GB2450079A

GB2450079A - Selection of routes in a navigation system using time dependent toll costs and road pricing

Info

Publication number: GB2450079A
Application number: GB0710652A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Coates
Original assignee: Denso Corp
Current assignee: Denso Corp
Priority date: 2007-06-04
Filing date: 2007-06-04
Publication date: 2008-12-17
Also published as: GB0710652D0

Abstract

A navigation system for a vehicle comprises: a database (44) storing map data from which a route can be calculated together with price data relating to pricing of the route. The price data is classified by time. The system has an input device (23, 52) by which a user can input data relating to at least a destination and desired time of travel and select options offered by the system; an output device (22, 54) for presenting to the user route at least information relating to a route calculated by the system; a positioning system (42) operable to provide position signals indicative of the position of the navigation system; and a processing unit (46). The processing unit is arranged to calculate, using the map data, time of travel and price data, a plurality of routes from a starting location to a destination together with associated prices of the routes and present via the output device the routes and associated prices to the user for selection by the input device. The user selects a said route, and the processor uses the position signals and the map data, to provide route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route. Route costs may be derived from toll charges or from road pricing schemes such as congestion charging.

Description

I

VEHICLE NAVIGATION

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a vehicle navigation system and to a method of operating a vehicle navigation system.

It is known to provide vehicle navigation systems, often known as satellite navigation systems. Such a system relies on a satellite positioning system for example UPS, Galileo, GLONASS or similar systems.

The known systems calculate a route from a start location to a destination using map data stored in the system. The system provides guidance to a user by a visual display and/or by audible instructions. Some systems can calculate both a shortest route and a quickest route for the user to choose. If a user deviates from a pre-calculated route some systems automatically recalculate the route to the destination taking account of the deviation.

JP-A-2002-2-2137 (Aisin AW) discloses a system which calculates a plurality of different routes from a starting location to a destination. The user selects one of the routes.

Some routes include toll roads or bridges or ferries which require payment of a toll.

JP-A-2002-01393 7 (Sony) discloses a system which calculates, for a journey from a start location to a destination, the quickest route (the route taldng least time) and its associated tolls, and the shortest route (the route of shortest distance) and its associated tolls and displays the routes and toll charges to enable the user to choose a route.

JP-A-l996-3387 135 calculates a route and its associated tolls and if the user has prepaid tolls displays the balance of payment available to the user.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention provides a navigation system for a vehicle.

The navigation system comprises a database storing map data from which a route can be calculated together with price data relating to pricing of the route, the price data being classified by time, an input device by which a user can input data relating to at least a destination and time of travel and select options offered by the system, an output device for presenting to the user at least information relating to a route calculated by the system, a positioning system operable to provide position signals indicative of the position of the navigation system and a processing apparatus. The processing apparatus is operable to calculate, using the map data, time of travel and price data, a plurality of routes from a starting location to a destination together with associated prices of the routes and present via the output device the routes and associated prices to the user for selection by the input device, and for a said route selected by the user, and using the position signals and the map data, to provide route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

Thus the system, unlike those of the prior art above, is able to provide time sensitive route pricing for a plurality of routes from a start location to a destination.

Such a system is suitable for use with a road pricing scheme as may be introduced into at least one area of the United Kingdom. Under such a scheme, a user of a route is charged for using the route according to the day of travel, the time of travel on the day, and type of vehicle. A version of road pricing is in effect in a zone of central London where travel through the zone is charged based on day of travel, and time of day and type of vehicle amongst other factors.

In an embodiment of the system, the processing apparatus is operable to detect a change with time of the route price and to i) automatically recalculate the price and present the recalculated price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device, and ii) offer to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination. Thus if the price of using a section of the route changes whilst the journey is in progress, the user is offered the option of recalculating the route and/or its cost.

In an embodiment of the system, the processor is further operable, in response to a change, whilst on route, which affects the route and/or the route price, i) automatically to recalculate the route and/or the price taking account of the change and present the recalculated route and/or price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device for providing the said guidance, and ii) to offer to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination to be selected by the user for providing the said guidance, and to implement the selection made by the user of i) the recalculated route and/or price and ii) the said option, and for a said route thereby selected by the user, and using the position signals and the map data, provide route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

Thus the invention provides the user with time sensitive route price information for a plurality of routes to the desired destination and if, whilst en route, the route changes and/or the price changes, the system provides a single recalculated route and/or price for selection by the user if the user wishes and also the option to calculate a plurality of routes and prices. The user can then select from the plurality of routes and prices a route which best suits the user.

