Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
OFF-BOARD NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
10001) This invention relates to navigation systems and, more particularly, to
navigation by sending route queries from users at mobile positions, receiving
the
queries at a remote site, and generating and transmitting route information to
the users
based on an off-board route database.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Conventional navigation systems for use in automobiles, tucks and other
vehicles typically include a display, an on-board database of map data (Map
Database),
a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and processors for calculating
positions
and routes based on the GPS data and the map data. The systems operate by the
GPS
receiver processing signals from at least four, and typically eight or more of
the 24 to
27 Earth-orbiting GPS satellites and, based on known processing methods,
generating
position data in units of, for example, degrees longitude and latitude. The
onboard Map
Database includes information for displaying on, for example, the video
display roads
and, in some systems, points of interest. The system includes data for
associating the
roads, and points of interest if used, to the longitude and latitude data, or
other
geographical position data generated by the GPS receiver. Based on the
geographical
location of the vehicle as determined by the GPS receiver the processor
retrieves data
3883751v1 1
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
from the Map Database corresponding to a geographical area surrounding that
location
and displays a map with the vehicle represented as, for example, a cursor
point on the
map. The system may include a zoom feature for the user to adjust the map
field.
100031 Such conventional systems keep track of the current position of the
vehicle by
receiving the GPS signals and decoding these into a geographic position data.
The
geographic position data accesses an on-board database having map data for the
vicinity in which the vehicle is traveling. The map data and the geographic
position
data are then displayed to the user so that the car, or other vehicle, appears
as a position
marker on a street map. When the driver needs directions, he or she can enter
the
destination using either of two primary methods. The first method uses the
street
address of the desired destination. In this case, the user enters the street
address via a
keypad. The system then searches the onboard data based and if the location is
found,
generates a route, and provides a "turn-by-turn" direction from the current
position
vehicle to its desired destination. As an alternative, the second primary
method, called
"points of interest", can be used. In the "points of interest" method, the
user knows the
name of the destination, e.g. name of hotel, airport, museum, restaurant, etc.
and enters
the name of the destination by way of the keypad. The system searches the
onboard
"points of interest" database and if the location is found, generates a route
and provides
"turn-by-turn" directions from the current position of the vehicle to the
desired
destination. The system then accesses the on-board database, calculates a
route and
provides "turn-by-turn" directions to the user.
100041 Moreover, presently there are three methods of providing "turn-by-turn"
directions to the user. The first uses audio prompts. When an audio prompt
system is
used, it will, as the vehicle is approaching a desired turn, state, for
example, "right turn
in one-half a mile". Another audio prompt will occur at say one quarter a mile
from the
turn, and finally when the vehicle is nearing the turn junction, the system
may provide
audio chime(s). The second method for providing "turn-by-turn" directions
provides
text messages. Similar to the audio prompts, the vehicle's information display
will
show changing distances to the maneuver function and identify the name of the
street
3883751v1 2
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
where the turn is to occur. The third method, shows a graphical display of the
intersection at which a turn is to be made in order to further clarify the
directions and
maneuver.
[0005] The conventional system has shortcomings. One is that the systems use
DVD-
based, or CD-based, mapping systems. CD and DVD based systems have moving
parts, which are susceptible to failure in the environment to which they are
subjected as
due to use in a vehicle subjects. In addition, since the CDs or DVDs are the
entire data
universe from which the systems operate, these require regular software
updates, i.e.,
disc replacement, to stay current with road changes. A related shortcoming is
that the
on-board map data base, due to its cost/space constraints, and the
impracticality posed
by processing requirements, does not maintain a real-time database of traffic
conditions
and situations, such as accidents, construction and the like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One example embodiment includes one or more call receiving centers for
receiving route query data and transmitting route instruction data, an off-
board map
data base for retrievably storing map data, a first data communication link
from said
one or more call receiving centers to said off-board map data base, and an off-
board
route calculator for generating the route instruction data based on the route
query data
and the map data. The route query data includes user location data and user
destination
data. The example embodiment further includes a wireless network for
communicating
the route query data and route instruction data between the call receiving
centers and a
local navigation system that is described in greater detail in connection with
Figure 3.
