Method and apparatus for avoiding route deviation

• US 20040220725A1
• Filed: 03/21/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: BenQ Corporation (Qisda Corporation)
• Original Assignee: BenQ Corporation (Qisda Corporation)
• Inventors: Cheng, Steven D.
• Application Number:
  US10/394,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20040220725A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for avoiding route deviation for a moving object in an area of a communication system. The mobile communication system includes a plurality of cells. Each cell has a location area identification data (LAI) relating to location and coverage of each cell. In the present invention, a route information is inputted, and then is mapped with the LAI data to determine cells corresponding to the route information. The present invention detects a position of the object and determines whether the object is in the determined cells. When the object is not in the determined cells, the present invention outputs a warning signal.

Claims

1. A method for avoiding route deviation for a moving object in an area of a mobile communication system, said mobile communication system including cells, each cell having a location area identification (LAI) data, said LAI data related to location and coverage of each cell, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) inputting a route information including a start point, an end point, and a planned route;

(b) mapping said route information with said LAI data to determine cells respectively corresponding to said start point as a first area, corresponding to said end point as a second area, and corresponding to said planned route as a third area;

(c) detecting a position of said object;

(d) determining whether said object is in said first area;

(e) determining whether said object is in said second area;

(f) determining whether said object is in said third area; and

(g) outputting a warning signal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein between said step (d) and said step (e), the method further comprises the steps of:

(h) counting a time value when said object is in said first area;

(i) determining whether said time value is greater than a predetermined value; and

(j) re-detecting said position of said object when said time value counted is greater than said predetermined value.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (d) further comprises:

(d.1) outputting said warning signal when said object is not in said first area.

4. The method of claim 1, said step (c) further comprising:

(c.1) receiving a plurality of signals from said cells;

(c.2) selecting a specific signal from said signals and reading out a specific LAI data from said specific signal; and

(c.3) recognizing said position of said object by comparing said specific LAI data with said LAI data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said signal is a broadcast control channel signal (BCCH) sent out from each of said base stations.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein in the step (c.2), said specific signal is one of said signals of the strongest signal power.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said object is a mobile station.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said object is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

9. An apparatus for avoiding route deviation for a moving object in an area of a mobile communication system, said mobile communication system including cells, each cell having a location area identification data (LAI), said LAI data related to location and coverage of each cell, said apparatus comprising:

an input unit for inputting a route information including a start point, an end point, and a planned route;

a process unit for mapping said route information with said LAI data to determine cells respectively corresponding to said start point as a first area, corresponding to said end point as a second area, and corresponding to said planned route as a third area;

a detection unit for detecting a position of said object;

a memory unit for storing said LAI data;

a determination unit; and

a warning unit;

whereby said determination unit determines whether said object is in said second area;

when said object is not in said second area, said determination unit determines whether said object is in said third area; and

when said object is not in said third area, said warning unit outputs a warning signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said determination unit further determines whether said object is in said first area.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said determination unit further comprises a timer, when said determination unit determines said object is in said first area, said timer counts a time value;

said determination unit determines whether said time value counted is greater than a predetermined value; and

when said time value counted is greater than said predetermined value, said detection unit re-detects said position of said object.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said detection unit further comprises:

a receiving unit for receiving a plurality of signals from said cells;

a selection unit for selecting a specific signal from said signals and reading out a specific LAI data from said specific signal; and

a position unit for recognizing said position of said object by comparing said specific LAI data with said LAI data.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said signal is a broadcast control channel signal (BCCH) sent out from each of said base stations.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said selection unit selects one of said signals of the strongest signal power as said specific signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said object is a mobile station.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said object is a personal digital assistant (PDA).