Device for informing a motor vehicle driver

• US 6,535,140 B1
• Filed: 03/27/1997
• Issued: 03/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/05/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Original Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
• Inventors: Kell, Dietmar, Goss, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US08/765,502
• Time in Patent Office: 2,182 Days
• Field of Search: 340/905, 340/990, 340/995, 340/988, 364/449.3, 364/449.4, 701/208, 701/209, 701/211
• US Class Current: 340/905
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3667 Display of a road map G01C21/3614 takes precedence; guidance using 3D or perspective road maps G01C21/3635
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3694 Output thereof on a road map
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/091 Traffic information broadcasting broadcasting communication H04H
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096827 where the route is computed onboard
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096844 where the complete route is dynamically recomputed based on new data
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096861 where the immediate route instructions are output to the driver, e.g. arrow signs for next turn
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096872 where instructions are given per voice

Abstract

A device for informing a motor vehicle driver having a decoder for digitally coded traffic messages and an auto navigator, which is designed to determine the instantaneous position of a vehicle and to calculate route recommendations, forming one basic structural unit. Preferably, a digitally coded road map, and information necessary for decoding and outputting the traffic messages are stored on the same data storage medium.

Claims

1. A device for informing a motor vehicle driver comprising:

a receiver for receiving and decoding at least one digitally coded traffic message;

an auto navigator for determining an instantaneous position of a vehicle and at least one route recommendation; and

only one data storage unit having a data storage medium for storing both a digitally coded road map and information needed for decoding and outputting the at least one traffic message;

wherein the receiver, the auto navigator and the data storage unit form a single structural unit.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one route recommendation is determined from at least one decoded traffic message.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the receiver is a radio receiver.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the information needed for decoding and outputting at least one decoded traffic message includes selected locations, locations adjacent to the selected locations, route sections belonging to the selected location and names of the selected locations.

5. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a speech generator for outputting the at least one decoded traffic message.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a monitor for displaying the at least one decoded traffic message and the at least one route recommendation.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one decoded traffic message is displayed alphanumerically and the at least one route recommendation is displayed graphically using the monitor.

8. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one decoded traffic message is displayed as at least one embedded message in a road map display.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one embedded message is displayed in symbol form.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit for selecting at least one decoded traffic message based on the instantaneous position of the vehicle, an entered destination and at least one proposed route.