WO2011098195A1

WO2011098195A1 - Methods and systems for obtaining charging location information

Info

Publication number: WO2011098195A1
Application number: PCT/EP2010/070942
Authority: WO
Inventors: Teun De Haas; Sjoerd Aben; Sandra Geul
Original assignee: Tomtom International B.V.
Priority date: 2010-02-15
Filing date: 2010-12-30
Publication date: 2011-08-18
Also published as: TW201202665A

Abstract

A method for generating a database of charging locations for electric vehicles is described. The method involves a navigation apparatus determining when a charge level of a battery system of an electric vehicle changes in such a way as to indicate that a visit to a charging location has occurred. The apparatus may then transmit the position of the vehicle to a central controller for adding to the database as being a position of a charging location.

Description

Methods and Systems for Obtaining Charging Location Information Field of the Invention

This invention relates to methods and systems for obtaining information regarding the positions of charging locations for electric vehicles in a navigation system. The invention also extends to navigation apparatus for carrying out methods in accordance with the invention, and methods of operating navigation apparatus. Illustrative embodiments of the invention relate to a navigation apparatus which forms part of an integrated navigation system, e.g. an in-vehicle navigation system, in particular navigation apparatus that include Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality. The invention is also applicable to portable navigation devices (so-called PNDs), in particular PNDs that include Global Positioning System (GPS) signal reception and processing functionality.

Background to the Invention

The present invention is directed, at least in some aspects and

embodiments, to methods and systems which may include navigation apparatus, and methods of operating such 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 comprising the apparatus of the invention. 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 GO 950 LIVE model manufactured and supplied by TomTom International B.V., provide a reliable means for enabling users to navigate from one position to another.

One of the main concerns for electric vehicle users is whether they will be able to recharge their vehicle as required to complete a desired journey, and whether, when they reach a destination, it will be possible to recharge the vehicle in order to make a return journey. Such concerns are increased, for example, if a user wishes to plan a complex or lengthy trip in unknown areas. This anxiety about going somewhere and being unable to reach the destination or be sure whether it will be possible to recharge in the destination area is often referred to as "range anxiety". In the coming years it is anticipated that electric vehicle usage will become more prevalent. An accompanying expansion of the infrastructure for recharging electric vehicles will be required, and the importance of having accurate and comprehensive information regarding charging locations will only increase.

Currently navigation systems are reliant upon information received from third parties, such as energy providers regarding charging locations for electric vehicles, sometimes with additional input from a third party global data centre, such as the Renault global data centre. Such information is compiled into databases for use in the navigation system. Users may alternatively or additionally save lists of charging locations for personal use, and may share them with other users over a navigation system. However, there can be certain difficulties in keeping such information up to date, and accurate. Such techniques are also unsuited to providing information regarding charging locations in the rapidly expanding or changing charging infrastructure which can be expected in coming years. Summary of the invention

The present information relates to methods and systems for obtaining information regarding the positions of charging locations for electric vehicles.

The present invention is directed to the problem of providing improved methods and systems for obtaining information regarding at least the positions of charging locations for electric vehicles in a navigation system.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising the steps of; generating a database of charging locations for electric vehicles for use in a navigation system, wherein the method comprises using electric vehicle probe data to obtain information regarding at least the positions of charging locations for inclusion in the database.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a system, the system comprising means for generating a database of charging locations for electric vehicles for use in a navigation system, wherein the system comprises means for using electric vehicle probe data to obtain information regarding at least the positions of charging locations for inclusion in the database.

It will be appreciated that the system of the present invention may be arranged to carry out any or all of the steps described in respect of the method aspects of the invention, and conversely, the method of the invention may comprise carrying out any of the steps described in relation to the system if not explicitly stated herein.

The term "charging location" as used herein refers to any location where an electric vehicle may recharge in any manner. This may be, for example, by recharging one or more batteries of a battery system of the vehicle, and/or by replacing one or more batteries of a battery system the vehicle, and/or by adding a battery. In some embodiments a charging location is a recharging station or a battery replacement station for electric vehicles. The electric vehicle of the present invention includes a battery system. The battery system may include one or more batteries, and refers to the system which provides a source of electric power to the vehicle. The electric vehicle may be any type of electric vehicle which relies at least in part upon an electric power source. The vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of compiling a database of charging locations for electric vehicles in which electric vehicle probe data ("probe data") is used to obtain at least position information for the charging locations. The database thus includes at least position information for each charging location. "Vehicle probe data" or "electric vehicle probe data" refers to data obtained from individual probe electric vehicles i.e. from probe devices associated with the respective vehicles. In the methods and systems of the invention, the probe data includes at least information regarding the position of the vehicle, and preferably includes charge level information for a battery system of the vehicle. The probe data is used to obtain information about the existence of a charging location and position information therefor. As discussed below, it can be inferred that a vehicle has visited a charging location, and hence the position of a vehicle when at the inferred charging location may be taken as the position of the charging location. The present invention may thus provide a method for generating a database of charging locations for electric vehicles automatically using vehicle probe data, and without requiring input from third parties.

The terms "probe data" or "probe vehicle" as used herein take their customary meaning in the art.

In accordance with the invention, a probe vehicle may be any electric vehicle having a probe device associated therewith. A probe device is a device that is capable of determining its position. The probe device may provide information about its position to a central controller, preferably at different times. In this way a central controller is provided with position data for the probe device. In

embodiments in which position information is provided at different times, the probe data may be used to obtain a "trace" of the path taken by the device. The position data is typically GPS position data for the device, and the probe device may therefore include GPS positioning means. For example, in some systems, the position of the probe device may be uploaded every 5 seconds. In embodiments a central controller therefore collects individual position traces for each of a plurality of probe devices associated with probe electric vehicles.

A probe device may provide the position and time information to a central controller in any manner. The device may automatically and periodically determine position and time information and upload the position and time information to the central controller. For example, position information may be uploaded with a time stamp for different times. In these arrangements, the device may upload the information in real-time, i.e. periodically provide position information to the central controller for a current time e.g. via a wireless communications means, or may store the information locally and upload it to the remote central controller at intervals, or upon request of the central controller, upon user intervention etc. In some arrangements the probe device could store position information and upload the position information to a central controller only when suitably connected thereto e.g. when connected to a computer, or when the vehicle is at a charging location etc. Uploading may occur automatically or only on intervention of a user. In these arrangements the data may be uploaded at different times with a time stamp. This will enable a probe trace to be determined by a central controller. In embodiments, the system therefore comprises a central controller.

