Abstract:
Audible navigation system produces direction updates, scheduled at predetermined time windows, during which the audio environment is monitored for the existence of a conversation. If no conversations are detected during an update window, or lulls in conversation are detected, the audible navigation system direction update is output. If uninterrupted conversations continue as the update window time is expiring, a system volume is lowered and the navigation system direction update is output.

Description:
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
     Portable computing devices (PDs) are ubiquitous. These devices may include cellular telephones, portable digital assistants (PDAs), portable game consoles, palmtop computers, portable global positioning system (GPS) devices and other portable electronic devices. Further, many cellular telephones also include GPS capabilities in which, like a stand-alone GPS device, a user may enter a destination. The device may then determine turn-by-turn directions to the destination and provide those directions to the user, e.g., while the user is driving, by broadcasting audible directions at each turn, or step, associated with the turn-by-turn directions. Sometimes the directions may be difficult to hear and a user may miss a turn associated with the directions. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is an improved system and method of providing voice updates. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise indicated. 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a first aspect of a portable computing device (PCD) in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a front plan view of the first aspect of a PCD in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a second aspect of a PCD; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary GPS device; 
         FIG. 5  is a first portion of a flowchart illustrating a first aspect of a method of providing navigation system direction updates; 
         FIG. 6  is a second portion of a flowchart illustrating a first aspect of a method of providing navigation system direction updates; 
         FIG. 7  is a first portion of a flowchart illustrating a second aspect of a method of providing navigation system direction updates; 
         FIG. 8  is a second portion of the flowchart illustrating a second aspect of a method of providing navigation system direction updates; 
         FIG. 9  is a third portion of the flowchart illustrating a second aspect of a method of providing navigation system direction updates; 
         FIG. 10  is a first portion of a flowchart illustrating a third aspect of a method of providing navigation system direction updates; and 
         FIG. 11  is a second portion of the flowchart illustrating a third aspect of a method of providing navigation system direction updates; and 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating a method of providing voice updates. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. 
     In this description, the term “application” may also include files having executable content, such as: object code, scripts, byte code, markup language files, and patches. In addition, an “application” referred to herein, may also include files that are not executable in nature, such as documents that may need to be opened or other data files that need to be accessed. 
     The term “content” may also include files having executable content, such as: object code, scripts, byte code, markup language files, and patches. In addition, “content” referred to herein, may also include files that are not executable in nature, such as documents that may need to be opened or other data files that need to be accessed. 
     As used in this description, the terms “component,” “database,” “module,” “system,” and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device may be a component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution, and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition, these components may execute from various computer readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the signal). 
     Referring initially to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , an exemplary portable computing device (PCD) is shown and is generally designated  100 . As shown, the PCD  100  may include a housing  102 . The housing  102  may include an upper housing portion  104  and a lower housing portion  106 .  FIG. 1  shows that the upper housing portion  104  may include a display  108 . In a particular aspect, the display  108  may be a touch screen display. The upper housing portion  104  may also include a trackball input device  110 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper housing portion  104  may include a power on button  112  and a power off button  114 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper housing portion  104  of the PCD  100  may include a plurality of indicator lights  116  and a speaker  118 . Each indicator light  116  may be a light emitting diode (LED). 
     In a particular aspect, as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the upper housing portion  104  is movable relative to the lower housing portion  106 . Specifically, the upper housing portion  104  may be slidable relative to the lower housing portion  106 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the lower housing portion  106  may include a multi-button keyboard  120 . In a particular aspect, the multi-button keyboard  120  may be a standard QWERTY keyboard. The multi-button keyboard  120  may be revealed when the upper housing portion  104  is moved relative to the lower housing portion  106 .  FIG. 2  further illustrates that the PCD  100  may include a reset button  122  on the lower housing portion  106 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , an exemplary, non-limiting aspect of a portable computing device (PCD) is shown and is generally designated  320 . As shown, the PCD  320  includes an on-chip system  322  that includes a digital signal processor  324  and an analog signal processor  326  that are coupled together. The on-chip system  322  may include more than two processors. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a display controller  328  and a touch screen controller  330  are coupled to the digital signal processor  324 . In turn, a touch screen display  332  external to the on-chip system  322  is coupled to the display controller  328  and the touch screen controller  330 . 
       FIG. 3  further indicates that a video encoder  334 , e.g., a phase alternating line (PAL) encoder, a sequential couleur a memoire (SECAM) encoder, or a national television system(s) committee (NTSC) encoder, is coupled to the digital signal processor  324 . Further, a video amplifier  336  is coupled to the video encoder  334  and the touch screen display  332 . Also, a video port  338  is coupled to the video amplifier  336 . As depicted in  FIG. 3 , a universal serial bus (USB) controller  340  is coupled to the digital signal processor  324 . Also, a USB port  342  is coupled to the USB controller  340 . A memory  344  and a subscriber identity module (SIM) card  346  may also be coupled to the digital signal processor  324 . Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a digital camera  348  may be coupled to the digital signal processor  324 . In an exemplary aspect, the digital camera  348  is a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera. 