The system may also offer the user the option to stay on the original mute.

The route may change due to a choice made by the user or because of traffic congestion amongst other reasons. A change of route may also involve a change of route price.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a navigation system for a vehicle, the system comprising a database storing map data from which a route can be calculated together with price data relating to pricing of the route, the route price data being classified by time, an input device by which a user can input data relating to at least a destination and time of travel and select options offered by the system, an output device for presenting to the user route at least information relating to a mute calculated by the system, a positioning system operable to provide position signals indicative of the position of the navigation system; and a processing apparatus. The method comprises calculating, using the processing unit, the map data, time of travel and price data, a plurality of routes from a starting location to a destination together with associated prices of the routes and presenting via the output device the routes and associated prices to the user for selection by the input device and for a said route selected by the user, and using the position signals and the map data, providing route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

An example of the method further comprises the processing apparatus detecting a change with time of the route price and i) automatically recalculating the price and presenting the recalculated price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device, and ii) offering to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination.

An example of the method further comprises the processing apparatus,in response to a change, whilst on route, which affects the route and/or the route price i) automatically recalculating the route and/or the price taking account of the change and presenting the recalculated route and/or price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device, and ii) offering to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination to be selected by the user for providing the said guidance, and implementing the selection made by the user of i) the recalculated route and/or price and ii) the said option, and for a said route thereby selected by the user, and using the position signals and the map data, providing route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

The invention also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which cause the navigation system to operate in accordance with the method of said another aspect when run on a navigation system comprising a database storing map data from which a route can be calculated together with price data relating to pricing of the route, the price data being classified by time, an input device by which a user can input data relating to at least a destination and desired time of travel and select options offered by the system, an output device for presenting to the user route at least information relating to a route calculated by the system, a positioning system operable to provide position signals indicative of the position of the navigation system; and a processing apparatus.

Although various aspects of the invention are set out in the accompanying claims, other aspects of the invention include any combination of features from the described embodiments and/or the accompanying dependent claims with the features of the independent claims, and not solely the combinations explicitly set out in the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure us a schematic block diagram of a vehicle navigation system; Figure 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an illustrative mode of operation of the system of Figure 1;and Figures 3 a) to d) illustrate modifications of the flow diagram of Figure 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1, a vehicle navigation system comprises an antenna 12 for receiving signals from a constellation of satellites of a global positioning system such as the GPS system or Galileo amongst others. A positioning system 42 in the navigation system processes the received signals and provides position signals representing the position of the navigation system to a processor 46. Some, or all, of the processing of the signals may be done in the processor 46 instead of in the system 42. The processor 46 may be a programmable microprocessor, microcontroller, other programmable processing unit or may be special purpose hardware or a combination of special purpose hardware and a programmable processing device or any other suitable processing apparatus.

A store 44 stores a database containing map data from which a route may be calculated together with route price data. The route price data is classified by time.

For example, for one or more routes, there may be a charge for using that route, the charge varying with day of travel and time of travel within the day. The charges and the times for which they are effective are stored in the database in a maimer associating them with the route or routes to which they apply. The route price data may also include tolls, and other relevant data. The store may be any suitable type of non-volatile random access memory for example a flash memory.

The processor 46 also receives signals via a telecommunications link for example a mobile telephone 30. In this example the phone is a OSM phone. In this example the processor receives at least traffic information, and may in some examples receive data updating the database in the store 44, via the mobile telephone 30. The route price data which is time sensitive may be updated via the telecommunicatiop link A memory 48 stores programs and other infonnation for use by the processor 46. Memory 48 may be any type of suitable memory. Programs and other data may also, or alternatively, be stored in the store 44.

An output device 22, in this example an LCD display, presents visual information to the user. Another output device 54, in this example a loudspeaker, presents audible information to the user.

An input device 23, in this example a keyboard or other manual input device, allows the user to manually input data into the system and to select options presented to the user. Another input device is a microphone 52 which may be used in conjunction with speech recognition software to input data and selections into the system. The input device may be a touch sensitive screen incorporated in screen 22.

