VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

• US 20110224864A1
• Filed: 09/16/2010
• Published: 09/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: NIX, AXEL, GELLATLY, ANDREW W.
• Granted Patent: US 9,177,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/30
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/0234 related to maintenance or repairing of vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3679 Retrieval, searching and output of POI information, e.g. hotels, restaurants, shops, filling stations, parking facilities G01C21/3611 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/006 Indicating maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 5/008 communicating information to a remotely located station transmission systems for measured values G08C
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/133 within the vehicle ; Indicators inside the vehicles or at stops

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for a vehicle. A determination is made as to whether the vehicle requires a service. A determination is also made as to whether the vehicle is proximate a location at which the service can be performed. A notification is provided that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

determining if a vehicle requires a service;

determining if the vehicle is proximate a location at which the service can be performed; and

providing a notification that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the vehicle is proximate the location comprises the step of:

determining if the vehicle is parked proximate the location at which the service can be performed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the vehicle has an ignition, and the step of determining if the vehicle is proximate the location comprises the step of:

determining if the ignition is turned off while the vehicle is proximate the location at which the service can be performed.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the vehicle is proximate the location comprises the step of:

determining if the vehicle is within a predetermined threshold distance from the location at which the service can be performed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of determining if the vehicle is proximate the location further comprises the step of:

determining a relative proximity of the vehicle to the location based on a comparison of a first distance between the vehicle and the location and a second distance between the vehicle and a second location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the notification comprises the step of:

providing a visual notification that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing the notification comprises the step of:

providing an audio notification that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

8. A method comprising the steps of:

identifying a plurality of locations proximate a vehicle;

determining a respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using a location history for the vehicle; and

displaying information pertaining to the plurality of locations in accordance with their respective relevancy scores.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

calculating a distance between the vehicle and each of the plurality of locations;

wherein the step of determining the respective relevancy score comprises the step of determining the respective relevancy score using the location history for the vehicle and the distance.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the location history comprises data pertaining to prior instances at which the vehicle has been parked proximate one or more of the plurality of locations.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the location history comprises data pertaining to measures of satisfaction from one or more occupants of the vehicle from visiting one or more of the plurality of locations.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the location history comprises data pertaining to rankings from occupants of other vehicles as to one or more of the plurality of locations.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

determining a current day of a week;

wherein the step of determining the respective relevancy score comprises the step of determining the respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the location history for the vehicle and the current day of the week.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

determining a current time of a day;

wherein the step of determining the respective relevancy score comprises the step of determining the respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the location history for the vehicle and the current time of the day.

15. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive information pertaining to needs of a vehicle;

determine, using the information, if the vehicle requires a service; and

determine if the vehicle is proximate a location at which the service can be performed; and

a display coupled to the processor and configured to provide a notification that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the processor is further configured to determine if the vehicle is proximate the location by determining if the vehicle is parked proximate the location at which the service can be performed.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle has an ignition, and the processor is further configured to determine if the vehicle is proximate the location by determining if the ignition is turned off while the vehicle is proximate the location at which the service can be performed.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to determine if the vehicle is proximate the location based on:

if the vehicle is within a predetermined threshold distance from the location; and

a comparison of a first distance between the vehicle and the location and a second distance between the vehicle and a second location.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the display comprises a display screen configured to provide a visual notification that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the display comprises a speaker configured to provide an audio notification that the vehicle requires the service and is proximate the location.

21. A method comprising the steps of:

determining a time of day;

identifying a plurality of locations proximate a vehicle;

determining a respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the time of day; and

displaying information pertaining to the plurality of locations in accordance with their respective relevancy scores.

22. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

determine a time of day;

identify a plurality of locations proximate a vehicle; and

determine a respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the time of the day; and

a display coupled to the processor and configured to display information pertaining to the plurality of locations in accordance with their respective relevancy scores.

23. A method comprising the steps of:

determining a day of a week;

identifying a plurality of locations proximate a vehicle;

determining a respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the day of the week; and

displaying information pertaining to the plurality of locations in accordance with their respective relevancy scores.

24. A system comprising:

a processor configured to;

determine a day of a week;

identify a plurality of locations proximate a vehicle; and

determine a respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the day of the week; and

a display coupled to the processor and configured to display information pertaining to the plurality of locations in accordance with their respective relevancy scores.

25. A system comprising;

a processor configured to;

identify a plurality of locations proximate a vehicle;

determine a respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using a location history for the vehicle; and

display information pertaining to the plurality of locations in accordance with their respective relevancy scores; and

a display coupled to the processor and configured to display information pertaining to the plurality of locations in accordance with their respective relevancy scores.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to:

calculate a distance between the vehicle and each of the plurality of locations; and

determine the respective relevancy score using the location history for the vehicle and the distance.

27. The system of claim 25, wherein the location history comprises data pertaining to prior instances at which the vehicle has been parked proximate one or more of the plurality of locations.

28. The system of claim 25, wherein the location history comprises data pertaining to measures of satisfaction from one or more occupants of the vehicle from visiting one or more of the plurality of locations.

29. The system of claim 25, wherein the location history comprises data pertaining to rankings from occupants of other vehicles as to one or more of the plurality of locations.

30. The system of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a current day of a week; and

determine the respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the location history for the vehicle and the current day of the week.

31. The system of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine a current time of a day; and

determine the respective relevancy score for each of the plurality of locations using the location history for the vehicle and the current time of the day.