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WO2012072117A1 - Methods and systems for obtaining location information - Google Patents

Methods and systems for obtaining location information Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012072117A1
WO2012072117A1 PCT/EP2010/068538 EP2010068538W WO2012072117A1 WO 2012072117 A1 WO2012072117 A1 WO 2012072117A1 EP 2010068538 W EP2010068538 W EP 2010068538W WO 2012072117 A1 WO2012072117 A1 WO 2012072117A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
location
speed dial
code
locations
region
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP2010/068538
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Breght Boschker
Peter Van Hulten
Henk Van Der Molen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
TomTom International BV
Original Assignee
TomTom International BV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by TomTom International BV filed Critical TomTom International BV
Priority to PCT/EP2010/068538 priority Critical patent/WO2012072117A1/en
Publication of WO2012072117A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012072117A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01C—MEASURING DISTANCES, LEVELS OR BEARINGS; SURVEYING; NAVIGATION; GYROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOGRAMMETRY OR VIDEOGRAMMETRY
    • G01C21/00—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00
    • G01C21/26—Navigation; Navigational instruments not provided for in groups G01C1/00 - G01C19/00 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
    • G01C21/34—Route searching; Route guidance
    • G01C21/36—Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
    • G01C21/3605—Destination input or retrieval
    • G01C21/3611—Destination input or retrieval using character input or menus, e.g. menus of POIs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
    • G06F16/20—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor of structured data, e.g. relational data
    • G06F16/29—Geographical information databases
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B29/00—Maps; Plans; Charts; Diagrams, e.g. route diagram
    • G09B29/003—Maps
    • G09B29/006—Representation of non-cartographic information on maps, e.g. population distribution, wind direction, radiation levels, air and sea routes
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09B—EDUCATIONAL OR DEMONSTRATION APPLIANCES; APPLIANCES FOR TEACHING, OR COMMUNICATING WITH, THE BLIND, DEAF OR MUTE; MODELS; PLANETARIA; GLOBES; MAPS; DIAGRAMS
    • G09B29/00—Maps; Plans; Charts; Diagrams, e.g. route diagram
    • G09B29/10—Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids

Definitions

  • This invention relates to methods and systems of obtaining location information, and in particular, although not exclusively, position information for locations.
  • the methods and systems of the invention are implemented in a system including a navigation apparatus.
  • the methods and systems are applicable to systems and methods including other apparatus having positioning or geo locating capability.
  • Illustrative embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems which utilise portable navigation devices (so-called PNDs), in particular PNDs that include Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality, and to such devices and methods of controlling such devices.
  • PNDs portable navigation devices
  • PNDs portable navigation devices
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • the invention is also applicable to systems and methods using a navigation apparatus which forms part of an integrated navigation system, e.g. an in-vehicle navigation system, and to such apparatus and methods of controlling such apparatus.
  • the invention also extends to methods and systems for formatting a digital map.
  • the present invention is, in preferred embodiments, directed to methods or systems of obtaining information for locations using a navigation apparatus, and methods of operating a navigation apparatus.
  • the apparatus may be of any suitable form as discussed above, and in more detail below.
  • One illustrative embodiment of the apparatus is a portable navigation device.
  • Portable navigation devices that include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and are widely employed as in-car or other vehicle navigation systems.
  • a modern PND comprises a processor, memory (at least one of volatile and non-volatile, and commonly both), and map data stored within said memory.
  • the processor and memory cooperate to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system may be established, and additionally it is commonplace for one or more additional software programs to be provided to enable the functionality of the PND to be controlled, and to provide various other functions.
  • these devices further comprise one or more input interfaces that allow a user to interact with and control the device, and one or more output interfaces by means of which information may be relayed to the user.
  • input interfaces that allow a user to interact with and control the device
  • output interfaces by means of which information may be relayed to the user.
  • output interfaces include a visual display and a speaker for audible output.
  • Illustrative examples of input interfaces include one or more physical buttons to control on/off operation or other features of the device (which buttons need not necessarily be on the device itself but could be on a steering wheel if the device is built into a vehicle), and a microphone for detecting user speech.
  • the output interface display may be configured as a touch sensitive display (by means of a touch sensitive overlay or otherwise) to additionally provide an input interface by means of which a user can operate the device by touch.
  • Devices of this type will also often include one or more physical connector interfaces by means of which power and optionally data signals can be transmitted to and received from the device, and optionally one or more wireless signals
  • transmitters/receivers to allow communication over cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks, for example Wi-Fi, Wi-Max GSM and the like.
  • PND devices of this type also include a GPS antenna by means of which satellite-broadcast signals, including location data, can be received and subsequently processed to determine a current location of the device.
  • the PND device may also include electronic gyroscopes and accelerometers which produce signals that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in turn, and in conjunction with location information derived from the GPS signal, velocity and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which it is mounted.
  • electronic gyroscopes and accelerometers which produce signals that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in turn, and in conjunction with location information derived from the GPS signal, velocity and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which it is mounted.
  • location information derived from the GPS signal, velocity and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which it is mounted.
  • PNDs The utility of such PNDs is manifested primarily in their ability to determine a route between a first location (typically a start or current location) and a second location (typically a destination). These locations can be input by a user of the device, by any of a wide variety of different methods, for example by postcode, street name and house number, previously stored "well known" destinations (such as famous locations, municipal locations (such as sports grounds or swimming baths) or other points of interest), and favourite or recently visited destinations.
  • the PND is enabled by software for computing a "best" or
  • a “best” or “optimum” route is determined on the basis of predetermined criteria and need not necessarily be the fastest or shortest route.
  • the selection of the route along which to guide the driver can be very sophisticated, and the selected route may take into account existing, predicted and dynamically and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about road speeds, and the driver's own preferences for the factors determining road choice (for example the driver may specify that the route should not include motorways or toll roads).
  • the device may continually monitor road and traffic conditions, and offer to or choose to change the route over which the remainder of the journey is to be made due to changed conditions.
  • Real time traffic monitoring systems based on various technologies (e.g. mobile phone data exchanges, fixed cameras, GPS fleet tracking) are being used to identify traffic delays and to feed the information into notification systems.
  • PNDs of this type may typically be mounted on the dashboard or windscreen of a vehicle, but may also be formed as part of an on-board computer of the vehicle radio or indeed as part of the control system of the vehicle itself.
  • the navigation device may also be part of a hand-held system, such as a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant) a media player, a mobile phone or the like, and in these cases, the normal functionality of the hand-held system is extended by means of the installation of software on the device to perform both route calculation and navigation along a calculated route.
  • PDA Portable Digital Assistant
  • Route planning and navigation functionality may also be provided by a desktop or mobile computing resource running appropriate software.
  • the Royal Automobile Club provides an on-line route planning and navigation facility at http://www.rac.co.uk, which facility allows a user to enter a start point and a destination whereupon the server to which the user's PC is connected calculates a route (aspects of which may be user specified), generates a map, and generates a set of exhaustive navigation instructions for guiding the user from the selected start point to the selected destination.
  • the facility also provides for pseudo three- dimensional rendering of a calculated route, and route preview functionality which simulates a user travelling along the route and thereby provides the user with a preview of the calculated route.
  • the user interacts with the navigation device to select the desired calculated route, optionally from a list of proposed routes.
  • the user may intervene in, or guide the route selection process, for example by specifying that certain routes, roads, locations or criteria are to be avoided or are mandatory for a particular journey.
  • the route calculation aspect of the PND forms one primary function, and navigation along such a route is another primary function.
  • PNDs During navigation along a calculated route, it is usual for such PNDs to provide visual and/or audible instructions to guide the user along a chosen route to the end of that route, i.e. the desired destination. It is also usual for PNDs to display map information on-screen during the navigation, such information regularly being updated on-screen so that the map information displayed is representative of the current location of the device, and thus of the user or user's vehicle if the device is being used for in-vehicle navigation.
  • An icon displayed on-screen typically denotes the current device location, and is centred with the map information of current and surrounding roads in the vicinity of the current device location and other map features also being displayed. Additionally, navigation information may be displayed, optionally in a status bar above, below or to one side of the displayed map information, examples of navigation information include a distance to the next deviation from the current road required to be taken by the user, the nature of that deviation possibly being represented by a further icon suggestive of the particular type of deviation, for example a left or right turn.
  • the navigation function also determines the content, duration and timing of audible instructions by means of which the user can be guided along the route. As can be appreciated a simple instruction such as "turn left in 100 m" requires significant processing and analysis.
  • user interaction with the device may be by a touch screen, or additionally or alternately by steering column mounted remote control, by voice activation or by any other suitable method.
  • a further important function provided by the device is automatic route recalculation in the event that: a user deviates from the previously calculated route during navigation (either by accident or intentionally); real-time traffic conditions dictate that an alternative route would be more expedient and the device is suitably enabled to recognize such conditions automatically, or if a user actively causes the device to perform route re-calculation for any reason.
  • a route to be calculated with user defined criteria; for example, the user may prefer a scenic route to be calculated by the device, or may wish to avoid any roads on which traffic congestion is likely, expected or currently prevailing.
  • the device software would then calculate various routes and weigh more favourably those that include along their route the highest number of points of interest (known as POIs) tagged as being for example of scenic beauty, or, using stored information indicative of prevailing traffic conditions on particular roads, order the calculated routes in terms of a level of likely congestion or delay on account thereof.
  • POIs points of interest
  • Other POI-based and traffic information-based route calculation and navigation criteria are also possible.
  • route calculation and navigation functions are fundamental to the overall utility of PNDs, it is possible to use the device purely for information display, or "free-driving", in which only map information relevant to the current device location is displayed, and in which no route has been calculated and no navigation is currently being performed by the device. Such a mode of operation is often applicable when the user already knows the route along which it is desired to travel and does not require navigation assistance.
  • the present invention relates to methods and systems for obtaining location information.
  • the methods and systems of the present invention are implemented using a navigation apparatus.
  • the methods and systems may, however be implemented using other user operable apparatus, as discussed in more detail below.
  • a navigation or mapping apparatus is helpful in such situations where the user has the opportunity to accurately enter the position details for the location into the apparatus in advance, in many situations, the user may not have the opportunity to find out the position details of the location e.g. the postcode, full address etc, and enter them into the navigation apparatus.
  • This may be a particular problem in relation to unplanned visits to locations, especially when prompted by a roadside advertisement. For example, a user may notice a roadside sign advertising a location, and giving brief instructions or a map providing directions to the location.
  • a user might alternatively try to search for a location e.g. using a navigation or mapping apparatus. For example, the user may perform a search for locations of a given category in the vicinity of a current or specified location. However, the user is then still faced with making the correct selection of the location of interest from the search results, and, depending upon the search criteria used, the desired location may not even be included in the search results. While the problems have been described in relation to trying to obtain position information for a location, similar problems may arise when trying to identify and obtain any type of information relating to a given location.
  • the present invention provides a methods and systems which aim, at least in preferred embodiments, to address such problems.
  • a method of obtaining location information comprising the steps of;
  • the method further comprising a navigation apparatus receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, determining the area code for a given sub region, and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information relating to the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region.
  • a system for obtaining location information comprising;
  • the system comprises a navigation apparatus including one or more processors arranged in use to;
  • the present invention in accordance with the second aspect may include any or all of the features described in respect to the first aspect of the invention.
  • the system and/or navigation apparatus may comprise means for carrying out any of the method steps described, and the method and method of operation of the navigation apparatus may include any of the steps performed by the system and/or navigation apparatus.
  • the navigation apparatus comprises a processor or set of processors arranged to carry out the steps referred to. References to steps being carried out by a "processor" herein, can equally be carried out using more than one processor. Some functions may, for example, be carried out on or off board.
  • the apparatus or system may comprise a set of one or more processors for carrying out the steps described, and a step may be carried out by the or a processor, or by more than one processor.
  • a geographic region is divided into a plurality of geographic sub regions. Each sub region is assigned an area code. Each one of a plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub region is assigned a respective speed dial location code.
  • the speed dial location code is associated with information for the given location or set of locations ("location information"), and is also associated with an area code for the sub region including the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned.
  • the information for the location or set of locations associated with the indicated speed dial location code for a given sub region may be obtained by the apparatus by determining the area code for the given sub region, and obtaining the information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region i.e. the information associated with a speed dial location code which corresponds to the indicated speed dial location code, and which speed dial location code is associated with the area code for the given region.
  • each speed dial location code is associated with an area code.
  • the navigation apparatus determines an area code for a given sub region, and obtains the position information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region. This means that the same speed dial location code may be used in relation to different locations, or sets of locations, in more than one of the sub regions.
  • the apparatus obtains location information by reference not only to the indicated speed dial location code, but also determines a sub region, and obtains the location information which is associated with the speed dial location code for the sub region.
  • the method of the present invention ensures that the information which is obtained is that which is relates to a location relevant to e.g. in the given sub region.
  • Landline phone numbers typically include an area code and a shorter code, which may be more memorable or easier to use for a user. The shorter codes may be reused in different geographic regions provided that regions are associated with different area codes, while still uniquely identifying a given subscriber.
  • the step of using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information relating to the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region comprises obtaining location information associated with a speed dial location code which corresponds to the indicated speed dial location code and which speed dial location code is associated with the determined area code.
  • the or a processor of the apparatus is arranged to carry out such a step.
  • the speed dial location code may be associated with only a single area code.
  • the speed dial location code is associated at least with the area code for the sub region which includes the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned.
  • the speed dial location code may be additionally associated with one or more further area codes.
  • a given location could then be associated via the speed dial location code with both a "home" area code and a "foreign" area code. The combination of either area code and the speed dial location code could then provide a link to information for the location.
  • the apparatus obtains the location information associated with a given speed dial location code which is also associated with the area code for the given sub region.
  • the given sub region may be a sub region of interest, such as a sub region in which the navigation apparatus or user is located, or in which a user specified point or region is located.
  • the relevant location information may be obtained.
  • each speed dial location code is additionally associated with an area code, the same speed dial location codes can be reused for different sub regions.
  • the navigation apparatus may automatically detect when a user is in a given sub region and retrieve the relevant area code to enable it to search among speed dial location codes associated with that area code for the speed dial location code indicated by the user. The apparatus may then determine the information associated with that speed dial location code.
  • identical speed dial location codes may be assigned to locations or sets of locations in more than one sub region.
  • a speed dial location code is preferably only used once in each sub region.
  • each location or set of locations in a (given) sub region is assigned a different speed dial location code.
  • each of the speed dial location codes assigned to a location or set of locations in a particular sub region is a unique speed dial location code within that sub region. It is different to each other speed dial location code assigned to a location or set of locations in the same sub region.
  • a set of speed dial location codes is allocated to each one of the plurality of sub regions.
  • Each speed dial location code in a given set of speed dial location codes is assigned to a single location or set of locations in the sub region.
  • the sets of speed dial location codes allocated to at least some of the sub regions of the system may overlap.
  • a given speed dial location code forms, in combination with the area code associated with the speed dial location code, a unique code i.e. in the system.
  • the code uniquely identifies a given location or set of locations in the geographic region.
  • a speed dial location code may not uniquely identify a single location or set of locations in the geographic region when taken alone.
  • the method comprises the step of assigning a first set of speed dial location codes to respective ones of each of a plurality of locations or sets of locations in a first sub region, and assigning a second set of speed dial location codes to respective ones of each of a plurality of locations in a second sub region, wherein the first set of speed dial location codes and the second set of speed dial location codes overlap i.e. include at least some speed dial location codes in common.
  • the system may comprise means for assigning speed dial location codes in this manner.
  • the area code associated with a given sub region is determined.
  • the method may further comprise identifying the given sub region.
  • the given sub region is preferably a sub region of interest.
  • the method may then comprise identifying a sub region of interest and determining the area code for the sub region of interest.
  • the sub region of interest may be inferred by the apparatus. This may be done automatically or using one or more indications provided by a user. Alternatively or additionally, the sub region of interest may be specified by a user.
  • the step of determining the area code for the given sub region and optionally identifying the given sub region may be carried out before or after the speed dial location code is indicated.
  • the apparatus may detect a sub region containing the current location on a continual basis, or when an indication of a speed dial location code is received.
  • the steps of determining the area code for a given sub region and receiving an indication of the speed dial location code may be carried out in any order.
  • the given sub region is a user specified sub region.
  • the method comprises the apparatus receiving an indication of the given sub region from a user, and the apparatus may be arranged to receive such an indication from a user.
  • a user may specify a sub region in which they plan to travel in order to retrieve information for a location or set of locations in the sub region which is associated with an input speed dial location code.
  • the user may input a speed dial location code for a hotel where they are planning to stay, and specify the sub region in which it is located in order to retrieve the relevant position information for the hotel.
  • the user may specify the sub region in any manner.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to infer the given sub region from one or more indications provided by a user.
  • the user may indicate the entire sub region, or a location within the sub region in order to specify the region.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to infer that a sub region is to be selected when a point or area within the sub region is indicated by a user.
  • Another technique for inferring the sub region of interest in embodiments in which the apparatus comprises a display, would be for the apparatus to determine a sub region included by or including a currently displayed map portion.
  • the apparatus may determine the region of interest from a portion of a digital map that the user has chosen to display e.g. from a zoom level etc.
  • a user might directly provide an indication of an area code for a sub region e.g. by inputting the area code. This could occur when a user has been provided the full code i.e. area code and speed dial location code for a given location or set of locations. For example, the full code could have been provided to the user by another user or transferred from another apparatus to the apparatus etc.
  • the navigation apparatus is arranged to automatically infer a given sub region of interest e.g. without user intervention. This may be done, for example, by reference to any of a current location, a direction of travel, a planned route and/or the indicated speed dial location code.
  • the given sub region of interest may be inferred using a current location of the apparatus e.g. a current GPS location.
  • the processor may be arranged to carry out such a step.
  • the current location will be a current location of the navigation apparatus and hence the user.
  • the given sub region for which the area code is determined is thus a sub region which includes the current location of the apparatus e.g. navigation apparatus or user.
  • the method comprises the apparatus detecting when a current location is in a given sub region, and
  • the processor of the apparatus may be arranged to carry out such a step.
  • This embodiment may function in a similar manner to when a landline telephone call is placed without including an area code.
  • the system may automatically detect the area in which the subscriber placing the call is located, and determine the intended recipient of the call from among subscribers within the detected area.
  • the given sub region may be a sub region in the vicinity of the current location e.g. adjacent a sub region containing the current location.
  • the indicated speed dial location code may alternatively or additionally be used to infer the given sub region of interest.
  • the apparatus may determine whether the code is associated with an area code of a sub region which is in the vicinity of a current or specified location. If the user enters a speed dial location code which is not associated with the area code for a sub region in which the user is currently located, the apparatus may infer a sub region which is adjacent the sub region in which the apparatus is currently located and with which the speed dial location code is associated.
  • the sub region may be a sub region toward which the user is travelling.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to infer a sub region of interest by reference to the current position of the user and a direction of travel of the user.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to determine the area code for a sub region that the user will shortly enter based on a determination of a current position and the direction of travel of a user.
  • the sub region of interest is a sub region in proximity to a current location of the user and toward which the user is travelling.
  • a similar technique may be used when the apparatus is unable to resolve the current location to the degree required to determine which sub region includes the current location, e.g. if the current location is close to a boundary between regions.
  • the apparatus may determine whether the entered speed dial location code is associated with any of the bordering sub regions, and if it is associated with more than one sub region, may take the direction of travel into account, and determine the area code for the sub region toward which the user is travelling.
  • the apparatus may infer a sub region of interest by reference to a planned route. For example, the apparatus may identify a sub region which includes at least a part of the planned route.
  • the apparatus may be unable to easily infer a sub region of interest, e.g. which is relevant to the current position or travel of a user.
  • the step of identifying the sub region may comprise using the indicated speed dial location code to identify the given sub region. This could occur, for example, if the user enters a speed dial location code which is not associated with an area code for a region in the vicinity of the current location, or indeed even in the same country.
  • the identified sub region may then be any sub region having an area code with which the indicated speed dial location code is associated. There may be more than one such sub region. In such cases the apparatus may consider the closer sub regions first, or may determine the sub region using preset settings.
  • the apparatus could repeat the steps of determining an area code and obtaining information associated with the indicated speed dial location code using the determined area code and the indicated speed dial location code for each of a plurality of determined area codes.
  • the apparatus may then present the user with a number of results from which to select, e.g. ordered in terms of relevance or distance from a current location.
  • the method comprises storing each area code in association with information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned.
  • the area codes and information identifying the sub regions may be stored together, or separately with a suitable link associating the data, or in any suitable manner to enable the apparatus to access the area code for a given sub region.
  • the step of determining the area code for the sub region of interest comprises accessing a stored area code for the sub region of interest, and the or a processor of the apparatus is arranged to carry out such a step.
  • the information identifying the sub region may be of any type which will enable the apparatus to determine when a location is within the given geographic sub region, and may identify the extent of the sub region.
  • the information identifying the sub region comprises digital map data.
  • the apparatus may access the area code for each sub region.
  • the area codes may be stored remote from the apparatus or locally, or some may be stored locally and others remote from the apparatus.
  • the apparatus may comprise a memory storing each area code and the information identifying the sub region to which area code is assigned.
  • each area code and the information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned may be stored in a database.
  • the database may be known as the "region" database.
  • the database may be a remote database, or the apparatus could comprise a memory storing the database.
  • the database may be an "on-board” or "off- board” database.
  • the method comprises storing each area code in association with information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned in a database, preferably remote from the apparatus.
