure may be a straight line distance.
• the measure may be a travel time.
• the measure may be an arrival time.
• the user interface may be arranged to display the measure calculated in the view generated.
• the user interface may be arranged to permit user selection of the predetermined vicinity.
• a portable navigation device comprising the navigation apparatus as set forth above in relation to the first aspect of the invention.
• a method of route configuration comprising: permitting user selection of a location via a user interface; querying a database comprising point of interest data in order to find a point of interest within a predetermined vicinity of the location selected; and a view generation engine generating a view identifying the point of interest in response to the point of interest being found.
• a computer program element comprising computer program code means to make a computer execute the method as set forth above in relation to the third aspect of the invention.
• the computer program element may be embodied on a computer readable medium.
• the apparatus and method also enable a user to have an overview in relation to the surroundings of the location selected.
• the identification of a parking facility near the location selected saves the user time seeking the parking facility or another, less optimum, parking facility within the vicinity of the location selected. Consequently, an optimum route is calculated from the outset of a journey. The route calculated is therefore likely to be more efficient than that followed when the POI is selected once the user arrives at the destination. In the context of travelling by road vehicle, the user is thus likely to reduce fuel consumption and hence save money. Also, temptation to park illegally is reduced.
• the apparatus and method thus provide an improved user experience in relation to the navigation apparatus, as well as the possibility of saving the user time, money and inconvenience.
• FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary part of a Global Positioning System (GPS) usable by a navigation apparatus;
• GPS Global Positioning System
• Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of electronic components of the navigation apparatus of Figure 1 or any other suitable navigation apparatus;
• Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an arrangement of mounting and/or docking a navigation apparatus
• Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an architectural stack employed by the navigation apparatus of Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is flow diagram of a method of configuring a route used by the navigation apparatus of Figure 3 and constituting an embodiment of the invention.
• Figures 6 to 16 are screen shots from the navigation apparatus during performance of the method of Figure 5.
• a navigation apparatus is intended to include (without limitation) any type of route planning and navigation apparatus, irrespective of whether that device is embodied as a PND, a vehicle such as an automobile, or indeed a portable computing resource, for example a portable personal computer (PC), a mobile telephone or a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) executing route planning and navigation software.
• PC personal computer
• PDA Personal Digital Assistant
• the "destination" location selected by a user need not have a corresponding start location from which the user wishes to start navigating, and as a consequence references herein to the "destination” location or indeed to a “destination” view should not be interpreted to mean that the generation of an initial route is essential, that travelling to the "destination” must occur, or indeed that the presence of a destination requires the designation of a corresponding start location.
• GPS Global Positioning System
• the GPS is a satellite-radio based navigation system capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and in some instances direction information for an unlimited number of users.
• 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 allows 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 100 comprises a plurality of satellites 102 orbiting about the earth 104.
• a GPS receiver 106 receives spread spectrum GPS satellite data signals 108 from a number of the plurality of satellites 102.
• the spread spectrum data signals 108 are continuously transmitted from each satellite 102, the spread spectrum data signals 108 transmitted each comprise a data stream including information identifying a particular satellite 102 from which the data stream originates.
• the GPS receiver 106 generally requires spread spectrum data signals 108 from at least three satellites 102 in order to be able to calculate a two-dimensional position. Receipt of a fourth spread spectrum data signal enables the GPS receiver 106 to calculate, using a known technique, a three-dimensional position.
• the navigation apparatus 200 is a Bluetooth enabled navigation apparatus in order that the navigation apparatus 200 can be agnostic to the settings of a wireless communications terminal with which the navigation apparatus 200 can communicate, thereby enabling the navigation apparatus 200 to operate correctly with the ever changing spectrum of mobile telephone models, manufacturers, etc.
• Model/manufacturer specific settings may, for example, be stored on the navigation apparatus 200. The data stored for this information can be updated.
• the navigation apparatus 200 can, of course, comprise mobile telephone technology, including an antenna, for example, or optionally using an internal antenna of the navigation apparatus 200.
• the mobile telephone technology within the navigation apparatus 200 can also include an insertable card (e.g. Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card).
• SIM Subscriber Identity Module
• mobile telephone technology within the navigation apparatus 200 can be used to establish a network connection between the navigation apparatus 200 and a server (not shown), via the Internet for example, in a manner similar to that of any wireless communications-enabled terminal.
