CN101903927A - Navigation device and method for reporting traffic incidents by drivers - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of operating a portable navigation device (PND) or navigation system is described, together with a computer program for implementing said method and a PND and navigation system capable of carrying out that method. The method includes the steps of providing a means by which a user can identify a specific location or location range on the surface of the earth, which may include the current location of the device or navigation system, and at least temporarily storing said location or range in memory. The method is characterized in that it includes the further steps of presenting to the user a plurality of user-selectable options each indicative of a plurality of transient phenomena, the selection of one or more of which results in the association of that or those phenomena with the identified location or range and the storage of such together therewith as primary information. The method is further characterized in that the primary information is transmitted, either wirelessly or over a physical connection, to a remote device after storage thereof. The transient phenomena may be at least one of phenomena which are likely to have an impact on current or future traffic flow and movement towards, at, and in the vicinity of the particular location or range specified, and phenomena which may be of interest to other device users whose current or future route may pass through or proximate the particular location or range specified. In the former case, the transient phenomena are one or more of traffic congestion characteristics and/or details, accidents and details thereof, thoroughfare diversions, closures and restrictions including road works and repairs, current local weather conditions, and extraordinary vehicle identifications such those being particularly wide, heavy or slow, among others.

Description

Navigation device and method for reporting traffic incidents by drivers

technical field

The present invention relates to an improved navigation device and method.

Background technique

Portable Navigation Devices (PNDs) including GPS (Global Positioning System) signal receiving and processing means are well known and widely used as in-vehicle navigation systems. Essentially, modern PNDs consist of:

-processor,

- memory (at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, and usually both),

- map data stored in said memory,

- a software operating system and (optionally) one or more additional programs executing thereon to control the functionality of the device and provide various features,

- a GPS antenna via which satellite-broadcast signals including location data can be received and subsequently processed to determine the current location of the device,

- Optionally, electronic gyroscopes and accelerometers that generate signals that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear accelerations, and in turn combined with position information derived from GPS signals, determine the device and therefore the device in which it is installed The speed and relative displacement of the vehicle of the above-mentioned device,

- Input and output means, examples include a visual display (which may be touch-sensitive to allow user input), one or more physical buttons to control on/off operation or other features of the device, speakers for audible output ,

- optionally, one or more physical connectors by means of which power and optionally one or more data signals can be transmitted to and received from the device and optionally one or more than one data signal, and

- Optionally, one or more wireless transmitters/receivers to allow communication over mobile telecommunications and other signal and data networks (eg, Wi-Fi, Wi-Max GSM, etc.).

The utility of a PND lies primarily in its ability to determine a route between an origin or current location and a destination, which may be entered by the user of the computing device by any of a wide variety of different methods (e.g., by zip code , street names and numbers, and previously stored known, favorite, or recently visited destinations). Typically, a PND is enabled by software for computing the "best" or "best" route between an origin address location and a destination address location based on map data. The "best" or "best" route is determined based on predetermined criteria and need not necessarily be the fastest or shortest route. The selection of the route to direct the driver to follow can be very complex and the selected route can take into account existing, predicted and dynamic and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about road speeds and drivers' own preferences for factors that determine road alternatives. In addition, the device can continuously monitor road and traffic conditions and offer or choose to alter the route on which to make the remainder of the trip due to changing conditions. Real-time traffic monitoring systems based on various technologies (eg, mobile phone calls, fixed cameras, GPS fleet tracking) are being used to identify traffic delays and feed the information into notification systems.

Navigation devices are typically mounted on the vehicle's dashboard, but may also form part of the vehicle's on-board computer or car radio. The navigation device can also be (part of) a hand-held system such as a PDA (Personal Navigation Device), a media player, a mobile phone, etc., and in these cases, by means of software installed on the device to perform route calculation and along Both the navigation of the outgoing route extend the conventional functionality of the handheld system. Regardless, once a route has been calculated, the user interacts with the navigation device to select (optionally, from a list of suggested routes) the desired calculated route. Optionally, the user may intervene or direct the routing process, for example, by specifying that certain routes, roads, locations or criteria should be avoided or must be followed for a particular trip. The route calculation aspect of the PND forms one main function provided, and navigation along this route is another main function. During navigation along the calculated route, the PND provides visual and/or audible instructions to guide the user along the selected route to the end of the route, which is the desired destination. PNDs typically display map information on the screen during navigation, which is periodically updated on the screen so that the displayed map information represents the current location of the device and thus the user or the user's vehicle (if the device is being used for in-car navigation). The icons displayed on the screen typically represent the current device location and are centered, and also display map information and other map features for the current and surrounding roads. In addition, navigation information can optionally be displayed in the status bar above, below or on the side of the displayed map information. Examples of navigation information include the distance from the current road that the user needs to select to the next deviation, the nature of the deviation Possibly indicated by a further icon indicating a particular type of departure (eg left or right turn). The navigation function also determines the content, duration and timing of the audible instructions by means of which the user can be guided along the route. As can be appreciated, a simple command such as "turn left 100m ahead" requires a lot of processing and analysis. As previously mentioned, user interaction with the device may be by touching the screen, or additionally or alternatively by a steering column mounted remote control, by voice activation, or by any other suitable method.

