TW201028650A - Navigation system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

A navigation system comprises an input device (220, 240) configured to enable a user to input a destination, a route planning unit (200, 210) for determining at least one route to the destination, a memory (230) for storing travel data representative of travel at different times, and a processing resource (210) operable to estimate duration or speed of travel to the destination along the or each route in dependence on the travel data, and to select a departure time for travel to the destination in dependence upon variation in estimated duration or speed of travel with departure time.

Description

201028650 VI. Description of the Invention: TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to navigation systems and methods, and more particularly to navigation systems and methods that can be used to estimate the shortest or fastest route to a destination. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a portable navigation device (PND). [Prior Art] A portable navigation device (PND) including global positioning system (GPS) signal receiving and processing functionality is well known and widely used as an in-vehicle or other transportation tool navigation system. In general, modern PNDs include a processor, memory (at least one of volatile memory and non-volatile memory, and usually both) and map data stored in the memory. The processor cooperates with the memory to provide an execution environment in which the software operating system can be built and, in addition, one or more additional software programs are often provided to enable PNDi functionality to be controlled and provide various other functions. Typically, the devices further include allowing the user to interact with the device and controlling one or more input interfaces and one or more output interfaces of the device to transmit the information towel to the user via the one or more output interfaces . Illustrative examples of the wheeled interface include a visual display and a speaker for voice output. Illustrative examples of input interfaces include on/off operations or other features used to control the device - or a plurality of real buttons (3) devices built into the vehicle - then the individual may not be on the (four) pieces themselves, Instead, it can be on the steering wheel and a microphone for detecting the user's words. In one configuration, the output interface display can be configured as a touch sensitive display (by touch 137837.doc 201028650 inductive overlay or otherwise) to provide an input interface by which the user can touch To operate the device. Devices of this type will also include one or more physical connector interfaces through which power signals and optionally data signals can be transmitted to and received from the device. Receiving data signals as appropriate; and, where appropriate, one or more wireless transmitters/receivers that allow for cellular telecommunications and other signal and data networks (eg, Wi_Fi, Wi-Max GSM, and the like) Communication on. • This type of PND device also includes a GPS antenna through which satellite broadcast signals including positional data can be received and subsequently processed to determine the current position of the device. The PND device can also include an electronic gyroscope (gyr〇sc〇pe) that generates signals and an accelerometer that can be processed to determine the current angular and linear acceleration, and in conjunction with position information derived from the GPS signal to determine The speed and relative displacement of the device and the vehicle from which the device is mounted. Typically, these features are most commonly provided in the navigation system of the vehicle, but can also be provided in the PND device (if this is advantageous). The utility of such PNDs is primarily manifested in their ability to determine the route between the first location (typically, the departure or current location) and the second location (usually the destination). Such locations may be entered by the user of the device by any of a wide variety of different methods, for example, by postal code street name and house number, previously stored "know," Such as famous locations, municipal locations (such as stadiums or swimming pools) or other points of interest) and favorite destinations or destinations that have recently been visited. 137837.doc 201028650 • Typically, the PND has the ability to calculate the "best" or "best" route software between the departure address location and the destination address location based on the map data. The "best" or "best" route is based on predetermined criteria and is not the fastest or shortest route. The choice of route to guide the driver can be very complex and the selected route can take into account existing, forecasted and dynamic and/or wirelessly received traffic and road information, information on road speed, historical information and drivers. Self-preferences for determining the factors of road alternatives (eg, drivers can specify routes that should not include highways or toll roads). In addition, the device can continuously monitor roads and traffic conditions, and provide or choose to change routes due to changing conditions, The rest of the trip will take place on this route. Instant traffic monitoring systems based on various technologies (eg, mobile phone data exchange, fixed camera, GPS fleet tracking) are being used to identify traffic delays and feed information into the notification system. This type of PND can usually be mounted on the dashboard or windshield of the vehicle, but can also be formed as part of the onboard computer of the vehicle radio or as part of the control system of the vehicle itself. Navigation device❹ Can also be part of a handheld system, such as a PDA (portable digital assistant), media In the case of a player, a mobile phone or the like, and in this case, the conventional functionality of the palm-sized system is extended by mounting the software on the device to perform route calculations and navigation along the calculated route. Route planning and navigation functionality can also be provided by the appropriate desktop or mobile computing resources. For example, the Royal Automobile Club (RAc) provides online route planning at http://www.rac.co.uk Navigation facility This facility allows the user to type in the starting point and destination, so the server (using the 137837.doc 201028650 pc connected to it) calculates the route (the way it can be specified by the user), generates the map' and generates a A detailed set of navigation instructions is used to direct the user from the selected starting point to the selected destination. The facility also provides pseudo-three-dimensional rendering and route preview functionality of the calculated route, the route preview functional simulation along The user of the route travels, and thereby provides the user with a preview of the calculated route. In the case of PND, once the route is calculated, the user Interact with the navigation device to select the desired route from the list of proposed routes, as appropriate, and the user may intervene or direct the route selection process, for example by specifying that certain routes should be avoided or must be followed for a particular journey. Roads, locations, or guidelines. The PND route calculations form a primary function, and navigation along this route is another major function. These PNDs often provide visual and/or during navigation along the calculated route. The audio command is used to guide the user to the end of the route along the selected route, that is, the desired destination. The PND also often displays the manuscript information on the screen during navigation, and the information is updated on the screen. The displayed mantle information indicates the current location of the device and thus the current location of the messenger or user's vehicle (if the device is being used for navigation within the wheel tool).

