CN1754082B - Navigation device and method for displaying alternate routes - Google Patents

Abstract

A navigation device has a route recalculation function that is activated by a user touching the screen to shift from a normal navigation map mode task to a menu screen displaying various types of route recalculation options.

Description

Be used to show the guider and the method for alternative route

Technical field

But the present invention relates to the guider of show navigator data.Described device especially is applied to onboard navigation system.

Background technology

By called optical imaging, and be widely used in onboard navigation system based on the device of GPS.Can be with reference to the Navigator groupware from this assignee TomTom B.V..When this software is gone up operation at the PDA that is connected to the external GPS receiver (as Compaq iPaq), the user can will be set out and destination address input PDA.Best route between the computed in software two-end-point then, and how to show indication at this route running.By utilizing the locating information that obtains from the GPS receiver, software can be determined the position of PDA (being installed in usually on the panel board of automobile) by certain time interval, and can be on map the current location of display automobile, and the suitable navigation indication (for example, turning left) of demonstration (with quoting) at 100 meters.The figure of the action of indicating to realize (for example, turn left in left arrow indication the place ahead) can be presented on the status bar, but also is superimposed upon on suitable intersection/turning on the road shown in the map itself etc.Also can the GPS receiver be incorporated in the calculation element of programming with map data base, and can on display, generate the device of navigation hint with reference to a kind of.Term " guider " is meant the device that the user can be navigate to intended destination.This device can have the built-in system that is used to receive locator data, as the GPS receiver, perhaps only can be connected to the receiver that can receive locator data.

The known onboard navigation system that makes can allow the driver when driving on the route of calculating along navigational system, starts recomputating of route.This is useful when automobile is run into construction or serious traffic jam.

Can be with reference to US 6118389, it discloses the technology that recomputates route.Start the switch that detours that route recomputates needs activation specific, yet this switch may be inconvenient for the user.Can also be with reference to US 5544060, its turning, the route that the preview of device energy is calculated by carrying out with every different road of continuous screen display and automobile; Yet the user have to use the preview switch manually order arrive it by each continuous screen up to him and want the road from route, got rid of; He selects to cancel switch then; The eliminating that calculating makes new advances the cancellation road route.

Improve to some extent aspect the user interactivity that the objective of the invention is to recomputate at the startup route.

Summary of the invention

First aspect, providing a kind of utilizes map data base and can work out the guider that the software of route is programmed between two place that the user limits, wherein to this device further programming with can be on touch-screen display the show navigator map, the current location of this map updating device; Wherein the user can be by touch screen from the navigation map task transfers to the menu screen that shows one or more options, if made selection, then start recomputating of route by further touch action.

This user interaction process is simpler, more flexible and more directly perceived than the process that art methods requirement user activates the specific hardware based switch that detours.And, because route recomputates 2 quick touch action that only need screen,, also can finish safely even the driver drives.

Menu screen can show and the relevant option of following one or more functions:

(a) calculate alternative route;

(b) calculate the alternative route of the road of the preset range do not comprise the front;

(c) calculate the alternative route that does not comprise predetermined road;

(d) return original route.

This method is than the available hard-wired switch that detours of prior art, recomputates at route and given the driver dirigibility more greatly aspect the option.

Description of drawings

Present invention is described below with reference to accompanying drawings, wherein,

Fig. 1 is a screenshot capture of having used guider of the present invention, and this screenshot capture shows a map plane figure and operates in the status bar of display screen bottom;

Fig. 2 is a screenshot capture of having used the guider of 3-D view;

Fig. 3 shows the screenshot capture that various routes are worked out the guider of function, and these functions make the user draw a variation route that arrives the destination by claimed apparatus: (i) be an alternative route; (ii) avoid roadblock at the moment; (iii) avoid predetermined road, or (iv) be return (reversion) of original route.