A more important function provided by the device is automatic route recalculation in the following cases:

- during navigation along a previously calculated route, the user deviates from said route,

- real-time traffic conditions indicate that an alternative route will be more favorable and the device is capable of automatically recognizing said conditions as appropriate, or

- If the user actively causes the device to perform a route recalculation for any reason.

It is also known to allow routes to be calculated according to user-defined criteria; for example, the user may prefer to have scenic routes calculated by the device, or may wish to avoid any roads where traffic jams may, are expected to occur, or are currently occurring. The device software will then calculate the various routes and prefer the one along its route that includes the highest number of points of interest (called POIs) that are marked, for example, as having great views, or using Stored information on traffic conditions ranks the calculated routes by the level of possible congestion or delay due to congestion. Other POI-based and traffic information-based route calculation and navigation standards are also possible.

While route calculation and navigation functions are important to the overall utility of a PND, it is possible to use the device purely for informational display or "free driving," where only map information relevant to the current device location is displayed, and where a route has not yet been calculated and the device Navigation is not currently being performed. This mode of operation is often applicable when the user already knows the route to follow and does not require navigation assistance.

More modern PNDs are having not only the requisite GPS antenna capable of receiving satellite signals, but also a secondary mobile telecommunication antenna which effectively enables the device to become part of a mobile telecommunication network. Typically, the device may additionally be provided with an integrated or removable Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card on which is provided a signal identifying the device to the network and encoding and decoding a signal appropriate to the network to allow for Various data required for communication.

或Wi-Fi天线，所述天线有助于将所述装置与具备类似功能的其它装置(最常见的是移动电信手持机)配对。It is also known to provide additional short-range wireless communication components to PNDs and navigation systems, such as

Or a Wi-Fi antenna that facilitates pairing the device with other devices with similar functionality, most commonly mobile telecommunications handsets.

Both of these technologies effectively allow previously passive devices (that is, devices that provide in-vehicle navigation and turn-by-turn functionality based solely on the continuous and repeated determination of the device's current location from received GPS signals) to become capable of Broad telecommunications networks transmit information back to active devices for centralized data processing services.

In this regard, US6253151 describes a feature by which an end user of a navigation system using geographic data can easily report, wirelessly, perceived errors or inaccuracies or other problems in geographic data, such as poor quality Route calculation or guidance. End users use the user interface of the navigation system to indicate perceived errors, inaccuracies, or other problems. The navigation system includes a reporting program that operates in response to an end user's instructions. The reporting program collects information indicating errors, inaccuracies, or other problems and sends reports including the collected information to the geodatabase developer. Geodatabase developers can use the information in the report to update the geodatabase.

However, the above systems are more concerned with ensuring that a map data provider's centralized geographic or map database is as current and accurate as possible than with providing data not related to maps (e.g., temporary phenomena such as roadworks, temporary diversions, and road closures, traffic jams, accidents, and other temporary events or conditions that affect traffic flow and movement but do not ultimately represent defects in the underlying map data) on the contrary.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a PND or navigation system, a method of operating said PND or navigation system and a computer program whereby said PND or navigation system or method is controlled, which provide for reporting transient phenomena enhanced facilities.

Contents of the invention

According to the invention, there is provided a method of operating a PND or a navigation system, said method comprising the step of providing means by which a specific position or range of positions can be at least temporarily stored in a memory, said specific position or range of positions referencing a local Map data stored in the device or system to identify and optionally be or include a current location, and the method is characterized in that the method includes the further step of presenting to the user a plurality of user-selectable options , each user-selectable option indicates a plurality of temporal phenomena, selection of one or more of the plurality of options causes associating the phenomenon with the identified location or area and associating the phenomenon with the The identified location or range is stored together as primary information, and the method is further characterized by subsequently transmitting the primary information to a remote device.

