RU2439709C2 - Method and device for maps switching - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technologies.

SUBSTANCE: method is disclosed and a navigation device for maps switching. At certain stages the following is carried out: information is received, related to a current position, or a route is determined for travelling along it; cartographic information is displayed, including the current position or a certain route, on a navigation device; it is determined whether the current position or area along the certain route are covered relatively to a more detailed map; displayed cartographic information is switched to displaying a relatively more detailed map, if corresponding cartographic information of the current position or area along the route is available for display.

EFFECT: higher quality of vehicles navigation.

21 cl, 3 dwg

Description

Priority Statement

This application hereby claims priority, based on paragraph 119 of section 35 of the United States Code, with respect to each of the following UK patent applications: 0604709.6, registered March 8, 2006; number 0604708.8, registered on March 8, 2006; number 0604710.4, registered on March 8, 2006; number 0604704.7, registered on March 8, 2006; and number 0604706.2, registered March 8, 2006, the entire contents of each of them is hereby incorporated into this description by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This appendix generally relates to navigation methods and devices.

State of the art

Currently known navigation systems that use the technology of the global positioning system (GPS - Global Positioning System) to determine, using triangulation methods, the exact location of the devices based on GPS signals received from satellites. Based on these GPS signals, navigation devices use map information to further reflect the location and route of travel by displaying navigation maps to a user of navigation devices. These cards are usually stored on a mass storage device associated with or part of a service node, and cartographic information is received from the mass storage device and the service node via a communication channel (Internet, TCP / IP, etc.), to the navigation device. Since the data can be compressed and since large amounts of data can be stored on small-capacity storage devices, map information is usually downloaded from the service node and stored on the user's navigation device, and the user is able to acquire map information for different parts of the territory around the world. Thus, at each moment of time, the navigation device independently saves the cartographic information necessary for the user to move along a given route, meaning that additional cartographic information for new areas of the country or the world, for example, can be acquired and downloaded from the service node and storage device high capacity.

Since the navigation device itself stores a lot of cartographic information, the navigation device is able to determine based on the selected route (including, for example, based on the choice of the destination of movement, it is understood that the input position can be determined using information from GPS) which will be displayed to the user of the navigation device, based on a given route of movement. As the user leaves the area of one map and enters the area of another map, the navigation device switches the display from one map to another. This is usually done in a known manner, based on the actual position of the navigation device (usually the navigation device in the user's vehicle) while moving along a given route (note that the user may accidentally or intentionally deviate from the route, and in such cases, information on the new route or the actual travel route is displayed). Again, the cards switch in a known manner from displaying one to displaying the next.

Disclosure of invention

In at least one embodiment of the present application, it is appreciated that map information is usually switched in known devices as a user moves along a route, and does not switch based on the accuracy of the map information. Accordingly, in at least one embodiment of the present application, the method is directed to switching the displayed cartographic information to display relatively more detailed cartographic information, if available. Such a method, in at least one embodiment, includes the steps of: determining a travel route based on inputting a travel destination to the navigation device; display on the navigation device cartographic information transmitting a specific route; receive information about the current position regarding movement along a specific route; determining, based on the current position information, whether en route movement enters an area in which relatively more detailed cartographic information is available for display; and switch the displayed cartographic information to display relatively more detailed cartographic information when determining that moving along a route enters an area in which relatively more detailed cartographic information is available for display.

In at least one additional embodiment of the present application, the present application is oriented to a navigation device. The navigation device includes a processing device for determining a travel route based on inputting a travel destination into the navigation device; a combined input and display device for inputting a moving destination and displaying cartographic information transmitting a specific route; and a receiving device for receiving information about the current position regarding movement along a specific route, the processing device is additionally used to determine, based on the current position information, whether moving along the route enters an area in which relatively more detailed map information is available for display, and controlling a combined input and display device to switch the displayed map information to a display with respect to more e detailed map information, when the processing device determines that moving along a route enters an area in which relatively more detailed map information is available for display.

In at least one other embodiment, the present application is directed to another method. The method includes the steps of receiving information about the current position and displaying map information, including the current position, on the navigation device; determine the relative availability of cartographic information for the current situation; and switch the displayed cartographic information to display cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position when determining that cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position is available.

In at least one other embodiment, the present application is directed to another navigation device. The navigation device includes a receiving device for receiving a current position of the navigation device; a combined input and display device for displaying cartographic information, including the current position; and a processing device for determining the relative security of the cartographic information for the current position and controlling the combined input and display device to switch the displayed cartographic information to display the cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position, when determining that the cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position available.

In at least one additional embodiment, the present application is directed to another method. The method includes the steps of determining a travel route based on inputting a travel destination to the navigation device; display a map on the navigation device, transmitting a specific route; receive information about the current position regarding movement along a specific route; determining whether the current position information is provided with two or more cards; and display one of two or more maps providing information about the current position with relatively greater detail, instead of the previously displayed map, when determining that the current position information is provided by two or more maps.

