Non real time traffic system for a navigator

• US RE42,807 E1
• Filed: 03/19/2010
• Issued: 10/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Original Assignee: Scott C Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Scott C
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US12/727,492
• Time in Patent Office: 564 Days
• Field of Search: 701/23, 701/35, 701/36, 701/200, 701/201, 701/207, 701/208, 701/213, 701/214, 340/988, 342/357.01, 342/357.08, 342/357.39
• US Class Current: 701/208
• 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 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/0962 having an indicator mounted inside the vehicle, e.g. giving voice messages

Abstract

A system for improving the operation of a GPS based navigator. Statistical and/or time of day information is used to select the best route between a current location and a desired location. The statistical information may take into account anomalies, and a user can select the amount of risk they which take. The system can be updated with more updated information. In addition, the selection of the desired location can be carried out by downloading information from a PDA.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a memory, storing map information, and storing information indicative of updated actual times that were previously measured to travel different sections of roadway as of a time of an update;

a user interface, allowing entry of a destination for navigation; and

a processor, computing a path to said destination based on said actual times stored in said memory.

2. A system as in claim 1, further comprising an update part which wirelessly provides said information indicative of actual times to said memory.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein said actual times are based on measuring times taken by other users to travel said different sections of roadway.

4. The system as in claim 3, wherein said information is based on actual movements of other users at a times near a current time.

5. A system as in claim 3, wherein said movements are based on statistical movement of other users based on statistical analysis.

6. A system as in claim 3, wherein said actual data is obtained from satellite information.

7. A system as in claim 1, further comprising a remote first unit, which is separate from, but communicable with, said processor, and which allows first, entering a destination into the first unit, after said entering said destination, wirelessly transferring information from said first unit to a second unit that includes said processor, and navigating using said second unit based on information from said first unit.

8. A method, comprising:

storing map information;

storing information indicative of updated actual times that were previously measured to travel different sections of roadway as of a current time and based on an update of said updated actual times;

entering a destination for navigation; and

computing a path to said destination based on said actual times stored in said memory.

9. A method as in claim 8, wherein said information includes actual times that are based on measuring travel times for said sections of roadway by of other users.

10. The method as in claim 8, further comprising obtaining said information by monitoring actual movements of other users at times close to a current time.

11. A method as in claim 8, further comprising obtaining said actual data from satellite information.

12. A method as in claim 8, wherein said entering a destination comprises entering the destination into a remote first unit, which is separate from, but communicable with, a second unit that carries out said computing, and after said entering said destination, wirelessly transferring information from said first unit to said second unit and navigating using said second unit based on information from said first unit.

13. A method as in claim 8, further comprising producing a special display when the navigation system has not obtained enough information to determine its current position.

14. A method, comprising:

obtaining current information about travel conditions in an area, said information including current information about multiple different travel routes;

determining a route between a starting area and an ending area using said current information about multiple travel route, thereby mapping based on actual travel route conditions, wherein said mapping determines a fastest time between said starting area and said ending area, based on actual times that other users have taken to go between points on routes.

15. A method as in claim 14, further comprising updating said actual time to obtain real time data.

16. A method, comprising:

first, entering a destination into a first unit;

after said entering said destination, transferring information from said first unit to a second unit that is capable of navigation operations; and

navigating using said second unit based on information from said first unit;

wherein said first unit and said second unit are completely separate units which communicate wirelessly with one another.

17. A method as in claim 16, wherein said wireless connection is an infrared connection.

18. A method as in claim 16, wherein said first unit is a PDA, and said second unit is a GPS navigator.

19. A method, comprising:

using a navigation system which wirelessly obtains information indicative of its position; and

producing a special display when the system has not obtained enough information to determine its current position.

20. A device as in claim 19 wherein said producing comprises producing a first color to indicate confidence in said information, and a color to indicate lack of confidence in said information.