Navigation device for people

• US 6,124,826 A
• Filed: 04/07/1997
• Issued: 09/26/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/07/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Mannesmann AG (Vodafone Group PLC)
• Inventors: Garthwaite, Paul, Waizmann, Gerd
• Primary Examiner(s): Issing, Gregory C.
• Application Number:
  US08/817,307
• Time in Patent Office: 1,268 Days
• Field of Search: 342/357, 342/357.06, 342/357.08, 342/357.09, 342/357.1, 342/457, 701/213, 701/215, 701/211, 701/36, 455/346, 348/552, 348/837, 348/118, 340/995, 340/990, 353/12
• US Class Current: 342/357.46
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3423 Multimodal routing, i.e. combining two or more modes of transportation, where the modes can be any of, e.g. driving, walking, cycling, public transport
• 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 1/005 including pedestrian guidance indicator
• 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 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• 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 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

A navigation device for people, which device includes a navigation unit, which has a receiver device for the wireless transmission of data to identify the current geographic position, a communication unit that contains an input unit, especially for the input of a target position, and an output unit, especially for the output of path guidance information, and a computer, especially for route planning, which has a memory with at least one digitized road map and can be connected for data transmission to the navigation unit via the communication unit.

The navigation unit, the communication unit, the input unit and the output unit form a portable hardware unit, which is equipped with its own power supply and with a transmitter/receiver unit. The computer for calculating essential portions of the route plan is disposed in a stationary manner outside of the portable unit and is connected to a transmitter/receiver for the wireless transmission of route information between the computer and the portable unit it.

Claims

1. A personal navigation system for people, comprising:

a navigation unit including a receiver device for receiving wireless transmitted GPS information to identify a current geographical position of a person;

a display integrated in a dashboard of a motor vehicle;

computer means for route planning, said computer means including a memory containing at least one digitized road map; and

communication means including an input unit for inputting a target position, and an output unit for outputting path guidance information, the output unit comprising a display for displaying the current position with a local map, the communication means further including an interface which is connectable to an electronic system of the motor vehicle, the communication means being operative to output information via the interface to the display integrated in the dashboard of the motor vehicle, the navigation unit and the communication means, including the input unit and the output unit, being configured as a portable hardware unit, a transmitter/receiver unit and a separate power supply being mounted in the portable hardware unit, the computer means being disposed in a stationary manner outside the portable hardware unit, the transmitter/receiver unit being operative to transmit and receive information between the computer means and the communication means by wireless transmission and the communication means being operative to transmit data between the navigation unit and the transmitter/receiver unit.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the transmitter/receiver unit is a mobile telephone.

3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the receiver of the navigation unit is operative to receive correction signals whereby accuracy of the position information is improved.

4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer means is operative to control a step-by-step output of route tips at the output unit.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the output unit and the input unit are configured as a single unit, the single unit being configured to have a display by which a target position can be input by one of marking and handwriting.

6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one of the output unit and the input unit are configured for transmitting voice information.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein the communication means includes a microcomputer.