Tom Tom International B.v.

Tomtom Navigation B.v.

Erik Thomassen

Sjoerd Aben

Teun De Haas

Pieter Geelen

Barbara Laermann

William Deurwaarder

Breght Boschker

Edwin Neef

Rory Jones

Mareije Roosen

Sergei Kucheiko

Henny Verwaij

Henny Verweij

A data acquisition apparatus () comprises a processing resource operably coupled to an input unit () and an output unit (). The processing resource () is arranged to provide an execution environment for supporting a user interface. An enquiry module () is provided and supported by the execution environment. The apparatus () also comprises a communications unit () operably coupled to the processing resource for supporting communications over a communications network. The enquiry module () is arranged to generate () a search query relating to a point of interest and receive search results in response thereto via the communications unit (), the enquiry module () also being arranged to use the search results to derive data associated with the point of interest.

Data acquisition apparatus, data acquisition system and method of acquiring data

The present invention provides a method of determining a route between two locations in a navigation device by calculating the cost of paths between the two locations using a cost function. The cost function applies different weighting factors for the same type of attribute to line segments when the line segments are located in different areas of a map. As such, when the cost of a path is being assessed, the same type of attribute may be associated with different levels of penalty or bonus in different areas. This means that the route determined is less likely to avoid line segments that have a certain negative attribute in areas where the attribute has a less adverse affect.

Non-uniform weighting factor as route algorithm input

A data acquisition apparatus includes a processing resource operably coupled to an input unit and an output unit. The processing resource is arranged to provide an execution environment for supporting a user interface. An enquiry module is provided and supported by the execution environment. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus also includes a communications unit operably coupled to the processing resource for supporting communications over a communications network. The enquiry module is arranged to generate a search query relating to a point of interest and receive search results in response thereto via the communications unit, the enquiry module also being arranged to use the search results to derive data associated with the point of interest.

A method of operating a PND or navigation system is described, together with a PND or navigation system for performing such a method. The PND or navigation system includes memory storing map data consisting of base map data files and supplemental corrective data files. In at least one embodiment, the method includes correlating the current location with the map data, and in the event that the current location and derived map data are seemingly at odds with one another, performing at least one secondary action. In at least one embodiment, the secondary action may be the issuing of an approve/reject prompt to the user, or the automatic creation, modification or deletion of a new or pre-existing correction. In a further aspect, at least one embodiment of the invention also provides for a PND or navigation system storing an indication of a home location, and prompting a user to visit nearby locations for which corrections exist, followed by prompted or automatic confirmation or rejection thereof.

Navigation device and method using map data correction files

A data enrichment processing apparatus () comprises a processing resource () arranged to access, when in use, location data () having temporal data associated therewith, and to group a part of the location data according to a predetermined criterion. The processing resource () is arranged to support an analysis module () capable of inferring temporal access information from the part of the location data grouped, the temporal access information being indicative of ability to access physically a point of interest associated with the part of the location data grouped.

Data enrichment apparatus and method of determining temporal access information

A method of correcting map data stored on a portable navigation device or navigation system is described, together with an appropriately enabled device or navigation system. A computer program enabling the method is also described. The method includes the steps of displaying map data on a PND or navigation system during a navigation or free-driving mode, and is characterized in that at least one of a plurality of user-selectable graphical indicators is displayed together with said map data adjacent or overlaid on the particular thoroughfare along which the device is currently traveling, the indicator graphically representing a travel restriction pertinent to one of either the current thoroughfare or a subsequent thoroughfare occurring after a thoroughfare intersection towards which the current thoroughfare leads.

Navigation device and method

A method and device are disclosed for conveying information relationships. In one embodiment, the method includes prompting, in a navigation device, at least one of input and selection of a travel destination and a desired arrival time at the travel destination; calculating an arrival time during travel to the travel destination; and outputting via the navigation device, during travel to the travel destination, an indication of a relationship between the desired arrival time and the calculated arrival time. In another embodiment, the method includes inputting a travel destination on a navigation device; determining a travel route to the input travel destination; calculating a speed in a navigation device during travel to the travel destination along the determined route; and outputting, via the navigation device, an indication of a relationship between a permitted speed and the calculated speed.

Navigation device and method for conveying information relationships

A method and a navigation device are disclosed for sharing at least one location message with at least one other device. The navigation device includes a receiver to determine a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, a memory to store information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, and at least one processor to correlate the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource and select a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device. The method includes determining a signal strength of a traffic message channel at a location, storing information representing the signal strength of a traffic message channel, correlating the information stored in memory to compile a traffic message channel resource, and selecting a traffic message channel based on the traffic message channel resource and a location associated with a navigation device.

Navigation device and method providing a traffic message channel resource

A method and a navigation device are disclosed for sharing at least one location message with at least one other device. The navigation device includes a receiver to receive multiple traffic message channels, an input device to receive a user input indicating a frequency, and a processor to select a traffic message channel based on a signal strength, starting with the indicated frequency. The method includes receiving multiple traffic message channels, receiving a user input indicating a frequency, and a selecting a traffic message channel based on a planned route, starting with the indicated frequency.

Growing community of inventors

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Erik Thomassen