Mobile navigation system operating with a remote server

• US 9,812,013 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2017
• Issued: 11/07/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: InfoGation Corporation
• Original Assignee: InfoGation Corporation
• Inventors: Pu, Kent Qing, Li, Hui Henry
• Primary Examiner(s): MARC-COLEMAN, MARTHE Y
• Application Number:
  US15/477,113
• Publication Number:
  US 20170206784A1
• Time in Patent Office: 219 Days
• Field of Search: 701532, 701414, 701420, 701412, 701538, 701117, 701119, 701120, 701 23, 701 24, 701410, 701418, 701443, 340990, 340988, 340991, 34099513, 34099512, 34099523
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• 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 21/343 Calculating itineraries, i.e. routes leading from a starting point to a series of categorical destinations using a global route restraint, round trips, touristic trips travelling salesman problem G06Q10/04; optimisation of routes G06Q10/047
• 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 21/3476 using point of interest [POI] information, e.g. a route passing visible POIs
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3484 Personalized, e.g. from learned user behaviour or user-defined profiles
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3492 employing speed data or traffic data, e.g. real-time or historical traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3608 using speech input, e.g. using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3617 using user history, behaviour, conditions or preferences, e.g. predicted or inferred from previous use or current movement
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/362 received from an external device or application, e.g. PDA, mobile phone or calendar application
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3626 Details of the output of route guidance instructions traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/42 Determining position
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096838 where the user preferences are taken into account or the user selects one route out of a plurality
• 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 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services

Abstract

A client navigation system establishes a wireless connection to a navigation server on a computer network. The client requests a route by uploading start and destination specifications. The server calculates an optimal route based on real-time data available on the network. A generic natural language description is used to specify the optimal route downloaded to the client. The natural language description is a plain text description for each link using pre-defined generic terms. The client interprets the route, interfaces with the local mapping data and reconstructs the optimal route. The route is subsequently displayed and highlighted on the client.

Claims

1. A mobile navigation unit, comprising:

a navigation computer configured to request, receive and interpret routing data comprising turn-by-turn directions for a destination from a navigation server over a computer network and to reconstruct a route from said routing data for display on a geographical map, said routing data describing said route, said route being based on real-time traffic data and pre-stored user profile information;

a display screen configured to communicate with said navigation computer for displaying and updating a current location of said mobile navigation unit, a current bearing of said mobile navigation unit at said current location, and said route superimposed on said geographical map during navigation to said destination;

a web browser interface configured to operate in conjunction with said navigation computer and said display screen; and

a port configured to releasably connect an external device with said mobile navigation unit,

wherein said navigation computer is configured;

upon receiving one or more initial characters for a data entry field, to identify a set of conforming data items and to select one data item from the set of conforming data items as an anticipated data item for that data entry field,

to use speech recognition for accepting voice commands,

to automatically scroll said geographical map based on change in said current location, and

to rotate said geographical map clockwise and counterclockwise in order to selectively change an orientation of said geographical map as displayed by said display screen.

2. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to transmit information based on one or more cookies stored on said mobile navigation unit to said navigation server for use in calculating said route.

3. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to transmit real-time or pre-stored user preference data to said navigations server for use in calculating said route.

4. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to connect with a head or DIN unit (German Institute for Standardization unit) in an automobile.

5. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to operate as a telephone for making and receiving phone calls over a telephone network and to determine a local time zone based on GPS signals.

6. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to operate with a head unit in an automobile for navigation.

7. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 6, wherein said head unit is an in-dash DIN unit (German Institute for Standardization unit).

8. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein

said mobile navigation unit is from a first manufacturer and comprises navigation software from a second manufacturer, said second manufacturer being different from said first manufacturer, and

said mobile navigation unit is configured to receive and interpret routing data that is in a format independent of said mobile navigation unit.

9. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 8, wherein said navigation software is configured to use a predefined application programming interface and is mapping database software or map display software.

10. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein

said mobile navigation unit is a first mobile navigation unit in a navigation system that further comprises a second mobile navigation unit and a third mobile navigation unit,

said first mobile navigation unit is from a first manufacturer, said second mobile navigation unit is from a second manufacturer, and said third mobile navigation unit is from a third manufacturer, said first, second and third manufacturers being different from one another,

said first mobile navigation unit comprises first navigation hardware, said second mobile navigation unit comprises second navigation hardware, and said third mobile navigation unit comprises third navigation hardware, said first, second and third navigation hardwares being different from one another, and

said first, second and third mobile navigation units are each configured to receive and interpret routing data that is in a common format that is independent of each of said first, second and third navigation hardwares.

11. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein said navigation computer is configured to select one data item as the anticipated data item based at least in part on frequency or recency of prior use.

12. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 1, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to receive and interpret routing data that is formatted in a markup language.