Embodiment

System survey

One embodiment of the present of invention are the software that is called Navigator of TomTom B.V..The Navigator running software is on the touch-screen type that Pocket PC is housed (being stylus control) PDA device, as Compaq iPaq.When PDA is connected with the GPS receiver, provide navigational system based on GPS.The PDA of this combination and GPS receiver system designed to be used onboard navigation system.The present invention also can realize on the guider of any other configuration, as have a device of whole GPS receiver/computer/display, or be the device that non-automobile uses (for example, the pedestrian uses) design, or other vehicles (as aircraft) except automobile.This guider can use the location detecting technology of any kind, and is not restricted to GPS; Therefore it can use the GNSS (GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System)) of other types, as european galileo system (European Galileo system).Similarly, this guider also is not restricted to satellite-based position/velocity system, can make this device determine the system in its geographic position but can use equally based on the beacon on ground or any other.

When the Navigator running software is on PDA, just obtained guider, cause showing normal navigation mode screen as shown in Figure 1.This view uses the combination of text, symbol, sound guidance and moving map to provide and drives indication.The key user interface element is as follows: 2-D ground Fig. 1 has occupied most of screen.Illustrate user's automobile and its current around environment, and the direction that moves with automobile always to " on " mode rotate.At the bottom of screen area operation is status bar 2.Utilize the conventional current position of the determined device of GPS position-finding by device itself, with and direction (inferring) from its travel direction represent with arrow 3.The route that is calculated by device (store in the operative installations internal memory, and be applied to the route calculation algorithm of the map datum that stores in the map data base in the device memory) is represented as the darkened path 4 of the arrow of the indication travel direction that superposeed.On darkened path 4, all mainly move (for example, turning, intersection, round etc.) schematically show with the arrow 5 that covers on the route 4.Status bar 2 also comprises the synoptic diagram 6 that next action (is to turn right at this) is shown at its left-hand side.Status bar 2 also illustrates the distance (promptly turning right, is 220 meters in this distance) of next one action, and this distance obtains (i.e. all roads of the selected route of definition and the tabulation of relevant action) from the database by the whole piece route that installs calculating.Status bar 2 also shows current road name 8, the estimated time 9 (is 2 minutes and 40 seconds at this) before arriving, estimates the actual time of arrival 10 (11:36am) and apart from the distance 11 (1.4Km) of destination.Gps signal intensity shows with mobile phone formula S meter 12.

If the center 13 of user's touch screen, meeting show navigator on-screen menu; Can be from other core navigation functions this menu startup or the control Navigator application program.Permission is from itself being easy to access the menu screen selection core navigation functions of (for example, being shown to menu screen as long as a step from map), and this has simplified user interactions significantly, and makes user interactions faster, easier.

Need the area of the Petting Area that the user touches more much bigger based on the touch-screen system of stylus than great majority.Petting Area is designed to be even as big as selecting reliably with single finger, and needn't be accurate especially; That is, simulated the reality of driver when driving a car; He or she sees the very fine screen that has the widgets icon few of time, does not more have a lot of time to go accurately to press in these widgets icons one.Therefore, using the very large touch screen district that is associated with given soft key (or the soft key of hiding, as the center 13 at screen) is the deliberate design feature of this embodiment.Different with other application based on stylus, this design feature is applied to whole Navigator consistently, is used for selecting the driver to drive the Core Feature that may need in reality.Therefore, in case give user's choice with choose on the screen icon (for example, control icons, or be used to import the key of the dummy keyboard of destination address), then the design of these icon/keys keeps simple, and expands the touch screen zone that is associated to size that each icon/key can be selected with finger significantly.In fact, the touch screen zone that is associated is at least 0.7cm ²Rank, and be generally square.Under normal navigation mode, this installs displayed map.(in other embodiments or any part of screen) near the screen center touch map (being touch sensitive dis-play) once (or in different embodiment, being twice) can access the navigation menu (see figure 3) that has corresponding to the large icons of various navigation features, for example calculate alternative route and recomputate the option of route with next section (useful when running into barrier or serious traffic jam) of avoiding road; Or recomputate the road that route is special to avoid, list.