Preferably, said primary information is then transmitted wirelessly, but the invention encompasses wherein a user of said device or system is provided with the possibility of associating a particular temporary phenomenon with a particular location or area when it occurs and storing the primary information in a device or system for later transmission to a remote device by means of a physical connection (e.g., to a remote PC or suitable or suitable device by means of a USB or other cable type that connects the Examples of opportunities for the device or system to be connected to the PC or suitable or suitable device).

In a preferred embodiment, said method comprises the further step of presenting to the user the further option of recording secondary descriptive information of said phenomenon after associating and storing said phenomenon with said location or range, said The secondary information is additionally at least temporarily associated with one of the location or range and the primary information and stored together, and then wirelessly transmitted to a remote device.

Preferably, the secondary information is wirelessly transmitted substantially simultaneously with the primary information or immediately following the primary information.

Most preferably, the secondary information is in at least one of alphanumeric and digitized audio form, the former capable of being entered by the user through the device's touch sensitive screen, and the latter by providing a microphone means as part of the device or system. Record.

In a preferred arrangement, the method includes the step of presenting an option to enter an audio recording mode, selection of which causes the device or system to activate the microphone and immediately begin digitizing the audio signal received from the microphone, so The audio signal is stored in a digital audio file as a stream.

Most preferably, the association of the digital audio file with at least one of the primary information and the location or extent forming part thereof occurs before, during or after completion of the recording procedure.

In a preferred arrangement, the method includes the step of presenting an option to enter an alphanumeric character entry mode, selection of which option causes the device or system to display a virtual keyboard on its display screen and simultaneously create the text in memory file that captures the alphanumeric characters entered by the user.

Most preferably, the association of the text file with at least one of the primary information and the location or extent forming part thereof occurs before, during or after creation of said text file.

Preferably, the transient is of at least one of the following types: likely to have a significant effect on current or future traffic flow and movement towards, at, and near the specified specific location or range Phenomena of influence; and phenomena that may be of interest to users of other devices whose current or future routes may pass through or approach the specified location or range. Preferably, in the former case, the temporary phenomenon is, inter alia, one or more of: traffic jam characteristics and/or details; accidents and details thereof; access diversions; closures and restrictions; current local weather conditions; and unusual vehicle identifications that are identified as being particularly wide, heavy, or slow.

In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program, optionally embodied on a computer readable medium, for implementing the above method, as well as a PND and/or navigation system adapted to perform the described method.

In an alternative aspect, the PND or navigation system may not be provided with a mobile telecommunication antenna provided by a local mobile phone or other device capable of communicating via a mobile telecommunication network. In this regard, the PND or navigation system may be provided with a short-range wireless antenna by means of which communication with the local mobile is established such that primary and secondary information is first transmitted to the local mobile for subsequent Transmitted over a wireless telecommunications network.

As will be appreciated from the foregoing, the present invention provides a method for reporting transients in real time or near real time to a remote device or system, most preferably by means of a wireless telecommunications network, for verification, verification, and subsequent communication back to other appropriately functioning devices. , said appropriately functioning means effectively forming a node within said network.

As an added advantage, the facility for reporting transients provides a legally more acceptable means of communicating transient traffic, accident and passage phenomena than using a mobile phone while driving, which is used in many The state is now illegal unless the vehicle has been equipped with a hands-free system. Yet another advantage is that the quality of information available to a user base of suitably functioning (ie mobile telecommunication capable) devices is significantly improved.

For example, if one or a relatively small number of users report an accident at a particular location on a busy highway at the time of or shortly thereafter, the remote device to which the information is transmitted can conduct traffic Forecasting of congestion, especially when historical traffic levels on the highway concerned are known at a given time. This information can be passed back to the entire installed active user base of the enabled device, which can then identify it to its users and provide these users with a much earlier opportunity to do an appropriate route recalculation (if the user wants to to perform route recalculation).

Description of drawings

Hereinafter the application will be described in more detail by using example embodiments which will be explained with the aid of the drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning System (GPS);

2 illustrates an example block diagram of electronic components of a navigation device;

3 illustrates an example block diagram of the manner in which a navigation device may receive information via a wireless communication channel;

4A and 4B are perspective views of an implementation of an embodiment of a navigation device;

Figure 5 shows a basic screenshot from a device enabled for the present invention.

