Buddy system for navigation devices

• US 20070271328A1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Published: 11/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Original Assignee: TomTom International BV (TomTom NV)
• Inventors: Geelen, Pieter, Wentzel, George
• Application Number:
  US11/715,493
• Publication Number:
  US 20070271328A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/367 Details, e.g. road map scale, orientation, zooming, illumination, level of detail, scrolling of road map or positioning of current position marker
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/102 using electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests

Abstract

A buddy system for navigation systems is disclosed. Further to the buddy system, a user of a navigation device can locate other navigation device users within a select vicinity. The buddy system further includes buddy lists compiled from a number of navigation devices grouped according to a common characteristic. The characteristic may be a relationship among the users of the navigation devices, the location of the navigations, and the like. The navigation systems are listed within buddy lists according to identification and geographical location. The navigation systems, with buddy lists stored therein, may be made to navigate towards a select buddy. In addition, further to the buddy system, one navigation system can communicate with another via text and voice messages.

Claims

1. A server comprising means for communicating a buddy list to at least one navigation device.

2. The server according to claim 1, wherein said buddy list comprises a name and location of at least one navigation device.

3. The server according to claim 2, wherein said buddy list comprises at least one navigation device having at least one select characteristic.

4. The server according to claim 3, further comprises means for at least one of grouping, updating and storing records related to said characteristic.

5. The server according to claim 4, wherein said characteristic comprises at least one of:

a location, an interest, an activity, an employment and an interpersonal relationship.

6. The server according to claim 1, further comprising means for receiving a request from at least one navigation device and communicating said buddy list in response to said request.

7. The server according to claim 4, further comprising means for querying said at least one navigation device for current location information and identification.

8. The server according to claim 7, wherein said means for updating further comprises means for updating said buddy list in accordance with said current location information.

9. The server according to claim 1, further comprising communication means arranged to affect communication between at least two navigation devices.

10. A navigation system buddy system, comprising:

at least one buddy list comprising a number of navigation devices grouped according to a common characteristic, and

means for communicating said at least one buddy to said navigation devices.

11. The navigation system buddy system according to claim 10, wherein said navigation devices are listed in said buddy list by name and geographical location.

12. The navigation system buddy system according to claim 11, wherein said geographical location is provided by said navigation devices.

14. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein said messages are communicated between at least one of navigation devices and a server.

15. The navigation device according to claim 11, wherein said messages comprise a request to a server for transmitting a buddy list to said navigation device.

17. The navigation device according to claim 14, further comprising means for outputting navigation instructions from a current location to said geographical location.

18. The navigation device according to claim 17, wherein said instructions comprise at least one of audio instructions and visual instructions depicted on a map background.

13. A navigation device comprising communication means arranged to send and receive buddy system messages.

16. The navigation device according to claim 13, wherein said buddy list comprises a number of navigation devices identified by name and geographical location.

19. The navigation device according to claim 13, further comprising means for determining which of said navigation devices listed on a select buddy list is located within a radius of a select geographical location.

20. The navigation device according to claim 19, further comprising means for displaying said navigation devices listed on a select buddy list is located within a radius of a select geographical location;

and means for editing said buddy list.