GPS navigation system

• US 8,718,858 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2011
• Issued: 05/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Khaled Abdullah M. Al-Mahnna
• Original Assignee: Khaled Abdullah M. Al-Mahnna
• Inventors: Al-Mahnna, Khaled Abdullah M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tarcza, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): EVANS, GARRETT F
• Application Number:
  US13/073,314
• Publication Number:
  US 20120253580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,135 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 701/23
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3602 Input other than that of destination using image analysis, e.g. detection of road signs, lanes, buildings, real preceding vehicles using a camera
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/3697 Output of additional, non-guidance related information, e.g. low fuel level G01C21/3679 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0274 using mapping information stored in a memory device navigation using map-matching G01C21/30
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 1/0278 using satellite positioning signals, e.g. GPS

Abstract

A GPS navigation system for a motor vehicle mounted within sight of a driver and/or navigator. The system comprises and/or consists of a memory module that contains a pre-stored map database including a plurality of locations and a receiver supported within the motor vehicle for receiving signals indicative of the current position of the map. The system also includes a monitor positioned in the position within sight of the driver and/or navigator for displaying the location of the vehicle with the respect to a pre-stored map. Means including the memory module, receiver and said monitor display an area of about ½ km in all direction and up to ½ km to 1 km from the current position of the vehicle. Further, means including a zoom optical system for zooming in and out of the ½ to 1 km radius of the vehicle location on the stored map and means for summoning help to the present location of the vehicle. In addition, radar means for sensing an object that obstructs the projected pathway of the vehicle and a plurality of sensors and running control means perform the auto-drive control running of the vehicle based on the detection of signals from the plurality of sensors wherein said auto-drive control includes speed control, steering and breaking. The system includes a change over means for switching between the auto-drive and manual drive modes.

Claims

1. A GPS navigation system for a motor vehicle mounted within sight of a driver and/or navigator, said system consisting of the combination of:

a memory module that contains a pre-stored map database that consists of a plurality of known locations, routes stored in memory and chronological data, the time of day, the day of the week and the month that the travel route in question began, a route comparing device with stored current local positions and typical routes stored in memory to permit the current route to be compared with the routes stored in memory, an updating algorithm to update the route memory and wherein the updating algorithm deletes all of the routes stored in memory whose times fall outside of a predetermined time period supported in the vehicle in the vicinity of a dashboard;

a receiver supported within the vehicle for receiving signals from a GPS navigational system indicative of the current position of the vehicle;

a monitor positioned in the vehicle within sight of the driver and/or navigator for displaying the location of the vehicle with respect to a pre-stored map;

means consisting of said memory module, said receiver and said monitor for displaying an area of about ½

km up to about 1 km in all directions from a current position of the vehicle to illustrate possible alternate routes;

a zoom optical system for zooming in and out of said ½

km up to 1 km area of the vehicle location on a stored map;

means for summoning help to the present location of the vehicle;

a radar unit for sensing an object that obstructs the pre-projected pathway of the motor vehicle;

a plurality of sensors and running control means for performing auto-drive control running of the vehicle based on detection of signals from said plurality of sensors;

an audible alarm sounded when an object that obstructs the projected pathway of the motor vehicle is sensed;

means for stopping said motor vehicle before reaching the object that obstructs the pathway when said system is in an auto-drive mode;

means for providing an image of the object based on normal photography that obstructs the pathway when said system is on auto-drive mode;

wherein said auto-drive control consists of speed control, steering and braking; and

a switch for switching between the auto-drive and manual drive modes; and

wherein said auto-drive control receives detection signals from said GPS navigational system detecting the position of the vehicle and determines the timing for operation of said switch according to a pre-determined shift time stored in memory required to complete the change over from an auto-drive to manual drive and judges whether or not the vehicle has reached a position where the auto-drive should be switched to manual drive and when judged that the shift cannot be completed because the vehicle is positioned when the shift to manual drive cannot be completed in time shows on said monitor that the shift to manual drive is prohibited.