Method for determining and outputting travel instructions

• US 6,980,129 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2001
• Issued: 12/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Duckeck, Ralf
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, HUNG T
• Application Number:
  US09/900,673
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044070A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,635 Days
• Field of Search: 340/988, 340/990, 340/995.12, 340/995.13, 340/995.19, 340/905, 340/933, 340/934, 340/935, 340/989, 340/995, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/210
• US Class Current: 340/988
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality

Abstract

A method for determining and outputting travel instructions is described, which functions to support a user through travel instructions, a sequence of travel instructions being determined by a central station, so that a data terminal of a user may be configured in a simple manner.

Claims

1. A method for determining and outputting travel instructions for a travel route from a starting point to a destination, comprising:

connecting an arithmetic unit, at least temporarily, with a central station;

transmitting the starting point and the destination to the central station;

determining the travel route by the central station;

determining a sequence of the travel instructions by the central station from the travel route;

transmitting the sequence of the travel instructions from the central station to the arithmetic unit;

storing the sequence of the travel instructions in the arithmetic unit;

outputting the travel instructions by the arithmetic unit, one after another, in accordance with the sequence of the travel instructions;

continuing to store the sequence of the travel instructions in the central station after a first retrieval for a specifiable period of time; and

updating the stored sequence of the travel instructions during the specifiable period of time.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

arranging the arithmetic unit in a mobile computing device; and

linking the arithmetic unit to the central station via a radio connection.

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

retrieving the travel instructions by the arithmetic unit using a publicly accessible operating device.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

planning the travel route by a fixed second arithmetic unit;

transmitting the sequence of the travel instructions relating to the travel route to a central station; and

retrieving the sequence of the travel instructions by the first arithmetic unit from the central station.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising:

arranging the fixed second arithmetic unit in a personal computer.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

assigning positions on the travel route to the travel instructions;

inputting into the arithmetic unit by a user a fact of reaching a position; and

outputting the travel instructions as a function of a position that is input.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

connecting a locator device to the arithmetic unit;

determining a position of the arithmetic unit using the locator device; and

outputting a travel instruction from the sequence of the travel instructions as a function of the position of the arithmetic unit.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

making a provision in the travel instructions for travel instructions for a driver of a vehicle.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

connecting the central station, via a data network, to further service providers; and

generating the sequence of the travel instructions through access to other service providers.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the data network includes the Internet.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the arithmetic unit connected to the central station via the Internet.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

making a provision in travel instructions for travel instructions for a use of public transportation.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein the travel instructions include instructions to make a turn from a street at a given location.

14. An arithmetic unit for outputting travel instructions for a travel route from a starting point to a destination, comprising:

a connecting arrangement for connecting, at least temporarily, with a central station remotely located with respect to the arithmetic unit and for transmitting the starting point and the destination to the central station;

a memory arrangement for storing a sequence of the travel instructions transmitted from the central station to the arithmetic unit; and

an outputting arrangement for outputting the travel instructions, one after another, in accordance with the sequence of the travel instructions;

wherein the sequence of the travel instructions are continued to be stored in the central station after a first retrieval for a specifiable period of time, and the stored sequence of the travel instructions are updated during the specifiable period of time.

15. The arithmetic unit according to claim 14, wherein the arithmetic unit is arranged in a car radio device.

16. A central station for determining travel instructions for a travel route from a starting point to a destination, comprising:

a connection arrangement for connecting, at least temporarily, with an arithmetic unit and for receiving the starting point and the destination, the central station being remotely located with respect to the arithmetic unit;

a determination arrangement for determining a travel route and the travel instructions; and

a transmission arrangement for transmitting a sequence of the travel instructions from the central station to the arithmetic unit;

wherein the sequence of the travel instructions are continued to be stored in the central station after a first retrieval for a specifiable period of time, and the stored sequence of the travel instructions are updated during the specifiable period of time.