Non-GPS navigation

• US 20030130787A1
• Filed: 01/04/2002
• Published: 07/10/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Clapper, Edward O.
• Granted Patent: US 6,823,257 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096894 where input is assisted by the navigation device, i.e. the user does not type the complete name of the destination, e.g. using zip codes, telephone numbers, progressively selecting from initial letters

Abstract

Non-GPS based navigation may be implemented by a cellular network service provider. The service provider may have data regarding a cellular radiotelephone'"'"'s location within its coverage area. Geographic data for the cell phone'"'"'s location may be obtained from a geographic database. Accordingly, navigational assistance may be provided to the user of the cellular radiotelephone through the interplay between the provider, telephone and geographic database. Additionally, the telephone may have a database storing telephone number-address pairs. Thus, when the user of the telephone inputs a telephone number as destinational information, the address corresponding to that phone number may be the destination location to which the user is traveling.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

automatically and repetitively establishing a current position of a cellular mobile unit utilizing a radio signal between said mobile unit and a cell site associated with a cellular network service provider;

receiving destination information from the user of said mobile unit to determine a desired destination; and

providing guidance to the user from said current position to said desired destination.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein automatically and repetitively establishing said current position includes logging and storing said mobile unit'"'"'s sequential presence within visited cells for a recent period of time, said recent period of time ranging from a time within the most recent four hours through the present time.

3. The method of claim 2 further including obtaining geographical data for said visited cells from a geographic database and correlating said geographical data with said visited cells to derive said mobile unit'"'"'s geographic location and direction of travel within the cell that the mobile unit is presently physically located.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving destination information includes receiving a telephone number to determine a corresponding address as said desired destination.

5. The method of claim 1 further including receiving geographic information from a geographic database to create a route of travel, and relaying a location marker along said route of travel to said user.

6. The method of claim 1 further including confirming said mobile unit'"'"'s presence at said desired destination.

7. An article comprising a medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to:

automatically and repetitively establish a current position of a cellular mobile unit utilizing a radio signal between said mobile unit and a cell cite that is associated with a cellular network service provider;

receive destination information from the user of said mobile unit to determine a desired destination; and

provide guidance to the user from said current position to said desired destination.

8. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to log and store said mobile unit'"'"'s sequential presence within visited cells for a recent period of time, said recent period of time ranging from a time within the most recent four hours through the present time.

9. The article of claim 8 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to obtain geographical data for said visited cells from a geographic database, and correlate said geographical data with said visited cells to derive said mobile unit'"'"'s geographical location and direction of travel within the cell that said mobile unit is presently physically located.

10. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to receive a telephone number to determine a corresponding address of said desired destination.

11. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to receive geographic information from a geographic database to create a route of travel, and relay a location marker along said route of travel to said user.

12. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to confirm said mobile unit'"'"'s presence at said desired destination.

13. A method comprising:

automatically establishing an original position of a cellular radiotelephone through the use of a radio signal between said telephone and a cell site associated with a cellular network service provider;

receiving destination information through said telephone; and

converting said destination information to a location of destination.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein receiving destination information includes receiving a telephone number as destination information.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein converting said destination information includes converting said telephone number to a corresponding address as said location of destination.

16. The method of claim 13 further including consulting a geographic database to create navigational instructions from said original position to said location of destination.

17. The method of claim 16 further including providing turn-by-turn directives to the user of said telephone.

18. The method of claim 17 further including confirming that the user is properly executing said turn-by-turn directives.

19. An article comprising a medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to:

automatically establish an original position of a cellular radiotelephone through the use of a radio signal between said telephone and a cell site associated with a cellular network service provider;

receive destination information through said telephone; and

convert said destination information to a location of destination.

20. The article of claim of claim 19 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive a telephone number as destination information.

21. The article of claim 19 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to convert said telephone number to a corresponding address as said location of destination.

22. The article of claim 19 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to consult a geographic database to create navigational instructions from said original position to said location of destination.

23. The article of claim 22 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to provide turn-by-turn directives to the user of said telephone.

24. The article of claim 23 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to confirm that the user is properly executing said turn-by-turn directives.

25. The article of claim 19 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to confirm that the user of said radiotelephone has reached said location of destination.

26. A method comprising:

receiving information regarding a physical cell location for a cellular mobile unit;

receiving a telephone number as destination information; and

on said cellular mobile unit converting said telephone number to a destination location.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein converting said telephone number to said destination location includes converting said telephone number to a corresponding address.

28. An article comprising a medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to:

receive information regarding a physical cell location for a cellular mobile unit;

receive a telephone number as destination information; and

on said cellular mobile unit convert said telephone number to a destination location.

29. The article of claim 28 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to convert said telephone number to a corresponding address.

30. The article of claim 29 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to transmit said corresponding address as said destination location.