Systems, methods and devices for trip management functions

• US 20060089793A1
• Filed: 10/22/2004
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Trimble Navigation Limited (Trimble Inc.)
• Inventors: Janky, James M., Howard, Craig, Allen, Robert Joseph, Rudow, Richard
• Application Number:
  US10/971,354
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089793A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/208
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/20 Instruments for performing navigational calculations G01C21/24, G01C21/26 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9537 Spatial or temporal dependent retrieval, e.g. spatiotemporal queries
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/20 Services signaling; Auxiliary data signalling, i.e. transmitting data via a non-traffic channel

Abstract

Systems, methods, and devices for performing a trip management function are disclosed. A client computer accesses a server networked therewith to retrieve and store data, such as Web documents, relating to the trip. A wireless device interface allows a portable device, wirelessly coupled with a cellular telephone system with the network, to download the Web document. The portable device has cellular telephone functionality, geo-locating functionality, such as GPS capability, for determining its geo-location, and a processor for processing the Web document to help manage the trip. The Web document can include a set of map tiles, which encompass a particular geo-location area, and which form a dynamic map display. As the geo-location of the device changes, the next sequential map tile is downloaded and processed for displayed thereon.

Claims

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a cellular communication system for wirelessly coupling said electronic device with a cellular telephone system;

a position determining mechanism operable with said cellular communication system for determining a geographic location of said portable electronic device; and

a processor operable with said cellular communication system, for performing processing related to an operation of said electronic device, wherein said processing comprises running an application, wherein said application relates to performing a process for managing a trip, said process comprising;

wirelessly contacting a server with said cellular telephone system;

accessing data relating to said trip with said server; and

downloading said data to said portable electronic device wherein said data is useful for said managing.

2. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein said cellular communication system comprises a cellular telephone.

3. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein said position determining mechanism receives signals from at least one position determining system selected from the group consisting of Global Positioning System, Galileo™

, a Rosum digital television position determining system, and determines a geographic position from said signals, wherein said portable electronic device comprises a handheld position determining device, wherein said handheld position determining device incorporates said communication system for performing a cellular telephone function therewith.

4. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 3 further comprising a display for displaying said geographic location.

5. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein said portable electronic device comprises a computer.

6. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 5 wherein said computer comprises a portable personal digital assistant.

7. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein said data relating to said trip comprises a map.

8. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 7 wherein said map comprises a plurality of map tiles.

9. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 7 wherein each map tile of said plurality of map tiles comprises a border, wherein said border comprises a boundary separating one said map tile from another said map tile, wherein said boundary corresponds to a substantially linear contour of a geographical area circumscribed by said border, and wherein said map comprises a dynamic display with said portable electronic device wherein each said map tile comprises a next sequential map tile to a map tile separated therefrom with said border, wherein, as said geographic location changes, said next sequential map tile is downloaded and displayed.

10. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 9 wherein said map is retrieved from a map database.

11. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 10 wherein said map database comprises a database associated with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

12. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 7 wherein said data relating to said trip relates to an elevation.

13. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 12 wherein said map comprises a contour map.

14. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein said data relating to said trip comprises a graphical image.

15. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 14 wherein said graphical image comprises a photographic image.

16. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15 wherein said photographic image comprises an aerial/space photograph.

17. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 15 wherein said graphical image substantially complies with a standard of one or more of the Joint Picture Experts Group and the Motion Pictures Expert Group.

18. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 wherein said data relating to said trip comprises a document.

19. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 18 wherein said document is one or more of a Hypertext Markup Language document and a Wireless Markup Language document.

20. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a user interface operable with said processor for allowing use of said application.

21. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 20 wherein said user interface allows input of information to said portable electronic device, said information relating to said trip, and wherein said process further comprises:

upon said user inputting said information, storing said information on said portable electronic device; and

upon said user acting to send said information, wirelessly sending said information to said server with said cellular telephone system, wherein said server includes said information with said data relating to said trip.

22. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 21 wherein said information corresponds to said geographic location of said portable electronic device and wherein said portable electronic device functions to relate said information to said geographic location.

23. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 21 further comprising an image capturing functionality operating with said processor for capturing an image relating to said trip, wherein said processing further comprises processing said image, and wherein said image relating to said trip comprises said information.

24. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 23 wherein said processing said image comprises formatting said image into a format substantially compliant with a standard of one or more of the Joint Picture Experts Group and the Motion Pictures Expert Group.

25. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 21 further comprising a sound capturing mechanism operating with said processor for capturing a sound relating to said trip, wherein said processing further comprises processing said sound, and wherein said sound comprises said information.

26. The portable electronic device as recited in claim 25 wherein said capturing comprises recording and wherein said processing said sound comprises formatting said sound into a format substantially compliant with a Musical Instrument Digital Interface standard.