     As further illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a stereo audio CODEC  350  may be coupled to the analog signal processor  326 . Moreover, an audio amplifier  352  may coupled to the stereo audio CODEC  350 . In an exemplary aspect, a first stereo speaker  354  and a second stereo speaker  356  are coupled to the audio amplifier  352 .  FIG. 3  shows that a microphone amplifier  358  may be also coupled to the stereo audio CODEC  350 . Additionally, a microphone  360  may be coupled to the microphone amplifier  358 . In a particular aspect, a frequency modulation (FM) radio tuner  362  may be coupled to the stereo audio CODEC  350 . Also, an FM antenna  364  is coupled to the FM radio tuner  362 . Further, stereo headphones  366  may be coupled to the stereo audio CODEC  350 . 
       FIG. 3  further indicates that a radio frequency (RF) transceiver  368  may be coupled to the analog signal processor  326 . An RF switch  370  may be coupled to the RF transceiver  368  and an RF antenna  372 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a keypad  374  may be coupled to the analog signal processor  326 . Also, a mono headset with a microphone  376  may be coupled to the analog signal processor  326 . Further, a vibrator device  378  may be coupled to the analog signal processor  326 .  FIG. 3  also shows that a power supply  380  may be coupled to the on-chip system  322 . In a particular aspect, the power supply  380  is a direct current (DC) power supply that provides power to the various components of the PCD  320  that require power. Further, in a particular aspect, the power supply is a rechargeable DC battery or a DC power supply that is derived from an alternating current (AC) to DC transformer that is connected to an AC power source. 
       FIG. 3  further indicates that the PCD  320  may also include a network card  388  that may be used to access a data network, e.g., a local area network, a personal area network, or any other network. The network card  388  may be a Bluetooth network card, a WiFi network card, a personal area network (PAN) card, a personal area network ultra-low-power technology (PeANUT) network card, or any other network card well known in the art. Further, the network card  388  may be incorporated into a chip, i.e., the network card  388  may be a full solution in a chip, and may not be a separate network card  388 . 
       FIG. 3  shows that the PCD  320  may also include a global positioning system (GPS) module  382  which may be used to determine a location of the PCD  320 . Further, the PCD  320  may include a mapping module  384  which may be used to determine one or more directions to a destination, e.g., a user selected destination, a user supplied destination, or a combination thereof. The GPS module  382 , the mapping module  384 , or a combination thereof may serve as a means for determining a location of the PCD  320  and one more turn-by-turn directions to a destination from a current location of the PCD  320 . 
     The PCD  320  may broadcast the each direction update associated with the turn-by-turn directions to a user via the speakers  354 ,  356 . Without one or more of the methods described herein, if a user is having a face-to-face conversation with someone else, the PCD  320  may provide the direction update in a manner that interrupts or interferes with the face-to-face conversation. However, using one or more of the methods described herein, the PCD  320  may “listen” to the conversation and detect one or more lulls in the conversation. During the lull, the PCD  320  may broadcast the direction update to the user. As such, the conversation may not be interrupted by the direction update. If a lull does not occur, the PCD  320  may lower the volume of the system and broadcast the update direction to the user in a lower volume. Thus, the interruption of the conversation may be substantially minimized. 
     The PCD  320  may further monitor the density of the conversation, e.g., as measured in words per minute. If the density of the conversation satisfies a condition, e.g., the density is greater than a predetermined threshold, the PCD  320  may increase the brevity of the direction update, i.e., reduce the number of words in the direction update, and the PCD may broadcast direction update that is briefer than a standard update. 
     As depicted in  FIG. 3 , the touch screen display  332 , the video port  338 , the USB port  342 , the camera  348 , the first stereo speaker  354 , the second stereo speaker  356 , the microphone  360 , the FM antenna  364 , the stereo headphones  366 , the RF switch  370 , the RF antenna  372 , the keypad  374 , the mono headset  376 , the vibrator  378 , and the power supply  380  are external to the on-chip system  322 . 
     In a particular aspect, one or more of the method steps described herein may be stored in the memory  344  as computer program instructions. These instructions may be executed by a processor  324 ,  326  in order to perform the methods described herein. Further, the processors  324 ,  326 , the memory  344 , the display controller  328 , the touch screen controller  330 , the GPS module  382 , the mapping module  384 , or a combination thereof may serve as a means for executing one or more of the method steps described herein in order to display one or more direction updates, broadcast one or more direction updates, or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary GPS device, designated  400 . The GPS device  400  may be a portable GPS device. Further, the GPS device  400  may be a built-in GPS device  400 . For example, the built-in GPS device  400  may be an in-dash GPS device  400  that is installed in the dashboard of a motorized vehicle, e.g., a car, a truck, a motorcycle, a tractor-trailer, a boat, or a combination thereof. 