In at least one additional embodiment of the present application, the application is oriented to a navigation device. The navigation device includes a processing device for determining a travel route based on inputting a travel destination into the navigation device; a combined input and display device for inputting a moving destination and displaying transmission of a specific route; and a receiving device for receiving information about the current position regarding movement along a specific route, the processing device is further used to determine whether the current position information is provided by two or more cards, and to control the combined input and display device to display one of two or more maps, providing information on the current position with relatively greater detail, instead of the previously displayed map, when determining that the information on the current The position is provided by two or more cards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further, the present application will be described in more detail using illustrative embodiments that will be disclosed using the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative image of a global positioning system (GPS);

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative block diagram of electronic components of a navigation device according to an embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative block diagram of a service node, a navigation device, and a connection between them according to an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used in the present description is intended only to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to limit the present invention. For the purposes of the present description, the singular form also includes the plural, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, it is understood that the terms “includes” and / or “including,” when used in the present description of the invention, establish the presence of declared signs, something whole, steps, actions, elements and / or components, but does not exclude the presence of or adding one or more other features, a whole, steps, actions, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

In the description of the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings, certain terminology is used for clarity. However, it is not intended to limit the disclosure of this patent description to such specific terminology chosen, and it should be understood that each individual element includes all technical equivalents that function in a similar manner.

The following describes illustrative embodiments of the present patent application with reference to the drawings, in which like reference values indicate the same or similar parts in all separate images. Similar numbers refer to like elements throughout. For the purposes of the present description, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed elements.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative image of a global positioning system (GPS) used by navigation devices, including a navigation device according to embodiments of the present application. Such systems are known and used for a variety of purposes. In general terms, GPS is a radio-satellite navigation system capable of constantly determining the position, speed, time, and in some cases these directions for an unlimited number of users.

Formerly known as NAVSTAR, GPS combines many satellites that move above the earth in very precise orbits. Located in these exact orbits, GPS satellites can broadcast their location to any number of receiving modules. The GPS system is implemented when a device specially adapted for receiving GPS data starts scanning radio frequencies for the presence of GPS satellite signals. Based on the reception of the GPS satellite radio signal, the device determines the exact location of this satellite in one of many different standard ways. The device will continue to scan, in most cases, for the presence of signals until at least three signals from different satellites are typed (note that the position is not entirely correct, but can only be determined by two signals using other triangulation methods ) When implementing geometric triangulation, the receiving device uses three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. Additionally, receiving a signal from the fourth satellite will allow the receiving device in a known manner to calculate its three-dimensional position by the same geometric calculation. Position and speed data can be continuously updated in real time by an unlimited number of users.

As shown in FIG. 1, the GPS system as a whole is denoted by a reference value of 100. Many satellites 120 are in orbit around the earth 124. The orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronized with the orbits of the other satellites 120 and is, in fact, probably asynchronous. A GPS receiver 140 used in embodiments of navigation devices of the present application is shown to receive broadband signals 160 of GPS satellites from various satellites 120.

Broadband signals 160, continuously transmitted from each satellite 120, use a high-precision frequency standard, achieved using extremely accurate atomic clocks. Each satellite 120, as part of its data signal 160, transmits a stream of data indicative of a particular satellite 120. Those skilled in the art will recognize that GPS receiver 140 typically receives wideband signals 160 of GPS satellites from at least three satellites 120 for calculating by the receiving device 140 GPS its two-dimensional position using triangulation. The receipt of an additional signal, resulting in signals 160 from four satellites 120, allows the GPS receiving device 140 in a known manner to calculate its three-dimensional position.

FIG. 2 shows an illustrative block diagram of the electronic components of a navigation device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application, in the form of block components. It should be noted that the structural diagram of the navigation device 200 does not contain all the components of the navigation device, but only typical illustrative components from among many.

The navigation device 200 is housed in a housing (not shown). The housing encloses a processing device 210 connected to an input device 220 and a display device 240. Input device 220 may include a keyboard device, voice input device, and / or any other known input device used for data input; and the display device 240 may include any type of display device, such as, for example, a liquid crystal display device. In at least one embodiment of the present application, the input device 220 and the display device 240 are combined into a combined input and display device including an input device in the form of a touch panel or touch screen, for which the user only needs to touch a part of the screen of the display device 240, to select one of the many options displayed or activate one of the many virtual buttons.

In addition, other type of output device 250 may also be present, including, but not limited to, an audio output device. As the output device 250 can reproduce audio information to a user of the navigation device 200, it is equally understood that the input device 240 may also include a microphone and software in order to further receive input voice commands.

In the navigation device 200, the processing device 210 is operatively connected to the input device 240 and is configured to receive input from it through the connection 225, and is functionally connected to at least either the display device 240 or the output device 250 through the output connection 245, to output data to them. Additionally, the processing device 210 is operatively connected to the storage device 230 via the connection 235 and is configured to receive / send data from / to the input / output ports 270 via the connection 275, the input / output ports 270 being connected to an external device for the navigation device 200 280 I / O. The external input / output device 280 may include, but is not limited to, an external listening device, such as, for example, a handset speaker. Additionally, the connection to the input / output device 280 may be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device, for example, such as a car radio, for working with free hands, and / or for working using voice control, for connecting with the speaker of the handset or headphones, and / or for connecting to a mobile phone, for example, the connection to a mobile phone can be used to establish a TCP / IP connection between the navigation device 200 and the network The Internet or any other network, for example, and / or establishing a connection with a service node via the Internet or some other network, for example.

