Electronic navigation system and method

• US 20090191901A1
• Filed: 10/30/2007
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HERE Global B.V. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: David A. Behr, Randall B. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Randall B., Behr, David A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,924,173 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/457
• 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 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3632 Guidance using simplified or iconic instructions, e.g. using arrows G01C21/365 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/092 Coding or decoding of the information
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096811 where the route is computed offboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096822 where the segments of the route are transmitted to the vehicle at different locations and times
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA

Abstract

The invention provides a system for providing geographic information. The system includes a mobile unit having a first geographic database and a base unit having a second geographic database that is more up-to-date than the first geographic database. The base unit receives a request from a mobile unit for updated geographic data. The base unit identifies a portion of the second geographic database that corresponds to the request and provides a response to the mobile unit comprising the identified portion of the second geographic database.

Claims

1. A method for providing improved navigation services to a plurality of mobile units, the method comprising:

on a mobile unit comprising a first navigation system that includes a first geographic database and a navigation application program, receiving input from a user for a desired navigation function to which a response requires geographic data;

from the mobile unit, using said navigation application program to transmit a request for part of said geographic data that is not up-to-date in said first geographic database determined by said program as required to provide said desired navigation function;

on a base unit comprising a more up-to-date geographic database than said first geographic database, receiving said request and providing said part of said geographic data using said more up-to-date geographic database;

from said base unit, transmitting said part of said geographic data to said mobile unit; and

in said mobile unit, receiving said part of said geographic data from said base unit and using said part of said geographic data received from said base unit along with data from said first geographic database to provide said desired navigation function to said user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired navigation function comprises calculation of a route between an origin and a destination.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired navigation function comprises obtaining a requested point of interest.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired navigation function comprises route guidance between an origin and a destination.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said desired navigation function comprises a map display.

6. A system for providing geographic information comprising:

a mobile unit having a first geographic database;

a base unit having a second geographic database that is more up-to-date than said first geographic database; and

a communications link to transmit a request from the mobile unit to the base unit and to transmit a response from the base unit to the mobile unit;

wherein said base unit

receives said request for updated geographic data,

identifies a portion of said second geographic database that corresponds to said request, and

provides said response to said mobile unit comprising said identified portion of said second geographic database.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein said communications link is a cellular telephone system.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein said response comprises a strip map.

9. The system of claim 6 wherein said mobile unit includes a navigation application program that determines whether updated geographic data is required to provide a navigation function.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein said navigation function comprises calculation of a route between an origin and a destination.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said navigation function comprises obtaining a requested point of interest.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein said navigation function comprises route guidance between an origin and a destination.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein said navigation function comprises a map display.

14. The system of claim 9 wherein said mobile unit receives said response comprising said identified portion of said second geographic database and uses said identified portion of said second geographic database to provide said navigation function.

15. A system for providing improved navigation services comprising:

a mobile unit;

a base unit; and

a communications link to transmit a query from the mobile unit to the base unit and to transmit a response from the base unit to the mobile unit;

wherein said base unit

receives said query from said mobile unit that includes a current position of said mobile unit,

evaluates said current position of said mobile unit to determine if said current position is inconsistent with previously specified location information,

attempts to resolve said inconsistent current position,

if said base unit cannot resolve said inconsistent current position, provides a response to said mobile unit indicating an error.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein said communications link is a cellular telephone system.

17. The system of claim 15 wherein said mobile unit includes a positioning system.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein said inconsistent currently location is an erroneous latitude and longitude reading from said positioning system.

19. The system of claim 15 wherein said base unit attempts to resolve said inconsistent current position using a specified metropolitan area supplied by said mobile unit.