Supplying with gps data except whole GPS receiver or from the external GPS receiver, the actual physical structure of device own can have no difference with any conventional handheld computer basically.Therefore, memory stores route calculation algorithm, map data base and user interface software; Microprocessor explains and process user input (for example the input of operative installations touch screen is set out and destination address and every other control input), and uses route calculation algorithm and calculate optimal route." optimum " can refer to the standard of or distance the shortest or some other user correlative factor the shortest such as the time.

More particularly, the user uses dummy keyboard to be input in the Navigator software that operates on the PDA with the homeposition and the expectation destination of standard mode with him.The user selects to calculate the mode of travel route then: various patterns are provided, and as " fast " pattern, calculated route very apace, but this route may not be the shortest; " fully " pattern is investigated all possible route and is found the shortest route, but this will spend the longer time and calculates etc.Other options can be arranged, allow the route of user definition beautiful scenery, for example, through maximum beautiful especially POI (points of interest pays close attention to the place) that are labeled as, or through maximum interested POI of child, or use minimum crossroad etc.

This is described to line road in map data base (this map data base is the part that PDA goes up the Navigator of operation), be vector (for example starting point of road, terminal point, direction, whole road is made up of thousands of such parts, and each part all limits by start point/end point/direction parameter is unique).The road vectors that map comes to this adds POI, adds the name of setting out on a journey, and adds other as park boundaries, the set of geographic elements such as border, river, and all these is to limit according to vector.All map feature (as road vectors, POI etc.) all limit in or the coordinate system that is associated corresponding with the gps coordinate system, make on the corresponding road of the setting position of determining by gps system shown in being positioned on the map.

Route calculation is used complicated algorithm, and this algorithm is the part of Navigator software.This algorithm is used for to a large amount of possible different route marking.The standard (or device default value) that limits according to the user of Navigator software then, as full mode scan, the route that scenery is good through the museum with the video recording that do not test the speed, is assessed these routes.Calculate the route that meets limit standard most by the microprocessor of PDA then, be stored in then in the database among the RAM, the action that is stored as a series of vectors, road name and will does at the vector terminal point (for example, every road along this route, corresponding to the distance that is predetermined, for example, turn left to enter the x street) through 100 meters.

Route recomputates

Realization of the present invention is by (or any other allows the method or the option of function selecting with the graphical icon menu, as tabulation, check box etc.) be placed on and be easy to from the menu screen of leading boat screen (i.e. the screen that reality or simulated/preview navigation, shows) visit, made things convenient for calculating the visit of alternative route function.As mentioned above, at normal navigation mode (with " the demonstrate route " that be used for simulated/preview navigation " pattern-see below), device shows the cartoon map that the guider position is shown along with advancing of route.Touch " Recalculate (recomputating) " menu screen (see figure 3) that map (being touch sensitive dis-play) 1 time (or being twice) can call the large icons that has corresponding various navigation features in (or any part of screen) in another embodiment near the screen center in different embodiment, for example calculate the option of alternative route 3C; Recomputate route to avoid next section (useful when running into road congestion) of road 3A; And recomputate the road 3B of route to avoid listing especially.Following chapters and sections are described these and other alternative route function in more detail.Some functions in these functions can directly start from the Recalculate menu screen; Other function may be in the more deep layer of menu structure.Yet, all functions all can start such as options such as icon, tabulation, check boxes by selection, these options clearly with even as big as being that the touch screen zone that the user can be in safe driving selects with finger tip be associated, area is minimum usually to be 0.7cm ²

Alternative route function: " avoid roadblock (avoiding road congestion) "

Utilize this function, the user can select " avoid roadblock " function 3A, make system based at the moment the blocked route that recomputates of road of (or the certain user limits or the place ahead distance of system default, for example 100 meters).