FIG. 2 further shows a functional connection between the processing device 210 and the antenna / receiver 260 through the connection 255, wherein the antenna / receiver 260 may be, for example, a GPS antenna / receiver. It is understood that the antenna and the receiving device, denoted by the reference value 260, are schematically combined to illustrate, but that the antenna and the receiving device can be separately placed components, and that the antenna can be a flat integrated antenna or a GPS helical antenna, for example.

Additionally, one skilled in the art will recognize that the electronic components shown in FIG. 2 are supplied with energy from energy sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As one skilled in the art will understand, various component configurations shown in FIG. 2. For example, in one embodiment, the components shown in FIG. 2, can communicate with each other via wired and / or wireless connections and the like. Accordingly, the volume of the navigation device 200 according to the present application includes a portable or portable navigation device 200.

In addition, the portable or portable navigation device 200 shown in FIG. 2 can be connected in a known manner or “docked” with a motor vehicle, such as, for example, a car or a boat. Such a navigation device 200 may then be removed from the dock for navigation use as portable or portable.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative block diagram of a service unit 302 and a navigation device 200 according to the present application using the multi-function communication channel 318 according to an embodiment of the present application. The service node 302 and the navigation device 200 according to the present application can interact when a connection is established via the communication channel 318 between the service node 302 and the navigation device 200 (note that such a connection can be a data connection via a mobile device, a direct connection through a personal computer via Internet, etc.).

The navigation device 200, in at least one embodiment, can establish a “mobile” network connection with a service node 302 via a mobile device 400 (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and / or any device supporting mobile telephone technology) that has established a digital a connection (such as a digital connection using known Bluetooth technology, for example). After that, through its network service provider, the mobile device 400 can establish a network connection (via the Internet, for example) with the service node 302. In fact, a “mobile” network connection is established between the navigation device 200 (which can be, and often is, mobile because it moves autonomously and / or on the vehicle) and the service node 302 to provide a “real-time” information gateway or, at least with very “fresh data”.

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

Actually, an Internet connection can be used, which is provided through a connection for transmitting data via a mobile phone or mobile phone technical means in a navigation device 200, for example. Thanks to this connection, an Internet connection is established between the service node 302 and the navigation device 200. This can be done, for example, using a mobile phone or other mobile device and using the General Packet Radio Services (GPRS) protocol (GPRS) - The connection is a high-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telephone service providers; GPRS is a way to connect to the Internet).

The navigation device 200 may additionally make a data connection with the mobile device 400, and ultimately with the Internet 410 and the service node 302, in a known manner, for example, using existing Bluetooth technology, and any data transmission protocol of a number of standards can be used, such , for example, like GSRM, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard.

The navigation device 200 may include its own technical means of mobile telephony directly in the navigation device 200 (including, for example, an antenna, the built-in antenna of the navigation device 200 may be used additionally as an alternative). The technical means of mobile telephony in the navigation device 200 may include integrated components, as noted above, and / or may include a plug-in card equipped with the necessary technical means of mobile telephony and / or antenna, for example. Actually, the technical means of mobile telephony in the navigation device 200 can in the same way establish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the service node 302, via the Internet 410, for example, in the same way as any mobile device 400.

To configure the phone to work on the GPRS protocol, to work correctly with the ever-changing variety of models of mobile phones, manufacturers, etc. a device supporting Bluetooth technology may be used, while settings for a particular model / manufacturer may be stored on the navigation device 200, for example. Data stored to provide this information may be updated in a manner discussed in any of the preceding and following embodiments.

The service unit 302 includes, in addition to other components that may not be demonstrated, a processing device 304 operatively coupled to the memory device 306 and further functionally connected, via a wired or wireless connection 314, to the large capacity storage device 312. The processing device 304 is additionally functionally connected to a transmitting device 308 and a receiving device 310 for transmitting and sending information to and from the navigation device 200 via a communication channel 318. Sent and received signals may include data signals, communication signals and / or other distributed signals.

The transmitting device 308 and the receiving device 310 can be selected or designed in accordance with the requirements for the exchange of information and technical means of communication used in the design of communication tools for the navigation system 200. Additionally, it should be noted that the functions of the transmitting device 308 and the receiving device 310 can be combined in the device receiving and transmitting signals.

The service unit 302 is additionally connected (or includes) with a mass storage device 312, meaning that the large capacity storage device 312 can communicate with the service unit 302 via a communication line 314. The mass storage device 312 contains a large amount of navigation data and map information and, in turn, can be a separate device from the service unit 302 or can be integrated into the service unit 302.

The navigation device 200 is configured to interact with the service node 302 via a communication channel 318 and includes as a processing device, a storage device, etc., as described above with respect to FIG. 2, both the transmitting device 320 and the receiving device 322, in order to send and receive signals and / or data over the communication channel 318, it is understood that these devices can be additionally used to interact with other devices in addition to the service node 302. Additionally, the transmitting device 320 and the receiving device 322 are selected or developed in accordance with the requirements for the exchange of information and technical means of communication used in the design of communication tools for the navigation system 200, and the functions of the transmitting device 320 and the receiving device 322 can be combined in a single transceiver .