And centered, in addition to the current and surrounding roads near the location, depending on the situation, the navigation information can be displayed in the status bar on the displayed side, and the current road to be selected needs to be selected to the next 137837.doc 201028650 Deviation distance, deviation from The nature of this property can be represented by a further indication of the particular type of deviation (eg 'left turn or right turn 弩'). The navigation function also determines the content, duration and timing of the voice commands, which can be used to guide the user along the route. As you can see, simple instructions such as "left and right after the claws require a lot of processing and analysis. As previously mentioned, the user's interaction with the device can be by touch screen, or otherwise or by a driver-mounted remote control, by voice activation, or by any other suitable method. Another important function provided by the device is automatic route recalculation in the following situations: the user deviates from the previously calculated route during navigation (accidentally or intentionally); the immediate traffic condition indicates that the alternative route will be more advantageous and the device These conditions can be automatically recognized appropriately, or if the user actively causes the device to perform route recalculation for any reason. It is also known to allow for the calculation of routes by user-defined criteria; for example, the user may prefer a scenic route calculated by the device, or may wish to avoid any roads that may occur, are expected to occur, or are currently occurring. The device software will then calculate various routes and prefer routes along its route including the highest number of points of interest (referred to as P0I), which are labeled (for example) with a view, or use to indicate that a particular road is occurring The stored information of the traffic conditions is sorted by the possible blockage or the level of delay due to the blockage. Other POI-based and traffic-based route calculation and navigation guidelines are also possible. Although the route calculation and navigation functions are important for the overall utility of the PND, it is possible to use the device purely for information display or "free driving", where only 137837.doc 201028650 shows map information related to the current device location, and The route has not been calculated and the device is currently not performing navigation. This mode of operation is often applicable when the user is aware of the route along which the trip is to travel and does not require navigation assistance. Devices of the type described above (e.g., Model 720T manufactured and supplied by TomTom International BV) provide a reliable means of enabling a user to navigate from one location to another. While known devices are capable of efficiently and reliably determining a route between a departure location and a destination, the time it takes to travel through the determined route is inevitably subject to the amount of traffic on the route. Around the world, traffic on the road has increased significantly over the past few years, resulting in increasing traffic problems and delays that have led to driver incentives and pressure, fuel waste and negative environmental effects ( It includes noise pollution and air pollution). Responding to the increase in traffic, existing roads have been improved or expanded (for example, adding more lanes) and new roads have been built. In addition, various transportation systems or services have been developed that enable the estimation and monitoring of traffic volume and traffic flow. For example, RDS-TMC, TMC-Pro, VICS, HD-Traffic^ IQ Routes. Such known systems or services are capable of notifying users of events and delays on the route, and some of the more advanced systems or services are able to advise users on lower traffic volumes and/or based on current traffic data or based on historical traffic data. An alternative route to high traffic flow, historical traffic data indicates a certain time of day and/or the average travel time of a day of the week. However, even the most advanced systems are not able to completely avoid delays, but the reality is that these systems focus on minimizing user delays when traffic problems begin to occur. 137837.doc 201028650 In order to avoid traffic problems or delays, users often turn to traffic news from radio broadcasts, τν or the Internet, and learn from magazines or newspapers about events or road construction that may affect traffic, and Choosing the best departure time for a particular trip depends on your own previous experience or the experience of a family, friend or acquaintance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, a navigation system is provided that includes an input device configured to enable a user to input a destination-one route planning unit for determining At least one way of the destination, for storing travels representing a travel at different times and a processing resource operable to estimate along the or each route to the destination depending on the travel profile The duration or speed of the trip, and depending on the estimated travel duration or speed, a departure time is selected for the trip to the destination as the departure time changes. By selecting the departure time depending on the estimated travel duration or speed as a function of departure time, the system may be able to advise the user that the likelihood of delay may be less and/or that the travel speed or duration may be optimized Therefore, it is not just trying to minimize the delay when traffic problems occur, but rather to provide a technical system that can help users avoid traffic problems. Travel duration may also be referred to as travel time, and the two terms are used interchangeably, and the system preferably includes - for outputting the selected time to a user's output device. The output device can include a display. The processing resource and/or the memory and/or the device and/or the input device 137837.doc -9-201028650 device and/or the route determining unit may be included in a navigation device. The navigation device can be a portable navigation device (PND), or otherwise, the memory and/or the processing resource and/or the route determination unit can be included in a server or associated with a server. The route determining unit may be implemented in the processing resource in whole or in part. The processing resource can include a departure time module for selecting a departure time to travel to the destination. The determined route may include a plurality of determined routes and the selecting the departure time may include selecting a route from the plurality of determined route towels and selecting a departure time for the route. The processing resource can be configured to select the minimum estimated line duration to provide to the destination or the departure time of the most estimated travel speed. Therefore, travel time may be optimized.

The i processing resource can be configured to compare the estimated travel time (four) time or estimated travel speed for each of a plurality of possible departure times with - pre-3 selection of a plurality of departure times and/or in and/or Selecting a departure time and/or at least one constraint and/or route

When choosing to go through at least one constraint

One of the 137837.doc 201028650 constraints of at least one of the characteristics of one of the characteristics of one of the travels along the route. The ~to constraint may include a constraint that at least one of the following: the difference between the selected departure time and a preferred departure time is minimized, and the selected departure time is within a preferred range of the departure time Or the difference between the selected departure time and the preferred range of the departure time is minimized; the estimated reliability of the estimated travel duration or speed is greater than a predetermined reliability threshold, the route being the shortest route or the route The length is less than a predetermined threshold length, the route does not include any road of a predetermined type; fuel efficiency® # is optimized; or the estimated variability of speed along the route is below a predetermined threshold. The input device can be configured to receive a user input indicative of the at least one constraint and/or for selecting the departure time for the plurality of departure times from the initial selection. The travel profile may include speed data and/or travel duration data. Additionally or alternatively, the travel material may include at least one road type parameter indicating an average speed or average duration of travel at different times for different road types and/or indicating the type of the road or the road type of the or each route Road Type Data The processing resource can be configured to estimate the duration or speed of travel based on the at least one road type parameter and the road type data. The travel profile may indicate the measured travel speed or duration. Additionally or alternatively, the travel material may represent the calculated travel speed or duration. The travel profile may include historical travel information and/or current travel information. The calculated travel speed or duration can be from the measured travel speed 137837.doc -11- 201028650: Interpolated or extrapolated values within the duration. It may depend on the type of road and the average travel speed or duration of their road type = speed or duration. Travel of T Well® The processing resource can be configured to depend on at least the route to the destination, the law enforcement, and the duration of the journey. The at least one characteristic of the route may include at least one of a road type, a traffic signal, or other traffic control feature.

