Use of a situational network for navigation and travel

• US 7,711,475 B1
• Filed: 10/26/2007
• Issued: 05/04/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SitNet LLC
• Original Assignee: Resource Consortium Limited
• Inventors: Cona, Thomas, Ehrlacher, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US11/924,727
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/35, 701/36, 701/202, 701/209, 701/210, 701/211, 701/212, 340/995.19, 340/995.27
• US Class Current: 701/202
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3415 Dynamic re-routing, e.g. recalculating the route when the user deviates from calculated route or after detecting real-time traffic data or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3461 Preferred or disfavoured areas, e.g. dangerous zones, toll or emission zones, intersections, manoeuvre types, segments such as motorways, toll roads, ferries
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096741 where the source of the transmitted information selects which information to transmit to each vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096791 where the origin of the information is another vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/205 Indicating the location of the monitored vehicles as destination, e.g. accidents, stolen, rental
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks

Abstract

A method of obtaining navigation information includes creating a first itinerary for a navigation route corresponding to a travel event for a first individual. Navigation information is searched for related to at least one location along the first itinerary via a situational network established with a plurality of devices corresponding to other individuals searching for navigation information. The navigation information found in the searching is received. The first itinerary is altered based on the received navigation information.

Claims

1. A method of using a situational network for weather related navigation phenomenon, the method comprising:

(a) receiving an indication of an occurrence of a weather phenomenon in a geographic area;

(b) determining a navigation identifier related to the geographic area;

(c) establishing an event node corresponding to the navigation identifier;

(d) connecting a plurality of individuals via the situational network to the event node; and

(e) providing navigation information related to the weather phenomenon for the geographic area to the plurality of individuals.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(f) receiving additional information from the plurality of individuals related to the navigation conditions in the geographic area; and

(g) sharing the additional information with the plurality of individuals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation information includes an alternate route to minimize hazards associated with the weather phenomenon.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the navigation identifier is a travel marker.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the travel marker is a distance marker on a roadway.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of individuals is connected via the situational network based on discovering the event node while searching for information about the geographic area.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of individual is connected via the situational network based on receiving an invitation to connect based on the geographic proximity of the respective individual to the geographic area.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the event node is established by a situation authority.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the event node is established by a traveler in proximity of the geographic area.

10. A system for using a situational network for weather related navigation phenomenon, the system comprising:

a central server, corresponding to a situation authority, configured to receive an indication of an occurrence of a weather phenomenon in a geographic area, determine a navigation identifier related to the geographic area, establish an event node corresponding to the navigation identifier, connect a plurality of individuals via the situational network to the event node, and provide navigation information related to the weather phenomenon for the geographic area to the plurality of individuals, and

a plurality of devices, corresponding to the individuals of the situational network, configured to connect the individuals via the situational network, and receive navigation information related to the weather phenomenon for the geographic area.