SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING ROUTE CALCULATION AND INFORMATION TO A VEHICLE

• US 20100100310A1
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Published: 04/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Spencer, John D., Douthitt, Brian L., Eich, Rodger W., Chutorash, Richard J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,430,945 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/201
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3661 Guidance output on an external device, e.g. car radio
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing route information calculated by a remote source (116) to a display is provided. The system includes a display interface (124) for providing a signal to the display (108). The system further includes a communications device (120). The system yet further includes a processor (122) operatively coupled to the communications device (120) and the display interface (124), wherein the processor (122) is configured to cause vehicle position information to be sent to the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor is further configured to receive route information from the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor (122) is yet further configured to provide a representation of the route information to the display interface (124), the route information conveying directions from a position of the vehicle to a destination.

Claims

1. A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing route information calculated by a remote source to a display, the system comprising:

a display interface for providing a signal to the display;

a communications device; and

a processor operatively coupled to the communications device and the display interface, wherein the processor is configured to cause vehicle position information to be sent to the remote source via the communications device;

wherein the processor is configured to receive route information from the remote source via the communications device;

wherein the processor is further configured to provide a representation of the route information to the display interface, the route information conveying directions from a position of the vehicle to a destination.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device is configured for wireless communications.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a command relating to the route information is provided to a vehicle audio system, the vehicle audio system including an overhead audio output device, the overhead audio output device aimed toward the windscreen of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface to a global positioning system, wherein the processor is configured to receive the vehicle position information from the interface to the global positioning system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive a file from the remote source via the communications device.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a memory device communicably connected to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to store the file in the memory device and wherein the processor is configured to cause the communications device to establish a communications link with a second remote source, and wherein the processor is configured to send the file stored in the memory device to the second remote source.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to parse weather information received at the communications device from the remote source, and wherein the processor is configured to overlay a representation of the weather information on a navigational map with the representation of the route information.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface to a vehicle module, the vehicle module configured to provide at least one of speed information and heading information to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to update the vehicle position information using the speed information, the heading information, or both the speed and the heading information and to provide updated vehicle position information to the communications device for sending to the remote source.

9. A method for providing a representation of directions from a remote source to a display interface for providing a signal to a display system mounted in a vehicle, the directions being directions from a vehicle position to a destination, the method comprising:

formatting a request, the request for transmission via a communications device, wherein the request is a request for directions from a vehicle position to a destination;

retrieving vehicle position information from a device for determining position;

providing the request and vehicle position information to the communications device for forwarding to the remote source;

receiving the directions from the remote source via the communications device;

generating a map image, the map image including a representation of the directions; and

providing the map image including the representation of the directions to the display interface.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

retrieving radio station information based on the vehicle position information.