The local navigation system is preferably installed on a vehicle, and includes
a location
signal receiver, a local controller, a human sensory interface, a voice/data
transmitter/receiver for receiving query inputs from a user and for
transmitting, in
response, route query data to the wireless network for receipt by one or more
of the call
receiving centers. A local data bus connects the voice/data
transmitter/receiver, the
local controller and the human sensory interface. The voice/data
transmitter/receiver
further receives the route instruction data from the wireless network and
stores it, via
3883751v1 3
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
the local data bus, in the local controller. The local data bus transfers the
route
instruction data to the human sensory interface that generates, in response, a
command
sequence perceptible to human senses.
[0007] In one embodiment, the principles of the present invention include a
vehicle
navigation system and method that enables a user to request and receive route
instruction information based on traffic between frequent destination
locations. The
vehicle navigation system may include a receiver, storage device, display
device, and
controller. The receiver may receive remotely generated signals containing
route
instruction information. The storage device may store map information
including first
and second repeat destination locations between which a user of the vehicle
navigation
system repeatedly travels. The display device may display map information and
route
instruction information. The controller may be in communication with the
receiver,
storage device, and display device, and be configured to provide at least one
selection
option to the user to select the first or second repeat destination location
to which
navigation information is to be provided. The controller may further be
configured to
request route instruction information from a remote location based on traffic
information between a current location and the selected repeat destination
location in
response to a selection by the user of a selection option indicative of the
first or second
repeat destination location being selected as a current destination location,
retrieve at
least a portion of the map information stored in the storage unit, receive
from the
receiver the requested route instruction information between the current
location and
selected repeat destination location, and display on said display device the
route
instruction information on the retrieved map information to provide route
instructions
to the user.
3883751v1 4
CA 02556640 2011-10-17
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and other objects, aspects, and advantages will be better
understood from the following description of preferred embodiments of the
invention
with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts a high level functional block diagram of an example off-
board
navigation system;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a vehicle local navigation systems' alternative
technologies and
modes for wireless communication with a call center's road map database;
[0011] FIG. 3 depicts a high level functional block diagram of an example
vehicle
local subsystem of the FIG. 1 example off-board navigation system;
[0012] FIG. 4 shows an example hardware architecture for a vehicle local
subsystem
of the FIG. 1 example off-board navigation system;
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a high level flow chart of an example method of off-board
navigation using, for example the FIG. 1 system;
[0014] FIG. 6 shows another example flow chart for an example method, using
the
described and depicted off-board navigation system of FIG. 1-3;
[0014A] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary screen shot;
[0014B] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary map;
5
CA 02556640 2011-10-17
10014C1 FIG. 8B illustrates the map having the first repeat destination
location and
second repeat destination location as being the home and office; and
[0014D] FIG. 8C illustrates the map having the first repeat destination
location and
second repeat destination location as being the home and office.
5a
CA 02556640 2011-10-17
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100151 Examples are described referencing the attached functional block
diagrams
and flow charts. Example hardware implementations are also described. The
description provides persons skilled in the arts pertaining to navigation
systems with
the information required to practice the claimed systems and methods. The use
of
specific examples is solely to assist in understanding the described and
claimed
systems and methods. Persons skilled in the art, however, will readily
identify further
specific examples, alternate hardware implementations, and alternate
arrangements of
the functional blocks that are within the scope of the appended claims. The
specific
examples, therefore, do not limit the alternate hardware implementations of
the
described system and/or its methods of operation, including presenting
navigation and
related information to the user.
[0016] Description of a feature, aspect or characteristic which references
"one
embodiment" or "an embodiment" means, unless otherwise described, that the
subject
feature, aspect or characteristic is included in at least one, but not
necessarily any
particular, embodiment. Further, the occurrence of the phrase "one embodiment"
in
various places in this description does not, unless it is clear from the
context, mean
that each refers to the same embodiment.
100171 It will be understood that, unless otherwise stated, the terms
"installed" and
"included" encompass permanent mounting, temporary or removable mounting, semi-
permanent mounting, and co-locating of hardware and, with reference to a
system or
function, a subsystem, feature or function "installed" or "included" in a
system does
not necessarily mean that the hardware for carrying out the subsystem, feature
or
function is co-located with the hardware of that into which it is "installed"
or
"included."
