7
Optionally,
the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a transmitter that is configured to
transmit the first location of the vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is
connectable to a user device that is communicable with t
he vehicle navigation apparatus.
5
Advantageously, the third party is automatically aware of the vehicle's progress to the
destination.
Optionally,
the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to transmit the first location in
dependence on an input rece
ivable from a user of the vehicle navigation apparatus.
10
Advantageously, the third party is automatically aware of the vehicle's progress to the
destination.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for navigating a
15
veh
icle, comprising: determining, by a processing means, a first location in dependence on a
first signal receivable by a receiving means and mapping data stored in a storage means; the
processing means being configured to determine a third party's location i
n dependence on a
second signal receivable by a receiving means and the mapping data stored in the storage
means; the processor being configured to determine a destination
in dependence on at least
20
one known location stored in the mapping data, wherein the
determined destination is
different from the third party's location; the processing means being configured to determine
a route from the first location to the determined destination; and indicating the route from the
first location to the determined desti
nation by a display means, thereby to enable vehicle
navigation from the first location to the determined destination.
25
According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the
vehicle navigation apparatus
:
receiving m
eans
;
processing means; display means;
and
storage
means having mapping data
;
wherein:
the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to:
determine by the processing means a first location of a vehicle to which the vehicle
30
navigation apparatus is connectab
le, in dependence of a first signal receivable by the receiver
and the mapping data stored in the storage means; to determine a third party's location in
dependence on a second signal receivable by the receiving means and the mapping data
8
stored in the sto
rage means; to determine a destination
in dependence on at least one known
location stored in the mapping data, wherein the determined destination is different from the
third party's location; to determine a route from the first location to the determined
destination; and to indicate the route from the first location to the determined destination by
the display means, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the
5
determined destination.
According to a still further aspect of the inven
tion, there is provided a controller configured
to: determine a first location in dependence on a first signal receivable by the controller and
mapping data accessible by the controller; determine a third party's location in dependence on
10
a second signal r
eceivable by the controller and the mapping data accessible by the controller;
determine a destination
in dependence on at least one known location stored in mapping data
accessible by the controller, wherein the determined destination is different from th
e third
party's location; determine a route from the first location to the determined destination; and
output a signal indicating the route from the first location to the determined destination,
15
thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location
to the determined destination.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product
comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the
processor to carry out a method comprising: det
ermining, by a processor, a first location in
20
dependence on a first signal receivable by a receiver and mapping data stored in a memory;
determining, by the processor, a third party's location in dependence on a second signal
receivable by a receiver and t
he mapping data stored in the memory; determining, by the
processor, a destination
in dependence on at least one known location stored in the mapping
data, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location;
25
determining, by the
processor, a route from the first location to the determined destination;
and indicating the route from the first location to the determined destination by a display,
thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destinati
on.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable
30
medium having stored thereon a computer program product.
9
Within the scope of this application it is expressly int
ended that the various aspects,
embodiments, exa
mples and alternatives set out in t
he preceding paragraphs, in the
claims
and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual
features
thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all
embodiments and/or
features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or
combination, unless such
5
features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to
change any originally filed
claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to
amend any orig
inally filed
claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any
other claim although not
originally claimed in that manner.
10
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
THE
DRAWINGS
One or more embodiments of the invention will now
be described, by way of example
only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
15
Figure 1 is a
schematic of a vehicle navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the
invention;
Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;
20
Figure 3 is a
schematic of elements of a controller according to an embodiment of the
invention; and
Figure 4 is a schematic of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.
25
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 is a schematic of a vehicle navigation apparatus 10
according to an embodiment of
the invention. There is shown a controller 12, a processor 14 and a memory 16. The
30
controller 12 is in communication with a receiver 20 via communication path 19. The
controller 12 is also in communication with a transmitter 2
2 via communication path 21. The
controller 12 is also in communication with an output 18 via communication path 17. The
10
output 18 is a display. Alternatively, or additionally, the output 18 is an audio output.
Alternatively, or additionally, the output 18
is configured to provide audio and visual outputs.
In an embodiment the controller 12 comprises a memory 16. In a further embodiment, the
controller 12 comprises a memory 16, a processor 14 and/or any other required component to
5
implement the functionali
ty described herein. Alternatively, or additionally the memory 16 is
external to the controller 12 and the controller 12 comprises a processor 14.
Alternatively, or additionally, the receiver 20 and the transmitter 22 are combined in a single
integrated t
ransceiver. Alternatively, or additionally, the receiver 20, the transmitter 22 and/or
10
a transceiver are integrated into the controller 12.
The vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is associated with a vehicle, such as the vehicle 50 of
Figure 4. Additionally
, or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 may form part of
an infotainment system that is used to coordinate the reception of data from third parties and
15
indicate to a user of a vehicle the route from a current location to a determined destin
ation.
In situations where a third party user wishes to arrange a meeting with the user of a vehicle,
but the location of the third party is somewhere that is inaccessible, for example a rocky area
that is unsuitable for cars, or a beach, or a pedestriani
zed area of a town or city, the vehicle
20
navigation apparatus 10 is used to determine the most appropriate place to park a vehicle so
that the third party and the user of the vehicle can meet with the least inconvenience for the
third party user and/or the
user of the vehicle. This is described in more detail below, with
reference to Figure 2.
25
Figure 2 is a flow chart S100 of a method for navigating a vehicle, according to an
embodiment of the invention. The method is implemented by a vehicle navigation app
aratus,
such as the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 described with reference to Figure 1.
The process commences at S102, where the process is
initiated
by a third party user. A third
30
party user is a user who is at a location and wishes to arrange a meetin
g with the user of the
vehicle.
P
referably,
in some situations,
the third party would meet the user of the vehicle at
the third party's location.
Th
e third party's location may therefore be the
desired location.
11
However, the
desired location may not
always
be
readily
accessible.
The third party user
sends data to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 via a short message service (SMS) message.
The data
sent by the third party user
is received by the receiver 20 of the vehicle navigation
apparatus 10
at step S1
04
.
The process then moves to step S106
, where t
he data is passed to
the controller 12 via the communication path 19
in order to determine the location of the third
5
party
user. The