In embodiments of the invention the probe devices associated with the probe electric vehicles may comprise specific position sensors in a vehicle, or any type of vehicle based apparatus with positioning capability e.g. GSM or GPS capability such as mobile communications device e.g. mobile phones, or navigation apparatus. Preferably the probe data is obtained from vehicle based navigation apparatus of the probe electric vehicles, and the probe devices are therefore vehicle based navigation apparatus. The navigation apparatus may be portable navigation apparatus or more preferably an integrated navigation apparatus located in the vehicle. In accordance with the invention, the probe electric vehicles act as sensors for the probe data.

It will be appreciated that by obtaining position information for a probe vehicle at the time of a visit to a charging location, the system can indirectly obtain position information for the charging location, as the position of the vehicle at the time of the visit to the charging location may be taken to be the position of the charging location.

In embodiments of the invention, the charging location including the position information therefor is added to the database. Thus further information e.g. a name, type etc of the location may be added. The step of using vehicle probe data to obtain information regarding the position of a charging location thus comprises using the vehicle probe data to obtain information regarding the position of a probe vehicle at the time of a determined visit to a charging location. The position of the probe vehicle at the time of the determined visit to the charging location is taken to be the position of the charging location. The position information for the probe vehicle at the time of a determined visit to a charging location is thus stored in the database as the position information for the charging location. This may be repeated for each charging location for which position information is obtained using probe electric vehicle data. The system comprises means for carrying out such steps.

The method may comprise determining that the vehicle has visited a charging location.

It has been found that it is possible to infer when a vehicle visits a charging location, making it possible for the system to automatically obtain position information for the vehicle and hence charging location at the time of the visit, without the need for the vehicle driver to inform the system that they have visited a charging location. This may allow the remote monitoring of electric probe vehicles to determine when visits to charging locations occur and hence to obtain position information for the charging locations indirectly by obtaining the position information for the vehicle at the time of the visit using vehicle probe data.

In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the determined visit to a charging location is an inferred visit, and the step of using electric vehicle probe data to obtain information regarding the position of a charging station comprises inferring that an electric vehicle has visited a charging location, and using probe data for the vehicle to obtain position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location. The system comprises means for inferring that an electric vehicle has visited a charging location, and means for using probe data for the vehicle to obtain position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location. The step of inferring that a probe vehicle has visited a charging location may be carried out in a variety of manners.

In some embodiments the system comprises means for inferring that an electric probe vehicle has visited a charging location, and means for using probe data for the vehicle to obtain position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location, wherein the position information for the probe vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location provides the position information for an (inferred) charging location to be included in the database. In other words, the system infers that a charging location has been visited and hence infers the existence of the charging location. ln some embodiments the method may comprise inferring that a probe vehicle has visited a charging location by using the vehicle probe data to determine stopping location information for the vehicle. In these embodiments, preferably probe data from a plurality of probe electric vehicles is collected, and the method comprises using stopping location information determined from probe data obtained from said plurality of electric vehicles to infer the position of a charging location. By consideration of the stopping locations of a plurality of probe vehicles, a pattern may be established which enables the position of a charging location to be inferred. Thus, in some embodiments, the step of inferring the position of a charging location may comprise using only position data from said probe vehicle or vehicles.

However, preferably the method comprises using a detected change in the charge level of a battery system of a probe vehicle to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred.

The change is a change which is indicative that a charging event has occurred. Thus the change is a positive change i.e. an increase in the charge level of the battery system. The conditions under which it is inferred from a detected change that a visit to a charging location has occurred may be prespecified or user specified, and may be set for individual vehicles or the system as a whole. For example, it may be taken that an increase in charge level of a battery system of greater than a given threshold amount, or following a certain decrease in charge may be taken to indicate that charging has occurred. It will be appreciated that the charge level may increase due to the recharging or replacement of the or a vehicle battery of the battery system.

The method may comprise detecting the change in the charge level of the battery system, and may comprise monitoring a charge level of a battery system of a probe vehicle for a change indicative of a charging event. Monitoring may be carried out on a continuous or intermittent basis, or in any manner desired. The system may comprise means for detecting a change in the charge level of a battery system of a probe electric vehicle indicative of a charging event, and means for using the detected change to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred. Preferably the method comprises detecting a charge profile for the battery system of a probe electric vehicle, and using the detected charge profile to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred. The system may then comprise means for so doing. In preferred embodiments at least a plurality of probe vehicles comprise respective probe devices for providing probe data comprising position information and information regarding a charge level of a battery system of the probe electric vehicle. In embodiments of the invention, a charge profile may be detected continually, or at least for a time of a charging event. Thus the charge profile may be a charging profile i.e. relating to a charging event, or may comprise a charging profile.

In some embodiments, further information may be determined when a change in the charge level of the battery system is detected indicative of a charging event. In some embodiments the method further comprises inferring information regarding an attribute of a charging location from a detected charge profile of the battery system. The attribute preferably is a type of the charging location. The information may be inferred by reference to a shape of the charge profile. In embodiments the information regarding the attributes of the charging station is inferred from a rate of increase of the charge level of the battery system. The method may comprise inferring that a charging location is one of a battery replacement station, a quick charge station or a slow charge station using the detected charging profile of the battery system. A sudden increase in charge level may be indicative of a battery replacement i.e. as would occur at a battery replacement or so-called "quick drop" station. A more gradual increase in charge level could indicate a quick charge or slow charge station depending upon the rate of increase of charge. Again, the attributes and the way in which they are inferred from the charge profile may be set as desired. The attribute information inferred may be stored in the database. Thus in these embodiments position information and additional attribute information relating to a charging station is obtained using the probe data for inclusion in the database.

