Route storage and retrieval for a vehicle navigation system

• US 20040153240A1
• Filed: 01/31/2003
• Published: 08/05/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: FCA US LLC (Stellantis NV)
• Original Assignee: Daimler Chrysler Corporation (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Pietras, David J., Issa, Nabil M., Kadi, Abdul-Majeed
• Granted Patent: US 6,847,891 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/211
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance

Abstract

A method for recording and storing a route of a motor vehicle in an undigitized area of a vehicle navigation system comprises determining a first position of the motor vehicle using a Global Positioning System. This first position is then recorded in the vehicle navigation system. A second position of the motor vehicle is determined after the motor vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance from the first position. This second position is also recorded in the vehicle navigation system. The first position is then connected to the second position in order to form a route in the vehicle navigation system. The route has a segment in an undigitized area of the vehicle navigation system. The route is then stored in the vehicle navigation system and may be retrieved at a later time.

Claims

1. A method for recording and storing a route having at least one undigitized segment for a motor vehicle equipped with a vehicle navigation system comprising the steps of:

determining a first position of the motor vehicle;

recording said first position of the motor vehicle in said vehicle navigation system;

determining a second position of the motor vehicle after the motor vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance from said first position, said second position located in an undigitized area of the vehicle navigation system;

recording said second position of the motor vehicle;

connecting said first position to said second position to form a route in the vehicle navigation system, said route having a segment in an undigitized area of the vehicle navigation system; and

storing said route in the vehicle navigation system.

2. The method for recording and storing a route of a motor vehicle in an undigitized area of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining a plurality of positions of the motor vehicle, wherein each of said plurality of positions are said predetermined distance away from a previous position and a portion of said plurality of positions are in an undigitized area of the vehicle navigation system;

recording said plurality of positions of the motor vehicle; and

connecting said plurality of positions with said previous positions to form a route having a segment in an undigitized area of the vehicle navigation system.

3. The method for recording and storing a route of a motor vehicle in an undigitized area of claim 1, wherein said predetermined distance is measured by a wheel speed sensor that determines the distance the motor vehicle has traveled after recording said first position.

4. The method for recording and storing a route of a motor vehicle in an undigitized area of claim 3, wherein said first position and said second position are determined by the vehicle navigation system using a gyroscope to measure the direction that the motor vehicle has traveled.

5. The method for recording and storing a route of a motor vehicle in an undigitized area of claim 1, wherein said first position and said second position are determined by a global positioning system that sends the position of the motor vehicle to the vehicle navigation system.

6. The method for recording and storing a route of a motor vehicle in an undigitized area of claim 1, further comprising a first step of depressing a button on the vehicle navigation system and a final step of depressing said button on the vehicle navigation system.

7. A method of guiding a motor vehicle along a recorded route in an undigitized area of a vehicle navigation system comprising the steps of:

recording and storing a route in the vehicle navigation system, said route comprised of a plurality of points, a portion of said plurality of points located in an undigitized area of the vehicle navigation system;

determining a position of the motor vehicle with respect to said route;

guiding the motor vehicle from said position to the closest of said plurality of points of said route using a graphical icon; and

guiding the motor vehicle from one of said plurality of points to another of said plurality of points along said route using said graphical icon.

8. The method of guiding a motor vehicle along a recorded route in an undigitized area of a vehicle navigation system of claim 7, wherein said plurality of points are spaced equidistant from one another.

9. The method of guiding a motor vehicle along a recorded route in an undigitized area of a vehicle navigation system of claim 7, wherein the position of the motor vehicle is determined by a global positioning system.

10. The method of guiding a motor vehicle along a recorded route in an undigitized area of a vehicle navigation system of claim 7, wherein the steps of guiding the motor vehicle include determining the position of the motor vehicle, comparing the position of the motor vehicle to said plurality of points, and indicating to the operator of the motor vehicle in which direction to drive the motor vehicle.