Patent Publication Number: US-11022458-B2

Title: Navigation system with roadway lane guidance mechanism and method of operation thereof

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/788,638 filed Jan. 4, 2019, and the subject matter thereof is incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to a navigation system, and more particularly to a system for roadway lane guidance. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Modern consumer and industrial electronics, especially devices such as graphical navigation systems, cellular phones, and vehicle integrated navigation and computing systems, are providing increasing levels of functionality to support modern life, including navigation and route guidance services. Research and development in the existing technologies can take a myriad of different directions. 
     As users become more empowered with the growth of navigation devices and vehicle based navigation services, new and old paradigms begin to take advantage of this new device space. There are many technological solutions to take advantage of this new device capability to enhance or augment navigation and route guidance. However, users are often not provided with the ability to automatically determine a vehicle lane position while using a vehicle during various road conditions. 
     Thus, a need still remains for a navigation system with a roadway lane guidance mechanism for operator awareness while using a navigation system. In view of the ever-increasing commercial competitive pressures, along with growing consumer expectations and the diminishing opportunities for meaningful product differentiation in the marketplace, it is increasingly critical that answers be found to these problems. Additionally, the need to reduce costs, improve efficiencies and performance, and meet competitive pressures adds an even greater urgency to the critical necessity for finding answers to these problems. 
     Solutions to these problems have been long sought but prior developments have not taught or suggested any solutions and, thus, solutions to these problems have long eluded those skilled in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of the present invention provides a navigation system, including: a control unit; a communication unit, coupled to the control unit, configured to: determining a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode; identifying a restricted use lane based on a distance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways; and determining a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and the lane position for displaying on a device. 
     An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of operation of a navigation system including: determining a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode; identifying a restricted use lane based on a distance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways; and determining a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and the lane position for displaying on a device. 
     An embodiment of the present invention provides a non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions for execution including: determining a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode; identifying a restricted use lane based on a distance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways; and determining a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and the lane position for displaying on a device. 
     Certain embodiments of the invention have other steps or elements in addition to or in place of those mentioned above. The steps or elements will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description when taken with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a navigation system with lane position guidance mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an example of a free-drive mode of the user vehicle of the navigation system. 
         FIG. 3  is an example of the free-drive mode of the navigation system. 
         FIG. 4  is a further example of the free-drive mode of the navigation system. 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary block diagram of the navigation system. 
         FIG. 6  is a further exemplary block diagram of the navigation system. 
         FIG. 7  is a control flow of the navigation system. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart of a method of operation of the navigation system in a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. It is to be understood that other embodiments would be evident based on the present disclosure, and that system, process, or mechanical changes may be made without departing from the scope of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In order to avoid obscuring an embodiment of the present invention, some well-known circuits, system configurations, and process steps are not disclosed in detail. 
     The drawings showing embodiments of the system are semi-diagrammatic, and not to scale and, particularly, some of the dimensions are for the clarity of presentation and are shown exaggerated in the drawing figures. Similarly, although the views in the drawings for ease of description generally show similar orientations, this depiction in the figures is arbitrary for the most part. Generally, the invention can be operated in any orientation. 
     The term “module” referred to herein can include software, hardware, or a combination thereof in an embodiment of the present invention in accordance with the context in which the term is used. For example, the software can be machine code, firmware, embedded code, and application software. Also, for example, the hardware can be circuitry, processor, computer, integrated circuit, integrated circuit cores, a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), passive devices, or a combination thereof. Further, if a module is written in the apparatus claims section below, the modules are deemed to include the specialized hardware circuitry for the purposes and the scope of apparatus claims. 
     The modules in the following description of the embodiments can be coupled to one other as described or as shown. The coupling can be direct or indirect without or with, respectively, intervening items between coupled items. The coupling can be physical contact or by communication between items. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , therein is shown a navigation system  100  with lane position guidance mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention. The navigation system  100  includes a first device  102 , such as a client or a server, connected to a second device  106 , such as a client or server. The first device  102  can communicate with the second device  106  with a communication path  104 , such as a wireless or wired network. 
     For example, the first device  102  can be of any of a variety of computing devices, such as a cellular phone, a tablet computer, a smart phone, a notebook computer, vehicle embedded navigation system, or computing device. The first device  102  can couple, either directly or indirectly, to the communication path  104  to communicate with the second device  106  or can be a stand-alone device. 
     The second device  106  can be any of a variety of centralized or decentralized computing devices, sensor devices to take measurements or record environmental information, such as sensor instruments, sensor equipment, or a sensor array. For example, the second device  106  can be a multimedia computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, grid-computing resources, a virtualized computer resource, cloud computing resource, routers, switches, peer-to-peer distributed computing devices, or a combination thereof. 
     The second device  106  can be mounted externally or internally to a vehicle, centralized in a single room or within a vehicle, distributed across different rooms, distributed across different geographical locations, embedded within a telecommunications network. The second device  106  can couple with the communication path  104  to communicate with the first device  102 . 
     For illustrative purposes, the navigation system  100  is described with the second device  106  as a computing device, although it is understood that the second device  106  can be different types of devices, such as a standalone sensor or measurement device. Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system  100  is shown with the second device  106  and the first device  102  as end points of the communication path  104 , although it is understood that the navigation system  100  can have a different partition between the first device  102 , the second device  106 , and the communication path  104 . For example, the first device  102 , the second device  106 , or a combination thereof can also function as part of the communication path  104 . 
     The communication path  104  can span and represent a variety of networks and network topologies. For example, the communication path  104  can include wireless communication, wired communication, optical, ultrasonic, or the combination thereof. Satellite communication, cellular communication, Bluetooth, Infrared Data Association standard (IrDA), wireless fidelity (WiFi), and worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) are examples of wireless communication that can be included in the communication path  104 . Ethernet, digital subscriber line (DSL), fiber to the home (FTTH), and plain old telephone service (POTS) are examples of wired communication that can be included in the communication path  104 . Further, the communication path  104  can traverse a number of network topologies and distances. For example, the communication path  104  can include direct connection, personal area network (PAN), local area network (LAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , therein is shown a representation of a road lane model  201  of the navigation system  100 . The road lane model  201  is an estimation of the lanes on a current roadway. For example, the road lane model  201  can be localized to the geographic location around a user vehicle  212 . The user vehicle  212  can be a vehicle occupied by the system user (not shown) of the first device  102 , such as the occupant or operator of the user vehicle  212 . 
     For example, the road lane model  201  can be a portion of a planned route  202  include a lane delineation marker  204  for roadway lanes  210  on a roadway relative to the location of a user vehicle  212 . As an example, the road lane model  201  can be localized to include the lane delineation marker  204  for a current roadway  206 . It is understood that the planned route  202  includes a starting point and a destination with the planned route between the two. 