It will be appreciated that multiple techniques may be used to obtain the at least position information for charging locations e.g. using both position information for one or more probe vehicles, and charging level information for the or each vehicle, or alternatively either technique may be used alone.

Any of the above steps may be repeated in respect of each of a plurality of electric probe vehicles to obtain information regarding the position and optionally other attribute information for a plurality of charging locations. In particular, the charge level of the battery system of each of a plurality of probe vehicles may be monitored.

It will be appreciated that probe data from one or more probe electric vehicles may be used to obtain the at least position information for a given charging location in accordance with the invention in any of its embodiments, regardless of the method used to determine the position information. In some embodiments the at least position information for a given charging location may be obtained and added to the database on the basis of probe data obtained from a single electric vehicle. However, in preferred embodiments probe data from a plurality of probe electric vehicles is collected and used to obtain the at least position information for charging locations, and preferably for a given charging location included in the database. In embodiments the at least position information for a given charging location is included in the database only when the at least position information has been confirmed by probe data collected from two or more probe electric vehicles. In some embodiments, some form of averaging of the probe data may be used to obtain position information for a charging location, as different probe vehicles may yield slightly different locations for a charging station. In preferred embodiments in which attribute information is inferred for a charging location, this is preferably determined using probe data from a plurality of probe electric vehicles, and added to the database only when confirmed by data from two or more vehicles in the same manner as the position information. In embodiments a central controller may carry out the steps of collecting the probe data, and using the probe data to determine the at least position information, and to determine when the at least position information for a charging location may be included in the database.

In some embodiments, the step of generating the database of charging locations may comprise using a decision engine. The central controller may provide the decision engine. The decision engine may use probe data collected from a plurality of probe electric vehicles to infer one or more possible charging location positions, and preferably other attribute information for a charging location, and may determine when the at least position information for a given inferred charging location is to be added to the database. Thus the decision engine may determine when there is sufficient certainty as to the position or any other information relating to a given charging location to enable it to be added to the database e.g. when confirmed by sufficient probe vehicles etc. The decision engine may therefore be used to determine when the at least position information for a charging location obtained using the electric vehicle probe data is to be included in the database. It will be appreciated that the steps of the method of the invention may be carried out in different locations. In particular, steps may be performed either by individual probe devices of probe vehicles or by a central controller, or combinations thereof.

It will be appreciated that the central controller may be arranged to process individual probe traces together, e.g. by determining clusters of traces that relate to the same location. In embodiments, therefore, the method may comprise arranging probe traces obtained from each of a plurality of probe vehicles in clusters. The clusters may be clusters of traces relating to a similar or the same position. The term "cluster" refers to the assignment of a population of observations into subsets, each subset being similar in one or more respects. In this context, clusters of traces may, for example, share spatial similarities, e.g. a spatial correlation of observations or a grouping of observations having a minimum density.

In preferred embodiments a probe device of the probe vehicle is arranged to carry out the step of detecting a change in the charge level of the battery system, and preferably monitoring the charge level of the battery system, and most preferably detecting a charge profile of the battery system. The probe device may obtain charge information only for a detected change in charge level, or may do so on a regular basis. Preferably the probe device is arranged to automatically detect the change in the charge level of the battery system, and preferably monitor the charge level of the battery system or detect a charge profile of the battery system. This may be achieved by suitably connecting the probe device to the battery system of the vehicle. This could be achieved using a wired or wireless connection. In embodiments the step of detecting a change in the charge level of the battery system is performed by a probe device of the vehicle connected to the battery system of the vehicle. Position information for the inferred charging location, and/or position information used alternatively or additionally to obtain charging location information, may similarly be obtained from a probe device of an electric vehicle.

In these embodiments, the probe device may also be arranged to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred e.g. using a detected change in the charge level. As mentioned above, a visit to a charging location may be inferred using only position information e.g. stopping location information, although more preferably charge level information is alternatively or additionally used. However, alternatively the probe device may transmit data regarding the position of the probe vehicle and/or a charge level of the battery system, or at least a detected change to e.g. a central controller for use in inferring whether a visit to a charging location has occurred. For example, a probe device could continually or intermittently transmit data regarding a position of the probe vehicle and/or a charge level of a battery system of a probe electric vehicle to a central controller, automatically or upon request, or may transmit data regarding a charge level of a battery system when a given change e.g. an increase above a certain threshold occurs. Data regarding a charge level of the battery system may comprise a charge profile. Intermittent transmission may occur at regular or irregular intervals. In some embodiments a probe device could store position and/or charging level information locally, and only transmit the information to a central controller when suitably connected thereto e.g. when connected to a computer in the case of portable probe devices, or when the vehicle is being charged in the case of an integrated probe device.

In embodiments the system comprises a plurality of probe electric vehicles, wherein each probe vehicle comprises a probe device connected to a battery system of the vehicle, the probe device being arranged to monitor a charge level of the battery system for a change indicative of a charging event. The probe device is preferably arranged to detect a charge profile of the battery system. The system may further comprise means for using the detected change to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred, and means for obtaining position information from the probe device for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location. The position information may be provided with the charge information, or could be provided separately once a charging location has been inferred using the charging level information.

As mentioned above, preferably the probe device of the vehicle is a navigation apparatus. The navigation apparatus may be a portable navigation apparatus, but more preferably is an integrated navigation apparatus of the electric vehicle. An integrated navigation apparatus may be arranged to obtain charging level information for a battery system of a vehicle via a connection to the vehicle data bus e.g. a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. Such a connection will provide access to data for all systems of the car, including a battery system. Other forms of probe device may obtain charging level information for a battery system in a similar manner.

In embodiments in which a probe device is arranged to detect a change in the charge level of a battery system of a probe vehicle, and preferably to detect a charge profile of the battery system, the method may comprise the probe device inferring the information regarding the attribute of the charging location from a detected charge profile. It will be appreciated that the information may be inferred from a portion of a charge profile which is a charging profile. In other embodiments the probe device may be arranged to transmit data regarding a detected charge profile to a central controller which may then infer the attribute of the charging location. Similarly information regarding attributes could be inferred by a central controller which has obtained information regarding the detected charge profile from other sources.

