A method implemented by a motor vehicle's navigation computer

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for navigating a motor vehicle includes the steps of: retrieving (203) a future date associated with a type of point of interest; comparing (205) the present date with the future date; if the present date is within a predetermined interval of dates preceding the future date, navigating (213) the motor vehicle to a point of interest of the type associated with the future date. A motor vehicle navigation system and a motor vehicle comprising the system are also described. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig 2

Description

Title of the invention: Computer-based method for navigating a motor vehicle. Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method for navigating a motor vehicle, a computer program product, a motor vehicle navigation system, and a motor vehicle comprising such a system. State of the art

[0002] Automotive vehicle navigation systems include a list of points of interest (often abbreviated as POI) that the user can search for to define a destination. A "point of interest" here refers to a notable location, either for its utility (e.g., a gas station, a garage, a restaurant, etc.) or for its tourist appeal or any other reason.

[0003] For example, the user of the navigation system can search for gas stations around his vehicle to buy fuel, and then select a gas station, for example the nearest one, so that the navigation system guides him to it.

[0004] However, this selection is made at the moment the user needs to go to the point of interest, and there is no associated calendar. For example, if the user has made a service appointment with a garage, there is no link between their calendar containing the appointment and the navigation system to guide them to the garage.

[0005] There is therefore a real need for a method and a navigation system for a motor vehicle that resolves all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks. Description of the invention

[0006] To overcome one or more of the aforementioned drawbacks, according to a first embodiment, a method implemented by a motor vehicle navigation computer comprises the steps of: • collecting a future date associated with a type of point of interest; • comparison of the present date with the future date; • if the present date is within a predetermined range of dates preceding the future date, navigation of the motor vehicle to a point of interest of the type associated with the future date.

[0007] Thus, the user can program destinations to be reached at a future date into the navigation system.

[0008] Specific features or embodiments, usable alone or in combination, are: • the navigation step is preceded by a validation step by a user of the motor vehicle of the navigation to the point of interest; • the validation step includes a sub-step of displaying a validation message followed by a sub-step of collecting the user's validation input; • The navigation step is preceded by a step to select the point of interest from a list of points of interest of the type associated with the future date; and / or • The navigation step is preceded by a selection step including the selection of the point of interest closest to the vehicle.

[0009] In a second embodiment, a computer program product includes program code instructions for implementing the above process when the program product is executed on a computer.

[0010] In a third embodiment, a navigation system for a motor vehicle comprises: • a suitable human-machine interface to collect a future date associated with a type of point of interest; connected to • a suitable calculator to compare the present date with the future date and, if the present date is within a predetermined range of dates preceding the future date, to navigate the motor vehicle to a point of interest of the type associated with the future date.

[0011] In a fourth embodiment, a motor vehicle includes a system according to the third embodiment. Brief description of the figures

[0012] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and with reference to the figures in the appendix in which: • [Fig. 1] represents a top view of a vehicle comprising a navigation system according to one embodiment; and • [Fig.2] represents a flowchart of a navigation process according to one embodiment. Methods of implementation

[0013] The embodiments presented below refer to a motor vehicle, a car. However, those skilled in the art understand that they are also applicable to other types of vehicles such as vans, trucks, etc.

[0014] The terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "transverse" are understood in relation to the vehicle.

[0015] With reference to [Fig.1], a motor vehicle 101 includes a navigation system 103.

[0016] The system 103 includes a computer 105 connected to a person-machine interface 107. The person-machine interface 107 is, for example, composed of a touch screen allowing the user to enter a destination and the screen to display navigation information.

[0017] The person-machine interface includes in particular access to lists of points of interest, for example in the form of drop-down menus or a virtual keyboard associated with keywords.

[0018] The computer 105 can, for example, be integrated into the vehicle control system 101 as an advanced driver-assistance system, commonly called ADAS (for "Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems"), which makes all driving decisions based on the environment and the programmed destination. The motor vehicle is then described as an autonomous vehicle. But it can also be a centralized vehicle management system that may or may not include driver assistance features.

[0019] Data transfer between the different elements is preferably carried out by a CAN (for "Controller Area Network") or LIN (for "Local Interconnect Network") type data bus.

[0020] The operation of system 103 is as follows, [Fig.2].

[0021] By way of illustration, the operation will be described assuming that the user must carry out the mandatory technical inspection of your vehicle 101 before a predetermined future date.

[0022] In step 201, the user selects the type of points of interest "technical inspection station" via the human-machine interface 107. During this step, the user does not choose a technical inspection station from the list.