     As shown, the GPS device  400  may include a processor  402 . A memory  404  may be connected to the processor  402 . The memory  404  may include one or more maps  406  stored thereon. The memory  404  may also include one or more software (S/W) programs  408  thereon. Each map  406  stored on the memory  404  may be associated with a city, state, county, area, or a combination thereof. Further, each map  406  may be searched using one or more destinations in order to locate a destination and to create turn-by-turn direction updates based on the respective map  406 . The software  408  may comprise one or more of the method steps described herein and may be executed by the processor  402 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the GPS device  400  may include a USB port  410  connected to the processor  402 . In the instance that the GPS device  400  is a portable GPS device, the USB port  406  may be used to connect the GPS device  400  to a computer, e.g., a laptop computer or a desktop computer, in order to update the one or more maps  406  stored in the GPS device  400 , the one or more software programs  408  stored in the GPS device  400 , or a combination thereof. 
       FIG. 4  further indicates that the GPS device  400  may include a DVD drive  414 . In the instance in which the GPS device  400  is a built-in GPS device  400 , the DVD drive  414  may be used to update the one or more maps  406  stored in the GPS device  400 , the one or more software programs  408  stored in the GPS device  400 , or a combination thereof, by installing a DVD containing updates in the DVD drive  414  and executing the DVD. 
     As illustrated, the GPS device  400  may further include a microphone  416  connected to the processor  502 . The microphone  416  may be used to “listen” to a conversation, detect a conversation, monitor a conversation or a combination thereof. In other words, the microphone  416  may serve as a means for listening to a conversation, detecting a conversation, monitoring a conversation, or a combination thereof. The GPS device  400  may also include a speaker  418  connected to the processor. The speaker  418  may be used to broadcast one or more direction updates. Further, the speaker  418  may serve as a means for broadcasting one or more direction updates.  FIG. 4  further shows that the GPS device  400  may also include a display  420  connected to the processor  402 . The display  420  may be a regular display, a touch screen display, or a combination thereof. Moreover, the display  420  may serve as a means for displaying one or more direction updates. 
       FIG. 4  also shows that the GPS device  400  may include a mapping module  424  connected to the processor  402 . Additionally, a GPS module  422  may be connected to the processor  402 . The GPS module  422  which may be used to determine a location of the GPS device  400 . The mapping module  424  which may be used to determine one or more directions to a destination, e.g., a user selected destination, a user supplied destination, or a combination thereof, from the current location of the GPS device  400 . The GPS module  422 , the mapping module  424 , or a combination thereof may serve as a means for determining a location of the GPS device  500  and for determining one more turn-by-turn directions to a destination from a current location of the GPS device  500 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , a first method of providing GPS direction updates is shown and is generally designated  500 . Beginning at block  502 , when a navigation system is powered on the following steps may be performed. In one aspect, the navigation system may be a GPS enabled portable computing device. In another aspect, the navigation system may be a portable GPS device. Still, in another aspect, the navigation system may be a built-in GPS device, i.e., an in-dash GPS device. 
     Moving to decision  504 , the navigation system may determine whether a destination is input. If not, the method  500  may end. Otherwise, at decision  504 , if a destination is input, the method  500  may proceed to block  506 . At block  506 , the navigation system may receive a destination. Further, at block  508 , the navigation system may search a database for the destination in order to determine directions for the destination. 
     At decision  510 , the navigation system may determine whether the destination is located in the database and in turn, whether the navigation system is able to determine directions to the destination at least partially based on one or more maps stored in the navigation system or accessible to the navigation system. At decision  510 , if the destination is not located within the database, the method  500  may move to block  512  and the navigation system may indicate that the destination is unavailable. Thereafter, the method  500  may end. 
     Returning to decision  510 , if the destination is located in the database by the navigation system, the method  500  may proceed to block  514  and the navigation system may determine a route to the destination with turn-by-turn directions. Each turn may be considered a direction update. At decision  516 , the navigation system may determine whether the user selects start or cancel. The user may select start or cancel by touching a soft button, pressing a hard button, or a combination thereof. If the user selects cancel, the method  500  may end. 