  • the step of determining the area code for the sub region of interest may comprise searching among a plurality of stored area codes for the area code associated with the given sub region, and the or a processor may be arranged to carry out such a step.
  • the area code may be associated with information identifying the given sub region.
  • the information may be digital map data. However, any other type of information may be used. For example the information could be data from a general geo database.
  • the given sub region for which the area code is determined is an area code with which the indicated speed dial location code is associated.
  • the method comprises storing, for each sub region, the speed dial location codes assigned to each of the plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in the sub region, and the information relating to the location or set of locations ("the location information") associated with each speed dial location code.
  • the speed dial location codes may be stored in association with the location information.
  • the speed dial location codes and associated location information are preferably stored in association with the area code for the sub region.
  • the speed dial location codes and location information may be stored together, or separately with a suitable link associating the data, or in any suitable manner to enable the apparatus to access the location information associated with a given speed dial location code.
  • the step of obtaining the location information associated with the speed dial location code corresponding to the indicated speed dial location code and associated with the determined area code comprises accessing stored location information associated with the speed dial location code.
  • a processor of the apparatus may be arranged to carry out such a step.
  • the method comprises storing, for each sub region, each speed dial location code associated with the sub region in association with the location information associated with the speed dial location code in a database.
  • the area codes may be stored remote from the apparatus or locally, or a combination of locally and remote from the apparatus.
  • each speed dial location code and the location information are stored in a database.
  • the apparatus may comprise a memory storing the database.
  • the database may be known as the "speed dial location code” database.
  • the database may be a remote database, or the apparatus could comprise a memory storing the database.
  • the database may be an "on board” or "off board” database.
  • the apparatus may comprise a memory storing each speed dial location code and the location information associated with the speed dial location code.
  • Speed dial location codes for multiple sub regions may be stored in the same database provided that each code is appropriately associated e.g. linked to the area code for the sub region to which it relates.
  • the combination of the area code and speed dial location code may be stored in association with the location information, in the same way as a telephone number including both an area code and local dialling code could be stored as a unique combined full telephone number linked to subscriber information for that number.
  • the speed dial location codes for different sub regions may be stored in different parts of a database, or in separate databases.
  • the speed dial location codes and the associated location information for each sub region are stored in a database specific to a given sub region, and the database is associated with the area code for the given sub region.
  • the method may comprise searching among stored speed dial location codes for the speed dial location code corresponding to the indicated speed dial location code and associated with the determined area code, and retrieving the associated location information.
  • the or a processor may be arranged to carry out such a step.
  • a respective speed dial location code database is provided for each of the plurality of sub regions.
  • the area code for a given sub region may then be used to access the appropriate speed dial location code database for the region.
  • the method may comprise the apparatus using the determined area code to identify a database storing the speed dial location codes associated with the determined area code and the location information associated with each speed dial location code, and obtaining the location information for the indicated speed dial location code from the database.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to identify a speed dial location code database for the given sub region, and to determine the location information for the indicated speed dial location code from the database.
  • the method comprises the step of storing, preferably in an area code database, the area code for each of the plurality of sub regions in association with information identifying the sub region to which each area code is assigned.
  • the method may comprise storing , for each of the plurality of sub regions, preferably in a speed dial location code database for the sub region, each speed dial location code assigned to a location or set of locations in the sub region in
  • a speed dial location code database is provided for each sub region.
  • each speed dial location code database is associated with the area code for the sub region.
  • the speed dial location code may be any desired code.
  • the speed dial location code may include characters in the form of one or more of letters, numbers or symbols.
  • the code may include only numbers, only letters, only symbols or combinations thereof.
  • the code may include graphical elements. It will be appreciated the term "letter" refers to a letter in accordance with any alphabet, and may include graphical elements e.g. as in the Chinese alphabet.
  • the code may be in the form of a string of characters.
  • the speed dial location code may be descriptive of the location to which it is assigned, and/or may be in the form of a word. For example, a location for a fast food outlet may be assigned a speed dial location code "HAMBURGER".
  • a hotel on a beach may have a speed dial location code such as "@beachhotel".
  • the speed dial location code will typically be a short, easily memorable code which could be put on a billboard advertising a location, or given to callers over the phone etc.
  • the code may be generated by the system, but in preferred embodiments may be specified by a subscriber.
  • the area code may similarly be any type of code, and may be of any of the types described in relation to the speed dial location code.
  • the information relating to the location or set of locations may be of any type.
  • the information includes at least position information for the location or set of locations.
  • the information may consist only of position information, or may include position information and other information.
  • the apparatus may therefore be arranged to obtain location information in the form of position information and/or other forms of information.
  • the methods and systems of the present invention enable the navigation apparatus to directly access location information for a given location or set of locations when the speed dial location code is entered.
  • This allows the information relating to the location to be determined directly, without the user needing to carry out a local search e.g. for names and/or categories of location, and then select the correct location from those results, assuming the location being searched for is even found.
  • a local search e.g. for names and/or categories of location
  • the apparatus may directly determine the correct position information for that hotel, and any further information, without the user needing to carry out any further steps.
  • the need for the user to remember or record direction or position details is avoided.
  • the possibility of error in determining the position of a location is significantly reduced.
  • the speed dial location code may be indicated to the apparatus by a user in any suitable manner.
  • the apparatus comprises a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus, and the user interface is arranged to allow a user to indicate the speed dial location code.
  • the user interface is an interface by means of which a user can operate the apparatus by touch, i.e. a touch sensitive user interface, and the user provides one or more touch indications to indicate the speed dial location code.
  • the apparatus may comprise a touch sensitive display. The user may however indicate the speed dial location code using any form of user operable input device e.g. a mouse, touch pad, control stick or pad, rotary control, key stroke, camera etc.
  • the user interface may be arranged to enable the user to input the code or a part thereof by drawing one or more graphical symbols. This may be particularly useful in the context of languages including letters in the form of graphical symbols.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to infer an input speed dial location code from one or more indications provided by the user.
  • the apparatus may comprise an image grabber to enable the user to provide an indication of the code. For example, the user may scan the code using a camera of the apparatus.
  • the present invention may advantageously be implemented using a speech recognition system with the user providing the indication of the speed dial location code using a speech command.
  • the speed dial location code is indicated by a user using one or more speech based commands.
  • the navigation apparatus will then comprise a user interface by means of which a user can operate the apparatus using speech commands.
  • the area code may be indicated in any of the manners described in relation to the speed dial location code e.g. by speech command.
  • a speed dial location code is assigned to each one of a plurality of locations or set of locations in each sub region.
  • each speed dial location code is assigned to a single location or a single set of locations in the sub region.
  • the combination of a given speed dial location code and area code uniquely identifies location information for the given location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned in the sub region having the area code. Accordingly the combination of each speed dial location code and its associated area code is unique. This provides a unique key to the location information associated with the speed dial location code for a given sub region.
  • a location may be allocated a speed dial location code in each region, each being associated with the relevant area code for the sub region.
  • the location information for the location could then be accessed using either area code and the speed dial location code for that area.
  • the speed dial location codes for each sub region could be identical.
  • a single speed dial location code could be assigned to a set of locations rather than a single location.
  • the set of locations may be linked locations.
  • the set of locations may be a set of branches of a particular named store or restaurant.
  • the speed dial location "HAMBURGER" could be assigned to each branch of a given burger restaurant in the sub region.
  • the speed dial location code is associated with location information for each location in the set of locations i.e. as a group.
  • location information for each of the locations may be obtained e.g. simultaneously when the location information associated with the speed dial location code is obtained. This may enable, for example, the display of the positions of each location in the set of locations simultaneously, or the presentation of a list of locations in the set to enable a user to choose one of the locations e.g. to view or navigate to.
  • each speed dial location code is assigned to only a single location in the sub region.
  • a speed dial location code may be a composite code including a generic portion and a specific portion, wherein the generic portion alone may be assigned to a set of locations, and associated with location information for the set of locations, and the combination of the generic portion and the specific portion may be assigned to a single location from the set of locations, and associated with information for that location.
  • the composite code may be used to obtain information relating to a specific location.
  • the generic part of the code may be used to obtain location information for the set of locations.
  • the code "HAMBURGER” may be used to obtain information for a set of locations having the generic speed dial location code portion "HAMBURGER", e.g. branches of the chain being "HAMBURGER dorpsstraat", "HAMBURGER nord” etc.
  • the complete composite code for a branch including this generic portion and a specific portion e.g.
  • HAMBURGER dorpsstraat may be used to directly access information for a specific branch.
  • a plurality of speed dial location codes in a given sub region are each assigned to the same location or set of locations. For example a building might be used for different purposes by different users, or at different times.
  • a church which is also used to hold concerts may be assigned a first speed dial location code for use by worshippers, e.g. CHURCH, and a second speed dial location code for use by concert goers e.g. CONCERT.
  • each speed dial location code in a given sub region is linked to a different location or set of locations in the sub region.
  • a given speed dial location code may be associated with more than one area code, enabling a particular set of location information for a given location or locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned to be obtained using more than one area code.
  • the term "location" may refer to a point location in the sub region, or may refer to an area within the sub region.
  • the area could be an extended area such as a park, range of mountains etc.
  • the location is a point location.
  • the location could be the location of a point of interest.
  • the point of interest might be a tourist attraction, facility, hotel, campsite etc.
  • the location may be the location of a facility providing given goods and/or services.
  • the location may be a location of an event.
  • the location could be a permanent or temporary location.
  • the location could be the location of a festival or business fair of limited duration.
  • the methods of the present invention enable speed dial location codes to be readily set up, and modified, such that speed dial location codes could be generated for limited periods.
  • the location could be a location of general interest, or of interest only to a specific user or users.
  • a subscriber could request a speed dial location code for a family event, or even to describe their current location e.g. in a campsite.
  • the subscriber can then inform others of the speed dial location code enabling them to be found once the other person is in, or specifies the general vicinity, enabling the relevant sub region and area code to be determined, avoiding the need to provide detailed directions or have repeated conversations to describe their location.
  • a given subscriber could be allocated a speed dial location code which they could then assign to any desired location or locations, and, if desired, change the assignation as needed. Some steps may then need to be taken to avoid confusion if the speed dial location code is reassigned to a different sub region.
  • the same speed dial location code could be assigned a first location or set of locations at a first time, and a second location or set of locations at a different time.
  • the speed dial location code "SKATE" could refer to an inline skating facility in summer, and an ice skating facility in winter.
  • the same location could be assigned a different speed dial location code at different times of year (although the time periods could overlap).
  • a speed dial location code may be assigned to a location or set of locations upon request e.g by a subscriber.
  • the method may further comprise receiving a request for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a specified location or set of locations, and the system may comprise means for receiving such a request.
  • the method may further comprise receiving an indication from the requester e.g. from a subscriber of the location or set of locations with which the speed dial location code is to be associated, and the system may comprise means for so doing.
  • the request may be made via the apparatus, and thus in embodiments the method comprises the apparatus receiving the request.
  • the method may then comprise assigning a speed dial location code to the location or set of locations.
  • the system may allocate a speed dial location code to a requester e.g. subscriber in response to a request for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a specified location or set of locations, and the method may comprise such a step.
  • the allocated speed dial location code is determined by the system.
  • the method may comprise a step of generating a speed dial location code to be allocated to the specified location or set of locations, and the system may comprise means for generating the speed dial location code.
  • the speed dial location may be a preexisting speed dial location code which is then assigned to the location or set of locations.
  • the method may then further comprise the step of informing the requester e.g.
  • the speed dial location code assigned to the location or set of locations specified is a requester e.g. subscriber specified speed dial location code.
  • the method may comprise receiving an indication from the requester e.g. from the subscriber of the speed dial location code to be assigned.
  • the system may determine whether the speed dial location code is acceptable for use, i.e. whether it has already been used in the given sub region, and meets any other requirements.
  • the system may then allocate the code to the requester e.g. subscriber.
  • the requester e.g. subscriber may already have been granted permission to use the speed dial location code, for example after applying for the code.
  • the system may then allocate the code to the requester without further investigation. This could work in a similar manner to obtaining a personalised number plate.
  • the term "subscriber" used herein may refer to any person or entity who wishes to have a speed dial location code assigned to a location or set of locations, or who has had a speed dial location code assigned to a location or locations.
  • the subscriber may be a subscriber to a navigation system.
  • the subscriber may or may not pay for the speed dial location code. It is envisaged that persons or organisations may subscribe to a navigation system in accordance with the invention in the same manner that persons or organisations subscribe to a telecommunications system.
  • the method comprises receiving a request e.g. from a subscriber for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a location or set of locations, receiving from the requester e.g. subscriber an indication of the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is to be assigned.
  • the method may comprise assigning a speed dial location code to the location or set of locations, associating the speed dial location code with information e.g. position information for the location or set of locations, and associating the speed dial location code with an area code for the sub region including the location or set of locations.
  • the method may further comprise allocating the speed dial location code to the requester e.g. subscriber in any of the manners described above, and/or receiving an indication of the speed dial location code to be assigned to the location or set of locations from the requester e.g. subscriber.
  • the method is a method of operating a navigation system.
  • a system preferably a navigation system, comprising;
  • the location information associated with each speed dial location code may be of any suitable type.
  • the information preferably includes at least position information for the location or set of locations.
  • the position information preferably comprises the geographic coordinates for the or each location.
  • the position information may alternatively or additionally include a postcode or street address for the or each location.
  • the position information is preferably information enabling the navigation apparatus to determine the position of the or each location of a set of locations, and preferably to navigate to the or each location.
  • the position information may enable a navigation apparatus to calculate a route to the location or any one of the set of locations.
  • the apparatus is arranged to obtain at least some of the location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code, and preferably at least position information for the location or set of locations.
  • the position information is position information for the given location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned.
  • the obtained position information may be used in various ways. The information may be used by the navigation apparatus which obtains the information or may provided by the apparatus to another apparatus or part of the system for use.
  • the method further comprises using the obtained position information to navigate to or via the location, or one of the set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned, and the system may comprise means for so doing.
  • the position information is used to provide a destination in a route calculation.
  • the step may be carried out by the navigation apparatus. In other embodiments the information could be provided by the apparatus to another navigation apparatus to be used in the navigation.
  • the method comprises calculating a route between a first location and the location using the position information, and the system may comprise means for so doing.
  • the step may comprise using the position information to provide a destination in a route calculation.
  • steps may be carried out by the apparatus which obtains the information.
  • the information obtained could be transferred to another mapping or navigation apparatus for carrying out such steps.
  • the step of using the position information to navigate to the location is carried out in response to an input received by the navigation apparatus from a user indicative of a desire to navigate to the location.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to automatically select and navigate to one of the locations e.g. a closest location, using the position information.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to display a list of the locations in the set of locations to the user to enable the user to select a location for the apparatus to navigate to using the position information.
  • the method may comprise storing the indicated speed dial location code in association with the obtained information.
  • the apparatus may cause this step to be carried out.
  • the method may comprise storing the speed dial location code and the obtained information in a memory of the navigation apparatus. The user may then more readily download the obtained information e.g. to a PC or mobile communications device for later use, or alternatively to another mapping or navigation device.
  • Such embodiments may be particularly applicable when the speed dial location codes and associated information are initially stored remote from the apparatus, or wherein the information is to be used in an operation that the apparatus which obtained the information is unable to perform itself.
  • the present invention may provide a simple way for a user of the apparatus to obtain further information beyond the position information for a location.
  • the speed dial location code is associated with location information including position information and additional information regarding the location or set of locations.
  • the additional information is preferably contact information.
  • the additional information may include one or more of a name of the location, a telephone number, internet address, information regarding services or products offered at the location, information regarding opening hours, a logo, related locations and/or speed dial location codes, or information regarding an event being held at the location, for the or each location.
  • the speed dial location code may be associated with a link enabling live data regarding the or each location to be obtained over a communications link.
  • the method may therefore comprise the apparatus obtaining position information and any further information associated with the speed dial location code. Any references to the position information being obtained or used may refer to the position information and any additional information associated with the speed dial location code being obtained or used. Other types of location information which may be associated with the speed dial location code include pictures, video etc. Thus the information may include image data and/or video data.
  • the method comprises the apparatus identifying the location or locations to which the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code are assigned, and the or a processor may be arranged to carry out such a step.
  • the method comprises displaying information regarding the location or locations for which information has been obtained.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to cause such a step to be carried out, and may be arranged to display the information.
  • the apparatus may therefore comprise a display.
  • the information may be, for example a name.
  • the system may be arranged to provide both the speed dial location code and the area code with which it is associated to the user. It is envisaged that if a user knew the area code associated with the speed dial location code for a given location or interest, they could input both codes to obtain the location information, and e.g. select the location to navigate to, rather than having to first select the sub region in which the location is situated.
  • the sub regions of the system into which the geographic region is divided are predetermined sub regions. In other words, they are set up in advance.
  • the geographic region may be a region represented by a digital map.
  • the sub regions may then be regions represented by a digital map.
  • the apparatus is able to determine the extent of the sub regions in order to identify the given sub region e.g. a sub region of interest e.g. which includes a current location or a user specified location.
  • the method may comprise making data defining the extent of each sub region available to the apparatus.
  • the apparatus may be arranged to access information defining the extent of each of the plurality of predetermined sub regions into which the geographic region has been divided.
  • the information or data may be digital map data.
  • the information may be associated with the area code for each sub region.
  • the apparatus may comprise a memory storing information defining the extent of each sub region. However, such information could be stored remotely.
  • Area codes may be assigned to sub regions in any manner, and some exemplary embodiments are described below. However such methods are described by way of example only, and other methods are possible. For example, hierarchical, or overlapping methods could be used, in a similar manner to the way in which cell towers are allocated to sub regions.
  • sub dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions preferably wherein the geographic region is a region represented by a digital map, allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region,
  • means for sub dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions preferably wherein the geographic region is a region represented by a digital map
  • the sub regions to which the speed dial location codes are allocated will be sub regions of a geographic region which has been divided into sub regions, preferably of a geographic region represented by a digital map. It will be appreciated that additionally, in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention, the step of dividing the area into sub regions may be omitted, and the area codes etc assigned to sub regions which have already been created.
  • the sub regions may be set up in any manner.
  • the sub regions may be of any size.
  • the sub regions may be of the same or differing sizes.
  • the sub regions may be based upon existing sub regions created for other purposes, such as landline telephony area code regions, postal codes, administrative area boundaries etc.
  • the sub regions may be algorithmically determined depending upon the density of speed dial location codes required in a geographic region. For example, sub regions may be larger in sparsely populated areas, and smaller in more densely populated areas, or areas where there are more subscribers.
  • the speed dial location codes may be assigned to locations according to subscriber requests in a similar manner to phone numbers. Thus in regions where there are more subscribers wishing to be allocated a speed dial location code, the sub regions may be smaller to ensure that each subscriber can receive a speed dial location code which is unique within the sub region.
  • the method comprises setting a size of one or more of the sub regions by reference to a density of speed dial location code requests in the geographic area.
  • speed dial location codes assigned to a given sub region, or even adjacent sub regions have a low chance of confusion, e.g. when spoken as a speech based command.
  • Speed dial location codes may be generated and assigned in a manner to try to minimise such confusion. For example, the codes “B18" and “81 B” could be confused if spoken as speech commands.
  • a given speed dial location code is used only once in the same sub region. This enables the location code to uniquely identify a location or set of locations in that particular sub region, and to uniquely identify a location or set of locations in the system when taken in combination with the area code with which it is associated. This may be more challenging where more than one subscriber wishes the same speed dial location code to be associated with different locations in close proximity. Such problems may be addressed by using sub regions of varied size, and, for example, determining the size of a sub region depending upon the level of demand for speed dial location codes, or even for a given speed dial location code in that vicinity. If demand increases for speed dial location codes, particularly of a certain type, sub regions could be divided to create new regions.
  • the method comprises the step of allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region, wherein the sets of speed dial location codes allocated to adjacent sub regions are non overlapping. Adjacent sub regions are sub regions which share a border.
  • One way to achieve this is to sub divide the geographic area into the plurality of sub regions, and assign to each sub region one of a set consisting of a plurality of different elements in a manner such that no two adjacent sub regions are assigned the same element.
  • the method may then comprise allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region in a manner such that the sets of speed dial location codes allocated to sub regions assigned a different element are non overlapping. Thus no two adjacent sub regions will include identical speed dial location codes.
  • the elements may be of any type, e.g.
  • the method of these embodiments may utilise a theory known as the four colour theorem.
  • the four colour theorem demonstrates that it is possible to colour sub regions of a map in a manner such that no adjacent regions have the same colour using a minimum of four colours.
  • each element is therefore a colour
  • each sub region is assigned a different colour.
  • the set consists of four colours.
  • the method may comprise colouring each sub region.
  • each sub region assigning to each sub region one of a set consisting of a plurality of elements in such a manner that no two adjacent sub regions are assigned the same element, allocating a set of codes to each sub region, wherein the sets of codes are allocated to the sub regions in such a manner that there is no overlap between the sets of codes allocated to sub regions assigned different elements.
  • each element is a colour.
  • the set consists of four or more different elements, preferably colours. Most preferably the set consists of four elements, preferably colours.
  • the method and system in accordance with these further aspects for formatting a digital map may include any or all of the features described in relation to the other aspects of the invention.
  • this method or system may be carried out as part of the method and system described in relation to the other aspects of the invention, and may incorporate any or all of the features described in respect of the earlier aspects and embodiments.
