Auto mapping through location based triggers

• US 7,606,579 B2
• Filed: 12/01/2005
• Issued: 10/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Discrete Wireless Incorporated (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Discrete Wireless Incorporated (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Thacher, Jeffery W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corsaro; Nick
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chambers; Tangela T.
• Application Number:
  US11/164,683
• Publication Number:
  US 20070129082A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,419 Days
• Field of Search: 455/414.2, 455/456.1, 455/456.6, 455/340, 455/457, 701/207, 701/208, 701/211, 701/213, 342350-359, 342/450, 340990-999, 340/989
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/30 Map- or contour-matching
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0027 of actual mobile position, i.e. position determined on mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 60/02 by periodical registration

Abstract

An automated map generator that can be used for creating new maps for uncharted areas, augmenting uncompleted maps, or creating maps for areas that are changing dynamically. One or more mobile devices include location based technology that operates to identify a current location for the mobile device and report that location to the map creation application. If the location of the mobile device is within an active mapping region, the map creation device can instruct the mobile device to report its location on a more frequent basis and then commence to map out the route to the mobile device. As the route is mapped out, a new map of the territory is created. As subsequent devices enter into that area (including navigational systems), the updated mapping information is provided to the device and can then be augmented by future location readings or can simply be used by the device.

Claims

1. A system for updating and creating mapping information for an active mapping region, the system comprising:

a control system;

a plurality of mobile devices with each mobile device including a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver and a radio transceiver, the mobile device being operable to send location information to the control system over the radio transceiver and to receive mapping information and control signals from the control system over the radio transceiver;

each of the plurality of mobile devices being operable to;

periodically obtain a current location reading from the GPS receiver; and

transmit the current location reading to the control system at a first interval timing and at a second interval timing selected based on a control signal received from the control system, wherein the second interval timing is more frequent than the first interval timing;

the control system being operable, in response to receiving the current location reading from a first mobile device;

determine if the current location reading falls within an active mapping zone; and

in response to a positive determination that the current location reading falls within the active mapping zone, send a control signal to the first mobile device to enter the second interval timing and update mapping information for the active mapping zone with subsequently received location readings.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second time interval is around once every second.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein subsequent to determining that the current location reading from the first mobile device is within the active mapping zone, determining that a subsequent current location reading from the first mobile device is outside of the active mapping zone;

in response to determining that the subsequent current location reading from the first mobile device is outside of the active mapping zone, the control system is further operable to send a control signal to the first mobile device to enter the first interval timing; and

cease updating the mapping information for the active mapping zone.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the control system is further operable to, subsequent to determining that the current location reading falls within or near the active mapping zone, send current mapping information for the active mapping zone to the first mobile device.

5. The system of claim 4, further comprising a navigational system that is operable to interface with a mobile device to receive the current mapping information for the active mapping zone.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein the control system can simultaneously receive a current location reading from a second mobile device and if that current location reading is within the active mapping zone, update the mapping information for the current mapping zone and request the second mobile device to enter the second interval timing.