     Otherwise, at decision  516 , if the user selects start, the method  500  may proceed to block  518  and the navigation system may schedule a next direction update window. The direction update window may be a predetermined time window in which a particular direction update should be provided, or otherwise broadcast, to the user. The timing for the direction update may be based on a distance to a particular direction change from a current location, the speed at which a user is traveling, a time until the direction change should be made, or a combination thereof. The direction update window may be a predetermined amount of time before and after the scheduled direction update, e.g., twenty seconds (20 sec) before and ten seconds (10 sec) after. Alternatively, the direction update window may be a predetermined amount of time before the scheduled direction update, e.g., thirty seconds (30 sec), and the direction update window may expire at the scheduled direction update. Moving to block  520 , the navigation system may activate a microphone. Thereafter, the method  500  may proceed to decision  602  of  FIG. 6 . 
     At decision  602  of  FIG. 6 , the navigation system may determine whether a conversation is detected. In a particular aspect, human speech may be identified based on specific frequency domain characteristics associated with the human speech. The navigation system may “listen” for these specific frequency domain characteristics and if one or more of these specific frequency domain characteristics are identified, the navigation system may determine that a conversation is detected. 
     At decision  602 , if a conversation is not detected, the method  500  may proceed to decision  604  and the navigation system may determine whether the update window is entered. If not, the method  500  may return to decision  602  and the method  500  may continue as described herein. On the other hand, at decision  604 , if the update window is entered, the method  500  may proceed to block  606  and the navigation system may provide the current direction update. Thereafter, the method  500  may move to decision  608  and the navigation system may determine whether the destination is reached. If so, the method  500  may end. Otherwise, if the destination is not reached, the method  500  may return to block  518  of  FIG. 5  and the method  500  may continue as described herein. 
     Returning to decision  602 , if the navigation system detects a conversation, the method  500  may move to block  610 . At block  610 , the navigation system may monitor the conversation. Moreover, at decision  612 , the navigation system may determine whether the update window is entered. If the update window is not entered, the method  500  may return to block  610  and the method  500  may proceed as described herein. Conversely, at decision  612 , if the update window is entered, the method  500  may proceed to decision  614  and the navigation system may determine if there is a lull in the conversation. 
     At decision  614 , if there is a lull in the conversation, the method  500  may move to block  606 . At block  606 , the navigation system may provide the current direction update. Thereafter, the method  500  may move to decision  608  and the navigation system may determine whether the destination is reached. If the destination is reached, the method  500  may end. On the hand, if the destination is not reached, the method  500  may return to block  518  of  FIG. 5  and the method  500  may continue as described herein. 
     Returning to decision  614 , if the navigation system determines that there is not a lull in the conversation, the method  500  may move to block  616 . At block  616 , the navigation system may determine a conversation density. The conversation density may be an indication of how many spoken words are occurring per minute. In another aspect, the conversation density may be an indication of how many pauses in the conversation are occurring, wherein each pause is greater than a predetermined amount of time, e.g., two seconds, or a combination thereof. 
     From block  616 , the method  500  may move to decision  618  and the navigation system may determine whether the conversation density is greater than or equal to a condition. For example, if the conversation density is expressed as words per minute, the condition may be twenty words per minute, thirty words per minute, forty words per minute, etc. At decision  618 , if the conversation density is greater than or equal to the condition, the method  500  may proceed to block  620  and the navigation system may increase the brevity of the direction update, e.g., by decreasing the words associated with the direction update. In other words, the navigation system may increase the brevity of the direction update by broadcasting more terse directions. 
     From block  620 , the method  500  may move to decision  622  and the navigation system may determine whether a current time is within a predetermined time, t, of the end of the update window, i.e., whether the update window is about to expire. If the current time is not within the predetermined time, t, of the end of the update window, the method  500  may return to decision  614  and the method  500  may continue as described herein. 
     Returning to decision  622 , if the current time is within the predetermined time, t, of the end of the update window, the method  500  may move to block  624 . At block  624 , the navigation system may lower the volume of the navigation system. Then, the method  500  may move to block  606  and the navigation system may provide, or otherwise broadcast, the direction update. The navigation system may broadcast the direction update via one or more speakers. Alternatively, the navigation system may display the direction update via a display while broadcasting the direction update via one or more speakers. In a particular aspect, the direction update may be the direction update having the increased brevity. Thereafter, the method  500  may continue as described herein. By lowering the volume of the navigation system, the navigation system may provide the direction update while decreasing the possibility of interrupting the conversation. 
     In another aspect, the navigation system may flash a light as an indication to the user that a direction update is pending. Thereafter, in response to the flashing light, the user may intentionally create a lull in the conversation in order to allow the direction update to be broadcast, or otherwise provided to the user. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  through  FIG. 9 , a second aspect of a method of providing GPS direction updates is shown and is generally designated  700 . Commencing at block  702 , when a navigation system is powered on the following steps may be performed. In one aspect, the navigation system may be a GPS enabled portable computing device. In another aspect, the navigation system may be a portable GPS device. Still, in another aspect, the navigation system may be a built-in GPS device, i.e., an in-dash GPS device. 