The battery system monitoring system may be provided by a probe device in the form of a navigation apparatus of a vehicle. In other embodiments it is envisaged that a specific battery system charge sensor in a probe vehicle could be used, and could e.g. transmit data regarding a charge level or a charge profile to a central controller. Such information could be used by the central controller to infer that a vehicle is at a charging location and in conjunction with position data for the probe vehicle to determine the position of charging locations from probe vehicles using various sources of probe data, a database may be more rapidly built up, as it need not rely upon a single type of probe data, e.g. data obtained from navigation apparatus of vehicles. This is similar to the way in which traffic data is obtained from probe vehicles of varying types, including vehicles without navigation apparatus, but instead having specific sensors, or mobile phones which may act as sensors for the data required. Thus, while the charging location database is used by navigation apparatus, it may rely upon data which is not, or at least wholly obtained from navigation apparatus of probe vehicles. In embodiments the database is stored by a central controller of the system. The central controller may comprise a memory storing the database.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a system comprising;

a central controller, wherein the central controller is arranged to store a database of charging locations for electric vehicles for use in a navigation system,

a plurality of probe electric vehicles, wherein each probe vehicle has a battery system, a battery system monitoring system connected to the battery system for monitoring a charge level of the battery system, and a system for determining the position of the vehicle,

and wherein the system further comprises,

means for using a change in the charge level of the battery system of a probe electric vehicle detected by said battery system monitoring system to infer that the vehicle has visited a charging location, and means for obtaining position information from said system for determining the position of the vehicle for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location,

the central controller comprising means for including the inferred charging location in the database, the step of including the charging location in the database comprising including position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location in the database as the position information for the charging location.

The present invention in this further aspect 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.

The probe vehicle will comprise means for providing e.g. transmitting the position of the vehicle to a central controller.

The battery system monitoring system may be provided by a probe device e.g. a navigation apparatus of the probe vehicle connected to the battery system as discussed above, or other another form of sensor. The position determining system is preferably providing by a probe device e.g. navigation apparatus of the vehicle.

As discussed above, the means for using a change in the charge level of the battery system of a probe electric vehicle detected by said battery system monitoring system to infer that the vehicle has visited a charging location may be provided by the probe device e.g. navigation system of a vehicle, or the central controller, or combinations thereof. The means for obtaining position information from said position monitoring system for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location, may likewise be provided by a central controller, or a probe device e.g. navigation apparatus of the vehicle or combinations thereof.

The system may comprise means for providing the position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location to the central controller for inclusion in the database. In some embodiments in which a probe device e.g. navigation apparatus determines the information, the probe device e.g. navigation apparatus is arranged to transmit the information to the central controller. The battery monitoring system is preferably arranged to detect a charge profile of the battery system.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method comprising;

storing at a central controller a database of charging locations for electric vehicles for use in a navigation system, providing a plurality of probe electric vehicles, wherein each probe vehicle has a battery system, a battery system monitoring system connected to the battery system for monitoring a charge level of the battery system, and a system for determining the position of the vehicle,

using a change in the charge level of the battery system of a probe electric vehicle detected by said battery system monitoring system to infer that the vehicle has visited a charging location,

obtaining position information from said system for determining the position of the vehicle for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location, and including the inferred charging location in the database of the central controller, the step of including the charging location in the database comprising including position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location in the database as the position information for the charging location.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a navigation apparatus;

wherein the navigation apparatus comprises means for determining a position of an electric vehicle, and means for detecting a charge profile of a battery system of the electric vehicle when the apparatus is connected to the battery system of an electric vehicle, the navigation apparatus further comprising means for transmitting a detected charge profile and position information for the electric vehicle for the time to which the charge profile relates to a central controller for use in obtaining at least position information for a charging location to be included in a database of charging locations.

The invention may also provide a system comprising the navigation apparatus and the electric vehicle, and optionally the central controller.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a navigation apparatus in which the apparatus is caused to perform the steps of;

detecting a charge profile of a battery system of an electric vehicle, determining position information for the vehicle for the time to which the charge profile relates, and transmitting the detected charge profile and position information to a central controller for use in determining at least position information for a charging location to be included in a database of charging locations. ln accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a central controller comprising;

means for receiving probe data from each of a plurality of probe electric vehicles, preferably from a navigation apparatus of the or each vehicle,

wherein the probe data comprises a detected charge profile for a battery system of the vehicle and position information for the electric vehicle for the time to which the charge profile relates,

and the central controller comprises means for using the received charge profile and position information to determine at least position information for a charging location to be included in a database of charging locations.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of operating a central controller comprising causing the central controller to carry out the steps of;

receiving probe data from each of a plurality of probe electric vehicles, preferably from a navigation apparatus of the or each vehicle,

wherein the probe data comprises a charge profile for a battery system of the vehicle and position information for the electric vehicle for the time to which the charge profile relates,

and using the received charge profile and position information to determine at least position information for a charging location to be included in a database of charging locations.

The present invention in these further aspects may comprise any of all of the features described in relation to the other aspects of the invention in any of their embodiments.

It will be appreciated that at least charging level information comprising a detected charge profile is transmitted to the central controller in these

embodiments. As mentioned above, the charge profile may be or comprise a charging profile. Thus the navigation apparatus may transmit only a charge profile for a change in charge level indicative of a charging event i.e. a charging profile, with the navigation apparatus detecting when a charging profile indicates a charging event. Alternatively, a navigation apparatus may transmit charge level data comprising a charge profile to the central controller, with the central controller then using the charge profile to infer a charging event i.e. by reference to a change in charge level indicative of a charging event. The charge profile may be transmitted in a real-time basis, or may be stored by the navigation apparatus and transmitted e.g. intermittently. Thus the charge profile is used to infer a charging location as discussed above.