process then moves to step S108.
At step S108,
following
receipt of the da
ta, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 determines
whether the data comprises
Global Navigation Satellite System (G
N
SS) d
ata. If the data does
not comprise
positioning data (such as GNSS data)
data, the process moves to step S118,
10
where it ends. As describ
ed below, the principles are applicable to other forms of data that
determines the position of an object, e.g., other satellite based positioning, Wi
-
Fi based
positioning etc. If the data does comprise
GNSS
data, the process moves to step S110.
At step S
110, the controller 12 determines a destination. The destination is determined based
15
on a comparison of mapping data retrieved from the memory 16 with the
GNSS
data received
at the vehicle navigation apparatus 10. The controller 12 determines a destination
from
known destinations stored in the memory 16. The determined destination is the closest
destination of the known destinations to the location of the third party
(
which may be
the
closest destination of the known destinations to the desired location)
. I
n an example, when
20
the controller 12 determines that the location of the third party user is inaccessible to the
vehicle, e.g., if the
third party
use
r
is on a beach, or in a field, where vehicular access is not
possible, or restricted, the controller dete
rmines the destination as the closest possible
location
to the desired location
that the vehicle has access to and can park at. For example,
the controller 12 determines the nearest parking bay with vehicular access to the third party
25
user's location. Alte
rnatively, or additionally, the controller determines the destination as the
nearest parking location with vehicular access in dependence on one or more parameters of
the vehicle, for example the height, weight or width of the vehicle, or required room to
access
the vehicle. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller 12 determines the destination as a
location with vehicular access in dependence one or more conditions, such as prevailing
30
environmental conditions. For example, if the weather permits, a f
ield that is not accessible to
a vehicle when wet, may be accessible to a vehicle when dry.
Alternatively, or additionally,
the controller 12 determines the destination in dependence on data stored
by
a third party
12
device, such as a server.
Alternatively,
or additionally, the controller 12 determines a
plurality of potential destinations and ranks the plurality of potential destinations in
dependence on one or more criteria, such as pedestrian accessibility, or wheelchair
accessibility.
Alternatively, or ad
ditionally, the controller determines a plurality of potential
destinations that are presented to a user via the display.
5
The parking location may preferably be chosen based on the shortest duration walk or most
convenient wheelchair journey between the p
arked vehicle and the location of the third party.
This is important if the nearest parking space to the third party is on the wrong side of a river,
major intersection or highway, where the journey by foot may not be convenient or practical.
10
If such a par
king space is identified amongst several parking space options, the controller 12
may order the parking spaces in order of convenience or accessibility for a pedestrian or
wheelchair user as may be appropriate. In this way, the most convenient and accessib
le
parking spaces will be ordered at the top of a list presented to the user via the display and the
user may choose which parking space or parking area the vehicle should navigate to based on
15
their own preferences or circumstances. This may be particularl
y useful for disabled users,
parents with small children requiring pushchairs or strollers or where the user wishes to load
or unload heavy or bulky items to/from the vehicle.
Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus
10
comprises m
eans to receive
20
a signal indicative of a status of the vehicle, that status being either that the vehicle is not
towing a trailer, or that the vehicle is towing a trailer. In this example, the determined
destination comprises the location of a parking spac
e
that is the nearest parking space to the
third party's location that is
large enough to accommodate both the vehicle and the trailer.
Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 comprises means to receive
25
a signal indicative of an
y addition or alteration to a vehicle that may alter parking
requirements of the vehicle, and means to determine a destination in dependence on the
signal indicative of any addition or alteration to the vehicle.
Advantageously, the vehicle
navigation appar
atus 10 is configured to react to changes in
physical
requirements whilst still
providing the most appropriate determined destination for a user of a vehicle to meet with a
30
third party.
13
The process then moves to step S112, where the vehicle location is de
termined. The vehicle
location is determined using
GNSS
data received
by
the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 via
the receiver 20.
The vehicle location may be referred to as a first location. Alternatively, or
additionally, the vehicle location is dynamica
lly updated along a route whilst the vehicle is
moving, thereby providing a
first location of the vehicle, a second location of the vehicle, a
5
third location of the vehicle etc., where the iteration of the vehicle's location is based on
subsequent determin
ations of the vehicle location with respect to the first location of the
vehicle.
Once the vehicle location has been determined at step S112 and the destination has been
10
determined at step S110, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 determines a route from
the
vehicle location to the determined destination at step S114.
Once the route from the vehicle location to the determined destination has been determined at
step S114, the process moves to step S116, where the route is displayed via the
15
communication pa
th 17 to the display 18 of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10.
The process then ends at step S118. Alternatively, or additionally, the route is dynamically
updated and indicated to a user of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10, so that, in the event
that
the route conditions change, a different route is determined and indicated to a user, or a
20
different destination is determined.
Whilst the steps of flow chart S100 are described in a particular order above, alternatively,
the steps can be carried out in
any appropriate order, such as determining the vehicle location
prior to determining the destination as described at steps S112 and S110.
25
Alternatively, or additionally, the destination is determined based on mapping data retrieved
from an external source
, such as from a server.
Whilst the SMS message is described above as being received by the receiver 20 of the
30
vehicle navigation apparatus 10, alternatively, or additionally, the SMS message is received
at a user device in communication with the receiver
20 of vehicle navigation apparatus 10,
14
such as a mobile device connected by Bluetooth, Wi
-
Fi or other suitable means to the vehicle
navigation apparatus 10.
Whilst the
GNSS
data described above is described as being included in an SMS message,
alternati
vely, or additionally, the
GNSS
data may be received in an e
-
mail, or by an
5
application, or in any form that enables a third party to communicate the
GNSS
data to the
vehicle navigation apparatus 10. Whilst
GNSS
data is described as the mechanism by which
the location of the third party is transmitted to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10,
alternatively, or additionally, any data indicating the latitude and longitude of the third party
may be used to transmit the location of the third party to the vehicle
navigation apparatus 10.
10
Other mechanisms can be used, such as information from Wi
-
Fi, or any satellite
-
based
positional identification mechanisms.
Whilst one receiver 20 is described with respect to Figure 1, alternatively or additionally,
there may be a
ny number of receivers that form a part of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10.
15
Whilst one transmitter 22 is described with respect to Figure 1, alternatively or additionally,
there may be any number of transmitters that form a part of the vehicle navigati
on apparatus
10.
Whilst the determined destination is described above as being the closest destination of the
20
known destinations to the location of the third party, alternatively, or additionally, the
determined destination is determined based on a proper
ty of the vehicle, such as the width,
length, weight or height of the vehicle, the type of vehicle, the requirements for access to the
vehicle by one or more users of the vehicle, or other considerations. For example,
alternatively, or additionally, the de
termined destination is based upon the prevailing
25
environmental conditions.
Whilst at step S116, the route from the determined location of the vehicle to the determined
destination is shown via the display 18, alternatively, or additionally, the route is
indicated to
a user of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 by any suitable method, such as through audio
30
signals

