Highway information system

• US 5,229,947 A
• Filed: 03/28/1991
• Issued: 07/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Design Manufacture Distribution LLC
• Original Assignee: Laser Light Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Peterson, Mark L., Missler, Leonard R., Ross, Monte
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US07/676,818
• Time in Patent Office: 845 Days
• Field of Search: 364/443, 364/444, 364/449, 364/715.02, 73/178 R, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A data processing device for providing data related to the categories of services available at locations along a highway in response to operator input is disclosed. The device includes a memory, a keyboard for entering input data identifying a desired service and an origin position into the memory. The input data is compressed before it is stored in the memory. The memory stores predetermined data in a compressed form related to the categories of services available at locations along the highway. The device also includes a microprocessor for retrieving from the memory the predetermined data which is a function of the input data. The microprocessor expands the retrieved compressed data into an operator readable form and provides the expanded data to a display for displaying the expanded retrieved data such as restaurants, gas stations, motels, or other services along the highway.

Claims

1. A data processing device for providing data related to the categories of services available at locations along a highway in response to operator input, the device comprising:

a memory including a data register;

means for entering one or more entries of input data identifying a desired service and an origin position into the data register of the memory;

means for compressing the input data in the data register of the memory by assigning to each entry of the input data a key word having less bits than the entry;

means for storing predetermined data in a compressed format relating to the types of services available at locations along the highway wherein the predetermined data comprises key words;

means for comparing the compressed input data to the compressed predetermined data in the storing means for identifying one or more key words of the compressed predetermined data in the storing means which directly corresponds to the compressed input data;

means for selectively retrieving from the storing means the one or more key words of the compressed predetermined data which directly corresponds to the compressed input data;

means for expanding the retrieved compressed predetermined data into an operator readable form; and

means for displaying the expanded retrieved data.

2. The device of claim 1 further comprising means for scrolling the displaying means to display highways corresponding to the origin position.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the entering means includes means for entering the name of a state and the compressing means comprises means for converting the name of the state into a coded number.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the entering means includes means for entering the name of a state and the compressing means comprises means for converting the name of the state into a coded number.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the retrieved compressed data includes a coded number and the expanding means comprises means for converting the coded number into a name.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said means for storing stores data relating to the types of brand name services available at locations along the highway.

7. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for retrieving retrieves data relating to the closest desired service to the origin position.

8. The device of claim 7 further comprising means for calculating distance data relating to the distance between the closest desired service and the origin position and wherein said means for displaying selectively displays the calculated distance data.

9. The device of claim 7 wherein the means for retrieving alternatively retrieves data relating to the next closest desired service to the origin position.

10. A data processing device for providing data related to categories of services available at locations along a highway in response to operator input, the device comprising:

a memory;

means for entering one or more entries of input data relating to a state, a highway, a direction, a location, and a category into the memory;

a state register for storing the entered state;

a highway register for storing the entered highway;

a direction register for storing the entered direction;

a location register for storing the entered location;

a category register for storing the entered category;

means for storing predetermined compressed, key word data related to categories of services available at locations along the highway;

means for compressing the input data stored in the memory by assigning to each entry of the input data a key word having less bits than the entry;

means for comparing the compressed input data to the predetermined compressed, key word data for identifying predetermined compressed data which is the closest data corresponding to the entered input data relating to state, highway, direction, and location;

means for selectively retrieving from the storing means the predetermined compressed data which is the closest data corresponding to the entered input data relating to state, highway, direction, and location;

means for expanding the retrieved compressed, key word data into an operator readable form; and

means for displaying the retrieved data.

11. The device of claim 10 wherein the compressing means comprises means for converting the name of the state into a coded number.

12. The device of claim 10 wherein the retrieved compressed data includes a coded number and the expanding means comprises means for converting the coded number into a name.

13. The device of claim 10 wherein the location register further comprises a mileage register and an exit register.

14. The device of claim 10 wherein the entering means includes means for entering the name of a state and the compressing means comprises means for converting the name of the state into a coded number.

15. A data processing device for providing data related to the categories of services available at locations along a highway in response to operator input, the device comprising:

a memory

means for entering one or more entries of input data identifying a desired service and an origin position into the memory;

means for compressing the input data in the memory by assigning to each entry of the input data a key word having less bits than the entry;

means for storing predetermined data in a compressed format relating to the types of services available at locations along the highway wherein the predetermined data comprises key words;

means for comparing the compressed input data to the compressed predetermined data for identifying one or more key words of the compressed predetermined data which directly corresponds to the compressed input data

means for selectively retrieving from the storing means the one or more key words of the compressed predetermined data which directly corresponds to the compressed input data;

means for expanding the retrieved compressed predetermined data into an operator readable form;

means for displaying the expanded retrieved data; and

wherein the entering means includes means for inputting a direction of travel of the operator and wherein the retrieving means is responsive to the inputting means for retrieving compressed predetermined data corresponding to the direction of travel input by the operator.