100181 The described system and method provides quick, understandable
presentation
to the user of complete directions from the user's location to his or her
desired
destination(s). The system utilizes a geographic location device, such as a
Global
Positioning System (GPS) receiver, installed in the user's vehicle, and a
wireless
6
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
communication system, such as a cell phone system, for the user to send a
request to a
call center. The request includes the destination information provided by the
user,
typically in response to queries from the call center, and automatically
includes the
user's location as detected by the geographic location device. The call center
includes a
map database of road map data and, optionally, a database of road conditions.
The
database of road conditions, if used, may include, or be based upon, real-time
road
condition data provided by, for example, governmental transportation
authorities. The
call center further includes, and/or has access to, a processing resource for
retrieving
road map data from the map database and, optionally, the road condition data,
and for
calculating a route using one or more selection and optimization algorithms.
[0019] A local controller is installed in the user's vehicle. The local
controller may be
installed at time of manufacture, by the dealer, or as an after-market item.
Other
example implementations of the local controller include a portable device,
such as a
personal digital assistant (PDA), as will be described. The local controller
has a local
processing resource and a local data storage. An information presentation
apparatus
such as, for example, a display screen and/or an audio speaker, is installed
in, or located
in, the vehicle. The information presentation apparatus may, for example, be
embodied
by a feature of the vehicle's entertainment electronics. A user interface is
also installed
in the vehicle, for the user to enter commands to the navigation system. The
user
interface may be a microphone, for voice-activated operation, a keypad or a
touch
screen. The touch screen may, for example, be a feature of the video display
screen
used for the information presentation apparatus.
[0020] In an illustration of an example method, the user speaks the words "I
need
directions," whereupon a voice activation feature of the local controller
contacting the
call center over, for example, the wireless link available through the user's
cell phone.
The local controller carries out contacting the call center by activating the
user's cell
phone to dial a pre-stored number, which places a call to a designated call
center. The
call is placed and the local controller automatically obtains position data
from the
vehicle's on-board GPS receiver, and sends a request for services data, having
the
3883751v1 7
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
position data, to the call center over the channel established by the cell
phone
connection. Optional features include the local controller calculating a
vehicle
direction, speed data, and identification data, and including this in the
communication
contacting the call center. A live or automatic operator at the call center
receives the
call, with the vehicle's location data and, optionally, vehicle direction and
speed date,
and sends an inquiry to the vehicle. An example inquiry, for presentation to
the user
through the vehicle's speaker, is "Hello, I see that you are on Smith Street
at the corner
of Smith Street and is' Avenue in Newville, State. Where would you like to
go?."
[0021] An example direction request, from the user, to the above example query
from
the call center, is "3508 North Grant Street, Newville." The call center, in
response to
the example user direction request, enters the provided street address, or
data
corresponding to the provided street address, into its processing resource.
The
processing resource searches the map database and assembles a route using the
user
vehicle present location, and direction information, if available, along with
the
destination street address. The call center then sends ROUTE data to the
user's vehicle,
through the communication channel formed by the cell phone call being between
the
user's vehicle and the call center. The ROUTE data may include further
information
such as, for example, a distance data indicating the road distance, along the
calculated
route, from the user's present location to the destination.
[0022] The vehicle's local controller stores the ROUTE data from the cell
phone into
the controller's local storage and, either while still receiving the ROUTE or
upon
completion, formats the ROUTE data for presentation on the video display or
audio
speaker, or both. For example, the local controller may generate audio data
based on
the ROUTE data such that the user hears, "Please turn around when you get to
the
intersection of Smith Street and 81h Avenue, and proceed back in the direction
you came
until you get to 4th Avenue, where you will take a left turn." The visual
ROUTE data,
showing the vehicle's present position and at least a portion of the area
roads, is
displayed on the video display if present. The call center continues to
download the
ROUTE data until it is completed. The cell phone connection between the
vehicle's
3883751v1 8
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
local controller and the call center may be terminated, continued for further
queries, or
periodically re-established based on defined events. Further features and
aspects are
described in greater detail below.