As previously mentioned, thus the route among the Navigator work out algorithm can be by investigating different routes and calculating an optimal route (optimum refers to the shortest or distance is the shortest or the standard of some other factorses such as the time) according to required standard marking.In this way, produce a route that meets limit standard most.If in the process that reality is driven along a route, the unscheduled event that needs the user to get around from precalculated route, as road congestion, then the user can notify its road congestion at the moment of Navigator software, and require software to recomputate a new route, with his current position as new start position, but take first can leave the turning of old calculated route.First turning can be in the front or the back of automobile current location.System investigates a large amount of potential routes from the current location to the destination in the process that makes up variation route, but gets rid of road at the moment.

Select " avoid roadblock " function 3A must soon and comprise that absolute minimum screen minimizes the dispersion of driver's energy alternately.This can be by by next key or select any point on the screen or select the given zone of screen promptly to realize from the Recalculate menu mode that normal navigation mode (wherein in the current position of automobile that map shows, shown in Fig. 1 or 2) switches to as shown in Figure 3 by the user.Want the touch promoter region of selecteed given area (for example being roughly the center of map) to want enough big, can allow the user need not carefully see that screen for a moment, just can select with its finger tip easily and reliably more.At map center, find 0.7cm ²Petting Area just enough.

Fig. 3 menu mode has shown a spot of large icons, and one of them is " avoidroadblock " 3A option.This can enoughly once touch and select; When having selected it, software recomputates route and uses standard mode (sound; And/or the navigation hint on screen) provides indication, allow the user to continue to advance, but avoid road at the moment to the destination.

Alternative route function: " avoid specific road (avoiding specified link) "

This function allows the user to select quickly and easily specific famous road 3B is labeled as obstruction, and the user just can use the Real-time Traffic Information from radio broadcasting like this.

When listening to the radio, perhaps the user hears the one section generation obstruction or busy especially between two point of crossing that limit of a specific road or highway.If this road is on user's calculated route, even may be beyond a lot of kilometers, the user also can want to allow software recomputate a new route as early as possible.System uses current location and calculates the route of reaching home and investigate the different routes of reaching home as starting point, has indicated the road that will avoid but can get rid of.Work out algorithm with the route of standard and calculate new route, the user turns to new route then.

Select " avoid specific road " function 3B must soon and comprise that also absolute minimum screen minimizes the dispersion of driver's energy alternately.This can switch to foregoing Recalculate menu mode (for example by select the given area on screen) from normal navigation mode (shown in Fig. 1 or 2, wherein in the current position of display automobile on the map) by the user and realize; The Recalculate menu shows a spot of large icons, and wherein several is road 3B famous on the route, and available once the touch selected; When touch had been selected, software recomputated route and uses standard mode (sound; And/or the navigation hint on screen) provides indication, allow the user to continue to advance but avoid the road of front to the destination.Install that perhaps screen space is limited, can not show the road that to get rid of too much; The embodiment of Fig. 3 has listed three.These three is with various weight parameter (for example, user's previous historical record of wishing to avoid; Ensuing three main roads) or by device from dynamic, the transport information upgraded that receive in the traffic information data source, select, point out that these are by ensuing three roads of certain traffic disturbing effect on route.

Last " original (reduction) " option 3D allows the user to empty all previous recomputating input and recomputate original route.

A plurality of other navigation features can be from more starting the menu level of deep layer than Fig. 3 menu.Below these functions will be described.

Alternative route function: " penalties (deduction of points) "

Utilize this function, system also makes the user mark certain points/regions be obstruction or slow, or come route weighted for the three unities/zone deduction of points (or on the contrary, prize divides), and allow system calculate alternative route (or being exactly original route) automatically for leaving or drive towards this place/zone.