27. A network based computerized system for managing a trip, comprising:

a network, said network comprising one or more of;

the Internet; and

a wide area network;

a server coupled to said network and running a network based application for allowing a user of a client computer coupled with said network to store, on said server, data relating to said trip; and

a cellular telephone system coupled to said network for allowing a user of a portable electronic device disposed for wirelessly communicating with said cellular telephone system to access said server and download therefrom said data relating to said trip, wherein said portable electronic device performs a geo-locating function for determining a geographic location of said portable electronic device wherein said device accesses a signal relating to said geographic location, said signal generated by a system for determining said geographic location.

28. The system as recited in claim 27 wherein said system for determining said geographic location comprises one or more of Global Positioning System, Galileo™

, Global Navigation Satellite Service, a Rosum position determining system, or another position system, wherein said portable electronic device accesses said signal generated by said system for determining said geographic location.

29. The system as recited in claim 28 wherein said portable electronic device comprises one or more of:

a cellular telephone wherein said geo-locating function is performed with a Global Positioning System functionality;

a handheld position determining device, wherein said handheld position determining device comprises functionality for performing a cellular telephone function; and

a computer comprising functionality for performing a cellular telephone function and said geo-locating function.

30. The system as recited in claim 27 wherein said data relating to said trip comprises a map.

31. The system as recited in claim 30 wherein said map comprises a plurality of map tiles.

32. The system as recited in claim 31 wherein each map tile of said plurality of map tiles comprises a border, wherein said border comprises a boundary separating one said map tile from another said map tile, and wherein said boundary corresponds to a substantially linear contour of a geographical area circumscribed by said border, and wherein said map comprises a dynamic display with said portable electronic device wherein each said map tile comprises a next sequential map tile to a map tile separated therefrom with said border, wherein, as said geographic location changes, said next sequential map tile is downloaded and displayed.

33. The system as recited in claim 30 further comprising one or more databases wherein at least one of said databases comprises a map database and wherein said map is retrieved from said map database.

34. The system as recited in claim 33 wherein said map database comprises a database associated with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

35. The system as recited in claim 33 wherein said data relating to said trip relates to an elevation.

36. The system as recited in claim 35 wherein said map comprises a contour map.

37. The system as recited in claim 27 wherein said data relating to said trip comprises a graphical image.

38. The system as recited in claim 37 wherein said graphical image comprises an aerial/space photograph.

39. The system as recited in claim 38 wherein said graphical image substantially complies with a standard of one or more of the Joint Picture Experts Group and the Motion Pictures Expert Group.

40. The system as recited in claim 27 wherein said data relating to said trip is a Hypertext Markup Language document or a Wireless Markup Language document.

41. The system as recited in claim 27 wherein said cellular telephone system further allows said portable electronic device to wirelessly access said server and upload thereto information relating to said geographical location and wherein said server stores said information relating to said geographical location with said data relating to said trip.

42. The system as recited in claim 41 wherein said server allows an authorized person to access said data.

43. A Web based application system for managing a trip comprising:

a graphical user interface for allowing a client computer coupled to a network to access a server computer to retrieve and store data relating to said trip therewith;

one or more interactive windows functioning with said graphical user interface to perform said retrieving and said storing wherein said data comprise a Web document and wherein said graphical user interface and said interactive windows comprise a first application;

a wireless device interface for allowing a portable device wirelessly coupled, with a cellular telephone system, with said network to access said Web document wherein said portable device comprises;

a cellular telephone functionality for wirelessly coupling with said cellular telephone system and downloading said Web document therefrom;

a geo-locating functionality operable with said cellular telephone functionality for determining a geographic location of said portable device wherein said device accesses a signal relating to said geographic location, said signal generated by a system for determining and reporting said geographic location; and

a processor for processing said Web document wherein said processing helps manage said trip, wherein said downloading and processing said Web document comprise a second application.

44. A computer implemented method for managing a trip, comprising:

storing data relating to said trip with a server coupled with a network wherein said data are stored as a Web document;

upon an authorized portable device accessing said server with a cellular telephone system, downloading said Web document to said portable device, wherein said Web document provides data to support trip management.

45. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 44 wherein said portable device comprises:

a cellular telephone functionality for wirelessly coupling with said cellular telephone system;

a geo-locating functionality operable with said cellular telephone functionality for determining a geographic location of said portable device wherein said device accesses a signal relating to said geographic location, said signal generated by a system for determining and reporting said geographic location; and

a processor for processing said Web document wherein said processing helps manage said trip.

46. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 45 wherein said portable device comprises one or more of:

a cellular telephone wherein said geo-locating function is performed with a position determining functionality;

a handheld position determining device, wherein said handheld position determining device comprises functionality for performing a cellular telephone function; and

a computer comprising functionality for performing a cellular telephone function and said geo-locating function.

47. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 44 wherein said data relating to said trip comprises a map.

48. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 47 wherein said map comprises a plurality of map tiles.

49. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 48 wherein each map tile of said plurality of map tiles comprises a border, wherein said border comprises a boundary separating one said map tile from another said map tile, and wherein said boundary corresponds to a substantially linear contour of a geographical area circumscribed by said border, and wherein said map comprises a dynamic display with said portable electronic device wherein each said map tile comprises a next sequential map tile to a map tile separated therefrom with said border, wherein, as said geographic location changes, said next sequential map tile is downloaded and displayed.

50. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 47 wherein said storing comprises retrieving said map from a map database.

51. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 50 wherein said map database comprises a database associated with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

52. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 47 wherein said data relating to said trip relates to an elevation.

53. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 52 wherein said map comprises a contour map.

54. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 44 wherein said data relating to said trip comprises a graphical image.

55. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 54 wherein said graphical image comprises an aerial/space photograph.

56. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 54 wherein said graphical image substantially complies with a standard of one or more of the Joint Picture Experts Group and the Motion Pictures Expert Group.

57. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 44 wherein said data relating to said trip is a Hypertext Markup Language document or a Wireless Markup Language document.

58. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 44 further comprising:

billing a user of said cellular telephone system for performing at least one of said storing and said accessing wherein said method comprises a business method for operating said cellular telephone system.

59. The computer implemented method as recited in claim 58 wherein said billing is based on a subscription, a pay per use, or a promotional.

60. A method for managing a trip, comprising:

accessing a server; and

placing information relating to said trip on said server wherein said information is then accessible remotely with a portable electronic device.

61. The method as recited in claim 60 wherein said information comprises a map.

62. The method as recited in claim 61 wherein said map comprises a plurality of map tiles and wherein said downloading comprises automatically accessing each map tile of said plurality corresponding to a position of said portable electronic device as said device moves.

63. The method as recited in claim 61 wherein said server comprises a first server and wherein said map is accessed with a second server, said second server associated with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

64. The method as recited in claim 60 wherein said portable electronic device comprises a communications device with a geographic location determining capability.

65. The method as recited in claim 60 wherein said planning is performed with a client computer networked with said server.

68. The mission planning tool as recited in claim 61 wherein said map comprises a plurality of map tiles and wherein said first portion of said information comprises a first said map tile, wherein said second portion of said information comprises a second said map tile, and wherein said displaying said second portion of information comprises automatically changing a display from said first map tile to said second map tile as said portable electronic device moves to said second location.

69. The mission planning tool as recited in claim 62 wherein said server comprises a first server and wherein said map is accessed with a second server, said second server associated with the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey.

70. The mission planning tool as recited in claim 60 wherein said data relating to said mission comprises one or more of an image, a sound, and an annotation.

72. The method as recited in claim 65 wherein said user interface comprises a graphical user interface.

73. The method as recited in claim 65 wherein said free form data entry comprises a name corresponding to said location.

74. The method as recited in claim 65 wherein said geographic position comprises a latitude and a longitude.

75. The method as recited in claim 65 wherein said geographic server comprises Terraserver™

.

76. The method as recited in claim 65 wherein said second list comprises all said trips stored on said trips database.

66. A mission planning tool comprising:

an first application running on a client computer and performing a first process comprising;

accessing a server networked with said client computer; and

placing information relating to said mission on said server; and

a second application running on a portable computer for performing a second process comprising;

accessing said server remotely with a communication system;

retrieving a first portion of said information according to a first location of said portable computer; and

displaying said first portion of information with said portable computer wherein, as said portable computer moves to a second location, said second process further comprises;

retrieving a second portion of said information according to said second location; and

displaying said second portion of information with said portable computer, wherein said portable computer functions to gather data relating to said mission remotely between said first and said second locations, inclusive, and wherein second process further comprises sending said data to said server with said communication system wherein said server stores said data.

67. The mission planning tool as recited in claim 66 wherein said information comprises a map.

71. A method for accessing data relating to a trip, comprising:

selecting a search function with a user interface;

opening a Web page relating to said search function;

entering a location relating to said trip wherein said entering comprises;

inputting a free form data entry relating to said location; and

inputting a distance corresponding to the length of a radius around said location;

responsive to said entering, querying a geographic database for a geographic position corresponding to said free form data entry;

accessing a first list of locations corresponding to said free form data entry, each listing on said first list comprising a geographic position corresponding thereto, wherein said first list is returned by said geographic database in response to said querying;

searching a trip database for trips stored thereon that correspond to said first list within said radius;

generating a second list comprising said trips stored thereon; and

displaying said first and said second list to allow access to said data.

77. A portable electronic device comprising:

a cellular communication system (cellphone) for wirelessly coupling said electronic device to a cellular telephone network;

a visual display;

a position determination system operable with said cellular communications system for determining a location of said portable electronic device; and

a processor configured to perform functions to obtain information relevant to said location, said functions comprising;

accessing a server via said cellular telephone network;

sending said location to said server and requesting (specific) data relevant to said location;

downloading said (specific) data to said portable electronic device, wherein said (specific) data is made available to said visual display for managing a trip.