The navigation system can further include communication circuitry for communicating with at least one source of current travel material, and the processing (4) is configured (4) to receive current travel material from the at least one source by the communication circuitry. The processing resource can be configured to: update an estimate of the duration or speed of travel to the destination depending on the current travel (four) received, and/or modify based on the received current travel data The departure time. The processing resource can be configured to: monitor receipt of the current travel material and update an estimate of the duration or speed of the trip and/or correct the departure time in response to receipt of the current travel profile. The current travel profile may include at least one update to the travel material stored in the memory and/or contain traffic accident data indicative of a traffic accident and/or contain weather data or other environmental information. The navigation system can further include an alarm device for monitoring the difference between the departure time and the current time and for providing an alarm signal depending on the comparison. The route may include a plurality of trip segments, and the processing resource may be configured 137837.doc -12- 201028650 Φ Φ to determine an estimated travel duration or travel speed for each trip segment and according to the plurality of trip segments The estimated travel duration or estimated travel speed is used to determine an estimated travel duration or estimated travel speed for the route. The travel profile may include individual travel materials for each trip segment of the route. In another aspect of the present invention, a navigation device is provided that includes: a processing resource configured to receive an expected travel time of the destination representing a destination destination data, and Determining a departure time for the expected travel time of the destination, subject to the constraint that the travel time to the destination is optimized; and an output device for providing the departure time to the use By. In another independent aspect of the present invention, a method for travel selection-departure time to a destination is provided, comprising: determining at least one route to the destination's: traveling to travel representing different times Information; the duration or speed of travel along the or each route to the destination, depending on the travel profile; and travel to the destination depending on the estimated travel duration or speed as a function of departure time Choose a departure time. In another independent aspect of the present invention, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer executable instructions for performing the methods as claimed or described herein. The calculation of the departure time may be based on available traffic information (eg, static) Or dynamic traffic information, historical traffic information, special event traffic information, alternative route traffic information 'and holiday traffic information', and/or may be based on user preferences. In another-independent aspect of the present month, a computer program product is provided, 137837.doc • 13· 201028650, which contains computer readable instructions executable to perform the methods as claimed or described herein. Any feature of one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention in any suitable combination. In particular, device features can be applied to method features' and method features can be applied to device features. [Embodiment] At least one embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the teachings of the present invention are not limited to PNDs, but rather are generally applicable to any type of processing device configured to execute navigation software to provide route planning and navigation functionality. Thus, it can be seen that, in the context of the present application, the navigation device is intended to include, without limitation, any type of route planning and navigation device, whether the device is embodied as a PND, a navigation device built into the vehicle ( For example, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) navigation devices, or computing resources that actually implement route planning and navigation software (such as desktop or portable personal computers (PCs), mobile phones, or portable digital assistants (PDAs) ). As will become apparent hereinafter, the teachings of the present invention are effective even in situations where the user does not seek guidance on how to navigate from one point to another and only wishes to provide a view of a given location. In such cases, the user's selected "destination·• location does not have to have the corresponding departure location from which the user wishes to navigate] and therefore, in this article, the "destination" location or actually is " The reference to the "destination" view should not be interpreted to mean the generation of the route 137837.doc •14- 201028650 is required, travel to "destination" must occur, or indeed the existence of the destination needs to be specified The corresponding starting position. With the above conditions in mind, Figure 1 illustrates an example diagram of a Global Positioning System (GPS) that can be used by a navigation device. These systems are known and used for a variety of purposes. In general, GPS is a satellite radio based navigation system that is capable of determining continuous position, speed, time, and (in some cases) direction information for an unlimited number of users. The GPS, formerly known as NavstAR, incorporates a plurality of satellites orbiting the Earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise orbits, GPS satellites can relay their position to any number of receiving units. A GPS system is implemented when a device that is specifically equipped to receive GPS data begins scanning for a radio frequency for a GPS satellite. After receiving a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device determines the exact location of the satellite via one of a plurality of different conventional methods. In most cases, the device will continue to scan the signal until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals (note that it is usually not (but can) use other triangulation techniques to determine position by only two signals) . After performing the geometric triangulation, the receiver uses its three known positions to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellite. This can be done in a known way. In addition, obtaining a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner by homo-geometric calculation. Location and speed data can be continuously updated in real time by an unlimited number of users. As shown in Figure 1, the GPS system is generally indicated by the reference numeral 1〇〇. A plurality of satellites 120 are in orbit around the earth 124. The 12-inch orbit of each satellite is not necessarily synchronized with the orbits of other satellites 120, and is likely to be different in practice. 137837.doc •15· 201028650 steps. The GPS receiver 140 is shown receiving the spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 160 from various satellites 12A. The spread spectrum signal continuously transmitted from each satellite 120 utilizes an accurate frequency standard achieved by an extremely accurate atomic clock. Each satellite transmits a data stream indicating that it is a particular satellite 120 as part of its data signal transmission. Those skilled in the relevant art should understand that the receiver device 140 typically obtains a spread spectrum GPS satellite signal from at least three satellites! 60 is used for the GPS receiver device 14 to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. The acquisition of an additional § §, which causes a signal 160 from a total of four satellites 120, allows the GPS receiver device 140 to calculate its three dimensional position in a known manner.圊 2 is an illustrative representation of the electronic components of the navigation device 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in a block component format. It should be noted that the block diagram of the navigation device 2〇〇 does not include all of the components of the navigation device, but only a number of example components. The navigation device 200 is located within a housing (not shown). The housing includes a processor 210 coupled to an input device 22A and a display screen 240. Input device 22A can include a keyboard device, a voice input device, a touch panel, and/or any other known input device for inputting information; and display screen 240 can include any type of display screen, wLCD displays. In one configuration, the input device 22 and the display screen 24 are integrated into an integrated input and display device. The integrated input and display device includes a touch pad or touch screen input, so that the user only needs to touch the display. One of the screens 240 can select one of a plurality of display options or launch one of a plurality of virtual buttons. 137837.doc • 16- 201028650 The navigation device can include an output device 260, such as an audio output device (e.g., a 'speaker). Since the output device 260 can generate audio information for the user of the navigation device 200, it should be understood that the input device 24A can also include a microphone and software for receiving input voice commands. In navigation device 200, processor 210 is operatively coupled to input device 220 via connection 225 and is configured to receive input information from input device 220 via connection 225 and is operatively coupled to display screen 240 via output connection 245 and At least one of the output devices 260 outputs information to the at least one. Additionally, processor 210 is operatively coupled to memory resource 230 via connection 235 and further adapted to receive information from input/output (I/O) 270 via connection 275/to send information to 1/0埠27 That is, where 1/〇埠 270 can be connected to the I/O device 28〇 external to the navigation device 2〇〇. By way of example, memory resource 230 includes: volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM); and non-volatile memory, such as digital memory, such as flash memory. External I/O device 280 can include, but is not limited to, an external listening device, such as an earpiece. The connection to I/O device 280 may additionally be a wired or wireless connection to any other external device, such as a car stereo unit, such as for hands-free operation and/or for voice-activated operation, for listening to or The connection of the headset and/or the connection to the mobile phone, for example, where a mobile phone connection can be used to establish a data connection between the navigation device 2 and, for example, the Internet or any other network, And/or to establish a connection to the feeder via, for example, the Internet or some other network. 2 further illustrates an operative connection between the processor 21A and the antenna/receiver 137837.doc -17-201028650 via the connection 255, where the antenna/receiver 25A can be, for example, a GPS antenna/receiver . It will be understood that the antenna and receiver, indicated by reference numeral 250, are schematically combined for purposes of illustration, but the antenna and receiver may be separately positioned components, and the antenna may be, for example, a Gps patch antenna or a helical antenna. Additionally, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the electronic components illustrated in Figure 2 are powered by one or more power sources (not shown) in a conventional manner. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, it is believed that the various sets of components of the components shown in Figure 2 are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the components shown in Figure 2 can be in communication with one another via wired and/or wireless connections and the like. Therefore, the scope of the navigation device of the present application includes a portable or handheld navigation device 200. In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device of FIG. 2 can be connected to or connected to "; such as a bicycle, a bicycle, a vehicle or a ship. The navigation device 200 can then be removed from the docking station for portable or handheld navigation purposes. Referring now to Figure 3, the navigation device 200 can be via a mobile device (not shown, for example, a mobile phone, a PDA, and/or having an action) Any device of the telephony technology) establishes a "action" or telecommunications network connection with the server 3〇2 to establish a digital connection (such as via a digital connection such as known Bluetooth technology, via which the mobile device can The network service provider establishes a network connection with the server 302 (e.g., via the internet). Thus, establishing a navigation device 200 (when traveling alone and/or in a vehicle, it can be And "action" network connection between the server and the server 302 thus provides "instant" or at least very"new "gateway beta for 137837.doc -18- 201028650 The establishment of a network connection between the mobile device (via the service provider) and another device, such as server 3〇2, is performed in a known manner using, for example, the Internet (such as the World Wide Web). This includes, for example, the use of Tcp/Ip layering protocols. The mobile device can utilize any number of communication standards, such as CDMA, GSM, WAN, etc. Thus, for example, via data connections, via mobile phones, or within the navigation device 200 An internet connection made by telephony technology. For this connection, an internet connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 is established. For example, 'via a mobile phone or other mobile device and GPRS (integrated packet radio service) The connection is made by a connection (a GpRS connection is a high speed data connection for a mobile device provided by a telecommunications operator; GPRS is a method for connecting to the Internet). The navigation device 200 can be via known Bluetooth technology, for example, in a known manner. Further completing the data connection with the mobile device and finally completing the data connection with the Internet and server 302, wherein the data agreement can utilize any number of standards such as GSRM, the data agreement standard for the GSM standard. Include its own mobile phone technology 272 within the navigation device 2 itself (including, for example The mobile phone technology within the internal antenna navigation device 200, or may optionally include internal components as specified above, and/or may include an insertable card (eg, a user identity module (SIM) The card is equipped with, for example, the necessary mobile phone technology and/or antenna. Thus, the mobile phone technology within the navigation device 200 can similarly establish a navigation device via, for example, the Internet. The network connection to the feeding device 137837.doc • 19- 201028650 302 is built in a manner similar to that of any mobile device. For GPRS telephony, a Bluetooth-enabled navigation device can be used to correctly "execute" model/manufacturer specifics with the ever-changing spectrum of mobile phone models, manufacturers, etc., which can be stored on the navigation device 200. . The information stored for this information can be updated. In FIG. 3, navigation device 200 is depicted as being in communication with server 302 via a general communication channel 318, which may be implemented by any of a number of different configurations. When establishing a connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200 via the communication channel 318 (note that the connection may be a data connection via a mobile device, a direct connection via a personal computer via the Internet, etc.), the server 302 It is communicable with the navigation device 200. The server 302 includes (in addition to other components not otherwise described) a processor 304 operatively coupled to the memory 3〇6 and further operatively coupled to a large capacity via a wired or wireless connection 314. Data storage device 312. The processor 304 is further operatively coupled to the transmitter 308 and the receiver 310 to transmit information to and receive information from the navigation device 200 via the communication channel 318. The signals transmitted and received may include data, communications, and/or other propagating signals. Transmitter 308 and receiver 310 may be selected or designed in accordance with communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of navigation device 200. Additionally, it should be noted that the functions of transmitter 3 0 8 and receiver 3 10 can be combined into a signal transceiver. The server 302 is further coupled to (or includes) a large-capacity storage device 312. Note that the s-large storage device 312 can be coupled to the server 302 via the communication port 314 137837.doc -20- 201028650. The mass storage device 312 contains storage of navigation data and map information, and may also be incorporated into the server 302 for devices that are separate from the server 3.