  • the method or system may be used in order to set up the sub regions for use in a method or system in accordance with the earlier aspects of the invention, and may be used to allocate codes in the form of speed dial location codes to the sub regions which may then be assigned to respective locations or sets of locations in the sub regions, and may be associated with position information for the location(s) and with area codes for the sub regions.
  • the method and system of formatting a digital map in accordance with these further aspects of the invention has general applicability and may be useful in any system where it is desired to assign codes to geographic sub regions in a manner which avoids overlap between sets of codes allocated to adjacent sub regions.
  • the codes are advantageously location codes, the codes could be used in a telephony system, or any system where it desirable to allocate codes to objects or persons or places in a given geographic region.
  • the method may further comprise assigning an area code to each sub region and associating the area code with information identifying the sub region, and the system may comprise means for so doing.
  • the method preferably comprises the step of associating each set of codes allocated to a sub region with the area code for the sub region to which the codes are allocated. This may enable the codes to be used in the manner described above in relation to speed dial location codes, with the combination of the area code and the codes allocated to sub regions being usable to uniquely identify objects, locations or persons in the respective sub regions.
  • the combination of the area code and each code from the set of codes allocated to a sub region is unique i.e. within the system.
  • the codes are therefore speed dial codes, and most preferably speed dial location codes.
  • the method may further comprise storing each set of codes in association with the area code for the sub region to which the codes are allocated, and the system may comprise means for so doing.
  • the method may further comprise assigning each code to a location or set of locations in the sub region to which the location code is allocated, and associating the location code with information for the or each location, preferably at least position information.
  • the system may comprise means for so doing.
  • the information including position information and/or any other information may be as discussed above in relation to the earlier aspects of the invention.
  • each code could be associated with other non location specific information, e.g. information relating to an object or person in the sub region.
  • the information could be information identifying a subscriber in the sub region or a business or object registered to the region.
  • each set of codes is a set of location codes.
  • the method may further comprise storing each location code in association with the information, preferably position information, for the or each location or set of locations.
  • the location codes may be in accordance with any of the embodiments previously described in respect to the speed dial location codes of the earlier aspects of the invention.
  • the method is preferably a method of formatting a digital map for use in a navigation system.
  • the allocated codes are preferably location codes which may be used by a navigation apparatus to obtain location information, preferably including position information.
  • the method may further comprise a navigation apparatus using a location code to obtain information, preferably position information, for a location or set of locations to which the location code is assigned.
  • the information may be stored in any of the manners discussed in relation to the earlier aspects of the invention.
  • the method may comprise storing the location codes and the location information, preferably at least position information, for the or each location or set of locations in a separate database for each set of location codes, each database being associated with the area code for the sub region to which the set of location codes are assigned.
  • the method may comprise allocating one or more of said codes to a requester e.g. a subscriber or subscribers. This may be done in accordance with any of the embodiments described in relation to the earlier aspects of the invention.
  • different sets of sub regions may be set up for use with locations of different category.
  • a first set of sub regions may be set up, and speed dial location codes assigned to locations in a first category in each sub region.
  • a second different set of sub regions may be set up and speed dial location codes assigned to locations of a different second category in each sub region.
  • the sub regions may be differently defined for different types of location. For example, there may be high demand for speed dial location codes to be assigned to hotel type locations, but not to beach type locations. The sub regions for beach type locations may be made larger than those for hotel type locations.
  • the user may set a category or this may be inferred from an input speed dial location code to enable the apparatus to determine the correct set of sub regions to use when obtaining location information. This may provide greater capacity, and allow reuse of speed dial location codes for different categories of location in the same geographic areas.
  • the apparatus is preferably an apparatus having positioning capability e.g. GPS positioning capability.
  • the apparatus may have geolocating capability.
  • the apparatus comprises positioning and/or geolocating means.
  • the apparatus may, for example, be a mobile communications device e.g a mobile telephone or a computer such as a laptop. Laptops may have geolocating ability using IP addresses.
  • the apparatus may comprises a display for displaying information to a user.
  • the information may include a digital map.
  • the or a processor of the apparatus may be configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user via the display.
  • the apparatus may comprise a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus.
  • the apparatus is a mapping or navigation apparatus.
  • One particular area of utility is in relation to portable navigation devices (PND).
  • the navigation apparatus is a portable navigation device (PND).
  • the invention is also applicable to navigation apparatus which is provided as part of an integrated navigation system.
  • the navigation system may be an integrated in-vehicle navigation system.
  • the navigation apparatus may be implemented by means of an application of a processing device which does not form part of a specific navigation or mapping device.
  • the invention may be implemented using a suitable computer system arranged to execute navigation or mapping software.
  • the system may be a mobile or portable computer system e.g. a mobile telephone or laptop, or may be a desktop system.
  • a navigation apparatus may comprise more than one device which cooperate to provide the functions described, and steps may be implemented by a navigation device in conjunction with other apparatus.
  • a navigation apparatus of the present invention may comprise one or more processors, a memory, and digital map data stored within said memory.
  • the processor(s) and memory cooperate to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system may be established.
  • One or more additional software programs may be provided to enable the functionality of the apparatus to be controlled, and to provide various other functions.
  • a navigation apparatus of the invention may preferably include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality.
  • the apparatus may comprise one or more output interfaces by means of which information may be relayed to the user.
  • the output interface(s) may include a speaker for audible output in addition to the visual display.
  • the apparatus may comprise input interfaces including one or more physical buttons to control on/off operation or other features of the apparatus.
  • the present invention extends to methods of operating a navigation apparatus in a system in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, and to navigation apparatus for use in such a system.
  • a navigation apparatus wherein the apparatus comprises;
  • means for determining an area code associated with a given sub region means for receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, and means for using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region.
  • speed dial location code refers to a code which may be used by a user to obtain information regarding a location or set of locations.
  • the code is associated with location information.
  • the code is a code which may be input by a user to obtain the associated information.
  • the code is referred to as a "speed dial" code, as it is associated with an area code.
  • speed dial location code need only form part of a code required to access the location information, the remainder being provided by the area code associated with the speed dial location code.
  • the speed dial location code may be short in comparison to a code which must uniquely identify a location.
  • the present invention extends to a computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable to perform a method according to any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention, or to cause an apparatus or navigation apparatus to perform such methods.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a Global Positioning System (GPS);
  • GPS Global Positioning System
  • Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of electronic components arranged to provide a navigation device
  • Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which a navigation device may receive information over a wireless communication channel
  • Figs. 4A and 4B are illustrative perspective views of a navigation device
  • Figs. 5a to 5i are illustrative screenshots from a TomTom GO 950 LIVE PND for a destination input process
  • Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operation of a navigation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 7 illustrates the way in which speed dial location codes are associated with position information and area codes in embodiments of the invention
  • Figure 8a and 8b illustrate situations in which the current position of a user is close to a boundary between adjacent sub regions.
  • a navigation device is intended to include (without limitation) any type of mapping, or preferably route planning and navigation device, irrespective of whether that device is embodied as a PND, a navigation device built into a vehicle, or indeed a computing resource (such as a desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile telephone or portable digital assistant (PDA)) executing mapping, route planning or navigation software.
  • a computing resource such as a desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile telephone or portable digital assistant (PDA)
  • Fig. 1 illustrates an example view of Global
  • GPS Positioning System
  • NAVSTAR NAVSTAR
  • the GPS incorporates a plurality of satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units.
  • the GPS system is implemented when a device, specially equipped to receive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the precise location of that satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning, in most instances, for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (noting that position is not normally, but can be determined, with only two signals using other triangulation techniques).
  • the receiver utilizes the three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited number of users.
  • the GPS system is denoted generally by reference numeral 100.
  • a plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit about the earth 124.
  • the orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites 120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous.
  • a GPS receiver 140 is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the various satellites 120.
  • the spread spectrum signals 160 continuously transmitted from each satellite 120, utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock.
  • Each satellite 120 as part of its data signal transmission 160, transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite 120.
  • the GPS receiver device 140 generally acquires spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal, resulting in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permits the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner.
  • Figure 2 is an illustrative representation of electronic components of a navigation device 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 is not inclusive of all components of the navigation device, but is only representative of many example components.
  • the navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not shown).
  • the housing includes a processor 210 connected to an input device 220 and a display screen 240.
  • the input device 220 can include a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or any other known input device utilised to input information; and the display screen 240 can include any type of display screen such as an LCD display, for example.
  • the input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device, including a touchpad or touchscreen input so that a user need only touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons.
  • the navigation device may include an output device 260, for example an audible output device (e.g. a loudspeaker).
  • output device 260 can produce audible information for a user of the navigation device 200, it is should equally be understood that input device 240 can include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands as well.
  • processor 210 is operatively connected to and set to receive input information from input device 220 via a connection 225, and operatively connected to at least one of display screen 240 and output device 260, via output connections 245, to output information thereto. Further, the processor 210 is operably coupled to a memory resource 230 via connection 235 and is further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O) ports 270 via connection 275, wherein the I/O port 270 is connectible to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device 200.
  • the memory resource 230 comprises, for example, a volatile memory, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory, for example a digital memory, such as a flash memory.
  • RAM Random Access Memory
  • non-volatile memory for example a digital memory, such as a flash memory.
  • the external I/O device 280 may include, but is not limited to an external listening device such as an earpiece for example.
  • the connection to I/O device 280 can further be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device such as a car stereo unit for hands- free operation and/or for voice activated operation for example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for connection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or some other network for example.
  • Fig. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor 210 and an antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255, wherein the antenna/receiver 250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for example.
  • the antenna and receiver designated by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna or helical antenna for example.
  • the electronic components shown in Fig. 2 are powered by power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner.
  • power sources not shown
  • different configurations of the components shown in Fig. 2 are considered to be within the scope of the present application.
  • the components shown in Fig. 2 may be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like.
  • the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present application includes a portable or handheld navigation device 200.
  • the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Fig. 2 can be connected or "docked" in a known manner to a vehicle such as a bicycle, a motorbike, a car or a boat for example. Such a navigation device 200 is then removable from the docked location for portable or handheld navigation use.
  • the navigation device 200 may establish a "mobile” or telecommunications network connection with a server 302 via a mobile device (not shown) (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection (such as a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology for example). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile device can establish a network connection (through the internet for example) with a server 302. As such, a "mobile" network connection is established between the navigation device 200 (which can be, and often times is mobile as it travels alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server 302 to provide a "real-time" or at least very “up to date” gateway for information.
  • the establishing of the network connection between the mobile device (via a service provider) and another device such as the server 302, using an internet (such as the World Wide Web) for example, can be done in a known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol for example.
  • the mobile device can utilize any number of communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc.
  • an internet connection may be utilised which is achieved via data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 for example.
  • an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 is established. This can be done, for example, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)-connection (GPRS connection is a high-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom operators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet).
  • GPRS General Packet Radio Service
  • the navigation device 200 can further complete a data connection with the mobile device, and eventually with the internet and server 302, via existing Bluetooth technology for example, in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as the GPRS, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
  • the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as the GPRS, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
  • the navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 itself (including an antenna for example, or optionally using the internal antenna of the navigation device 200).
  • the mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can include internal components as specified above, and/or can include an insertable card (e.g. Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card), complete with necessary mobile phone technology and/or an antenna for example.
  • mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 302, via the internet for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile device.
  • a Bluetooth enabled navigation device may be used to correctly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on the navigation device 200 for example. The data stored for this information can be updated.
  • the navigation device 200 is depicted as being in communication with the server 302 via a generic communications channel 318 that can be implemented by any of a number of different arrangements.
  • the server 302 and a navigation device 200 can communicate when a connection via communications channel 318 is established between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 (noting that such a connection can be a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection via personal computer via the internet, etc.).
  • the server 302 includes, in addition to other components which may not be illustrated, a processor 304 operatively connected to a memory 306 and further operatively connected, via a wired or wireless connection 314, to a mass data storage device 312.
  • the processor 304 is further operatively connected to transmitter 308 and receiver 310, to transmit and send information to and from navigation device 200 via communications channel 318.
  • the signals sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other propagated signals.
  • the transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed according to the communications requirement and communication technology used in the
  • transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into a signal transceiver.
  • Server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass storage device 312, noting that the mass storage device 312 may be coupled to the server 302 via communication link 314.
  • the mass storage device 312 contains a store of navigation data and map information, and can again be a separate device from the server 302 or can be incorporated into the server 302.
  • the navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302 through communications channel 318, and includes processor, memory, etc. as previously described with regard to Fig. 2, as well as transmitter 320 and receiver 322 to send and receive signals and/or data through the communications channel 318, noting that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices other than server 302. Further, the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected or designed according to communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation device 200 and the functions of the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a single transceiver.
  • Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions for the processor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services to the navigation device 200.
  • One service provided by the server 302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the navigation device 200.
  • Another service provided by the server 302 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for a desired application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200.
  • the communication channel 318 generically represents the propagating medium or path that connects the navigation device 200 and the server 302.
  • Both the server 302 and navigation device 200 include a transmitter for transmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted through the communication channel.
  • the communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, the communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel 318 may include several
  • the communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communications, etc.
  • the communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: electric circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fibre optic cables, converters, radio-frequency (RF) waves, the atmosphere, empty space, etc.
  • RF radio-frequency
  • the communication channel 318 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.
  • the communication channel 318 includes telephone and computer networks. Furthermore, the communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication, etc. Additionally, the communication channel 318 can accommodate satellite communication.
  • the server 302 includes a remote server accessible by the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel.
  • the server 302 may include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network
  • VPN virtual private network
  • the server 302 may include a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connected between the personal computer and the navigation device 200.
  • a personal computer may be connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to establish an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200.
  • a mobile telephone or other handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the internet, for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the internet.
  • the navigation device 200 may be provided with information from the server 302 via information downloads which may be periodically updated automatically or upon a user connecting navigation device 200 to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection being made between the server 302 and navigation device 200 via a wireless mobile connection device and TCP/IP connection for example.
  • the processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the bulk of the processing needs, however, processor 210 of navigation device 200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes independent of a connection to a server 302.
  • a navigation device 200 includes a processor
  • the input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information through a touch panel screen, for example.
  • a touch panel screen for example.
  • Such a screen may be a touch input LCD screen, for example, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
  • the navigation device 200 can also include any additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device 241 , such as audio input/output devices for example.
  • Figs 4A and 4B are perspective views of a navigation device 200.
  • the navigation device 200 may be a unit that includes an integrated input and display device 290 (a touch panel screen for example) and the other components of fig. 2 (including but not limited to internal GPS receiver 250, microprocessor 210, a power supply, memory systems 230, etc.).
  • the navigation device 200 may sit on an arm 292, which itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using a suction cup 294.
  • This arm 292 is one example of a docking station to which the navigation device 200 can be docked.
  • the navigation device 200 can be docked or otherwise connected to an arm 292 of the docking station by snap connecting the navigation device 292 to the arm 292 for example.
  • the navigation device 200 may then be rotatable on the arm 292, as shown by the arrow of Fig. 4B.
  • a button on the navigation device 200 may be pressed, for example.
  • Other equally suitable arrangements for coupling and decoupling the navigation device to a docking station are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
  • FIGs. 5a- i there is depicted a series of screenshots from a TomTom GO 950 LIVE navigation device.
  • This model of TomTom PND has a touchscreen interface for displaying information to a user and for accepting input to the device from the user.
  • the screenshots show an illustrative destination location input process for a user whose home location has been set to the offices in The Hague of the European Patent Office, and who wishes to navigate to a street address in Amsterdam, The Netherlands for which they know the street name and building number.
  • the device When this user switches on their TomTom PND, the device acquires a GPS fix and calculates (in a known manner) the current location of the PND. The user is then presented with a display showing in pseudo three-dimensions the local environment in which the PND is determined to be located, and in a region of the display below the local environment a series of control and status messages.
  • the PND By touching the display of the local environment, the PND switches to display (as shown in Fig. 5a) a series of virtual buttons 346, 348 by means of which a user can, inter alia, input a destination that they wish to navigate to.
  • a plurality of virtual buttons that are each associated with a different category of selectable destinations.
  • the display shows a "home” button that if pressed would set the destination to the stored home location.
  • the "favourite” button if pressed, reveals a list of destinations that the user has previously stored in the PND and if one of these destinations is then selected the destination for the route to be calculated is set to the selected previously stored destination.
  • the "recent destination” button if pressed, reveals a list of selectable destinations held in the memory of the PND and to which the user has recently navigated. Selection of one of the destinations populating this list would set the destination location for this route to the selected (previously visited) location.
  • the "local search” button if pressed, allows the user to carry out a search for given items e.g. shops, services etc in the local area, or an area local to a given destination, using the Google local search service.
  • the "arrow” shaped virtual button opens a new menu of additional options, and the "address” button 350 commences a process by which the user can input the street address of the destination that they wish to navigate to.
  • this "address” button is operated (by touching the button displayed on the touchscreen), whereupon (as shown in Fig. 5c) the user is presented with a series of address input options - in particular for address input by "city centre”, by "postcode”, by "crossing or intersection” (for example a junction of two roads) and by "street and house number”.
  • the user knows the street address and house number of the destination and hence selects the "street and house number" virtual button 352 whereupon the user is then presented, as shown in Fig. 5d, a prompt 354 to enter the name of the city that they wish to navigate to, a flag button 356 by means of which the user can select the country in which the desired city is located, and a virtual keyboard 358 that may be operated by the user, if necessary, to input the name of the destination city.
  • the PND therefore additionally provides the user with a list 360 of selectable cites.
  • the user in this instance wishes to navigate to Amsterdam, and on selection of Amsterdam from the list 360 (involving scrolling through the list from the "R" entries) the PND displays, as shown in Fig. 5e, a virtual keyboard 362 by means of which a user can input street names, a prompt 366 for entry of a streetname and, in this instance, as the user has previously navigated to a street in Amsterdam, a list 364 of selectable streets in Amsterdam.
  • the user wishes to navigate to the street, Rembrandtplein, that they have previously visited and so selects Rembrandtplein from the displayed list 364.
  • the PND displays a smaller virtual keypad 368 and prompts the user, by means of prompt 370, to enter the number of the house in the selected street and city that they wish to navigate to. If the user has previously navigated to a house number in this street, then that number (as shown in Fig. 5f) is initially shown. If, as in this instance, the user wishes to navigate to No. 35, Rembrandtplein once again, then the user need only touch a "done" virtual button 372 displayed at the bottom right hand corner of the display. If the user should wish to navigate to a different house number in Rembrandtplein, then all they need do is operate the keypad 368 to input the appropriate house number.
  • Fig. 5g Once the house number has been input, the user is asked in Fig. 5g, whether they wish to depart, now, at a specific date and time or at no specific date and time. In this instance the user is not concerned about leaving at a particular time and hence selects the "no specific date and time” option and presses the "done” virtual button 374.
  • Selecting the "done” button 374 causes the PND to display a further set of virtual buttons as shown in Figure 5h offering options as to the type of route the user wishes to calculate, for example the fastest route, an eco route, the shortest route, a route avoiding motorways, a walking route, or further options accessed by pressing the arrow shaped virtual button.
  • the user selects the fastest route using button 376.
  • This causes the PND to calculate a route between the current location and the selected destination and to display that route 378, as shown in Fig. 5i, on a relatively low magnification map that shows the entire route.
  • the user provided with a "done” virtual button 380 which they can press to indicate that they are happy with the calculated route, a “find alternative” button 382 that the user can press to cause the PND to calculate another route to the selected destination, and a “details” button 384 that a user can press to reveal selectable options for the display of more detailed information concerning the currently displayed route 378.
  • the display includes a summary tab 390 providing a summary of the route information, and a further traffic tab 392 which the user may select to view detailed live traffic information for the route.
  • Figures 1 -5i provide background information to facilitate understanding of the invention, and navigation apparatus in relation to which the present invention may be implemented. Some preferred embodiments of a navigation method and system in accordance with the present invention will now be described.
  • a user may in some situations wish to find the location of a point of interest, or indeed any type of location.
  • One option is to search for the location of interest using the PND, for example by performing a local search via the menu shown in Figure 5B.
  • Another option would be to search for stored points of interest within a given proximity of a current location, or a specified location, such as a destination.
  • Such a search may be performed via a system of menus accessed via a touchscreen of the PND in a similar manner to that described above in relation to setting a destination.
  • the PND may display a list of points of interest within a given proximity of a current location.
  • the Applicant has realised that requiring a user to perform a search for a location of interest in this way is not always the most convenient technique to find a location. It requires the user to perform the search correctly i.e. in the correct area, and in many cases, to select the right location from a list of possible locations presented to the user by the PND. In some situations the location sought by a user may not be known to the PND, e.g. if it is of a temporary nature, or a location of relevance to only the user.
  • a user drives past a roadside sign or billboard advertising an event or location.
  • a billboard might advertise that an antiques market occurs at a particular location on that day, or that there is a Pick Your Own strawberry farm in the vicinity.
  • the user may spontaneously decide that they wish to now visit that location, or wish to record the location to enable them to pay a visit to the event or location at a later time.
  • billboards may provide some short location information details or directions, and perhaps a simple map. For example this may indicate that the driver needs to proceed to the next crossroads and then take a right turn just before a roundabout. It may be difficult for a user to accurately memorise the information, and while driving the user would not have the opportunity to write it down. Having to try to take in such instructions undesirably increases levels of driver distraction.
  • a billboard should emphasise the name and nature of the event, and perhaps a logo, rather than providing excessive amounts of address and direction details.
