WO2016188547A1

WO2016188547A1 - An apparatus and associated methods for providing turn guidance

Info

Publication number: WO2016188547A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/061370
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andre FIALHO; Urban VELKAVRH
Original assignee: Here Global B.V.
Priority date: 2015-05-22
Filing date: 2015-05-22
Publication date: 2016-12-01

Abstract

An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: in a displayed perspective view showing a forthcoming part of a planned navigation route, based on a predetermined proximity from an upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, allow for displaying of a manoeuvre indicator at a location associated with the manoeuvre location, wherein the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

Description

An apparatus and associated methods for providing turn guidance

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of route navigation, associated methods and apparatus, and in particular concerns an apparatus configured to display a manoeuvre indicator in a displayed perspective view showing a forthcoming part of a planned navigation route. Certain disclosed examples relate to portable electronic devices, in particular, so-called hand-portable electronic devices which may be hand-held in use (although they may be placed in a cradle in use). Such hand-portable electronic devices include so-called Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), smartwatches, smart eyewear and tablet PCs. In some examples, the apparatus may be built in to a vehicle, for example, as part of a (e.g. satellite) navigation system.

The portable electronic devices/apparatus according to one or more disclosed examples may not be limited to just navigation/road mapping functionality but may provide one or more audio/text/video communication functions (e.g. tele-communication, video- communication, and/or text transmission, Short Message Service (SMS)/ Multimedia Message Service (MMS)/emailing functions, interactive/non-interactive viewing functions (e.g. web-browsing, navigation, TV/program viewing functions), music recording/playing functions (e.g. MP3 or other format and/or (FM/AM) radio broadcast recording/playing), downloading/sending of data functions, image capture function (e.g. using a (e.g. in-built) digital camera), and gaming functions.

Background

Research is currently being done to develop improved navigation devices which can provide a user with useful information about road networks to further aid route navigation.

One or more examples of the present disclosure may or may not address this issue.

The listing or discussion of a prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. Summary

According to a first aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to: in a displayed perspective view showing a forthcoming part of a planned navigation route, based on a predetermined proximity from an upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, allow for displaying of a manoeuvre indicator at a location associated with the manoeuvre location, wherein the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

The manoeuvre location may be obscured by the horizon in the displayed perspective view, and the location associated with the manoeuvre location at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed may be on or proximal to the horizon on the planned navigation route.

Based on a second predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre, the second predetermined proximity being closer to the manoeuvre location than the predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed to appear upstanding, the manoeuvre indicator may be configured to appear parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

Prior to the predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre, the manoeuvre indicator may be configured to appear parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

Prior to the predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre, the manoeuvre indicator may not be displayed in the displayed perspective view.

The location at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed in the displayed perspective view may be on, or may be proximal to, the road associated with the starting point for the upcoming manoeuvre. The shape of the manoeuvre indicator may match the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location. The shape of the manoeuvre indicator may be a default manoeuvre indicator shape selected according to the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location. The shape of the manoeuvre indicator may change shape (i.e. "morph") between a shape matching the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location and a shape matching a default manoeuvre indicator shape selected according to the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location. The location associated with the manoeuvre location may be at least in part determined from position data received from a camera view of the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route.

The manoeuvre indicator may indicate one or more of: a straight ahead manoeuvre, a left turn manoeuvre, a right-turn manoeuvre, a roundabout manoeuvre, a ramp manoeuvre onto a road, a ramp manoeuvre exiting a road, a lane change manoeuvre, and a U-turn manoeuvre.

The displayed perspective view may comprise one or more of: a real-world street view, a schematic street view, and an augmented reality view.

The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on one or more of:

a fixed distance from the upcoming manoeuvre;

a speed of travel along the planned navigation route;

a mode of travel used to travel the planned navigation route;

a type of route of the planned navigation route;

an obscuring feature located on the planned navigation route; and

a user preference setting.

The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on at least an obscuring feature located on the planned navigation route, and the apparatus may be configured to allow for displaying of the manoeuvre indicator overlaying the displayed obscuring feature. The obscuring feature may be a high bridge, a building, a hump in the road, a barrier across the road, or a tree, for example.

The manoeuvre indicator may comprise an arrow.