     Moving to decision  704 , the navigation system may determine whether a destination is input. If not, the method  700  may end. Otherwise, at decision  704 , if a destination is input, the method  700  may proceed to block  706 . At block  706 , the navigation system may receive a destination. Further, at block  708 , the navigation system may search a database for the destination in order to determine directions for the destination. 
     At decision  710 , the navigation system may determine whether the destination is located in the database and in turn, whether the navigation system is able to determine directions to the destination at least partially based on one or more maps stored in the navigation system or accessible to the navigation system. At decision  710 , if the destination is not located within the database, the method  700  may move to block  712  and the navigation system may indicate that the destination is unavailable. Thereafter, the method  700  may end. 
     Returning to decision  710 , if the destination is located in the database by the navigation system, the method  700  may proceed to block  714  and the navigation system may determine a route to the destination with turn-by-turn directions. Each turn may be considered a direction update. At decision  716 , the navigation system may determine whether the user selects start or cancel. The user may select start or cancel by touching a soft button, pressing a hard button, or a combination thereof. If the user selects cancel, the method  700  may end. 
     Otherwise, at decision  716 , if the user selects start, the method  700  may proceed to block  718  and the navigation system may schedule a next direction update window. The direction update window may be a time frame around which a particular direction update should be provided, or otherwise broadcast, to the user. The timing for the direction update may be based on a distance from a particular turn, the speed at which a user is traveling, or a combination thereof. The direction update window may be a predetermined amount of time before and after the scheduled direction update, e.g., twenty seconds (20 sec) before and ten seconds (10 sec) after. Alternatively, the direction update window may be a predetermined amount of time before the scheduled direction update, e.g., thirty seconds (30 sec), and the direction update window may expire at the scheduled direction update. From block  718 , the method  700  may continue to  802  of  FIG. 8 . 
     At block  802 , the navigation system may monitor the time. Then, at decision  804 , the navigation system may determine if an update window has been entered. If the update window is not entered, the method  700  may return to block  802  and the method  700  may continue as described herein. If the update window is entered, the method  700  may proceed to block  806  and the navigation system may activate a microphone associated with the navigation system. At block  808 , the navigation system may sample the conversation, if any. 
     Moving to decision  810 , the navigation system may determine whether a conversation is detected. In a particular aspect, human speech may be identified based on specific frequency domain characteristics associated with the human speech. The navigation system may “listen” for these specific frequency domain characteristics and if one or more of these specific frequency domain characteristics are identified, the navigation system may determine that a conversation is detected. 
     At decision  810 , if a conversation is detected, the method  700  may proceed to block  902  of  FIG. 9 . On the other hand, if a conversation is not detected, the method  700  may proceed to block  906  of  FIG. 9 . 
     Moving to block  902  of  FIG. 9 , the navigation system may monitor the conversation. At decision  904 , the navigation system may determine whether there is a lull in the conversation. If there is a lull in the conversation, the method  500  may move to block  906 . At block  906 , the navigation system may provide the current direction update. Then, at block  908 , the navigation system may deactivate the microphone. 
     Moving to decision  910 , the navigation system may determine whether the destination is reached. If the destination is reached, the method  700  may end. On the hand, if the destination is not reached, the method  700  may return to block  718  of  FIG. 7  and the method  700  may continue as described herein. 
     Returning to decision  904 , if the navigation system determines that there is not a lull in the conversation, the method  700  may move to block  912 . At block  912 , the navigation system may determine a conversation density. The conversation density may be an indication of how many spoken words are occurring per minute. In another aspect, the conversation density may be an indication of how many pauses in the conversation are occurring, wherein each pause is greater than a predetermined amount of time, e.g., two seconds, or a combination thereof. 
     From block  912 , the method  500  may move to decision  914  and the navigation system may determine whether the conversation density is greater than or equal to a condition. For example, if the conversation density is expressed as words per minute, the condition may be twenty words per minute, thirty words per minute, forty words per minute, etc. At decision  914 , if the conversation density is greater than or equal to the condition, the method  700  may proceed to block  916  and the navigation system may increase the brevity of the direction update, e.g., by decreasing the words associated with the direction update. In other words, the navigation system may increase the brevity of the direction update by broadcasting more terse directions. 
     From block  916 , the method  700  may move to decision  918  and the navigation system may determine whether a current time is within a predetermined time, t, of the end of the update window, i.e., whether the update window is about to expire. If the current time is not within the predetermined time, t, of the end of the update window, the method  700  may return to decision  904  and the method  700  may continue as described herein. 