  • a balance needs to be found between the attractiveness of a billboard e.g. showing a company logo or products on offer, and the more functional data, such as address, directions, telephone number, URL etc.
  • the speed dial location code (short codes), which may be entered by the user into a navigation apparatus to enable the apparatus to determine full position information for the location.
  • the speed dial location code (referred to herein as a "SDC") is a short easily memorable code which may include letters and/or numbers. Typically it will be alphanumeric, or in the form of only letters to increase levels of user friendliness. For example a restaurant selling hamburgers could have the speed dial location code (SDC) "hamburger". A hotel located on the beach could have the SDC "@beachhotel”. A music festival might use the SDC "@pinkpop" which will provide a link to the location of the event. It is envisaged that subscribers could request desirable SDCs for a particular location in the same way that subscribers can secure relevant internet domain names at present.
  • the SDC can be descriptive of the product or services offered at the location.
  • Each SDC is associated with position information for the location to which it is assigned.
  • a SDC may be associated with a set of coordinates for the location which may be used by the PND to navigate to the location.
  • An example set of coordinates might be N33 13.547 - E20 01.881.
  • SDCs are by definition short, and some SDCs may be particularly popular, such as "hamburger", it is not practical to associate each SDC only with the position information for the relevant location. The limited number of SDCs available would not be capable of uniquely distinguishing all locations from one another.
  • a geographic region is subdivided into a plurality of sub-regions. This is typically done by dividing the geographic region as represented on a digital map into the plurality of sub region. Each sub-region is assigned an area code. For example different sub-regions might be given the codes UM, NA, IL and QZ.
  • the area codes may not need to be used by a user, but are used to allow the navigation device to identify a sub-region.
  • the area codes may exhibit a degree of user friendliness as in some situations a user may use the code in conjunction with an SDC.
  • each sub-region is assigned a set of SDCs, each being assigned to a location or locations in the sub- region, and in turn being associated with position information for each location.
  • the combination of a given SDC and the associated area code provides a unique key to the position information for the location or locations associated with a given SDC in a particular sub-region.
  • one sub-region may be provided with the code UM.
  • Another sub-region may be provided with the code IL.
  • a first restaurant in the region UM may be allocated the speed dial location code "hamburger" as well as a second restaurant in the other region IL.
  • Position information for each of the restaurants can be stored in conjunction with its SDC. Provided that the SDC is also linked to the correct area code, then provided the navigation device knows which is the relevant sub-region being considered, it may determine the position information for the restaurant located in that region.
  • an SDC will typically be assigned to a single location, it might be assigned to a set of related locations, provided that they are in the same geographic sub-region.
  • One example might be a group of locations corresponding to the locations of a number of branches of a particular store in a sub-region. These might all be assigned an SDC which is the name of the store.
  • more than one SDC in a given sub-region could be associated with the same location and position information. This might occur where the same location is used for different purposes. It might have an SDC descriptive of the different purposes, which may be used by different classes of user. In all cases, the combination of an area code and SDC form a unique key to a set of position information for a location or locations.
  • the SDC may be associated with further information about the location or an event occurring at the location, or about products or services offered at the location. For example contact information such as a telephone number, internet address etc., may be associated with the SDC.
  • contact information such as a telephone number, internet address etc.
  • a link could be associated with the SDC enabling live data about the location to be obtained over a suitable communications link.
  • a database is created storing each area code with information identifying the geographic sub-region to which it relates. This may be in the form of digital map data or general geo data, or any other form. The information should identify the extent of the map sub-region to allow a navigation apparatus to determine for any given point in the geographic region, in which sub-region it is included. This database may be referred to as the "region" database.
  • the region database may be stored in a memory of a particular PND, but in other arrangements may be of a remote or offboard database. A PND may then access the region database using a suitable communication link.
  • Each speed dial location code is stored in association with the area code for the sub-region containing the location or locations to which it has been assigned, as well as the position information and any other information associated with the SDC.
  • the device can determine an area code for a sub region of interest, and look up the position information associated with the SDC which is associated with an area of interest.
  • the sub-region of interest may be the sub-region which includes a current GPS location of the device, or it may be a sub-region specified by a user.
  • the navigation device may be arranged to automatically detect in which sub- region the current location is situated, and look up the area code for that sub-region. The PND may then use this area code to identify a speed dial location code database for speed dial location codes associated with that area code, and retrieve the position and any other information associated with the entered speed dial location code.
  • the region could be selected by a user, for example by specifying a point in a region where they plan to travel.
  • the PND may then determine the sub-region including a point or region indicated by a user, and determine the area code for that sub-region.
  • the speed dial location codes assigned to locations in a given sub-region are stored in a specific speed dial location code database for that sub-region.
  • each SDC database may be associated with the area code for that sub-region.
  • the PND may determine the sub-region of relevance in a current situation e.g. based on the current location or user specified location, and look up the speed dial location code entered by a user in the relevant speed dial location code database.
  • the separate databases may be distinct databases, or may be sections of a single database.
  • the speed dial location codes could all be stored in a common database provided that they are associated with the relevant area code.
  • SDC could be stored with the area code forming a composite code linked to the position information for a given location or locations in the sub region having the area code.
  • the PND may display a position of the location or locations associated with the input speed dial location code on a digital map. If position information for a set of locations is associated with the SDC, each location may be displayed on the map simultaneously, or the PND may select the closest location for display, or could present the user with a list of the locations from which to select a location for display. The user may then select a location or locations to or via which to navigate. Alternatively or additionally the user may request that the PND store the information e.g. in the memory 230 or cause the information to be stored by a server, so that it may be retrieved later, or request that the information by transmitted to a given mobile communications device, or another PND or similar.
  • the user may enter any of the speed dial location codes that he sees in a given sub-region into the navigation apparatus without needing to memorise coordinates, company names, addresses or sets of directions. For example if the user sees the speed dial location code "cats22" on a billboard, he could enter this into his navigation device.
  • the navigation device would determine automatically which sub-region the user is currently in, and will then use the area code for the given region to determine the position information associated with an SDC corresponding to the input SDC and also which is associated with the area code. For example this could be by reference to a database storing the combination of the SDCs and associated area codes, or to a specific database of SDCs for a particular area code.
  • the PND notes a current GPS position of the PND. If the user has entered a selected position into the device i.e. to indicate a point in a region in which he plans to travel at a later stage, the PND may use this position rather than the current position.
  • the PND accesses a region database storing the area codes for each sub region- S2.
  • the PND takes the current position or selected position determined in S1 and uses the region database to determine the sub-region containing the current position or selected position, and determines the area code for the sub region- S3.
  • the PND receives an input of an SDC from a user in S4. This may be in the form of a speech command or touch based input.
  • the PND uses the input SDC to look up the position and any other information associated with the SDC in the database for the relevant identified sub-region. If a single database is used for all of the geographical sub-regions, then the device may take the combined code being the area code and the entered speed dial location code to look up the associated position information associated with the full code.
  • the PND knows the position information e.g. coordinates for the location to which the entered speed dial location code has been assigned.
  • the PND may use the position information to directly navigate to or calculate a route going via the location, or may display the identified location on a digital map or in a list to enable the user to select the location as a destination, for example.
  • the user may instruct the PND to store the determined position information for the location in its memory 230 to be retrieved at a later stage, or for example to be downloaded onto a PC of the user.
  • speed dial location codes and area codes are illustrated by reference to Figure 7.
  • a user may have a current GPS location in a sub-region which has been allocated the area code UM.
  • a location for a restaurant in this sub- region has been assigned the speed dial location code "hamburger". This is associated with the position coordinates for the restaurant being N33 13.547 E20 01.881 .
  • Another speed dial location code "cats22" is associated with a different location in sub region UM having the position coordinates N33 12.901 E20 02.333.
  • the adjacent sub-region with code IL another restaurant selling hamburgers has also been allocated the speed dial location code "hamburger”.
  • This location has a different set of position coordinates, being N33 12.537 E20 00.331 . These coordinates are merely illustrative, and do not represent actual locations as shown.
  • the size of the sub- regions can be determined based on a density of SDC requests, or in particular SDC requests for a particular speed dial location code. If demand for the same SDCs in a region increases, the regions could be split to create new ones.
  • SDCs SDCs
  • They may then be allocated a randomly generated SDC, or one of a set of SDCs already allocated to a sub region containing the location to which the SDC is to be assigned, or could specify an SDC which they wish to have allocated to them.
  • This could operate in a similar manner to requesting personalised licence plates.
  • users could subscribe to speed dial location codes as users subscribe to telephone services at present.
  • An navigation company could then act in a role similar to a telecommunications provider to allocate speed dial location codes to subscribers.
  • the system could determine when a given SDC is used, and this information could be used to generate revenue for the navigation company, as subscribers could be charged for each "kickback" in a similar manner to the way in which companies sponsoring links on a website may pay when a link is clicked through.
  • SDCs could be assigned to permanent or temporary locations.
  • an SDC could be allocated to a location where a festival is to take place for a limited period.
  • a camper might request an SDC for use when they go camping, and associate this with the location where they have pitched their tent. They can give the SDC to friends who are camping with them, so that when the friend enters the sub-region containing the camping location, they can retrieve the position information for the camper.
  • a particular SDC could be used to refer to one location, for example an in-line skating rink in Summer, and a different type of location, such as in ice-skating facilities in Winter.
  • the methods of the invention would also be applicable to geo-caching.
  • the Applicant has realised that in some situations there may be high demand for identical SDCs in close proximity to one another.
  • the Applicant has devised methods which may ensure that speed dial location codes are allocated most efficiently to sub-regions to maximise the ability for identical speed dial location codes to be used in respect of different locations, while reducing the possibility of confusing at the boundaries between sub regions.
  • the user in region UM may then put the speed dial location code "hamburger" into their PND while looking at the sign in region IL. However, because the PND determines that the user is in region UM it will obtain the position information for the speed dial location code "hamburger" associated with the region UM and not region IL.
  • the user may be located at the position shown in Figure 8B at the intersection between four regions UM, NA, QZ and IL.
  • the navigation device may be unable to determine with sufficient accuracy in which region the current location is situated. Again, if the user inputs the word "hamburger" into their PND, the PND may not know whether to determine position coordinates for the SDC "hamburger" associated with region UM or region NA.
  • the PND may infer the sub region of interest by taking into account the direction of travel of the user as well as the current location.
  • the PND may determine that it should retrieve the position information for the SDC "hamburger" associated with area code UM rather than IL.
  • the system may be arranged to take into account or even give precedence to sub regions which the user has already passed through. This could enable a user to obtain position information for a location already passed, and be guided through making a U-turn to reach the location.
  • each sub-region of a digital map representing the geographic region may be allocated a different one of four colours, in such a manner that adjacent sub-regions are not allocated the same colour.
  • the sub regions may be of any shape, and need not be square as illustrated. While figures 8A and 8B only show four sub-regions, the colouring of sub regions would be repeated over all sub-regions into which a continuous area has been divided.
  • Sets of SDCs may then be allocated to each sub-region in a manner such that identical SDCs are not allocated to sub-regions of different colour. This means that identical SDCs will not be allocated to adjacent sub-regions, i.e. sub regions which share a border.
  • Figures 8A and 8B illustrate the colouring of the sub regions, but do not implement this technique of allocating SDCs. If this technique were to have been implemented in relation to the Figure 8a and 8b arrangement, the potential confusion between the "hamburger" sds in sub regions IL and UM would not arise, as the same SDC "hamburger” would not be applied to any of the differently coloured regions UM
  • the SDC "hamburger" could only be used in one of the four sub- regions, UM, NA, IL and QZ.
  • SDCs to sub regions using the four colour theorem provides a method of formatting a map which may be applied to any application in which codes are to be assigned to adjacent sub regions, whether or not they are location codes or speed dial location codes.

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Abstract

A method involves dividing a geographic region represented by a digital map into a plurality of sub regions. An area code is assigned to each of the plurality of sub regions. A speed dial location code is assigned to each of a plurality of locations in each sub region. Each speed dial location code is associated with position information for the location to which it is assigned, and each speed dial location code is associated with the area code for the sub region which includes the location. A navigation apparatus determines the area code for a given sub region of interest, receives an input of a speed dial location code from a user, and obtains the position information associated with a speed dial location code which corresponds to the input speed dial location code, and which is also associated with the determined area code.

Description

Methods and Systems for Obtaining Location Information
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and systems of obtaining location information, and in particular, although not exclusively, position information for locations. The methods and systems of the invention are implemented in a system including a navigation apparatus. However, in broader aspects the methods and systems are applicable to systems and methods including other apparatus having positioning or geo locating capability. Illustrative embodiments of the invention relate to methods and systems which utilise portable navigation devices (so-called PNDs), in particular PNDs that include Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality, and to such devices and methods of controlling such devices. The invention is also applicable to systems and methods using a navigation apparatus which forms part of an integrated navigation system, e.g. an in-vehicle navigation system, and to such apparatus and methods of controlling such apparatus. In accordance with certain further aspects the invention also extends to methods and systems for formatting a digital map.
Background to the Invention
The present invention is, in preferred embodiments, directed to methods or systems of obtaining information for locations using a navigation apparatus, and methods of operating a navigation apparatus. The apparatus may be of any suitable form as discussed above, and in more detail below. One illustrative embodiment of the apparatus is a portable navigation device. Portable navigation devices (PNDs) that include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality are well known and are widely employed as in-car or other vehicle navigation systems.
In general terms, a modern PND comprises a processor, memory (at least one of volatile and non-volatile, and commonly both), and map data stored within said memory. The processor and memory cooperate to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system may be established, and additionally it is commonplace for one or more additional software programs to be provided to enable the functionality of the PND to be controlled, and to provide various other functions.
Typically these devices further comprise one or more input interfaces that allow a user to interact with and control the device, and one or more output interfaces by means of which information may be relayed to the user. Illustrative examples of output interfaces include a visual display and a speaker for audible output.
Illustrative examples of input interfaces include one or more physical buttons to control on/off operation or other features of the device (which buttons need not necessarily be on the device itself but could be on a steering wheel if the device is built into a vehicle), and a microphone for detecting user speech. In a particularly preferred arrangement the output interface display may be configured as a touch sensitive display (by means of a touch sensitive overlay or otherwise) to additionally provide an input interface by means of which a user can operate the device by touch.
Devices of this type will also often include one or more physical connector interfaces by means of which power and optionally data signals can be transmitted to and received from the device, and optionally one or more wireless
transmitters/receivers to allow communication over cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks, for example Wi-Fi, Wi-Max GSM and the like.
PND devices of this type also include a GPS antenna by means of which satellite-broadcast signals, including location data, can be received and subsequently processed to determine a current location of the device.
The PND device may also include electronic gyroscopes and accelerometers which produce signals that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in turn, and in conjunction with location information derived from the GPS signal, velocity and relative displacement of the device and thus the vehicle in which it is mounted. Typically such features are most commonly provided in in-vehicle navigation systems, but may also be provided in PND devices if it is expedient to do so.
The utility of such PNDs is manifested primarily in their ability to determine a route between a first location (typically a start or current location) and a second location (typically a destination). These locations can be input by a user of the device, by any of a wide variety of different methods, for example by postcode, street name and house number, previously stored "well known" destinations (such as famous locations, municipal locations (such as sports grounds or swimming baths) or other points of interest), and favourite or recently visited destinations.
Typically, the PND is enabled by software for computing a "best" or
"optimum" route between the start and destination address locations from the map data. A "best" or "optimum" route is determined on the basis of predetermined criteria and need not necessarily be the fastest or shortest route. The selection of the route along which to guide the driver can be very sophisticated, and the selected route may take into account existing, predicted and dynamically and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, historical information about road speeds, and the driver's own preferences for the factors determining road choice (for example the driver may specify that the route should not include motorways or toll roads).
In addition, the device may continually monitor road and traffic conditions, and offer to or choose to change the route over which the remainder of the journey is to be made due to changed conditions. Real time traffic monitoring systems, based on various technologies (e.g. mobile phone data exchanges, fixed cameras, GPS fleet tracking) are being used to identify traffic delays and to feed the information into notification systems.
PNDs of this type may typically be mounted on the dashboard or windscreen of a vehicle, but may also be formed as part of an on-board computer of the vehicle radio or indeed as part of the control system of the vehicle itself. The navigation device may also be part of a hand-held system, such as a PDA (Portable Digital Assistant) a media player, a mobile phone or the like, and in these cases, the normal functionality of the hand-held system is extended by means of the installation of software on the device to perform both route calculation and navigation along a calculated route.
Route planning and navigation functionality may also be provided by a desktop or mobile computing resource running appropriate software. For example, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) provides an on-line route planning and navigation facility at http://www.rac.co.uk, which facility allows a user to enter a start point and a destination whereupon the server to which the user's PC is connected calculates a route (aspects of which may be user specified), generates a map, and generates a set of exhaustive navigation instructions for guiding the user from the selected start point to the selected destination. The facility also provides for pseudo three- dimensional rendering of a calculated route, and route preview functionality which simulates a user travelling along the route and thereby provides the user with a preview of the calculated route.
In the context of a PND, once a route has been calculated, the user interacts with the navigation device to select the desired calculated route, optionally from a list of proposed routes. Optionally, the user may intervene in, or guide the route selection process, for example by specifying that certain routes, roads, locations or criteria are to be avoided or are mandatory for a particular journey. The route calculation aspect of the PND forms one primary function, and navigation along such a route is another primary function.
During navigation along a calculated route, it is usual for such PNDs to provide visual and/or audible instructions to guide the user along a chosen route to the end of that route, i.e. the desired destination. It is also usual for PNDs to display map information on-screen during the navigation, such information regularly being updated on-screen so that the map information displayed is representative of the current location of the device, and thus of the user or user's vehicle if the device is being used for in-vehicle navigation.
An icon displayed on-screen typically denotes the current device location, and is centred with the map information of current and surrounding roads in the vicinity of the current device location and other map features also being displayed. Additionally, navigation information may be displayed, optionally in a status bar above, below or to one side of the displayed map information, examples of navigation information include a distance to the next deviation from the current road required to be taken by the user, the nature of that deviation possibly being represented by a further icon suggestive of the particular type of deviation, for example a left or right turn. The navigation function also determines the content, duration and timing of audible instructions by means of which the user can be guided along the route. As can be appreciated a simple instruction such as "turn left in 100 m" requires significant processing and analysis. As previously mentioned, user interaction with the device may be by a touch screen, or additionally or alternately by steering column mounted remote control, by voice activation or by any other suitable method.
A further important function provided by the device is automatic route recalculation in the event that: a user deviates from the previously calculated route during navigation (either by accident or intentionally); real-time traffic conditions dictate that an alternative route would be more expedient and the device is suitably enabled to recognize such conditions automatically, or if a user actively causes the device to perform route re-calculation for any reason.
It is also known to allow a route to be calculated with user defined criteria; for example, the user may prefer a scenic route to be calculated by the device, or may wish to avoid any roads on which traffic congestion is likely, expected or currently prevailing. The device software would then calculate various routes and weigh more favourably those that include along their route the highest number of points of interest (known as POIs) tagged as being for example of scenic beauty, or, using stored information indicative of prevailing traffic conditions on particular roads, order the calculated routes in terms of a level of likely congestion or delay on account thereof. Other POI-based and traffic information-based route calculation and navigation criteria are also possible.
Although the route calculation and navigation functions are fundamental to the overall utility of PNDs, it is possible to use the device purely for information display, or "free-driving", in which only map information relevant to the current device location is displayed, and in which no route has been calculated and no navigation is currently being performed by the device. Such a mode of operation is often applicable when the user already knows the route along which it is desired to travel and does not require navigation assistance.
Devices of the type described above, for example the GO950 LIVE model manufactured and supplied by TomTom International B.V., provide a reliable means for enabling users to navigate from one position to another. Summary of the invention
The present invention relates to methods and systems for obtaining location information. In preferred embodiments, the methods and systems of the present invention are implemented using a navigation apparatus. The methods and systems may, however be implemented using other user operable apparatus, as discussed in more detail below.
Often a user will wish to find an unfamiliar location, or information relating to such a location. While a navigation or mapping apparatus is helpful in such situations where the user has the opportunity to accurately enter the position details for the location into the apparatus in advance, in many situations, the user may not have the opportunity to find out the position details of the location e.g. the postcode, full address etc, and enter them into the navigation apparatus. This may be a particular problem in relation to unplanned visits to locations, especially when prompted by a roadside advertisement. For example, a user may notice a roadside sign advertising a location, and giving brief instructions or a map providing directions to the location. If the user decides to visit the place of interest, it is likely that they will not accurately recall or even have properly noted the details of the position of the location to enter into a navigation apparatus, or to enable them to navigate to the location without using the device. In any event, it is undesirable for the user to have to remember detailed position details provided on roadside signs, as this may distract them while driving. Furthermore, it is undesirable to include extensive address or direction details on roadside advertisements for a given location, as these may detract from visibility of the main logo or name of the location, and details of the services on offer.
Rather than trying to recall directions given to a location, a user might alternatively try to search for a location e.g. using a navigation or mapping apparatus. For example, the user may perform a search for locations of a given category in the vicinity of a current or specified location. However, the user is then still faced with making the correct selection of the location of interest from the search results, and, depending upon the search criteria used, the desired location may not even be included in the search results. While the problems have been described in relation to trying to obtain position information for a location, similar problems may arise when trying to identify and obtain any type of information relating to a given location.