Claims:1. A vehicle navigation apparatus comprising:
a receiver;
a processor;
a output; and
a memory having mapping data;
wherein:
the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured, by the processor:
to determine a first location of a vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable, in dependence of a first signal receivable by the receiver and the mapping data stored in the memory;
to determine a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by the receiver and the mapping data stored in the memory;
to determine a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in the mapping data, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location;
to determine a route from the first location to the determined destination; and
to indicate the route from the first location to the determined destination by the output, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

2. The vehicle navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second signal comprises a location identifier and/or longitude data and latitude data.

3. The vehicle navigation apparatus of claim 1, wherein the longitude and latitude data is GNSS data.

4. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the second signal comprises one of an SMS message, e-mail or application data.

5. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the at least one known location is one of a parking bay and a car park.

6. The vehicle navigation apparatus of claim 5, wherein the determined destination comprises the nearest known location to the third party's location.

7. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the determined destination comprises the nearest available known location with respect to the third party's location.

8. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the determined destination is one of a plurality of determined destinations, wherein the plurality of determined destinations are ranked in dependence on one or more criteria

9. The vehicle navigation apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more criteria comprise pedestrian accessibility and/or wheelchair accessibility.

10. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to determine an estimated arrival time at the determined destination.

11. The vehicle navigation apparatus of claim 10, wherein the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a transmitter that is configured to transmit the determined estimated arrival time at the destination.

12. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a transmitter that is configured automatically to transmit a message to a third party upon arrival at the determined destination.

13. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured periodically to determine the first location, thereby to enable dynamic navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

14. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the destination is determined in dependence on at least one of a vehicle type or vehicle size of a vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable.

15. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the destination is determined based on prevailing environmental conditions.

16. The vehicle navigation apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a transmitter that is configured to transmit the first location of the vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable to a user device that is communicable with the vehicle navigation apparatus.

17. The vehicle navigation apparatus of claim 16, wherein the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to transmit the first location in dependence on an input receivable from a user of the vehicle navigation apparatus.

18. A method for navigating a vehicle, comprising:
determining, by a processor, a first location in dependence on a first signal receivable by a receiver and mapping data stored in a memory;
determining, by the processor, a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by a receiver and the mapping data stored in the memory;
determining, by the processor, a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in the mapping data, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location;
determining, by the processor, a route from the first location to the determined destination; and
indicating the route from the first location to the determined destination by an output, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

19 A vehicle comprising the vehicle navigation apparatus of any of claims 1 to 18.

20. A controller configured to:
determine a first location in dependence on a first signal receivable by the controller and mapping data accessible by the controller;
determine a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by the controller and the mapping data accessible by the controller;
determine a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in mapping data accessible by the controller, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location;
determine a route from the first location to the determined destination; and
output a signal indicating the route from the first location to the determined destination, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

21. The controller of claim 20, wherein the second signal comprises a location identifier and/or longitude data and latitude data.

22. The controller of claim 21, wherein the longitude and latitude data is GNSS data.

23. The controller of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the second signal comprises one of an SMS message, e-mail or application data.

24. The controller of any claims 20 to 23, wherein the at least one known location is one of a parking bay and a car park.

25. The controller of claim 24, wherein the determined destination comprises the nearest known location to the third party's location.

26. The controller of any of claims 20 to 25, wherein the determined destination comprises the nearest available known location with respect to the third party's location.

27. The controller of any of claims 20 to 24, wherein the controller is configured to determine an estimated arrival time at the determined destination.

28. The controller of claim 27, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the determined estimated arrival time at the destination.

29. The controller of any of claims 20 to 28, wherein the controller is configured automatically to transmit a message to a third party upon arrival at the determined destination.

30. The controller of any of claims 20 to 29, wherein the controller is configured periodically to determine the first location, thereby to enable dynamic navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

31. The controller of any of claims 20 to 30, wherein the destination is determined in dependence on at least one of a vehicle type or vehicle size of a vehicle to which the controller is connectable.

32. The controller of any of claims 20 to 31, wherein the destination is determined based on prevailing environmental conditions.

33. The controller of any of claims 20 to 32, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the first location of the vehicle to which the controller is connectable to a user device that is communicable with the controller.

34. The controller of claim 33, wherein the controller is configured to transmit the first location in dependence on an input receivable from a user of the controller.

35. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method of claim 18.

36. A computer readable medium having stored thereon the computer program product of claim 35.

, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle navigation apparatus. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to a vehicle navigation apparatus for enabling navigation of a vehicle to a destination determined in dependence on a signal from a third party user. Aspects of the invention relate to a vehicle navigation apparatus, to a vehicle, to a method, to a controller, to a computer program product and to a computer readable medium.

BACKGROUND

There is a desire to provide improved means of navigating a vehicle. In particular, if a user of a vehicle wishes to go somewhere that is unmapped, known systems are not capable of accurately and efficiently navigating the user of a vehicle to the unmapped location. Attempts to navigate to the unmapped location may not be possible, or may result in multiple search iterations of a map.

Known systems for navigating a vehicle typically involve a user selecting a destination in a device and the device showing a route to the destination. If the destination is not mapped, this is not possible. Accordingly, a user of a vehicle may be able to reach a general area, but not an exact destination. A significant amount of time may be spent searching for the exact location and the user of the vehicle may become distracted and/or frustrated by the inaccuracy and inefficiency of such known methods in particular scenarios.

It is an aim of the present invention to address the above-described disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a vehicle navigation apparatus, to a vehicle, to a method, to a controller, to a computer program product and to a computer readable medium as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle navigation apparatus comprising: receiving means; processing means; display means; and storage means having mapping data; wherein: the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured, by the processing means: to determine a first location of a vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable, in dependence of a first signal receivable by the receiver and the mapping data stored in the storage means; to determine a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by the receiving means and the mapping data stored in the storage means; to determine a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in the mapping data, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location; to determine a route from the first location to the determined destination; and to indicate the route from the first location to the determined destination by the display means, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

Advantageously, the vehicle navigation apparatus enables navigation to a suitable destination that is not the location of the user sending their location data. In situations where the location of a third party user is not mapped, or not suitable for parking, the vehicle navigation apparatus guides a user of a vehicle to the most appropriate location. Beneficially, a user is navigated to the best destination for the user, without having to waste time determining exactly where a third party is and where the nearest parking place to the third party is.

