System and method for providing route calculation and information to a vehicle

• US 9,430,945 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2007
• Issued: 08/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Tyco IP Holdings LLP (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Eich, Rodger W., Douthitt, Brian L., Chutorash, Richard J., Spencer, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kan, Yuri
• Application Number:
  US12/519,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20100100310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,177 Days
• Field of Search: 701/208, 701/209, 701/49, 701/425, 701/428, 701/440, 701/468, 701/533, 701/1, 701/117, 701/118, 701/41, 340/988, 340/995.13, 340/539.13, 342/357.31, 342/357.51, 381/86, 463/6, 455/456.2, 455/41.2, 455/456.1
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3661 Guidance output on an external device, e.g. car radio
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3688 Systems comprising multiple parts or multiple output devices (not client-server), e.g. detachable faceplates, key fobs or multiple output screens
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096866 where the complete route is shown to the driver
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing route information calculated by a remote source (116) to a display is provided. The system includes a display interface (124) for providing a signal to the display (108). The system further includes a communications device (120). The system yet further includes a processor (122) operatively coupled to the communications device (120) and the display interface (124), wherein the processor (122) is configured to cause vehicle position information to be sent to the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor is further configured to receive route information from the remote source (116) via the communications device (120). The processor (122) is yet further configured to provide a representation of the route information to the display interface (124), the route information conveying directions from a position of the vehicle to a destination.

Claims

1. A system for mounting in a vehicle and for providing route information from a remote source to a display, the system comprising:

a display interface for providing a signal to the display;

a user input device configured to receive vehicle occupant input;

a communications device;

and

a processor operatively coupled to the communications device, the user input device, and the display interface, wherein the processor is configured to receive a signal corresponding to the vehicle occupant input and determine whether the vehicle occupant input indicates a request for directions or selection of a remote direction provider for providing route information;

wherein, in response to a determination that the vehicle occupant input indicates a request for directions, the processor is configured to cause vehicle position information to be sent to the remote source via the communications device;

wherein the processor is configured to receive route information from the remote source via the communications device,

wherein, in response to a determination that the vehicle occupant input indicates a selection of a remote direction provider, the processor is configured to generate instructions configured to cause the remote source to provide the route information from the selected remote direction provider and transmit the instructions via the communications device to the remote source;

wherein the processor is further configured to provide to the display interface a representation of the route information received from the selected remote direction provider, the route information conveying directions from a position of the vehicle to a destination.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the communications device is configured for wireless communications.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein a command relating to the route information is provided to a vehicle audio system, the vehicle audio system including an overhead audio output device, the overhead audio output device aimed toward the windscreen of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface to a global positioning system, wherein the processor is configured to receive the vehicle position information from the interface to the global positioning system.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive a file from the remote source via the communications device.

6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:

a memory device communicably connected to the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to store the file in the memory device and wherein the processor is configured to cause the communications device to establish a communications link with a second remote source, and wherein the processor is configured to send the file stored in the memory device to the second remote source.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to parse weather information received at the communications device from the remote source, and wherein the processor is configured to overlay a representation of the weather information on a navigational map with the representative of the route information.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

an interface to a vehicle module, the vehicle module configured to provide at least one of speed information and heading information to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to update the vehicle position information using the speed information, the heading information, or both the speed and the heading information and to cause the communications device to transmit a route information request including the updated vehicle position information and a desired destination to the remote source.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the route information is determined by the remote source and wherein the processor is configured to provide the route information to a second remote source.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the processor is configured to receive information from the second remote source which provides at least one of traffic information, weather information, vehicle speed information, other vehicle information, or a time of day.

13. The system of claim 7, wherein the remote source accesses weather information from a second remote source.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive an indication of an event;

request second route information from the remote source in response to receiving the indication;

receive second route information from the remote source;

request user confirmation at the user input device for altering displayed directions based on the event; and

provide a representation of a new set of directions for the new route to the display interface in response to receiving the user confirmation.

9. A computerized method for providing a representation of directions from a remote source to a display interface for providing a signal to a display system mounted in a vehicle, the directions being directions from a vehicle position to a destination, the method comprising:

receiving, at a processor local to the vehicle, a remote source selection from a user input device;

formatting a request, using the processor, for transmission via a communications device coupled to the vehicle, wherein the request is a request configured to cause the selected remote source to provide directions from a vehicle position to a destination;

retrieving vehicle position information from a device for determining position coupled to the vehicle;

transmitting, using the communications device, the request and vehicle position information to the selected remote source;

receiving the directions from the selected remote source via the communications device coupled to the vehicle;

generating a map image using the processor, the map image including a representation of the directions; and

providing the map image including the representation of the directions to the display interface located in the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

retrieving radio station information based on the vehicle position information.

14. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting direction information to a second remote source.

15. The method of claim 14, receiving, at the processor and from the second remote source, at least one of traffic information, weather information, vehicle speed information, other vehicle information, or a time of day.

16. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving, using the communications device, weather information from the selected remote source; and

overlaying, using the processor, a representation of the weather information on the map image including the representation of the directions.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the weather information is accessed from a second remote source.

19. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving an indication of an event at the processor;

requesting second route information from the remote source in response to receiving the indication;

receive second route information from the remote source;

requesting user confirmation at the user input device for altering displayed directions based on the event; and

providing a new map image of a new set of directions for the new route to the display interface in response to receiving the user confirmation.