Based on the predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed, the manoeuvre arrow may be displayed suddenly upon reaching the predetermined proximity, or may be displayed to appear as if gradually rising up from ground level to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

Based on a second predetermined proximity closer to the manoeuvre location than the (other) predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed to appear upstanding, the manoeuvre arrow may suddenly appear to lie in the plane of the ground upon reaching the second predetermined proximity, or may be displayed to appear as if gradually lowering down to ground level with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

The apparatus may be one or more of an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a portable telecommunications device, a satellite navigation device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart eyewear, a heads-up display, a vehicle, and a module for one or more of the same. According to a further aspect, there is provided a method comprising: allowing for display of a manoeuvre indicator at a location associated with a manoeuvre location based on a predetermined proximity from an upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, wherein the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated or understood by the skilled person. Corresponding computer programs (which may or may not be recorded on a carrier or (e.g., non-transient) computer readable medium) for implementing one or more of the methods disclosed herein are also within the present disclosure and encompassed by one or more of the described example embodiments.

The present disclosure includes one or more corresponding aspects, example embodiments or features in isolation or in various combinations whether or not specifically stated (including claimed) in that combination or in isolation. Corresponding means or functional units (e.g., manoeuvre indicator provider) for performing one or more of the discussed functions are also within the present disclosure. The above summary is intended to be merely exemplary and non-limiting.

Brief Description of the Figures

A description is now given, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 illustrates schematically an example apparatus configured to perform one or more methods described herein;

Figures 2a - 2c illustrate example manoeuvre indicators;

Figures 3a - 3c illustrate other example manoeuvre indicators;

Figures 4a - 4b illustrate other example manoeuvre indicators;

Figures 5a - 5b illustrate other example manoeuvre indicators;

Figures 6a - 6d illustrate other example manoeuvre indicators;

Figure 7 illustrates schematically the main steps of a method described herein; and Figure 8 shows a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program configured to perform, control or enable one or more methods described herein.

Description of Specific Aspects/Embodiments Satellite navigation guidance systems can be used to show an upcoming route to a driver/traveller. In some cases the next turn may be shown so that the driver knows what manoeuvre he will need to make next. In some cases, the next turn may be shown as an icon in the corner of the screen, so that a driver can look away from the displayed route to see what type of turn or manoeuvre is next in the route. In some cases the next turn may be shown as an indicator on the road. In these cases, the indicator may be difficult or impossible to see, for example if the next turn is just after the brow of a hill or is behind an object along the route, such as a building. The driver may not therefore be able to see the turn indicator and may miss the next turn in the route, or feel unsure as to what his next manoeuvre should be. There will now be described an apparatus and associated methods that may provide a possible solution. The advantages disclosed herein are applicable to navigation guidance used by drivers/passengers in vehicles, and also to pedestrians, cyclists, waterway users, and other travellers. Furthermore, the advantages disclosed herein are applicable to a user travelling along a planned route, and to a user (for example, using a stationary desktop computer) using map software to follow a planned route by, for example, clicking along the planned route to preview it before travelling along it.

Figure 1 shows an apparatus 101 configured to perform one or more methods described herein. The apparatus 101 may be at least one of an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a portable telecommunications device, a satellite navigation device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart eyewear, a heads-up display, a vehicle, and a module for one or more of the same. The apparatus may or may not be part of a vehicle navigation system. That is, the apparatus may be built-in to a vehicle in certain embodiments, although in other embodiments may be removable from the vehicle. Not all elements of the apparatus need to be in the vehicle as, in some embodiments, one or more aspects of the navigation functionality may be provided by one or more servers/apparatus remote from the vehicle. In this example, the apparatus 101 comprises a processor 102, a memory 103, a transceiver 104, a power supply 105, an electronic display 106 and a loudspeaker 107, which are electrically connected to one another by a data bus 108. The processor 102 is configured for general operation of the apparatus 101 by providing signalling to, and receiving signalling from, the other components to manage their operation. The memory 103 is configured to store computer program code configured to perform, control or enable operation of the apparatus 101 . The memory 103 may also be configured to store settings for the other components. The processor 102 may access the memory 103 to retrieve the component settings in order to manage the operation of the other components. The processor 102 may be a microprocessor, including an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The memory 103 may be a temporary storage medium such as a volatile random access memory. On the other hand, the memory 103 may be a permanent storage medium such as a hard disk drive, a flash memory, or a non-volatile random access memory.