     The road lane model  201  can include lane delineation marker  204  for roadway lanes  210  on a roadway relative to the location of a user vehicle  212 . The lane delineation marker  204  are estimations or approximations of the roadway lanes  210  that divide vehicle traffic on the roadway. For example, the road lane model  201  can be localized to include the lane delineation marker  204  for the current roadway  206 , which is the roadway on which the user vehicle  212  is currently travelling. For example, the current roadway  206  can be a street, an alleyway, a highway, a freeway, a parkway, a toll road, or unpaved path. 
     In general, the lane delineation marker  204  can correspond with the roadway lanes  210 , which are the actual lane delineations on the current roadway  206 . As an example, reference objects in the environment around the user vehicle  212  can be used as a basis for alignment for the lane delineation marker  204 . The reference objects, for example, can include painted lane marking, raised pavement markers, reflective lane markers, traffic barriers, pylons, cones, flares, illuminators, other markings or features that indicate the existence of a traffic lane, or a combination thereof. As another example, the reference objects can include physical features of the roadway including gaps or edges between concrete or paved segments; metallic rails for trolleys or cable cars that embedded or integrated with the road way; changes in or transitions between the road surface such as from an asphalt, concrete, or paved surface to a gravel or unpaved surface which generally exist along the edge of a roadway; or a combination thereof. 
     The road lane model  201  can be used by the navigation system  100  to determine a lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206 . The lane position  208  identifies the roadway lanes  210  of the current roadway  206  in which the user vehicle  212  is located or entering. 
     In an implementation of the navigation system  100 , the lane position  208  can be determined based on an initial point of entry of the user vehicle  212  onto the current roadway  206 . For example, the lane position  208  can be based on a measurement of the number and direction of lateral shifts  216  in position along the current roadway  206  the user vehicle  212  has made since entry onto the current roadway  206 . 
     For illustrative purposes, the initial point of entry is depicted as a lane merge section  228 . The lane merge section  228  are sections of the current roadway  206  where two or more instances of the roadway lane  210  merge into a single instance of the roadway lane  210 . As an example, the lane merge section  228  can include a highway on-ramp or off-ramp, an intersection with other roadways, instances or types of the current roadway  206 , or an exit from a vehicle parking area. The lane merge section  228  can lead to a temporarily restricted lane  218 . The temporarily restricted lane  218  can be a lane temporarily closed by a traffic accident, construction, an emergency vehicle, flooding, rock slide, snow, or a combination thereof. 
     In another implementation, the navigation system  100  can determine the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  based on information from a global navigation satellite system, global positioning system, cellular triangulation system, dead reckoning, or a combination thereof. Details for calculating the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  based on the road lane model  201  will be discussed below. 
     The navigation system  100  can include monitoring of proximately located vehicles  214 . The proximately located vehicles  214  are vehicles within proximity to the user vehicle  212 . For example, the proximately located vehicles  214  can be a vehicle that is within a specific range or distance of the user vehicle  212 . An example of the specific range can be a predetermined value, such as within 100 or 1,000 feet, or a distance determined by the user or manufacturer of the user vehicle  212 . In another example, the specific range or distance can be based on limitations of sensors used to detect the proximately located vehicles  214 . Details regarding these features will be discussed below. 
     It has been discovered that the navigation system  100  can monitor the proximately located vehicles  214  in order to provide warnings and an initial point of entry  234 . The navigation system  100  can help prevent accidents by maintaining awareness of the proximately located vehicles  214 . The road lane model  201  can monitor the lateral shifts  216  of the user vehicle  212  in order to determine the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206 . The counting of the lane change maneuvers can indicate which of the roadway lanes  210  in which the user vehicle  212  is operating. The lane position  208  can be based on a monitoring of the number and direction of lateral shifts  216  in position along the current roadway  206  the user vehicle  212  has made since entry onto the current roadway  206 . By monitoring the proximately located vehicles  214  and the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212 , the navigation system  100  can provide safe navigation instructions. The navigation system  100  can improve traffic safety, reduce congestion, and assist in staying on an unplanned route by notifying the operator of the user vehicle  212  which lane position  208  they should be in to best prepare for the initial point of entry  234 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , therein is shown an example of a free-drive mode  301  of the user vehicle  212  of the navigation system  100 . The free-drive mode  301  can be a utilization of the user vehicle  212  without starting the planned route  202  of  FIG. 2 . such as a dashboard or center console interface, a vehicle integrated heads-up display, or a separate standalone device, such as a stand-alone heads-up display, mobile device, a navigation device, mobile phone, or mobile computing device. 
     In an implementation of the first device  102  that is integrated with the user vehicle  212 , the system interface  302  can include a display interface  303 , such as a heads-up display, a projector capable of projecting images on the windshield or windscreen of the user vehicle  212 , an instrument panel with a touch screen, keypad, other interface components, or a combination thereof. For illustrative purposes, the user vehicle  212  is depicted by a graphical representation on the display interface  303 . 
     The system interface  302  can project on a navigation interface  304  of the navigation system  100 . The navigation interface  304  can include a heads-up display, center console display, a console stacked display, a free-standing display for providing a graphical representation of a geographical area. For example, the navigation interface  304  can depict the geographic area around the user vehicle  212 . As a specific example, the navigation interface  304  can display a graphical representation of the current roadway  206 , which is the roadway on which the user vehicle  212  is currently travelling, and number of the roadway lanes  210  for the current roadway  206 . Examples of the current roadway  206  can be a street, an alleyway, a highway, a freeway, a parkway, a toll road, or unpaved path. 
     As another specific example, the navigation interface  304  can display graphical representation, a projection, or augmented reality superimposition of the lane delineations marker  204 . The lane delineation marker  204  are estimations or approximations of the roadway lanes  210  that divide vehicle traffic on the current roadway  206 . It is understood that the navigation interface  304  is a component of the first device  102  of  FIG. 1  embodied as the user vehicle  212 . 
     The navigation interface  304  is depicted projecting the free-drive mode  301 . The open navigation session, also referred to as the free-drive mode  301 , can occur when the system user (not shown) is using the navigation system  100  without the planned route  202 . For example, the free-drive mode  301  can be when the system user is driving the user vehicle  212  with the map interface currently displaying on the navigation interface  304  of the first device  102  and the navigation system  100  is not engaged for providing navigation instructions or guidance, such as turn by turn directions, to a particular destination. 