     Returning to decision  918 , if the current time is within the predetermined time, t, of the end of the update window, the method  700  may move to block  920 . At block  920 , the navigation system may lower the volume of the navigation system. Then, the method  700  may move to block  906  and the navigation system may provide, or otherwise broadcast, the direction update. In a particular aspect, the direction update may be the direction update having the increased brevity. Thereafter, the method  700  may continue as described herein. By lowering the volume of the navigation system, the navigation system may provide the direction update while decreasing the possibility of interrupting the conversation. 
     Returning to decision  810  of  FIG. 8 , if a conversation is not detected, the method  700  may proceed directly to block  906  of  FIG. 9  and the navigation system may provide the current direction update. Thereafter, at block  908 , the navigation system may deactivate the microphone. At decision  910 , the navigation system may determine whether the destination is reached. If the destination is reached, the method  700  may end. On the hand, if the destination is not reached, the method  700  may return to block  718  of  FIG. 7  and the method  700  may continue as described herein. 
       FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  illustrate a third aspect of a method of providing GPS direction updates that is generally designated  1000 . Beginning at block  1002 , when a navigation system is powered on the following steps may be performed. In one aspect, the navigation system may be a GPS enabled portable computing device. In another aspect, the navigation system may be a portable GPS device. Still, in another aspect, the navigation system may be a built-in GPS device, i.e., an in-dash GPS device. 
     Moving to decision  1004 , the navigation system may determine whether a destination is input. If not, the method  1000  may end. Otherwise, at decision  1004 , if a destination is input, the method  1000  may proceed to block  1006 . At block  1006 , the navigation system may receive a destination. Further, at block  1008 , the navigation system may search a database for the destination in order to determine directions for the destination. 
     At decision  1010 , the navigation system may determine whether the destination is located in the database and in turn, whether the navigation system is able to determine directions to the destination at least partially based on one or more maps stored in the navigation system or accessible to the navigation system. At decision  1010 , if the destination is not located within the database, the method  1000  may move to block  1012  and the navigation system may indicate that the destination is unavailable. Thereafter, the method  1000  may end. 
     Returning to decision  1010 , if the destination is located in the database by the navigation system, the method  1000  may proceed to block  1014  and the navigation system may determine a route to the destination with turn-by-turn directions. Each turn may be considered a direction update. At decision  1016 , the navigation system may determine whether the user selects start or cancel. The user may select start or cancel by touching a soft button, pressing a hard button, or a combination thereof. If the user selects cancel, the method  1000  may end. 
     Otherwise, at decision  1016 , if the user selects start, the method  1000  may proceed to block  1018  and the navigation system may schedule a next direction update window. The direction update window may be a time frame around which a particular direction update should be provided, or otherwise broadcast, to the user. The timing for the direction update may be based on a distance from a particular turn, the speed at which a user is traveling, or a combination thereof. The direction update window may be a predetermined amount of time before and after the scheduled direction update, e.g., twenty seconds (20 sec) before and ten seconds (10 sec) after. Alternatively, the direction update window may be a predetermined amount of time before the scheduled direction update, e.g., thirty seconds (30 sec), and the direction update window may expire at the scheduled direction update. Moving to block  1020 , the navigation system may activate a microphone. Thereafter, the method  1000  may proceed to block  1102  of  FIG. 11 . 
     At block  1102  of  FIG. 11 , the navigation system may monitor a conversation. At decision  1104 , the navigation system may determine whether an update window is entered. If not, the method  1000  may return to block  1102  and the method  1000  may continue as described herein. Otherwise, if the update window is entered, the method  1000  may proceed to decision  1106  and the navigation system may determine whether a conversation is detected. If no conversation is detected, the method  1000  may proceed to block  1108  and the navigation system may provide, or otherwise broadcast, a direction update. Then, the method  1000  may move to decision  1110  and the navigation system may determine whether the destination is reached. If so, the method  1000  may end. Otherwise, if the destination is not reached, the method  1000  may return to block  1018  of  FIG. 10  and the method  1000  may continue as described herein. 
     Returning to decision  1106 , if a conversation is detected, the method  1000  may continue to block  1112  and the navigation system may listen for a lull in the conversation. Thereafter, at decision  1114 , the navigation system may determine if there is a lull in the conversation. At decision  1114 , if there is a lull in the conversation, the method  1000  may move to block  1108  and the method  1000  may continue as described herein. Conversely, at decision  1114 , if the navigation system determines that there is not a lull in the conversation, the method  1000  may move to decision  1116  and the navigation system may determine whether the update window is expiring. 
     If the update window is not expiring, the method  1000  may return to block  1112  and the method  1000  may continue as described herein. If the update window is expiring, the method  1000  may proceed to block  1118 , and the navigation system may lower the volume of the GPS system. Then, the method  1000  may proceed to block  1108  and proceed as described herein. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a method of providing voice updates is shown and is generally designated  1200 . Beginning at block  1202 , one or more vehicle systems may be monitored by an update system. At block  1204 , the update system may receive a voice update from one or more vehicle systems, or sub systems. 