Detailed ways

Figure 1 illustrates an example view of a Global Positioning System (GPS) that may be used by a navigation device. Such systems are known and used for a variety of purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite radio-based navigation system capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time and, in some cases, direction information for an unlimited number of users. The GPS, previously known as NAVSTAR, incorporates multiple satellites that orbit the Earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their positions 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 radio signals from a GPS satellite, the device determines the precise location of the satellite via one of a number of different conventional methods. In most cases, the device will continue to scan for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (note that other triangulation techniques are usually not used to determine position using only two signals, but can be determined so) . In the case of geometric triangulation, the receiver uses three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellite. This can be done in a known manner. Additionally, obtaining the fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner by the same geometric calculation. Position and velocity data can be continuously updated in real time by an unlimited number of users.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the GPS system is indicated generally by reference numeral 100 . A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit around Earth 124 . The orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronized with the orbits of the other satellites 120, and in fact likely is not. GPS receiver 140 is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from various satellites 120 .

The continuously transmitted spread spectrum signal 160 from each satellite 120 utilizes a highly accurate frequency standard achieved by extremely accurate atomic clocks. Each satellite 120 transmits as part of its data signal transmission 160 a data stream indicative of that particular satellite 120 . Those skilled in the art understand that the GPS receiver device 140 typically obtains spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of additional signals, which results in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, allows GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner. FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of electrical components of a navigation device 200 in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 does not include all components of the navigation device, but merely represents a number of example components.

The navigation device 200 is located in a housing (not shown). The housing includes a processor 210 connected to an input device 220 and a display screen 240 . The input device 220 may include a keyboard device, a voice input device, a touch panel, and/or any other known input device for inputting information; and the display screen 240 may include any type of display screen, such as an LCD display. The input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device that includes a touch pad or touch screen input, where the user only needs to touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select multiple display alternatives one of or activates one of multiple virtual buttons.

Additionally, other types of output devices 250 may also include, including but not limited to, audible output devices. As output device 241 may produce audible information to a user of navigation device 200, it is also understood that input device 240 may also include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands. In navigation device 200, processor 210 is operatively connected to input device 240 via connection 225 and is configured to receive input information from input device 240 via connection 225, and is operatively connected to display screen 240 and at least one of the output devices 241 to output information thereto. Additionally, processor 210 is operatively connected to memory 230 via connection 235 and is further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O) port 270 via connection 275 270, wherein the I/O port 270 can be connected to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device 200. External I/O devices 270 may include, but are not limited to, external listening devices, such as earphones. The connection to the I/O device 280 may additionally be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device, such as a car stereo, for example for hands-free operation and/or for voice-activated operation, for connection to a headset or Headset connection and/or for connection to, for example, a mobile phone, where the mobile phone connection can be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and, for example, the Internet or any other network, and/or for A connection to the server is established via, for example, the Internet or some other network.

The navigation device 200 may establish a "mobile" or telecommunication network connection with the server 302 via a mobile device 400 (such as a mobile phone, PDA and/or any device with mobile phone technology), which establishes a digital connection (such as via, for example, an existing digital connections using Bluetooth technology). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile device 400 can establish a network connection (eg, through the Internet) with the server 302 . Thus, a "mobile" network connection is established between the navigation device 200 (which can be and often is mobile when traveling alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server 302 in order to provide information in "real time" or at least very The "new" gateway.

Establishing a network connection between the mobile device 400 (via a service provider) and another device such as the server 302 using, for example, the Internet 410 can be done in a known manner. For example, this may include the use of the TCP/IP layered protocol. Mobile device 400 may utilize any number of communication standards, such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, and the like.

Thus, an internet connection, eg via a data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 may be utilized. For this connection, an Internet connection between server 302 and navigation device 200 is established. This can be, for example, via a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) connection (GPRS connection is a high speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom operators; GPRS is the method used to connect to the Internet) to proceed.

The navigation device 200 can further complete a data connection with the mobile device 400 and finally the Internet 410 and the server 302 via, for example, existing Bluetooth technology in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as GSRM, a data protocol standard for the GSM standard.

The navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 itself (eg, including an antenna, wherein an internal antenna of the navigation device 200 may further alternatively be used). The mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 may include the internal components specified above, and/or may include an insertable card (e.g., a Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card) equipped with, for example, the necessary mobile phone technology and/or antennas. Thus, mobile telephony technology within the navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 via, for example, the Internet 410 in a manner similar to that of any mobile device 400 .

