Navigation device and method

Abstract

A method of providing a logging function in a portable navigation device and a portable device adapted to provide such a function are described. The method includes the step of storing location information relating to current position and time-specific information relating to a current position in a non-volatile memory of the device to create a log. The storage of such information only occurs when one of a specified set of events occurs, the set of events being specific to either a navigation mode or a free-driving mode of operation of the device.

1 . A method of providing a logging function in a personal navigation device, the method comprising the steps of storing information relating to current position and time-specific information relating to said current position in a non-volatile memory of the device to create a logfile, said step of storing occurring only when one of a specified set of events occurs, said set of events being at least one of: user-specification of an spatial, temporal or device event, calculation of a new route, deviation from a calculated route, recalculation of a new route, reaching a destination, powering the device on and/or off, arriving at or departing from any favorite or recent location stored in the memory of the device, deviation of the device from the current direction and road along which the device is traveling. 
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said set of events is specific to either a navigation mode or a free-driving mode of operation of the device, said set of events particular to a navigation mode being different from said set of events particular to a free driving mode. 
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein said set of events particular to a navigation mode include at least one of user-specification of a temporal, spatial, or device-based event, calculation of a new route, recalculation of a new route, deviation from a previously calculated route, and reaching a destination; and said set of events particular to a free driving mode being at least one of of: user-specification of an temporal, spatial, or device-based event, powering the device on and/or off, deviation of the device from the current direction and road along which the device is traveling. 
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining whether a logging function is enabled on said personal navigation device, and   performing the logging function only if such a function is enabled.   
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in a navigation mode of operation of said device, said set of events which triggers a logging of information, includes powering on or off of the device. 
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein, in a free-driving mode, said event of a deviation triggers a logging of information when said device recognizes a change in road identification, as represented in map data by reference to which current device location is identified to said user. 
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining whether said device is operating in a business or personal capacity, and logging information in a manner categorized according to one or other of these operative uses. 
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the steps of:
 compressing a free-driving mode information log comprising a plurality of events spatially and temporally distinguished, said compression including calculating a notional route between one or more of an initial location at which said logging of information began and one or more different locations later in said log, and   iterating through event information included in said log to determine whether any of said locations identified in said log file are represented on said notional route so as to ultimately determine a most compressed representation, being one notional route or a combination of a plurality thereof, of the collection of events in an original log file.   
   
   
       9 . A personal navigation device for providing a logging function, the personal navigation device comprising means for storing information relating to current position and time-specific information relating to said current position in a non-volatile memory of the device to create a log file, said means for storing occurring only when one of a specified set of events occurs, said set of events being at least one of: user-specification of an spatial, temporal or device event, calculation of a new route, deviation from a calculated route, recalculation of a new route, reaching a destination, powering the device on and/or off, arriving at or departing from any favorite or recent location stored in the memory of the device, deviation of the device from the current direction and road along which the device is traveling. 
   
   
       10 . The personal navigation device according to  claim 1 , wherein said set of events is specific to either a navigation mode or a free-driving mode of operation of the device, said set of events particular to a navigation mode being different from said set of events particular to a free driving mode. 
   
   
       11 . The personal navigation device according to  claim 10 , wherein said set of events particular to a navigation mode include at least one of user-specification of a temporal, spatial, or device-based event, calculation of a new route, recalculation of a new route, deviation from a previously calculated route, and reaching a destination; and said set of events particular to a free driving mode being at least one of of: user-specification of an temporal, spatial, or device-based event, powering the device on and/or off, deviation of the device from the current direction and road along which the device is traveling. 
   
   
       12 . The personal navigation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for determining whether a logging function is enabled on said personal navigation device, and   means for performing the logging function only if such a function is enabled.   
   
   
       13 . The personal navigation device according to  claim 1 , wherein, in a navigation mode of operation of said device, said set of events which triggers a logging of information, includes powering on or off of the device. 
   
   
       14 . The personal navigation device according to  claim 1 , wherein, in a free-driving mode, said event of a deviation triggers a logging of information when said device recognizes a change in road identification, as represented in map data by reference to which current device location is identified to said user. 
   
   
       15 . The personal navigation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for determining whether said device is operating in a business or personal capacity, and logging information in a manner categorized according to one or other of these operative uses. 
   
   
       16 . The personal navigation device according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 means for compressing a free-driving mode information log comprising a plurality of events spatially and temporally distinguished, said compression including calculating a notional route between one or more of an initial location at which said logging of information began and one or more different locations later in said log, and   means for iterating through event information included in said log to determine whether any of said locations identified in said log file are represented on said notional route so as to ultimately determine a most compressed representation, being one notional route or a combination of a plurality thereof, of the collection of events in an original log file.