• Software stored in server memory provides instructions for a processor of the server to allow the server to provide services to the navigation apparatus 200.
• One service provided by the server can involve processing requests from the navigation apparatus 200 and transmitting navigation data to the navigation apparatus 200.
• Another service that can be provided by the server includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for a desired application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation apparatus 200.
• the establishing of the network connection between the mobile device (via a service provider) and another device such as the server, using the Internet for example, can be done in a known manner.
• any number of appropriate data communications protocols can be employed, for example the TCP/IP layered protocol.
• the mobile device can utilize any number of communication standards such as CDMA2000, GSM, IEEE 802.1 1 a/b/c/g/n, etc.
• the internet connection may be utilised, which can be achieved via a data connection using the mobile telephone or mobile telephone technology.
• a personal computer may be connected between the navigation apparatus 200 and the server to establish an internet connection between the server and the navigation apparatus 200.
• the navigation apparatus 200 can be provided with information from the server via information downloads which can be periodically updated automatically or upon a user connecting the navigation apparatus 200 to the server and/or can be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection being made between the server and navigation apparatus 200 via a wireless mobile connection device and TCP/IP connection for example.
• the processor of the server can be used to handle the bulk of processing needs, however, a processor of the navigation apparatus 200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes independent of a connection to the server.
• the block diagram of the navigation apparatus 200 is not inclusive of all components of the navigation apparatus, but is only representative of many example components.
• the navigation apparatus 200 is located within a housing (not shown).
• the navigation apparatus 200 includes a processing resource comprising, for example, the processor 202 mentioned above, the processor 202 being coupled to an input device 204 and a display device, for example a display screen 206.
• a processing resource comprising, for example, the processor 202 mentioned above, the processor 202 being coupled to an input device 204 and a display device, for example a display screen 206.
• the input device 204 represents any number of input devices, including a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or any other known input device utilised to input information.
• the display screen 206 can include any type of display screen such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), for example.
• LCD Liquid Crystal Display
• one aspect of the input device 204, the touch panel, and the display screen 206 are integrated so as to provide an integrated input and display device, including a touchpad or touchscreen input 250 ( Figure 3) to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information through the touch panel screen so that a user need only touch a portion of the display screen 206 to select one of a plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual or "soft" buttons.
• the processor 202 supports a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that operates in conjunction with the touchscreen.
• GUI Graphical User Interface
• the processor 202 is operatively connected to and capable of receiving input information from input device 204 via a connection 210, and operatively connected to at least one of the display screen 206 and the output device 208, via respective output connections 212, to output information thereto.
• the navigation apparatus 200 may include an output device 208, for example an audible output device (e.g. a loudspeaker).
• an audible output device e.g. a loudspeaker
• input device 204 can include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands as well.
• the navigation apparatus 200 can also include any additional input device 204 and/or any additional output device, such as audio input/output devices for example.
• the processor 202 is operatively connected to memory 214 via connection 216, the memory 214 storing a POI database 228 comprising details concerning identities and locations of POIs of differing categories, for example shops, museums and parking facilities.
• the processor 202 is further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O) ports 218 via connection 220, wherein the I/O port 218 is connectible to an I/O device 222 external to the navigation apparatus 200.
• the external I/O device 222 may include, but is not limited to an external listening device, such as an earpiece for example.
• connection to I/O device 222 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 earpiece or headphones, and/or for connection to a mobile telephone for example, wherein the mobile telephone connection can be used to establish the data connection between the navigation apparatus 200 and the server 150 via the Internet or any 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 earpiece or headphones, and/or for connection to a mobile telephone for example, wherein the mobile telephone connection can be used to establish the data connection between the navigation apparatus 200 and the server 150 via the Internet or any other network for example.
• Figure 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor 202 and an antenna/receiver 224 via connection 226, wherein the antenna/receiver 224 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for example.
• the antenna and receiver designated by reference numeral 224 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 Figure 2 are powered by one or more power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner.
• different configurations of the components shown in Figure 2 are contemplated.
• the components shown in Figure 2 can be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like.
• the navigation apparatus 200 described herein can be a portable or handheld navigation device 200.
• the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Figure 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 apparatus 200 can be a unit that includes the integrated input and display device 206 and the other components of Figure 2 (including, but not limited to, the internal GPS receiver 224, the microprocessor 202, a power supply (not shown), memory systems 214, etc.).
• the navigation apparatus 200 can sit on an arm 252, which itself can be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc, using a suction cup 254.