The transceiver 104 is configured to transmit data to, and/or receive data from, other apparatus/devices, whilst the power supply 105 is configured to provide the other components with electrical power to enable their functionality, and may comprise one or more of a battery, a capacitor, a supercapacitor, and a battery-capacitor hybrid. The electronic display 106 may be an LED, LCD or plasma display, and is configured to display visual content which is stored on (e.g. on the storage medium) or received by (e.g. via the transceiver) the apparatus 101 . Similarly, the loudspeaker 107 is configured to output audio content which is stored on or received by the apparatus 101 . The visual and audio content may comprise related components of a combined audio visual content. In some examples, the audio and/or visual content may comprise navigational content (such as geographical information and directions, manoeuvre indicators distances, speeds or times of travel). In other embodiments, the display 106, loudspeaker 107 and any user interface components may be remote to, but in communication with, the apparatus 101 rather than forming part of the apparatus 101. Further, in other embodiments, the power supply 105 may be housed separately from the apparatus 101 , and may be mains power. Figures 2a -2c illustrate examples of displayed perspective views of forthcoming parts in a planned navigation route, and associated manoeuvre indicators. A user in these examples is travelling along the planned navigation route and is using the augmented reality view 200a, 200b, 200c of the planned navigation route to aid him in following the route correctly. The upper portions of the Figures 200a, 200b, 200c illustrate the augmented reality perspective views along the planned navigation route, while the lower portions of the figures illustrate corresponding plan views showing the planned navigation route 202a, 202b, 202c and the field of view 204a, 204b, 204c seen in the corresponding perspective views 200a, 200b, 200c. In Figure 2a, the user is travelling along a straight road 206 ("Chadwick St") and is currently too far away from the next upcoming manoeuvre which requires a change of direction for that direction change manoeuvre to be indicated to him. Thus, since he should currently continue travelling straight-on, a "straight-on" indicator 208 is shown as an arrow on the road 206 parallel with the plane of the road 206 as shown in the displayed perspective view 200a. In Figure 2b, the user has travelled further along the road 206 and is close enough to the upcoming manoeuvre 214 for this manoeuvre to be indicated to him. In the displayed perspective view 200b showing the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route a manoeuvre indicator 210 is displayed at a location 212 associated with or proximal to the manoeuvre location 214 (in this example at the upcoming right turn). The manoeuvre indicator 210 is a right turn arrow which appears upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view 200b. This manoeuvre indicator 210 has appeared because the user has reached a predetermined proximity 212 from the upcoming manoeuvre 214.

In this example, the location 212 at which the manoeuvre indicator 210 is displayed in the displayed perspective view 200b is on the road associated with the starting point for the upcoming manoeuvre 214. That is, the bottom (non-arrow-head side) of the upstanding arrow 210 is located on the road that the user will be located on at the start of the manoeuvre. In this example, the shape of the manoeuvre indicator 210 matches the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location 214. That is, the curvature of the arrow 210 matches the curvature of the road at the manoeuvre point 214 (i.e. at the bend in the road). This may aid the user have a better understanding of what the manoeuvre will be like before reaching the point in the route where he should perform that manoeuvre (for example, a sharp bend may need the user to slow down before reaching the turn in the road, whereas a gentle sweeping curve may not require the user to slow down in advance as much).

The predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator 210 is displayed upstanding on the road 206 may be determined in different ways. The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on a fixed distance from the upcoming manoeuvre. For example, the arrow 210 may appear when the user is located 200 metres, 100 metres, 50 metres (or more, or less) before the turn in the road. The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on a speed of travel along the planned navigation route. For example, the arrow 210 may appear sooner (further from the point of manoeuvre) if the user is travelling faster, and later (closer to the point of manoeuvre) if the user is travelling slower. If a user is travelling more quickly, he will need longer to consider the upcoming manoeuvre and make appropriate driving adjustments before reaching the turn (such as slowing down or changing down a gear). If the user is travelling more slowly he may not need as much time to consider the upcoming manoeuvre and make appropriate adjustments. In some examples the predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed may be a fixed distance from the point of manoeuvre for a given speed of travel or range of speeds (for example the predetermined proximity may be 600 meters if travelling at 60 km/h or greater, 400 meters if travelling at 40 km/h and 20 meters if travelling at 200 km/h or less). In other examples the predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed may be calculated based on the user's current speed (for example, 10 times the user's speed in km/h, in meters from the point of manoeuvre, so if travelling at 55 km/h the manoeuvre indicator would be displayed at 550 meters from the turn in the road, and if travelling at 32 km/h the manoeuvre indicator would be displayed at 320 meters from the turn in the road).

