System and method for providing routing, mapping, and relative position information to users of a communication network

• US 8,019,581 B2
• Filed: 01/02/2008
• Issued: 09/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Artax LLC (IPValuation Partners, LLC)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Sheha, Michael A., Petilli, Stephen, Sheha, Angie
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Paul
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIERRE LOUIS, ANDRE
• Application Number:
  US11/968,635
• Publication Number:
  US 20080188246A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,350 Days
• Field of Search: 703/6, 703/8, 703/13, 701/23, 701/24, 701/25, 701/28, 701/200, 701/201, 701/209, 701/213, 455/457
• US Class Current: 703/8
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/26 specially adapted for navigation in a road network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a system and method for presenting navigational directions using a combination of a mobile communication device, such as a cellular phone, and a complementary device, such as a vehicular navigational or display device. In particular, using location information acquired by the mobile communication device, driving direction is obtained (such as from a server) and displayed to a user via the complementary device. The mobile communication device and the complementary device maybe connected to each other over a wired connection or a wireless connection.

Claims

1. A method for presenting navigational information using a wireless communication device including a GPS receiver, said method comprising:

receiving location information of said wireless communication device using said GPS receiver of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

receiving destination information, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request for navigation information is sent to a server over a telecommunication network;

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria;

receiving, by said wireless communication device from said server over said telecommunication network, said navigational information;

sending, from said wireless communication device to an in-vehicle navigational device, said navigational information generated with said wireless communication device; and

displaying, at a display device of said in-vehicle navigational device, driving directions for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination based on said navigation information received from said wireless communication device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said communication between said wireless communication device and said in-vehicle navigational device is established via a wireless connection.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said wireless connection is one of an IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, at said wireless communication device, one of map data and point of interest data from said server; and

sending, from said wireless communication device to said in-vehicle navigational device, one of said map data and said point of interest data.

6. A non-transitory storage medium containing a computer program having at least one code executable by a wireless communication device to present navigational information, said wireless communication device having a display, an input interface and a GPS receiver, said computer program having at least one code causing said wireless communication device to execute instructions comprising:

receiving location information of said wireless communication device from said GPS receiver of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

receiving destination information, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request is sent to a server over a telecommunication network;

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria;

receiving by said wireless communication device, from said server over a telecommunication network, said navigational information; and

sending, from said wireless communication device to said in-vehicle navigational device, said navigational information generated with said wireless communication device to cause an in-vehicle navigational device including a display device to present driving directions for traveling to said location of said destination based on said navigation information received from said wireless communication device.

7. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 6, wherein said communication between said wireless communication device and said in-vehicle navigational device is established via a wireless connection.

8. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 7, wherein said wireless connection is one of a IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

9. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 6, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

10. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 6, said method further comprising:

receiving, at said wireless communication device, one of map data and point of interest data from said server; and

sending, from said wireless communication device to said in-vehicle navigational device, one of said map data and said point of interest data.

11. A wireless communication device comprising:

a display;

an input interface for receiving user inputs;

a GPS receiver for receiving location information of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

a memory; and

a processor, said processor being programmed to perform instructions comprising;

receiving destination information, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

sending a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request is sent to a server over a telecommunication network;

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria;

receiving by said wireless communication device, from said server over a telecommunication network, said navigational information; and

sending, from said wireless communication device to an in-vehicle navigational device, said navigational information generated with said wireless communication device, wherein said in-vehicle navigational device is comprised of a display device to display driving directions for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination.

12. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein said communication with said in-vehicle navigational device is established via a wireless connection.

13. The wireless communication device according to claim 12, wherein said wireless connection is one of a IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

14. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein said mobile communication device is a cellular phone.

15. The wireless communication device according to claim 11, wherein said processor is programmed to further perform instructions comprising:

receiving one of map data and point of interest data from said server; and

sending to said in-vehicle navigational device one of said map data and said point of interest data.

16. A method for presenting navigational information using a wireless communication device having a display, an input interface and a GPS receiver, and a complementary device, said method comprising:

receiving location information of said wireless communication device using said GPS receiver of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

receiving destination information via said wireless communication device, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

generating navigation information, with said wireless communication device, for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request for navigation is sent over to a server over a telecommunication network,

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria; and

wherein a display device of an in-vehicle navigational device displays driving directions for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, said driving direction being based on said navigation information sent by said wireless communication device.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said communication between said wireless communication device and said in-vehicle navigational device is established via a wireless connection.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said wireless connection is one of a IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising:

sending one of map data and point of interest data from said wireless communication device to said in-vehicle navigational device.