The present invention provides a methods and systems which aim, at least in preferred embodiments, to address such problems.
In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method of obtaining location information comprising the steps of;
dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions,
assigning an area code to each of the plurality of sub regions,
assigning, for each one of a plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub region, a respective speed dial location code to the location or set of locations,
associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations to which it is assigned, and
associating each speed dial location code with the area code for the sub region which includes the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned;
the method further comprising a navigation apparatus receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, determining the area code for a given sub region, and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information relating to the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region.
In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system for obtaining location information comprising;
means for dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions, means for assigning an area code to each of the plurality of sub regions, means for assigning, for each of a plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub region, a respective speed dial location code to the location or set of locations,
means for associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations to which it is assigned, and
means for associating each speed dial location code with the area code for the sub region which includes the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned, wherein the system comprises a navigation apparatus including one or more processors arranged in use to;
receive an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, determine the area code for a given sub region, and use the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information relating to the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region.
The present invention in accordance with the second aspect may include any or all of the features described in respect to the first aspect of the invention. Thus, if not explicitly stated, the system and/or navigation apparatus may comprise means for carrying out any of the method steps described, and the method and method of operation of the navigation apparatus may include any of the steps performed by the system and/or navigation apparatus. In the method aspects of the invention, the navigation apparatus comprises a processor or set of processors arranged to carry out the steps referred to. References to steps being carried out by a "processor" herein, can equally be carried out using more than one processor. Some functions may, for example, be carried out on or off board. Thus the apparatus or system may comprise a set of one or more processors for carrying out the steps described, and a step may be carried out by the or a processor, or by more than one processor.
In accordance with the invention, therefore, a geographic region is divided into a plurality of geographic sub regions. Each sub region is assigned an area code. Each one of a plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub region is assigned a respective speed dial location code. The speed dial location code is associated with information for the given location or set of locations ("location information"), and is also associated with an area code for the sub region including the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned. When a user inputs a speed dial location code into the navigation apparatus, the information for the location or set of locations associated with the indicated speed dial location code for a given sub region may be obtained by the apparatus by determining the area code for the given sub region, and obtaining the information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region i.e. the information associated with a speed dial location code which corresponds to the indicated speed dial location code, and which speed dial location code is associated with the area code for the given region.
In preferred embodiments in which the location information includes position information for the location or set of locations, the user therefore does not need to input full position information e.g. address, postcode etc for a given location or set of locations, but can instead enter a speed dial location code. In accordance with the invention, each speed dial location code is associated with an area code. When obtaining information including position information associated with an indicated speed dial location code, the navigation apparatus determines an area code for a given sub region, and obtains the position information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region. This means that the same speed dial location code may be used in relation to different locations, or sets of locations, in more than one of the sub regions. In accordance with the invention, the apparatus obtains location information by reference not only to the indicated speed dial location code, but also determines a sub region, and obtains the location information which is associated with the speed dial location code for the sub region. Thus, even if the same speed dial location code might be associated with multiple locations, or sets of locations, provided that a given speed dial location code is used only once in a given sub region, the method of the present invention ensures that the information which is obtained is that which is relates to a location relevant to e.g. in the given sub region. This is similar to the concept of phone numbers. Landline phone numbers typically include an area code and a shorter code, which may be more memorable or easier to use for a user. The shorter codes may be reused in different geographic regions provided that regions are associated with different area codes, while still uniquely identifying a given subscriber.
In embodiments, therefore, the step of using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information relating to the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region comprises obtaining location information associated with a speed dial location code which corresponds to the indicated speed dial location code and which speed dial location code is associated with the determined area code. The or a processor of the apparatus is arranged to carry out such a step.
The speed dial location code may be associated with only a single area code. The speed dial location code is associated at least with the area code for the sub region which includes the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned. The speed dial location code may be additionally associated with one or more further area codes. A given location could then be associated via the speed dial location code with both a "home" area code and a "foreign" area code. The combination of either area code and the speed dial location code could then provide a link to information for the location. In embodiments of the invention, the apparatus obtains the location information associated with a given speed dial location code which is also associated with the area code for the given sub region. As discussed below, the given sub region may be a sub region of interest, such as a sub region in which the navigation apparatus or user is located, or in which a user specified point or region is located. This means that more memorable and/or shorter speed dial location codes may be used, as they need not be capable of uniquely identifying a given location alone. As the area code for the given sub region is taken into account, the relevant location information may be obtained. As each speed dial location code is additionally associated with an area code, the same speed dial location codes can be reused for different sub regions. The navigation apparatus may automatically detect when a user is in a given sub region and retrieve the relevant area code to enable it to search among speed dial location codes associated with that area code for the speed dial location code indicated by the user. The apparatus may then determine the information associated with that speed dial location code.
In accordance with embodiments the invention, identical speed dial location codes may be assigned to locations or sets of locations in more than one sub region. However a speed dial location code is preferably only used once in each sub region. In embodiments therefore, each location or set of locations in a (given) sub region is assigned a different speed dial location code. Thus each of the speed dial location codes assigned to a location or set of locations in a particular sub region is a unique speed dial location code within that sub region. It is different to each other speed dial location code assigned to a location or set of locations in the same sub region.
In embodiments of the invention a set of speed dial location codes is allocated to each one of the plurality of sub regions. Each speed dial location code in a given set of speed dial location codes is assigned to a single location or set of locations in the sub region. The sets of speed dial location codes allocated to at least some of the sub regions of the system may overlap.
In embodiments a given speed dial location code forms, in combination with the area code associated with the speed dial location code, a unique code i.e. in the system. The code uniquely identifies a given location or set of locations in the geographic region. In embodiments a speed dial location code may not uniquely identify a single location or set of locations in the geographic region when taken alone.
In some embodiments the method comprises the step of assigning a first set of speed dial location codes to respective ones of each of a plurality of locations or sets of locations in a first sub region, and assigning a second set of speed dial location codes to respective ones of each of a plurality of locations in a second sub region, wherein the first set of speed dial location codes and the second set of speed dial location codes overlap i.e. include at least some speed dial location codes in common. The system may comprise means for assigning speed dial location codes in this manner.
In accordance with the invention, the area code associated with a given sub region is determined. The method may further comprise identifying the given sub region. The given sub region is preferably a sub region of interest. The method may then comprise identifying a sub region of interest and determining the area code for the sub region of interest. The sub region of interest may be inferred by the apparatus. This may be done automatically or using one or more indications provided by a user. Alternatively or additionally, the sub region of interest may be specified by a user.
The step of determining the area code for the given sub region and optionally identifying the given sub region, may be carried out before or after the speed dial location code is indicated. For example, the apparatus may detect a sub region containing the current location on a continual basis, or when an indication of a speed dial location code is received. Thus the steps of determining the area code for a given sub region and receiving an indication of the speed dial location code may be carried out in any order.
In some embodiments the given sub region is a user specified sub region. In some embodiments the method comprises the apparatus receiving an indication of the given sub region from a user, and the apparatus may be arranged to receive such an indication from a user. For example, a user may specify a sub region in which they plan to travel in order to retrieve information for a location or set of locations in the sub region which is associated with an input speed dial location code. The user may input a speed dial location code for a hotel where they are planning to stay, and specify the sub region in which it is located in order to retrieve the relevant position information for the hotel. The user may specify the sub region in any manner. The apparatus may be arranged to infer the given sub region from one or more indications provided by a user. For example, the user may indicate the entire sub region, or a location within the sub region in order to specify the region. The apparatus may be arranged to infer that a sub region is to be selected when a point or area within the sub region is indicated by a user. Another technique for inferring the sub region of interest, in embodiments in which the apparatus comprises a display, would be for the apparatus to determine a sub region included by or including a currently displayed map portion. The apparatus may determine the region of interest from a portion of a digital map that the user has chosen to display e.g. from a zoom level etc. It is envisaged that in some embodiments, a user might directly provide an indication of an area code for a sub region e.g. by inputting the area code. This could occur when a user has been provided the full code i.e. area code and speed dial location code for a given location or set of locations. For example, the full code could have been provided to the user by another user or transferred from another apparatus to the apparatus etc.
In other embodiments the navigation apparatus is arranged to automatically infer a given sub region of interest e.g. without user intervention. This may be done, for example, by reference to any of a current location, a direction of travel, a planned route and/or the indicated speed dial location code.
In some embodiments the given sub region of interest may be inferred using a current location of the apparatus e.g. a current GPS location. The processor may be arranged to carry out such a step. The current location will be a current location of the navigation apparatus and hence the user.
In some embodiments, the given sub region for which the area code is determined is thus a sub region which includes the current location of the apparatus e.g. navigation apparatus or user. In some embodiments in which the given sub region is a sub region including a current location the method comprises the apparatus detecting when a current location is in a given sub region, and
automatically determining the area code for the given sub region. The determined area code is then used with the indicated speed dial location code to obtain the location information. The processor of the apparatus may be arranged to carry out such a step. This embodiment may function in a similar manner to when a landline telephone call is placed without including an area code. The system may automatically detect the area in which the subscriber placing the call is located, and determine the intended recipient of the call from among subscribers within the detected area. In other embodiments the given sub region may be a sub region in the vicinity of the current location e.g. adjacent a sub region containing the current location.
Various techniques may be used to infer the given sub region of interest, beyond consideration of the current position. It will be appreciated that the indicated speed dial location code may alternatively or additionally be used to infer the given sub region of interest. For example the apparatus may determine whether the code is associated with an area code of a sub region which is in the vicinity of a current or specified location. If the user enters a speed dial location code which is not associated with the area code for a sub region in which the user is currently located, the apparatus may infer a sub region which is adjacent the sub region in which the apparatus is currently located and with which the speed dial location code is associated. The sub region may be a sub region toward which the user is travelling.
It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, particularly where a user is close to a boundary between different sub regions, additional steps may need to be taken to try to infer a sub region of interest. For example in some embodiments, e.g. when a current position of a user is close to a boundary between two or more sub regions, the apparatus may be arranged to infer a sub region of interest by reference to the current position of the user and a direction of travel of the user. The apparatus may be arranged to determine the area code for a sub region that the user will shortly enter based on a determination of a current position and the direction of travel of a user. This may be used where both the sub region in which the user is currently located and a sub region toward which the user is travelling are associated with the input speed dial location code. This may resolve potential problems which may arise if, for example, a user in one sub region sees a speed dial location code on a billboard advertising a location which is in fact in the sub region toward which the user is travelling. Thus, in some embodiments the sub region of interest is a sub region in proximity to a current location of the user and toward which the user is travelling.
A similar technique may be used when the apparatus is unable to resolve the current location to the degree required to determine which sub region includes the current location, e.g. if the current location is close to a boundary between regions. The apparatus may determine whether the entered speed dial location code is associated with any of the bordering sub regions, and if it is associated with more than one sub region, may take the direction of travel into account, and determine the area code for the sub region toward which the user is travelling.
In other embodiments the apparatus may infer a sub region of interest by reference to a planned route. For example, the apparatus may identify a sub region which includes at least a part of the planned route.
In other embodiments, the apparatus may be unable to easily infer a sub region of interest, e.g. which is relevant to the current position or travel of a user. In these embodiments the step of identifying the sub region may comprise using the indicated speed dial location code to identify the given sub region. This could occur, for example, if the user enters a speed dial location code which is not associated with an area code for a region in the vicinity of the current location, or indeed even in the same country. The identified sub region may then be any sub region having an area code with which the indicated speed dial location code is associated. There may be more than one such sub region. In such cases the apparatus may consider the closer sub regions first, or may determine the sub region using preset settings. In some cases it is envisaged that the apparatus could repeat the steps of determining an area code and obtaining information associated with the indicated speed dial location code using the determined area code and the indicated speed dial location code for each of a plurality of determined area codes. The apparatus may then present the user with a number of results from which to select, e.g. ordered in terms of relevance or distance from a current location.
In preferred embodiments the method comprises storing each area code in association with information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned. The area codes and information identifying the sub regions may be stored together, or separately with a suitable link associating the data, or in any suitable manner to enable the apparatus to access the area code for a given sub region. In some embodiments the step of determining the area code for the sub region of interest comprises accessing a stored area code for the sub region of interest, and the or a processor of the apparatus is arranged to carry out such a step. The information identifying the sub region may be of any type which will enable the apparatus to determine when a location is within the given geographic sub region, and may identify the extent of the sub region. In embodiments the information identifying the sub region comprises digital map data.
It will be appreciated that any arrangement may be used which permits the apparatus to access the area code for each sub region. The area codes may be stored remote from the apparatus or locally, or some may be stored locally and others remote from the apparatus. In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a memory storing each area code and the information identifying the sub region to which area code is assigned.
In some embodiments each area code and the information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned may be stored in a database. The database may be known as the "region" database. As mentioned above, the database may be a remote database, or the apparatus could comprise a memory storing the database. In other words, the database may be an "on-board" or "off- board" database. In preferred embodiments the method comprises storing each area code in association with information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned in a database, preferably remote from the apparatus.
In embodiments, the step of determining the area code for the sub region of interest may comprise searching among a plurality of stored area codes for the area code associated with the given sub region, and the or a processor may be arranged to carry out such a step. The area code may be associated with information identifying the given sub region. The information may be digital map data. However, any other type of information may be used. For example the information could be data from a general geo database.
In accordance with the invention, the given sub region for which the area code is determined is an area code with which the indicated speed dial location code is associated.
In embodiments the method comprises storing, for each sub region, the speed dial location codes assigned to each of the plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in the sub region, and the information relating to the location or set of locations ("the location information") associated with each speed dial location code. The speed dial location codes may be stored in association with the location information. For each sub region, the speed dial location codes and associated location information are preferably stored in association with the area code for the sub region.
As discussed in relation to storing the area codes, the speed dial location codes and location information may be stored together, or separately with a suitable link associating the data, or in any suitable manner to enable the apparatus to access the location information associated with a given speed dial location code. In some embodiments the step of obtaining the location information associated with the speed dial location code corresponding to the indicated speed dial location code and associated with the determined area code comprises accessing stored location information associated with the speed dial location code. A processor of the apparatus may be arranged to carry out such a step. In preferred embodiments the method comprises storing, for each sub region, each speed dial location code associated with the sub region in association with the location information associated with the speed dial location code in a database.
Any arrangement may be used which permits the apparatus to access the location information for a given speed dial location code. The area codes may be stored remote from the apparatus or locally, or a combination of locally and remote from the apparatus. In some embodiments each speed dial location code and the location information are stored in a database. The apparatus may comprise a memory storing the database. The database may be known as the "speed dial location code" database. The database may be a remote database, or the apparatus could comprise a memory storing the database. Thus the database may be an "on board" or "off board" database. In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a memory storing each speed dial location code and the location information associated with the speed dial location code.
Speed dial location codes for multiple sub regions may be stored in the same database provided that each code is appropriately associated e.g. linked to the area code for the sub region to which it relates. For example, the combination of the area code and speed dial location code may be stored in association with the location information, in the same way as a telephone number including both an area code and local dialling code could be stored as a unique combined full telephone number linked to subscriber information for that number. In other arrangements, the speed dial location codes for different sub regions may be stored in different parts of a database, or in separate databases. In some embodiments as discussed below, the speed dial location codes and the associated location information for each sub region are stored in a database specific to a given sub region, and the database is associated with the area code for the given sub region.
The method may comprise searching among stored speed dial location codes for the speed dial location code corresponding to the indicated speed dial location code and associated with the determined area code, and retrieving the associated location information. The or a processor may be arranged to carry out such a step.
In some embodiments a respective speed dial location code database is provided for each of the plurality of sub regions. The area code for a given sub region may then be used to access the appropriate speed dial location code database for the region. In some embodiments the method may comprise the apparatus using the determined area code to identify a database storing the speed dial location codes associated with the determined area code and the location information associated with each speed dial location code, and obtaining the location information for the indicated speed dial location code from the database. In other words, the apparatus may be arranged to identify a speed dial location code database for the given sub region, and to determine the location information for the indicated speed dial location code from the database.
Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments the method comprises the step of storing, preferably in an area code database, the area code for each of the plurality of sub regions in association with information identifying the sub region to which each area code is assigned.
The method may comprise storing , for each of the plurality of sub regions, preferably in a speed dial location code database for the sub region, each speed dial location code assigned to a location or set of locations in the sub region in
association with the location information associated with the speed dial location code. Preferably a speed dial location code database is provided for each sub region. Preferably each speed dial location code database is associated with the area code for the sub region.
In accordance with the invention in any of its embodiments, the speed dial location code may be any desired code. The speed dial location code may include characters in the form of one or more of letters, numbers or symbols. The code may include only numbers, only letters, only symbols or combinations thereof. The code may include graphical elements. It will be appreciated the term "letter" refers to a letter in accordance with any alphabet, and may include graphical elements e.g. as in the Chinese alphabet. The code may be in the form of a string of characters. The speed dial location code may be descriptive of the location to which it is assigned, and/or may be in the form of a word. For example, a location for a fast food outlet may be assigned a speed dial location code "HAMBURGER". A hotel on a beach may have a speed dial location code such as "@beachhotel". The speed dial location code will typically be a short, easily memorable code which could be put on a billboard advertising a location, or given to callers over the phone etc. As described below, the code may be generated by the system, but in preferred embodiments may be specified by a subscriber.
The area code may similarly be any type of code, and may be of any of the types described in relation to the speed dial location code.
In accordance with the invention, the information relating to the location or set of locations (the "location information") may be of any type. Preferably the information includes at least position information for the location or set of locations. The information may consist only of position information, or may include position information and other information. The apparatus may therefore be arranged to obtain location information in the form of position information and/or other forms of information.
It will be appreciated that the methods and systems of the present invention enable the navigation apparatus to directly access location information for a given location or set of locations when the speed dial location code is entered. This allows the information relating to the location to be determined directly, without the user needing to carry out a local search e.g. for names and/or categories of location, and then select the correct location from those results, assuming the location being searched for is even found. For example, if a user wishes to find a given hotel, he may enter a speed dial location code such as "@beachhotel", from which the apparatus may directly determine the correct position information for that hotel, and any further information, without the user needing to carry out any further steps. The need for the user to remember or record direction or position details is avoided. Thus the possibility of error in determining the position of a location is significantly reduced.
The speed dial location code may be indicated to the apparatus by a user in any suitable manner. In embodiments the apparatus comprises a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus, and the user interface is arranged to allow a user to indicate the speed dial location code. In some embodiments the user interface is an interface by means of which a user can operate the apparatus by touch, i.e. a touch sensitive user interface, and the user provides one or more touch indications to indicate the speed dial location code. The apparatus may comprise a touch sensitive display. The user may however indicate the speed dial location code using any form of user operable input device e.g. a mouse, touch pad, control stick or pad, rotary control, key stroke, camera etc. It is envisaged that the user interface may be arranged to enable the user to input the code or a part thereof by drawing one or more graphical symbols. This may be particularly useful in the context of languages including letters in the form of graphical symbols. The apparatus may be arranged to infer an input speed dial location code from one or more indications provided by the user. In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise an image grabber to enable the user to provide an indication of the code. For example, the user may scan the code using a camera of the apparatus.
It is believed that the present invention may advantageously be implemented using a speech recognition system with the user providing the indication of the speed dial location code using a speech command. Thus, in embodiments the speed dial location code is indicated by a user using one or more speech based commands. The navigation apparatus will then comprise a user interface by means of which a user can operate the apparatus using speech commands.
In certain embodiments in which the user provides an indication of the area code, the area code may be indicated in any of the manners described in relation to the speed dial location code e.g. by speech command.
In accordance with the invention, a speed dial location code is assigned to each one of a plurality of locations or set of locations in each sub region. Thus in each sub region, each speed dial location code is assigned to a single location or a single set of locations in the sub region. While the same speed dial location code may be used in another sub region, being linked to a single location or set of locations in that sub region, the combination of a given speed dial location code and area code uniquely identifies location information for the given location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned in the sub region having the area code. Accordingly the combination of each speed dial location code and its associated area code is unique. This provides a unique key to the location information associated with the speed dial location code for a given sub region. If a location spans a boundary between sub regions, it may be allocated a speed dial location code in each region, each being associated with the relevant area code for the sub region. The location information for the location could then be accessed using either area code and the speed dial location code for that area. The speed dial location codes for each sub region could be identical.
It is conceived that in a given sub region a single speed dial location code could be assigned to a set of locations rather than a single location. In these embodiments the set of locations may be linked locations. For example, the set of locations may be a set of branches of a particular named store or restaurant. The speed dial location "HAMBURGER" could be assigned to each branch of a given burger restaurant in the sub region. The speed dial location code is associated with location information for each location in the set of locations i.e. as a group. Thus location information for each of the locations may be obtained e.g. simultaneously when the location information associated with the speed dial location code is obtained. This may enable, for example, the display of the positions of each location in the set of locations simultaneously, or the presentation of a list of locations in the set to enable a user to choose one of the locations e.g. to view or navigate to.
Alternatively the apparatus could be set up to automatically navigate to the closest location. In preferred embodiments, however, in each sub region each speed dial location code is assigned to only a single location in the sub region.
It is envisaged that a speed dial location code may be a composite code including a generic portion and a specific portion, wherein the generic portion alone may be assigned to a set of locations, and associated with location information for the set of locations, and the combination of the generic portion and the specific portion may be assigned to a single location from the set of locations, and associated with information for that location. In this way, the composite code may be used to obtain information relating to a specific location. The generic part of the code may be used to obtain location information for the set of locations. For example, the code "HAMBURGER" may be used to obtain information for a set of locations having the generic speed dial location code portion "HAMBURGER", e.g. branches of the chain being "HAMBURGER dorpsstraat", "HAMBURGER nord" etc. The complete composite code for a branch including this generic portion and a specific portion e.g.