In accordance with yet further aspects of the invention, there is provided a navigation apparatus; wherein the navigation apparatus comprises means for determining a position of an electric vehicle and means for monitoring a charge level of a battery system of the electric vehicle when the apparatus is connected to a battery system of an electric vehicle, and means for inferring that the vehicle has visited a charging location by detecting a change in the charge level of the battery system indicative of a charging event, preferably wherein the navigation apparatus is arranged to detect a charge profile of the battery system,

the navigation apparatus further comprising means for determining position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit and means for transmitting the position information to a central controller for inclusion in a database of charging locations as position information for the charging location.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of operating a navigation apparatus comprising causing the apparatus to perform the steps of;

monitoring a charge level of a battery system of an electric vehicle, inferring that the vehicle has visited a charging location by detecting a change in the charge level of the battery system indicative of a charging event, preferably wherein the navigation apparatus detects a charge profile of the battery system, the method further comprising determining position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit and transmitting the position information to a central controller for inclusion in a database as position information for the charging location.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects, in embodiments the method comprises inferring that a visit to a charging location has occurred by a probe electric vehicle, and determining position information for the vehicle at the time of the visit to the charging location. It will be appreciated that this may be carried out in real time i.e. it may be determined that the vehicle has visited a charging location while the vehicle is at the charging location, or this may be determined at a later stage e.g. using stored data regarding charge levels and/or position of the vehicle. References to a vehicle having "visited" a location cover the case in which the vehicle has been to the location and moved on, or where the vehicle is visiting i.e. is at the location. Once it has been inferred that a visit to a charging location has occurred, the position information for the charging location together with any further information e.g. regarding the attribute of the charging location may be stored in the database. The method may comprise determining whether the charging location is already included in the database, and storing the position information (and any other information ) for the charging location if it is not already included in the database.

In accordance with any of the embodiments of the invention, in any of its aspects in which position information and charging level information is determined by probe devices associated with probe vehicles, the probe devices e.g. navigation apparatus may comprise wireless communications means to allow the data to be uploaded to a central controller in real-time. In other arrangements devices could store the data locally and upload it to a remote central controller when suitably connected thereto, e.g. for portable probe devices, when they are connected to a computer, or for integrated probe devices, when the vehicles are being charged. In preferred embodiments at least a plurality of probe vehicles provide a charge profile for a battery system of their respective vehicles and position information for the vehicle at the time to which the charge profile relates to a central controller. The position information and charge profile may be obtained from a one-off transfer of information to the central controller, or could be selected by the central controller from data uploaded at regular intervals e.g. from a probe trace.

In some embodiments the method may comprise confirming that a charging location visit has indeed occurred and/or that the charging location position is to be added to the database before adding the charging location to the database. In embodiments the method may comprise inferring that a visit to a charging location has occurred, determining position information for the vehicle at the time of the visit to the charging location, and seeking confirmation that the inferred charging location should be added to the database. The step of seeking confirmation may be carried out via a probe device e.g. navigation apparatus of the vehicle. A charging location may be added to the database only after confirmation from a user of a probe device e.g. navigation apparatus of the vehicle is obtained. A user may be offered the opportunity to confirm that the charging location position determined is correct, together with any attribute information, and that the charging location may be added to the database. In some circumstances the user may not wish the charging location position to be added to the general public database, as it may relate to a private charging station. The method may comprise seeking input from a user via a probe device e.g. navigation device as to whether the charging location should be added to a personal or public charging location database. A personal database may be stored on a memory of the navigation apparatus or could be added to a database also including public charging location information, but with a setting such that it may only be used by the particular user and is not shared with others.

While the present invention has been described with reference to embodiments in which position information for charging locations is determined automatically using vehicle probe data, it is envisaged that the method could be implemented in a manner which required user intervention. For example, a probe device may transmit probe data comprising at least position information for a charging location and optionally information regarding an attribute of the charging location to a central controller for inclusion in the database under the control of a user. A user may be able to add the charging location information to a digital map of the probe device associated with their vehicle, and cause the information to be uploaded to a central controller for inclusion in the database. The user may specify the type of the charging location. Thus, rather than inferring a charging location, the system may determine a charging location on the basis of an indication or indications provided by a user of a probe device.

In accordance with any of its aspects and embodiments, the method extends to the use of the database by one or more navigation apparatus of the navigation system to obtain position information for a charging location. The method may further comprise providing information regarding the positions of one or more charging locations from the database to one or more navigation apparatus, and preferably to a plurality of navigation apparatus of the navigation system.

Preferably the information is provided by a central controller. The method may further comprise a navigation apparatus using position information for one or more charging locations obtained from the database.

The step of a navigation apparatus using the position information may comprise providing the position information to a user, e.g. by displaying the position of a charging location, e.g. on a digital map displayed by the apparatus, and/or storing the charging location position in a memory of the navigation apparatus, and/or using the charging location in a route calculation. The navigation apparatus may comprise means for displaying a digital map to a user, a set of one or more processors configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user via the display, and a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus.

The method in embodiments of the invention may further comprise using the database to determine when a electric vehicle visits a charging location for which position information is stored, determining that no charging event occurs when the vehicle is at the charging location, and requesting information from a user regarding the reason that no charging event took place. The request may be provided via by a navigation apparatus of the user.

It will be appreciated that the database may include charging location information including position information derived from sources other than vehicle probe data. In accordance with the invention position information for at least some of the charging locations is obtained using the techniques described. The techniques may provide advantageous methods to update or expand a database including conventionally obtained charging location information. Furthermore, references to generating a database may refer to adding to an existing database, or creating a new database, or modifying an existing database. References to adding or including a charging location in the database, or at least position information therefor, may involve making the data accessible to users of the database, e.g. the public, or storing the data in the database. For example, data may be included in the database and not made accessible until it is more certain that the data is correct.

The steps described above for detecting when a vehicle has visited an charging location, and inferring information regarding the attributes of the charging location etc may be carried out for any or each of the plurality of probe vehicles whose probe data is used to determine position information for charging location. Thus references to the vehicle can refer to the or a or each probe vehicle. Probe data from one or more individual probe electric vehicles is used to obtain position information for any given charging location. The same vehicle may yield probe data for multiple charging locations.

The database of charging locations is a central database of the navigation system. It is accessible by a plurality of navigation apparatus. The database is therefore for use by a plurality of navigation apparatus of a navigation system. It is not a database of an individual navigation apparatus. The database of charging locations includes at least position information for each charging location. The database may include other types of information regarding the nature of the charging location and other types of information as described below. The position information is information which will enable a navigation apparatus to navigate to a charging location.

