Electronic navigation system and method

• US 20080068223A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: David Behr, Randoll Jones
• Inventors: Behr, David, Jones, Randoll
• Granted Patent: US 7,737,830 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/995.19
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/092 Coding or decoding of the information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096822 where the segments of the route are transmitted to the vehicle at different locations and times
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

The invention provides a system for providing tracking information. The system includes a base unit that receives a request from a first mobile unit and provides a response to the first mobile unit. The base unit obtains a current position of a second mobile unit. The response from the base unit to the mobile unit indicates the current position of the second mobile unit.

Claims

1. A system for providing tracking information comprising:

a first mobile unit;

a second mobile unit;

a base unit; and

a communications link to transmit a request from said first mobile unit to said base unit and to transmit a response from the base unit to the first mobile unit;

wherein said base unit

receives a request from said first mobile unit for geographic position information of said second mobile unit,

obtains a current position of said second mobile unit, and

provides said response to the first mobile unit indicating said current position of said second mobile unit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said base unit sends a request to said second mobile unit for said current position of said second mobile unit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said second mobile unit includes a positioning system.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said base unit provides map information to said first mobile unit.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said first mobile unit displays said current position of said second mobile unit.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said first mobile unit includes a geographic database for generating a map display.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said communications link is a cellular telephone system.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said base unit obtains updated current position information from said second mobile unit and provides said updated current position information to said first mobile unit.

9. A method of enabling a first mobile unit to track a second mobile unit, the method comprising:

receiving a request at a base unit from said first mobile unit for geographic position information of said second mobile unit;

determining a current position of said second mobile unit; and

providing a response from the base unit to the first mobile unit indicating said current position of said second mobile unit.

10. The system of claim 9 further comprising:

sending a request from said base unit to said second mobile unit for said current position of said second mobile unit.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said base unit determines said current position of the second mobile unit using triangulation on signals received from said second mobile unit.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

displaying said current position of said second mobile unit on a display of said first mobile unit.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

receiving updated current position information of said second mobile unit.

14. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

providing an alarm at said first mobile unit when said current position of said second mobile deviates from an expected route by a predetermined amount.

15. A method of enabling a first mobile unit to track a second mobile unit, the method comprising:

sending a request from said first mobile unit to a base unit for a current position of said second mobile unit;

receiving a response at the first mobile unit from the base unit indicating said current position of said second mobile unit; and

displaying said current position of said second mobile unit at said first mobile unit.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

providing an alarm at said first mobile unit when said current position of said second mobile deviates from an expected route by a predetermined amount.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

generating a map display at said first mobile unit.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

obtaining map information at said first mobile unit from said base unit.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising:

receiving updated current position information of said second mobile unit at the first mobile unit from the base unit.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein said first mobile unit communicates with said base unit via a cellular telephone system.