By giving different potential route marking with reference to different standards (for example, the mark of route time, the mark of trip length etc.) and determining which bar route has the best running route of always assigning to work out algorithm.Usually, the user can not be directly and algorithm how to treat road, point of crossing and other roadway characteristics and carry out alternately.But this is possible in Navigator: the user can as place/zone, give deduction of points/prize and divide by giving any item that route is worked out marking that influences, and directly changes route and works out the mode of algorithm to route assessment or marking.Route is worked out algorithm to have stored the tabulation of all road/point of crossing with every vector form that is associated from the calculated route of origin-to-destination; Every (for example road segment segment is turned etc.) will have a plurality of canonical parameters relevant with this that use usually in the marking process of assessment optimal route.Therefore, be flat-footed based on giving the marking that different weights change route for different types of item.For example, certain user may dislike the intersection; Under this situation, the route scoring can be calculated the quantity of the intersection on the alternative route, gives the more weights of route of intersection negligible amounts then.Similarly, can revise its some grading parameters at some regional road of user's qualification and change these regional possibilities of route selection (or increasing or lower possibility of selecting).In order to make the user can revise the weight of different item, device can show the check box adjacent with bulleted list (for example " Like (liking) " and " Don ' t Like (disliking) ").So each user can set up Profile, (for example someone may like beautiful scenery and with a long history to define his or her personal like; And another people likes simply, the crossroad is minimum; Also have a people to like short distance as far as possible, no matter complexity).

In addition, if the user dislikes the complicated especially crossing on the simulated route, he can be to these crossing deduction of points (" Demonstrate route " function of face as follows), also can indicate him to wish few turning, device will be added up the turning number on the alternative route and preferentially provide the less route of turning then.

Alternative route function: generate automatically

If the user wants the route of seeing that another is possible, he also can select " alternative route " 3C simply: system recomputates route then, does not use the road of previous routes at least 80%.If route still is not suitable for, the user can be by selecting " alternative route " 3C another alternative route of reentrying again.

Alternative route is worked out: select computation schema

The user can select " normal (standard) ", " strict (strictness) " and " fast (fast) " formulation pattern: each pattern causes using different route formulation algorithms to come calculated route, or study plot, or strictly (because investigate a large amount of the arrangement, so may expensive minute) or (may only spend several seconds) apace because used many simplification hypothesis about optimal route.

Alternative route is worked out: the POI navigation

System provides " navigate to nearby point of interest (near the point of interest navigating to) " option.This at first be fraction the POI of normal use (point of interest pays close attention to the place) type the hotspot list of a POI icon is provided.

This tabulation is initialized to useful POI type (for the driver) usually, as refuelling station, restaurant, parking lot etc.Therefore, the user can allow program calculate the variation route that he is navigate to nearest refuelling station etc. easily.This might occur in drives in the way, and promptly the user recognizes Low oil Fuel, need recomputate the route through the refuelling station, still keeps initial destination simultaneously.

System can be with nearest relevant POI as terminal point, and current location recomputates route effectively as starting point.But user's manual setting is fit to the type of its needs.And at least one icon is adjusted to the not most recently used type in tabulation voluntarily.

Recomputate the route that comprises POI and need the search of system's execution POI.This is usually by limiting the three unities and outwards searching relevant POI from this place and finish.On PDA, can not use this method to search for POI along route because this actual be for carry out repeat search (independently search for for potential thousands of of long route, this will load too big) along all places of this route.In the present embodiment, by getting each relevant POI and seeing that it is whether again (simply a kind of and related process between POI and route) fast on the vector/line that defines the part route, this method is reversed carries out, and this can all repeat fast to all relevant POI with to each alternative route.This POI localization method can be sought the use whenever of POI at needs.When recomputating route so that it when comprising the POI of given type, route calculation algorithm with current location as starting point and keep initial destination.Only select those POI that comprise required type (to use simple association process then, and have the best route of weight of the POI nearest the close examination calculated route vector that whether exists vector matching to be associated), apart from current location with each POI of required type.