The navigation device 200 is adapted to communicate with the server 3〇2 via the communication channel 318, and the navigation device 200 includes the processor, memory, etc. as described previously with respect to FIG. 2, and the transmitter 320 and the receiver 322 to communicate via the communication channel 318. Signals and/or data are transmitted and received, noting that such devices can be further utilized to communicate with devices other than server 302. In addition, the transmitter 320 and the receiver 322 are selected or designed according to the communication requirements and communication techniques used in the communication design of the navigation device 200, and the functions of the transmitter 32 and the receiver 322 can be combined into a single transceiver Q. The software stored in the server memory 306 provides instructions to the processor 3〇4 and allows the feeder 302 to provide services to the navigation device 2〇〇. A service provided by the server 302 includes processing a request from the navigation device 2 and transmitting navigation data from the large-capacity data store 312 to the navigation device 2 〇〇 β. Another service provided by the server 302 includes for the desired application. The various algorithms are used to process the navigation data and the results of such calculations are sent to the navigation device 200. The channel 318 generally represents the propagation medium or path connecting the navigation device 2 to the server 3〇2. Both server 302 and navigation device 2A include a transmitter for transmitting data via a communication channel and a receiver for receiving data that has been transmitted by the communication channel. The channel #318 is not limited to a particular communication technology. In addition, communication channel 318 is not limited to a single communication technology; that is, channel 318 may include several communication links using various techniques 137837.doc • 21 - 201028650. For example, 'communication channel 318 can be adapted to