A clock is provided either in the processor 46 or as a separate device which provides date and time to the processor 46.

The processor 46 may also receive other data from components of, and/or sensors on the vehicle for example for detecting speed of travel and/or distance travelled for the purpose of improving the accuracy of the estimate of position especially in circumstances when it is not possible to receive sufficient signals from the satellites.

The programs and map and price data stored in the memory 48 and store 44 cause the processor 46 to operate in accordance with the flow chart of Figure 2.

Assume a user wishes to plan a journey before starting the journey. Starting at A, a user enters A2 route information, for example at least data identi1ring the desired destination and the desired time of travel. The user may also enter data identifying the starting location if that is not already available from the positioning system 42 or it differs from the current location.

The processor 46 uses the map data, time of travel and price data in the database to calculate A4 a plurality of routes from the start to the destination and associated time sensitive route prices. The routes and prices are presented A6 to the user via the LCD display 22 and/or the speaker 54. The user selects A8 one of the routes using the input device 23 or the microphone 52.

At A9, the user selects either to start the journey in which case the process proceeds to AlO or decides at All whether to change the information entered at A2 to select another route. For example the user may change the time of travel to avoid high route pricing.

If the user selects to proceed to A 10, the navigation system provides route guidance to the user via the LCD display 22 and/or the speaker 54.

Referring to the section of the flow chart beginning at B, if during guidance along the route 82 a change B4 occurs then the processor operates as follows. The change may be, amongst other examples, a) the user deliberately or accidentally leaves the pre-calculated route, b) a detour is notified to the user by traffic information received by the navigation system via the mobile phone, c) the user enters new route preferences into the navigation system; and d) the expected time window for which a time dependent route price was originally calculated has either expired or not begun.

Referring to flow line a) from decision block B4, assume the user leaves the pre-calculated route. The processor detects the deviation from the originally calculated route and recalculates B6 the route to the destination and the cost of the new, recalculated, route and displays on the display 22 and/or announces via the speaker 55-i) the new route and its cost; and ii) the option to start a new multi route calculation or accept the new route and its cost.

If the user accepts.the new route and its cost at B8 using the input device 23 and/or 52, then at BlO the new route is followed and guidance is provided to the user as at AlO and 82.

If the user does not accept the new route at B8, and thus accepts the option ii) then the procedure A2 to AlO described above is followed to calculate a pluthlity of mutes and the associated costs.

Referring to flow line b) from decision block B4, assume traffic information is received via the mobile phone 30 identifying the need for a detour to avoid traffic congestion. In this example, the traffic information is data delivered directly to the processor causing it to automatically recalculate the route to avoid the congestion. The processor accordingly recalculates B 12 the route to the destination and the cost of the new, recalculated, route and displays on the display 22 and/or announces via the speaker 55-i) the new route and its cost; and ii) the option to start a new multi route calculation or accept the new route and its cost.

If the user accepts the new route and its cost at B8, then at B 10 the new route is followed and guidance is provided to the user as at AlO and B2.

If the user does not accept the new route at B8, and thus accepts the option ii) then the procedure A2 to AlO described above is followed to calculate a plurality of routes and the associated costs.

Referring to flow line c) from decision block B4, assume the user enters new route preferences into the navigation system using the input device 23 and/or 52. The processor detects B14 that the new route preferences change the originally calculated route. At B 16 the processor 46 displays on the display 22 and/or announces via the speaker 55-i) the option to continue on the originally calculated route; and ii) the option to start a new multi route calculation.

If the user accepts the option i) of continuing on the original route at B 18 using the input device 23 and/or 52, then at BlO the original route is followed and guidance is provided to the user as at AlO and B2.

If the user does not accept the original route at B 18, and thus accepts the option ii) then the procedure A2 to AlO described above is followed to calculate a plurality of routes and the associated costs in accordance with the new preferences entered by the user.