The method may further comprise storing the obtained information regarding the positions of the charging locations in the database, and the system may comprise means for storing the information in the database.

In accordance with the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments, the system, apparatus, navigation apparatus, central controller or probe device may comprise a set of one or more processors arranged to carry out any of the steps mentioned. Any step may be carried out by any one of the processors, or by multiple processors. Any reference to "means for" carrying out a step, may refer to there being a set of one or more processors for carrying out the step. Any reference to a processor, may refer to a set of one or more processors, and a step may be performed by one processor or a combination of processors.

The principles of the present invention are applicable to any form of navigation apparatus. In accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention the navigation apparatus referred to herein may comprise a display for displaying a digital map to a user, a processor configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user via the display, and a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus.

The principles of the present invention in any of its aspects and

embodiments are applicable to methods and systems using any form of navigation apparatus. One particular area of utility is in relation to portable navigation devices (PND). In embodiments, therefore, the navigation apparatus is an apparatus of a portable navigation device (PND). In accordance with a further aspect, the present invention provides a portable navigation device (PND) comprising the apparatus in accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention described.

The invention is also applicable to navigation apparatus which is provided as part of an integrated navigation system. For example the apparatus may form part of an in-vehicle integrated navigation system. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention provides a navigation system comprising a navigation apparatus in accordance with any of the aspects or embodiments of the invention described. The navigation system may be an integrated in-vehicle navigation system.

Regardless of its implementation, a navigation apparatus of the present invention may comprise a processor, memory, and digital 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. 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.

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 device. For example the invention may be implemented using a suitable computer system arranged to execute navigation software. The system may be a mobile or portable computer system e.g. a mobile telephone or laptop.

The present invention extends to a computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable when run on a navigation apparatus and/or central controller in accordance the invention in any of its aspects or embodiments to perform a method in accordance with any of the embodiments of the invention. The method performed may further comprise any of the steps described in respect to any of the other aspects or embodiments of the invention.

The present invention in accordance with the aspects may include any or all of the features described in relation to the other aspects of the invention in any of their embodiments to the extent they are not mutually inconsistent.

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.

Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating one embodiment of a method in accordance with the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Some preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to Figure 5. The description with respect to Figures 1 -4B provides background information to facilitate understanding of the invention in its various embodiments. The embodiments of the invention are described by reference to Figure 5.

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 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 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 route planning and 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 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 nonvolatile 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 "realtime" 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. ln 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.

Some preferred embodiments for building a database of charging locations will now be described by reference to Figure 5. It will be appreciated that charging locations may be referred to in a navigation system as "ePOI", being electric vehicle points of interest. A charging location may be a charging station where an electric vehicle user may charge the battery system of their vehicle in any manner, e.g. by recharging a battery, or replacing a battery of the system. Thus a charging location is used herein in its broadest sense as referring to any place where the user of an electric vehicle may replenish the charge of the battery system of the vehicle or obtain higher levels of charge in any manner by battery replacement, charging, supplement etc.

In accordance with the invention, information regarding the positions of charging locations is obtained using vehicle probe data. In the preferred embodiments the probe vehicles are vehicles which have a probe device in the form of a navigation apparatus. For ease of reference we will refer to navigation apparatus in the form of an integrated navigation apparatus However the navigation apparatus could be a portable navigation apparatus such as a PND.

At least in preferred embodiments, the method involves monitoring the charge levels of a battery system of an electric vehicle, and determining whether there is a positive change in the charge level of the system which may be indicative of a charging event. The system may then infer that the vehicle has visited a charging location, and can determine the vehicle's location at the time when the charging event occurred. The system may also determine from the nature of the charge profile of the battery system, the type of charging location which was visited i.e. whether it is a location which provides battery replacement services, or fast or slow type recharging of a vehicle battery. The system can determine whether the charging location is already present in a database of charging locations, and if not, may add it to the database, optionally subject to confirmation and preferences of a user.

In this way, the invention may allow new charging locations to be added to the central database of charging locations rapidly and automatically. This will enable the system to respond to the demands posed by expansion of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure which will be required to support projected levels of electric vehicle usage in the future. The invention allows charging location position information to be obtained without the need to rely on data from third parties as is currently the case, and may result in up to date information being obtained by using the navigation apparatus of vehicles as a probe device. This data may supplement or replace data obtained from conventional sources.

One preferred embodiment of the method of the present invention will now be described.

An integrated navigation device of an electric vehicle is connected to the vehicle battery system in such a way that it may monitor the charge level of the battery of the vehicle. This is done by suitably connecting the navigation device to the vehicle data bus e.g. the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus. This provides the navigation device with access to data for all vehicle systems including the battery system which provides power to the vehicle.

The navigation device monitors the charge level of the battery system of the electric vehicle, determining a charge profile for the battery system. The charge profile is transmitted to a central controller with position data for the position of the navigation device and hence vehicle - S1. The charge and position data may be transmitted to the central controller in real-time via a wireless link providing a probe trace, or may be stored by the navigation device and uploaded periodically, or when the device is suitably connected to the central controller. For example, the charging and position data may only be uploaded during charging of the vehicle or may be uploaded at intervals regardless of whether a charging event has been detected. The charge profile may only relate to a period of a charging event.

When the central controller detects an increase in the charge level of a battery system of a probe vehicle on the basis of the transmitted probe data this is taken as being indicative that a charging event of some type has occurred. - S2. The central controller infers that a visit to a charging location has occurred - S3.

The central controller determines the position of the vehicle at the time when the charging event occurred i.e. when the inferred visit to a charging location took place - S4.

The central controller may additionally may infer the type of charging location that has been or is being visited using a detected charge profile received from the navigation device. By way of example, if the charge level suddenly increases the central controller may infer that the user has replaced one or more depleted batteries with a charged battery. This will result in an inference that the charging location is a quick drop (QD) or battery replacement station. Alternatively the charging profile may show a gradual increase in charging level. If this is a relatively slow rate of increase the system may infer that the user has used a recharging station with a low voltage supply, for example 1 10 -220 volts depending on the region. Such a station is a slow charge station (SC). If the charge level of a battery increases quickly, but still gradually, the navigation device may infer that the user has recharged their vehicle at a charging station that operates at more than 220 volts, i.e. a quick charge station (QC).