In an illustrative configuration, communication channel 318 includes a telephone network and a computer network. In addition, communication channel 318 can be capable of accommodating wireless communications, such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communications, and the like. In addition, communication channel 318 can accommodate converters, radio frequency (RF) waves, and 3 18 can include intermediate devices, emitters, and receivers. Satellite Communications. Communication signals transmitted via communication channel 318 include, but are not limited to, signals that may be required or desired for a given overnight technique, such signals may be suitable for use in cellular communication technology, cellular Communication technologies such as 'Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FdmA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Global System for Mobile Communications (Gsm), and the like. Both digital and analog signals can be transmitted via communication channel 318. These signals may be modulated, encrypted, and/or compressed signals that may be desirable for communication techniques. Server 302 includes a remote server that is accessible by navigation device 200 via a wireless channel. Server 302 can include a network server located on a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network (VPN), and the like. The server 302 can include a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer and the communication channel 318 can be a cable that is connected between the personal computer and the navigation device 200 137837. doc 201028650. Alternatively, a personal computer can be connected between the navigation device 200 and the servo 302 to establish an internet connection between the server 3〇2 and the navigation device 2〇〇. Alternatively, a mobile phone or another handheld device can establish a wireless connection to the Internet to connect the navigation device 200 to the server 302 via the Internet. The information from the server 302 can be provided to the navigation device 200 via the information download 'either automatically or after the user connects the navigation device 200 to the server 302, the information download can be periodically updated, and/or via, for example, wireless After the mobile device and the TCP/IP connection are connected, a more constant or frequent connection between the server 302 and the navigation device 200, the information download can be more dynamic. For many dynamic calculations, the processor 304 in the server 302 can be used. Handling of large capacity processing requires 'however, the processor 210 of the navigation device 200 can also handle many of the processing and calculations from time to time independent of the connection to the server 302. As indicated above in FIG. 2, the navigation device 200 includes a processor 210, an input device 220, and a display screen 240. The input device 220 and the display screen 240 are integrated into an integrated input and display device to realize information input (via direct input, menu selection, etc.) and information display, for example, via the touch panel screen, as generally known to those skilled in the art. As is well known, the screen can be, for example, a touch input LCD screen. Additionally, navigation device 200 can also include any additional input device 220 and/or any additional output device 241, such as an audio input/output device. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the navigation device 200. As shown in FIG. 4A, the navigation device 200 can be an integrated input and display device 290 (eg, a touch panel screen) and other components of FIG. 2 (including but not limited to internal GPS reception 137837.doc -23-201028650 250 The unit of the microprocessor 210, the power supply, the memory system 23, etc.). The navigation device 200 can be located on the arm 292, and the arm 292 can be self-fastened to the vehicle dashboard/window/etc. using the suction cup 294. This arm 292 is an example of a docking station. The navigation device 200 can be coupled to the docking station. As shown in FIG. 4A, the navigation device 200 can be coupled or otherwise coupled to the arm 292 of the docking station by attaching the navigation device 2A to the buckle of the arm 292. The navigation device 200 can then be rotated on the arm 292 as shown by the arrow of 圏4β. For example, in order to release the connection between the navigation device 2〇0 and the docking station, the button on the navigation device 200 can be pressed. Other equally suitable configurations for coupling the navigation device to the docking station and decoupling the navigation device from the docking station are well known to those skilled in the art. Referring now to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings, memory resource 230 stores a boot loader program (not shown) that is executed by processor 210 to load an operating system 470 from memory resource 230. For use in the functional hardware component 460, the operating system 47 provides an environment in which the application software 48 can operate. The operating system 470 is used to control the functional hardware component 46 and is resident between the application soft 480 and the functional hardware component 460. The application software 480 provides a working environment that includes a GUI that supports the core functions of the navigation device 200 (e.g., map view, route planning, navigation functions, and any other functions associated therewith). According to an embodiment described in more detail below, the application software 48 includes a departure time module 49A. When the user opens the device 200, the device 200 acquires the GPS position and calculates (in a known manner) the current position of the navigation device 200. As shown in FIG. 6, the navigator 137837.doc is then pseudo-three-dimensionally presented to the user on the touch screen display 24〇. 24 · 201028650 The piece 200 is determined to be in the local environment 5〇2, and A series of control and status messages are presented in an area 504 of the display 240 below the local environment. Device 200 provides route planning, mapping, and navigation functionality to the user depending on user input provided by a series of interconnected soft or virtual buttons and menu screens that may be displayed on display 240. In addition to providing route planning, mapping, and navigation functions, the device can also determine the departure time for a particular route via operation of the departure time module 490 included in the application software 48〇 of the processor 21〇.

The departure time module 490 is linked to the memory 230 and linked to the communication channel 318. The departure time module 49 is also linked to a route planning unit in the form of a route planning module (not shown) included in the application software 480 that implements the route planning functionality of the device 200. In operation, the departure time module 490 receives route information indicating possible routes to the destination by the route planning module. The departure time module 490 then requests and receives from the memory wo or the feeder 3G2 via the communication channel 318: travel data representing travel along each of the selected routes at different times. The travel material received by the departure time module 49G contains information indicative of travel at different times, and typically includes travel duration or speed along the selected route at different times. The travel material may be static and Therefore it does not change, or is dynamic and therefore subject to periodic or occasional updates. The duration or speed of the tour has been found to vary significantly but predictably depending on a certain time of day and day of the week. Travel Information Historical Travel Information, 蚩 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 、 The departure time module determines an estimated travel time as the average travel speed for each of the non-scheduled routes based on the travel material, and determines the 4 (or estimated the expected maximum button for the inter-mi and the travel) The travel duration (or the highest average brigade ~ burst module 49G then selects 1 H-based travel duration (or average travel speed) based on the travel data.