13. A mobile navigation unit, comprising:

a navigation computer configured to request, receive and interpret routing data comprising turn-by-turn directions for a destination from a navigation server over a computer network and to reconstruct a route from said routing data for displaying on a geographical map, said routing data describing said route, said route being based on real-time traffic data and one or more cookies; and

a display screen configured to communicate with said navigation computer for displaying and updating a current location of said mobile navigation unit, a current bearing of said mobile navigation unit at said current location, and said route superimposed on said geographical map during navigation to said destination,

wherein said navigation computer is configured;

upon receiving one or more initial characters for a data entry field, to identify a set of conforming data items and to select one data item from the set of conforming data items as an anticipated data item for that data entry field,

to use speech recognition for accepting voice commands,

to automatically scroll said geographical map based on change in said current location, and

to operate with a head or DIN unit (German Institute for Standardization unit) in an automobile for navigation.

14. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, further comprising:

a telephonic device for making and receiving phone calls over a telephone network; and

a port for connecting to said head or DIN unit.

15. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, further comprising:

a web browser interface configured to operate with said navigation computer in connection with receiving user input comprising said destination and displaying said route and said geographical map on said display screen,

wherein said computer network comprises the Internet.

16. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, wherein said navigation computer is configured to select one data items as the anticipated data item based at least in part on frequency and recency of prior use.

17. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to transmit information based on one or more cookies stored on said mobile navigation unit to said navigation server for use in calculating said route.

18. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, wherein

said mobile navigation unit is from a first manufacturer and comprises navigation software from a second manufacturer, said second manufacturer being different from said first manufacturer, and

said mobile navigation unit is configured to receive and interpret routing data that is in a format independent of said mobile navigation unit.

19. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 18, wherein said navigation software is mapping database software or map display software or uses a predefined application programming interface.

20. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, wherein

said mobile navigation being unit is a first mobile navigation unit in a navigation system that further comprises a second mobile navigation unit and a third mobile navigation unit,

said first mobile navigation unit is from a first manufacturer, said second mobile navigation unit is from a second manufacturer, and said third mobile navigation unit is from a third manufacturer, said first, second and third manufacturers being different from one another,

said first mobile navigation unit comprises first navigation hardware, said second mobile navigation unit comprises second navigation hardware, and said third mobile navigation unit comprises third navigation hardware, said first, second and third navigation hardwares being different from one another, and

said first, second and third mobile navigation units are each configured to receive and interpret routing data that is in a common format that is independent of each of said first, second and third navigation hardwares.

21. A navigation system, comprising:

a mobile navigation unit according to claim 13; and

a navigation server.

22. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to receive and interpret routing data that is formatted in a markup language, said markup language being independent of said mobile navigation unit.

23. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 13, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to connect with an in-dash head unit.

24. A mobile navigation unit, comprising:

a navigation computer configured to request, receive and interpret routing data comprising directions to a destination from a navigation server over a computer network and to reconstruct a route from said routing data for display on a geographical map, said routing data describing said route, said route being based on real-time traffic data;

a display screen configured to communicate with said navigation computer for displaying and updating a current location of said mobile navigation unit, a bearing of said mobile navigation unit at said current location, and said route highlighted and superimposed on said geographical map;

a web browser interface configured to operate with said navigation computer in connection with receiving user input comprising said destination and displaying said route and said geographical map on said display screen; and

a port configured to releasably connect an external device with said mobile navigation unit,

wherein said navigation computer is configured;

upon receiving one or more initial characters for a data entry field, to identify a set of conforming data items and to select one data item from the set of conforming data items as an anticipated data item for that data entry field,

to use speech recognition for accepting voice commands, and

to automatically scroll said geographical map based on change in said current location, and

wherein said mobile navigation unit is a first mobile navigation unit in a navigation system that further comprises a second mobile navigation unit,

wherein said first mobile navigation unit is from a first manufacturer, and said second mobile navigation unit is from a second manufacturer, said first and second manufacturers being different from each other,

wherein said first mobile navigation unit is configured to operate first navigation software, and said second mobile navigation unit is configured to operate second navigation software, said first and second navigation softwares being different from each other,

wherein said first and second mobile navigation units are both configured to receive and interpret routing data that is in a common format.

25. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 24, wherein said navigation computer is configured to connect to and operate with an in-dash head or DIN unit in an automobile.

26. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 24, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to transmit information based on one or more cookies stored on said mobile navigation unit to said navigation server for use in calculating said route.

27. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 24, wherein said navigation computer is configured to select one data item as the anticipated data item based at least in part on frequency and recency of prior use, and said port is a USB port.

28. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 24, wherein

said mobile navigation unit is a first mobile navigation unit in a navigation system that further comprises said second mobile navigation unit and a third mobile navigation unit,

said first mobile navigation unit is from a first manufacturer, said second mobile navigation unit is from a second manufacturer, and said third mobile navigation unit is from a third manufacturer, said first, second and third manufacturers being different from one another,

said first, second and third mobile navigation units each comprise navigation hardware that is different from one another, and

said first, second and third mobile navigation units are each configured to receive and interpret routing data that is in a common format that is independent of each of said first, second and third navigation hardwares.

29. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 24, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to receive and interpret routing data that is in a non-proprietary format adopted by a plurality of different mobile navigation unit manufacturers or a plurality of different navigation software manufacturers.

30. The mobile navigation unit according to claim 24, wherein said mobile navigation unit is configured to connect with a personal computer, a portable computer, or an in-dash head unit.