Navigation system for a vehicle

• US 7,158,881 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2004
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Donnelly Corporation (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: McCarthy, Kevin C, Uhlmann, Eugenie V, Lynam, Niall R
• Primary Examiner(s): ARTHUR JEANGLAUDE, GERTRUDE
• Application Number:
  US10/755,627
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148102A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,086 Days
• Field of Search: 701207-211, 701213-215, 701 23- 26, 340/461, 340988-991, 340/995.1, 340/995.2, 340/995.17, 340/995.19, 342/357.01, 342/357.06, 342/357.09, 359871-872, 359838-839
• US Class Current: 701/213
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/04 mounted inside vehicle B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0241 for telephones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0247 for microphones or earphones
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1284 with communication systems other than radio-receivers, e.g. keyless entry systems, navigation systems; with anti-collision systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0033 Rear-view mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/34 Route searching; Route guidance
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/36 Input/output arrangements for on-board computers
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3626 Details of the output of route guidance instructions traffic control systems for road vehicles involving transmission of navigation instructions to the vehicle G08G1/0968
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/21 Interference related issues ; Issues related to cross-correlation, spoofing or other methods of denial of service
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/35 Constructional details or hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/36 relating to the receiver frond end
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/37 Hardware or software details of the signal processing chain
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/10 Map spot or coordinate position indicators; Map reading aids optical projection apparatus per se G03B

Abstract

A navigation system suitable for use in a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior reflective element. A database at a site remote from the vehicle includes map data and/or directory data. A global-positioning system receiver is operable to receive signals from satellites external to said vehicles. A transceiver is operable to engage in a wireless communication with a remote transceiver located at a site remote from the vehicle to received data derived from the database. A user input allows a user to input a destination. The system responds to an input of a destination by wirelessly communicating the destination to the remote transceiver and downloading directions. A display that displays turn-by-turn instructions to the destination during the road journey based on the downloaded directions and on the signals received by the global-positioning system receiver. The turn-by-turn instructions may include (i) direction, (ii) when to turn, and/or (iii) how far until the turn. The navigation system preferably includes a short-range wireless communication link.

Claims

1. A navigation system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle;

said vehicle including an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior reflective element, said interior rearview mirror assembly further comprising a display;

a database at a site remote from said vehicle, said database including at least one chosen from map data and directory data;

a global-positioning system receiver, said global-positioning system receiver locatable in said vehicle during a road journey, said global-positioning system receiver operable to receive signals from satellites external to said vehicle;

a transceiver operable to engage in a wireless communication with a remote transceiver located at a site remote from said vehicle, said transceiver locatable in said vehicle during said road journey;

said transceiver operable to receive a wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver of data derived from said database;

a user input whereby a user can input a destination, said system responsive to said input of said destination by wirelessly communicating said destination to said remote transceiver;

said wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver to said transceiver comprising downloading of directions generally to said destination, said directions being derived from said database;

said display at said interior mirror displaying turn-by-turn instructions to said destination during said road journey, said turn-by-turn instructions being based on said downloaded directions and on said signals received by said global-positioning system receiver;

wherein said turn-by-turn instructions comprise at least one chosen from (i) direction, (ii) when to turn, and (iii) how far until the turn; and

wherein said navigation system includes a short-range wireless communication link.

2. The system in claim 1 wherein said user input comprises at least one chosen from a voice input and a keypad input.

3. The system in claim 2 wherein said receiver is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

4. The system in claim 2 wherein said navigation system includes a vehicle data bus connection.

5. The system in claim 2 wherein said short-range wireless communication link comprises a short-range radio frequency wireless communication link.

6. The system in claim 5 wherein said short-range radio frequency wireless communication link comprises a BLUETOOTH protocol.

7. The system in claim 1 including an alert to the driver, said alert comprising at least one chosen from an audible alert and a visible alert.

8. The system in claim 7 wherein said alert comprises an audible alert.

9. The system in claim 7 wherein said alert comprises a visible alert.

10. The system in claim 9 wherein said visible alert comprises a flashing display.

11. The system in claim 7 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn is being approached.

12. The system in claim 7 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn has been missed.

13. The system in claim 1 wherein said display comprises a dot-matrix pixelated display, said dot-matrix pixelated display operable to display a textural driver instruction.

14. The system in claim 13 wherein said display is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum fluorescent display, an organic electro-luminescent display, a field-emission display, a plasma display, a light-emitting diode display, and a liquid crystal display.