Referring to flow line d) from decision block B4, assume for example that a route and cost was pre-calculated estimating a particular time of arrival at section of the route subject to time varying route pricing and the expected speed of progress along the route prior to that section. The processor, using either its internal clock or an external clock, tracks progress along the route and the time of arrival at waypoints along the route. Assume the processor calculates B20 that, due to a delay, the price of the section of the route will have increased from the originally calculated value by the time the vehicle arrives at the section. At B22 the processor recalculates the cost of the route and displays on the display 22 and/or announces via the speaker 55-i) the new cost of the original route; and ii) offers to the user the option to start a new multi route calculation or accept the original route and its new cost.

If the user accepts the original route and its new cost at B24 using the input device 23 and/or 52, then at B 10 the original route is followed and guidance is provided to the user as at AlO and B2.

If the user does not accept the new cost at B24 and thus accepts the option ii) then the procedure A2 to AlO described above is followed to calculate a plurality of routes and the associated costs.

The processor may be operable to offer the user the option of setting a limit on the said price of the route when the user initially enters A2 data relating to the route and to present to the user, via the output device, information relating to the comparison of the actual cost relative to the limit. The user may then accept or reject a proposed route based on the comparison.

Figures 3 a) to d) give further and/or alternative details of the flow lines a) to d) of Figure 2.

In Figure 3a) corresponding to flow line a) of Figure 2, a navigation screen 22 displays guidance to the user. If the user deviates from the route, then a pop-up appears on the screen with updated route price information. When originally instructing the navigation system to calculate a route, the user may preset in the system cost limits for route pricing. In the example of Figure 3a) the system compares the updated cost with the preset limits and warns the user if the new cost exceeds the limits.

The user uses the input device 23andior 52 in step B8 to accept the new cost or to initiate a new multi-route calculation as described with reference to Figure 2.

In Figure 3b) corresponding to flow line b) of Figure 2, a navigation screen 22 displays guidance to the user. If the system receives B 12 traffic information relating to a possible detour, then a pop-up appears on the screen warning the user of the detour and gives updated route price information. The pop-up also provides the user with the option to initiate a multi-route calculation or to stay on the original route without the * . detour. The user uses the input device 23 and/or 52 in step B8 to accept the new route including the detour and the cost, or to stay on the original route or to initiate a new multi-route calculation as described with reference to Figure 2.

In the example of Figure 3b) when originally instructing the navigation system to calculate a route, the user may optionally preset in the system cost limits for route pricing. If that is done the system compares the updated cost with the preset limits and warns the user if the new cost exceeds the limits.

In Figure 3c) corresponding to flow line c) of Figure 2, a navigation screen 22 displays guidance to the user. The user may enter new route preferences at B14 using the input device 23and/or 52. The system initiates a multi-route calculation or recalculates current route taking account of the new preferences. The user uses the input device 23 and/or 52 in step B 18 to accept one of the recalculated routes.

In the example of Figure 3c) when originally instructing the navigation system to calculate a route, the user may optionally preset in the system cost limits for route pricing. If that is done the system compares the updated cost with the preset limits and warns the user if the new cost exceeds the limits.

In Figure 3d) corresponding to flow line d) of Figure 2, a navigation screen 22 displays guidance to the user. If the system detects B20 that the route pricing originally calculated is likely to change due to change of timing along the route, then a pop-up appears on the screen warning the user of the change and gives updated route price information. The pop-up also provides the user with the option to initiate a multi-route calculation or to stay on the original route with the new charge. The user uses the input device 23 and/or 52 in step B8 to accept the new route including the new charge or to initiate a new multi-route calculation as described with reference to Figure 2.

In the example of Figure 3d) when originally instructing the navigation system to calculate a route, the user may optionally preset in the system cost limits for route pricing. If that is done the system compares the updated cost with the preset limits and warns the user if the new cost exceeds the limits.

The user may prepay route costs. For example a user may regularly travel a particular route and pay many route charges in advance or pay a set amount in advance. The navigation system may store in store 44 data relating to the prepaid charges and display on the display 22 the balance available to the user, decrementing the balance automatically each time the user passes through the route or sections of the route subject to route pricing. The initial balance may be entered into the navigation system via the input device 23 or 52.

The description above is based on calculating the price of routes which may vary in time and on similar charges such as the London congestion charge which varies with day and time of day. It will be appreciated that such charges may also vary according to type of vehicle. Lorries are often charged more than cars, and cars charged more than motorcycles. The London congestion charge also has lower charges for vehicles with reduced emissions for example hybrid vehicles.