• This arm 252 is one example of a docking station to which the navigation apparatus 200 can be docked.
• the navigation apparatus 200 can be docked or otherwise connected to the arm 252 of the docking station by snap connecting the navigation apparatus 200 to the arm 252 for example.
• the navigation apparatus 200 can then be rotatable on the arm 252.
• a button (not shown) on the navigation apparatus 200 can be pressed, for example.
• Other equally suitable arrangements for coupling and decoupling the navigation apparatus 200 to a docking station are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
• the processor 202 and memory 214 cooperate to support a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) 262 that functions as an interface between functional hardware components 260 of the navigation apparatus 200 and the software executed by the device.
• BIOS Basic Input/Output System
• the processor 202 then loads an operating system 264 from the memory 214, which provides an environment in which application software 266 (implementing some or all of the above described route planning and navigation functionality) can run.
• the application software 266 provides an operational environment including the user interface that supports core functions of the navigation apparatus 200, for example map viewing, route planning, navigation functions and any other functions associated therewith, including a method of route configuration set out below.
• part of the user interface comprises a view generation engine 268.
• the user configures a route for calculation as follows.
• the user undertakes (Step 400) an illustrative destination location input process described hereinbelow using a location browser function supported by the user interface.
• the user uses a settings menu option supported by the application software 266 in order to select view generation in a three-dimensional mode.
• the apparatus 200 acquires a GPS fix and performs a self-location determination by calculating (in a known manner) the current location of the navigation apparatus 200.
• a display 300 showing in pseudo three- dimensions: a local environment 302 in which the navigation apparatus 200 is determined to be located and, in a region 304 of the display 300 below the local environment 302, a set of control and status messages.
• the navigation apparatus 200 By touching the display at the local environment 302, the navigation apparatus 200, through the user interface, updates the display 300 by displaying (as shown in Figure 7) a series of virtual or soft buttons 306 by means of which the user can, inter alia, input a destination to which the user wishes to navigate.
• the navigation device 200 By touching the "Navigate to" virtual button 308, the navigation device 200 initiates a route calculation procedure, a part of which comprises a route creation procedure.
• the navigation apparatus 200 displays (as shown in Figure 8) a plurality of virtual buttons that are each associated with a different category of selectable destinations.
• the display shows a "home” button that if pressed would set the destination to a stored home location.
• the "favourite” button if pressed, reveals a list of destinations that the user has previously stored in the navigation device 200 and if one of these destinations is then selected the destination for the route to be calculated is set to the selected previously stored destination.
• the "recent destination” soft button if pressed, reveals a list of selectable destinations held in the memory of the navigation device 200 and to which the user has recently navigated. Selection of one of the destinations populating this list would set the destination location for this route to the selected (previously visited) location.
• the "point of interest” button if pressed, reveals a number of options by means of which a user can opt to navigate to any of a plurality of locations, such as Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs), petrol stations or tourist attractions for example, that have been pre-stored in the navigation device 200 as locations to which a user of the navigation device 200 might want to navigate to.
• ATMs Automatic Teller Machines
• petrol stations petrol stations
• tourist attractions for example
• the triangular "arrow” shaped virtual button provides access to additional sub-menu options relating to the "Navigate to " menu option, and an "address” button 310 commences a process by which the user can input the street address of the destination to which the user wishes to navigate.
• the "address" button 310 is operated (by touching the button displayed on the touchscreen) in order to select (Step 402) a location as the destination, whereupon (as shown in Figure 9) the user is presented with a series of address input options - in particular for address input by "city centre", by "postcode”, by "crossing or intersection” (for example a junction of two roads) and by "street and house number".
• the user knows the street address and house number of the destination and hence selects a "street and house number" virtual button 312 whereupon the user is then presented, as shown in Figure 10, with: a prompt 314 to enter the name of the city to which they wish to navigate, a flag button 316 by means of which the user can select the country in which the desired city is located, and a virtual keyboard 318 that may be operated by the user, if necessary, to input the name of the destination city.
• the user begins to type the word "Amsterdam" and the navigation device 200 therefore responds by providing the user with a list 320 of selectable cites.
• the user in this instance wishes to navigate to Amsterdam, and on selection of Amsterdam from the list 320 the navigation device 200 displays, as shown in Figure 1 1 , the virtual keyboard 318 again by means of which the user can input street names, a prompt 322 for entry of a street name.