     In general, during use of geographic map programs or navigation application used in the free-drive mode  301 , system users are usually not provided any guidance or information about which of the roadway lanes  210  on the current roadway  206  to take or which of the roadway lanes  210  to avoid. For example, when the user vehicle  212  approaches an intersection between roadways while driving on the current roadway  206  that includes multiple instances of the roadway lanes  210 , it is not easy to tell which of the roadway lanes  210  will become turn-only lanes, which of the roadway lanes  210  will go straight, which roadway lanes  210  might end, or a combination thereof. 
     As a specific example, the system user driving the user vehicle  212  can intend to proceed straight through the roadway intersection, but may be caught in the roadway lanes  210  with a turn-only restriction and will have to perform a lane change maneuver at the last minute, or end up making an unwanted turn maneuver. As another specific example, some of the roadway lanes  210  located in the middle or center of the roadway can also be used by vehicles traveling in both directions to make turn maneuvers, thus extra caution should be exercised when using such lanes so as to not run into oncoming vehicles. In yet a further example, there are certain instances of the roadway lanes  210  that are to be used for carpool or high occupancy vehicles (HOV), and driving in such lanes without the required number of passengers in the vehicle can result in a fine. 
     The navigation system  100  can address the potential issues with the roadway lanes  210  encountered during the free-drive mode  301  by presenting roadway lane indicator  306  on the navigation interface  304  as a “Smart Lane Advisor”. The roadway lane indicator  306  is information about the lanes of a roadway. For example, the roadway lane indicator  306  can include information specific to an instance of the roadway lanes  210 , such as lane markings that indicate allowed turn maneuvers, notification of roadway lanes  210  ending or merging, notification of a forced maneuver, such as a turn only, or vehicle type or capacity restrictions such as carpool or HOV lanes, toll lanes, bicycle lanes, bus only lanes. As another example, the roadway lane indicator  306  can include information about up-coming instance of an intersecting roadway or roadway junction with the current roadway  206 , including an intersecting roadway identity  308  or roadway junction such as the name or number, a real time estimated distance  310  of the user vehicle  212  from the intersecting roadway or roadway junction, or other information. 
     The navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306 . For example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306  of the location of the roadway lanes  210  with the restriction for bicycle travel only. As another example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306  for vehicle traffic flow, such as a representation of lane markings of the turn only lane restriction; an icon or symbol representing the lane with through traffic; an icon or symbol representing that the lane permits vehicles traveling in both directions of traffic such as for the purpose of turning. In a further example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306  of the intersection information such as the name of the upcoming instance of the intersecting roadway, a representation of the distance to the upcoming intersecting roadway, or a combination thereof. 
     The navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206 , or a combination thereof on the navigation interface  304 . The lane position  208  identifies the roadway lanes  210  of the current roadway  206  in which the user vehicle  212  is located. For illustrative purposes, the lane position  208  is presented as a box labeled current vehicle lane (CVL) is the roadway lane indicator  306 , however, it is understood that the lane position  208  can be represented differently. For example, the lane position  208  can be presented by a graphical representation of the user vehicle  212 , or other graphical icon. As a further example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the lane delineation marker  204  for each of the roadway lanes  210 . The roadway lanes  210  can include a bicycle lane  312 , a limited action lane  314 , such as a turn only lane or a bi-directional turn lane, a through lane  316 , or a combination thereof. 
     It has been discovered that the navigation system  100 , while operating in the free drive mode can project the useful lane information for an approaching intersection or lane restriction. By projecting on the navigation interface  304 , the limitations of the roadway lanes  210  can be verified before the user vehicle  212  reaches the intersection being approached. Since the navigation system  100  does not have a destination loaded, the navigation interface  304  can provide lane information for an approaching navigation possibility. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , therein is shown a further example of the free-drive mode  301  of the navigation system  100 . As an example,  FIG. 3  depicts the free-drive mode  301  including presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306  related to the current roadway  206  without cross-traffic roadways or an express highway, such as freeway, turnpikes, toll road, or parkway. As a specific example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306  of the location in the roadway lanes  210  with restricted use lanes  402 , such as for carpool, high occupancy vehicle lanes, exit lane, merging lane, or a combination thereof. 
     As another specific example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306  for vehicle traffic flow, such as icon or symbol representing upcoming lane merges or lane endings  404 , distance  406  to the lane merge or ending, or a combination thereof. In a further specific example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the roadway lane indicator  306  of a next highway junction  408  such as the name or number of the upcoming highway, a representation of the distance  406  to the upcoming highway junction, the instance of the roadway lane  210  for the highway junction, or a combination thereof. 
     The navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206 , or a combination thereof on the navigation interface  304 . For illustrative purposes, the lane position  208  is presented as the roadway lane indicator  306 , such as a box labeled current vehicle lane (CVL), however, it is understood that the lane position  208  can be represented differently. For example, the lane position can be presented by a graphical representation of the user vehicle  212 , or other graphical icon. As a further example, the navigation interface  304  can include presentation of the lane delineation marker  204  for each of the roadway lanes  210 . 
     In an emergency situation, the second device  106  of  FIG. 1  can load an emergency message into the system interface  302  of  FIG. 3  in order to alert the operator of the user vehicle  212  of an approaching emergency vehicle  410 . The navigation interface  304  can display the approaching emergency vehicle  410  on the navigation interface  304 . The navigation system  100  can issue the alert by displaying the approaching emergency vehicle  410  and issuing an audible instruction to change lanes  412  to the right and allow the approaching emergency vehicle  410  to pass. It is understood that the siren of the approaching emergency vehicle  410  cannot be heard in the user vehicle  212  that is a closed car. By providing the display of the approaching emergency vehicle  410  and issuing the audible alert can reduce the risk of an accident between the approaching emergency vehicle  410  and the user vehicle  212 . In extreme situations the operator of the user vehicle  212  can be alerted to exit the current roadway  206  by an exit lane  414 . 
     It has been discovered that the navigation interface  304  of the navigation system  100  can provide navigation support while driving without a destination loaded in the system. By way of an example, the “free driving mode” provides useful information to the operator of the user vehicle  212  when it is dark or during impaired visibility, such as during snow, rain, fog, or other impairments. The navigation interface  304  can provide emergency alerts of the approaching emergency vehicle  410  before the user vehicle  212  becomes an impediment to the approaching emergency vehicle  410 . Thus, the navigation interface  304  can improve safety of the user vehicle  212 , while enabling the operator of the user vehicle  212  to confidently navigate the current roadway  206  in reduced visibility situations. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , therein is shown an exemplary block diagram of the navigation system  100 . The navigation system  100  can include the first device  102 , the communication path  104 , and the second device  106 . The first device  102  can send information in a first device transmission  508  over the communication path  104  to the second device  106 . The second device  106  can send information in a second device transmission  510  over the communication path  104  to the first device  102 . 