[0023] Storing and maintaining the map database remote from the vehicle
removes the
expense and trouble of each user having to purchase, install, and periodically
update a
copy of the entire map database local to the vehicle. Likewise, calculating
and
identifying routes at a processing resource remote from the vehicle, and then
transferring the information to the vehicle for presentation to the user,
permits
processing of routes that is faster, using higher level, computationally
intensive,
selection and optimization algorithms, at a lower cost than that attainable
using on-
board processing. For added system robustness the call center may download map
data
describing at least a subset of the roads within a geographical region
surrounding the
user, and the local controller may itself include limited route selection
features. This
permits continued, albeit reduced performance, operation if the user is
temporarily cut-
off from using the wireless network.
[0024] FIG. 1 depicts a high-level functional block diagram of an example off-
board
navigation system. The FIG. 1 diagram presents functional blocks to assist in
describing the system and in understanding operations and features. The FIG. 1
block
diagram is broken down according to function and does not, unless otherwise
stated or
made clear from the context, describe or define hardware implementations of
the
system. For example, grouping functions into the FIG. 1 blocks does not,
unless
otherwise described or specified, mean that the group of functions with the
blocks are
carried out by one particular hardware unit, and does not necessarily mean the
functions
are carried out in a time sequence corresponding to the physical arrangement
of the
blocks on the figure.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, an example system includes a user (not labeled),
who may
be the driver or passenger within a vehicle 10. The user has a data
communication
device 12, preferably portable, such as, for example, a cell phone. For this
description
3883751v1 9
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
the phrase "cell phone 12" means "the example cell phone implementation of the
data
communication device 12." A control module (not shown in FIG. 1) is installed,
either
removably or semi-fixed, in the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 includes a position
detection unit (not shown in FIG. 1) such as, for example, a Global
Positioning System
(GPS) receiver, which generates a signal POS(t) uniquely representing the
geographical
position of the vehicle 10 at time t. The vehicle 10 further includes an
optional
compass-heading unit (not shown in FIG. 1) that generates a signal VDIR(t),
representing the compass pointing direction of the vehicle 10 at time t. The
vehicle 10
still further includes an identification signal generator (not shown in FIG.
1) generating
a signal IDENT(u), where u uniquely identifies the specific vehicle 10.
[0026] A remote data link 18 connects the communication device 12, e.g., the
cell
phone, to a network node 20 of a wide-area communication system 22. For this
example the communication device 12 is a cell phone and, therefore, the wide-
area
communication system 22 is a cellular communication network, such as AT&T
WirelessTM or CingularTM, and the network node 20 is a cell phone tower. The
remote
data link 18 is, for this example, realized by the voice channel made
available to each
user of a conventional cell phone communication system.
[0027] FIG. 1 shows only one cell tower 20, which is in accordance with
standard
cellular telephone systems' assigning of a caller to only one cell tower at a
time,
typically the cell tower closest to the user. As also known in the art,
cellular telephone
systems typically operate a plurality of cell towers, spaced at intervals
achieving
approximately complete coverage over a predetermined system area and, as a
user
moves through the area, he or she is passed from one cell tower to another.
The remote
data link 18 carries voice communications between the user and the call center
30
described below, as well as position information POS(t) from the vehicle 10 to
the call
center 30, and ROUTE data from the call center 30 to the user. The remote data
link
also carries the optional vehicle and/or user identification data IDENT(u) and
vehicle
compass heading data VDIR(t). Link 24 represents the landline link from and
between
various ones of the cell towers.
3883751v1 10
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
[0028] Item 30 is the call center. The call center 30 includes one or more
operators or
more automated voice operator systems to interact with the user, one or
communications modems to transmit data to the vehicle, a ROADMAP database
including maps, address lists and, optionally, traffic information and points
of interest.
The call center 30 further includes a computer resource 31 to calculate the
desired or
available routes, and generate the corresponding ROUTE data for transmission
to the
user.