Variant group 490, one of the modes of operation described in the previous paragraph, initially selects a plurality of possible departure times or possible ranges. These initially selected departure times are typically departure times that provide an estimated travel time (or estimated average travel speed) that is less than or greater than the predetermined threshold. Therefore, 'choose a possible departure time that provides acceptable travel duration or speed. A departure time is then selected from the initially selected departure time order based on an additional constraint or by user selection. Examples of some additional constraints on the choice of route and departure time will be described below. As mentioned above, travel data may include historical travel data, and historical travel data typically includes actual measured average speed data. Provides average speed data based on a certain time of day and a day of the week. Figure 7 provides a graph of the average speed of a journey segment of a transportation network (e.g., a road segment between consecutive nodes or intersections) over a period of time within a day and different days of the week. An example. Historical travel data can be obtained from anonymous Gps data recorded by PND users. The Gps data is typically recorded every five seconds by each PND and later transmitted back to the server 302 via the Internet when the pND 137 837.doc 201028650 is connected to the home platform (anonymously and subject to use) License). In the context of the embodiments described herein, the historical data contains historical speed curves as used in the TomTom IQ Routes (RTM) system. As can be seen from Figure 7, there are a number of times during each day during which the average speed of the journey segment (which is the subject of Figure 7) is higher than at other times. In a simple example, if the user wishes to travel the other end of the journey between 8 & 111 and 12 pm on Monday morning, for example, the departure time module 490 will select a departure time of about 10.30 am. Because the expected travel speed will be the highest at that time (and therefore the expected travel duration will be minimal) ^ In another example, 'If the user wishes to travel any time or any day of the week, then the departure time Module 490 can be selected as the departure time of about 2 am in the morning of the week. Historical traffic information can include traffic accidents depending on time (for example, depending on a certain time of day and/or a day of the week) Historical data (for example, the incidence of traffic congestion). In this case, the departure time model 490 may choose to reduce or minimize the departure time for a chance of encountering a traffic jam. In practice, 'most journeys include multiple trip segments, and the departure time module 490 processes travel data for each trip segment and typically considers more than one route in order to calculate an optimal travel duration. The route and departure time. For example, in Figure 8, two possible routes between a departure point 52A and a destination 522 are selected by the route determination module. The first route consists of trip segments 524, 526, 528, 530, and the 137837.doc -27-201028650 second route consists of trip segments 524, 526, 534, 536. It can be seen that the two routes have a total of 524, 526. The departure time module 49 requests and receives the travel segments 524, 526, 528, 53 from the memory 230 or server 302,

The travel data for each of 534, 536, and the expected travel duration for each trip segment is determined for different departure times. The departure time module 49〇 then sums the expected travel duration for each trip segment of each route for each different departure time and determines the shortest travel duration for the journey between the departure point 52〇 and the destination 522. Route and departure time. Typically, the departure time module 490 calculates an expected travel duration for a series of different departure times separated by a predetermined time interval (e.g., 5 minutes or 15 minutes) and selects a departure time from the series of different departure times. Additionally or other 'departure time module 490 interpolates or extrapolates the travel duration as a function of departure time or fits a function thereto and determines a function based on the interpolation, extrapolation or fit function Best departure time. In addition to historical data, travel data may also include general speed/distance data based on road type. The departure time model 490 uses speed/distance data based on the road type in the event that a history of a particular journey segment is not available or the historical travel material has been found to be unreliable. Speed, distance data contains a travel speed assigned to a specific road type (for example, for: 3 〇 ^ hours for urban roads, 60 km / hour for main urban roads, and 9 G km / hr for highways) Depending on the travel speed at the time of travel, for example by assigning a higher average speed for a better (four) (10) night period in the middle of the day and assigning a lower average speed for a busy time (eg, the ancient peak time) Adjustment. The speed/distance data can be obtained by averaging historical travel data obtained from many different roads of the type 137837.doc -28· 201028650. The departure time module 490 performs a speed/distance calculation for the trip segment using the predicted travel speed of the travel segment based on the road type obtained from the speed/distance data (the speed is adjusted for travel time).

More road categories than those mentioned in the previous paragraph can be provided, and different prediction speeds can be provided for each category. It has been found that, in fact, the speed changes between roads and even roads of the same type. For example, the change in average speed can be attributed to the presence of additional road features (e.g., loopways and traffic lights), and the calculation of the expected travel duration or speed can be adjusted to account for the presence of such road features. The speed may also be changed by the departure time module 490 depending on weather conditions and/or traffic problems or events that may cause delays. The travel duration of a route is then estimated depending on the predicted speed and any predicted delay. As mentioned in the text, current travel materials may be included in addition to historical travel materials or in lieu of historical travel materials. The current travel profile provides an indication of the pre-travel conditions and can be used to update or modify the calendar data speed/distance data or based on historical travel data or general speed/distance estimates or selections. The current travel condition is considered to be the current time or the recent (eg, in the most recent line condition ^ % $ hours or - days) of the travel device 200 using the subscription phone technology 272 included in the device 2 report The communication circuit of the form receives the current travel data from the server 302 or the pick-up β i via the communication white 々 顼 312 312 and forwards it directly to the departure time module 490 or the storage & Saved in the sufficiency of the 23 以 for the departure J37837.doc -29. 201028650 time module 490 then fucked. The estimated travel duration or speed is modified or determined by the departure time module _ depending on the current travel data received. In the examples described herein, the current travel data contains average speed data for different travel segments of the transportation network collected over a short recent time window (e.g., a 30 minute window within the last hour). The average speed data may be obtained from an anonymous milk data, for example, using the TGmT (Difficult) line. The anonymous (4) data is obtained from a mobile phone associated with the registered user. The current travel information may also include Information relating to weather or other environmental conditions' 4 Warnings about roads: η or events (each of which may result in changes in traffic speed) Traffic information may also include special event traffic and traffic information about holidays. The special event traffic information and the traffic information about the holiday indicate or can be used to estimate the duration or speed of the trip due to the occurrence of a particular event (such as a road closure or a large sports event, music or other cultural event) or during the holiday. The departure time module 49G is operable to update the calculation of the estimated travel duration or speed and/or I are compared to the departure time and/or route depending on the current travel profile. For example, if the current travel profile indicates There is a significant delay on a selected route, and the departure module 49 can select an alternative route and determine the other The best departure time of the line. Or, it is expected that the delay of the selected route will be eliminated at a later departure time, and the departure time module 490 may propose the later time for the route. In addition to selecting the estimate, the shortest offer will be provided. Travel duration or maximum average 137837.doc -30· 201028650 Travel speed departure time, departure time module 490 is also configured to be able to impose one or more constraints on departure time, arrival time, or the route or One or more characteristics of the travel along the route. The constraints can be selected by the user via operation of a user input screen.