When a visit to a charging location has been inferred, and the position information for the charging location determined, the position and type of the charging location may be stored by the central controller in the database for access by other navigation apparatus of the system.

Before adding charging location information to the database, other steps may be taken.

In step 6, the central controller may cause the navigation apparatus to ask the user whether they wish to add the charging location to a charging location database for future use. The user may be prompted to give a "yes" or "no" answer to such a question. If the user answers "Yes", the user may additionally be asked in step 7 whether the charging location is for public or private use. If they select that it is a public charging location it will be added to the central database of charging locations which is accessible by all navigation apparatus of the system, and may be shared with other users- step 8. If it is a private charging location, such as a private house, then it may be added to a user personal database. The private charging location database may be a database stored locally in a memory of a navigation apparatus, or may be a central database, with an appropriate setting to result in its content only being usable or viewable by the user. The central database may be stored by a memory of a central controller.

In some embodiments, a charging location may not be added to the database, or at least made available for access by other navigation apparatus until it has been confirmed by at least one further probe device. The probe data obtained from the electric vehicle may be used with probe data obtained from other probe vehicles by a decision engine, which may be associated with the central controller. The decision engine may determine when there is sufficient certainty in a charging location for it to be added to the database of the central controller.

In yet other embodiments, it is envisaged that position data may be obtained from probe devices associated with probe electric vehicles and used to obtain charging location information without needing to use charging level information for the vehicles to infer the location of charging locations. For example, the presence of charging locations may be inferred using stopping location data for probe devices.

In yet other embodiments, position information and preferably charging information may be transmitted from a navigation apparatus to a central controller upon user intervention, rather than automatically. Thus the user may cause the navigation apparatus to provide the data to the central controller when a charging location is visited. This could be carried out using a "Map Share" type system. The data could be uploaded directly from a navigation apparatus, or could be uploaded via a computer of the user e.g. by transferring data from the navigation apparatus to the computer for uploading.

Some form of averaging may be carried out of the position information for charging locations determined using the probe data.

It will be appreciated that rather than being carried out by a central controller, a number of the steps of the method may be carried out remotely by the navigation apparatus. For example a navigation apparatus may infer when a charging event and hence a visit to a charging location has occurred using a detected charge profile, and may then transmit the position information for the relevant time to a central controller. The navigation apparatus may additionally infer the type of charging location. The navigation apparatus may just transmit position information to the central controller, or the charge profile may additionally be transmitted. The central controller may then confirm the inference, or use the data with data obtained from other probe devices to confirm the charging location information as described above.

In other arrangements, data regarding charge levels could be transmitted directly from a specific charge sensor, rather than a navigation apparatus of a probe vehicle to a central controller. The central controller or server may use this information together with position information from a position sensor of the probe vehicle to make inferences regarding visits to charging locations, and the location of the charging locations in the same way that as when a navigation apparatus is used in other embodiments described above.

Once the position information and the attribute information for a charging location is stored in the database, it may be accessible to any of the navigation apparatus of the system, and may for example be displayed on a digital map of a navigation apparatus, or listed as a result when a search for charging location is carried out.

It will be appreciated that changes to charging location information in the database may be submitted by users using various methods, for example their

PND, or via user accounts such as TomTom Home™ and other channels which are currently used to share map changes. This may provide a way for the database of charging locations to be updated or corrected based on user experience.

In one preferred feature, for example, if a PND notes that a user has stopped at a stored charging location, and no increase in a charge level of a battery of their vehicle is detected, the user may be asked via their PND why they did not carry out charging at the location. This may reveal for example that an charging location no longer exists, was closed, is not public etc. allowing the database to be updated.

It will also be appreciated that whilst various aspects and embodiments of the present invention have heretofore been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular arrangements set out herein and instead extends to encompass all arrangements, and modifications and alterations thereto, which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

For example, whilst embodiments described in the foregoing detailed description refer to GPS, it should be noted that the navigation device may utilise any kind of position sensing technology as an alternative to (or indeed in addition to) GPS. For example, the navigation device may utilise other global navigation satellite systems, such as the European Galileo system. Equally, it is not limited to satellite-based systems, but could readily function using ground-based beacons or other kind of system that enables the device to determine its geographic location.

It will also be well understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art that whilst the preferred embodiment may implement certain functionality by means of software, that functionality could equally be implemented solely in hardware (for example by means of one or more SICs (application specific integrated circuit)) or indeed by a mix of hardware and software.

Lastly, it should be noted that whilst the accompanying claims set out particular combinations of features described herein, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the particular combinations hereafter claimed, but instead extends to encompass any combination of features or embodiments herein disclosed irrespective of whether or not that particular combination has been specially enumerated in the accompanying claims at this time.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A method comprising the steps of;

generating a database of charging locations for electric vehicles for use in a navigation system, wherein the method comprises using electric vehicle probe data to obtain at least information regarding the positions of charging locations for inclusion in the database.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of using electric vehicle probe data to obtain information regarding the positions of charging locations comprises using the electric vehicle probe data to obtain information regarding the position of a probe electric vehicle at the time of a determined visit to a charging location, wherein the position information for the probe vehicle at the time of the determined visit to the charging location provides the position information for the charging location.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of using electric vehicle probe data to obtain at least information regarding the positions of charging locations for inclusion in the database comprises inferring that an electric probe vehicle has visited a charging location, and using probe data for the vehicle to obtain position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location.

4. The method of claim 2 or 3 comprising detecting a change in the charge level of a battery system of a probe electric vehicle indicative of a charging event, and using the detected change to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred, preferably wherein the change is detected by a navigation apparatus of the probe electric vehicle connected to the battery system of the vehicle.

5. The method of claim 2,3 or 4 comprising monitoring a charge level of a battery system of the probe vehicle, preferably wherein the monitoring step is performed by a navigation apparatus of the vehicle connected to the battery system.

6. The method of any of claims 3 to 5 further comprising detecting a charge profile of the battery system of the vehicle.