The invention may be embodied in a computer program product for operating * the processing apparatus 46 when the processing apparatus is a programmable device.

The computer program product may be in the form of a computer program on a carrier medium. The carrier medium could be a storage medium such as a solid state, magnetic, optical, magneto-optical or other storage medium. The carrier medium could be a transmission medium such as broadcast, telephonic, computer network, wired, wireless, electrical, electromagnetic optical or any other transmission medium.

Although the embodiments described above have been described in detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to include all such variations and modifications and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A navigation system for a vehicle comprising: a database storing map data from which a route can be calculated together with price data relating to pricing of the route, the price data being classified by time, an input device by which a user can input data relating to at least a destination and time of travel and select options offered by the system, an output device for presenting to the user route at least infonnation relating to a route calculated by the system.

a positioning system operable to provide position signals indicative of the position of the navigation system, and a processing apparatus arranged: to calculate, using the map data, time of travel and price data, a plurality of routes from a starting location to a destination together with associated prices of the routes and present via the output device the routes and associated prices to the user for selection by the input device; and for a said route selected by the user, and using the position signals and the map data, to provide route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further operable to detect, whilst on route, a change which affects the route and/or the route price and in response to the detected change: i) automatically to recalculate the route and/or the price taking account of the change and present the recalculated route and/or price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device; and ii) to offer to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination to be selected by the user for providing the said guidance; and to implement the selection made by the user of 1) the recalculated route and/or price and ii) the said option, and for a said route thereby selected by the user, and using * . the position signals and the map data, provide route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

3. A system according to claim I or 2, comprising a telecommunications link, the processing apparatus being operable to receive at least data relating to traffic conditions.

4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the processing apparatus is operable automatically to recalculate the route in response to, and using, the said data relating to traffic conditions received via the telecommunjcatjon link and to offer the said user the said option of calculating a plurality of routes.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein the processing apparatus is operable to offer the user the option to maintain the original route.

6. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing apparatus is operable to offer the user the option of setting a limit on the said price of the route and to present to the user, via the output device, information relating to the comparison of the actual cost relative to the limit.

7. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing apparatus is responsive to the user deviating from the said route i) automatically to recalculate the route and/or the price taking account of the change and present the recalculated route and/or price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device, and ii) to offer to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination.

8. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing apparatus is responsive to the user changing route preferences to i) to offer the user the option to maintain the original route, and ii) to offer to the user, for selection via the input * . device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination.

9. A system according to any preceding claim, wherein the processing apparatus is operable, on route, to detect a change with time of the route price and i) automatically to recalculate the price and present the recalculated price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device, and ii) to offer to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination.

10. A method of operating a navigation system for a vehicle, the system comprising a database storing map data from which a route can be calculated together with price data relating to pricing of the route, the price data being classified by time, an input device by which a user can input data relating to at least a destination, the time of travel and select options offered by the system, an output device for presenting to the user route at least information relating to a route calculated by the system, a positioning system operable to provide position signals indicative of the position of the navigation system and a processing apparatus, the method comprising: calculating, using the processing unit, the map data, time of travel and price data, a plurality of routes from a starting location to a destination together with associated prices of the routes and presenting via the output device the routes and associated prices to the user for selection by the input device; and for a said route selected by the user, and using the position signals and the map data, providing route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising, in response to a change, whilst on route, which affects the route and/or the route price: i) automatically recalculating the route and/or the price taking account of the change and presenting the recalculated route and/or price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device; and ii) offering to the user, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination to be selected by the user for providing the said guidance; and implementing the selection made by the user of i) the recalculated route and/or price and ii) the said option, and for a said route thereby selected by the user, and using the position signals and the map data, providing route guidance to the user via the output device as the navigation system travels along the route.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, further comprising detecting, on route, using the processing apparatus, a change with time of the route price and i) automatically recalculating the price and presenting the recalculated price to the user via the output device for selection by the user using the input device, and ii) offering to the user via the output device, for selection via the input device, the option of calculating a plurality of routes and associated prices from the current location to the destination.

13. A navigation system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 optionally as modified by Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A method of operating a navigation system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 optionally as modified by Figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.