An example of a user input screen displayed on display 240 that enables a user to apply constraints to the departure time is illustrated in FIG. The user input screen includes a destination box 540 indicating a destination that the user has selected, an input box 542 that enables the user to enter a travel date via the operation selection button 544, and enables the user to select the button 548 via operation. 552 is used to input the time input boxes 546 and 550 of the earliest and latest departure time. The screen also includes a display area 554 for displaying the departure time determined by the departure time module 49, and a cymbal button 556 for enabling the user to set an alarm, which will be at the departure time or A predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) is provided at the departure time. The processor 2 includes an alarm device (not shown) configured to provide an alarm clock at the departure time or a predetermined time (eg, 5 minutes) at the departure time (if sighs) Alarm clock). Output device 26 provides an audible, visual or tactile output in response to the alarm signal. In operation, the user can use the input boxes 546, 550 to enter a range of time (the user wishes to depart within the time range) and use the input box 542 to enter (or more) the departure period. Therefore, the user can add the = beam to the departure time. The departure module then determines the departure time for the shortest estimated travel duration within the selected range and outputs the determined departure time in the field (9). 137837.doc • 31- 201028650 If the user leaves the box 542 blank, the departure time module 490 determines the best departure time for the day. If the user selects the option "any day" in block 542, the departure time module 490 selects the date and time of providing the shortest travel duration' without any restrictions on the travel period. The constraints that can be added to the departure time # are not limited to the constraints described with respect to the input screen of Figure 9. For example, instead of selecting a time to start, the user can select a range of time to arrive or time to arrive.

= or the range of time to be departed. In another embodiment, the user selects a threshold duration and the departure module 49 determines and initially selects an exit time or departure time that is estimated to provide a travel duration less than the duration of the threshold. The range 'and the user is shown their departure time = the range of the time of the transmission or the time from the range of the departure or departure time. In a variant of the embodiment, the user selects a 2 departure time (or time of arrival) and the departure time module == send time (or provides an estimated arrival time that is closest to the J to be reached) and Also mention is the departure time of a travel duration. Second, the estimate of the duration of the A limit. In another embodiment, the reliability of the travel time or travel speed of the travel data: can be included = each; the variation of the estimated data of the travel segment. The user can indicate the measured time or speed level, and the departure time module is determined by the departure time of the selected reliability level; 'providing the existence of the travel duration provides the same estimate of the departure of the big Zhao (four) difficult 490 Determining the departure time of two or two durations of 13783/.doc • 32· 201028650, the departure time module 490 selects the departure time that provides the most reliable estimated travel duration.

- In a further embodiment, depending on other factors (except for the shortest expected travel duration (or highest average speed), or instead of the shortest expected travel duration (or highest average speed)), the route is subject to departure as appropriate = or any constraint on the duration of the trip. For example, the user can 曰疋 constraints • the selected route should be the shortest route (or below the threshold length)' or the route should not include a specific type of route, or the fuel efficiency should be optimized (or should Above the limit amount). The selection may be subject to road constraints (such as 'requirements to avoid highways, ferries, on-track or toll roads or to minimize the number of traffic lights), wheel tool constraints (such as the route should be suitable for specific Requirements for height, length, or axle force transport) or other criteria (eg, requirements for driving along a scenic route or for including or excluding specific waypoints or passage areas). The stage of operation of the embodiment is illustrated in an overview. In the first stage 560, the input from the user is received, which selects a destination and any constraints on the departure time, arrival time or route characteristics or criteria. In the next stage 562, a possible route to the destination is determined, and in the latter stage 564, the rabbits are estimated for each route based on the travel duration or average travel speed. In the next phase, choose the time and route to provide the shortest estimated travel duration or the highest estimated travel speed, which is subject to any enthusiasm. In the final stage 568, one (or the other) selected departure time is displayed to a user for one or more routes* & routes. The embodiment described above with respect to Figures 8 to 10 provides a preference for telling him or her the most different routes from a departure location to a destination based on a user's preference of 137837.doc • 33 · 201028650 A system or service that is good for departure time. The user knows in advance the expected travel time and best route based on his or her preferences before starting his journey. It can reduce effects such as time loss or waste, irritation and stress, fuel waste and negative environmental effects. These embodiments are also capable of smoothing traffic peaks when used by a large number of users, as more users may be prompted to travel outside of peak hours.