     For illustrative purposes, the navigation system  100  is shown with the first device  102  as a client device, although it is understood that the navigation system  100  can have the first device  102  as a different type of device. For example, the first device  102  can be a server having a display interface. 
     Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system  100  is shown with the second device  106  as a server, although it is understood that the navigation system  100  can have the second device  106  as a different type of device. For example, the second device  106  can be a client device. 
     For brevity of description in this embodiment of the present invention, the first device  102  will be described as a client device and the second device  106  will be described as a server device. The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this selection for the type of devices. The selection is an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The first device  102  can be the user vehicle  212  of  FIG. 2 . 
     The first device  102  can include a first control unit  512 , a first storage unit  514 , a first communication unit  516 , a first user interface  518 , and location unit  520 . The first control unit  512  can include a first control interface  522 . The first control unit  512  can execute a first software  526  to provide the intelligence of the navigation system  100 . 
     The first control unit  512  can be implemented in a number of different manners. For example, the first control unit  512  can be a processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) an embedded processor, a microprocessor, a hardware control logic, a hardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combination thereof. The first control interface  522  can be used for communication between the first control unit  512  and other functional units in the first device  102 . The first control interface  522  can also be used for communication that is external to the first device  102 . 
     The first control interface  522  can receive information from the other functional units or from external sources, or can transmit information to the other functional units or to external destinations. The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinations external to the first device  102 . 
     The first control interface  522  can be implemented in different ways and can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the first control interface  522 . For example, the first control interface  522  can be implemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides, wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof. 
     The location unit  520  can generate location information, current heading, and current speed of the first device  102 , as examples. The location unit  520  can be implemented in many ways. For example, the location unit  520  can function as at least a part of a global positioning system (GPS) such as a GPS receiver, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver, an inertial navigation system, a cellular-tower location system, a pressure location system, or any combination thereof. 
     The location unit  520  can include a location interface  532 . The location interface  532  can be used for communication between the location unit  520  and other functional units in the first device  102 . The location interface  532  can also be used for communication that is external to the first device  102 . 
     The location interface  532  can receive information from the other functional units or from external sources, or can transmit information to the other functional units or to external destinations. The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinations physically separate from the first device  102 . 
     The location interface  532  can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the location unit  520 . The location interface  532  can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the first control interface  522 . 
     The first storage unit  514  can store the first software  526 . The first storage unit  514  can also store the relevant information. For example, first storage unit  514  can store information such as the map information. 
     The first storage unit  514  can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combination thereof. For example, the first storage unit  514  can be a nonvolatile storage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory, disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory (SRAM). 
     The first storage unit  514  can include a first storage interface  524 . The first storage interface  524  can be used for communication between and other functional units in the first device  102 . The first storage interface  524  can also be used for communication that is external to the first device  102 . 
     The first storage interface  524  can receive information from the other functional units or from external sources, or can transmit information to the other functional units or to external destinations. The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinations external to the first device  102 . 
     The first storage interface  524  can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the first storage unit  514 . The first storage interface  524  can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the first control interface  522 . 
     The first communication unit  516  can enable external communication to and from the first device  102 . For example, the first communication unit  516  can permit the first device  102  to communicate with the second device  106  of  FIG. 1 , an attachment, such as a peripheral device or a computer desktop, and the communication path  104 . 
     The first communication unit  516  can also function as a communication hub allowing the first device  102  to function as part of the communication path  104  and not limited to be an end point or terminal unit to the communication path  104 . The first communication unit  516  can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics or an antenna, for interaction with the communication path  104 . 
     The first communication unit  516  can include a first communication interface  528 . The first communication interface  528  can be used for communication between the first communication unit  516  and other functional units in the first device  102 . The first communication interface  528  can receive information from the other functional units or can transmit information to the other functional units. 
     The first communication interface  528  can include different implementations depending on which functional units are being interfaced with the first communication unit  516 . The first communication interface  528  can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the first control interface  522 . 
     The first user interface  518  allows a user (not shown) to interface and interact with the first device  102 . The first user interface  518  can include an input device and an output device. Examples of the input device of the first user interface  518  can include a keypad, a touchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, an infrared sensor for receiving remote signals, or any combination thereof to provide data and communication inputs. 
     The first user interface  518  can include a first display interface  530 . The first display interface  530  can include a display, a projector, a video screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof. 
     The first control unit  512  can operate the first user interface  518  to display information generated by the navigation system  100 . The first control unit  512  can also execute the first software  526  for the other functions of the navigation system  100 . The first control unit  512  can further execute the first software  526  for interaction with the communication path  104  via the first communication unit  516 . 
     The second device  106  can be optimized for implementing an embodiment of the present invention in a multiple device embodiment with the first device  102 . The second device  106  can provide the additional or higher performance processing power compared to the first device  102 . The second device  106  can include a second control unit  534 , a second communication unit  536 , and a second user interface  538 . 
     The second user interface  538  allows a user (not shown) to interface and interact with the second device  106 . The second user interface  538  can include an input device and an output device. Examples of the input device of the second user interface  538  can include a keypad, a touchpad, soft-keys, a keyboard, a microphone, or any combination thereof to provide data and communication inputs. Examples of the output device of the second user interface  538  can include a second display interface  540 . The second display interface  540  can include a display, a projector, a video screen, a speaker, or any combination thereof. 
     The second control unit  534  can execute a second software  542  to provide the intelligence of the second device  106  of the navigation system  100 . The second software  542  can operate in conjunction with the first software  526 . The second control unit  534  can provide additional performance compared to the first control unit  512 . 
     The second control unit  534  can operate the second user interface  538  to display information. The second control unit  534  can also execute the second software  542  for the other functions of the navigation system  100 , including operating the second communication unit  536  to communicate with the first device  102  over the communication path  104 . 
     The second control unit  534  can be implemented in a number of different manners. For example, the second control unit  534  can be a processor, an embedded processor, a microprocessor, hardware control logic, a hardware finite state machine (FSM), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a combination thereof. 
     The second control unit  534  can include a second controller interface  544 . The second controller interface  544  can be used for communication between the second control unit  534  and other functional units in the second device  106 . The second controller interface  544  can also be used for communication that is external to the second device  106 . 
     The second controller interface  544  can receive information from the other functional units or from external sources, or can transmit information to the other functional units or to external destinations. The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinations external to the second device  106 . 
     The second controller interface  544  can be implemented in different ways and can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the second controller interface  544 . For example, the second controller interface  544  can be implemented with a pressure sensor, an inertial sensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS), optical circuitry, waveguides, wireless circuitry, wireline circuitry, or a combination thereof. 
