Vehicle navigation system

• US 6,708,108 B2
• Filed: 08/30/2002
• Issued: 03/16/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT & T Investments UK Inc.
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jones, Alan Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Gary
• Application Number:
  US10/232,303
• Publication Number:
  US 20030078721A1
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/202, 701/209, 701/210, 701/211, 340/995.19, 340/995.2, 340/995.21, 340/996
• US Class Current: 701/200
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• 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 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

A vehicle navigation system comprises a processor connected to a wireless message receiver, such as a cellular telephone. The system includes an application which checks each message received by the telephone. If the message is recognised as being intended for navigation, the application identifies the action which the message requires and an associated location in the message. The application then performs the appropriate action, for example to plan a route passing through the location. A messaging device sends messages via a network to the receiver. The network provides a messaging service having a message store which stores messages when the receiver is inactive and sends stored messages when the receiver becomes active.

Claims

1. A vehicle navigation system comprising:

an apparatus located on-board a vehicle and comprising a wireless message receiver which is inactive when said vehicle is switched off, a navigation information processor, and an application for;

recognising a message from said receiver containing an instruction for a navigation-associated action;

interpreting a location defined in said recognised message and associated with said action; and

causing said processor to perform said instruction;

a messaging service including a message store for storing messages directed to said receiver when said receiver is inactive and for sending each said stored message when said receiver becomes active; and

a messaging device usable, when said vehicle is switched off, for sending to said messaging service said message containing said instruction for said navigation-associated action.

2. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said messaging service comprises an SMS messaging service.

3. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said messaging service comprises an e-mail service.

4. A system as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for generating a vehicle itinerary.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, in which said action comprises entering said location in said itinerary.

6. A system as claimed in claim 5, in which said application is arranged to interpret said location as any one of a startpoint, a waypoint, a route, a destination, and a stop.

7. A system as claimed in claim 6, in which, when said application interprets said location as a stop, said application is arranged to interpret a dwell time associated with said stop.

8. A system as claimed in claim 7, in which said application is arranged to calculate an estimated time of arrival at a destination taking into account said dwell time.

9. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said application is arranged to interpret said location from geographical coordinates in said recognised message.

10. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said application is arranged to interpret said location from a name in said recognised message.

11. A system as claimed in claim 10, in which said name comprises a geographical name.

12. A system as claimed in claim 10, in which said name is programmable by a user.

13. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said receiver is arranged to communicate with a cellular telephone network.

14. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said receiver is an interface for a cellular telephone.

15. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said message comprises at least one data packet.

16. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which the messaging device comprises a cellular telephone handset.

17. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said location is contained in a text field of said message.

18. A system as claimed in claim 1, in which said location is formed as additional data accompanying a text field of said message.