The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on a mode of travel used to travel along the planned navigation route. For example, the manoeuvre indicator may appear sooner (further from the point of manoeuvre) if travelling by motorbike or car because these users are relatively fast moving and have a point of view relatively close to the road, whereas the manoeuvre indicator may appear later (closer to the point of manoeuvre) if travelling by bus, coach or truck because while these users are also relatively fast moving, they have a point of view which is higher up with respect to the road surface and thus have better visibility of the road ahead. The manoeuvre indicator may appear later still (closer still to the point of manoeuvre) if travelling by bicycle or if walking because these users are relatively slow moving and need the least time to prepare for making the manoeuvre. The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on a type of route of the planned navigation route. For example, the predetermined proximity may be further from the point of manoeuvre if the user is travelling along a multi-lane highway, because the user will need time to safely move into the appropriate lane prior to performing the manoeuvre, whereas the predetermined proximity may not be as far from the point of manoeuvre if the user is travelling along a single lane road because he does not need to change lanes prior to making the manoeuvre. The predetermined proximity may be closer still if the user is a pedestrian because a pedestrian may be considered to be able to make manoeuvres more freely, easily, and safely than a vehicle. The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on an obscuring feature located on the planned navigation route. For example, the manoeuvre indicator may be displayed at a proximity which has been predetermined based on the presence of, for example, trees obscuring the upcoming turn in the road. As an example, the upstanding manoeuvre indicator may be displayed between 300 meters and 50 meters from a turn in the road which is obscured by overhanging trees. At a distance of 50 meters from the turn, there are no more trees obscuring the view to the turn in the road for the user and so the upstanding manoeuvre indicator is no longer displayed. In contrast, for a similar route without overhanging obscuring trees, a manoeuvre indicator may be displayed at a predetermined proximity of between 200 meters and 100 meters from the upcoming manoeuvre (i.e. starting closer to the turn and ending further from the turn compared with an obscured turn).

The predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre may be calculated based on user preference settings. For example, a user may feel that they have slow reaction times and would prefer for manoeuvre indicators to be displayed starting from a further predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre to give them more time to prepare for the manoeuvre. As another example, a user may select for manoeuvre indicators to be displayed starting closer to the upcoming manoeuvres for routes which the user has indicated are well known (for example, a route from home to work and back). In some examples, the apparatus may be configured to determine if a route is a previously travelled route and may allow for displaying of the manoeuvre indicators at closer proximity to upcoming manoeuvres than equivalent manoeuvres in routes which are less commonly travelled or which have not previously travelled (either automatically, or by providing an option to the user for later manoeuvre indicator display).

In Figure 2c, the user has travelled further still along the road 206 and is close enough to the upcoming manoeuvre for the road along which he should make the required manoeuvre to be visible (i.e. the shape of the road 216, including the turn in the road which the user needs to travel along, are visible in the augmented reality view). In the displayed perspective view 200c showing the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route a manoeuvre indicator 218 is displayed at the location 214 associated with the manoeuvre location. At this second predetermined proximity 220 from the upcoming manoeuvre (this second predetermined proximity being closer to the manoeuvre location

214 than the predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator 210 is displayed to appear upstanding), the manoeuvre indicator 218 is configured to appear parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view. Since the curvature of the road is visible in the displayed perspective view, because the user is close enough to the manoeuvre point 214 for the road profile to be visible, the manoeuvre indicator 218 need not be upstanding for the user to see what the road shape is at the point of manoeuvre 218. Presenting a manoeuvre indicator parallel with the shown ground level at this second predetermined proximity may allow a user to still see an indication of where to make the required manoeuvre, but minimise features being unnecessarily obscured in the displayed perspective view by an upstanding manoeuvre indicator.

In some examples the location associated with the manoeuvre location may be, at least in part, determined from position data received from a camera view of the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route. For example, if a user had a forward route-facing camera, then data recorded from the camera may be used to locate a manoeuvre indicator in the displayed perspective view. In this way, if there is a mismatch between the navigation information used to create the displayed perspective view (e.g., such as a navigational database) and the real-world view of the corresponding location, the data obtained from the camera may allow the manoeuvre indicator to be displayed at an appropriate location in the displayed perspective view. Such a mismatch may occur, for example, if a road junction has recently been physically changed but the navigational database records for that junction have not yet been updated.

Figures 3a-3c illustrate examples of a displayed schematic perspective view 300 of forthcoming parts in a planned navigation route and manoeuvre indicators 304, 306, 308.

Figure 3a shows a user 302 located at a point in the displayed perspective view 300 at a predetermined proximity 310 from an upcoming manoeuvre, which in this example is a right turn at a crossroads. This predetermined proximity 310 is further from the manoeuvre location than the predetermined proximity 312 at which the manoeuvre indicator 306 is displayed to appear upstanding in Figure 3b. Thus, prior to the predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre at which the manoeuvre indicator appears upstanding (in Figure 3b), the manoeuvre indicator in Figure 3a is configured to appear parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view 300. This may be useful for a user so that he is not alerted to an upcoming manoeuvre unnecessarily early.