     A second storage unit  546  can store the second software  542 . The second storage unit  546  can also store map or mapping information. The second storage unit  546  can be sized to provide the additional storage capacity to supplement the first storage unit  514 . 
     For illustrative purposes, the second storage unit  546  is shown as a single element, although it is understood that the second storage unit  546  can be a distribution of storage elements. Also for illustrative purposes, the navigation system  100  is shown with the second storage unit  546  as a single hierarchy storage system, although it is understood that the navigation system  100  can have the second storage unit  546  in a different configuration. For example, the second storage unit  546  can be formed with different storage technologies forming a memory hierarchal system including different levels of caching, main memory, rotating media, or off-line storage. 
     The second storage unit  546  can be a volatile memory, a nonvolatile memory, an internal memory, an external memory, or a combination thereof. For example, the second storage unit  546  can be a nonvolatile storage such as non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), Flash memory, disk storage, or a volatile storage such as static random access memory (SRAM). 
     The second storage unit  546  can include a second storage interface  548 . The second storage interface  548  can be used for communication between other functional units in the second device  106 . The second storage interface  548  can also be used for communication that is external to the second device  106 . 
     The second storage interface  548  can receive information from the other functional units or from external sources, or can transmit information to the other functional units or to external destinations. The external sources and the external destinations refer to sources and destinations external to the second device  106 . 
     The second storage interface  548  can include different implementations depending on which functional units or external units are being interfaced with the second storage unit  546 . The second storage interface  548  can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the second controller interface  544 . 
     The second communication unit  536  can enable external communication to and from the second device  106 . For example, the second communication unit  536  can permit the second device  106  to communicate with the first device  102  over the communication path  104 . 
     The second communication unit  536  can also function as a communication hub allowing the second device  106  to function as part of the communication path  104  and not limited to be an end point or terminal unit to the communication path  104 . The second communication unit  536  can include active and passive components, such as microelectronics or an antenna, for interaction with the communication path  104 . 
     The second communication unit  536  can include a second communication interface  550 . The second communication interface  550  can be used for communication between the second communication unit  536  and other functional units in the second device  106 . The second communication interface  550  can receive information from the other functional units or can transmit information to the other functional units. 
     The second communication interface  550  can include different implementations depending on which functional units are being interfaced with the second communication unit  536 . The second communication interface  550  can be implemented with technologies and techniques similar to the implementation of the second controller interface  544 . 
     The first communication unit  516  can couple with the communication path  104  to send information to the second device  106  in the first device transmission  508 . The second device  106  can receive information in the second communication unit  536  from the first device transmission  508  of the communication path  104 . 
     The second communication unit  536  can couple with the communication path  104  to send information to the first device  102  in the second device transmission  510 . The first device  102  can receive information in the first communication unit  516  from the second device transmission  510  of the communication path  104 . The navigation system  100  can be executed by the first control unit  512 , the second control unit  534 , or a combination thereof. For illustrative purposes, the second device  106  is shown with the partition having the second user interface  538 , the second storage unit  546 , the second control unit  534 , and the second communication unit  536 , although it is understood that the second device  106  can have a different partition. For example, the second software  542  can be partitioned differently such that some or all of its function can be in the second control unit  534  and the second communication unit  536 . Also, the second device  106  can include other functional units not shown in  FIG. 5  for clarity. 
     The second device  106  can provide emergency communication alerts by monitoring the route of the approaching emergency vehicle  410  of  FIG. 4 . The second device  106  can issue an emergency alert  552  by communicating with the first device  102  through the second device transmission  510 . An emergency vehicle monitor  554  can keep track of the approaching emergency vehicle  410  of  FIG. 4  operating in the vicinity of the user vehicle  212  of  FIG. 2 . The emergency vehicle monitor  554  can be a hardware interface that is communicatively coupled to the second control interface  544  for delivering the emergency alert  552  to the first device  102 . It is understood that the emergency alert  552  can be delivered to the first device  102  in the form of a message that includes a visual portion and an audio portion of the emergency alert  552 . 
     The functional units in the first device  102  can work individually and independently of the other functional units. The first device  102  can work individually and independently from the second device  106  and the communication path  104 . 
     The functional units in the second device  106  can work individually and independently of the other functional units. The second device  106  can work individually and independently from the first device  102  and the communication path  104 . 
     For illustrative purposes, the navigation system  100  is described by operation of the first device  102  and the second device  106 . It is understood that the first device  102  and the second device  106  can operate any of the modules and functions of the navigation system  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , therein is shown a further exemplary hardware block diagram of a roadway lane guidance mechanism  601 . As an example, the roadway lane guidance mechanism  601  can include a navigation processing module  602 . The navigation processing module  602  is for generating the information about the lane position  208  of  FIG. 2  of the user vehicle  212  of  FIG. 2  on the current roadway  206  of  FIG. 2  based on various sources of information. 
     For example, the navigation processing module  602  can generate lane position information  604 , such as the total number of the roadway lanes  210  of  FIG. 2  on the current roadway  206 , the location of the lane delineation marker  204  of  FIG. 2  for roadway lanes  210 , the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206 , or a combination thereof and associated confidence levels. The navigation processing module  602  can be a hardware structure configured to generate the lane position information  604  based on sensor information  638 , user vehicle location information  630 , map information  622 , or a combination thereof. Details regarding generating the lane position information  604  will be discussed below. 
     The sensor information  638  can be information recorded or measured by a sensor unit  640 , about the area or environment surrounding the user vehicle  212 . The sensor information  638 , can include various types of information regarding objects, such as the proximately located vehicles  214  of  FIG. 2 , surrounding the user vehicle  212  and can be provided in a number of different formats and states. The format of the sensor information  638  can be based on the source of the sensor information  638 . For example, the state of the sensor information  638  can be raw or unprocessed information, such as raw signals or images, partially processed information, or processed information. More specifically, the sensor information  638  can be raw or unprocessed information or partially processed information sensor readings measured or recorded by sensor unit  640 . 
     The sensor unit  640  can be a hardware device that includes sensors and detection instruments for monitoring the user vehicle  212  and the immediate surroundings. For example, the sensor unit  640  can include one or more instruments or sensors, such as a camera, a microphone, an infrared detector, a radar detector, a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) unit, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), or a combination thereof. The sensor unit  640  can include instruments and sensors attached to or integrated with the user vehicle  212  or external to the user vehicle  212 , such as sensors or instruments mounted on the side of the current road  206 . In an implementation, the sensor unit  640  can be a part of or coupled to the first device  102 , the second device  106 , or a combination thereof. As an example, the sensor unit  640  can include multiple instances of a sensor type integrated with or mounted at different locations in or on the user vehicle  212 . 
