Non-GPS navigation

• US 7,162,365 B2
• Filed: 09/10/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Clapper, Edward O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Camby; Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US10/939,243
• Publication Number:
  US 20050033509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 701/200, 701/207, 701/209, 701/201, 701/208, 701/300, 340988-991, 3423571-35708, 455/456.1, 455/456.3, 455/456.6
• US Class Current: 701/207
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096894 where input is assisted by the navigation device, i.e. the user does not type the complete name of the destination, e.g. using zip codes, telephone numbers, progressively selecting from initial letters

Abstract

Non-GPS based navigation may be implemented by a cellular network service provider. The service provider may have data regarding a cellular radiotelephone'"'"'s location within its coverage area. Geographic data for the cell phone'"'"'s location may be obtained from a geographic database. Accordingly, navigational assistance may be provided to the user of the cellular radiotelephone through the interplay between the provider, telephone and geographic database. Additionally, the telephone may have a database storing telephone number-address pairs. Thus, when the user of the telephone inputs a telephone number as destinational information, the address corresponding to that phone number may be the destination location to which the user is traveling.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

automatically establishing an original position of a cellular radiotelephone through the use of a radio signal between said telephone and a cell site associated with a cellular network service provider;

converting destination information, which is received through said telephone, to a location of destination; and

providing turn-by-turn directives to the user of said telephone through said telephone, said turn-by-turn directives transmitted, in real time, to said telephone through radio signals.

2. The method of claim 1 including receiving a telephone number as destination information.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein converting said destination information includes converting said telephone number to a corresponding address as said location of destination.

4. The method of claim 1 further including consulting a geographic database to create navigational instructions from said original position to said location of destination.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein providing turn-by-turn directives to the user of said telephone includes providing audio turn-by-turn directives.

6. The method of claim 1 further including confirming that the user is properly executing said turn-by-turn directives.

20. The method of claim 1 wherein providing turn-by-turn directives includes providing said turn-by-turn directives from said service provider.

21. The method of claim 1 including, in response to detecting that the mobile unit has deviated from a predetermined route, providing an instruction to put said mobile unit back on said predetermined route, otherwise, after confirming that the mobile unit is on said predetermined route, transmitting the next directive.

22. The method of claim 6 wherein confirming includes receiving an indicator from the user of said telephone in the form of a data entry to confirm that said turn-by-turn directives were properly executed.

7. An article comprising a computer-readable medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to:

automatically establish an original position of a cellular radiotelephone through the use of a radio signal between said telephone and a cell site associated with a cellular network service provider;

receive a telephone number as destination information, said telephone number received from a user of said telephone;

convert said telephone number to a location of destination; and

provide turn-by-turn directives to the user of said telephone through said telephone.

8. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to convert said telephone number to a corresponding address as said location of destination.

9. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to consult a geographic database to create navigational instructions from said original position to said location of destination.

10. The article of claim 9 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to provide audio turn-by-turn directives to said user through said telephone.

11. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to confirm that the user is properly executing said turn-by-turn directives.

12. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to confirm that the user of said radiotelephone has reached said location of destination.

23. The article of claim 7 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to receive a telephone number for another wireless telephone as destination information, and determine a current location for said other wireless telephone number to convert said telephone number to a location of destination.

13. A method comprising:

receiving information regarding a physical cell location for a cellular mobile unit;

receiving a telephone number as destination information; and

in response to the actuation of a find key on said cellular mobile unit, converting said telephone number to a destination location.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein converting said telephone number to said destination location includes converting said telephone number to a corresponding address.

18. The method of claim 13 wherein converting said telephone number to a destination location includes converting said telephone number in response to the actuation of a key on a conventional telephone key pad that acts as a find key.

19. The method of claim 13 wherein converting said telephone number to a destination location includes converting said telephone number in response to the actuation of a dedicated find key that is other than a key on a conventional telephone key pad.

15. An article comprising a computer-readable medium storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to:

receive information regarding a physical cell location for a cellular mobile unit;

receive a telephone number as destination information; and

in response to the actuation of a find key on said cellular mobile unit, convert said telephone number to a destination location.

16. The article of claim 15 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to convert said telephone number to a corresponding address.

17. The article of claim 16 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to transmit said corresponding address as said destination location.