Navigation system

• US 20040117108A1
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Published: 06/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: novero GmbH (Laird Limited)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Nemeth, Zoltan
• Granted Patent: US 7,050,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/200
• 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 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention relates to route guidance for navigation terminals. A navigational system calculates a route from a start location to a destination. The route is divided into segments and sequentially delivered to a mobile navigational terminal remote from the stored segments at respective points in the calculated route.

Claims

1. A navigational system comprising:

means for calculating a route from a start location to a destination;

means for dividing the calculated route into segments;

means for storing the respective segments;

a mobile navigational terminal remote from the stored segments; and

means for sequentially delivering respective segments to the mobile navigation terminal at respective points in the calculated route.

2. A navigational system according to claim 1 wherein the respective segments are delivered in response to respective requests from the terminal.

3. A navigational system according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the respective points in the calculated route are locations on the route.

4. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the mobile terminal requests a subsequent segment when a predetermined route point in the previous segment is reached.

5. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the mobile terminal stores a segment received and outputs information.

6. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein a segment previously received by the mobile navigation terminal is overwritten by one subsequently received.

7. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the means for storing is located in a centralized processor.

8. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein delivered segments are removed from the stored segments.

9. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the route is recalculated in response to a departure of the terminal from the calculated route.

10. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the route is recalculated in response to a change in conditions external to the terminal.

11. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the route is recalculated in response to a request from the terminal.

12. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the updated segments replace the previously stored segments.

13. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein each segment is stored as a WAP deck

14. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the deck is formed from a plurality of cards

15. A navigational system according to any preceding claim wherein the route includes proximity information.

16. A terminal for operation in the system of any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A service provider for operation in the system of any one of claims 1 to 15.

18. A navigation terminal comprising:

means for providing a current location;

means for storing a route segment;

means for providing route guidance from the stored route segment; and

means responsive to the current location for requesting a subsequent route segment.

19. A navigation terminal according to claim 18 wherein the means for determining the current location is an onboard location module

20. A navigation terminal according to claim 18 or 19 wherein a previously stored route segment is overwritten with a subsequently received route segment.

21. A navigation terminal according to any one of claims 18 to 20 wherein the means for providing route guidance comprises a display.

22. A navigation terminal according to any one of claims 18 to 21 wherein the means for requesting a subsequent route segment comprises means for comparing the current location of the terminal with the turning point.

23. A navigation terminal according to claim 22 wherein the Cartesian coordinates of the current location are compared with the Cartesian coordinates of the turning point.

24. A navigation terminal according to any one of claims 18 to 23 wherein the terminal is WAP enabled terminal.

25. A navigational service provider comprising:

means for calculating a route based on start and destination data;

means for storing the route divided into respective segments; and

means for sequential delivery of a respective segments at respective predetermined points in the calculated route.

26. A navigational service provider according to claim 25 wherein the respective segments are delivered in response to respective requests from the terminal.

27. A navigational service provider according to claim 25 or 26 wherein the respective points in the calculated route are locations on the route.

28. A navigational service provider according to any one of claims 25 to 27 wherein means are provided for updating the stored segments.

29. A navigational service provider according to any one of claims 25 to 28 wherein the stored segments are updated in response to changes to the route.

30. A navigational service provider according to any one of claims 25 to 29 wherein the changes to the route are in response to a change in the traffic situation.

31. A navigational service provider according to any one of claims 25 to 30 wherein the stored segments are updated in response to a request from a remote terminal.

32. A navigational service provider according to claim 31 wherein the request from the terminal indicates a current location off the calculated route and the updated stored segments provide a route from the current location to the destination.

33. A navigational service provider according to any one of claims 25 to 32 wherein the segments delivered to the navigation terminal are subsequently deleted.

34. A navigational service provider according to any one of claims 25 to 33 wherein the segments are stored as individual decks according to the Wireless Application Protocol.

35. A navigational service provider according to claim 34 wherein the deck is formed from a plurality of cards.

36. A navigational service provider according to claim 35 wherein each card of the deck holds one turning instruction

37. A navigational service provider according to claim 36 wherein each turning instruction forms part of the route progressing from the start point to the destination.

38. A method of providing route information to a remote terminal comprising:

calculating a route from a start point to a destination;

dividing the route information into a plurality of segments;

storing the route segments; and

sequentially delivering respective segments to the remote terminal at respective predetermined points in the calculated route.

39. A method of remotely receiving a route from a start point to a destination in segments from a service provider comprising:

receiving a first segment of the route;

determining the current location on the route;

requesting a subsequent segment of the route if a particular point in the downloaded route is reached; and

receiving the subsequent segment of the route.

40. A navigational system comprising:

means for calculating a route from a start location to a destination;

means for dividing the calculated route into segments;

means for storing the respective segments;

a mobile navigational terminal remote from the stored segments; and

means for sequentially delivering respective segments to the mobile navigation terminal at respective points in the calculated route

41. A navigational system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings.

42. A service provider substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings.

43. A navigational terminal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings.

44. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 of the drawings.