[0023] In step 203, the user associates a future date with this type, namely the deadline imposed by regulations for carrying out the technical inspection. For safety, the user can also choose a date prior to this deadline to account for any unforeseen circumstances.

[0024] Then regularly, for example each time the user starts the vehicle 101, the computer 105 compares, step 205, the present date with a range of dates preceding the future recorded date.

[0025] If the present date is within the interval, the person-machine interface 107 displays, step 207, a reminder message indicating that the future date is approaching and asking if the user wants to go to a technical control station.

[0026] If the user accepts, the person-machine interface presents him, step 209, with the list of technical control stations so that the user can select one, step 211, and the computer sets up, step 213, the navigation to it.

[0027] If the user refuses, the process ends for that moment and the navigation system returns to its normal operation. However, the alert is maintained so that step 207 can be implemented at a later time, for example, at the next start-up of vehicle 101.

[0028] If the present date is not within the date range, the process is interrupted to allow the usual operation of the navigation system 103 to take place and the test is repeated at a later time.

[0029] This advantageously allows the introduction of a calendar concept into the navigation system 103 and thus allows the user to program time alerts in the navigation system.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates a system according to certain embodiments. The breakdown presented is for pedagogical purposes to highlight the different functions. However, it is understood that each block can be implemented using different means or combinations thereof, such as hardware components, software, one or more computers, and / or electronic circuits. Each component may include at least one computer or a control unit. At least one memory may be included in each component. The memory may include computer program instructions or software code.

[0031] The computers can be implemented by any type of data processing device, such as a central processing unit, a signal processing unit, a specific application integrated circuit, a programmable gate network, etc. The computers can be implemented in the form of a single controller, or a plurality of controllers or computers.

[0032] The different modules are connected to each other by data links adapted to the environment. These can be wired or wireless.

[0033] For the software, the implementation may comprise modules or units distributed in the form of procedures, functions, etc. The memories may be any type of storage circuit. They may be part of the processor circuit, or separate from it and connected via electrical data links. These may be non-volatile memories, hard drives, RAM, flash memory, etc.

[0034] The software product can be downloaded from a communication network and / or stored on a computer-readable medium. It can be directly executable by a processor or be in the form of a high-level language requiring one or more intermediate operations to be executable.

[0035] Thus the program instructions stored in memory and processed by the computers can be any type of program code, for example, a compiled or interpreted program written in a suitable programming language.

[0036] The computer program instructions stored in memory are such that, when executed by the computer, the latter carries out one or more of the steps of the processes described above.

[0037] The invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description. This description is to be considered illustrative and given by way of example and not as limiting the invention to this single description. Numerous embodiments are possible.

[0038] In a first variant, if the present date is later than the future date, the navigation system provides a manual or automatic possibility to delete the recorded future date.

[0039] In a second variant, the navigation system organizes the navigation of vehicle 101 to the nearest point of interest as soon as the user has given his agreement to go to a technical control station.

[0040] In a third, less preferred variant, the navigation system directs the vehicle to a point of interest as soon as the current date falls within the specified date range. This has the advantage of avoiding user input, but the disadvantage of forcing the user to go to the point of interest even if their schedule may not be compatible. It is therefore desirable to allow the user to interrupt this navigation.

Claims

Demands

1. A method implemented by a motor vehicle navigation computer comprising the steps of: • collecting (203) a future date associated with a type of point of interest; • comparing (205) the present date with the future date; • if the present date is within a predetermined interval of dates preceding the future date, navigating (213) the motor vehicle to a point of interest of the type associated with the future date.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the navigation step is preceded by a validation step (207) by a user of the motor vehicle of the navigation to the point of interest.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the validation step includes a substep of displaying a validation message followed by a substep of collecting the user's validation input.

4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the navigation step is preceded by a selection step (209) of the point of interest from a list of points of interest of the type associated with the future date.

5. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the navigation step is preceded by a selection step comprising the selection of the point of interest closest to the vehicle.

6. Computer program product characterized in that it includes program code instructions for implementing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 5 when the program product is executed on a computer.

7. A motor vehicle (101) navigation system (103) comprising: • a human-machine interface (107) adapted to retrieve a future date associated with a type of point of interest; connected to • a computer (105) adapted to compare the present date with the future date and, if the present date is within a predetermined interval of dates preceding the date future, navigate the motor vehicle to a point of interest of the type associated with the future date.

8. Motor vehicle comprising a system according to claim 7.

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