Optionally, the second signal comprises a location identifier and/or longitude data and latitude data. Optionally, the longitude and latitude data is Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data.

Advantageously, the necessary information for the vehicle navigation apparatus to pinpoint the location of the third party is provided to the vehicle navigation apparatus in the second signal that requests a meeting with the third party.

Optionally, the second signal comprises one of an SMS message, e-mail or application data.

Beneficially, the second signal is sent in a manner that can be received by the vehicle navigation apparatus and that can comprise further information, e.g., information requesting a meeting.

Optionally, the at least one known location is one of a parking bay, parking lot and a car park.

Advantageously, suitable parking bays, parking lots and/or car parks are recorded in the storage means of the vehicle navigation apparatus.

Optionally, the determined destination comprises the nearest known location to the third party's location.

Beneficially, the closest location is determined, thereby reducing the distance that the user is required to cover without the vehicle.

Optionally, the determined destination comprises the nearest available known location with respect to the third party's location.

Advantageously, the nearest available location can be chosen, so that the destination is hierarchically selected thereby to minimise onward travel from the nearest available location.

Optionally, the determined destination is one of a plurality of determined destinations, wherein the plurality of determined destinations are ranked in dependence on one or more criteria, such as pedestrian accessibility or wheelchair accessibility.

Advantageously, the most convenient and accessible parking spaces are determined for a user. Further, the most convenient and accessible parking spaces can be ordered at the top of a list presented to the user via the display and the user may choose which parking space or parking area the vehicle should navigate to based on their own preferences or circumstances. This may be particularly useful for disabled users, parents with small children requiring pushchairs or strollers or where the user wishes to load or unload heavy or bulky items to/from the vehicle.

Optionally, if a determined destination is identified amongst several determined destination options, for example, if a parking space is identified amongst several parking space options, then the controller may order the determined destinations in order of convenience or accessibility for a pedestrian or wheelchair user, as may be appropriate.

Optionally, the determined destination comprises the most accessible known location with respect to the third party's location, where the level of accessibility may be chosen from a list options comprising: pedestrian; pedestrian with young children, or wheelchair user. In some circumstances it is preferable to select the parking space that is the most accessible for a pedestrian to make their way to the third party’s location on foot, or with a pushchair or stroller, or by wheelchair.

Beneficially, the determined destination may preferably be chosen based on the shortest duration walk or most convenient wheelchair journey between the parked vehicle and the location of the third party. This may be important if the nearest parking space to the third party is on the wrong side of a river, major intersection or highway, where the journey by foot may not be convenient or practical.

Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises means to receive a signal indicative of a status of the vehicle, that status being either that the vehicle is not towing a trailer, or that the vehicle is towing a trailer. In this example, the determined destination comprises the location of a parking space that is the nearest parking space to the third party's location that is large enough to accommodate both the vehicle and the trailer. Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises means to receive a signal indicative of any addition or alteration to a vehicle that may alter parking requirements of the vehicle, and means to determine a destination in dependence on the signal indicative of any addition or alteration to the vehicle.

Advantageously, the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to react to changes in the physical requirements of a vehicle whilst still providing the most appropriate determined destination for a user of a vehicle to meet with a third party.

Optionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to determine an estimated arrival time at the determined destination.

Advantageously, the third party is automatically aware of the vehicle's progress to the destination.

Optionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a transmitter that is configured to transmit the determined estimated arrival time at the destination.

Advantageously, the user of the vehicle provides ad-hoc updates to the third party regarding navigation progress.

Optionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a transmitter that is configured automatically to transmit a message to a third party upon arrival at the determined destination.

Advantageously, the third party is automatically aware of the vehicle's progress to the destination.

Optionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured periodically to determine the first location, thereby to enable dynamic navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

Beneficially, if conditions change, the best route to the destination is selected.

Optionally, the destination is determined in dependence on at least one of a vehicle type or vehicle size of a vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable.

Advantageously, the destination is determined as the best destination for the vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable.

Optionally, the destination is determined based on prevailing environmental conditions.

Beneficially, the prevailing environmental conditions are used to determine the most appropriate route to the destination, meaning that the navigation is dynamic and reactive to potential changes.

Optionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus comprises a transmitter that is configured to transmit the first location of the vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable to a user device that is communicable with the vehicle navigation apparatus.

Advantageously, the third party is automatically aware of the vehicle's progress to the destination.

Optionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to transmit the first location in dependence on an input receivable from a user of the vehicle navigation apparatus.