• the user begins to type the name of the street in which the destination is located and the navigation apparatus 200 responds by providing the user with a list 324 of selectable street names.
• the user wishes to travel to the street Rembrandtplein and so the user selects "Rembrandtplein" from the displayed list 324.
• the navigation device 200 displays ( Figure 12) a restricted, largely numeric, virtual keypad 326 and prompts the user, by means of prompt 328, to enter the street number in the selected street and city to which the user wishes to navigate. If the user has previously navigated to a building number in this street, then that number is initially shown. If, as in this instance, the user wishes to navigate to No. 35, Rembrandtplein, then the user simply needs to type the street number ("35") using the virtual keypad 326 and then touch a "done" virtual button 330 displayed at the bottom right hand corner of the display 300. If the user should wish to navigate to a different building number in Rembrandtplein, then all the user needs do is operate the virtual keypad 326 to input an appropriate building or street number.
• the application software 266 searches (Step 404) the POI database 228 in order to find a POI within a predetermined vicinity from the location selected in the manner described above.
• the application software 266 is configured to search for POIs in a particular category.
• the category is parking facilities.
• the predetermined vicinity is set to a radius of 1 km with respect to the location selected.
• the application software 266 can be configured to allow the user to specify the predetermined vicinity.
• the application software 266 searches for parking facilities within 1 km of Rembrandtplein ,35.
• the view generation engine 268 of the application software 266 renders (Step 408) a three-dimensional preview of the location selected 333 and the parking facility 335 found in a main display pane 332 and a virtual button 334, or other selectable element or icon, is displayed in a side pane 336.
• the three-dimensional view is a bird's eye view.
• the virtual button 334 is an example of a user interface element and is selectable by the user.
• the virtual button 334 has a label: "Navigate to car park", and specifies in parenthesis a distance between the location selected and the POI, in this example the parking facility, for example 150m. The user is thus provided with a suggestion of a potentially suitable parking facility.
• the virtual button 334 is deactivated or greyed-out in order to prevent selection of the virtual button 334 by the user.
• the label of the virtual button is: "No parking nearby" when unselectable.
• the application software 266 monitors (Step 410) for "actuation" of the virtual button 334 and, in the event that the user touches the virtual button 334 in order to select the functionality of navigation to the parking facility, the view generation engine 268 renders (Step 412) another preview (Figure 14) showing, in this example, the parking facility found as described above.
• the second preview is centred upon the POI, but a level of zoom used to generate the view is set so that the location selected (Rembrandtplein, 35) is also visible in the second preview.
• the user can simply touch a "Done button” 338 ( Figure 13).
• the application software 266 then proceeds with the route calculation procedure using the selected location as the destination for route calculation purposes.
• the application software 266 similarly proceeds, after confirmation from the user to do so, to execute the route calculation procedure when, as described above, no parking facilities can be found by the application software 266.
• the preview shows the POI in the main pane, the view being centred upon the POI, in this example the parking facility.
• the preview generated also provides additional information concerning the POI, for example a telephone number, and an identity of the POI.
• the telephone number is shown as a selectable virtual button 340 that can be selected, "actuation" of the selectable virtual button 340 permitting automation of a voice call initiation process using a voice communications terminal, for example a cellular telephone handset, in communication with the navigation apparatus 200, or via cellular communications hardware, if present, incorporated in the navigation apparatus 200.
• the identity of the POI is set out in an area 342 beneath the main pane 332.
• the parking facility is identified as "Rembrandtplein - Bakkerstraat, Amsterdam".
• a measure is indicated in the area 342 beneath the main pane 332 in order to assist the user in deciding whether to select the POI suggested by the application software 266.
• the measure can be any suitable measure of separation between the location selected and the POI that the user can find useful, for example distance, such as straight line distance, travel time, or arrival time.
• the label for the measure is identified as "Distance %s: x metres" in Figure 14. In this example, the measure is estimated.
• the user touches a "Select" virtual button 344 and the selection is detected (Step 414) by the application software 266 which responds by the route creation procedure replacing (Step 416) the location previously selected as the destination with the location of the POI selected, in this example the parking facility.
• the application software 266 then causes the user interface to present an interrogation message 346 ( Figure 15) asking the user whether a particular arrival time is required. If the user should touch a "yes" virtual button, then functionality is invoked that estimates the time required to travel to the destination and advises the user when they should leave (or if they are running late, should have left) their current location in order to arrive at their destination on time.