15. The system in claim 1 wherein said display is positioned at said interior reflective element.

16. The system in claim 1 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and wherein said display is positioned at said housing.

17. The system in claim 1 wherein said vehicle further includes at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly.

18. The system in claim 17 wherein said global-positioning system receiver comprises an antenna.

19. The system in claim 18 wherein said antenna is positioned at one of said interior mirror assembly and said exterior mirror assembly.

20. The system in claim 19 wherein said antenna is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

21. The system in claim 19 wherein said antenna is positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

22. The system in claim 1 wherein said display displays at least one chosen from compass and directional heading information.

23. The system in claim 1 further including an audio output generator indicating a need to change direction.

24. The system in claim 1 wherein said display comprises a reconfigurable display.

25. The system in claim 24 wherein said display also displays other vehicle functions.

26. The system in claim 1 wherein said user input comprises voice input.

27. The system in claim 26 wherein said vehicle includes a system for receiving voice commands from the driver.

28. The system in claim 1 wherein said user input comprises a keypad.

29. The system in claim 28 wherein said keypad is connected with said interior mirror assembly.

30. The system in claim 29 wherein said keypad is wirelessly connected with said interior mirror assembly.

31. The system in claim 1 wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element.

32. The system in claim 31 wherein said electro-optic reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

33. The system in claim 1 wherein said short-range wireless communication link comprises a short-range radio frequency wireless communication link.

34. The system in claim 33 wherein said short-range radio frequency wireless communication link comprises a BLUETOOTH protocol.

35. The system in claim 1 including an image capture device, said image capture device viewing a scene exterior of the vehicle, wherein said display displays the exterior scene captured with said image capture device, said display displaying a graphic overlay that guides the driver with turn-by-turn instructions.

36. A navigation system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle;

said vehicle including an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior reflective element;

an image capture device, said image capture device viewing a scene exterior of the vehicle;

a database at a site remote from said vehicle, said database including at least one chosen from map data and directory data;

a global-positioning system receiver, said global-positioning system receiver locatable in said vehicle during a road journey, said global-positioning system receiver operable to receive signals from satellites external to said vehicle;

a transceiver operable to engage in a wireless communication with a remote transceiver located at a site remote from said vehicle, said transceiver locatable in said vehicle during said road journey;

said transceiver operable to receive a wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver of data derived from said database;

a user input whereby a user can input a destination, said system responsive to said input of said destination by wirelessly communicating said destination to said remote transceiver;

said wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver to said transceiver comprising downloading of directions generally to said destination, said directions being derived from said database;

a display displaying the exterior scene captured with said image capture device, said display displaying a graphic overlay that guides the driver with turn-by-turn instructions, said turn-by-turn instructions being based on said downloaded directions and on said signals received by said global-positioning system receiver.

37. The system in claim 36 wherein said display is at or adjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly.

38. The system in claim 37 wherein said short-range wireless communication link comprises a short-range radio frequency wireless communication link.

39. The system in claim 38 wherein said short-range radio frequency wireless communication link comprises a BLUETOOTH protocol.

40. The system in claim 36 wherein said user input comprises at least one chosen from a voice input and a keypad input.

41. The system in claim 36 including an alert to the driver, said alert comprising at least one chosen from an audible alert and a visible alert.

42. The system in claim 41 wherein said alert comprises an audible alert.

43. The system in claim 41 wherein said alert comprises a visible alert.

44. The system in claim 43 wherein said visible alert comprises a flashing display.

45. The system in claim 41 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn is being approached.

46. The system in claim 41 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn has been missed.

47. The system in claim 36 wherein said display comprises a dot-matrix pixelated display, said dot-matrix pixelated display operable to display a textural driver instruction.

48. The system in claim 47 wherein said display is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum fluorescent display, an organic electro-luminescent display, a field-emission display, a plasma display, a light-emitting diode display, and a liquid crystal display.

49. The system in claim 36 wherein said display is positioned at said interior reflective element.

50. The system in claim 36 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and wherein said display is positioned at said housing.

51. The system in claim 36 wherein said vehicle further includes at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly.

52. The system in claim 51 wherein said global-positioning system receiver comprises an antenna.

53. The system in claim 52 wherein said antenna is positioned at one of said interior mirror assembly and said exterior mirror assembly.

54. The system in claim 53 wherein said antenna is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

55. The system in claim 53 wherein said receiver is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

56. The system in claim 53 wherein said antenna is positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

57. The system in claim 36 wherein said navigation system includes a vehicle data bus connection.

58. The system in claim 36 wherein said display displays at least one chosen from compass and directional heading information.

59. The system in claim 36 further including an audio output generator indicating a need to change direction.

60. The system in claim 36 wherein said display comprises a reconfigurable display.

61. The system in claim 60 wherein said display also displays other vehicle functions.

62. The system in claim 36 wherein said user input comprises voice input.

63. The system in claim 62 wherein said vehicle includes a system for receiving voice commands from the driver.

64. The system in claim 36 wherein said user input comprises a keypad.

65. The system in claim 64 wherein said keypad is connected with said interior mirror assembly.

66. The system in claim 64 wherein said keypad is wirelessly connected with said interior mirror assembly.

67. The system in claim 36 wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element.

68. The system in claim 67 wherein said electro-optic reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

69. The system in claim 36 wherein said short-range wireless communication link comprises a short-range radio frequency wireless communication link.

70. The system in claim 69 wherein said short-range radio frequency wireless communication link comprises a BLUETOOTH protocol.

71. A navigation system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle;

said vehicle including an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior reflective element, said interior rearview mirror assembly further comprising a display;

a database at a site remote from said vehicle, said database including at least one chosen from map data and directory data;

a global-positioning system receiver, said global-positioning system receiver locatable in said vehicle during a road journey, said global-positioning system receiver operable to receive signals from satellites external to said vehicle;

a transceiver operable to engage in a wireless communication with a remote transceiver located at a site remote from said vehicle to a transceiver, said transceiver locatable in said vehicle during said road journey;

said transceiver operable to receive a wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver of data derived from said database;

a user input whereby a user can input a destination, said system responsive to said input of said destination by wirelessly communicating said destination to said remote transceiver;

said wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver to said transceiver comprising downloading of directions generally to said destination, said directions being derived from said database;

said display at said interior mirror displaying turn-by-turn instructions to said destination during said road journey, said turn-by-turn instructions being based on said downloaded directions and on said signals received by said global-positioning system receiver;

wherein said navigation system includes a short-range wireless radio frequency communication link; and

wherein said user input comprises at least one chosen from a voice input and a keypad input.

72. The system in claim 71 wherein said display is at or adjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly.

73. The system in claim 72 wherein said display is mounted to one chosen from said interior rearview mirror assembly support and a mirror mount.

74. The system in claim 72 wherein said display is mounted either above or below said reflective element.

75. The system in claim 71 including an alert to the driver, said alert comprising at least one chosen from an audible alert and a visible alert.

76. The system in claim 75 wherein said alert comprises an audible alert.

77. The system in claim 75 wherein said alert comprises a visible alert.

78. The system in claim 77 wherein said visible alert comprises a flashing display.

79. The system in claim 75 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn is being approached.

80. The system in claim 75 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn has been missed.

81. The system in claim 71 wherein said display comprises a dot-matrix pixelated display, said dot-matrix pixelated display operable to display a textural driver instruction.

82. The system in claim 81 wherein said display is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum fluorescent display, an organic electro-luminescent display, a field-emission display, a plasma display, a light-emitting diode display, and a liquid crystal display.

83. The system in claim 71 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and wherein said display is positioned at said housing.

84. The system in claim 71 wherein said vehicle further includes at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly.

85. The system in claim 84 wherein said global-positioning system receiver comprises an antenna.

86. The system in claim 85 wherein said antenna is positioned at one of said interior mirror assembly and said exterior mirror assembly.

87. The system in claim 86 wherein said antenna is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

88. The system in claim 86 wherein said antenna is positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

89. The system in claim 71 wherein said receiver is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

90. The system in claim 71 wherein said navigation system includes a vehicle data bus connection.

91. The system in claim 71 wherein said short-range radio frequency wireless communication link comprises a BLUETOOTH protocol.

92. The system in claim 71 wherein said display displays at least one chosen from compass and directional heading information.

93. The system in claim 71 further including an audio output generator indicating a need to change direction.

94. The system in claim 71 wherein said display comprises a reconfigurable display.

95. The system in claim 94 wherein said display also displays other vehicle functions.

96. The system in claim 71 wherein said user input comprises voice input.

97. The system in claim 96 wherein said vehicle includes a system for receiving voice commands from the driver.

98. The system in claim 71 wherein said user input comprises a keypad.

99. The system in claim 98 wherein said keypad is connected with said interior mirror assembly.

100. The system in claim 98 wherein said keypad is wirelessly connected with said interior mirror assembly.

101. The system in claim 71 wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element.

102. The system in claim 101 wherein said electro-optic reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

103. The system in claim 71 wherein said turn-by-turn instructions comprise at least one chosen from (i) direction, (ii) when to turn, and (iii) how far until the turn.