For GRPS phone settings, Bluetooth-enabled devices can be used to work correctly with the ever-changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., for example, model/manufacturer specific settings can be stored on the navigation device 200 . Data stored for this information may be updated.

2 further illustrates an operative connection between processor 210 and antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255, where antenna/receiver 250 may be, for example, a GPS antenna/receiver. It will be appreciated that the antenna and receiver represented by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the antenna may be, for example, a GPS patch or helical antenna.

Additionally, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the electronic components shown in Figure 2 are powered by a power source (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, different configurations of the components shown in FIG. 2 are considered to be within the scope of the present application. For example, the components shown in FIG. 2 may communicate with each other via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Accordingly, the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present application includes portable or handheld navigation devices 200 .

Furthermore, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of FIG. 2 may be connected or "docked" to a motor vehicle, such as a car or boat, in known manner. The navigation device 200 can then be removed from the docked position for portable or handheld navigation use.

3 illustrates an example block diagram of a server 302 and a navigation device 200 capable of communicating via a general communication channel 318 . When a connection via the communication channel 318 is established between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 (note that this connection may be a data connection via a mobile device, a direct connection via the Internet via a personal computer, etc.), the server 302 and the navigation device 200 Can communicate.

The server 302 includes (among other components that may not be illustrated) a processor 304 operatively connected to a memory 306 and further operatively connected to a mass data storage device 312 via a wired or wireless connection 314 . The processor 304 is further operatively connected to a transmitter 308 and a receiver 310 to transmit information to and from the navigation device 200 via a communication channel 318 . The transmitted and received signals may include data, communication and/or other propagated signals. Transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design of navigation system 200 . Additionally, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into a signal transceiver. The server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass storage device 312 , noting that the mass storage device 312 may be coupled to the server 302 via a communication link 314 . Mass storage device 312 contains much navigation data and map information, and may also be a separate device from server 302 or may be incorporated into server 302 .

The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302 over the communication channel 318 and includes a processor, memory, etc. as previously described with respect to FIG. data, note that these devices may further be used to communicate with devices other than server 302 . In addition, the transmitter 320 and the receiver 322 are selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design of the navigation device 200, and the functions of the transmitter 320 and the receiver 322 can be combined into a single transceiver.

Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions for processor 304 and allows server 302 to provide services to navigation device 200 . One service provided by the server 302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage device 312 to the navigation device 200 . Another service provided by the server 302 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for the desired application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200 .

The communication channel 318 generally represents the propagation medium or path connecting the navigation device 200 and the server 302 . Both the server 302 and the navigation device 200 include a transmitter for transmitting data over the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted over the communication channel. Communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, channel 318 may include several communication links using multiple technologies. For example, communication channel 318 may be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communication, among others. Thus, communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of electrical circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, transducers, radio frequency (rf) waves, atmosphere, vacuum, and the like. Additionally, communication channel 318 may include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers.

Communication channel 318 includes, for example, telephone and computer networks. Additionally, communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless communications such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communications, and the like. Additionally, communication channel 318 may accommodate satellite communications.

Communication signals transmitted over communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals as may be required or desired for a given communication technology. For example, the signal may be suitable for use in cellular communication techniques such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global Mobile communication system (GSM), etc. Both digital and analog signals may be transmitted over communication channel 318 . These signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as may be desired for the communication technology.

The server 302 comprises a remote server accessible by the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel. Server 302 may include a web server located on a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), or the like.

The server 302 may comprise a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connected between the personal computer and the navigation device 200 . Alternatively, a personal computer may be connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to establish an Internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 . Alternatively, a mobile phone or other handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the Internet for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the Internet.

The navigation device 200 may be provided with information from the server 302 via information downloads, which may be periodically updated after the user connects the navigation device 200 to the server 302, and/or may be updated via, for example, wireless mobile connection devices and TCP/ After the IP connection is more constant or frequent between the server 302 and the navigation device 200, the information download can be more dynamic. For many dynamic calculations, the processor 304 in the server 302 can be used to handle a large amount of processing needs, however, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 can also handle many processing and calculations independently of the connection to the server 302 at times.

As indicated above in FIG. 2 , the navigation device 200 includes a processor 210 , an input device 220 and a display screen 240 . The input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information (eg, through a touch panel screen). For example, such a screen may be a touch-entry LCD screen, as is well known to those skilled in the art. In addition, the navigation device 200 may further include any additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device 241, such as an audio input/output device.

