Method of navigating of and a navigation system for a moving means

• US 6,366,849 B1
• Filed: 06/16/2000
• Issued: 04/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Rychlak, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US09/595,105
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 701/202, 701/208, 701/209, 701/213, 340/988, 340/990, 340/995, 340/991
• US Class Current: 701/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096816 where the complete route is transmitted to the vehicle at once
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096888 where input information is obtained using learning systems, e.g. history databases

Abstract

A moving object, in particular a vehicle, a motor vehicle, a ship and an airplane, is navigated from an initial point to a destination point by providing a destination guiding device; guiding the moving object along a preliminarily calculated route from an initial point to a destination point by means of the destination guiding device; before boarding the moving object, inputting at least one destination point in a data processing device which is external to the moving object, calculating in the external data processing device at least one route, and transmitting corresponding route data through a transmission line to the destination guiding device.

Claims

1. A method of navigating a movable means selected from the group consisting of a vehicle, a motor vehicle, a ship and an airplane, from an initial point to a destination point, comprising the steps of providing a moving means with a destination guiding device;

guiding the moving means along a preliminarily calculated route from an initial point to a destination point by means of the destination guiding device;

before boarding the moving means, inputting at least one destination point in a data processing device which is external to the moving means, calculating in the external data processing device at least one route, transmitting corresponding route data through a transmission line to the destination guiding device, and performing the transmitting of the route data via a direct communication connection between the external data processing device and the destination guiding device of the moving means.

2. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising reading from a storage of the external data processing device additional information related to the calculated route; and

transmitting the additional information with the route data to the moving means.

3. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising additionally inputting the initial point into the external data processing device.

4. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising determining the initial point as a momentary standing point of the moving means, after the transmission of the route to the destination guiding device.

5. A method as defined in claim 4;

and further comprising performing the determination of the initial point by means of a satellite-supported location, in a global positioning system.

6. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising using an infrared connection as the transmission line.

7. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising using a radio connection as the transmission line.

8. A method as defined in claim 1;

and further comprising using an input unit as the external data processing device.

9. A method as defined in claim 8;

and further comprising using a personal computer as the input unit.

10. A navigation system for a moving means selected from the group consisting of a vehicle, a motor vehicle, a ship and an airplane, the navigation system comprising a data processing device located in a region of the parked moving means;

navigating means; and

an interface for wireless connection with said data processing device for transmission of route data from said data processing device to said navigating mean, said interface being formed so as to perform the transmission of route data via a direct communication connection between said data processing device which is external to said moving means on the one hand and a destination guiding device of said moving means on the other hand.

11. A navigation system as defined in claim 10, wherein said interface is an infrared connection.

12. A navigation system as defined in claim 10, wherein said interface is a radio connection.

13. A navigation system as defined in claim 12, wherein said radio connection is an HF-connection with 433 MHz.

14. A navigation system as defined in claim 10, wherein said data processing device is a personal computer.