Methods and Apparatuses for Providing Enhanced Navigation Services

• US 20100125410A1
• Filed: 11/17/2008
• Published: 05/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Services Incorporated (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hicks, Mary Anne
• Granted Patent: US 8,583,373 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/209
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 2205/04 Satellite based navigation systems, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
• CPC Class Codes: B61L 25/025 Absolute localisation, e.g. providing geodetic coordinates
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/005 with correlation of navigation data from several sources, e.g. map or contour matching G01C21/30 takes precedence

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing enhanced navigation services are disclosed. A navigation system can include a memory, a processor, and a location determination device. The navigation system can receive data that indicates the location of a device. The navigation system can generate notifications for the device. The navigation system can interrupt communications at the device to provide notifications, if desired. Methods for providing notifications during enhanced navigation sessions also are disclosed.

Claims

1. A system for providing enhanced navigation service information to a mobile device, the system comprising:

a processor;

a location determination device; and

a memory in communication with the processor and the location determination device, the memory being configured to store instructions, executable by the processor to;

access maps and navigation information to calculate a navigation route comprising an origin and a destination;

acquire data indicating a position of the mobile device based, at least partially, upon location information generated by the location determination device;

generate a notification when the position and the destination are within a turn proximity; and

interrupt communications at the mobile device to provide the notification.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

determine that the mobile device is engaged in communications with an external device; and

generate instructions for the communications at the mobile device to be interrupted to provide the notification.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions for generating a notification further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

include, in the notification, navigation information translated from a first language to a second language.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the instructions for generating a notification further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

include, in the notification, a pronunciation key for indicating pronunciation of at least one word associated with the navigation information.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the location determination device comprises a location component of the mobile device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the location determination device comprises a location server of a communications network.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions for accessing maps and navigation information further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

access maps and navigation information comprising data indicating routes, schedules, and transit times for at least one public transit vehicle.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions for accessing maps and navigation information further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

access maps and navigation information comprising data indicating a route for at least one utility.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions for accessing maps and navigation information further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

access maps and navigation information comprising data indicating;

a rapid transit route;

a rapid transit schedule; and

a rapid transit stop.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the instructions for accessing maps and navigation information further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

access maps and navigation information further comprising data indicating;

a bicycle path;

a hiking trail;

a public park; and

a utility easement.

11. A method for providing a notification to a mobile device providing enhanced navigation services, comprising:

acquiring data indicating an origin and a destination;

accessing maps and navigation information to calculate a navigation route comprising the origin and the destination;

acquiring data indicating a position of the mobile device based, at least partially, upon location information generated by the location determination device;

recognizing that the mobile device is approaching a turn by recognizing that the mobile device is within a turn proximity;

determining a format for the notification;

generating the notification; and

interrupting communications at the mobile device to provide the notification.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

determining that the mobile device is engaged in communications with an external device; and

determining if communications at the mobile device should be interrupted to provide a notification.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the notification further comprises:

including, in the notification, navigation information translated from a first language to a second language.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein generating the notification further comprises:

including, in the notification, a pronunciation key for indicating pronunciation of at least one word associated with the navigation information.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the notification further comprises generating a visual notification.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the notification further comprises generating an audio notification.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting the notification to one or more components of the mobile device.

18. A mobile device configured for cellular communications over a cellular network and configured for providing enhanced navigation services, comprising:

a processor;

a location determination device; and

a memory in communication with the processor and the location determination device, the memory being configured to store instructions, executable by the processor to;

access maps and navigation information to calculate a navigation route comprising an origin and a destination;

acquire data indicating a position of the mobile device;

generate a notification when the position and the destination are within a turn proximity; and

recognize received instructions as instructions to interrupt communications at the mobile device to provide the notification.

19. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the instructions further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

determine that the mobile device is engaged in communications with an external device; and

generate instructions for the communications at the mobile device to be interrupted to provide the notification.

20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the instructions for generating a notification further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

include, in the notification, navigation information translated from a first language to a second language.

21. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein the instructions for generating a notification further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

include, in the notification, a pronunciation key for indicating pronunciation of at least one word associated with the navigation information.

22. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the location determination device comprises a GPS receiver of the mobile device.

23. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the location determination device comprises a location server of a cellular network.

24. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the instructions for accessing maps and navigation information further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

access maps and navigation information comprising data indicating routes, schedules, and transit times for at least one public transit vehicle.

25. The mobile device of claim 18, wherein the instructions for accessing maps and navigation information further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

access maps and navigation information comprising data indicating;

a rapid transit routes;

a rapid transit schedule; and

a rapid transit stop.

26. The mobile device of claim 25, wherein the instructions for accessing maps and navigation information further comprise instructions, executable by the processor to:

access maps and navigation information comprising data indicating;

a bicycle path;

a hiking trail;

a public park; and

a utility easement.