Advantageously, the third party is automatically aware of the vehicle's progress to the destination.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for navigating a vehicle, comprising: determining, by a processing means, a first location in dependence on a first signal receivable by a receiving means and mapping data stored in a storage means; the processing means being configured to determine a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by a receiving means and the mapping data stored in the storage means; the processor being configured to determine a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in the mapping data, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location; the processing means being configured to determine a route from the first location to the determined destination; and indicating the route from the first location to the determined destination by a display means, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

According to a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a vehicle comprising the vehicle navigation apparatus: receiving means; processing means; display means; and storage means having mapping data; wherein: the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured to: determine by the processing means a first location of a vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus is connectable, in dependence of a first signal receivable by the receiver and the mapping data stored in the storage means; to determine a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by the receiving means and the mapping data stored in the storage means; to determine a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in the mapping data, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location; to determine a route from the first location to the determined destination; and to indicate the route from the first location to the determined destination by the display means, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

According to a still further aspect of the invention, there is provided a controller configured to: determine a first location in dependence on a first signal receivable by the controller and mapping data accessible by the controller; determine a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by the controller and the mapping data accessible by the controller; determine a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in mapping data accessible by the controller, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location; determine a route from the first location to the determined destination; and output a signal indicating the route from the first location to the determined destination, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a method comprising: determining, by a processor, a first location in dependence on a first signal receivable by a receiver and mapping data stored in a memory; determining, by the processor, a third party's location in dependence on a second signal receivable by a receiver and the mapping data stored in the memory; determining, by the processor, a destination in dependence on at least one known location stored in the mapping data, wherein the determined destination is different from the third party's location; determining, by the processor, a route from the first location to the determined destination; and indicating the route from the first location to the determined destination by a display, thereby to enable vehicle navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computer readable medium having stored thereon a computer program product.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic of a vehicle navigation apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 is a schematic of elements of a controller according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a schematic of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 is a schematic of a vehicle navigation apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. There is shown a controller 12, a processor 14 and a memory 16. The controller 12 is in communication with a receiver 20 via communication path 19. The controller 12 is also in communication with a transmitter 22 via communication path 21. The controller 12 is also in communication with an output 18 via communication path 17. The output 18 is a display. Alternatively, or additionally, the output 18 is an audio output. Alternatively, or additionally, the output 18 is configured to provide audio and visual outputs.

In an embodiment the controller 12 comprises a memory 16. In a further embodiment, the controller 12 comprises a memory 16, a processor 14 and/or any other required component to implement the functionality described herein. Alternatively, or additionally the memory 16 is external to the controller 12 and the controller 12 comprises a processor 14.

Alternatively, or additionally, the receiver 20 and the transmitter 22 are combined in a single integrated transceiver. Alternatively, or additionally, the receiver 20, the transmitter 22 and/or a transceiver are integrated into the controller 12.

The vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is associated with a vehicle, such as the vehicle 50 of Figure 4. Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 may form part of an infotainment system that is used to coordinate the reception of data from third parties and indicate to a user of a vehicle the route from a current location to a determined destination.

In situations where a third party user wishes to arrange a meeting with the user of a vehicle, but the location of the third party is somewhere that is inaccessible, for example a rocky area that is unsuitable for cars, or a beach, or a pedestrianized area of a town or city, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is used to determine the most appropriate place to park a vehicle so that the third party and the user of the vehicle can meet with the least inconvenience for the third party user and/or the user of the vehicle. This is described in more detail below, with reference to Figure 2.

Figure 2 is a flow chart S100 of a method for navigating a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the invention. The method is implemented by a vehicle navigation apparatus, such as the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 described with reference to Figure 1.

The process commences at S102, where the process is initiated by a third party user. A third party user is a user who is at a location and wishes to arrange a meeting with the user of the vehicle. Preferably, in some situations, the third party would meet the user of the vehicle at the third party's location. The third party's location may therefore be the desired location. However, the desired location may not always be readily accessible. The third party user sends data to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 via a short message service (SMS) message. The data sent by the third party user is received by the receiver 20 of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 at step S104. The process then moves to step S106, where the data is passed to the controller 12 via the communication path 19 in order to determine the location of the third party user. The process then moves to step S108.

At step S108, following receipt of the data, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 determines whether the data comprises Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data. If the data does not comprise positioning data (such as GNSS data) data, the process moves to step S118, where it ends. As described below, the principles are applicable to other forms of data that determines the position of an object, e.g., other satellite based positioning, Wi-Fi based positioning etc. If the data does comprise GNSS data, the process moves to step S110.

At step S110, the controller 12 determines a destination. The destination is determined based on a comparison of mapping data retrieved from the memory 16 with the GNSS data received at the vehicle navigation apparatus 10. The controller 12 determines a destination from known destinations stored in the memory 16. The determined destination is the closest destination of the known destinations to the location of the third party (which may be the closest destination of the known destinations to the desired location). In an example, when the controller 12 determines that the location of the third party user is inaccessible to the vehicle, e.g., if the third party user is on a beach, or in a field, where vehicular access is not possible, or restricted, the controller determines the destination as the closest possible location to the desired location that the vehicle has access to and can park at. For example, the controller 12 determines the nearest parking bay with vehicular access to the third party user's location. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller determines the destination as the nearest parking location with vehicular access in dependence on one or more parameters of the vehicle, for example the height, weight or width of the vehicle, or required room to access the vehicle. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller 12 determines the destination as a location with vehicular access in dependence one or more conditions, such as prevailing environmental conditions. For example, if the weather permits, a field that is not accessible to a vehicle when wet, may be accessible to a vehicle when dry. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller 12 determines the destination in dependence on data stored by a third party device, such as a server. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller 12 determines a plurality of potential destinations and ranks the plurality of potential destinations in dependence on one or more criteria, such as pedestrian accessibility, or wheelchair accessibility. Alternatively, or additionally, the controller determines a plurality of potential destinations that are presented to a user via the display.