Figure 3b shows that the user 302 has moved closer to the manoeuvre point, and is located at a point in the displayed perspective view 300 at another predetermined proximity 312 from the upcoming manoeuvre. In the displayed perspective view 300 showing the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route a manoeuvre indicator 306 is displayed at a proximal location 316 associated with the manoeuvre location (in this example at the upcoming turn). The manoeuvre indicator 306 is a right turn arrow which appears upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view 300. This manoeuvre indicator 306 has appeared because the user has reached a predetermined proximity 312 from the upcoming manoeuvre at which the manoeuvre indicator 306 is configured to appear upstanding. This change in the way the manoeuvre indicator is displayed may alert the user to the upcoming manoeuvre at a suitable moment so that the user can begin to think about how to navigate the manoeuvre (e.g., to slow down, or change lane, etc). The "suitable moment" is the predetermined proximity 312 at which the upstanding manoeuvre indicator 306 is displayed to the user. Examples of different ways in which the predetermined proximity 312 may be determined are discussed above in relation to Figures 2a-2c.

The inset to Figure 3b shows how the way the manoeuvre indicator 304, 306 is displayed may transition from a manoeuvre indicator 304 being displayed parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view 300 as in Figure 3a, to a manoeuvre indicator 306 appearing upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view 300 in Figure 3b. At the predetermined proximity 312 at which the manoeuvre indicator 306 is to appear upstanding, the manoeuvre indicator may in some examples appear to gradually rise up 318 from the parallel orientation (from manoeuvre indicator 304 to the upstanding manoeuvre indicator 306) as if being tilted up through a 90° angle about the base of the arrow 320. In other examples, the manoeuvre indicator may appear to suddenly "pop-up" from the parallel orientation (manoeuvre indicator 304) to the upstanding orientation (manoeuvre indicator 306). Other transitions are possible.

In Figure 3c, the user has travelled further still along the road and is closer to the upcoming manoeuvre. In the displayed perspective view 300 showing the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route the manoeuvre indicator 308 is displayed at the location associated with the manoeuvre location. At this further predetermined proximity 314 from the upcoming manoeuvre (this further predetermined proximity being closer to the manoeuvre location than the predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator 306 is displayed to appear upstanding), the manoeuvre indicator 308 is configured to appear parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view. Presenting a manoeuvre indicator parallel with the shown ground level at this further predetermined proximity may allow a user to still see an indication of where to make the required manoeuvre, but not have any features in the displayed perspective view unnecessarily obscured by an upstanding manoeuvre indicator (unnecessarily obscured because the user is close enough to the manoeuvre location to see the road portion at the turn where he should make the manoeuvre).

The inset to Figure 3c shows how the manoeuvre indicator 306, 308 may transition from a manoeuvre indicator 306 appearing upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view 300 as in Figure 3b, to a manoeuvre indicator 308 being displayed parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view 300 as in Figure 3c. At the predetermined proximity 314 at which the manoeuvre indicator 308 is to appear parallel close to the manoeuvre location, the manoeuvre indicator may appear to gradually lie flat 320, or may suddenly appear flat 320, for example. Other transitions are possible. Figures 4a-4b illustrate examples of a displayed real world perspective view 400 and corresponding plan view 450 of forthcoming parts in a planned navigation route where an upcoming manoeuvre is obscured by a landscape feature. The user is driving through the countryside and the next manoeuvre on the planned route 452 is to turn right just after the brow of a hill 404. There are trees 402 located at the corner where the user needs to make the turn.

In the displayed perspective view 400 showing the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, a manoeuvre indicator 406 is displayed at a location 408 associated with the manoeuvre location (on the horizon on the road being travelled). The manoeuvre indicator 406 is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view. In this example, because the turn location is obscured by the hill 404 at the user's current location in the displayed perspective view, the manoeuvre indicator 406 is displayed to appear above the obscuring feature (the hill) so that the user can see the upcoming manoeuvre he needs to make. If the manoeuvre indicator was not upstanding, or if it was upstanding but not configured to be visible above the brow of the hill in the current perspective view, then the user would not see the manoeuvre indicator (or would find it difficult to see) and would not receive the guidance regarding the upcoming manoeuvre. The manoeuvre indicator 406 is displayed based on a predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route. In this example, the predetermined proximity may be determined based on the land profile over which the route passes (that is, the apparatus may account for the profile of the landscape over which the route passes and may display the manoeuvre indicator taking the profile into account, for example, displaying the indicator earlier than it would be displayed on an equivalent route over flat terrain).

In this example, the manoeuvre location is obscured by the horizon in the displayed perspective view due to the brow of the hill 404. The location 408 associated with the manoeuvre location at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed in this case is thus on the horizon on the planned navigation route, over the road on which the route is planned. This allows the user to see the manoeuvre indicator in good time before he is required to make the manoeuvre to stay on the planned route. In some examples, the manoeuvre indicator may be displayed such that it appears to move as the user moves such that it remains on the horizon as the user travels up the hill until the horizon no longer obscures the manoeuvre location in the displayed perspective view.