The demonstration route function

The present invention has realized " demonstrate route (demonstration route) " preview or analog functuion.This make the user can with see as the animation mode of driving by Navigator software calculate and the suggestion whole route.At first, calculate route with standard mode.Then, after calculating route, show " demonstrate route " icon or menu option automatically by device.The same with all main navigation features, this function represented by the large icons that is associated with the touch screen zone, and the touch area is even as big as easily selecting with finger tip, for example 0.7cm at least ²After selecting this icon, guider shows a series of preview map that automobile drives from the start position to the destination that show.Although the position that can arrange automobile is as advancing along road driving, or arrange the combination of relative motion between some cars and the road, usually, map can dynamically roll across the point of fixity of representing automobile position.

Other useful control function can be simulated the video/media player control function of seeing on the PC; For example, F.F. simulated/preview and time-out, broadcast and the simulated/preview that falls back.When playing the simulation of off-line route, status bar data (particularly time of arrival, route excess time and Distance Remaining) should keep accurate.This not only makes the user well experience spatial precision, also makes the user well experience the time degree of accuracy.

(for example, select " play " button in the media player style control) in the preview of standard, each road name is displayed in the status bar 8.A feasible improvement is only to show to continue the road name (as 1 second) of visible time greater than the schedule time.When the preview F.F., if the road name can't be read, can not show (in uncomplicated embodiment not this feature).If select the analog rate of time-out or automobile to be reduced to when being lower than the qualification degree, also can show the road name.

In the preview process of standard, the road name is presented in the status bar 8 or is superimposed upon road (no matter being 2D or 3D) originally on one's body in the map, as what show in the true-time operation of standard, has improved the authenticity and the effectiveness of preview function greatly.For example, " demonstrateroute " function is very useful when allowing user/passenger obtain and to determine that this route is acceptable.The user can make and oneself be familiar with and the identical road name of situation that is presented in reality driving time channel name on the device.For some automobiles, taxi for example, this is valuable especially for the passenger.For the purpose of point of sale for the potential buyer's that attracts Navigator software and gps system eyeball, this also is very useful; Therefore, at retail shop, may wish to use the Navigator route of on PDA, resetting.

Use the present invention, thereby the user can require to simulate the whole route along route on the map that is presented on the device: in traditional approach, on the map that shows, use the position of arrow mark automobile; In the middle of route simulation was carried out, the street moved through the automobile arrow, this automobile arrow preferably be fixed on about apart from the map bottom 1/3 position and placed in the middle upwards.Therefore display automobile reality is advanced along the route that is come out by the Navigator computed in software.Like this, the user can check whether route can be accepted; For example, the user may want one to avoid certain regional route and he may think that the route that the affirmation program is advised has got around it really.Perhaps the user may be exactly feel one he fully to have described and be shown in advance by software on his route driving meeting more comfortable.In the place of marketing system, this simulation can constantly repeat.

But cartoon map 2-D view (for example, as shown in Figure 1) or the 3-D view, as shown in Figure 2.Can change 3-D animation (and real-time 3-D map view) to change the height of observation of simulation; For example, for aviation applications, can show that the 3-D view of whole flight circuit is of great use for the pilot from simulated altitude.This height can be according to the highly automated variation of aircraft; In addition, simulated altitude (and other types perspective switch) control can be added to control icons on the screen edge for example.The simulated altitude that ground is above and/or the perspective of 3-D map can also change automatically along with the change of advanced speed, for example for quick preview (corresponding to very fast car speed), can increase the above simulated altitude in ground so that better view to be provided.

When the user wishes by device calculating alternative route and wants with off-line simulation or preview flash demo alternative route, also can use the demonstration route function effectively.For example, when the operation simulation, the user can if select option by touch action, can start recomputating of route by the menu screen (Fig. 3) of touch screen from the simulation task transfers to the one or more options of demonstration.The menu screen display icon relates to following one or more functions:

(a) calculate alternative route;

(b) calculate the alternative route of the road of the preset range do not comprise the front;

(c) calculate the alternative route that does not comprise predetermined road.

