Method and system for providing route alternatives while using a cell phone

• US 8,364,165 B2
• Filed: 07/20/2007
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maplebear Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Seacat, Lisa Anne, Bhogal, Kulvir S., Peterson, Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Karikari, Kwasi
• Assistant Examiner(s): YI, ALEXANDER J.
• Application Number:
  US11/781,167
• Publication Number:
  US 20090023456A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,020 Days
• Field of Search: 455/456.1, 455/11.1, 455/9, 455/67.11, 701/117, 701/119
• US Class Current: 455/456.1
• 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: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method and system in accordance with the present invention integrates information from cell phone coverage maps with a user'"'"'s GPS system, thereby making possible the suggestion of alternative routes based on coverage strength and chances of dropping calls in different geographical areas. The method and system in accordance with the present invention can also generate warnings if a user is approaching an area of low or nonexistent coverage, so that the user can take action, such as utilizing a different route or telling the party on the line that the connection may be dropped or disconnected.

Claims

1. A method for providing route alternatives when utilizing a cell phone comprising:

combining a geographical positioning system (GPS) with cell route coverage area information;

defining an initial route from a beginning location to a destination location;

defining a percentage chance of dropped calls that determines whether cell phone coverage is less than acceptable;

utilizing the combined GPS and cell route coverage area information to determine the cell phone coverage on the initial route, wherein the cell phone connects with a wireless network and receives instant data directly only from other cell phones that are located further along the initial route to provide updated cell route coverage area information;

determining if the cell phone coverage is less than acceptable on the initial route; and

in response to less than acceptable cell phone coverage, displaying a map showing a percentage of chance of dropped calls for the initial route and another percentage chance of dropped calls for an alternative route in order to change the initial route to the alternative route based upon cell phone coverage information, wherein roaming is specified to receive coverage for the alternative route and to incur costs of such roaming.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell phone coverage information is continuously streamed into the GPS.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the cell phone coverage information is periodically provided to the GPS.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the initial route is changed by the GPS recalculating an appropriate route.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein alerts are displayed when the vehicle is provided based on whether a vehicle is approaching any of an area of low coverage and less than acceptable cell phone coverage.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the alerts may include sounds.

7. A system comprising:

a global positioning system (GPS); and

a cell phone coverage information combined with the information from the GPS, combining a geographical positioning system (GPS) with cell route coverage area information;

defining an initial route from a beginning location to a destination location;

defining a percentage chance of dropped calls that determines whether cell phone coverage is less than acceptable;

utilizing the combined GPS and cell route coverage area information to determine the cell phone coverage on the initial route, wherein the cell phone connects with a wireless network and receives instant data directly only from other cell phones that are located further along the initial route to provide updated cell route coverage area information;

determining if the cell phone coverage is less than acceptable on the initial route;

and in response to less than acceptable cell phone coverage, displaying a map showing a percentage of chance of dropped calls for the initial route and another percentage chance of dropped calls for an alternative route in order to change the initial route to the alternative route based upon cell phone coverage information, wherein roaming is specified to receive coverage for the alternative route and to incur costs of such roaming.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the cell phone coverage information is continuously streamed into the system.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the cell phone coverage information is periodically provided to the system.

10. The system of claim 7 wherein the initial route is changed by the GPS recalculating an appropriate route.

11. The system of claim 7 wherein alerts are displayed when the system is provided based on whether a vehicle is approaching any of an area of low coverage and less than acceptable cell phone coverage.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the alerts may include sounds.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein the system would allow for a user to specify roaming to receive coverage and incur the costs of such roaming.