Method for transmitting location-related information

• US 6,338,019 B1
• Filed: 02/10/2000
• Issued: 01/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Duckeck, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAN QUANG
• Application Number:
  US09/501,923
• Time in Patent Office: 698 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/117, 701/118, 701/119, 701/208, 701/211, 455/186.1, 455/185.1, 455/412, 455/456, 455/457, 340/905, 340/990, 340/991, 340/993, 340/995, 340/996
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096775 where the origin of the information is a central station
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0968 Systems involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• 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

Abstract

In a method for transmitting location-related information between a navigational device, which contains a first location database in which location coordinate pairs and descriptors are assigned to location specifications, and a receiver for digitally coded traffic messages, the receiver containing a second location database, location coordinate pairs, in addition to descriptors, are stored in the location specifications contained in the second location database, in a receiver and a navigational device. Along with the information to be transmitted, at least the coordinate pair is transmitted of the location to which the information relates. With the assistance of at least the transmitted coordinate pair, the location specification is selected from the given location database.

Claims

1. A method for transmitting location-related information between a navigational device, which contains a first location database in which location coordinate pairs and descriptors are assigned to location specifications, and a receiver for digitally coded traffic messages, the receiver containing a second location database, the method comprising the steps of:

storing, in addition to descriptors, location coordinate pairs in location specifications contained in the second location database;

transmitting, along with the information to be transmitted, at least a coordinate pair of a location to which the information relates; and

with the assistance of at least the transmitted coordinate pair, selecting a location specification from a respective location database.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of, for purposes of selection, using coordinate pairs, of the respective location database, lying within a tolerance range of the transmitted coordinate pair.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

transmitting the descriptors; and

comparing the descriptors in the respective location database with similar descriptors.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the transmitted descriptors include at least one of:

street numbers and junction numbers.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the transmitted descriptors include end points of a street segment.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sending the information from the receiver to the navigational device.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of sending the information from the navigational device to the receiver.

8. A receiver for digitally coded traffic messages, comprising:

means for transmitting location-related information between a navigational device, which contains a first location database in which location coordinate pairs and descriptors are assigned to location specifications, and the receiver;

a second location database containing location specifications which store location coordinate pairs and descriptors; and

means for transmitting, along with the information to be transmitted, at least a coordinate pair of a location to which the information relates, making it possible to select a location specification from a particular location database.

9. A navigational device comprising:

a first location database in which location coordinate pairs and descriptors are assigned to location specifications;

means for transmitting location-related information between the navigational device and a receiver for digitally coded traffic messages, the receiver containing a second location database, the second location database containing location specifications which store location coordinate pairs and descriptors; and

means for transmitting, along with the information to be transmitted, at least a coordinate pair of a location to which the information relates, making it possible to select a location specification from a particular location database.