US 8,301,641 B2 · Method of collecting information for a geographic database for use with a navigation system

Abstract

A method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system is disclosed. A feature visible from a road segment is identified. A guidance feature point object is defined at a location at the road segment where the identified feature is most visibly prominent. Additionally, an importance rating and a preferred name for the identified feature are determined. Data representing the guidance feature point object, importance rating and the preferred name are stored in the geographic database on a computer readable medium.

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Claims20

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system comprising:

identifying a feature visible from a first road segment;
defining a guidance feature point object at a location at the first road segment where the identified feature is visibly prominent;
determining an importance rating for the identified feature indicating a level of visual distinctiveness as compared to other features surrounding the identified feature;
creating a preferred name for the identified feature, wherein the preferred name visually distinguishes the identified feature from other features in a surrounding area and is selected from a group consisting of a color of the identified feature, a building material of the identified feature, a shape of the identified feature, an architectural style of the identified feature, and a decorative element of the identified feature;
storing data representing the guidance feature point object in a geographic database on the computer readable medium;
storing the importance rating for the identified feature in the geographic database on the computer readable medium;
and
storing the preferred name for the identified feature in the geographic database on the computer readable medium.

5 more elements

A computer-implemented method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system comprising:

identifying a feature visible from a first road segment;
defining a guidance feature point object at a location at the first road segment where the identified feature is most visibly recognizable;
collecting at least one importance attribute indicating a level of visual distinctiveness as compared to other features surrounding the identified feature, wherein the at least one importance attribute is selected from a group consisting of a permanence attribute representing a likelihood that a visible appearance of the identified feature is constant, a seasonal dependency attribute representing whether the visible appearance is impacted by a season, a visibility attribute representing a level of visibility obstruction, a relative distance attribute representing a visual prominence considering both a size of the identified feature and a distance of the identified feature from the first road segment, and a feature extent attribute representing a length of the identified feature;
creating a preferred name attribute representing a name describing a visually distinguishing aspect of the identified feature;
storing data representing the guidance feature point object in the geographic database on a computer readable medium;
storing the preferred name for the identified feature in the geographic database on the computer readable medium;
and
storing the importance attribute for the identified feature in association with the preferred name for the identified feature in the geographic database on the computer readable medium.

5 more elements

A computer-implemented method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system comprising:

identifying a plurality of features visible from a road segment, wherein each of the plurality of features is associated with a guidance feature point object at a location at the road segment where the respective identified feature is useful for guidance;
calculating importance values for the plurality of features;
selecting a preferred name for at least one of the plurality of features, wherein the preferred name is selected from a group consisting of a color of the identified feature, a building material of the identified feature, a shape of the identified feature, an architectural style of the identified feature, a decorative element of the identified feature, and a nickname of the identified feature;
storing data representing the guidance feature point object in the geographic database on a storage medium;
storing the preferred name for the identified feature in the geographic database on the storage medium;
and
selecting a highest importance value from the importance values for the plurality of features.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description10,202 words

Summary657 words

#The present application is related to the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF OPERATING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO PROVIDE ROUTE GUIDANCE” filed on the same date herewith, Ser. No. 12/549,604, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. The present application is related to the co-pending application entitled “METHOD OF OPERATING A NAVIGATION SYSTEM TO PROVIDE ROUTE GUIDANCE” filed on the same date herewith, Ser. No. 12/549,624, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.

#The present invention relates to a method and system for operating a navigation system, and more particularly to a method and system for providing route guidance using contextual elements along a calculated route from an origin location to a destination location.

#Navigation systems are available that provide end users with various navigation-related functions and features. For example, some navigation systems are able to determine an optimum route to travel along a road network from an origin location to a destination location in a geographic region. Using input from the end user, the navigation system can examine various potential routes between the origin and destination locations to determine the optimum route. The navigation system may then provide the end user with information about the optimum route in the form of guidance that identifies the maneuvers required to be taken by the end user to travel from the origin to the destination location. Some navigation systems are able to show detailed maps on displays outlining the route, the types of maneuvers to be taken at various locations along the route, locations of certain types of features, and so on.

Brief description of the drawings12 figures

#An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the following drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation system, according to an exemplary embodiment.

#FIG. 2 shows a map of a geographic region.

Detailed description9,355 words

#I. Navigation System

#FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a navigation system 100 associated with a computing platform 102, such as an in-vehicle navigation device, a personal navigation device, a mobile computer, mobile telephone, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer, or any other computer, according to an exemplary embodiment. The navigation system 100 is a combination of hardware and software components. In one embodiment, the navigation system 100 includes a processor 104, a drive 106 connected to the processor 104, and a non-volatile memory storage device 108 for storing navigation application software programs 110 and possibly other information.

#The navigation system 100 also includes a positioning system 112. The positioning system 112 may utilize GPS-type technology, a dead reckoning-type system, or combinations of these or other systems, all of which are known in the art. The positioning system 112 may include suitable sensing devices that measure the traveling distance speed, direction, orientation and so on. The positioning system 112 may also include a GPS system. The positioning system 112 outputs a signal to the processor 104. The navigation application software programs 110 that run on the processor 104 use the signal from the positioning system 112 to determine the location, direction, orientation, etc., of the computing platform 102.

Facts

Application

12/549,654Filed 28 Aug 2009

Published

US 2011/0055224 A13 Mar 2011

Granted

30 Oct 2012

Term ends

17 May 2030

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 262 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification4 codes

G01C 21/3644
Details of the output of route guidance instructions: landmark guidance, e.g. using POIs or conspicuous other objects
G06F 16/29
Of structured data, e.g. relational data: geographical information databases
G01C
Measuring distances, levels or bearings
G06F
Computing and data processing

Timeline

28 Aug 2009Application filedUS 12/549,654
7 Oct 2009Assigned to Navteq North America, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
3 Mar 2011PublishedUS 2011/0055224 A1
23 Jan 2012Assigned to Navteq B.V.assignment of assignor's interest
30 Oct 2012GrantedUS 8,301,641 B2
26 Sep 2014Assigned to Here Global B.V.change of name
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
17 May 2030Term endsEstimated, includes 262 days of adjustment

Method of collecting information for a geographic database for use with a navigation system

Life of this patent

Method of collecting information for a geographic database for use with a navigation system

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims20

Description10,202 words

Drawings

Classification4 codes

Life of this patent

Description10,202 words