     Moving to decision  1206 , the update system may determine whether the update is critical, e.g., has an engine oil temperature exceed a critical threshold. If so, the method  1200  may proceed directly to block  1208  and the update system may provide the update to the user. Thereafter, the method  1200  may end. 
     Returning to decision  1206 , if the update is not critical, e.g., the fuel level is low, the vehicle requires servicing, etc., the method  1200  may proceed to block  1210 . At block  1210 , the update system may a voice update window. The voice update window may be a time frame in the future in which a particular voice update should be provided, or otherwise broadcast, to the user. Next, at block  1212 , the update system may activate a microphone. At block  1214 , the update system may monitor a conversation. 
     Proceeding to decision  1216 , the update system may determine whether an update window is entered. If not, the method  1200  may return to block  1214  and the method  1200  may continue as described herein. Otherwise, if the update window is entered, the method  1200  may proceed to decision  1218  and the update system may determine whether a conversation is detected. If no conversation is detected, the method  1200  may proceed to block  1208  and the update system may provide, or otherwise broadcast, the voice update. Then, the method  1200  may end. 
     Returning to decision  1218 , if a conversation is detected, the method  1200  may continue to block  1220  and the update system may listen for a lull in the conversation. Thereafter, at decision  1222 , the update system may determine if there is a lull in the conversation. At decision  1222 , if there is a lull in the conversation, the method  1200  may move to block  1208  and the method  1200  may continue as described herein. Conversely, at decision  1222 , if the update system determines that there is not a lull in the conversation, the method  1200  may move to decision  1224  and the update system may determine whether the update window is expiring. 
     If the update window is not expiring, the method  1000  may return to block  1220  and the method  1200  may continue as described herein. If the update window is expiring, the method  1200  may proceed to block  1226 , and the navigation system may lower the volume of the system. Then, the method  1200  may proceed to block  1208  and proceed as described herein. 
     Accordingly, a vehicle may include a vehicle update system that may provide other types of voice updates may operate in a manner similar to the methods described above. For example, a vehicle update system may be configured to provide voice updates to a user based on one or more vehicle parameters. The vehicle system may provide a voice update when the vehicle is low on fuel, when a change in engine oil pressure occurs, when a battery level is low, when a change in tire pressure occurs, when a change in engine temperature occurs, when a cooling fluid is low, when a brake fluid is low, when a transmission fluid is low, when an oil life is nearing completion and needs changing, when a brake pad needs changing, when any other maintenance needs to be performed, or any combination thereof. 
     The vehicle update system may monitor any conversation that occurs in the vehicle cabin and provide one or more voice updates during any appropriate lulls before damage to a vehicle occurs. The vehicle update system may interact with a vehicle control module (VCM), a body control module (BCM), an engine control module (ECM), a transmission control module (TCM), anti-lock braking system module (ABSM), an instrument panel cluster (IPC), an active handling module (AHM), a radio module (RM), a heater/ventilation/air conditioning module (HVAC), a navigation system module (NSM), or a combination thereof in order to monitor one or more of the appropriate vehicle parameters, e.g., an engine temperature, an engine oil pressure, a brake fluid level, a remaining oil life, a transmission fluid level, a coolant level, a fuel level, a battery level, a refrigerant level, an instrument light operation, a headlight operation, a taillight operation, a turn signal operation, an instrument operation, any other consumable, any other fluid level, or a combination thereof. 
     In a particular aspect, a portable computing device (PCD), such as a mobile telephone, may include a software application that interacts with the VCM, BCM, ECM, TCM, ABSM, IPC, AHM, RM, HVACM, NSM, or a combination thereof. The PCD may communicate with the VCM, BCM, ECM, TCM, ABSM, IPC, AHM, RM, HVACM, NSM, or a combination thereof, directly. Alternatively, the PCD may communicate with the VCM, BCM, ECM, TCM, ABSM, IPC, AHM, RM, HVACM, NSM, or a combination thereof indirectly, e.g., through the vehicle update system. 
     Further, the PCD may VCM, BCM, ECM, TCM, ABSM, IPC, AHM, RM, HVACM, NSM, wirelessly or through a wired connection. The wireless connection may include a Wi-Fi connection, e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11n, or a combination thereof. The wireless connection may also include a Bluetooth connection or some other wireless connection. In another aspect, the PCD may be connected to the vehicle update system via a wire, a docking station, or a combination thereof. 