21. A non-transitory medium containing a computer program having at least on code executable by a wireless communication device to present navigational information, said wireless communication device having a display, an input interface and a GPS receiver, said computer program having at least one code causing said wireless communication device to execute instructions comprising:

receiving location information of said wireless communication device using said GPS receiver of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

receiving destination information, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

generating navigation information, with said wireless communication device, for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination;

establishing communication between said wireless communication device and an in-vehicle navigational device, said in-vehicle navigational device including a display device;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request for navigation is sent over to a server over a telecommunication network,

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria; and

wherein said navigational information causes said in-vehicle navigational device to display driving directions for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination.

22. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said communication between said wireless communication device and said in-vehicle navigational device is established via a wireless connection.

23. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 22, wherein said wireless connection is one of a IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

24. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 21, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

25. The non-transitory storage medium according to claim 21, said method further comprising sending one of map data and point of interest data from said wireless communication device to said in-vehicle navigational device.

26. A wireless communication device comprising:

a display;

an input interface for receiving user inputs;

a GPS receiver for receiving location information of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

a memory; and

a processor, said processor being programmed to perform instructions comprising;

receiving destination information, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

generating navigation information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request for navigation is sent over to a server over a telecommunication network,

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria; and

wherein said navigational information causes an in-vehicle navigational device to display on said display device of said in-vehicle navigational device driving directions for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination.

27. The wireless communication device according to claim 26, wherein said communication with said in-vehicle navigational device is established via a wireless connection.

28. The wireless communication device according to claim 27, wherein said wireless connection is one of a IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

29. The wireless communication device according to claim 26, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

30. The wireless communication device according to claim 26, wherein said processor is programmed to further perform sending to said in-vehicle navigational device one of map data and point of interest data.

31. An in-vehicle navigational device comprising:

a display device;

an input interface for receiving user inputs;

a position determining system;

an interface for interfacing with a wireless communication device, said wireless communication device including a display and a GPS receiver for receiving location information of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

a processor, said processor being programmed to perform instructions comprising;

receiving, by said in-vehicle navigational device from said wireless communication device, said location information generated with said wireless communication device;

receiving destination information via said input interface, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request for navigation is sent over to a server over a telecommunication network,

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria;

generating, with an in-vehicle navigational device, navigation information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, said navigation information being generated based on said location information of said wireless communication device and said destination information received from said wireless communication device; and

displaying on said in-vehicle navigational device driving directions for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination.

32. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 31, wherein said interface is a wireless interface.

33. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 32, wherein said wireless interface is one of an IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

34. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 31, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

35. The vehicular navigation device according to claim 31, wherein said input interface is a touch-sensitive display overlay.

39. The automobile according to claim 35, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

36. An automobile having an in-vehicle navigational device, comprising:

a display device;

an input interface for receiving user inputs;

a positioning determining system;

an interface for interfacing with a wireless communication device, said wireless communication device including a display and a GPS receiver for receiving location information of said wireless communication device, said location information indicating a location of said wireless communication device;

a processor to perform instructions comprising;

receiving, at said in-vehicle navigational device from said wireless communication device, location information generated with said wireless communication device;

receiving destination information via said input interface, said destination information indicating a location of a destination;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request for navigation is sent over to a server over a telecommunication network,

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria;

generating, with an in-vehicle navigational device, navigation information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, said navigation information being generated based on said location information of said wireless communication device and said destination information received from said wireless communication device; and

displaying on said in-vehicle navigational device driving directions for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination.

37. The automobile according to claim 36, wherein said interface is a wireless interface.

38. The automobile according to claim 37, wherein said wireless interface is one of a IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

40. The automobile according to claim 36, wherein said input interface is a touch-sensitive display overlay.

41. An automobile having a computing device, said computing device comprising:

a display device;

an input interface for receiving user inputs;

a position determining system;

an interface for interfacing with a wireless communication, device, said wireless communication device including a display and a GPS receiver for receiving location information of said wireless communication device;

a processor to perform instructions comprising;

receiving, at an in-vehicle navigational device from said wireless communication device, navigational information generated with said wireless communication device for traveling between an origin and a destination;

sending, from said wireless communication device, a request for navigational information, said navigational information including route information for traveling between said location of said wireless communication device and said location of said destination, wherein said request for navigation is sent over to a server over a telecommunication network,

wherein the server queries a remote party of position request for permission on whether the position request can be granted based on criteria;

generating graphical data for displaying on said display device driving directions for traveling between said origin and said destination based on said navigation information received from said wireless communication device; and

displaying, on a display device of said in-vehicle navigational device, driving directions for traveling between said origin and said destination.

42. The automobile according to claim 41, wherein said interface is a wireless interface.

43. The automobile according to claim 42, wherein said wireless interface is one of a IEEE 802.11b connection and an infrared connection.

44. The automobile according to claim 41, wherein said wireless communication device is a cellular phone.

45. The automobile according to claim 41, wherein said user interface is a touch-sensitive display overlay.