System, method and device for providing navigation information based on coverage area assessment

• US 9,086,291 B1
• Filed: 05/07/2012
• Issued: 07/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Cox Communications Incorporated (Cox Enterprises Incorporated)
• Inventors: Bhatia, Lalit Tulsidas, Gopinath, Radhakrishnan, Gard, Catalina, Spaulding, Mark H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kiswanto, Nicholas
• Application Number:
  US13/465,742
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 701/533
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3453 Special cost functions, i.e. other than distance or default speed limit of road segments
• 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

Abstract

An alternative route solution includes consideration of network coverage provided by a navigation application. A device is knowledgeable of coverage areas of a carrier including problem zones. An alternate route to a desired destination is computed so that the alternative route is completely within the coverage areas of the carrier while avoiding the problem zones. The alternative route may be presented to the user on a display device, such as a smart phone, a GPS device, laptop, etc.

Claims

1. A method for providing navigation information based on coverage area assessment, comprising:

identifying parameters for a trip to a destination;

determining route possibilities to travel to the destination;

obtaining data, via a navigation device coupled to a database, regarding coverage areas of more than one carrier associated with the route possibilities, including identification of problem zones in each carriers'"'"' coverage areas;

assessing the coverage areas of one carrier along a route to the destination and assessing the coverage areas of another carrier along another route, that corresponds partially with the route of the one carrier, to the destination;

determining an optimal route within the coverage areas of the one carrier to the destination while avoiding the problem zones in each carriers'"'"' coverage areas; and

presenting the determined optimal route for navigation to the destination through the coverage areas of the one carrier and presenting at least one problem zone of the other carrier to avoid while navigating to the destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining an optimal route comprises maintaining the route within the coverage areas of the one carrier, minimizing a distance traversed to the destination;

minimizing traffic light encounters, maximizing use of controlled-access highways and avoiding construction.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the route further comprises determining the route based on a carrier coverage map, a calculated shortest distance for the trip, avoidance of traffic lights, and avoiding construction and staying on highways.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying parameters for a trip to a destination comprises receiving a starting point and an ending point.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the presenting the determined route comprises presenting the determined route on a display showing a map of the determined route.

6. A system for providing navigation information based on coverage area assessments, comprising:

multiple carriers comprising coverage areas;

a database for storing data identifying the coverage areas of multiple carriers and problem zones associated with one or more of the carriers; and

a navigation device, coupled to the database, for obtaining the data identifying the coverage areas of the multiple carriers and for identifying the problem zones associated with one or more of the carriers, and for determining route possibilities using parameters defining a trip to a destination, wherein the navigation device assesses the coverage areas of one carrier along a route to the destination and assesses the coverage areas of another carrier along another route, that corresponds partially with the route of the one carrier, to the destination to determine an optimal route within the coverage areas of the one carrier to the destination while avoiding the problem zones and presenting the determined optimal route through the coverage areas of the one carrier and presenting at least one problem zone associated with the other carrier for navigation to the destination.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation device determines the optimal route by maintaining the route within the coverage of the one carrier, minimizing a distance traversed to the destination;

minimizing traffic light encounters, maximizing use of controlled-access highways and avoiding construction.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation device determines the route by determining the route based on a carrier coverage map, a calculated shortest distance for the trip, avoidance of traffic lights, and avoiding construction and staying on highways.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein the parameters for a trip to the destination comprises a starting point and an ending point.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation device presents the determined route on a display showing a map of the determined route.

11. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation device maintains information about all the coverage areas of carriers.

12. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation device is network aware.

13. The system of claim 6, wherein the database is hosted within the carrier, the navigation device accesses the database for the coverage area within the determined optimal route.

14. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation device obtains the data from a third party.

15. The system of claim 6, wherein a navigation application is provided on a mobile device.

16. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation application is provided by a distinct navigation provider.

17. The system of claim 6, wherein the navigation device implements a call to a central database that houses details about all wireless phone numbers and the carriers, the central database identifies the navigation device and provides coverage areas associated with the navigation device.

18. A computer-readable storage device including instructions, that when executed provides navigation information based on coverage area assessment, the instructions comprising:

identifying parameters for a trip to a destination;

determining route possibilities to travel to the destination;

obtaining data regarding coverage areas of multiple carriers associated with the route possibilities, including identification of problem zones;

assessing the coverage areas of one carrier along a route to the destination and assessing the coverage areas of another carrier along another route, that corresponds partially with the route of the one carrier, to the destination;

determining an optimal route within the coverage areas of the carrier to the identified destination while avoiding the problem zones; and

presenting the determined optimal route for navigation to the destination through the coverage areas of the one carrier and presenting at least one problem zone of the other carrier to avoid while navigating to the destination.