Figures 5a-5b illustrate examples of a displayed real world perspective view 500 and corresponding plan view 550 of forthcoming parts in a planned navigation route where an upcoming manoeuvre is obscured by a landscape feature. The user is driving through the countryside again and the next manoeuvre on the planned route 552 is to turn right just after passing under a bridge 504 surrounded by trees 502. The bridge 504 and trees 502 obscure the upcoming turn in the road in the displayed perspective view 500.

In the displayed perspective view 500 showing the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, a manoeuvre indicator 506 is displayed at a location 508 associated with the manoeuvre location. The manoeuvre indicator 506 is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view. In this example, because the turn location is obscured by the bridge 504 and trees 502 at the user's current location, the manoeuvre indicator 506 is displayed to appear in front of the obscuring feature (the bridge 504 and trees 502) so that the user can see the upcoming manoeuvre he should make. If the manoeuvre indicator was not upstanding, or if it was upstanding but not configured to be visible in front of the bridge 504 and trees 502, then the user would not see (or would find it difficult to see) the manoeuvre indicator and would not receive the guidance regarding the upcoming manoeuvre. The manoeuvre indicator 506 is displayed based on a predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route (for example, accounting for the speed of travel, or other factors, as discussed above). In this example, the manoeuvre location is obscured by the bridge 504 and trees 502 horizon in the displayed perspective view, and so the location 508 associated with the manoeuvre location at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed in this case is on the road on the planned navigation route prior to the manoeuvre location so that it appears in front of the obscuring features 502, 504. This allows the user to see the manoeuvre indicator 506 in good time before he is required to make the manoeuvre to stay on the planned route. In some examples, the manoeuvre indicator may be displayed such that it appears to move as the user moves, such that as the user passes the obscuring features (in this example, travels under the bridge 504), the manoeuvre indicator 506 may move to be displayed at the turn in the road where the user should make the turn. In the above examples the manoeuvre indicator is illustrated as an arrow. In other examples, the manoeuvre indicator may be an arrow accompanied by a numerical indicator showing how far the next manoeuvre currently is from the user to help the user better understand where he should make his next manoeuvre (for example, the manoeuvre indicator may show a countdown in 20 meter increments as the user travels towards the point of manoeuvre from 200 meters to 40 meters). In other examples, the manoeuvre indicator need not necessarily be an arrow, and may be a line or other shape. The manoeuvre indicator may, in some examples, flash or otherwise change appearance when the user is at a predetermined close proximity to the manoeuvre. In some examples the manoeuvre indicator may be displayed in a particular colour according to a particular criterion (such as a manoeuvre indicator in relation to an obscuring feature as in Figures 4a-4b and 5a-5b being displayed in red and a manoeuvre indicator in relation to no obscuring features being displayed in green).

The manoeuvre indicator may be displayed in a particular way according to the particular mode of transport being used. For example, a pedestrian may be presented with smaller manoeuvre arrows in an augmented reality perspective view so that the view of the current surroundings is not unnecessarily obscured, and he is travelling at low speeds, allowing him time to check the smaller manoeuvre indicator before reaching the manoeuvre point. A manoeuvre indicator displayed for a motorcyclist on a heads-up display projected onto the helmet visor may be more prominently displayed (for example, as a large arrow in a bright colour on a simplified schematic displayed perspective view) to allow readily understandable clear visual guidance in relation to the route without concern for obscuring surrounding features, since the motorcyclist is unlikely to be concerned with details of the displayed perspective view, is likely to be travelling a higher speeds, and clear simple arrow indicators for upcoming manoeuvres may be more useful).

Manoeuvre indicators as described herein may be displayed in any three-dimensional representation of a geographical location (such as a street-view within a real-world town showing street-level imagery) or virtual environment (such as in a computer game or other virtual landscape). Manoeuvre indicators as described here may be displayed in augmented reality applications and/or on devices configured for augmented reality applications. In an augmented reality view, the position of the manoeuvre indicator may be determined based on the user's current position and/or orientation in the real world (for example, as detected by device sensors such as GPS sensors). The manoeuvre indicator may be displayed in a perspective-correct way on a street network projection overlaid on a real world image in the augmented reality view. Pedestrian map-matching may also be used in augmented reality to aid positioning of a manoeuvre indicator and help locate the manoeuvre arrow on the road or path on which the user is located (that is, map matching may help to determine a position for display of a manoeuvre indicator on the road or path and minimise any inaccuracies in positioning which may be introduced due to, for example, GPS inaccuracies).