The software stored in the storage device 306 of the service node provides instructions for the processing device 304 and enables the service node 302 to provide services for the navigation device 200. One service provided by the service node 302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and the transmission of navigation data from a large capacity data storage device 312 to a navigation device 200. According to at least one embodiment of the present application , another service provided by the service node 302 includes processing navigation data using various algorithms for a given application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200.

Communication channel 318 as a whole is a distribution medium or path that connects the navigation device 200 and the service node 302. According to at least one embodiment of the present application, both the service unit 302 and the navigation device 200 include a transmitting device for transmitting data over a communication channel and a receiving device for receiving data that has been transmitted over a communication channel.

Communication channel 318 is not limited to specific communications technology. Additionally, the communication channel 318 is not limited to individual communications equipment; that is, channel 318 may include several communication lines that use various technologies. For example, according to at least one embodiment, the communication channel 318 may be configured to provide a path for electrical, optical and / or electromagnetic communication, etc. Actually, the communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, one of the following: electrical circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, converters, radio frequency (RF) waves, atmosphere, vacuum, etc. d., or combinations thereof. In addition, according to at least one excellent embodiment, the communication channel 318 may include intermediate devices, such as, for example, routing devices, intermediate amplifiers, buffer devices, transmitting devices, and receiving devices.

In at least one embodiment of the present application, for example, communication channel 318 includes telephone and computer networks. In addition, in at least one embodiment, the communication channel 318 may be configured to provide wireless communications, such as communications using radio frequency, microwave, infrared, etc. Additionally, according to at least one embodiment, communication channel 318 may provide satellite communications.

Communication signals transmitted over communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals that may be necessary or desirable for these communications equipment. For example, the signals can be adapted for use in cellular technology, such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), code division multiple access channels (CDMA - Code Division Multiple Access), global system for mobile communications (GSM - Global System for Mobile communications), etc. Channel 318 communication can be transmitted, both digital and analog signals. According to at least one embodiment, these signals may be modulated, encoded and / or compressed signals, which may be required for technical communications.

The large capacity storage device 312 includes sufficient memory for the required navigation applications. Examples of the large capacity storage device 312 may include magnetic storage media, such as, for example, hard disk drives, optical storage media, such as a CD-ROM, charge-coupled storage media, such as, for example group rewritable memory, molecular memory, etc.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, the service node 302 includes a remote service node available to the navigation device 200 wirelessly. According to at least one other embodiment of the application, the service node 302 may include a network service node located in a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.

According to at least one embodiment of the present application, the service node 302 may include a personal computer, such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connecting the personal computer and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a personal a computer may be connected between the navigation device 200 and the service node 302 to establish an Internet connection between the service node 302 and the navigation device 200. As an alternative Assets, a mobile phone or other portable device can establish a wireless connection to the Internet to connect the navigation device 200 to the service node 302 over the Internet.

The navigation device 200 may be provided with information from the service node 302 through downloads of information that may be updated periodically when a user establishes a connection between the navigation device 200 and the service node 302, and / or may be more dynamic with a more constant or frequent connection established between the service node 302 and a navigation device 200 using a wireless mobile connecting device and a TCP / IP connection, for example. The processing device 304 at the service node 302 can be used for many dynamic calculations to carry out the bulk of the necessary processing, however, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can also perform significant processing and calculations, often regardless of the connection to the service node 302.

A mass storage device 312 associated with the service node 302 may include significantly more map and routing data than those that can be supported directly on the navigation device 200, including maps, etc. The service unit 302 can process, for example, most devices from among the navigation devices 200 that move along the route using a set of processing algorithms. Additionally, the map and route data stored on the storage device 312 may operate with signals (eg, GPS signals) originally received by the navigation device 200.

In one embodiment, the present application is directed to a card switching method. According to this method, the travel route is determined based on the input of the destination of the move to the navigation device 200. The input, by the device 220 of the input, the destination of the move can be a direct input of information, selection of information from one of the many menus, search for information based on the address, etc. .d. The method further includes the steps of displaying map information on the display device 240 of the navigation device 200, providing a specific route. Of course, the input device 220 and the display device 240 may be combined, for example, in the form of a touch screen.

As you move along a specific route, information about the current position is received (by receiving GPS signals at a receiving device 260, for example). Based on the information about the current position, it is determined whether the en route movement enters an area where relatively more detailed map information can be displayed (for example, available for display due to storage, for example, on the storage device 230). When determining that the movement along the route enters an area in which relatively more detailed map information is available for display, the displayed map information is switched to display relative to more detailed map information on the display device 240.

Actually, the navigation device 200 constantly checks its storage device 230 for the availability of relevant cartographic information and determines, in conjunction with the processing device 210, when relatively more detailed cartographic information is available for display, for example, is available for display on the display device 240. If available for display, then this more detailed map information is displayed instead of the previously displayed map information, thereby providing the user with more detailed information than before.

The principle of this switching cards, in at least one embodiment of the invention, is as follows. First, for any area, as a rule, there are two or more cards stored on memory 230. Each card either covers the entire area, such as the United States or a specific state, or part of that area.

For any point or position / location in the United States or Europe, for example for any map, a number may be assigned to indicate how well that particular point or position / location is provided on the map. For example, relatively large numbers may mean relatively higher coverage and, therefore, relatively more detailed map information providing a specific position / location with relatively greater detail, and relatively smaller numbers may mean relatively less detailed map information providing a specific position / location with relatively less detail.

Although embodiments of the present application are not limited to this, a simple example may include the use of zero to indicate lack of collateral, units to indicate relatively low granularity of collateral or cartographic information, and deuces to indicate relatively high granularity of collateral with relatively more detailed cartographic information. Typically, at least one map stored in the storage device 230 of the navigation device 200 provides an entire area, such as, for example, the whole of Europe or the entire United States, with some level of detail. In at least one embodiment of the present application, at strategic moments when the navigation device 200 determines that a particular current location P, for example, in Europe or the United States, is relatively high security, it can automatically switch to a map, of which the current location P has a relatively highest collateral.

Thus, in at least one embodiment, as the user moves along the route and receives information about the current position for each point P, processing device 210 may determine whether relatively more detailed map information is available for display. If available, the mapping of map information may automatically switch, for example, to displaying relatively more detailed map information.

In at least one embodiment, both determination, display, and switching occur directly on the navigation device 200, and the processing device 210 receives position information, for example, via the GPS antenna / receiver 260, determines whether or not to display more detailed cartographic information (comparing the information stored on the storage device 230 regarding the detailed cartographic support for point P of the current position, for example), and then m loads the more detailed map information that is available for display from the storage device 230 so as to control the display switching of the map information on the display device 240 of the navigation device 200. So, both the displayed map information and the relatively more detailed map information are stored on the storage device 230 in the navigation device 200, to allow the processing device 210 to select a navigation device Twa 200.

In at least one embodiment, as described above, the assigned level of detail for the current position P on two or more cards is checked by the processing device 210, while zero may indicate a lack of security, for example, 1 may indicate a relatively low-detailed security, and 2 may indicate relatively highly detailed collateral, for example. Thus, for each position, the level of cartographic detailing of the position on the map is assigned. Actually, the processing device 210 can use the assigned level of detail for information about the current position on two or more maps, when determining that the route enters into an area in which relatively more detailed map information is available for display, to determine which of the two or more maps includes map information with relatively more detailed map information.

If there is overlap between several cards, the saved classification rules for overlaps or other criteria can still be used to determine which map should be displayed in case of overlap. For example, an overlap can be classified in many ways, including but not limited to, the following: processing device 210 may prefer other cards that include the current position, having the highest security currently loaded and displayed on device 240 the map may be preferable to others, the map on which the current travel destination has the highest security, may be preferable to others, the map on which the points flow The current route has the highest security, may be preferable to others, etc. These and other criteria may be applied individually or in any combination.

Of course, although the method is generally described above, at least one embodiment of the present application also encompasses the navigation device 200 itself. The navigation device 200 includes a processing device 210 for determining a travel route based on inputting a travel destination to the navigation device 200; a combined input and display device (covering a display device 240 and an input device 220, for example), for inputting a moving destination and displaying cartographic information transmitting a specific route; and a receiving device 260 for receiving information about the current position regarding movement along a specific route, while the processing device 210 is additionally used to determine, based on the current position information, whether moving along the route enters an area in which a relatively more detailed cartographic map is available for display information, and controlling a combined input and display device to switch the displayed map information to a display relative to more detailed cartographic information, when the processing device 210 determines that the movement along the route enters an area in which relatively more detailed cartographic information is available for display.

In at least one other embodiment, the present application is process oriented. The method includes the steps of receiving information about the current position (from the receiving device 260, for example) and displaying map information including the current position on the navigation device 200. The method further includes determining, by processing device 210, for example, the relative provision of cartographic information for the current position, taking into account the information stored on the storage device 230, for example. Finally, the method includes switching the displayed map information to display map information with a relatively more detailed provision of the current position, when determining that the map information with a relatively more detailed provision of the current position is available for display (using processing device 210 determines that cartographic information with a relatively more detailed provision of the current position is available on the storage device 230, eg).

In at least one other embodiment, the present application is directed to another embodiment of a navigation device 200. The navigation device 200 may include a receiving device 260 for receiving a current position of the navigation device 200; a combined input and display device (including a display device 240 and an input device 220, for example) for displaying cartographic information including a current position; and a processing device 210 for determining the relative provision of cartographic information for the current position and controlling the combined input and display device to switch the display of cartographic information to the display of cartographic information with relatively more detailed provision of the current position, when determining that the cartographic information with relatively more detailed provision of the current position is available for display (using a processing device 210 op determine that cartographic information with a relatively more detailed provision of the current position is available on the storage device 230, for example).

In at least one other embodiment, the travel route is determined based on the input of the travel destination to the navigation device 200 (the input may include directly entering and / or selecting a travel destination, for example); displaying a map on the navigation device 200; receive information about the current position regarding movement along a specific route; determining whether the current position is ensured by two or more cards (using the processing device 210, the storage device 230 is checked for the presence of cartographic support associated with the current position P, for example); and when determining that the current position information is provided by two or more cards, one of two or more cards is displayed providing information about the current position with relatively greater detail (again, using the processing device 210, this determination is made based on the stored criteria of the cards, such as saved numerical criteria, categories, etc., for maps providing the current position, for example).

In addition, in these embodiments, locations, points or locations throughout the United States, Europe, etc., a number indicating a relative level of detail may still be assigned, with a zero indicating a lack of security, 1 may indicate a relatively low level of detail of a security, and 2 may indicate relatively high detail of collateral, for example. Thus, in this embodiment, so that the foregoing is still applicable, consider the possibility of classifying overlaps between multiple cards.

Additionally, at least one other embodiment is directed directly to the navigation device 200. The navigation device 200 according to this embodiment includes a processing device 210 for determining a travel route based on inputting a travel destination to the navigation device; a combined input and display device (covering input device 220 and display device 240, for example) for inputting a moving destination and displaying transmission of a specific route; and a receiving device 260 for receiving information about the current position regarding movement along a specific route, the processing device 210 being further used to determine whether the current position information is provided by two or more cards, and to control the combined input and display device to display one of two or more cards providing information about the current position with relatively greater detail, instead of the previously displayed map, when determining that the information about the current m position is provided by two or more cards.

Additional changes may be applicable to any of the above embodiments of the present application. For example, in some ideal situation, all maps may represent the whole of Europe or the whole of the United States with some detail. This would simplify specific solutions and specific algorithms. It should be noted that more detailed map information can be downloaded / requested in the service node 302, if not present on the storage device 230 of the navigation device. For example, if a user of the navigation device 200 moves to a new area, he / she can connect to the service node 302 and request more detailed map information, and the service node 302 can send a list of available maps, level of detail, etc. After that, as soon as the saving is made, the card can be switched within the limits of the embodiments of the present application.

Additionally, embodiments of the present application can be used for additional rapidly changing information, such as traffic conditions and / or road conditions (slippery roads, etc.), which can be sent, received and stored at different levels of detail more quickly. This can be done via a Bluetooth connection via a mobile phone, for example, connecting the navigation device 200 to the service node 302 more quickly. In addition, various levels of detail of maps may be received, stored, and switched as discussed within the scope of embodiments of the present application.

Moreover, instead of an example using a range of numbers from zero (no collateral) to 2 (high collateral), large ranges can be used, such as, for example, from 0 to 100 (or from 0% to 100% collateral). The only difference is that larger numbers indicate higher detail.

Even more so, a memory-efficient and speed-efficient method for determining the level of detail of security or accessibility to a more detailed cartographic information of a point or position on a map may include selecting two rectangles R1 and R2 for each map. All points within R1 can be defined as “highly detailed”, and all points outside R1, but inside R2, can be “low detailed”, while all points outside R2 have zero security. This would simplify the process.

In addition, other inexpensive options may include the use of R1 and R2, which are not nested, and R1 and R2 can also be polygons instead of rectangles. Each of these and other transformations and combinations of the ideas of the present application is within the scope of the claims of the present application.

The examples are merely examples, and embodiments of the present application are not limited to these examples.

Example 1 - two cards.

The navigation device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application includes two cards stored in the storage device 230:

A. provides Benelux countries with high details, the rest of Europe with low details.

B. provides France with high detail, the rest of Europe with low detail.

The navigation device 200 is located in Amsterdam and displays map A. A user of the navigation device 200 wishes to move to an address in Paris. The user enters the name PARIS into the navigation device 200.

The processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 determines that the selected PARIS city is in a relatively low detailed area of the current map, and further determines that there is also a map providing PARIS stored in the memory 230, which has relatively high granularity. Then, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can control the display device 240 to switch to displaying the map B.

A user of the navigation device 200 can now select an address in PARIS. The processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 now forms a travel route from the current position of the navigation device 200 to the selected / entered address. The route is drawn up on a map providing all of Europe. Since the current map B includes it, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can make a travel route on this map.

Now the user can press ENTER to get a moving map, and start moving. On a moving map, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 will determine that the user's GPS coordinate is of key importance and that the other map (map A) has better support. Therefore, it can give instructions for switching to map A. (The route that was drawn up on map B can be “transferred” to map A in the manner described below).

Now the user moves for a while towards Paris. At some point, the user will leave the area with high security (i.e., he will leave the Benelux countries). Since GPS coordinate is of key importance on a moving map, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can instruct the display device to switch back to map B, on which the provision is high (and remains high all the way to Paris).

Example 2 - a regular map combined with another detailed map.

The navigation device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application includes two cards stored in the storage device 230:

A. provides Benelux countries with high details, the rest of Europe with low details.

B. provides France with high detail.

The navigation device 200 is located in Amsterdam and displays map A. A user of the navigation device 200 wishes to move to an address in Paris. The user enters the name PARIS into the navigation device 200.

The processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 determines that the selected PARIS city is in a relatively low detailed area of the current map, and further determines that there is also a map providing PARIS stored in the memory 230, which has relatively high granularity. Then, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can control the display device 240 to switch to displaying the map B.

A user of the navigation device 200 can now select an address in PARIS. The processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 now forms a travel route from the current position of the navigation device 200 to the selected / entered address. The route is drawn up on a map providing all of Europe. Since the current map B does not include it, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can then control the display device 240 to switch to displaying the map A, and then can make a travel route on this map.

Now the user can press ENTER to get a moving map and start moving. At some point, the user will leave the area with high security (i.e., he will leave the Benelux countries). Since the GPS coordinate is of key importance on the moving map, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can then control the display device 240 to switch back to displaying the map B on which the provision is high (and remains high all the way to Paris). Note: the route that was drawn up on map A can be “transferred” to map B in the manner described below.

Example 3 - regular maps with an additional map of the Main Roads.

The navigation device 200 according to an embodiment of the present application includes three cards stored in the storage device 230:

A. provides Europe with low detail.

B. provides France with high detail.

C. Provides Benelux countries with high detail.

The navigation device 200 is located in Amsterdam and displays map A. A user of the navigation device 200 wishes to move to an address in Paris. The user enters the name PARIS into the navigation device 200.

The processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 determines that the selected PARIS city is in a relatively low detailed area of the current map, and further determines that there is also a map providing PARIS stored in the memory 230, which has relatively high granularity. Then, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can control the display device 240 to switch to displaying the map B.

A user of the navigation device 200 can now select an address in PARIS. The processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 now forms a travel route from the current position of the navigation device 200 to the selected / entered address. The route is drawn up on a map providing all of Europe. Since the current map B does not include it, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can then control the display device 240 to switch to displaying the map A, and then can make a travel route on this map.

Now the user can press ENTER to get a moving map and start moving. At some point, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 may determine that the other card C has relatively better security. Then, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 can control the display device 240 to switch to displaying the map C, which has the best software. Note: the route that was drawn up on map A can be “transferred” to map C in the manner described below.

Now the user moves for a while towards Paris. At some point, the user will leave the area with high security (i.e., he will leave the Benelux countries). Since the GPS coordinate is of key importance on a moving map, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 may decide to switch back to map B, on which the provision is high (and remains high all the way to Paris).

The route from map A to map B (both provide Europe) can be transferred in many different ways. For example, there is a route on map B, a destination (travel destination) is on map B, and a starting point (starting position) is on map A. The options below provide two non-limiting examples of route transfer. So, they are merely examples, and embodiments of the present application are not limited to these examples.

Option 1.

Identify the last point P on the route that was drawn on map B, the level of detail of which is relatively no higher than map A. Draw a route to P on map A. Simply decide: up to point P, map A is “more efficient” and, therefore, it allows the creation of a route that is at least as good as that which was drawn on map B. Starting from point P, map B has a better view, and at point P, in any case, the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200 will switch back to the card B.

Option 2

Identify the last point P on the route that was drawn up on map B, the level of detail of which is relatively no higher than map A. In addition, identify the first point P1 on the route that has the exact equivalent on map A. Make the route to P1 on the map A, then copy all the nodal points between P1 and P. Simply state: re-compose only this very small section of the route: essentially the section between the GPS position and the route. This is used only if the GPS position is not already on the route.

The methods according to at least one embodiment presented above can be implemented as a computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave, or a distributed signal, which is a sequence of instructions that, when executed by a processing device (such as, for example, a processing the device 304 of the service unit 302 and / or the processing device 210 of the navigation device 200) determine the execution of the corresponding method by the processing device. In at least one other embodiment, at least one of the above methods may be implemented as the aforementioned set of instructions contained in a computer-readable or computer-accessible medium, such as one of the storage devices described previously, for example, to execute the corresponding method when executed by a processing device or other computing device. In distinct embodiments, the medium may be a magnetic medium, an electronic medium, an optical medium, etc.

Even further, any of the above methods may be implemented as a program. The program may be stored on a computer-readable medium and used to perform any of the above methods when run on a computing device (a device including a processing device). Thus, a storage medium or a computer-readable medium configured to store information and interact with data processing means or a computing device to execute a method according to any of the above embodiments.

The storage medium may be an embedded medium installed in the main unit of the computing device, or a removable medium mounted so that it can be separated from the main unit of the computing device. Examples of the embedded environment include, but are not limited to, rewritable non-volatile storage devices, such as ROMs and bulk rewritable memory, and hard drives. Examples of removable media include, but are not limited to, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs; magneto-optical carriers such as MO; magnetic media, including but not limited to floppy disks (brand), cassette tapes and removable hard drives; media with a built-in rewritable non-volatile memory device, including, but not limited to, memory cards; and media with integrated ROM, including, but not limited to, cassette ROMs, etc. Moreover, a variety of information regarding, for example, stored images, property information, may be stored in any other form, or may be provided in other ways.

As will be understood after reading the present description of the invention to a person skilled in the art, the electronic components of the navigation device 200 and / or the components of the service unit 302 can be embodied in the form of computer hardware circuits or in the form of a computer-readable program, or as a combination thereof.

The system and method according to the embodiments of the present application includes software operating on a processing device for executing at least one of the methods according to the ideas of the present application. A person skilled in the art will understand, after reading and comprehending this description of the invention, how a program can be launched from a computer-readable medium in a computer system to perform functions found in a software program. Additionally, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of programming languages can be used to create a software program designed to implement and execute at least one of the methods of this application.

Programs can have an object-oriented structure using an object-oriented language, including, but not limited to, JAVA, Smalltalk, C ++, etc., and programs can have a procedure-oriented structure using a procedure-oriented language, including into, but not limited to, COBOL, C, etc. Software components can interact in any of a number of ways that are well known to specialists in this field of technology, including, but not limited to, using application program interface (API) technologies for interaction between processes, including, but not limited to , remote procedure call (RPC), general object request broker architecture (CORBA - Common Object Request Broker Architecture), component object model (COM - Component Object Model), distributed component model (DCOM - Di stributed Component Object Model), Distributed System Object Model (DSOM) and Remote Method Invocation (RMI). However, as one of ordinary skill in the art will understand after reading the disclosure of this application, the ideas of this application are not limited to a particular programming language or environment.

The above systems, devices and methods have been described as an example, and not to limit in terms of increasing accuracy, speed of the processing device and ease of user interaction, etc. navigation device 200. Additionally, elements and / or features of various illustrative embodiments may be combined with each other and / or replaced with each other within the scope of this disclosure and the attached claims.

Moreover, any of the above and other illustrative features of the present invention can be embodied in the form of an apparatus, method, system, computer program and computer program product. For example, the above methods may be embodied in the form of a system or device including, but not limited to, any structure for performing the methodology illustrated in the drawings.

With respect to the illustrative embodiments described in this way, it will be apparent that these can be varied in many ways. Such changes should not be construed as deviating from the essence and scope of the present invention, and all such modifications, which are obvious to a person skilled in the art, suggest the inclusion within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (21)

1. A navigation method comprising the steps of:
receiving information about the current position and displaying cartographic information including the current position on the navigation device;
determine the relative provision of cartographic information for the current position; and
switch the displayed cartographic information to display cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position when determining that cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position is available for display. 2. The method according to claim 1, in which each of the stages that determine, display and switch is carried out on the navigation device. 3. The method according to claim 1, in which the displayed cartographic information and the display of cartographic information with relatively more detailed security of the current position are stored on the storage device in the navigation device. 4. The method according to claim 1, in which for each position is assigned a level of cartographic detail of the position on the map. 5. The method according to claim 4, which further comprises using the assigned level of detail for information about the current position on two or more maps, when determining that cartographic information with relatively more detailed security of the current position is available for display in order to determine the relative the availability of cartographic information for the current situation. 6. The method according to claim 4, in which for each position one of the three categories of cartographic detail level is stored, which include the first category indicating the actual lack of security, the second category indicating relatively high security, and the third category indicating relatively low security . 7. The method according to claim 6, in which these three categories are assigned the corresponding numerical values. 8. The method according to claim 6, which further comprises using the stored level of detail categories for information about the current position on two or more maps, when determining that cartographic information with relatively more detailed security of the current position is available to determine relative security cartographic information for the current position. 9. The method according to claim 8, in which the saved classification rules for overlaps are used to determine which map should be displayed in case of overlap. 10. The method according to claim 1, in which the displayed cartographic information and cartographic information with relatively more detailed security include information, at least about the traffic, or about the condition of the road. 11. The method according to claim 1, further comprising determining a travel route based on inputting a travel destination to a navigation device in which the displayed map information provides a specific route; and
Current position information refers to moving along a specific route, and
in which it is determined whether the movement along the route enters an area in which relatively more detailed map information is available for display, and, if such a determination is positive, the displayed map information is switched to display with respect to more detailed map information. 12. A navigation device that contains:
a receiving device for receiving a current position of the navigation device;
a combined device for input and display of cartographic information, including the current position; and
a processing device for determining the relative security of the cartographic information for the current position and controlling the combined input and display device to switch the mapping of the cartographic information to the display of the cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position when determining that the cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position is available for display. 13. The navigation device according to item 12, which further comprises a storage device for storing the displayed cartographic information and cartographic information with a relatively more detailed security of the current position. 14. The navigation device according to item 13, in which for each position is stored on the storage device the level of cartographic detail of the position on the map. 15. The navigation device according to 14, in which the processing device is configured to use the assigned level of detail for information about the current position on two or more maps, when determining that map information with relatively more detailed security of the current position is available for display to determine relative availability of cartographic information for the current situation. 16. The navigation device according to 14, in which for each position is stored on the storage device one of three categories of cartographic detail level, which include the first category indicating the actual lack of security, the second category indicating relatively high security, and the third category, indicating relatively low security. 17. The navigation device according to clause 16, in which these three categories are assigned the corresponding numerical values. 18. The navigation device according to clause 16, in which the processing device is configured to use the assigned level of detail for information about the current position on two or more maps when determining that map information with a relatively more detailed provision of the current position is available for display to determine the relative the availability of cartographic information for the current situation. 19. The navigation device according to claim 18, wherein the saved classification rules for overlaps are used to determine which map should be displayed in the event of an overlap. 20. The navigation device according to item 12, in which the displayed cartographic information and cartographic information with relatively more detailed security include information, at least about the traffic, or about the state of the road. 21. The navigation device according to item 12, in which the processing device determines the route of movement based on the input destination of movement in the navigation device and provides
display of cartographic information providing a specific route; and
receiving information about the current position related to moving along a specific route, and
determining whether moving along the route enters an area in which relatively more detailed map information is available for display, and if such a determination is positive, the processing device switches the displayed map information to display relative to more detailed map information.

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