"HAMBURGER dorpsstraat" may be used to directly access information for a specific branch. In some embodiments it is envisaged that a plurality of speed dial location codes in a given sub region are each assigned to the same location or set of locations. For example a building might be used for different purposes by different users, or at different times. A church which is also used to hold concerts may be assigned a first speed dial location code for use by worshippers, e.g. CHURCH, and a second speed dial location code for use by concert goers e.g. CONCERT.
However, in some preferred embodiments each speed dial location code in a given sub region is linked to a different location or set of locations in the sub region.
As discussed above, another possibility is that a given speed dial location code may be associated with more than one area code, enabling a particular set of location information for a given location or locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned to be obtained using more than one area code.
It will be appreciated that the term "location" may refer to a point location in the sub region, or may refer to an area within the sub region. The area could be an extended area such as a park, range of mountains etc. Preferably the location is a point location. The location could be the location of a point of interest. The point of interest might be a tourist attraction, facility, hotel, campsite etc. The location may be the location of a facility providing given goods and/or services. In other embodiments the location may be a location of an event. The location could be a permanent or temporary location. For example, the location could be the location of a festival or business fair of limited duration. The methods of the present invention enable speed dial location codes to be readily set up, and modified, such that speed dial location codes could be generated for limited periods. The location could be a location of general interest, or of interest only to a specific user or users. For example, a subscriber could request a speed dial location code for a family event, or even to describe their current location e.g. in a campsite. The subscriber can then inform others of the speed dial location code enabling them to be found once the other person is in, or specifies the general vicinity, enabling the relevant sub region and area code to be determined, avoiding the need to provide detailed directions or have repeated conversations to describe their location. A given subscriber could be allocated a speed dial location code which they could then assign to any desired location or locations, and, if desired, change the assignation as needed. Some steps may then need to be taken to avoid confusion if the speed dial location code is reassigned to a different sub region.
It is envisaged that the same speed dial location code could be assigned a first location or set of locations at a first time, and a second location or set of locations at a different time. For example, the speed dial location code "SKATE" could refer to an inline skating facility in summer, and an ice skating facility in winter. Likewise, it is possible that the same location could be assigned a different speed dial location code at different times of year (although the time periods could overlap).
In embodiments a speed dial location code may be assigned to a location or set of locations upon request e.g by a subscriber. In some embodiments the method may further comprise receiving a request for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a specified location or set of locations, and the system may comprise means for receiving such a request. The method may further comprise receiving an indication from the requester e.g. from a subscriber of the location or set of locations with which the speed dial location code is to be associated, and the system may comprise means for so doing. The request may be made via the apparatus, and thus in embodiments the method comprises the apparatus receiving the request.
However, such requests could be made in any suitable manner e.g. over the internet via a PC, or by telephone. The method may then comprise assigning a speed dial location code to the location or set of locations.
In some embodiments the system may allocate a speed dial location code to a requester e.g. subscriber in response to a request for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a specified location or set of locations, and the method may comprise such a step. In some embodiments the allocated speed dial location code is determined by the system. In embodiments the method may comprise a step of generating a speed dial location code to be allocated to the specified location or set of locations, and the system may comprise means for generating the speed dial location code. In other arrangements the speed dial location may be a preexisting speed dial location code which is then assigned to the location or set of locations. The method may then further comprise the step of informing the requester e.g.
subscriber of the allocated speed dial location code.
In other embodiments the speed dial location code assigned to the location or set of locations specified is a requester e.g. subscriber specified speed dial location code. Accordingly, in some embodiments in which the method comprises receiving a request e.g. from a subscriber for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a specified location or set of locations, the method may comprise receiving an indication from the requester e.g. from the subscriber of the speed dial location code to be assigned. The system may determine whether the speed dial location code is acceptable for use, i.e. whether it has already been used in the given sub region, and meets any other requirements. The system may then allocate the code to the requester e.g. subscriber. Alternatively, the requester e.g. subscriber may already have been granted permission to use the speed dial location code, for example after applying for the code. The system may then allocate the code to the requester without further investigation. This could work in a similar manner to obtaining a personalised number plate.
The term "subscriber" used herein may refer to any person or entity who wishes to have a speed dial location code assigned to a location or set of locations, or who has had a speed dial location code assigned to a location or locations. The subscriber may be a subscriber to a navigation system. The subscriber may or may not pay for the speed dial location code. It is envisaged that persons or organisations may subscribe to a navigation system in accordance with the invention in the same manner that persons or organisations subscribe to a telecommunications system.
In some embodiments the method comprises receiving a request e.g. from a subscriber for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a location or set of locations, receiving from the requester e.g. subscriber an indication of the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is to be assigned. The method may comprise assigning a speed dial location code to the location or set of locations, associating the speed dial location code with information e.g. position information for the location or set of locations, and associating the speed dial location code with an area code for the sub region including the location or set of locations. The method may further comprise allocating the speed dial location code to the requester e.g. subscriber in any of the manners described above, and/or receiving an indication of the speed dial location code to be assigned to the location or set of locations from the requester e.g. subscriber.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising the steps of;
receiving a request, preferably from a subscriber, for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a location or set of locations;
receiving, preferably from a subscriber, an indication of a location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is to be assigned;
associating a speed dial location code with information, preferably including position information, for the location or set of locations specified by the requester; and associating the speed dial location code with an area code for a geographic sub region including the location or set of locations. Preferably the method is a method of operating a navigation system.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system, preferably a navigation system, comprising;
means for receiving, preferably from a subscriber, a request for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a location or set of locations; means for receiving, preferably from the subscriber, an indication of a location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is to be assigned;
means for associating a speed dial location code with information, preferably including position information, for the location or set of locations specified by the requester;
and means for associating the speed dial location code with an area code for a geographic sub region including the location or set of locations.
The invention in these further aspects may include any or all of the features described in relation to the other aspects and embodiments of the invention.
In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the location information associated with each speed dial location code may be of any suitable type. The information preferably includes at least position information for the location or set of locations. The position information preferably comprises the geographic coordinates for the or each location. The position information may alternatively or additionally include a postcode or street address for the or each location. In these preferred embodiments the position information is preferably information enabling the navigation apparatus to determine the position of the or each location of a set of locations, and preferably to navigate to the or each location. Thus, the position information may enable a navigation apparatus to calculate a route to the location or any one of the set of locations.
In accordance with the invention, the apparatus is arranged to obtain at least some of the location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code, and preferably at least position information for the location or set of locations. The position information is position information for the given location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned. The obtained position information may be used in various ways. The information may be used by the navigation apparatus which obtains the information or may provided by the apparatus to another apparatus or part of the system for use.
In some embodiments the method further comprises using the obtained position information to navigate to or via the location, or one of the set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned, and the system may comprise means for so doing. In other words, the position information is used to provide a destination in a route calculation. The step may be carried out by the navigation apparatus. In other embodiments the information could be provided by the apparatus to another navigation apparatus to be used in the navigation.
In some embodiments the method comprises calculating a route between a first location and the location using the position information, and the system may comprise means for so doing. The step may comprise using the position information to provide a destination in a route calculation. Again, such steps may be carried out by the apparatus which obtains the information. In other embodiments the information obtained could be transferred to another mapping or navigation apparatus for carrying out such steps.
In some embodiments the step of using the position information to navigate to the location is carried out in response to an input received by the navigation apparatus from a user indicative of a desire to navigate to the location. As mentioned above, where the speed dial location code is assigned to a set of locations, the apparatus may be arranged to automatically select and navigate to one of the locations e.g. a closest location, using the position information. In other embodiments, the apparatus may be arranged to display a list of the locations in the set of locations to the user to enable the user to select a location for the apparatus to navigate to using the position information.
Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments the method may comprise storing the indicated speed dial location code in association with the obtained information. The apparatus may cause this step to be carried out. The method may comprise storing the speed dial location code and the obtained information in a memory of the navigation apparatus. The user may then more readily download the obtained information e.g. to a PC or mobile communications device for later use, or alternatively to another mapping or navigation device. Such embodiments may be particularly applicable when the speed dial location codes and associated information are initially stored remote from the apparatus, or wherein the information is to be used in an operation that the apparatus which obtained the information is unable to perform itself.
The present invention may provide a simple way for a user of the apparatus to obtain further information beyond the position information for a location. In some embodiments the speed dial location code is associated with location information including position information and additional information regarding the location or set of locations. The additional information is preferably contact information. The additional information may include one or more of a name of the location, a telephone number, internet address, information regarding services or products offered at the location, information regarding opening hours, a logo, related locations and/or speed dial location codes, or information regarding an event being held at the location, for the or each location. In some embodiments the speed dial location code may be associated with a link enabling live data regarding the or each location to be obtained over a communications link. The method may therefore comprise the apparatus obtaining position information and any further information associated with the speed dial location code. Any references to the position information being obtained or used may refer to the position information and any additional information associated with the speed dial location code being obtained or used. Other types of location information which may be associated with the speed dial location code include pictures, video etc. Thus the information may include image data and/or video data.
The method comprises the apparatus identifying the location or locations to which the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code are assigned, and the or a processor may be arranged to carry out such a step. In some embodiments the method comprises displaying information regarding the location or locations for which information has been obtained. The apparatus may be arranged to cause such a step to be carried out, and may be arranged to display the information. The apparatus may therefore comprise a display. The information may be, for example a name.
In the event that a speed dial location code assigned to a given location or set of locations is to be shared with a user outside the sub region which includes the location or set of locations to which the code is assigned, the system may be arranged to provide both the speed dial location code and the area code with which it is associated to the user. It is envisaged that if a user knew the area code associated with the speed dial location code for a given location or interest, they could input both codes to obtain the location information, and e.g. select the location to navigate to, rather than having to first select the sub region in which the location is situated.
The sub regions of the system into which the geographic region is divided are predetermined sub regions. In other words, they are set up in advance. The geographic region may be a region represented by a digital map. The sub regions may then be regions represented by a digital map. The apparatus is able to determine the extent of the sub regions in order to identify the given sub region e.g. a sub region of interest e.g. which includes a current location or a user specified location. The method may comprise making data defining the extent of each sub region available to the apparatus. The apparatus may be arranged to access information defining the extent of each of the plurality of predetermined sub regions into which the geographic region has been divided. The information or data may be digital map data. The information may be associated with the area code for each sub region. In some embodiments the apparatus may comprise a memory storing information defining the extent of each sub region. However, such information could be stored remotely.
Area codes may be assigned to sub regions in any manner, and some exemplary embodiments are described below. However such methods are described by way of example only, and other methods are possible. For example, hierarchical, or overlapping methods could be used, in a similar manner to the way in which cell towers are allocated to sub regions.
From a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising the steps of;
optionally, sub dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions, preferably wherein the geographic region is a region represented by a digital map, allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region,
associating each speed dial location code with an area code for the sub region to which the code is allocated,
assigning each speed dial location code to a location or set of locations in the sub region to which the speed dial location code is allocated,
and associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations.
From yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising;
optionally, means for sub dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions, preferably wherein the geographic region is a region represented by a digital map,
means for allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region; means for associating each speed dial location code with an area code for the sub region to which the code is allocated;
means for assigning each speed dial location code to a location or set of locations in the sub region to which the speed dial location code is allocated,
and means for associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations.
In methods and systems which do not include the step of, or means for sub dividing the geographic region into sub regions, the sub regions to which the speed dial location codes are allocated will be sub regions of a geographic region which has been divided into sub regions, preferably of a geographic region represented by a digital map. It will be appreciated that additionally, in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention, the step of dividing the area into sub regions may be omitted, and the area codes etc assigned to sub regions which have already been created.
The present invention in these further aspects may include any or all of the features described in relation to the other aspects and embodiments of the invention to the extent that they are not mutually exclusive therewith.
In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects, the sub regions may be set up in any manner.
The sub regions may be of any size. The sub regions may be of the same or differing sizes. For example, the sub regions may be based upon existing sub regions created for other purposes, such as landline telephony area code regions, postal codes, administrative area boundaries etc. In other embodiments the sub regions may be algorithmically determined depending upon the density of speed dial location codes required in a geographic region. For example, sub regions may be larger in sparsely populated areas, and smaller in more densely populated areas, or areas where there are more subscribers.
The speed dial location codes may be assigned to locations according to subscriber requests in a similar manner to phone numbers. Thus in regions where there are more subscribers wishing to be allocated a speed dial location code, the sub regions may be smaller to ensure that each subscriber can receive a speed dial location code which is unique within the sub region. In some embodiments the method comprises setting a size of one or more of the sub regions by reference to a density of speed dial location code requests in the geographic area.
When assigning speed dial location codes to sub regions, it is desirable that speed dial location codes assigned to a given sub region, or even adjacent sub regions, have a low chance of confusion, e.g. when spoken as a speech based command. Speed dial location codes may be generated and assigned in a manner to try to minimise such confusion. For example, the codes "B18" and "81 B" could be confused if spoken as speech commands.
In accordance with the invention, it is desirable that a given speed dial location code is used only once in the same sub region. This enables the location code to uniquely identify a location or set of locations in that particular sub region, and to uniquely identify a location or set of locations in the system when taken in combination with the area code with which it is associated. This may be more challenging where more than one subscriber wishes the same speed dial location code to be associated with different locations in close proximity. Such problems may be addressed by using sub regions of varied size, and, for example, determining the size of a sub region depending upon the level of demand for speed dial location codes, or even for a given speed dial location code in that vicinity. If demand increases for speed dial location codes, particularly of a certain type, sub regions could be divided to create new regions.
However, in certain situations further problems may exist in the vicinity of borders between sub regions. A user in one sub region may see a speed dial location code advertised on a billboard nearby, without realising that the location to which it relates is in fact in another sub region. This could happen, for example if the billboard is visible from a distance e.g. being located on a hill. If the user inputs the speed dial location code into the navigation apparatus, and the same speed dial location code has been assigned to another location which is in the sub region where the user is currently situated, the apparatus may automatically obtain the position information for the location to which the speed dial location code associated with code for the sub region in which the user is currently located is assigned, rather than that for the sub region which actually contains the desired location. Steps may be taken to address this problem as discussed above, by taking into account additionally a direction of travel of the user/ apparatus.
It is preferable that steps are taken when dividing the geographic region into sub regions to ensure that identical speed dial location codes are not allocated to locations in different sub regions close to a boundary between the sub regions. This may minimise the potential for confusion when the apparatus automatically infers the sub region of interest. In some embodiments the method comprises the step of allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region, wherein the sets of speed dial location codes allocated to adjacent sub regions are non overlapping. Adjacent sub regions are sub regions which share a border.
One way to achieve this is to sub divide the geographic area into the plurality of sub regions, and assign to each sub region one of a set consisting of a plurality of different elements in a manner such that no two adjacent sub regions are assigned the same element. The method may then comprise allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region in a manner such that the sets of speed dial location codes allocated to sub regions assigned a different element are non overlapping. Thus no two adjacent sub regions will include identical speed dial location codes. There may be overlap only between sets of speed dial location codes allocated to sub regions assigned identical elements. Any number of elements may be used. In embodiments at least four elements are used, and preferably the set consists of four different elements. The elements may be of any type, e.g. codes, labels, tags etc The method of these embodiments may utilise a theory known as the four colour theorem. The four colour theorem demonstrates that it is possible to colour sub regions of a map in a manner such that no adjacent regions have the same colour using a minimum of four colours. Thus by using this theorem, it may be ensured that identical speed dial location codes are not associated with adjacent sub regions while minimising the number of different speed dial location codes needed. Preferably each element is therefore a colour, and each sub region is assigned a different colour. Preferably the set consists of four colours. The method may comprise colouring each sub region.
It is believed that such methods are advantageous in their own right.
From a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of formatting a digital map comprising the steps of;
sub dividing a geographic region represented by the map into a plurality of sub regions,
assigning to each sub region one of a set consisting of a plurality of elements in such a manner that no two adjacent sub regions are assigned the same element, allocating a set of codes to each sub region, wherein the sets of codes are allocated to the sub regions in such a manner that there is no overlap between the sets of codes allocated to sub regions assigned different elements.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system for formatting a digital map comprising;
means for sub dividing a geographic region represented by the digital map into a plurality of sub regions,
means for assigning to each sub region one of a set consisting of a plurality of different elements in such a manner that no two adjacent sub regions are assigned the same element,
and means for allocating a set of codes to each sub region, wherein the sets of codes are allocated to the sub regions in such a manner that there is no overlap between the sets of codes allocated to sub regions assigned different elements.
Preferably each element is a colour. Preferably the set consists of four or more different elements, preferably colours. Most preferably the set consists of four elements, preferably colours.
The method and system in accordance with these further aspects for formatting a digital map may include any or all of the features described in relation to the other aspects of the invention. Thus, this method or system may be carried out as part of the method and system described in relation to the other aspects of the invention, and may incorporate any or all of the features described in respect of the earlier aspects and embodiments. Thus the method or system may be used in order to set up the sub regions for use in a method or system in accordance with the earlier aspects of the invention, and may be used to allocate codes in the form of speed dial location codes to the sub regions which may then be assigned to respective locations or sets of locations in the sub regions, and may be associated with position information for the location(s) and with area codes for the sub regions.
It will be appreciated that the method and system of formatting a digital map in accordance with these further aspects of the invention has general applicability and may be useful in any system where it is desired to assign codes to geographic sub regions in a manner which avoids overlap between sets of codes allocated to adjacent sub regions. For example, while the codes are advantageously location codes, the codes could be used in a telephony system, or any system where it desirable to allocate codes to objects or persons or places in a given geographic region.
In these further aspects the method may further comprise assigning an area code to each sub region and associating the area code with information identifying the sub region, and the system may comprise means for so doing. The method preferably comprises the step of associating each set of codes allocated to a sub region with the area code for the sub region to which the codes are allocated. This may enable the codes to be used in the manner described above in relation to speed dial location codes, with the combination of the area code and the codes allocated to sub regions being usable to uniquely identify objects, locations or persons in the respective sub regions. In embodiments the combination of the area code and each code from the set of codes allocated to a sub region is unique i.e. within the system. Preferably the codes are therefore speed dial codes, and most preferably speed dial location codes.
The method may further comprise storing each set of codes in association with the area code for the sub region to which the codes are allocated, and the system may comprise means for so doing. In preferred embodiments in which the allocated codes are location codes, the method may further comprise assigning each code to a location or set of locations in the sub region to which the location code is allocated, and associating the location code with information for the or each location, preferably at least position information. The system may comprise means for so doing. The information including position information and/or any other information may be as discussed above in relation to the earlier aspects of the invention. In other embodiments, rather than being associated with location information, each code could be associated with other non location specific information, e.g. information relating to an object or person in the sub region. The information could be information identifying a subscriber in the sub region or a business or object registered to the region.
Preferably each set of codes is a set of location codes. The method may further comprise storing each location code in association with the information, preferably position information, for the or each location or set of locations. The location codes may be in accordance with any of the embodiments previously described in respect to the speed dial location codes of the earlier aspects of the invention.
In these further aspects and embodiments of the invention the method is preferably a method of formatting a digital map for use in a navigation system. The allocated codes are preferably location codes which may be used by a navigation apparatus to obtain location information, preferably including position information. The method may further comprise a navigation apparatus using a location code to obtain information, preferably position information, for a location or set of locations to which the location code is assigned.
In embodiments in which data is stored, whether being area codes or the sets of codes and associated information, the information may be stored in any of the manners discussed in relation to the earlier aspects of the invention. In
embodiments the method may comprise storing the location codes and the location information, preferably at least position information, for the or each location or set of locations in a separate database for each set of location codes, each database being associated with the area code for the sub region to which the set of location codes are assigned.
The method may comprise allocating one or more of said codes to a requester e.g. a subscriber or subscribers. This may be done in accordance with any of the embodiments described in relation to the earlier aspects of the invention.
In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects and embodiments, it is envisaged that different sets of sub regions may be set up for use with locations of different category. For example, a first set of sub regions may be set up, and speed dial location codes assigned to locations in a first category in each sub region. A second different set of sub regions may be set up and speed dial location codes assigned to locations of a different second category in each sub region. In other words, the sub regions may be differently defined for different types of location. For example, there may be high demand for speed dial location codes to be assigned to hotel type locations, but not to beach type locations. The sub regions for beach type locations may be made larger than those for hotel type locations. The user may set a category or this may be inferred from an input speed dial location code to enable the apparatus to determine the correct set of sub regions to use when obtaining location information. This may provide greater capacity, and allow reuse of speed dial location codes for different categories of location in the same geographic areas.
While they have been described in relation to a navigation apparatus, the principles of the present invention in any of its aspects and embodiments are applicable to systems or methods including any form of user operable apparatus. The apparatus is preferably an apparatus having positioning capability e.g. GPS positioning capability. The apparatus may have geolocating capability. Thus preferably the apparatus comprises positioning and/or geolocating means. The apparatus may, for example, be a mobile communications device e.g a mobile telephone or a computer such as a laptop. Laptops may have geolocating ability using IP addresses. In accordance with any of the aspects of the invention, in embodiments the apparatus may comprises a display for displaying information to a user. The information may include a digital map. The or a processor of the apparatus may be configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user via the display. The apparatus may comprise a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus.