     In either case, the PCD may receive one or more instructions from the VCM, BCM, ECM, TCM, ABSM, IPC, AHM, RM, HVACM, NSM, or a combination thereof in order to provide a voice update to the user. Thereafter, the PCD may monitor the conversation within the vehicle cabin in order to provide the voice update to the user at the appropriate time, e.g., during a conversation lull. 
     In the instance that a vehicle parameter is approaching a critical level, e.g., the vehicle is about to run out of fuel, the oil pressure has dropped below a critical level, the engine temperature has gone above a critical level, a tire air pressure has dropped below a critical level, the system may aggressively seek to detect a lull in the conversation in order to provide the voice update to the user without interrupting the user conversation. If the system does not detect a lull and the critical level is reached, the system may provide the voice update to the user regardless of the conversation status. 
     Accordingly, a voice update may include a navigation system direction update, an update from the VCM (i.e., a VCM update), an update from the BCM (i.e., a BCM update), an update from the ECM (i.e., an ECM update), an update from the TCM (i.e., a TCM update), an update from the ABSM (i.e., an ABSM update), an update from the IPC (i.e., an IPC update), an update from the AHM (i.e., an AHM update), an update from the RM (i.e., an RM update), an update from the HVACM (i.e., an HVACM update), an update from the NSM (i.e., an NSM update), or a combination thereof. 
     It is to be understood that the method steps described herein need not necessarily be performed in the order as described. Further, words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps. These words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the method steps. Moreover, the methods described herein are described as executable on a portable computing device (PCD), a portable GPS device, a built-in GPS device, or a combination thereof. The PCD may be a mobile telephone device, a portable digital assistant device, a smartbook computing device, a netbook computing device, a laptop computing device, a desktop computing device, or a combination thereof. Also, the various method steps may be combined in any order in order to create new methods. 
     With the configuration of structure described herein, the systems and methods may monitor the audio environment, e.g., within a vehicle, in order to detect a conversation within the vehicle and schedule turn-by-turn direction updates to natural lulls in the conversation—similar to what a human navigator might do. The navigation systems described herein may also adapt the brevity of direction updates according to the density of conversation. Further, the navigation systems described herein may also schedule some updates earlier than usual to take advantage of conversation lulls. 
     In a particular aspect, the navigation systems may monitor the audio environment to detect speech. In a particular aspect, specifically human speech is identified using specific identifiable frequency domain characteristics. In another aspect, the navigation systems may simply monitor the average audio level and higher audio levels may suggest, or otherwise indicate, conversation. 
     In one aspect, the monitoring for conversation may be continuous. In another aspect, the monitoring for conversation may be sporadic. With continuous monitoring, a navigation system may continuously listen for conversation and the presence/absence of conversation is available at any time. With sporadic monitoring, the navigation system may sample for conversation just prior to the point when it would need to make a direction update. 
     In either implementation, e.g., continuous or sporadic monitoring, rather than using a single time/distance point to trigger the next direction update, a navigation system may use an update window for each update. The start of the update window is the earliest time at which it would be reasonable to provide the next spoken direction update. The end of the update window is the latest time at which it would be reasonable to provide the next spoken direction update. For example, a thirty second (30 sec) window may span twenty seconds (20 sec) prior to an original trigger point and ten seconds (10 sec) following the original trigger point. 
     When the update window is entered, a navigation system may either sporadically sample the conversation state, or it can read the conversation state from the continuous monitor. In either case, if there is an on-going conversation, the navigation system may wait for a minimum configurable lull in the conversation, e.g., for example, two seconds (2 sec), or otherwise, for the window to expire before it announces the next direction. 
     Using continuous monitoring, the navigation system may maintain a history of conversation state. If it enters the update window with a recent history, e.g., with the previous twenty seconds (20 sec) of absent conversation, the system may wait until much closer to the original trigger point before broadcasting the direction update. Conversely, if conversation has been active recently, the system may aggressively look for the earliest conversation lull, with the expectation that the conversation will continue. 
     The navigation system may maintain a history of the conversation state based either on continuous or sporadic samples. Further, the navigation system may adapt the direction updates for brevity according to the conversation level. For example, in the absence of conversation, the navigation system may give verbose directions, e.g., “At the next intersection, please make a right onto Vista Sorrento Parkway and continue for two miles.” In the presence of conversation, the navigation system may give terse directions, e.g., “Turn right ahead.” 
     The navigation systems described herein may monitor a face-to-face conversation between two or more persons in a vehicle. Further, in the instance that a navigation system, e.g., a GPS system, on a wireless telephone is used to monitor and provide instructions, the navigation system may listen to both sides of the telephone conversation occurring via the wireless telephone. 
     In one or more exemplary aspects, the functions described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer program product such as a machine readable medium, i.e., a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage media may be any available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media. 
     Although selected aspects have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that various substitutions and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims.