VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPGRADE TECHNIQUES

• US 20130325323A1
• Filed: 08/12/2013
• Published: 12/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Vehicular Sciences LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: HVAC Modulation Technologies LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Inventors: Breed, David S.
• Granted Patent: US 10,240,935 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/420
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635

Abstract

A method for maintaining vehicle-resident map information may include, in a vehicle with at least one communications processor integrated within the vehicle, the at least one communications processor being operable to receive wireless transmissions including map information from a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle, obtaining GPS information relating to the vehicle. The map information received by the at least one communications processor may be downloaded from the remote location. A map corresponding to the map information, and an indication of the current vehicle location may be displayed within the map, based on the GPS information. The map information may correspond to the GPS information. Road information may be wirelessly transmitted to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

Claims

1-15. -15. (canceled)

16. A method for maintaining vehicle-resident map information, the method comprising:

in a vehicle comprising at least one communications processor integrated within the vehicle, the at least one communications processor being operable to receive wireless transmissions including map information from a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle;

obtaining GPS information relating to the vehicle;

downloading the map information received by the at least one communications processor from the remote location; and

displaying a map corresponding to the map information, and an indication of current vehicle location within the map based on the GPS information.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the map information corresponds to the GPS information.

18. The method of claim 16, comprising wirelessly transmitting road information to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the road information comprises traffic information.

20. The method of claim 16, comprising wirelessly transmitting weather information to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein at least one of the received wireless transmissions comprises software update information associated with at least one sensor operating within the vehicle.

22. The method of claim 16, comprising:

transmitting to the remote location using the at least one communications processor, at least one request for driving directions.

23. The method of claim 22, comprising:

receiving using the at least one communications processor, driving directions in response to the at least one request.

24. A system for maintaining vehicle-resident map information, the system comprising:

at least one communications processor integrated within a vehicle, the at least one communications processor being operable to;

receive wireless transmissions including map information from a remote location separate and apart from the vehicle;

obtain GPS information relating to the vehicle;

download the map information received by the at least one communications processor from the remote location; and

display a map corresponding to the map information, and an indication of current vehicle location within the map based on the GPS information.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the map information corresponds to the GPS information.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one communications processor is operable to:

wirelessly transmit road information to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the road information comprises traffic information.

28. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one communications processor is operable to:

wirelessly transmit weather information to one or more locations based on the GPS information.

29. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one of the received wireless transmissions comprises software update information associated with at least one sensor operating within the vehicle.

30. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one communications processor is operable to:

transmit to the remote location, at least one request for driving directions.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the at least one communications processor is operable to:

receive driving directions in response to the at least one request.