Navigation device & method

Abstract

A digital processing apparatus is disclosed for processing live traffic information in order to predict future evolution of the live traffic information. The apparatus includes, in at least one embodiment, a processing resource configured to: receive an item of live traffic information representing a traffic journey-time delay, at a respective time of incidence; store information indicating the journey-time delay and the respective time in a memory, to create a history of variation of the respective journey-time delay with respect to incidence time; and determine from the history at least one characteristic of the journey-time delay indicative of predicted evolution into the future of the journey-time delay from time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information.

1 . Digital processing apparatus for processing live traffic information in order to predict future evolution of the live traffic information, the apparatus comprising a processing resource configured to:
 receive an item of live traffic information representing a traffic journey-time delay, at a respective time of incidence;   store information indicating the journey-time delay and the respective time in a memory, to create a history of variation of the respective journey-time delay with respect to incidence time; and   determine from the history at least one characteristic of the journey-time delay indicative of predicted evolution into the future of the journey-time delay from time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information.   
     
     
         2 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing resource is configured to determine said at least one characteristic by extrapolation of the history from the time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information, to a future time of incidence. 
     
     
         3 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the future time of incidence is between about 5 minutes and about 1 hour in the future with respect to the time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information. 
     
     
         4 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation selected from: the journey-time delay increasing; the journey-time delay decreasing, the journey-time delay being substantially stable. 
     
     
         5 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation selected from: the location of the journey-time delay being substantially stationary; the location of the journey-time delay being in motion. 
     
     
         6 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation indicative of the whether a start location of traffic congestion is moving. 
     
     
         7 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation of speed of movement. 
     
     
         8 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation of whether the congestion is growing at the start location. 
     
     
         9 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation indicative of the whether a finish location of traffic congestion is moving. 
     
     
         10 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation of speed of movement. 
     
     
         11 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation of whether the congestion is growing at the finish location. 
     
     
         12 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processing apparatus is a navigation device. 
     
     
         13 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the navigation device is a portable navigation device. 
     
     
         14 . The processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a memory resource for storing a planned navigation route, and wherein the processing apparatus is operable to calculate a prediction of journey-time including journey-time delay. 
     
     
         15 . A method of processing live traffic information to predict future evolution of the live traffic information, the method comprising:
 receiving an item of live traffic information representing a traffic journey-time delay, at a respective time of incidence;   storing information indicating the journey-time delay and the respective time in a memory, to create a history of variation of the respective journey-time delay with respect to incidence time; and   determining from the history at least one characteristic of the journey-time delay indicative of predicted evolution into the future of the journey-time delay from time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information.   
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the determination step comprises extrapolating the history from the time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information, to a future time of incidence. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the future time of incidence is between about 5 minutes and about 1 hour in the future with respect to the time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation selected as one or more from: the journey-time delay increasing; the journey-time delay decreasing; the journey-time delay being substantially stable; a location of the journey-time delay being substantially stationary; a location of the journey-time delay being in motion; a start location of traffic congestion moving; a representation of speed of movement of the start location; a representation of whether the congestion is growing at the start location; a representation indicative of the whether a finish location of traffic congestion is moving; a representation of speed of movement of the finish location; a representation of whether the congestion is growing at the finish location. 
     
     
         19 . A computer program which when executed by a processing resource implements a method of processing live traffic information to predict future evolution of the live traffic information, the method comprising:
 receiving an item of live traffic information representing a traffic journey-time delay, at a respective time of incidence;   storing information indicating the journey-time delay and the respective time in a memory, to create a history of variation of the respective journey-time delay with respect to incidence time; and   determining from the history at least one characteristic of the journey-time delay indicative of predicted evolution into the future of the journey-time delay from time of incidence of a most recent item of live traffic information.   
     
     
         20 . A machine-readable information carrier carrying or embodying a computer program as defined in  claim 19 . 
     
     
         21 . A signal format for a live traffic information stream, the signal format including instances of traffic delay information, each instance including a current-time information field representing a current delay to journey-time, and an evolution information field representing at least one characteristic indicative of predicted evolution of the journey-time delay into the future. 
     
     
         22 . The signal format of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one characteristic includes a representation selected as one or more from: the journey-time delay increasing; the journey-time delay decreasing; the journey-time delay being substantially stable; a location of the journey-time delay being substantially stationary; a location of the journey-time delay being in motion; a start location of traffic congestion moving; a representation of speed of movement of the start location; a representation of whether the congestion is growing at the start location; a representation indicative of the whether a finish location of traffic congestion is moving; a representation of speed of movement of the finish location; a representation of whether the congestion is growing at the finish location.