4A and 4B are perspective views of the navigation device 200 . As shown in FIG. 4A, the navigation device 200 may include an integrated input and display device 290 (e.g., touch panel screen) and other components of FIG. 2 (including but not limited to internal GPS receiver 250, microprocessor 210, power supply , memory system 220, etc.) unit.

The navigation device 200 can sit on an arm 292, which itself can be fastened to the vehicle dashboard/window/etc using large suction cups 294. This arm 292 is an example of a docking station to which the navigation device 200 can be docked.

As shown in FIG. 4B , the navigation device 200 can be docked or, for example, by snap-connecting the navigation device 292 to the arm 292 (this is only one example, as other known alternatives for connecting to a docking station are described in this application). within the scope of the project) is otherwise connected to the arm 292 of the docking station. The navigation device 200 may then be rotatable on the arm 292, as indicated by the arrow in Figure 4B. To release the connection between the navigation device 200 and the docking station, for example, a button on the navigation device 200 may be pressed (this is only an example, as other known alternatives for disconnecting from the docking station are described in the within the range).

Referring now to Figure 5, there is shown a set of screen shots demonstrating one embodiment of the present invention. In screenshot 500 , the device is displaying map information 502 and a current location indicator 504 . Additionally, user selectable icons 506 are displayed. This is optional, and this icon may form part of a basic menu structure consisting of a variety of different icons that is accessed by simply touching the display screen during Both provide some means by which a user may provide an indication to the device that they wish to report some event or transient. In the illustrated embodiment, icon 506 relates to reporting of traffic incidents. By selecting this on-screen icon, as indicated at 508, the device is caused to enter a traffic reporting mode.

In this mode (shown by screenshot 510), map information 502 and current location indicator 504 continue to be displayed, but an alternative and (optionally) user-selectable icon 512 is displayed, indicating to the user that the device is in a traffic incident in report mode.

In this mode, the current speed of the vehicle (as measured by the device) is compared to the expected traffic speed of the road network along which the device is currently traveling. This may additionally be determined by the device from a comparison of the current geographic device location with base map data stored in device memory. If the current speed of the vehicle is lower than the expected traffic speed value stored in the device memory for the particular type of road in question (alternatively, this data can be derived from map data speed limit information for the current road), ideally by means of moving The telecommunications network (the device forms part of said mobile telecommunications network as it is provided with a suitable antenna and a suitable subscriber identity module) transmits the position of the vehicle and the current vehicle speed to a remote data processing server. If the current speed of the vehicle is not lower than the expected traffic speed, the device exits the "Traffic Incident Reporting Mode".

When in "Traffic Incident Reporting Mode," the device ideally transmits its current speed and location wirelessly every 30 seconds. This launch continues until one of the following conditions is met:

1. The vehicle speed increases to the expected traffic speed of the roadway for at least 30 seconds.

2. The user arrives at his destination (if a route is planned).

3. The device is turned off.

When any of the above conditions are met, the device automatically exits the “Traffic Incident Reporting Mode” and the “Reporting Traffic Incident” icon 512 is replaced by the “Reporting Traffic Incident” icon 506 .

As previously mentioned, the "Reporting Traffic Incident" icon 512 optionally may be another more specific icon selectable by the user to display a specific type of temporary local event related to traffic that can be usefully reported to Central processing center for subsequent retransmissions to other users in the installed device user pool. For example, selection of icon 512 may cause display of the screen shot shown in 514 in which a number of other specific icons related to specific types of traffic-related transients are displayed. Specifically, these icons are "Extra Wide Carrying" icon 516, "Severe Accident" icon 518, "Minor Accident" icon 520, "Temporary Diversion" icon 522, "Lane Restriction Icon" 524, and "Severe Weather" icon 526 . Of course, selection of these icons may result in a return to the display of map information as shown in the screen shot of 510, or may result in the display of another menu structure whereby alphanumeric or audible ( If the device is equipped with a microphone and software that enables the recording of speech through the microphone) enter additional secondary information.

In case the device returns to the display of map information as shown in screenshot 510 after selection of one of the icons presented in screenshot 514, depending on the icon selected, specific types of Automatic storage of transient phenomena.

In an alternate embodiment, it is possible that selection of icon 506 in screenshot 500 may cause the device to immediately display a screenshot including a set of icons, such as the icons displayed at 514 . In this embodiment, the device is not caused to enter event reporting mode until one of the icons 516, 518, 520, 522, 524, 526 is selected such that a particular type of transient event, situation or phenomenon is properly identified. Thereafter, the device may be caused to return to screenshot 510 .