• the user is not concerned about arriving at a particular time and hence selects a "no" virtual button 348.
• Selecting the "no" virtual button 348 causes the navigation apparatus 200 to calculate a route between the current location and the replacement selected destination, in this example the POI, and to display the route 350 calculated, as shown in Figure 16, on a relatively low magnification map that shows the entire route.
• the user is also provided with a "done" virtual button 352 which the user can press to indicate the calculated route is acceptable, a “find alternative” virtual button 354 that the user can press to cause the navigation device 200 to calculate another route to the selected destination, and a “details” virtual button 356 that a user can press to reveal selectable options for the display of more detailed information concerning the currently displayed route 350.
• a "done” virtual button 352 which the user can press to indicate the calculated route is acceptable
• a "find alternative” virtual button 354 that the user can press to cause the navigation device 200 to calculate another route to the selected destination
• a “details” virtual button 356 that a user can press to reveal selectable options for the display of more detailed information concerning the currently displayed route 350.
• the user then commences (Step 418) their journey and the navigation device 200 guides the user, in a known manner, by updating the map in accordance with determined changes in location of the navigation device 200, and by providing the user with visual and, optionally, audible navigation instructions until the destination, namely the parking facility selected, is reached.
• the category of the POI can be selected as an option instead of or in addition to the option provided to navigate to the POI of the pre- configured category mentioned above.
• the "Navigate to car park" virtual button 334 ( Figure 334) is replaced with a "Navigate to POI” virtual button (not shown).
• the application software 266 Upon selection of the "Navigate to POI" virtual button, the application software 266 causes the view generation engine 268 to present the user with a number of POI categories for selection and/or an option to specify a POI category via a virtual keypad.
• the application software 266 proceeds to find the POI of the category selected in the POI database 228 in the manner already described above and, instead of the "Navigate to POI” or “Navigate to car park” button mentioned above, a "Navigate to [POI Category]” virtual button is generated, "[POI Category]” being indicative of the POI category selected, for example "Shop” or "Museum”.
• the "Navigate to [POI Category]” button can be supplemented with a label that provides further information, for example a straight line distance to the POI found in the POI database 228.
• the record of "recent destinations" can be updated with both the location originally selected and the POI selected.
• the application software 266 finds the closest POI to the location initially selected by the user that conforms to the predetermined vicinity criterion.
• the application software 266 can cause the view generation engine 268 to provide an interactive selection screen permitting the user to select one of a number of POIs found to comply with the predetermined vicinity criterion.
• the database 228 contains additional information concerning the POIs selected, the POIs identified can be sorted according to one or more sorting criteria, for example rating as best, cost, and/or user needs, for example good wheelchair access.
• the user is then at liberty to select one of the POIs, for example parking facilities, listed and the selected POI can then be viewed as described above in relation the second preview generated and the POI can then be selected as the new destination, rejected outright or rejected but providing the user with another opportunity to select another POI, for example by means of a "Back" virtual button.
• any of the above described embodiments can be employed in relation to setting an intermediated location, for example a so-called "waypoint".
• the application software 266 can support a route planning procedure that allows a user to prepare a route in advance of imminent departure and/or creation of an itinerary.
• the user can request, via the user interface, to prepare a route or create an itinerary, and the functionality described above in relation to any of the preceding embodiments can be employed to select a POI near a location selected as part of the route planning or itinerary creation functions mentioned above.
• the navigation apparatus may utilise any kind of position sensing technology as an alternative to (or indeed in addition to) GPS.
• the navigation apparatus 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.
• Alternative embodiments of the invention can be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system, the computer program product being, for example, a series of computer instructions stored on a tangible data recording medium, such as a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk, or embodied in a computer data signal, the signal being transmitted over a tangible medium or a wireless medium, for example, microwave or infrared.
• the series of computer instructions can constitute all or part of the functionality described above, and can also be stored in any memory device, volatile or non-volatile, such as semiconductor, magnetic, optical or other memory device.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
• Remote Sensing (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Atmospheric Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Mathematical Physics (AREA)
• Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
• Navigation (AREA)
• Instructional Devices (AREA)
• Traffic Control Systems (AREA)
• Burglar Alarm Systems (AREA)
• Vehicle Body Suspensions (AREA)
• Paper (AREA)
• Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
• Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
• Circuits Of Receivers In General (AREA)
• Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)

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