Figures 6a-6d illustrate manoeuvre indicators for two locations. Figures 6a and 6b show a road 602 underneath a large bridge 604. Figures 6c and 6d show a road 606 in the countryside. The manoeuvre indicators 608, 610 in Figures 6a and 6c have a shape which matches the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location. The manoeuvre indicators 608, 610 may be said to have real street curvature. In these examples, because the manoeuvre is a left turn at a fork in the road 602, 606, the manoeuvre indicators 608, 610 appear to be pointing up into the sky. This may be considered an unnatural indication of the upcoming manoeuvre.

The manoeuvre indicators 612, 614 in Figures 6b and 6d have a shape which is a default manoeuvre indicator shape selected according to the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location. The manoeuvre indicators 612, 614 in these examples are related to an upcoming left turn, and so the manoeuvre indicators 612 614 are displayed as default shape left turn arrows. These may be considered a more natural representation of manoeuvre for a user to follow while travelling. The apparatus may be configured to determine whether an upcoming manoeuvre is of a type for which the accompanying manoeuvre indicator should match the shape of the route at the manoeuvre or should be a default shape manoeuvre indicator. For example, left and right turns which require a turn of less than e.g., 70° may be represented by upstanding manoeuvre indicators of a default shape to avoid presenting a manoeuvre indicator which appears to be pointing up at the sky. Manoeuvre indicators for turns greater than 70° may have a shape which matches the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location.

In some examples the shape of the manoeuvre indicator may change shape (i.e. "morph") between a shape matching the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location and a shape matching a default manoeuvre indicator shape. For example, a manoeuvre indicator changing apparent position from upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view to parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view (for example, as a user approached the manoeuvre location) may morph from having a default manoeuvre indicator shape to having a shape matching the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location.

The above described examples illustrate manoeuvre indicators indicating left and right turns. In other examples, a manoeuvre indicator may indicate, for example, a straight ahead manoeuvre, a roundabout manoeuvre (such as taking the first, second, third, fourth or further exit from an approaching roundabout), a ramp manoeuvre (such as merging from a ramp onto another road, or exiting a road using a ramp), a lane change manoeuvre, or a U-turn manoeuvre. Other manoeuvre types are possible and manoeuvre indicators as described herein may be used to indicate other manoeuvre types.

The size of the manoeuvre indicator may be configured to be "perspective-correct" so that it appears at an appropriate size based on the user's distance from the manoeuvre location in the perspective view. The manoeuvre indicator may appear to increase in size as the user approaches a manoeuvre location until the manoeuvre indicator is displayed at a predefined maximum size. There may be a predefined minimum manoeuvre indicator size specified to avoid the manoeuvre indicator being displayed at too small a size to be easily seen by a user in the perspective view (if there is no minimum size specified for the manoeuvre indicator, in some examples where the user is relatively far from the manoeuvre location, the manoeuvre indicator may be displayed at too small a size, or not sufficiently visible, for it to provide useful guidance to the user). The manoeuvre indicator may be displayed at a predetermined minimum size until the user reaches a predetermined distance from the manoeuvre location, at which point the manoeuvre indicator may then increase in size proportionally with the corresponding increase in displayed manoeuvre location. The manoeuvre indicator may then stop increasing in size and remain at a predetermined maximum size once the user reaches a second (closer) predetermined distance from the manoeuvre location.

Figure 7 illustrates a method comprising, in a displayed perspective view showing a forthcoming part of a planned navigation route, allowing for display of a manoeuvre indicator at a location associated with a manoeuvre location based on a predetermined proximity from an upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, wherein the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

Figure 8 illustrates a computer/processor readable medium 800 providing a computer program according to one embodiment. The computer program may comprise computer code configured to perform, control or enable a method described herein. In this example, the computer/processor readable medium 800 is a disc such as a digital versatile disc (DVD) or a compact disc (CD). In other embodiments, the computer/processor readable medium 800 may be any medium that has been programmed in such a way as to carry out an inventive function. The computer/processor readable medium 800 may be a removable memory device such as a memory stick or memory card (SD, mini SD, micro SD or nano SD). In some examples, the computer program may be embodied over a distributed system (for example, the data required to generate the displayed perspective view may be stored at a remote server, and data required to generate and display manoeuvre indicators may be located in a portable navigation device or a removable storage medium in the device.)

It will be appreciated to the skilled reader that any mentioned apparatus/device and/or other features of particular mentioned apparatus/device may be provided by apparatus arranged such that they become configured to carry out the desired operations only when enabled, e.g. switched on, or the like. In such cases, they may not necessarily have the appropriate software loaded into the active memory in the non-enabled (e.g. switched off state) and only load the appropriate software in the enabled (e.g. on state). The apparatus may comprise hardware circuitry and/or firmware. The apparatus may comprise software loaded onto memory. Such software/computer programs may be recorded on the same memory/processor/functional units and/or on one or more memories/processors/functional units.

