Interactive process for use as a navigational aid and device for its implementation

• US 6,381,535 B1
• Filed: 09/08/2000
• Issued: 04/30/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Webraska Mobile Technologies SA (Atlantia SpA)
• Original Assignee: Webraska Mobile Technologies SA (Atlantia SpA)
• Inventors: Durocher, Jean-Michel, Sommelet, Sophie
• Primary Examiner(s): Zanelli, Michael J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gibson, Eric M
• Application Number:
  US09/402,588
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 701/201, 701/202, 701/205, 701/207, 701/208, 701/209, 701/211
• US Class Current: 701/202
• 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: 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 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096883 where input information is obtained using a mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone, a PDA
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/127 to a central station ; Indicators in a central station

Abstract

The invention relates to a system to be used as an aid in navigation comprising a mobile terminal (1, 2) connected to a centralized server (5), and more specifically to the improvements required to convert a portable radiotelephone (1) into a complete and precise navigational aid system. The invention is characterized by the fact that the itinerary requests of the mobile terminal (1, 2) are transmitted to a centralized server (5) by a radio relay link, and by the fact that the server (5), which contains the necessary cartographic and program data, calculates the itinerary requested and transmits to the mobile terminal (1, 2) the data concerning the straight line and arc segments that constitute the itinerary, thereby permitting real-time guidance. The invention is further characterized by the fact that the server (5) evaluates the possibility of the craft deviating from its course, as well as by the fact that the server (5) also calculates and transmits the data concerning the segments of possible deviation itineraries in an area of proximity to the main itinerary. The invention can be applied in particular to automotive vehicles.

Claims

1. Interactive process for use as a real-time navigational aid by which a mobile terminal (1,2), with means of positioning (18,19) transmits, through a wireless network, itinerary requests to a fixed server (5) which transmits, in answer to the mobile terminal (1,2) and using the same network, itinerary data;

characterized by the fact that the itinerary data comprise the latitudes and longitudes of at least one extremity of the straight line or arc segments forming the itinerary;

by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) develops real-time guidance messages according to the position of the mobile terminal (1,2) compared to the itineraries received by the server (5);

by the fact that, when answering the mobile terminal (1,2), the server (5) also transmits data concerning the roads intersecting with the itinerary;

by the fact that, when answering the mobile terminal (1,2) the server (5) also transmits data concerning a proximity area around the itinerary;

by the fact that if the mobile terminal (1,2) deviates from the itinerary by taking one of the intersections, the mobile terminal (1,2) obtains, without any additional connection to the server (5), a new itinerary according to its position and the data of the proximity area and transmits guidance messages to this effect; and

by the fact that if the mobile terminal (1,2) leaves the proximity area, the mobile terminal (1,2) automatically transmits a new itinerary request to the server (5), a request which also includes data concerning the position of the mobile terminal (1,2).

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the server (5) saves in its memory the itinerary transmitted to the mobile terminal (1,2);

by the fact that the server (5) receives real-time information on the traffic conditions;

by the fact that the server (5) verifies if some of this information concern segments which are part of the itinerary or the proximity area;

by the fact that, in the even of an incident affecting the itinerary, the server (5) estimates the possibility of a more advantageous itinerary; and

by the fact that the server (5) connects with the mobile terminal (1,2) in order to transmit data on the incident and, if necessary, a new itinerary.

3. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the itinerary data sent by the server (5) comprise displays of the places in the itinerary where a choice has to be made, and by the fact that the displays are similar to the view a person can have of these places when driving towards them while following the itinerary.

4. Process according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the server (5) transmits data concerning general information on the itinerary.

5. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the guidance messages transmitted by the mobile terminal (1,2) are made in sound form.

6. Process according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that at least one part of the sound messages are developed by the server (5) which transmits them to the mobile terminal (1,2) in digital audio form;

by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) stores the sound messages, and by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) transmits, at an appropriate time according to its position, the sound messages already stored, either as is or in combination.

7. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the requests are formulated in voice form.

8. Process according to claim 7 characterized by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) digitizes the voice requests;

by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) extracts analysis parameters from them;

by the fact that the mobile terminal transmits its position and the analysis parameters to the server (5);

by the fact that the server (5) proceeds to an automatic recognition of the voice requests based on the analysis parameters already transmitted;

by the fact that the server (5) determines the nature of the requests based on voice recognition and the position of the mobile terminal (1,2) and by the fact that the server (5) transmits its answer to the mobile terminal (1,2).

9. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the means of positioning of the mobile terminal (1,2) comprise a satellites positioning receiver (18, 19);

by the fact that the server (5) obtains differential information for correcting the satellites positioning system from at least one fixed station (6) covering the operating area of the mobile terminal (1,2);

by the fact that the server (5) transmits differential information to the mobile terminal (1,2), and by the fact that transmission is executed through the same network used for the other data exchanges between the mobile terminal (1,2) and the server (5).

10. Process according to claim 9 characterized by the fact that the server (5) uses SMS short messages to transmit corrective differential information to the mobile terminal (1,2).

11. Fixed server (5) for implementing claim 1, characterized by the fact that the server (5) is an Internet server (5).

12. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) transmits its position to the server (5) on a regular basis;

by the fact that the positions are stored by the server (5);

by the fact that at least one third party terminal contacts the server (5) to transmit requests concerning the mobile terminal (1,2) and by the fact that the server (5) answers by transferring cartographic data corresponding to at least one of the positions of the mobile terminal (1,2).

13. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the server (5) receives requests for the calculation of an itinerary from a third party terminal and by the fact that the server (5) transmits the itinerary requested by the third party to the mobile terminal (1,2).

14. Process according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the server (5) transmits to the mobile terminal (1,2), a computer program through which it can execute navigational aid functions;

by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) stores the program and by the fact that the mobile terminal (1,2) executes the program for performing navigational aid functions.

15. Mobile terminal (1,2) for implementing claim 1, characterized by the fact that only one module (1) using a single radio communication network is used at a time for transmitting requests, for receiving itineraries answers and for receiving corrective differential information of satellites positioning.

16. Mobile terminal (1,2) according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the communications module is a portable radiotelephone (1);

by the fact that the radiotelephone is connected in a removable way to an accessory (2) fixed inside a vehicle, and by the fact that the accessory (2) is connected to or integrates a satellites positioning receiver (19).

17. Mobile terminal (1,2) according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the radiotelephone (1) is portable;

by the fact that it is connected to an accessory (2) fixed inside a vehicle;

by the fact that the accessory (2) is connected or integrates a microphone(23), a digital-to-analog converter (21) and the means for extracting the analysis parameters to be passed on to the telephone (1) for transmission to the server (5) in view of a voice recognition operation.

18. Mobile terminal (1,2) for implementing claim 1, characterized by the fact that it is formed of an electronic organizer, of a radio communications module and a satellites positioning receiver and by the fact that at least one of the communications module and the satellites positioning receiver is a removable accessory.