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may also provide an automatic traffic incident reporting feature. Accordingly, an option will be provided as part of the device software which, when selected or enabled, causes the device to periodically compare the current device speed with the expected travel speed for a particular road network element or segment, at which time the device is Travel along that particular road network element or segment. The period of comparison may also be adjustable, or may be preset, for example, at 10s time intervals. If the automatic incident reporting feature is enabled, the comparison should occur regardless of whether the device is operating in free-ride mode or navigation mode (ie, when a route has been planned and the device is providing navigation to the user for this route).

Optionally, the automatic traffic incident reporting feature may only become "active" once the speed of the device reaches the expected travel speed of the current road network element after having been enabled. This is done so that events are not reported when the device is stationary at the start of a journey or immediately after the device has been turned on, otherwise as soon as the device starts moving the feature could be active and false traffic event data would be reported.

Whenever the current speed of the navigation device falls below 80% of the expected travel speed of the current road network element, the device should ideally use a wireless data connection (e.g. GPRS, WiFi, 3G) to link some form of road element identification along with the current speed uploaded together to a remote backend processing, verification and/or reconciliation facility, as previously described.

For remote "back-end" processing facilities that typically perform some sort of collation and/or verification of traffic event information received wirelessly, once the information is received, ideally the following should occur:

-Transform traffic incident reports into a unified traffic incident format

- Traffic events should be assigned a validity period, the default validity period is (for example) 30 minutes; optionally, the validity of the event can be set according to the type of event (if specified) or by analysis of the severity of the event Periodicity (ie, an event with a 30% decrease in velocity has a shorter validity than an event with an 80% decrease in velocity).

- traffic incident reports for adjacent connected road network elements should be combined into a single traffic incident,

- Traffic incident reports should be delivered to the installed device user base as part of an overall traffic incident reporting service (optionally provided to device owners on a subscription basis) that includes identification of traffic incidents and general traffic flow information from other (eg, government and/or commercial) sources.

Claims (25)

1. method of operating PND or navigational system, described method comprises that provide can be so as to being stored in ad-hoc location or position range the step of the member in the storer at least provisionally, described ad-hoc location or position range randomly are current location or comprise current location, and described method is characterised in that, described method comprises the step that presents at least the first at user option option to the user, the described first at user option option indicates at least one to wish the transient phenomena of report, to the selection of the described first at user option option cause immediately or subsequently with described phenomenon with the position of described current or any identification subsequently or scope is associated and described phenomenon is stored as main information together with described current or any position or the scope of identification subsequently, and the feature of described method further is, subsequently described main information is transmitted into remote-control device.

2. method according to claim 1, wherein the described selection to described first option causes described device or system to enter Report mode, device present speed or the average velocity since described Report mode starts have wherein periodically been determined and itself and the velocity amplitude of being stored are compared that the described velocity amplitude of storing is suitable for the type of the current road of advancing above of described device or system or derives at described road type.

3. method according to claim 2, wherein said relatively causing in described device speed withdraws from described Report mode under at the predetermined threshold amount of the described institute storage speed value of described road type or the situation in described predetermined threshold amount, perhaps periodically create under described device speed does not satisfy any one situation in these criterions and launch main information subsequently.

4. method according to claim 3, wherein when in Report mode, together with cartographic information with at user option icon display on the display of described device.

5. method according to claim 4, wherein the selection to described at user option icon causes one or more other at user option clauses and subclauses of demonstration on the described display of described device, one or more types more specifically that described clauses and subclauses are represented described specific transient phenomena cause the information of phenomenon that will the described particular type of expression to be associated with described position or position range to any one the selection in the described clauses and subclauses.

6. according to the described method of arbitrary aforementioned claim, wherein described main information is transmitted into remote-control device with wireless mode.

7. according to the described method of arbitrary aforementioned claim, it comprises following other step: after described phenomenon being associated with described position or scope and storing, present other option to described user in order to the less important descriptive information that writes down described phenomenon or described position that is associated with described phenomenon or scope, described less important information in addition forms one in the described main information of its part with described position or scope and described position or scope at least provisionally and is associated and stores, and is transmitted into remote-control device subsequently.

8. method according to claim 7, wherein substantially side by side or be right after after described main information and launch described less important information with wireless mode continuously together with described main information.

