Electronic navigation system and method

• US 8,325,064 B2
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Navteq B.V. (HERE Holding Corporation)
• Inventors: Behr, David A., Jones, Randall B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US11/980,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20080070559A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,862 Days
• Field of Search: 3409951-99524, 701208-213
• US Class Current: 340/995.24
• 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 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/092 Coding or decoding of the information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096822 where the segments of the route are transmitted to the vehicle at different locations and times
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

The invention provides a system for providing geographic information. The system includes a base unit that receives a request from a mobile unit and provides a response to the mobile unit. The request includes a point of interest category and a traveling distance or traveling time parameter. The base unit identifies a point of interest that matches the point of interest category and satisfies the traveling distance or traveling time parameter. The response from the base unit to the mobile unit provides the identified point of interest.

Claims

1. A system for providing geographic information comprising:

a base unit having a processor and a geographic database;

wherein said base unit

receives a request for a point of interest located within a specified driving distance from a mobile device, the request comprising an origin of said mobile unit, a point of interest category and a driving distance limit, wherein the driving distance limit indicates a maximum driving distance from the origin to a point of interest,

after the receiving the request step, identifies a driving route comprising a plurality of connected paths represented in the geographic database over which the mobile unit could travel from said origin to a point of interest matching said point of interest category;

after the identifying the driving route step, calculates a driving distance for said identified driving route from the origin to said point of interest matching said point of interest category;

after the calculating the driving distance step, if said calculated driving distance is less than said driving distance limit, provides the response to said mobile unit identifying said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said driving distance less than said driving distance limit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said point of interest category is a business type.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said origin is a current position of said mobile unit.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said mobile unit includes a positioning system.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said base unit provides route guidance information to said mobile unit to travel to said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said driving distance less than said driving distance limit.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said communications link is a cellular telephone system.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said base unit provides information to said mobile unit about said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said driving distance less than said driving distance limit.

8. A method for providing geographic information from a base unit to a mobile unit, the method comprising:

receiving a request for a point of interest reachable within a travel time by said mobile unit from said mobile unit, said request including a point of interest category and a travel time limit, wherein the travel time limit specifies a maximum travel time to travel from the origin to a point of interest;

searching by said base unit outward from a current position of said mobile unit for road segments that may be traveled from said current position to reach a point of interest matching said point of interest category, wherein said base unit searches using a geographic database having data representing said road segments and data representing said point of interest; and

determining by said base unit a travel time required for traveling from said current position over said road segments to said point of interest matching said point of interest category;

if said determined travel time is less than said travel time limit, providing a response by said base unit to said mobile unit identifying said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said travel time less than said travel time limit.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

determining a current position of said mobile unit.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

providing route guidance information from said base unit to said mobile unit for said mobile unit to travel to said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said travel time less than said traveling time limit.

11. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

providing information to said mobile unit about said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said travel time less than said travel time limit.

12. The method of claim 8 further comprising;

displaying said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said travel time less than said travel time limit.

13. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

calculating a route from said current position to said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said travel time less than said travel time limit.

14. A system for providing geographic information comprising:

a base unit; and

a geographic database associated with said base unit, said geographic database having data representing a plurality of road segments in a geographic region and data representing a plurality of points of interest in said geographic region;

wherein said base unit

receives a request for a point of interest located within a specified driving distance from a mobile unit, said request comprising an origin of said mobile unit, a point of interest category, and a driving distance limit, wherein said driving distance limit indicates a maximum driving distance from said origin to said point of interest, then

searches outward from said origin of said mobile unit to identify a driving route comprising a plurality of connected road segments over which said mobile unit could travel to a point of interest matching said point of interest category, then

determines a driving distance for said identified driving route from said origin of said mobile unit to said point of interest matching said point of interest category, and

provides, if said determined driving distance is less than said driving distance limit, a response to said mobile unit indicating said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said driving distance less than said driving distance limit.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising:

a cellular telephone system to transmit said request from said mobile unit to said base unit and to transmit said response from said base unit to said mobile unit.

16. The system of claim 14 wherein said mobile unit includes a positioning system.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein said base unit determines said origin of said mobile unit.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein said base unit include communication equipment to exchange messages with said mobile unit.

19. The system of claim 14 wherein said base unit provides information to said mobile unit about said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said driving distance less than said driving distance limit.

20. The system of claim 14 wherein said base unit provides route guidance information to said mobile unit for said mobile unit to travel to said point of interest matching said point of interest category and having said driving distance less than said driving distance limit.