In some embodiments, a particular mentioned apparatus/device may be pre-programmed with the appropriate software to carry out desired operations, and wherein the appropriate software can be enabled for use by a user downloading a "key", for example, to unlock/enable the software and its associated functionality. Advantages associated with such embodiments can include a reduced requirement to download data when further functionality is required for a device, and this can be useful in examples where a device is perceived to have sufficient capacity to store such pre-programmed software for functionality that may not be enabled by a user.

It will be appreciated that any mentioned apparatus/circuitry/elements/processor may have other functions in addition to the mentioned functions, and that these functions may be performed by the same apparatus/circuitry/elements/processor. One or more disclosed aspects may encompass the electronic distribution of associated computer programs and computer programs (which may be source/transport encoded) recorded on an appropriate carrier (e.g. memory, signal). It will be appreciated that any "computer" described herein can comprise a collection of one or more individual processors/processing elements that may or may not be located on the same circuit board, or the same region/position of a circuit board or even the same device. In some embodiments one or more of any mentioned processors may be distributed over a plurality of devices. The same or different processor/processing elements may perform one or more functions described herein.

It will be appreciated that the term "signalling" may refer to one or more signals transmitted as a series of transmitted and/or received signals. The series of signals may comprise one, two, three, four or even more individual signal components or distinct signals to make up said signalling. Some or all of these individual signals may be transmitted/received simultaneously, in sequence, and/or such that they temporally overlap one another.

With reference to any discussion of any mentioned computer and/or processor and memory (e.g. including ROM, CD-ROM etc), these may comprise a computer processor, Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or other hardware components that have been programmed in such a way to carry out the inventive function.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole, in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects/embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure. While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to different embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.

Claims

1 . An apparatus comprising a processor and memory including computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, enable the apparatus at least to:

in a displayed perspective view showing a forthcoming part of a planned navigation route, based on a predetermined proximity from an upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, allow for displaying of a manoeuvre indicator at a location associated with the manoeuvre location, wherein the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the manoeuvre location is obscured by the horizon in the displayed perspective view, and the location associated with the manoeuvre location at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed is on or proximal to the horizon on the planned navigation route.

3. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, based on a second predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre, the second predetermined proximity being closer to the manoeuvre location than the predetermined proximity at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed to appear upstanding, the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

4. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, prior to the predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre, the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear parallel with respect to the plane of the shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

5. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the location at which the manoeuvre indicator is displayed in the displayed perspective view is on, or is proximal to, the road associated with the starting point for the upcoming manoeuvre.

6. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the manoeuvre indicator matches the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location.

7. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the shape of the manoeuvre indicator is a default manoeuvre indicator shape selected according to the shape of the route at the manoeuvre location.

8. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the location associated with the manoeuvre location is at least in part determined from position data received from a camera view of the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route.

9. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the manoeuvre indicator indicates one or more of: a straight ahead manoeuvre, a left turn manoeuvre, a right-turn manoeuvre, a roundabout manoeuvre, a ramp manoeuvre onto a road, a ramp manoeuvre exiting a road, a lane change manoeuvre, and a U-turn manoeuvre.

10. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the displayed perspective view comprises one or more of: a real-world street view, a schematic street view, and an augmented reality view.

1 1 . The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre is calculated based on one or more of:

a fixed distance from the upcoming manoeuvre;

a speed of travel along the planned navigation route;

a mode of travel used to travel the planned navigation route;

a type of route of the planned navigation route;

an obscuring feature located on the planned navigation route; and

a user preference setting.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein the predetermined proximity from the upcoming manoeuvre is calculated based on at least an obscuring feature located on the planned navigation route, and wherein the apparatus is configured to allow for displaying of the manoeuvre indicator overlaying the displayed obscuring feature.

13. The apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus is one or more of an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a portable telecommunications device, a satellite navigation device, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, a tablet, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, a smartphone, a smartwatch, smart eyewear, a heads-up display, a vehicle, and a module for one or more of the same.

14. A method comprising, in a displayed perspective view showing a forthcoming part of a planned navigation route,

allowing for display of a manoeuvre indicator at a location associated with a manoeuvre location based on a predetermined proximity from an upcoming manoeuvre for the forthcoming part of the planned navigation route, wherein the manoeuvre indicator is configured to appear upstanding with respect to the plane of a shown ground level in the displayed perspective view.

15. A computer program comprising computer code configured to perform the method of claim 1 1 .