The parking location may preferably be chosen based on the shortest duration walk or most convenient wheelchair journey between the parked vehicle and the location of the third party. This is important if the nearest parking space to the third party is on the wrong side of a river, major intersection or highway, where the journey by foot may not be convenient or practical. If such a parking space is identified amongst several parking space options, the controller 12 may order the parking spaces in order of convenience or accessibility for a pedestrian or wheelchair user as may be appropriate. In this way, the most convenient and accessible parking spaces will be ordered at the top of a list presented to the user via the display and the user may choose which parking space or parking area the vehicle should navigate to based on their own preferences or circumstances. This may be particularly useful for disabled users, parents with small children requiring pushchairs or strollers or where the user wishes to load or unload heavy or bulky items to/from the vehicle.

Additionally or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 comprises means to receive a signal indicative of a status of the vehicle, that status being either that the vehicle is not towing a trailer, or that the vehicle is towing a trailer. In this example, the determined destination comprises the location of a parking space that is the nearest parking space to the third party's location that is large enough to accommodate both the vehicle and the trailer. Additionally, or alternatively, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 comprises means to receive a signal indicative of any addition or alteration to a vehicle that may alter parking requirements of the vehicle, and means to determine a destination in dependence on the signal indicative of any addition or alteration to the vehicle. Advantageously, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is configured to react to changes in physical requirements whilst still providing the most appropriate determined destination for a user of a vehicle to meet with a third party.

The process then moves to step S112, where the vehicle location is determined. The vehicle location is determined using GNSS data received by the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 via the receiver 20. The vehicle location may be referred to as a first location. Alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle location is dynamically updated along a route whilst the vehicle is moving, thereby providing a first location of the vehicle, a second location of the vehicle, a third location of the vehicle etc., where the iteration of the vehicle's location is based on subsequent determinations of the vehicle location with respect to the first location of the vehicle.

Once the vehicle location has been determined at step S112 and the destination has been determined at step S110, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 determines a route from the vehicle location to the determined destination at step S114.

Once the route from the vehicle location to the determined destination has been determined at step S114, the process moves to step S116, where the route is displayed via the communication path 17 to the display 18 of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10.

The process then ends at step S118. Alternatively, or additionally, the route is dynamically updated and indicated to a user of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10, so that, in the event that the route conditions change, a different route is determined and indicated to a user, or a different destination is determined.

Whilst the steps of flow chart S100 are described in a particular order above, alternatively, the steps can be carried out in any appropriate order, such as determining the vehicle location prior to determining the destination as described at steps S112 and S110.

Alternatively, or additionally, the destination is determined based on mapping data retrieved from an external source, such as from a server.

Whilst the SMS message is described above as being received by the receiver 20 of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10, alternatively, or additionally, the SMS message is received at a user device in communication with the receiver 20 of vehicle navigation apparatus 10, such as a mobile device connected by Bluetooth, Wi-Fi or other suitable means to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10.

Whilst the GNSS data described above is described as being included in an SMS message, alternatively, or additionally, the GNSS data may be received in an e-mail, or by an application, or in any form that enables a third party to communicate the GNSS data to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10. Whilst GNSS data is described as the mechanism by which the location of the third party is transmitted to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10, alternatively, or additionally, any data indicating the latitude and longitude of the third party may be used to transmit the location of the third party to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10. Other mechanisms can be used, such as information from Wi-Fi, or any satellite-based positional identification mechanisms.

Whilst one receiver 20 is described with respect to Figure 1, alternatively or additionally, there may be any number of receivers that form a part of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10. Whilst one transmitter 22 is described with respect to Figure 1, alternatively or additionally, there may be any number of transmitters that form a part of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10.

Whilst the determined destination is described above as being the closest destination of the known destinations to the location of the third party, alternatively, or additionally, the determined destination is determined based on a property of the vehicle, such as the width, length, weight or height of the vehicle, the type of vehicle, the requirements for access to the vehicle by one or more users of the vehicle, or other considerations. For example, alternatively, or additionally, the determined destination is based upon the prevailing environmental conditions.

Whilst at step S116, the route from the determined location of the vehicle to the determined destination is shown via the display 18, alternatively, or additionally, the route is indicated to a user of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 by any suitable method, such as through audio signals.

Alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is configured to determine an estimated arrival time at the determined destination. The estimated arrival time at the determined destination is communicated to a user of the vehicle via the display 18. Alternatively, or additionally, the estimated arrival time is communicated to the third party user via the transmitter 22 that is in communication with the controller 12 via a communication path 21, as described above with reference to Figure 1.

Alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus is configured automatically to transmit a message to a third party upon arrival at the determined destination. The message may be transmitted via the transmitter 22 that is in communication with the controller 12 via a communication path 21, as described above with reference to Figure 1.

Whilst Figure 2 is described with reference to a single process for determining a route from the first location to a determined destination, alternatively, or additionally, the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is configured periodically to determine the first location (which may optionally be described as a second location, third location etc., depending on the number of iterations made in calculating the route from the current location to a determined destination), thereby to enable dynamic navigation from the first location to the determined destination.

Alternatively, or additionally, the first location, which may be the current location, is communicated to the third party user, thereby to keep the third party user informed as to the progress of the vehicle to which the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is connectable. The current location of the vehicle navigation apparatus may be automatically communicated to the third party, or communicated to the third party upon a user's request. A user's request may be initiated by the user of the vehicle, or by the third party. Beneficially, the progress of the vehicle is dynamically updated to the third party, as required. The vehicle navigation apparatus 10 can communicate with the third party via signals transmitted by the transmitter 22 of the vehicle navigation apparatus 10.

Figure 3 shows a schematic of elements of a controller 30. The elements of the controller 30 are elements of a controller, such as the controller 12 described with reference to Figure 1 above.

The elements include a SMS module 32, an e-mail module 34 and a custom Application module 36. Each of the SMS module 32, the e-mail module 34 and the custom Application module 36 are configured to receive data, such as from a third party, as described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The SMS module 32 is configured to receive SMS modules when a mobile device is connected to an infotainment system, which the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 may form part of. The e-mail module 34 is configured to receive e-mail when an infotainment system, which the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 may form part of, is connected to Wi-Fi. Alternatively, or additionally, the infotainment system uses other means of wireless communication, such as cellular communication, 4G, etc.. The custom Application module 36 is configured to receive input data as part of an infotainment system, which the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 may form part of.

The SMS module 32, the e-mail module 34 and the custom Application module 36 are each configured to pass any data received via a communication path 37 to a GNSS decision module 38. The GNSS decision module 38 is configured to determine whether or not the data passed from one or more of the SMS module 32, the e-mail module 34 and the custom Application module 36 to the GNSS decision module 38 comprises GNSS data. If the data comprises GNSS data, the GNSS data is sent to the GNSS parser 40 via a communication path 39. If the data does not comprise GNSS data, no action is taken.

The GNSS parser 40 is configured to parse an SMS message received at the SMS module 32, or an e-mail received at the e-mail module 34 or data received at the custom Application module 38 in order to determine location identifiers or latitudes and longitudes. The GNSS parser 40 is configured to send the location identifiers and/or latitude data and longitude data to a navigation module 42 via a communications path 41. The navigation module 42 is configured to perform functions such as, but not limited to: setting a destination as parsed by the GNSS parser, updating a determined destination based on the nearest parking space for the parsed data, sending an estimated time from the starting point to a third party, sending one or more messages to a third party indicative of the progress of a vehicle along a route from a first location to a determined destination.

Figure 4 is a schematic of a vehicle 50 comprising a vehicle navigation apparatus 10. The vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is in communication with a mobile device 60 of a third party via a communication path 59. The vehicle navigation apparatus 10 is in communication with a server 70 via a communication path 69. The vehicle navigation apparatus 10 may communicate with the mobile device 60 and/or the server 70 via a receiver and transmitter, such as the receiver 20 and the transmitter 22 described with respect to Figure 2. The server 70 has a processor 72 and a memory 74. The method described above at Figure 2 may be implemented in a vehicle, such as the vehicle 50 of Figure 4. A third party user may transmit details regarding their location to the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 such as by mobile device 60 over the communication path 59 between the mobile device 60 and the vehicle navigation apparatus 10. The server 70 is in communication with the vehicle navigation apparatus 10, thereby enabling the vehicle navigation apparatus 10 to be updated with relevant stored information that enables the vehicle navigation apparatus to perform the method described above with respect to Figures 1 to 3.

Whilst the apparatus and methods described herein are described as being implemented in a car, the skilled person understands that the principles and features are applicable to other forms of vehicle.

Advantageously, the apparatus described herein enables a user of a vehicle to meet a third party user who is located at somewhere that is inaccessible or unmapped. For example, beneficially, if a third party user is on a beach, the vehicle navigation apparatus is used to navigate the user of the vehicle to the nearest and/or most appropriate parking location for the vehicle. The user of the vehicle and the third party are then able to meet more conveniently. Further, both parties are able to track the process of navigation with increased efficiency and a reduction in time determining where to go when the location of the third party user is somewhere unmapped/inaccessible.