Recomputate in case finish, device shows the option that starts the simulation of recomputating route automatically.

Similarly, preview function can start in the process of really advancing along calculated route reality; For example, the user may wish to recomputate variation route (may find serious traffic jam); So his touch screen recomputates the menu screen (Fig. 3) of option to the demonstration route from the navigation map task transfers.Finish in case recomputate, device shows " demonstrateroute " icon automatically.This recomputates the back in actual route particularly useful, because the user may wish that by checking that the route of calculating is again examined in preview/simulation be suitable (for example, the road that should not use because of traffic jam that does not use the user to know now).

Claims (26)

1. A portable navigation device utilizing a map database and software that (a) enables routing between two user-defined locations and (b) produces standard navigation mode screens on a touch screen display built into the device to program where the current location and route guidance are shown on a 2D or 3D road map; Wherein the user is able, by touching the touch screen, to cause the device to stop showing the standard navigation mode screen and instead show a menu screen displaying one or more options if the device is selected by a further touch action. option, a recalculation of the route is initiated. 2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the recalculation of the route avoids immediate road congestion. 3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein, in the recalculation of the route, an alternative route excluding roads in the preceding predetermined range is calculated. 4 . 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the route is recalculated based on a blocked road ahead by a distance defined by a system default distance. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the user has an associated personal profile on the device defining his personal preferences for the route calculation algorithm. 6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the touch screen is touched by a single tap or a double tap anywhere on the touch screen. the 7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the touch screen is touched by single-clicking or double-tapping on an area of the touch screen large enough to be reliably touched with a fingertip. Select the region in question. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the area is located at the center of the 2D or 3D road map. 9. The device of claim 7, wherein the region has an area of at least 0.7 ^cm2 . 10. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the menu screen displays selectable items related to the function of calculating an alternate route for taking the first turn that can leave the initial route . 11. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the menu screen displays selectable items related to the function of calculating an alternative route that no longer uses at least 80% of the roads of the initial route. 12. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the menu screen displays selectable items related to the function of calculating an alternative route that does not include a predetermined road. 13. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the menu screen displays selectable options related to the function of returning to the initial route. 14. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein there are deep menu screens deep in said menu structure, said deep menu screens being displayed in relation to one or more of said functions rather than in Function-related selectable items already selectable in the menu screen. the 15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the 2D or 3D road map is a preview or simulation of a journey along the route, the current location being a simulated current location. 16. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the option is one of: (a) graphical icons; (b) controls or checkboxes; or (c) Name. 17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, which enables a user to modify the manner in which a route is evaluated or scored by a route calculation algorithm. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said changing the manner in which a route is evaluated or scored is by allowing the user to change the weight of any term used in the modified route evaluation. 19. The device of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the 2D or 3D road map is a 3D map. 20. The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, the device displaying a plurality of options for allowing the user to activate different route calculation modes. 21. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, the apparatus displaying an option for recalculating a route to include a user-defined type of point of interest. the 22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the apparatus associates vectors of points of interest of the defined type with vectors in different routes such that the apparatus selects only those routes that include the desired POI. 23. A method of displaying navigational information, said method being applied on a portable device programmed with a map database and software enabling routing between two locations defined by a user, wherein said device is be programmed to be able to display a 2D or 3D road navigation map on a touch screen display installed in the device, the map showing the current location of the device on the route planned; and It is characterized in that the user is able, by touching the touch screen, to cause the device to stop showing the standard navigation mode screen and instead show a menu screen displaying one or more options, if the device is selected by a further touch action. option, a recalculation of the route is initiated. 24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the recalculation of the route avoids an immediate road jam. 25. The device according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that, in the recalculation of the route, an alternative route is calculated for roads that do not include the previous predetermined range. 26. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the route is recalculated on the basis that the road ahead is blocked by a distance defined by the system default distance. the

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