     The user vehicle location information  630 , which is the geographic or physical location of the user vehicle  212 . For example, the user vehicle location information  630  can interface with the location unit  520  of  FIG. 5  of the first device  102  to determine the user vehicle location information  630 , such as a global positioning system (GPS) or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) coordinates or the longitude and latitude of the user vehicle  212  provided by a GNSS receiver  632 . 
     The map information  622  is information representing a geographic area proximate the user vehicle  212 . For example, the map information  622  can correspond to the position of the user vehicle  212  and can include information about travel infrastructure, such as the current road  206  and highways; specific location information, such as building addresses; geographic features, such as terrain, bodies of water, and topography; or a combination thereof. As a specific example, the map information  622  can include lane information  624 . The lane information  624  provides details about the current roadway  206 . 
     For example, the lane information  624  can be information about the number and dimensions of the lane position  208  on the current road  206 . The lane information  624  can include information, such as a count of the roadway lanes  210  for the current roadway  206 , which is a count of the number of the roadway lanes  210 , an estimated width of the roadway lanes  210 , the existence and width of a road shoulder area, a total estimated width of the roadway, a speed limit, or a combination thereof. In another specific example, the map information  622  can include information of related roadways, such as intersections with the current roadway  206 , including merge section  228  of  FIG. 2  information such as the location and length of the lane merge section  228 . 
     The map information  622  and the lane information  624  can be stored in a map database  626 , which includes a premium lane layer  628 , that can provide the information about the roadway lanes  210  in an area of interest around the user vehicle  212 . The location interface  532  can receive the map information  622 , the user vehicle location information  630 , and the sensor information  638  in order to calculate a current position  644  and a current speed  646  of the user vehicle  212 . 
     The location interface  532  can be a hardware device configured to identify the current position  644  and a current speed  646  of the user vehicle  212 . The location interface  532  can be coupled to a lane determination module  648  that can receive the current position  644 , the current speed  646  of the user vehicle  212 , and the lane information  624  in order to identify which of the roadway lanes  210  in the current road  206  the user vehicle  212  is actually travelling in. 
     The lane determination module  648  can also receive input from a lane camera  610 , which can identify the lane position  208 , monitor lane markings, and identify the proximately located vehicles  214  or other obstructions. The lane camera  610  can be a hardware camera configured to provide visual reference for the lane position  208 , the markings of the roadway lanes  210 , and the proximately located vehicles  214 . The lane determination module  648  can combine the lane information  624  with a visual detection stream  612  and a camera feed  614  in order to generate a lane information  650 . 
     The lane determination module  648  can be coupled to the first control unit  512 , which can receive the lane information  650  and process the lane position information  604 . The first control unit  512  can be a hardware processor, analog circuitry, a sequential state machine, or digital application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. The first control unit  512  can transfer an announcement  654 , composed from the lane position information  604 , to the first display interface  518  for presentation to the operator of the user vehicle  212 . The first display interface  518  can be coupled to a speaker  656  in order to deliver audio queues and a content  658 , of the announcement  654 , can be presented on a display screen  660 . The roadway lane guidance mechanism  601  can manage the emergency alert  552  of  FIG. 5  by referencing the proximately located vehicles  214 , identifying the approaching emergency vehicle  410 , modifying the content  658  to better inform the operator of the user vehicle  212  of the emergency alert  552 . 
     It has been discovered that the roadway lane guidance mechanism  601  can look ahead for lane closures due to construction, accidents, natural disasters, or the like. The map database  626  can provide a framework of the number and details of the roadway lanes  210  that would normally be available for use. The navigation system  100 , the first device  102  of  FIG. 1 , the second device  106  of  FIG. 1 , or a combination thereof can provide updates for the map database  626  for updating availability and changes in the roadway lanes  210 , active traffic and closure information for the roadway lanes  210  as well as any activity of the approaching emergency vehicle  410  of  FIG. 4 . By providing a look-ahead display of the roadway lanes  210 , the roadway lane guidance mechanism  601  can guide the user vehicle  212  in an efficient manner without being overly chatty with the audio announcements. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is a further exemplary control flow of the navigation system  100 . As an example, the navigation system  100  can include a navigation processing module  602 . The navigation processing module  602  is a hardware structure configured to generate the information about the lane position of the user vehicle on the current roadway based on various sources of information. 
     For example, the navigation processing module  602  can generate lane position information  604 , such as the total number of the roadway lanes  210  on the current roadway  206 , the location of the lane delineation marker  204  for roadway lanes  210 , the lane position of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway, or a combination thereof and associated confidence levels. The navigation processing module  602  can generate the lane position information  604  based on sensor information  638 , user vehicle location information  626 , map information  622 , or a combination thereof. Details regarding generating the lane position information  604  will be discussed below. 
     The sensor information  638  can be information recorded or measured by sensors or instruments, such as the sensor unit  640 , about the area or environment surrounding the user vehicle  212 . The sensor information  638 , can include various types of information regarding objects surrounding the user vehicle  212  and can be provided in a number of different formats and states. The format of the sensor information  638  can be based on the source of the sensor information  638 . For example, the state of the sensor information  638  can be raw or unprocessed information, such as raw signals or images, partially processed information, or processed information. More specifically, the sensor information  638  can be raw or unprocessed information or partially processed information sensor readings measured or recorded by sensor units. 
     The sensor units can be a device that includes sensors and detection instruments. For example, the sensor unit can include one or more instruments or sensors, such as a camera, a microphone, an infrared detector, a radar detector, a LIDAR unit, an inertial measurement unit (IMU), or a combination thereof. The sensor units can include instruments and sensors attached to or integrated with the user vehicle  212  or external to the user vehicle  212 , such as sensors or instruments mounted on the side of the road. In an implementation, the sensor units can be a part of or coupled to the first device  102 , the second device  106 , or a combination thereof. As an example, the sensor unit can include multiple instances of a sensor type integrated with or mounted at different locations in or on the user vehicle  212   
     The user vehicle location information  630 , which is the geographic or physical location of the user vehicle  212 . For example, the user vehicle location information  630  can interface with the location unit  520  of  FIG. 5  of the first device  102  to determine the user vehicle location  722 , such as the GPS or GNSS coordinates or the longitude and latitude of the user vehicle  212 . 
     The map information  622  is information representing a geographic area. For example, the map information  622  can correspond to the position of the user vehicle  212  and can include information about travel infrastructure, such as roads and highways; specific location information, such as building addresses; geographic features, such as terrain, bodies of water, and topography; or a combination thereof. As a specific example, the map information  622  can include roadway information  624 . 