It will also be appreciated that, although various aspects and embodiments of the invention have been described hereinabove, the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific configuration set forth herein, but rather extends to cover the scope of the appended claims. All configurations and their modifications and changes. For example, while the invention has been illustrated as a portable navigation device, it should be understood that route planning and navigation functionality may also be provided by desktop or mobile computing resources that operate on appropriate software. For example, the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) provides online route planning and navigation facilities at hUP://www.rac.c〇.uk 'This facility allows users to key to the starting point and destination of the person, so the feeding device is used The computing resources communicate with it) calculating the route (the way it can be set by the user), generating the map, and generating a detailed set of navigation instructions for directing the user from the selected starting point to the destination of the selection . Although the embodiments described in the foregoing detailed description refer to GPS, any navigation device may utilize any type of position sensing technology as a substitute for fertilizer (or in fact, other than GPS, the Navigator uses other global satellite navigation systems. , such as the European Galilee (GaHle〇) system. Similarly, it is not limited to satellite-based, but can be easily used 137837.doc -34· 201028650 using ground-based beacons or any other system that enables the device to determine its geographic location. Come to work.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system, such as a series of computer instructions stored in, for example, a magnetic disk, CD_ROM, R〇M, or a fixed disk. Tangible data § recorded on the media, or embodied in a computer data signal transmitted through tangible media or wireless media (eg, microwave or infrared). The array of computer instructions may constitute all or part of the functionality described above, and may also be stored in any memory device (volatile or non-volatile) such as semiconductor memory devices, magnetic memory devices, In optical memory devices or other memory devices. As is well known in the art, although the embodiment implements specific functionality by software, the functionality can be similarly implemented only on hardware (eg, by one or more ASICs (special applications) The integrated circuit)) or actually is implemented by a mixture of hard it and (4). Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to being implemented in Soft Zhao. It will be understood that the present invention has been described by way of example only, and modifications of detail may be made within the scope of the invention. Each of the features disclosed in the embodiments and (if applicable) the scope of the claims and in FIG. 4 may be provided independently or in any suitable combination. Finally, it should also be noted that although the scope of the patent application is set forth in the accompanying claims, the specific combination of the invention described herein is not limited to the following preferred combination ', and the material of the invention is expanded to include this document. Any combination of features or embodiments disclosed herein, whether or not it has been specifically listed in the scope of the patent application, i37837.doc • 35· 201028650, the specific combination β [Simplified illustration] FIG. 1 is usable by the navigation device 2 is a schematic illustration of an electronic component of a navigation device; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication system including a communication channel for communicating with a navigation device; circle 4a and FIG. 4b are navigation devices Figure 5 is a schematic representation of the architectural stack of the navigation device of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an illustrative screen shot of the navigation device of Figure 2; Figure 7 is a day of the journey of the transportation network A chart of the average travel speed for a period of time and a day of the week; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of two possible routes to the destination, each route containing multiple trips Section; FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of a user input screen; and FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the manner outlined in the selected time of departure. [Main component symbol description] 120 Satellite 124 Earth 140 GPS receiver device 160 Spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 200 Navigation device 210 Processor / processing resource 220 Input device 137837.doc 201028650 ❿ 225 Connection 230 Memory resource 235 Connection 240 Display screen / Input Device / Display 245 Connection 250 Antenna / Receiver 255 Connection 260 Output Device 270 Input / Output (I / O) Tan 272 Mobile Phone Technology / Communication Circuit 275 Connection 280 External I / O Device 290 Integrated Input and Display Devices 292 Arm 294 Sucker 302 Server 304 Processor 306 Memory 308 Transmitter 310 Receiver 312 Bulk Data Storage Device 314 Wired or Wireless Connection/Communication Link 318 Communication Channel 320 Transmitter i37837.doc -37 - 201028650 322 Receiver 460 Function Hardware component 470 operating system 480 application software 490 departure time module 502 local environment 504 area 520 departure point 522 destination 524 journey segment 526 journey segment 528 journey segment 530 journey segment 534 journey segment 536 journey segment 540 destination box 542 Input box 544 Select button - 546 Time input box 548 Select button 550 Time input box 552 Select to press 4a 554 Display area 556 Alarm button 137837.doc -38-

Claims (1)

201028650 VII. Patent application scope: 1. A navigation system comprising: - an input device (22 〇, 24 〇) configured to enable a user to input a destination; - a route planning unit (200, 210) '' is used to determine at least one route to the destination; - a memory (230) for storing travel information representing travel at different times; and - a processing resource (10)) operable to: Estimating the duration or speed of the trip along the or each route to the destination on the travel profile, and selecting a departure for the trip to the destination depending on the estimated travel duration or speed as the departure time changes time. 2. The requesting navigation system 'where the processing resource (10)) is configured to select the departure time of the shortest estimated travel duration or the highest estimated travel speed provided to the destination. 3. The navigation system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing resource (2ι〇) is configured to: compare an estimated travel duration or an estimated travel speed for each of the plurality of possible departure times with - A threshold is predetermined and a departure time is selected depending on the comparison. 4. The navigation system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the selection of the departure time comprises initially selecting a plurality of departure times and/or routes and depending on user input and/or depending on at least the constraints from the initial The departure time and/or route selected is a departure time and/or route. 5. The navigation system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the processing resource (2(9) is configured 137837.doc 201028650 to select the departure time subject to at least one constraint. 6. The navigation system of claim 4, wherein the at least a constraint is a constraint on at least one of: = the departure time; an estimated leaf arrival time at the destination; a characteristic of the route; a characteristic of the travel along the route; and the estimated travel A feature of speed or duration. 7. The navigation system of claim 4, wherein the at least - constraint comprises a constraint of at least one of: between the selected departure time and a preferred departure time The difference is minimized; the difference between the selection of the departure time at the time of departure] or the preferred range of the selected departure time and the departure time is minimized; the estimated travel duration or ^ The reliability of the degree is greater than the reliability value of the shape; the route is the most route or the length of the route is less than the length of the threshold; the route does not include any road of a predetermined type; fuel efficiency Optimized; or the estimated variability of the speed along the route is below a predetermined threshold. 8. Navigation system material and/or travel duration data as claimed in claim 1 or 2. 9 such as claim 1 or 2 Travel speed or duration of the navigation system 10. Travel speed or duration of the navigation system as requested in item 1 or 2. 11. Navigation system line information and/or current travel information 12 as requested in item 1 or 2 The navigation system of item 1 or 2, wherein the travel data includes a speed resource in which the travel data indicates that the travel data indicates that the travel data indicates that the travel data includes a historical travel step further comprising the current travel 137837.doc 201028650 A communication circuit (272) that communicates with at least one source of data, and the processing resource is configured to receive current travel material from the at least one source via the communication circuit. 13. The navigation system of claim 11 The processing resource is configured to: update an estimate of the duration or speed of the trip to the destination depending on the current travel data received, and/or depending on the The departure time is corrected by receiving the current travel data. 14. The navigation system of claim 12 wherein the current travel material includes at least one update to the travel material stored in the memory and/or includes a traffic accident Traffic accident data and/or weather data or other environmental information. 15. The navigation system of claim 1 or 2 further includes an alarm device for monitoring the departure time between the current time and the current time. Poor and for providing an alarm signal depending on the comparison. 16. A navigation device (200) comprising: a processing resource (210) 'configured to: receive destination data representing a destination, Determining an expected travel time to the destination, and determining a departure time depending on the expected travel time to the destination, subject to the constraint that the travel time to the destination is optimized; and The output device (260) 'is used to provide the departure time to the user. 17. A method of selecting a departure time for a trip to a destination, comprising: 137837.doc 201028650 determining at least the route to the destination; obtaining travel information representing travel at different times depends on the travel material And estimating the duration or speed of the trip along the or each route to the destination; and selecting a departure time for the trip to the destination depending on the estimated travel duration or the change in the departure time. 18. A computer program product with ❿ computer executable instructions. ☆ Execute the method as requested - 137837.doc