104. A navigation system suitable for use in a vehicle comprising:

a vehicle;

said vehicle including an interior rearview mirror assembly, said interior rearview mirror assembly comprising an interior reflective element;

a database at a site remote from said vehicle, said database including at least one chosen from map data and directory data;

a global-positioning system receiver, said global-positioning system receiver locatable in said vehicle during a road journey, said global-positioning system receiver operable to receive signals from satellites external to said vehicle;

a transceiver operable to engage in a wireless communication with a remote transceiver located at a site remote from said vehicle to a transceiver, said transceiver locatable in said vehicle during said road journey;

said transceiver operable to receive a wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver of data derived from said database;

a user input whereby a user can input a destination, said system responsive to said input of said destination by wirelessly communicating said destination to said remote transceiver;

said wireless data transmission from said remote transceiver to said transceiver comprising downloading of directions generally to said destination, said directions being derived from said database;

a display displaying turn-by-turn instructions to said destination during said road journey, said turn-by-turn instructions being based on said downloaded directions and on said signals received by said global-positioning system receiver;

wherein said navigation system includes a short-range wireless radio frequency communication link;

wherein said user input comprises at least one chosen from a voice input and a keypad input; and

wherein said reflective element comprises an electro-optic reflective element.

105. The system in claim 104 wherein said display is at or adjacent to said interior rearview mirror assembly.

106. The system in claim 105 wherein said display is mounted to one chosen from said interior rearview mirror assembly support and a mirror mount.

107. The system in claim 105 wherein said display is mounted either above or below said reflective element.

108. The system in claim 104 including an alert to the driver, said alert comprising at least one chosen from an audible alert and a visible alert.

109. The system in claim 108 wherein said alert comprises an audible alert.

110. The system in claim 108 wherein said alert comprises a visible alert.

111. The system in claim 110 wherein said visible alert comprises a flashing display.

112. The system in claim 108 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn is being approached.

113. The system in claim 108 wherein said alert comprises an alert that a turn has been missed.

114. The system in claim 104 wherein said display comprises a dot-matrix pixelated display, said dot-matrix pixelated display operable to display a textural driver instruction.

115. The system in claim 114 wherein said display is selected from the group consisting of a vacuum fluorescent display, an organic electro-luminescent display, a field-emission display, a plasma display, a light-emitting diode display, and a liquid crystal display.

116. The system in claim 104 wherein said interior rearview mirror assembly comprises a housing and wherein said display is positioned at said housing.

117. The system in claim 104 wherein said vehicle further includes at least one exterior rearview mirror assembly.

118. The system in claim 117 wherein said global-positioning system receiver comprises an antenna.

119. The system in claim 118 wherein said antenna is positioned at one of said interior mirror assembly and said exterior mirror assembly.

120. The system in claim 119 wherein said antenna is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

121. The system in claim 104 wherein said receiver is positioned at said interior mirror assembly.

122. The system in claim 119 wherein said antenna is positioned at said exterior rearview mirror assembly.

123. The system in claim 104 wherein said navigation system includes a vehicle data bus connection.

124. The system in claim 104 wherein said short-range radio frequency wireless communication link comprises a BLUETOOTH protocol.

125. The system in claim 104 wherein said display displays at least one chosen from compass and directional heading information.

126. The system in claim 104 further including an audio output generator indicating a need to change direction.

127. The system in claim 104 wherein said display comprises a reconfigurable display.

128. The system in claim 127 wherein said display also displays other vehicle functions.

129. The system in claim 104 wherein said user input comprises voice input.

130. The system in claim 129 wherein said vehicle includes a system for receiving voice commands from the driver.

131. The system in claim 104 wherein said user input comprises a keypad.

132. The system in claim 131 wherein said keypad is connected with said interior mirror assembly.

133. The system in claim 131 wherein said keypad is wirelessly connected with said interior mirror assembly.

134. The system in claim 104 wherein said electro-optic reflective element comprises an electrochromic reflective element.

135. The system in claim 104 wherein said turn-by-turn instructions comprise at least one chosen from (i) direction, (ii) when to turn, and (iii) how far until the turn.