     The roadway information  624  is details about a particular roadway. For example, the roadway information  624  can be information about the current roadway  206  of  FIG. 2 . The roadway information  624  can include information, such as a lane count for the current roadway  206 , which is a count of the number of lanes, an estimated width of the lanes, the existence and width of a road shoulder area, a total estimated width of the roadway, a speed limit, or a combination thereof. In another specific example, the map information  622  can include information of related roadways, such as intersections with the current roadway  206 , including merge section information such as the location and length of the lane merge section  228  of  FIG. 2 . In a further example, the map information  622  can include the roadway lane indicator  306  of  FIG. 3 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , therein is shown a control flow of the navigation system  100 . The control flow can be for determining the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212 . 
     The navigation system  100  can include a map information module  710 , an environment information module  712 , a lane position module  718 , an information presentation module  720 , or a combination thereof. The environment information module  712  can be coupled to the map information module  710 . The lane position module  718  can be coupled to the environment information module  712 . The information presentation module  720  can be coupled to the lane position module  718 . 
     The map information module  710  is for processing the map information  622  corresponding to the position of the user vehicle  212  of  FIG. 2 . For example, the map information module  710  can utilize the user vehicle location information  630  to determine the map information  622 . As a specific example, the map information module  710  can interface with the location unit  520  of  FIG. 5  of the first device  102  to determine the user vehicle location information  630 , such as the GPS coordinates or the longitude and latitude of the user vehicle  212 . To continue the example, the map information module  710  can utilize the user vehicle location information  630  to get the map information  622  for the geographic area around the user vehicle  212 . 
     The control flow can pass to the environment information module  712 . The environment information module  712  is for collecting information about the environment around the user vehicle  212 . For example, the environment information module  712  can process vehicle environment information  730 , which is information regarding objects surrounding the user vehicle  212 . For example, the vehicle environment information  730  can be information about a vehicle environment, which is the environment external to and surrounding the user vehicle  212 , and can include information about static road elements  732 , dynamic road elements  734 , or a combination thereof. 
     The static road elements  732  are fixed objects at a static location within the environment around the user vehicle  212 . For example, the static road elements  732  can be objects that are fixed or unlikely to change position over the passage of time. As a specific example, the static road elements  732  can be specific to the current roadway  206 , such lane markings, sign posts, road barriers, pylons, trees, or buildings. 
     The dynamic road elements  734  are objects that change within the environment around user vehicle  212 . The dynamic road elements  734  can be objects that are in motion or are temporary within the vehicle environment. For example, the dynamic road elements  734  can include the proximately located vehicles  214 . 
     The environment information module  712  can collect the vehicle environment information  730  in a number of ways. In one implementation, the vehicle environment information  730  can be information received through communication or interfacing with the proximately located vehicles  214 ; information accumulated from the sensor information  638  or the sensor unit  640 ; information received from other sources external to the user vehicle  212  or the first device  102 , such as a computer server or network; or a combination thereof. More specifically, the first control unit  512  can implement the first communication unit  516  with the environment information module  712  to communicate with devices external to the first device  102 , such a communication unit of proximately located vehicles  214  or a traffic server, such as the second device  106 . 
     In another implementation, the environment information module  712  can collect the vehicle environment information  730  as the sensor information  638 . For example, the environment information module  712  can collect the vehicle environment information  730  by sending commands or requests to the sensor unit  640  to take various readings, which can be transmitted back to the environment information module  712  as the sensor information  638 . 
     The map information module  710  can receive the map information  622  from various sources. For example, the map information module  710  can receive the map information  622  stored in the first storage unit  514  of  FIG. 5  of the first device  102 . In another example, the map information module  710  can receive the map information  622  from a device other than the first device  102 , such as an external storage unit or server, the second storage unit  542  of  FIG. 5 , or a combination thereof. The map information  622  can include the roadway lane indicator  306 . 
     The control flow can pass to the lane position module  718 . The lane position module  718  is for calculating the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212 . In one implementation, the lane position module  718  can calculate the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206  based on an initial roadway position  760  and a lateral position shift  216  of the user vehicle  212 . The lateral position shift  216  is a shift in position of the user vehicle  212  that is perpendicular to the axis of travel of the user vehicle  212 . 
     The initial roadway position  760  is the initial location of the user vehicle  212  upon entry of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206 . For example, the initial roadway position  760  of the user vehicle  212  can be the user vehicle location information  630  of the user vehicle  212  upon entry of the user vehicle  212  onto the current roadway  206 , such as after transitioning from an on-ramp, a street, or parking area onto the current roadway  206 . 
     The lane position module  718  can determine the initial roadway position  760  of the user vehicle  212  with an orientation module  764 . The orientation module  764  can determine the initial roadway position  760  based on the user vehicle location information  630 , the map information  622 , or a combination thereof. For example, the orientation module  764  can monitor the user vehicle location information  630  relative to the map information  622  to determine when the user vehicle  412  has transitioned on to the current roadway  206 . To continue the example, the initial roadway position  760  can be determined over a post-transition distance following entry onto the current roadway  206 , such as on the lane merge section  228 . As a specific example, the post-transition distance can be a distance of 10 to 40 meters from the point of entry onto the current roadway  206 , since vehicles tend to travel in the initial lane of entry over a short distance before engaging in further lane change maneuvers. 
     The orientation module  764  can determine the initial roadway position  760  based on the entry location to the current roadway  206 . For example, the initial roadway position  760  can be on the right side of the current roadway  206  when the entry location is on the right side of the current roadway  206  and on the left side of the current roadway  206  when the entry location is on the left side of the current roadway  206 . 
     The lane position module  718  can determine the lateral position shift  216  for the user vehicle  212  with the position shift module  766 . The position shift module  766  can determine the lateral position shift  216  based on the force and duration of lateral movement corresponding to a distance of the lane width for the lane delineation marker  204  of the road lane model  201 . As an example, the position shift module  766  can receive an inertial measurement  770  from inertial measurement unit to determine the lateral position shift  216 . 
     The position shift module  766  can include a determination of a shift direction  768  associated with the lateral position shift  216 . The shift direction  768  is the lateral direction in which the lateral position shift  216  occurred. As an example, the shift direction  768  can be based on the inertial measurement  770  from the inertial measurement unit. 
     The lane position module  718  can calculate the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  relative to the initial roadway position  760  of the user vehicle  212 . For example, the lane position module  718  can calculate the lane position  208  relative to initial roadway position  760  according to the number of lateral position shift  216  and the associated shift direction  768 . To continue the example, the lane position module  718  can correlate each instance of the lateral position shift  216  and associated shift direction  768  to the lane delineation marker  204  of the road lane model  201 . In another example, in the case that the current roadway  206  includes a curve or bend, the lane position module  718  can determine the change in the lane position  208  according the lack of the lateral position shift  216  or a reduced amount of the lateral position shift  216 , according to the degree of the curvature for the current roadway  206 , relative to the degree of the lateral position shift  216  that would occur during the change in the lane position  208  on a straight section. 