7. The method of claim 6 comprising using the detected charge profile to infer information for inclusion in the database regarding a type of the inferred charging location, preferably comprising inferring that the charging location is one of a battery replacement station, a quick charge station or a slow charge station using the detected charge profile of the battery.

8. The method of any preceding claim further comprising providing position information for one or more charging locations from the database to one or more navigation apparatus of the navigation system, and preferably to a plurality of navigation apparatus.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising a navigation apparatus using the position information obtained from the database, wherein the step of using the position information comprises one or more of; providing the position information to a user, displaying the position of a charging location on a digital map, storing a charging location position in a memory of the navigation apparatus, and/or using the charging location in a route calculation.

10. A system comprising;

means for generating a database of charging locations for electric vehicles for use in a navigation system, wherein the system comprises means for using electric vehicle probe data to obtain at least information regarding the positions of charging locations for inclusion in the database.

1 1 . The system of claim 10 wherein the system comprises means for inferring that an electric probe vehicle has visited a charging location, and means for using probe data for the vehicle to obtain position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location, wherein the position information for the probe vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location provides the position information for the charging location.

12. The system of claim 10 or 1 1 comprising means for detecting a change in the charge level of a battery system of a probe electric vehicle indicative of a charging event, and means for using the detected change to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred.

13. The system of claim 1 1 or 12 comprising a plurality of probe electric vehicles, wherein each probe vehicle comprises a navigation apparatus connected to a battery system of the vehicle, the navigation apparatus being arranged to monitor a charge level of the battery system for a change indicative of a charging event, the system further comprising means for using the detected change to infer that a visit to a charging location has occurred, and means for obtaining position information from the navigation apparatus for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit to the charging location.

14. The system of claim 1 1 or 12 wherein the navigation apparatus is arranged to detect a charge profile for the battery system of the vehicle.

15. The system of any of claims 10-14 comprising a central controller, the central controller being arranged to store said database.

16. The system of any of claims 10-15 further comprising means for providing position information for one or more charging locations from the database to one or more navigation apparatus of the navigation system, preferably wherein the system comprises a central controller storing the database, and the central controller provides said information to the one or more navigation apparatus.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the navigation apparatus to which the position information is provided comprises means for using the position information to carry out any or all of the steps of; displaying the position of a charging location on a digital map, storing a charging location position in a memory of the navigation apparatus, and/or use the charging location in a route calculation.

18. The system of any of claims 13-17 wherein each navigation apparatus comprises means for determining a position of the navigation apparatus, display means for displaying a digital map to a user, a set of one or more processors configured to access digital map data and cause a digital map to be displayed to a user via the display, and a user interface operable by a user to enable the user to interact with the apparatus.

19. A system comprising;

a plurality of probe electric vehicles, wherein each probe vehicle has a battery system, a battery system monitoring system connected to the battery system for monitoring a charge level of the battery system, and a system for determining the position of the vehicle and providing the position information to the central controller,

and wherein the system further comprises,

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the probe vehicle comprises a navigation apparatus connected to the battery system of the vehicle, the navigation apparatus providing the battery system monitoring system and the position determining system, preferably wherein the navigation apparatus comprises means for detecting a charge profile of the battery system, and wherein the navigation apparatus is arranged to transmit a detected charge profile and position information for the electric vehicle for the time to which the charge profile relates to the central controller.

21. A method comprising;

the method comprising using a change in the charge level of the battery system of a probe electric vehicle detected by said battery system monitoring system to infer that the vehicle has visited a charging location,

22. A navigation apparatus;

wherein the navigation apparatus comprises means for determining a position of an electric vehicle, and means for detecting a charge profile of a battery system of the electric vehicle when the apparatus is connected to a battery system of an electric vehicle,

the navigation apparatus further comprising means for transmitting a detected charge profile and position information for the vehicle for the time to which the charge profile relates to a central controller for use in obtaining at least position information for a charging location to be included in a database of charging locations.

23. A method of operating a navigation apparatus comprising causing the apparatus to perform the steps of;

detecting a charge profile of a battery system of an electric vehicle, determining position information for the vehicle for the time to which the charge profile relates, and transmitting the detected charge profile and position information to a central controller for use in obtaining at least position information for a charging location to be included in a database of charging locations.

24. A central controller comprising; means for receiving probe data from each of a plurality of probe electric vehicles, preferably from a navigation apparatus of the or each vehicle,

25. A method of operating a central controller comprising causing the central controller to carry out the steps of;

26. A navigation apparatus;

wherein the navigation apparatus comprises means for determining a position of an electric vehicle and means for monitoring a charge level of a battery system of the electric vehicle when the apparatus is connected to a battery system of an electric vehicle, preferably wherein the navigation apparatus is arranged to detect a charge profile of the battery system,

the navigation apparatus further comprising means for inferring that the vehicle has visited a charging location by detecting a change in the charge level of the battery system indicative of a charging event, and means for determining position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit, and means for transmitting the position information to a central controller for inclusion in a database of charging locations as position information for the charging location.

27. A method of operating a navigation apparatus comprising causing the apparatus to perform the steps of; monitoring a charge level of a battery system of an electric vehicle, preferably wherein the navigation apparatus detects a charge profile of the battery system,

inferring that the vehicle has visited a charging location by detecting a change in the charge level of the battery system indicative of a charging event, the method further comprising determining position information for the vehicle at the time of the inferred visit and transmitting the position information to a central controller for inclusion in a database as position information for the charging location.

28. The method or system of any preceding claim wherein the step of inferring that the vehicle has visited a charging location occurs while the vehicle is at the charging location.

29. The system or method of any preceding claim wherein the navigation apparatus is a portable navigation device (PND) located in an electric vehicle or an integrated in-vehicle navigation system.

30. A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable to perform a method according to any of claims 1 to 9, 21 , 23, 25 or 27.

31 . A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable when run on a navigation apparatus in accordance with claim 22 or 26 to perform a method in accordance with claim 23 or 27.

32. A computer program product comprising computer readable instructions executable when run on a central controller in accordance with claim 24 to perform a method in accordance with claim 25.