Route guidance via voice output, function

"Route guidance" function

After inputting the destination on the COMAND operating, display and controller unit (A40/3), the route is calculated and constantly updated by the navigation processor (N41/1). It can only be calculated within the digitized map area. The calculated route is a precondition for destination-oriented navigation.

The navigation processor calculates the route using the digital versatile disk (DVD) map data, the input destination, and the current position of the vehicle. During calculation it takes the roads and their attributes on the DVD map into consideration. These include, e.g. one-way roads, turn-off prohibitions, road classes, etc. (where given). Here, it is possible for the user to indicate how the route should be calculated:

 Fastest route

 Shortest route

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Dynamic route, with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation)

 Separate selection

 For vehicles with code (530) COMAND APS USA (with navigation system).

Under "Own selection", the following stretches can be blocked from the route calculation:

 Highway

 Ferry

 Toll road

 Tunnel

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Toll roads are color coded on the map.

Following the calculation of the route, the navigation processor generates a list of roads and junctions to be driven along. This route list can be referred to for destination-oriented navigation by calling up the "Info" menu.

Route updating

When the driver deviates from the calculated route, a new route list is calculated by the navigation processor. When doing so, the current position and the direction of travel are taken into consideration. A "New Route" message is shown on the color liquid crystal display (LCD) of the COMAND operating, display and controller unit and the instrument cluster (A1) displays "NEW RTE".

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trips outside the digitized map area

If the vehicle leaves the digitized DVD map area (e.g. driving into a multilevel car park), then no route can be calculated or updated. "OFF ROAD" appears on the LCD display of the COMAND operating, display and controller unit. Upon leaving the map boundary (e.g. foreign country), the message "OFF MAP" appears. Destinations that lie outside the digitized map area cannot be incorporated into the route calculation.

Bypassing traffic jams by means of the "Bypass traffic jam" function

After a traffic jam is reported on traffic radio and before reaching the affected section, a route can be calculated for driving around the traffic jam. To do this, the user must press the "Traffic jam" button and enter the following data:

 The length of the traffic jam, including the distance to the start of the traffic jam

 The corresponding stretch should be blocked within the detailed list of routes.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Voice output" function

The destination-oriented navigation of the navigation system (based on DVD data basis) is supported by the following voice outputs:

 Directional instructions

 Name of the next road to turn into

The voice data, which are originally stored in the navigation DVD as individual word segments, are automatically sent to the navigation processor and filed there.

The COMAND operating, display and controller unit is equipped with the following languages:

 English

 British English, with code (527) COMAND APS with single DVD drive (with navigation)

 US English, with code (530) COMAND APS USA (with navigation system)

 French

 Spanish

 Italian

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Dutch

 Danish

 Swedish

 Portuguese

 Turkish

 Several route recommendations in quick succession are combined to form a single voice output.

The navigation processor combines the word segments into full instructions or information and generates appropriate low-frequency (LF) signals. If necessary, the LF signals generated in this way can be sent via the Media Oriented System Transport (MOST) to the COMAND operating, display and controller unit or to the audio gateway control unit (N93/1), where they are then amplified and emitted over the vehicle speakers. The tone settings can be selected using the "System settings" menu.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 A language takes some seconds to load and changes both the voice output and the menu texts on the LCD color display of the COMAND operating, display and controller unit. Voice loading takes place again automatically after a power disconnection.

 While a language is loaded from the navigation DVD, it is necessary to avoid severe physical shocks. Otherwise voice output may be given in fragments. In such an instance the language should be loaded again.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Superimposition of voice output and an audio source.

When voice output is active simultaneously with an audio source (e.g. CD, radio tuner), the two signal sources are superimposed.

Volume of voice output

The voice output volume can be adjusted during voice output. A definable difference (can be modified in "Settings" menu) is maintained between the volume of the current audio source and the voice output volume.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Voice output mute circuit

The navigation voice output can be muted during voice output by pressing the mute button (button marked with struck-out speaker). Muting is only valid for the current voice output. When navigation voice output and an audio source (e.g. CD, radio tuner) are simultaneously active, the navigation voice output is switched to mute when the mute button is pressed for the 1st time and the complete playback is switched to mute when the mute button is pressed a 2nd time.

Notes with voice output

Voice output takes place when the system recommends turns and when turning into a numbered street. A special note is given during voice output for the following areas:

 Destination lies in area where driving is not possible

 Destination lies in area where driving is only possible to a limited extent

 Route via ferry

 Route via toll road

Further voice outputs take place at the start of the route calculation, when an intermediate destination has been reached, or when the destination has been reached.