     The control flow can pass to the information presentation module  720 . The information presentation module  720  is for generating content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  on the display screen  660  of  FIG. 6 . For example, the information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  of the location of the roadway lanes  210  with the restriction for bicycle travel only. As another example, the information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  for vehicle traffic flow, such as a representation of lane markings of the turn only lane bicycle lane  312 ; an icon or symbol representing the lane with through traffic lane  316 ; an icon or symbol representing that the lane permits vehicles traveling in both directions of traffic such as the limited action lane  314  for the purpose of turning. In a further example, the information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  of the intersection information, such as the intersecting roadway identity  308 , a representation of the distance  310  to the upcoming intersecting roadway, such as the distance  310 , or a combination thereof. 
     In yet a further example, the information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  related to the current roadway  206  without cross-traffic roadways or an express highway, such as freeway, turnpikes, toll road, or parkway. As a specific example, the information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  of the location of the roadway lanes  210  with the restriction for carpool or high occupancy vehicle lanes, such as the restricted use lane  402 . As another specific example, the information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  for vehicle traffic flow, such as icon or symbol representing upcoming lane merges or lane endings, distance to the lane merge or ending, or a combination thereof. In a further specific example, the information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the roadway lane indicator  306  of highway junction information such the name or number of the next highway junction  408 , a representation of the distance  406  to the upcoming highway junction, the instance of the roadway lane  210  for the highway junction, or a combination thereof. 
     The information presentation module  720  can generate the content displayed on the navigation interface  304  to present the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  on the current roadway  206 , the lane delineation marker  204  for each of the roadway lanes  210 , or a combination thereof. For example, the lane position  208  can be presented as a box labeled “current vehicle lane”  306 , a graphical representation of the user vehicle  212 , or other graphical icon, such as the proximately located vehicles  214 , the approaching emergency vehicle  410 , or a combination thereof. 
     It has been discovered that navigation system  100  with the Smart Lane Advisor improves operation of the user vehicle  212 . The navigation system  100  can present the roadway lane indicator  306  on the system interface  304 , such as a heads up display (HUD), instrument cluster, or center stack, which can help a system user operating the user vehicle  212  to decide which of the roadway lanes  210  to take when approaching the intersecting roadway or the roadway junction, which improves operation of the user vehicle  212 . Further, providing the roadway lane indicator  306  on the system interface enables the system user to better decide which of the roadway lanes  210  are appropriate to use, which of the roadway lanes  210  to avoid, and which of the roadway lanes  210  are more advantageous at the roadway intersections without the need to have an explicit navigation route set. 
     The navigation system  100  has been described with module functions or order as an example. The navigation system  100  can partition the modules differently or order the modules differently. For example, the map information module  710  can be coupled to the information presentation module  720 . 
     For illustrative purposes, the various modules have been described as being specific to the first device  102  or the second device  106 . However, it is understood that the modules can be distributed differently. For example, the various modules can be implemented in a different device, or the functionalities of the modules can be distributed across multiple devices. Also, as an example, the various modules can be stored in a non-transitory memory medium. 
     As a more specific example, one or more modules described above can be stored in the non-transitory memory medium for distribution to a different system, a different device, a different user, or a combination thereof, for manufacturing, or a combination thereof. Also, as a more specific example, the modules described above can be implemented or stored using a single hardware unit, such as a chip or a processor, or across multiple hardware units. 
     The modules described in this application can be hardware implementation or hardware accelerators in the first control unit  512  of  FIG. 5  or in the second control unit  534  of  FIG. 5 . The modules can also be hardware implementation or hardware accelerators within the first device  102  or the second device  106  but outside of the first control unit  512  or the second control unit  534 , respectively, as depicted in  FIG. 5 . However, it is understood that the first control unit  512 , the second control unit  534 , or a combination thereof can collectively refer to all hardware accelerators for the modules. 
     The modules described in this application can be implemented as instructions stored on a non-transitory computer readable medium to be executed by a first control unit  512 , the second control unit  534 , or a combination thereof. The non-transitory computer medium can include the first storage unit  514  of  FIG. 5 , the second storage unit  546  of  FIG. 5 , or a combination thereof. The non-transitory computer readable medium can include non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive, non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), solid-state storage device (SSD), compact disk (CD), digital video disk (DVD), or universal serial bus (USB) flash memory devices. The non-transitory computer readable medium can be integrated as a part of the navigation system  100  or installed as a removable portion of the navigation system  100 . 
     The physical transformation from determining the lane position  208  of the user vehicle  212  results in the movement in the physical world, such as maneuvering the user vehicle  212  based on the roadway lane indicator  306 . Movement in the physical world, such movement of the user vehicle  212 , results in changes to the presentation of the navigation interface  304 . 
     It has been discovered that the navigation system  100  can improve the free driving mode experience by showing the operator of the user vehicle  212  what to expect at the next intersection. The navigation interface  304  can display the roadway lanes  210  even during poor visibility events, such as rain, snow, fog, night, smoke, or a combination thereof. The navigation interface  304  can provide emergency guidance when the approaching emergency vehicle  410  is shown in the display  660  of  FIG. 6 . The speaker  656  of  FIG. 6  can provide acoustic instructions for the user vehicle  212  to clear the lane position  208  and allow the approaching emergency vehicle to pass. This and other aspects of the navigation system  100  can improve the safety and efficiency of driving the user vehicle  212 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , therein is shown a flow chart of a method  800  of operation of the navigation system  100  in a further embodiment of the present invention. The flow chart of the method  800  includes: determining a lane position on a current roadway for a free-drive mode in a block  802 ; identifying a restricted use lane based on a distance and the lane position ahead on the current roadways in a block  804 ; and determining a roadway lane along with the restricted use lane and the lane position for displaying on a device in a block  806 . 
     The resulting method, process, apparatus, device, product, and/or system is straightforward, cost-effective, uncomplicated, highly versatile, accurate, sensitive, and effective, and can be implemented by adapting known components for ready, efficient, and economical manufacturing, application, and utilization. Another important aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is that it valuably supports and services the historical trend of reducing costs, simplifying systems, and increasing performance. 
     These and other valuable aspects of an embodiment of the present invention consequently further the state of the technology to at least the next level. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific best mode, it is to be understood that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the aforegoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the included claims. All matters set forth herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted in an illustrative and non-limiting sense.