Preferably the apparatus is a mapping or navigation apparatus. One particular area of utility is in relation to portable navigation devices (PND). In embodiments, therefore, the navigation apparatus is a portable navigation device (PND). The invention is also applicable to navigation apparatus which is provided as part of an integrated navigation system. The navigation system may be an integrated in-vehicle navigation system. In other embodiments, the navigation apparatus may be implemented by means of an application of a processing device which does not form part of a specific navigation or mapping device. For example the invention may be implemented using a suitable computer system arranged to execute navigation or mapping software. The system may be a mobile or portable computer system e.g. a mobile telephone or laptop, or may be a desktop system. A navigation apparatus may comprise more than one device which cooperate to provide the functions described, and steps may be implemented by a navigation device in conjunction with other apparatus.
Regardless of its implementation, a navigation apparatus of the present invention may comprise one or more processors, a memory, and digital map data stored within said memory. The processor(s) and memory cooperate to provide an execution environment in which a software operating system may be established. One or more additional software programs may be provided to enable the functionality of the apparatus to be controlled, and to provide various other functions. A navigation apparatus of the invention may preferably include GPS (Global Positioning System) signal reception and processing functionality. The apparatus may comprise one or more output interfaces by means of which information may be relayed to the user. The output interface(s) may include a speaker for audible output in addition to the visual display. The apparatus may comprise input interfaces including one or more physical buttons to control on/off operation or other features of the apparatus.
The present invention extends to methods of operating a navigation apparatus in a system in accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, and to navigation apparatus for use in such a system.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a navigation apparatus comprising the apparatus;
accessing information defining the extent of a plurality of predetermined sub regions into which a geographic region has been divided,
determining an area code associated with a given sub region,
receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user,
and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a navigation apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises;
means for accessing information defining the extent of a plurality of predetermined sub regions into which a geographic region has been divided,
means for determining an area code associated with a given sub region, means for receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, and means for using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region.
The method or system in accordance with these further aspects may include any or all of the features described in relation to the other aspects of the invention. Thus, this method or system may be carried out as part of the method and system described in relation to the other aspects of the invention.
While the present invention is particularly relevant to navigation systems, it will be appreciated that the techniques of the present invention in any of its aspects or embodiments may be used in relation to any application in which it is desired to determine information for locations. For example, other location based applications such as geo-tagging, geo-caching, voting for popularity of a location etc could use the methods of the invention.
It will be appreciated that the term "speed dial location code" herein refers to a code which may be used by a user to obtain information regarding a location or set of locations. The code is associated with location information. The code is a code which may be input by a user to obtain the associated information. The code is referred to as a "speed dial" code, as it is associated with an area code. Thus the speed dial location code need only form part of a code required to access the location information, the remainder being provided by the area code associated with the speed dial location code. Thus the speed dial location code may be short in comparison to a code which must uniquely identify a location.
The present invention extends to a computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable to perform a method according to any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention, or to cause an apparatus or navigation apparatus to perform such methods.
Advantages of these embodiments are set out hereafter, and further details and features of each of these embodiments are defined in the accompanying dependent claims and elsewhere in the following detailed description. Brief Description of the Drawings
Various aspects of the teachings of the present invention, and arrangements embodying those teachings, will hereafter be described by way of illustrative example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a schematic illustration of a Global Positioning System (GPS);
Fig. 2 is a schematic illustration of electronic components arranged to provide a navigation device;
Fig. 3 is a schematic illustration of the manner in which a navigation device may receive information over a wireless communication channel;
Figs. 4A and 4B are illustrative perspective views of a navigation device; Figs. 5a to 5i are illustrative screenshots from a TomTom GO 950 LIVE PND for a destination input process;
Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary method of operation of a navigation apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 7 illustrates the way in which speed dial location codes are associated with position information and area codes in embodiments of the invention;
Figure 8a and 8b illustrate situations in which the current position of a user is close to a boundary between adjacent sub regions. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to a PND. It should be remembered, however, that the teachings of the present invention are not limited to PNDs but are instead universally applicable to any type of processing device that is configured to execute navigation software so as to provide mapping, or route planning and navigation functionality. It follows therefore that in the context of the present application, a navigation device is intended to include (without limitation) any type of mapping, or preferably route planning and navigation device, irrespective of whether that device is embodied as a PND, a navigation device built into a vehicle, or indeed a computing resource (such as a desktop or portable personal computer (PC), mobile telephone or portable digital assistant (PDA)) executing mapping, route planning or navigation software.
It will also be apparent from the following that the teachings of the present invention even have utility in circumstances where a user is not seeking instructions on how to navigate from one point to another, but merely wishes to be provided with a view of points of interest in the vicinity of a given location, or a view of a given location. In such circumstances the "destination" location selected by the user need not have a corresponding start location from which the user wishes to start navigating, and as a consequence references herein to the "destination" location or indeed to a "destination" view should not be interpreted to mean that the generation of a route is essential, that travelling to the "destination" must occur, or indeed that the presence of a destination requires the designation of a corresponding start location.
With the above provisos in mind, Fig. 1 illustrates an example view of Global
Positioning System (GPS), usable by navigation devices. Such systems are known and are used for a variety of purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite-radio based navigation system capable of determining continuous position, velocity, time, and in some instances direction information for an unlimited number of users. Formerly known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality of satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units.
The GPS system is implemented when a device, specially equipped to receive GPS data, begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the precise location of that satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. The device will continue scanning, in most instances, for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (noting that position is not normally, but can be determined, with only two signals using other triangulation techniques).
Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. This can be done in a known manner. Additionally, acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation in a known manner. The position and velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited number of users.
As shown in Figure 1 , the GPS system is denoted generally by reference numeral 100. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit about the earth 124. The orbit of each satellite 120 is not necessarily synchronous with the orbits of other satellites 120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. A GPS receiver 140 is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from the various satellites 120.
The spread spectrum signals 160, continuously transmitted from each satellite 120, utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplished with an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each satellite 120, as part of its data signal transmission 160, transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite 120. It is appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that the GPS receiver device 140 generally acquires spread spectrum GPS satellite signals 160 from at least three satellites 120 for the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional signal, resulting in signals 160 from a total of four satellites 120, permits the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner.
Figure 2 is an illustrative representation of electronic components of a navigation device 200 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 200 is not inclusive of all components of the navigation device, but is only representative of many example components.
The navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not shown). The housing includes a processor 210 connected to an input device 220 and a display screen 240. The input device 220 can include a keyboard device, voice input device, touch panel and/or any other known input device utilised to input information; and the display screen 240 can include any type of display screen such as an LCD display, for example. In a particularly preferred arrangement the input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device, including a touchpad or touchscreen input so that a user need only touch a portion of the display screen 240 to select one of a plurality of display choices or to activate one of a plurality of virtual buttons.
The navigation device may include an output device 260, for example an audible output device (e.g. a loudspeaker). As output device 260 can produce audible information for a user of the navigation device 200, it is should equally be understood that input device 240 can include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands as well.
In the navigation device 200, processor 210 is operatively connected to and set to receive input information from input device 220 via a connection 225, and operatively connected to at least one of display screen 240 and output device 260, via output connections 245, to output information thereto. Further, the processor 210 is operably coupled to a memory resource 230 via connection 235 and is further adapted to receive/send information from/to input/output (I/O) ports 270 via connection 275, wherein the I/O port 270 is connectible to an I/O device 280 external to the navigation device 200. The memory resource 230 comprises, for example, a volatile memory, such as a Random Access Memory (RAM) and a non-volatile memory, for example a digital memory, such as a flash memory. The external I/O device 280 may include, but is not limited to an external listening device such as an earpiece for example. The connection to I/O device 280 can further be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device such as a car stereo unit for hands- free operation and/or for voice activated operation for example, for connection to an ear piece or head phones, and/or for connection to a mobile phone for example, wherein the mobile phone connection may be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 200 and the internet or any other network for example, and/or to establish a connection to a server via the internet or some other network for example.
Fig. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor 210 and an antenna/receiver 250 via connection 255, wherein the antenna/receiver 250 can be a GPS antenna/receiver for example. It will be understood that the antenna and receiver designated by reference numeral 250 are combined schematically for illustration, but that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the antenna may be a GPS patch antenna or helical antenna for example.
Further, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the electronic components shown in Fig. 2 are powered by power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, different configurations of the components shown in Fig. 2 are considered to be within the scope of the present application. For example, the components shown in Fig. 2 may be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Thus, the scope of the navigation device 200 of the present application includes a portable or handheld navigation device 200.
In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Fig. 2 can be connected or "docked" in a known manner to a vehicle such as a bicycle, a motorbike, a car or a boat for example. Such a navigation device 200 is then removable from the docked location for portable or handheld navigation use.
Referring now to Fig. 3, the navigation device 200 may establish a "mobile" or telecommunications network connection with a server 302 via a mobile device (not shown) (such as a mobile phone, PDA, and/or any device with mobile phone technology) establishing a digital connection (such as a digital connection via known Bluetooth technology for example). Thereafter, through its network service provider, the mobile device can establish a network connection (through the internet for example) with a server 302. As such, a "mobile" network connection is established between the navigation device 200 (which can be, and often times is mobile as it travels alone and/or in a vehicle) and the server 302 to provide a "real-time" or at least very "up to date" gateway for information.
The establishing of the network connection between the mobile device (via a service provider) and another device such as the server 302, using an internet (such as the World Wide Web) for example, can be done in a known manner. This can include use of TCP/IP layered protocol for example. The mobile device can utilize any number of communication standards such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc.
As such, an internet connection may be utilised which is achieved via data connection, via a mobile phone or mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 for example. For this connection, an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 is established. This can be done, for example, through a mobile phone or other mobile device and a GPRS (General Packet Radio Service)-connection (GPRS connection is a high-speed data connection for mobile devices provided by telecom operators; GPRS is a method to connect to the internet).
The navigation device 200 can further complete a data connection with the mobile device, and eventually with the internet and server 302, via existing Bluetooth technology for example, in a known manner, wherein the data protocol can utilize any number of standards, such as the GPRS, the Data Protocol Standard for the GSM standard, for example.
The navigation device 200 may include its own mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 itself (including an antenna for example, or optionally using the internal antenna of the navigation device 200). The mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can include internal components as specified above, and/or can include an insertable card (e.g. Subscriber Identity Module or SIM card), complete with necessary mobile phone technology and/or an antenna for example. As such, mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can similarly establish a network connection between the navigation device 200 and the server 302, via the internet for example, in a manner similar to that of any mobile device.
For GPRS phone settings, a Bluetooth enabled navigation device may be used to correctly work with the ever changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., model/manufacturer specific settings may be stored on the navigation device 200 for example. The data stored for this information can be updated.
In Fig. 3 the navigation device 200 is depicted as being in communication with the server 302 via a generic communications channel 318 that can be implemented by any of a number of different arrangements. The server 302 and a navigation device 200 can communicate when a connection via communications channel 318 is established between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 (noting that such a connection can be a data connection via mobile device, a direct connection via personal computer via the internet, etc.).
The server 302 includes, in addition to other components which may not be illustrated, a processor 304 operatively connected to a memory 306 and further operatively connected, via a wired or wireless connection 314, to a mass data storage device 312. The processor 304 is further operatively connected to transmitter 308 and receiver 310, to transmit and send information to and from navigation device 200 via communications channel 318. The signals sent and received may include data, communication, and/or other propagated signals. The transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed according to the communications requirement and communication technology used in the
communication design for the navigation system 200. Further, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be combined into a signal transceiver.
Server 302 is further connected to (or includes) a mass storage device 312, noting that the mass storage device 312 may be coupled to the server 302 via communication link 314. The mass storage device 312 contains a store of navigation data and map information, and can again be a separate device from the server 302 or can be incorporated into the server 302.
The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 302 through communications channel 318, and includes processor, memory, etc. as previously described with regard to Fig. 2, as well as transmitter 320 and receiver 322 to send and receive signals and/or data through the communications channel 318, noting that these devices can further be used to communicate with devices other than server 302. Further, the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected or designed according to communication requirements and communication technology used in the communication design for the navigation device 200 and the functions of the transmitter 320 and receiver 322 may be combined into a single transceiver.
Software stored in server memory 306 provides instructions for the processor 304 and allows the server 302 to provide services to the navigation device 200. One service provided by the server 302 involves processing requests from the navigation device 200 and transmitting navigation data from the mass data storage 312 to the navigation device 200. Another service provided by the server 302 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for a desired application and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation device 200.
The communication channel 318 generically represents the propagating medium or path that connects the navigation device 200 and the server 302. Both the server 302 and navigation device 200 include a transmitter for transmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted through the communication channel.
The communication channel 318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. Additionally, the communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, the channel 318 may include several
communication links that use a variety of technology. For example, the
communication channel 318 can be adapted to provide a path for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communications, etc. As such, the communication channel 318 includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following: electric circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fibre optic cables, converters, radio-frequency (RF) waves, the atmosphere, empty space, etc.
Furthermore, the communication channel 318 can include intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters, and receivers, for example.
In one illustrative arrangement, the communication channel 318 includes telephone and computer networks. Furthermore, the communication channel 318 may be capable of accommodating wireless communication such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication, etc. Additionally, the communication channel 318 can accommodate satellite communication.
The communication signals transmitted through the communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals as may be required or desired for given communication technology. For example, the signals may be adapted to be used in cellular communication technology such as Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), etc. Both digital and analogue signals can be transmitted through the communication channel 318. These signals may be modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as may be desirable for the communication technology.
The server 302 includes a remote server accessible by the navigation device 200 via a wireless channel. The server 302 may include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN), etc.
The server 302 may include a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer, and the communication channel 318 may be a cable connected between the personal computer and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a personal computer may be connected between the navigation device 200 and the server 302 to establish an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200. Alternatively, a mobile telephone or other handheld device may establish a wireless connection to the internet, for connecting the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the internet.
The navigation device 200 may be provided with information from the server 302 via information downloads which may be periodically updated automatically or upon a user connecting navigation device 200 to the server 302 and/or may be more dynamic upon a more constant or frequent connection being made between the server 302 and navigation device 200 via a wireless mobile connection device and TCP/IP connection for example. For many dynamic calculations, the processor 304 in the server 302 may be used to handle the bulk of the processing needs, however, processor 210 of navigation device 200 can also handle much processing and calculation, oftentimes independent of a connection to a server 302.
As indicated above in Fig. 2, a navigation device 200 includes a processor
210, an input device 220, and a display screen 240. The input device 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device to enable both input of information (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and display of information through a touch panel screen, for example. Such a screen may be a touch input LCD screen, for example, as is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
Further, the navigation device 200 can also include any additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device 241 , such as audio input/output devices for example.
Figs 4A and 4B are perspective views of a navigation device 200. As shown in Fig. 4A, the navigation device 200 may be a unit that includes an integrated input and display device 290 (a touch panel screen for example) and the other components of fig. 2 (including but not limited to internal GPS receiver 250, microprocessor 210, a power supply, memory systems 230, etc.).
The navigation device 200 may sit on an arm 292, which itself may be secured to a vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using a suction cup 294. This arm 292 is one example of a docking station to which the navigation device 200 can be docked.
As shown in Fig. 4B, the navigation device 200 can be docked or otherwise connected to an arm 292 of the docking station by snap connecting the navigation device 292 to the arm 292 for example. The navigation device 200 may then be rotatable on the arm 292, as shown by the arrow of Fig. 4B. To release the connection between the navigation device 200 and the docking station, a button on the navigation device 200 may be pressed, for example. Other equally suitable arrangements for coupling and decoupling the navigation device to a docking station are well known to persons of ordinary skill in the art.
Referring now to Figs. 5a- i there is depicted a series of screenshots from a TomTom GO 950 LIVE navigation device. This model of TomTom PND has a touchscreen interface for displaying information to a user and for accepting input to the device from the user. The screenshots show an illustrative destination location input process for a user whose home location has been set to the offices in The Hague of the European Patent Office, and who wishes to navigate to a street address in Amsterdam, The Netherlands for which they know the street name and building number.
When this user switches on their TomTom PND, the device acquires a GPS fix and calculates (in a known manner) the current location of the PND. The user is then presented with a display showing in pseudo three-dimensions the local environment in which the PND is determined to be located, and in a region of the display below the local environment a series of control and status messages.
By touching the display of the local environment, the PND switches to display (as shown in Fig. 5a) a series of virtual buttons 346, 348 by means of which a user can, inter alia, input a destination that they wish to navigate to.
By touching the "navigate to" virtual button 348, the PND switches to display
(as shown in Fig. 5b) a plurality of virtual buttons that are each associated with a different category of selectable destinations. In this instance, the display shows a "home" button that if pressed would set the destination to the stored home location. However, in this instance as the user is already at their home location (namely the EPO's offices in the Hague) selecting this option would not cause a route to be generated. The "favourite" button, if pressed, reveals a list of destinations that the user has previously stored in the PND and if one of these destinations is then selected the destination for the route to be calculated is set to the selected previously stored destination. The "recent destination" button, if pressed, reveals a list of selectable destinations held in the memory of the PND and to which the user has recently navigated. Selection of one of the destinations populating this list would set the destination location for this route to the selected (previously visited) location. The "local search" button, if pressed, allows the user to carry out a search for given items e.g. shops, services etc in the local area, or an area local to a given destination, using the Google local search service. The "arrow" shaped virtual button opens a new menu of additional options, and the "address" button 350 commences a process by which the user can input the street address of the destination that they wish to navigate to.
Since the user, in this example, knows the street address of the destination that they wish to navigate to, it is assumed that this "address" button is operated (by touching the button displayed on the touchscreen), whereupon (as shown in Fig. 5c) the user is presented with a series of address input options - in particular for address input by "city centre", by "postcode", by "crossing or intersection" (for example a junction of two roads) and by "street and house number".
In this example the user knows the street address and house number of the destination and hence selects the "street and house number" virtual button 352 whereupon the user is then presented, as shown in Fig. 5d, a prompt 354 to enter the name of the city that they wish to navigate to, a flag button 356 by means of which the user can select the country in which the desired city is located, and a virtual keyboard 358 that may be operated by the user, if necessary, to input the name of the destination city. The PND therefore additionally provides the user with a list 360 of selectable cites.
The user in this instance wishes to navigate to Amsterdam, and on selection of Amsterdam from the list 360 (involving scrolling through the list from the "R" entries) the PND displays, as shown in Fig. 5e, a virtual keyboard 362 by means of which a user can input street names, a prompt 366 for entry of a streetname and, in this instance, as the user has previously navigated to a street in Amsterdam, a list 364 of selectable streets in Amsterdam.
In this example the user wishes to navigate to the street, Rembrandtplein, that they have previously visited and so selects Rembrandtplein from the displayed list 364.
Once a street has been selected, the PND then displays a smaller virtual keypad 368 and prompts the user, by means of prompt 370, to enter the number of the house in the selected street and city that they wish to navigate to. If the user has previously navigated to a house number in this street, then that number (as shown in Fig. 5f) is initially shown. If, as in this instance, the user wishes to navigate to No. 35, Rembrandtplein once again, then the user need only touch a "done" virtual button 372 displayed at the bottom right hand corner of the display. If the user should wish to navigate to a different house number in Rembrandtplein, then all they need do is operate the keypad 368 to input the appropriate house number.
Once the house number has been input, the user is asked in Fig. 5g, whether they wish to depart, now, at a specific date and time or at no specific date and time. In this instance the user is not concerned about leaving at a particular time and hence selects the "no specific date and time" option and presses the "done" virtual button 374.
Selecting the "done" button 374 causes the PND to display a further set of virtual buttons as shown in Figure 5h offering options as to the type of route the user wishes to calculate, for example the fastest route, an eco route, the shortest route, a route avoiding motorways, a walking route, or further options accessed by pressing the arrow shaped virtual button. In this case, the user selects the fastest route using button 376. This causes the PND to calculate a route between the current location and the selected destination and to display that route 378, as shown in Fig. 5i, on a relatively low magnification map that shows the entire route. The user provided with a "done" virtual button 380 which they can press to indicate that they are happy with the calculated route, a "find alternative" button 382 that the user can press to cause the PND to calculate another route to the selected destination, and a "details" button 384 that a user can press to reveal selectable options for the display of more detailed information concerning the currently displayed route 378. The display includes a summary tab 390 providing a summary of the route information, and a further traffic tab 392 which the user may select to view detailed live traffic information for the route.
Figures 1 -5i provide background information to facilitate understanding of the invention, and navigation apparatus in relation to which the present invention may be implemented. Some preferred embodiments of a navigation method and system in accordance with the present invention will now be described. A user may in some situations wish to find the location of a point of interest, or indeed any type of location. One option is to search for the location of interest using the PND, for example by performing a local search via the menu shown in Figure 5B. Another option would be to search for stored points of interest within a given proximity of a current location, or a specified location, such as a destination.
Such a search may be performed via a system of menus accessed via a touchscreen of the PND in a similar manner to that described above in relation to setting a destination. The PND may display a list of points of interest within a given proximity of a current location.
However, the Applicant has realised that requiring a user to perform a search for a location of interest in this way is not always the most convenient technique to find a location. It requires the user to perform the search correctly i.e. in the correct area, and in many cases, to select the right location from a list of possible locations presented to the user by the PND. In some situations the location sought by a user may not be known to the PND, e.g. if it is of a temporary nature, or a location of relevance to only the user.
Some types of location, such as camping sites currently print detailed coordinates for locations. Such detailed coordinates are not practical for a user to remember.
Furthermore, there are situations when a user may not have sufficient details to hand to perform a suitable search. One scenario which commonly occurs is that a user drives past a roadside sign or billboard advertising an event or location. For example a billboard might advertise that an antiques market occurs at a particular location on that day, or that there is a Pick Your Own strawberry farm in the vicinity. The user may spontaneously decide that they wish to now visit that location, or wish to record the location to enable them to pay a visit to the event or location at a later time. Typically billboards may provide some short location information details or directions, and perhaps a simple map. For example this may indicate that the driver needs to proceed to the next crossroads and then take a right turn just before a roundabout. It may be difficult for a user to accurately memorise the information, and while driving the user would not have the opportunity to write it down. Having to try to take in such instructions undesirably increases levels of driver distraction.
Although this problem is particularly significant when a user is on a journey, similar problems may occur whenever a person gives directions to a location, or if directions are given in a printed form e.g. as part of an advertisement. For example when booking a hotel by telephone, the user may be provided verbally with a set of instructions for reaching the hotel once they leave a major road exit. The user then has to record these or remember the details, and retain them for future reference.
From the perspective of the promoter of a location or event, it is desirable that a billboard should emphasise the name and nature of the event, and perhaps a logo, rather than providing excessive amounts of address and direction details. A balance needs to be found between the attractiveness of a billboard e.g. showing a company logo or products on offer, and the more functional data, such as address, directions, telephone number, URL etc.
Conventional address or direction details are of limited utility. If the location is not located close to the exit of a road where the billboard is located, or the point from which directions are given, then it quickly becomes impractical to provide instructions of the length and complexity required, whether in a graphical or verbal form.
In embodiments of the invention the above problems are addressed by assigning speed dial location codes (short codes), which may be entered by the user into a navigation apparatus to enable the apparatus to determine full position information for the location. The speed dial location code (referred to herein as a "SDC") is a short easily memorable code which may include letters and/or numbers. Typically it will be alphanumeric, or in the form of only letters to increase levels of user friendliness. For example a restaurant selling hamburgers could have the speed dial location code (SDC) "hamburger". A hotel located on the beach could have the SDC "@beachhotel". A music festival might use the SDC "@pinkpop" which will provide a link to the location of the event. It is envisaged that subscribers could request desirable SDCs for a particular location in the same way that subscribers can secure relevant internet domain names at present. The SDC can be descriptive of the product or services offered at the location.
Each SDC is associated with position information for the location to which it is assigned. For example, a SDC may be associated with a set of coordinates for the location which may be used by the PND to navigate to the location. An example set of coordinates might be N33 13.547 - E20 01.881.
As SDCs are by definition short, and some SDCs may be particularly popular, such as "hamburger", it is not practical to associate each SDC only with the position information for the relevant location. The limited number of SDCs available would not be capable of uniquely distinguishing all locations from one another.
Instead, in embodiments of the invention, a geographic region is subdivided into a plurality of sub-regions. This is typically done by dividing the geographic region as represented on a digital map into the plurality of sub region. Each sub-region is assigned an area code. For example different sub-regions might be given the codes UM, NA, IL and QZ. The area codes may not need to be used by a user, but are used to allow the navigation device to identify a sub-region. The area codes may exhibit a degree of user friendliness as in some situations a user may use the code in conjunction with an SDC.
When an SDC is assigned to a location in one of the sub-regions, it is also associated with the area code for the sub-region. In effect, each sub-region is assigned a set of SDCs, each being assigned to a location or locations in the sub- region, and in turn being associated with position information for each location. The combination of a given SDC and the associated area code provides a unique key to the position information for the location or locations associated with a given SDC in a particular sub-region. Thus, while the SDC "hamburger" could be used in two different sub-regions, in any given sub-region the SDC "hamburger" is used only once.
By way of example, one sub-region may be provided with the code UM.
Another sub-region may be provided with the code IL. A first restaurant in the region UM may be allocated the speed dial location code "hamburger" as well as a second restaurant in the other region IL. Position information for each of the restaurants can be stored in conjunction with its SDC. Provided that the SDC is also linked to the correct area code, then provided the navigation device knows which is the relevant sub-region being considered, it may determine the position information for the restaurant located in that region.
This is similar to the concept of using area codes for telephone numbers. The same relatively short phone number may be reused over the system in different areas, but the combination of an area code and the particular shorter dialling code will be unique, allowing a connection to be placed appropriately to the intended subscriber.
While an SDC will typically be assigned to a single location, it might be assigned to a set of related locations, provided that they are in the same geographic sub-region. One example might be a group of locations corresponding to the locations of a number of branches of a particular store in a sub-region. These might all be assigned an SDC which is the name of the store. Similarly more than one SDC in a given sub-region could be associated with the same location and position information. This might occur where the same location is used for different purposes. It might have an SDC descriptive of the different purposes, which may be used by different classes of user. In all cases, the combination of an area code and SDC form a unique key to a set of position information for a location or locations. Rather than just associating a SDC with position information for the location or locations, in some embodiments the SDC may be associated with further information about the location or an event occurring at the location, or about products or services offered at the location. For example contact information such as a telephone number, internet address etc., may be associated with the SDC. A link could be associated with the SDC enabling live data about the location to be obtained over a suitable communications link.
A database is created storing each area code with information identifying the geographic sub-region to which it relates. This may be in the form of digital map data or general geo data, or any other form. The information should identify the extent of the map sub-region to allow a navigation apparatus to determine for any given point in the geographic region, in which sub-region it is included. This database may be referred to as the "region" database. The region database may be stored in a memory of a particular PND, but in other arrangements may be of a remote or offboard database. A PND may then access the region database using a suitable communication link.
Each speed dial location code is stored in association with the area code for the sub-region containing the location or locations to which it has been assigned, as well as the position information and any other information associated with the SDC.
In use, when a user enters an SDC into a navigation device, the device can determine an area code for a sub region of interest, and look up the position information associated with the SDC which is associated with an area of interest. The sub-region of interest may be the sub-region which includes a current GPS location of the device, or it may be a sub-region specified by a user. In the former case, the navigation device may be arranged to automatically detect in which sub- region the current location is situated, and look up the area code for that sub-region. The PND may then use this area code to identify a speed dial location code database for speed dial location codes associated with that area code, and retrieve the position and any other information associated with the entered speed dial location code. In other cases the region could be selected by a user, for example by specifying a point in a region where they plan to travel. The PND may then determine the sub-region including a point or region indicated by a user, and determine the area code for that sub-region.
In some embodiments the speed dial location codes assigned to locations in a given sub-region are stored in a specific speed dial location code database for that sub-region. For example each SDC database may be associated with the area code for that sub-region. In this way, the PND may determine the sub-region of relevance in a current situation e.g. based on the current location or user specified location, and look up the speed dial location code entered by a user in the relevant speed dial location code database. The separate databases may be distinct databases, or may be sections of a single database. In other arrangements, the speed dial location codes could all be stored in a common database provided that they are associated with the relevant area code. For example, SDC could be stored with the area code forming a composite code linked to the position information for a given location or locations in the sub region having the area code.
Once the position information has been retrieved, the PND may display a position of the location or locations associated with the input speed dial location code on a digital map. If position information for a set of locations is associated with the SDC, each location may be displayed on the map simultaneously, or the PND may select the closest location for display, or could present the user with a list of the locations from which to select a location for display. The user may then select a location or locations to or via which to navigate. Alternatively or additionally the user may request that the PND store the information e.g. in the memory 230 or cause the information to be stored by a server, so that it may be retrieved later, or request that the information by transmitted to a given mobile communications device, or another PND or similar.
It will be appreciated that the user may enter any of the speed dial location codes that he sees in a given sub-region into the navigation apparatus without needing to memorise coordinates, company names, addresses or sets of directions. For example if the user sees the speed dial location code "cats22" on a billboard, he could enter this into his navigation device. The navigation device would determine automatically which sub-region the user is currently in, and will then use the area code for the given region to determine the position information associated with an SDC corresponding to the input SDC and also which is associated with the area code. For example this could be by reference to a database storing the combination of the SDCs and associated area codes, or to a specific database of SDCs for a particular area code.
An exemplary flowchart for the operation of a PND in a system implementing the methods of the present invention will now be described by reference to Figure 6.
In a first stage, S1 , the PND notes a current GPS position of the PND. If the user has entered a selected position into the device i.e. to indicate a point in a region in which he plans to travel at a later stage, the PND may use this position rather than the current position. The PND accesses a region database storing the area codes for each sub region- S2.
The PND takes the current position or selected position determined in S1 and uses the region database to determine the sub-region containing the current position or selected position, and determines the area code for the sub region- S3.
The PND receives an input of an SDC from a user in S4. This may be in the form of a speech command or touch based input.
In S5, as the PND has determined the relevant sub-region and hence area code already, it uses the input SDC to look up the position and any other information associated with the SDC in the database for the relevant identified sub-region. If a single database is used for all of the geographical sub-regions, then the device may take the combined code being the area code and the entered speed dial location code to look up the associated position information associated with the full code.
Accordingly in S6, the PND knows the position information e.g. coordinates for the location to which the entered speed dial location code has been assigned.
In S7 the PND may use the position information to directly navigate to or calculate a route going via the location, or may display the identified location on a digital map or in a list to enable the user to select the location as a destination, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the user may instruct the PND to store the determined position information for the location in its memory 230 to be retrieved at a later stage, or for example to be downloaded onto a PC of the user.
Some examples of speed dial location codes and area codes are illustrated by reference to Figure 7. A user may have a current GPS location in a sub-region which has been allocated the area code UM. A location for a restaurant in this sub- region has been assigned the speed dial location code "hamburger". This is associated with the position coordinates for the restaurant being N33 13.547 E20 01.881 . Another speed dial location code "cats22" is associated with a different location in sub region UM having the position coordinates N33 12.901 E20 02.333. There are three adjacent sub regions in the vicinity of the sub-region with code UM, having codes IL, QZ and NA respectively. In the adjacent sub-region with code IL, another restaurant selling hamburgers has also been allocated the speed dial location code "hamburger". This location has a different set of position coordinates, being N33 12.537 E20 00.331 . These coordinates are merely illustrative, and do not represent actual locations as shown.
While there are therefore two restaurants each having the designation
"hamburger" with different position coordinates, these are in different sub-regions. Thus one is in the sub-region having the area code UM and the other in the sub- region having the area code IL, with the result that the combination of the area code and speed dial location code for each restaurant is different. One has the combined code "UM-hamburger" and the other "IL-hamburger".
It will be appreciated that if there is significant demand for the same speed dial location code in a given region, then this may be accommodated by making the sub-regions smaller in that vicinity. Thus in some embodiments the size of the sub- regions can be determined based on a density of SDC requests, or in particular SDC requests for a particular speed dial location code. If demand for the same SDCs in a region increases, the regions could be split to create new ones.
It is envisaged that companies or individuals could request SDCs. They may then be allocated a randomly generated SDC, or one of a set of SDCs already allocated to a sub region containing the location to which the SDC is to be assigned, or could specify an SDC which they wish to have allocated to them. This could operate in a similar manner to requesting personalised licence plates. It is envisaged that users could subscribe to speed dial location codes as users subscribe to telephone services at present. An navigation company could then act in a role similar to a telecommunications provider to allocate speed dial location codes to subscribers.
The system could determine when a given SDC is used, and this information could be used to generate revenue for the navigation company, as subscribers could be charged for each "kickback" in a similar manner to the way in which companies sponsoring links on a website may pay when a link is clicked through.
The present invention provides a flexible system, and is relevant to many applications. SDCs could be assigned to permanent or temporary locations. For example an SDC could be allocated to a location where a festival is to take place for a limited period. It is envisaged that a camper might request an SDC for use when they go camping, and associate this with the location where they have pitched their tent. They can give the SDC to friends who are camping with them, so that when the friend enters the sub-region containing the camping location, they can retrieve the position information for the camper. A particular SDC could be used to refer to one location, for example an in-line skating rink in Summer, and a different type of location, such as in ice-skating facilities in Winter. The methods of the invention would also be applicable to geo-caching.
The Applicant has realised that in some situations there may be high demand for identical SDCs in close proximity to one another. The Applicant has devised methods which may ensure that speed dial location codes are allocated most efficiently to sub-regions to maximise the ability for identical speed dial location codes to be used in respect of different locations, while reducing the possibility of confusing at the boundaries between sub regions.
Some techniques are described by reference to Figures 8a and b. It has been proven that when a region is sub-divided into a plurality of sub-regions, it is possible to colour each region of the map so that no two adjacent regions have the same colour using no more than four colours. This is known as the four colour theorem. It has been found that this theorem may be applied to assigning SDCs to sub-regions so that there is no overlap between sub-regions in adjacent areas.
In some situations additional steps can be taken to reduce or avoid confusion between identical SDCs, particularly close to a boundary between different sub regions. Turning to Figure 8a, it will be appreciated that in some situations a user might have the current GPS location in region IL as shown. From this location they might be able to see both a billboard advertising the restaurant having SDC
"hamburger" in region UM and one advertising the restaurant with the same SDC in region IL. This could happen if they are close to the boundary between regions UM and IL, or if the geography of the sub-regions is such that both signs are clearly visible, e.g. if a more distant sign is on a hillside.
The user in region UM may then put the speed dial location code "hamburger" into their PND while looking at the sign in region IL. However, because the PND determines that the user is in region UM it will obtain the position information for the speed dial location code "hamburger" associated with the region UM and not region IL.
In an alternative situation, the user may be located at the position shown in Figure 8B at the intersection between four regions UM, NA, QZ and IL. The navigation device may be unable to determine with sufficient accuracy in which region the current location is situated. Again, if the user inputs the word "hamburger" into their PND, the PND may not know whether to determine position coordinates for the SDC "hamburger" associated with region UM or region NA.
One technique to try to resolve a situation of the type shown in Figure 8a or 8b would be for the PND to infer the sub region of interest by taking into account the direction of travel of the user as well as the current location. Thus, in the situation of Figure 8a or 8b, if it is determined that the user is travelling in a direction towards region UM, then the PND may determine that it should retrieve the position information for the SDC "hamburger" associated with area code UM rather than IL. Of course, in some embodiments, the system may be arranged to take into account or even give precedence to sub regions which the user has already passed through. This could enable a user to obtain position information for a location already passed, and be guided through making a U-turn to reach the location.
To try to reduce the possibility of confusion occurring in such situations, it is preferably that steps are taken to minimise or avoid handing out identical speed dial location codes in the border areas of adjacent regions. One technique for doing this will be described below.
As schematically illustrated in Figures 8A and 8B, each sub-region of a digital map representing the geographic region may be allocated a different one of four colours, in such a manner that adjacent sub-regions are not allocated the same colour. The sub regions may be of any shape, and need not be square as illustrated. While figures 8A and 8B only show four sub-regions, the colouring of sub regions would be repeated over all sub-regions into which a continuous area has been divided. Sets of SDCs may then be allocated to each sub-region in a manner such that identical SDCs are not allocated to sub-regions of different colour. This means that identical SDCs will not be allocated to adjacent sub-regions, i.e. sub regions which share a border. In this way, the number of different non-overlapping sets of SDCs required may be minimised, as only four non-overlapping sets of SDCs are required for the entire geographic area. The same SDCs can be repeated in regions allocated the same colour. Other elements may be used rather than colours, and other numbers of elements may be used. The colouring is also shown in Figure 7.
Figures 8A and 8B illustrate the colouring of the sub regions, but do not implement this technique of allocating SDCs. If this technique were to have been implemented in relation to the Figure 8a and 8b arrangement, the potential confusion between the "hamburger" sds in sub regions IL and UM would not arise, as the same SDC "hamburger" would not be applied to any of the differently coloured regions UM
QZ, IL or NA. The SDC "hamburger" could only be used in one of the four sub- regions, UM, NA, IL and QZ.
While the present invention has been described in particular reference to a navigation system, it will be appreciated that the techniques may be applied to any type of system or method involving the use of SDCs. The technique of allocating
SDCs to sub regions using the four colour theorem provides a method of formatting a map which may be applied to any application in which codes are to be assigned to adjacent sub regions, whether or not they are location codes or speed dial location codes.

Claims

Claims;
1 . A method of obtaining location information comprising the steps of; dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions,
assigning an area code to each of the plurality of sub regions,
assigning, for each one of a plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub region, a respective speed dial location code to the location or set of locations,
associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations to which it is assigned, and
associating each speed dial location code with the area code for the sub region which includes the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned,
the method further comprising a navigation apparatus receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, determining the area code for a given sub region, and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information relating to the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information relating to the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for a given sub region comprises obtaining location information associated with a speed dial location code which corresponds to the indicated speed dial location code and which is additionally associated with the determined area code.
3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the location information associated with each speed dial location code includes at least position information for the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned, and wherein the information obtained includes at least position information for the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the position information comprises geographic coordinates for the location or each one of the set of locations.
5 The method of any preceding claim wherein each location or set of locations in a given sub region is assigned a different speed dial location code.
6. The method of any preceding claim wherein the given sub region for which the area code is determined is user specified.
7. The method of any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the given sub region is a sub region of interest, and the navigation apparatus is arranged to infer the given sub region of interest using one or more of a planned route, a current location, a direction of travel, and the indicated speed dial location code.
8. The method of any preceding claim wherein the given sub region is a sub region including a current location.
9. The method of any preceding claim further comprising storing each area code in association with information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned, and storing, for each sub region, the speed dial location codes assigned to each of the plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in the sub region, and the location information associated with each speed dial location code.
10. The method of any preceding claim wherein, for each sub region, each speed dial location code and the associated location information is stored in association with the area code for the sub region, preferably wherein each speed dial location code and the associated location information is stored in a database specific to a given sub region, and the database is associated with the area code for the given sub region.
1 1 . The method of any preceding claim comprising receiving a request for a speed dial location code to be assigned to a location or set of locations, receiving an indication of the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is to be assigned, and assigning a speed dial location code to the indicated location or locations.
12. The method of any preceding claim further comprising using the obtained location information to display the location or set of locations on a digital map, navigate to or via the location, or one of the set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned, and/or to store the indicated speed dial location code in association with the obtained information, preferably wherein the navigation apparatus uses the location information.
13. The method of any preceding claim comprising the step of allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region, wherein the sets of speed dial location codes allocated to adjacent sub regions are non overlapping.
14. The method of any preceding claim comprising assigning to each sub region one of a set consisting of a plurality of different elements in a manner such that no two adjacent sub regions are assigned the same element, and allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region in a manner such that there is no overlap between the sets of speed dial location codes allocated to sub regions assigned different elements.
15. A system for obtaining location information comprising;
means for dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions, means for assigning an area code to each of the plurality of sub regions, means for assigning, for each of a plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub region, a respective speed dial location code to the location or set of locations,
means for associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations to which it is assigned, and
means for associating each speed dial location code with the area code for the sub region which includes the location or set of locations to which the speed dial location code is assigned,
wherein the system includes a navigation apparatus comprising one or more processors arranged in use to;
receive an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, determine the area code for a given sub region, and use the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain at least some of the information associated with the location or set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned for the given sub region.
16. The system of claim 15 wherein the system comprises means for using the obtained information to navigate to or via the location, or one of the set of locations to which the indicated speed dial location code is assigned, and/or to store the indicated speed dial location code in association with the obtained information, preferably wherein the navigation apparatus comprises such means.
17. The system of claim 15 or 16 wherein the navigation apparatus comprises a memory, and the memory stores each area code in association with information identifying the sub region to which the area code is assigned, and/or the speed dial location codes assigned to each of the plurality of locations and/or sets of locations in each sub region, and the information associated with each speed dial location code.
18. A method comprising the steps of;
sub dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions, preferably wherein the geographic region is a region represented by a digital map,
allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region;
associating each speed dial location code with an area code for the sub region to which the code is allocated;
assigning each speed dial location code to a location or set of locations in the sub region to which the speed dial location code is allocated,
and associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations.
19. A system comprising;
means for sub dividing a geographic region into a plurality of sub regions, preferably wherein the geographic region is a region represented by a digital map, means for allocating a set of speed dial location codes to each sub region; means for associating each speed dial location code with an area code for the sub region to which the code is allocated;
means for assigning each speed dial location code to a location or set of locations in the sub region to which the speed dial location code is allocated,
and means for associating each speed dial location code with information relating to the location or set of locations.
20. A method of operating a navigation apparatus comprising causing the apparatus to carry out the steps of;
accessing information defining the extent of a plurality of predetermined sub regions into which a geographic region has been divided,
determining an area code associated with a given sub region,
receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, and using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region.
21 . A navigation apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises;
means for accessing information defining the extent of a plurality of predetermined sub regions into which a geographic region has been divided,
means for determining an area code associated with a given sub region, means for receiving an indication of a speed dial location code from a user, and means for using the indicated speed dial location code and the determined area code to obtain location information associated with the indicated speed dial location code for the given sub region.
22. The method, system or apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the navigation apparatus is a portable navigation device (PND), or wherein the navigation apparatus forms part of an integrated navigation system.
23. A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable to perform a method according to any of claims 1 -14, 18, 20 or 22.
PCT/EP2010/068538 2010-11-30 2010-11-30 Methods and systems for obtaining location information Ceased WO2012072117A1 (en)

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US20040139049A1 (en) * 1996-08-22 2004-07-15 Wgrs Licensing Company, Llc Unified geographic database and method of creating, maintaining and using the same
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