9. according to claim 7 or 8 described methods, wherein said less important information is at least one in alphanumeric and the digitized audio form.

10. method according to claim 9, wherein said less important information are alphanumeric format and are imported by the touch sensitive screen of described device or system by described user.

11. method according to claim 9, wherein said less important information is the digitized audio form, and described less important information is come record by the microphone member that the part as described device or system provides.

12. method according to claim 11, it further comprises the step that presents audio recording the mode option to described user, described audio recording the mode option causes described device or the described microphone of system start-up and begins the sound signal that receives from described microphone is carried out digitizing when selected, described sound signal is stored in the crossfire form in the digital audio file in the storer of described device or system.

13. method according to claim 12, wherein said digital audio file and described main information and form the described position of its part or at least one be associated before logging program is finished in the scope, during or afterwards at least one the time take place.

14. method according to claim 10, it further comprises the step that presents alphanumeric character input pattern option to the user, the selection of described alphanumeric character input pattern option is caused described device or system to show dummy keyboard on the display screen of described device or system and create and open text simultaneously in storer, and described text is captured the alphanumeric character by described user's input.

15. method according to claim 14, wherein said text and described main information and form the described position of its part or at least one be associated before described text is created in the scope, during or afterwards at least one the time take place.

16. according to the described method of arbitrary aforementioned claim, wherein said transient phenomena has at least one in the following type: might be to towards the ad-hoc location of described appointment or scope, at the ad-hoc location of described appointment or scope place and near the current or future transportation flow the ad-hoc location of described appointment or scope and move influential phenomenon; And the phenomenon that current or following route may pass or other device users of the ad-hoc location of approaching described appointment or scope may be paid close attention to.

17. method according to claim 16, wherein said phenomenon has might be to towards the ad-hoc location of described appointment or scope, at the ad-hoc location of described appointment or scope place and near the current or future transportation flow the ad-hoc location of described appointment or scope and move influential type, and described transient phenomena is one or more in the following: traffic jam feature and/or details; Accident and details thereof; Passage changes its course; Comprise the sealing and the restriction of road engineering and maintenance; Current local weather condition; And unusual vehicles identification, it is wide especially, heavy or slow that the described unusual vehicles are identified as.

18. according to claim 16 or 17 described methods, wherein said method is included in during navigation or the free driving model step of displayed map information on the touch-sensitive display of described device or system, described display and described device or system responses show one or more at user option descriptors of one or more features that indication is provided by described device in contact, one in the described feature is the specific transient phenomena that is directed to position or position range of input.

19. according to claim 1 and 2 described methods, wherein said Report mode is automatic traffic events Report mode, and except between the starting period of described device or system, described compare cycle and generation continuously, when described device or system determine that its present speed does not satisfy one or more predefined criterions, periodically create main information and it is transmitted into remote-control device automatically.

20. a computer program, it comprises the code that is used to implement according to described method of arbitrary aforementioned claim or system.

21. a machine-readable storage device, it stores computer program according to claim 20.

22. portable navigating device PND, it comprises the gps signal receiving member at least, handle member, storer and display, described PND is suitable for storing at least provisionally ad-hoc location or position range, described position or position range randomly are current location or comprise current location, and described portable navigating device PND is characterised in that, described device presents at least the first at user option option of indicating at least one transient phenomena to the user, the selection of the described first at user option option is caused described phenomenon with the position of being discerned or scope is associated and described phenomenon is stored as main information together with described position of discerning or scope, and the feature of described portable navigating device PND is that further described device comprises subsequently can be so as to being transmitted into described main information the member of remote-control device.

23. PND according to claim 22, it further comprises touch sensitive screen and is suitable for carrying out according to the described method of arbitrary claim in the claim 2 to 19.

24. navigational system, it comprises the gps signal receiving member at least, handle member, storer and display, described system is suitable for storing at least provisionally ad-hoc location or position range, described position or position range randomly are current location or comprise current location, and described navigational system is characterised in that, described system presents at least the first at user option option of indicating at least one transient phenomena to the user, the selection of the described first at user option option is caused described phenomenon with the position of being discerned or scope is associated and described phenomenon is stored as main information together with described position of discerning or scope, and the feature of described navigational system is that further described system comprises subsequently can be so as to being transmitted into described main information the member of remote-control device.

25. navigational system according to claim 24, it further comprises touch sensitive screen and is suitable for carrying out according to the described method of arbitrary claim in the claim 2 to 19.

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