[0029] There is no specific constraint on the hardware implementation of the
computing resources 31 of the call center 30 other than processing power to
calculate
the route data in an acceptable length of time. The computing resource 31 may
include
one or more general purpose programmable computers such as, for example,
IntelTM
Pentium-based personal computers having video display and a data entry device,
such
as a keyboard and/or mouse, running under the Windows XPTM or LinuxTm
operating
system. Also, it will be understood that computing resource 31 may be a single
hardware unit connected to a local or remote storage, or distributed storage
for the
ROADMAP database, or a network of computers, or a thin client or "mainframe"
computer with a plurality of user terminals. The specific hardware
arrangements and
architectures to implement a call center 30 that can process a given number of
users, at
a given statistical response time, are readily identified by persons skilled
in the arts of
user interactions and user-accessible databases. Example considerations, all
of which
are well known in the relevant engineering arts are anticipated user load, the
number of
described features included, and cost factors.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows alternative technologies and modes for implementing the
wireless
link 18 between the vehicle 10 and call center 30. The alternative
technologies include
satellite radio and data 18a, cellular data "I XRTT", labeled 18b, cellular
data "GPRS",
labeled 18c, and cellular audio channel "Navox", labeled 18d. The options
further =
include, but are not limited to, "802.11", labeled as 18e.
388375111 11
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
[0031] FIG. 3. shows an example functional block diagram of the local
navigational
subsystem 40 installed in the FIG. 1 vehicle 10. Each function block that
appears in
both FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3 is labeled identically.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, the depicted example local navigational subsystem
40
includes an antenna 42, mounted to the vehicle for receiving signals from
which the
POS(t) signal identifying vehicle 10's location can be determined. An example
is GPS
signals. FIG. 3 shows a single antenna 42 but, depending on the specific
location
carrying signals received by the system, a plurality of antenna may be used.
The
structure, materials, and arrangement of antenna for receiving location
information
signals, such as the signals transmitted by GPS satellites, are well known in
the art to
which this system pertains. A local controller 44 receives the GPS signals
and, among
other functions described in greater detail below, calculates the POS(t) data.
The
format of the POS(t) data is a design choice, but use of an industry format
such as, for
example GPS eXchange (GPX) may be preferable for ease of data transfer.
[0033] With continuing reference to FIG. 3, the depicted example local
navigation
system 40 further includes a microphone 46, an audio speaker 48, and a video
display
or display module 50. The video display 50 may be any display screen
technology
usable in vehicles such as, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a
heads-up
display. The microphone 46 enables hands-free reception of voice commands and
queries from the user. The audio speaker 48 enables audio presentation to the
user of
data and queries and from the call center 30. The audio speaker 48 also
enables audio
presentation of navigation instructions from the local controller 44, after
the
instructions are, or while they are being, downloaded from the call center 30.
The
video display 50 may be omitted, and the local navigation system 40
implemented
using only audible command receipt and instruction generation, as described
below.
[0034] The FIG. 3 example embodiment includes a further feature of using at
least one
of the audio entertainment speakers (not separately labeled) typically
installed in the
vehicle 10 as the speaker 48. This feature is implemented by a relay or switch
52 that,
3883751v1 12
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
under the control of the RSWITCH output of the local controller 44, switches
the feed
to the one or more audio entertainment speakers (not numbered).
[0035] The FIG. 3 depicted local navigational system 40 further includes a
control
switch input 54. The switch 54 may be implemented, for example, as a pressure-
sensitive switch mounted on the vehicle dashboard, or as a touch screen
feature of the
video display 50. By activating this switch 54 the user sends a STARTREQ
signal to
the local controller 44 to initiate a navigational request call to the call
center 30. If the
communication link between the local controller 44 and the call center 30 is
realized by
a cell phone, such as the cell phone 12 shown in FIG. 3, the call center phone
number
or numbers CCNUMBER may be stored, for example, in the local controller 44.
The
storage may be carried at time of manufacture, or programmed by, for example,
an
afiermarket dealer or the vehicle dealer. A plurality of alternative call
center phone
numbers CCNUMBER may be stored such that the local controller 44, when
encountering, for example, a "busy" signal will retry the call with the next
alternate
CCNUMBER. Further, the CCNUMBER may be stored in the user's cell phone 12.
[0036] A local link 60 connects the cell phone 12 to the local controller 44.
The link
60 may be a short-distance wireless connection such as, for example, a
Bluetooth, a
proprietary wireless link, or a hardwire connection. An example Bluetooth-
enabled cell
phone for implementing the cell phone 12 is the NokiaTM 168. Preferably the
link 60,
whether wireless or wired, uses a conventional protocol such as that included
with
commercially available, off-the-shelf communication devices 12, such as the
example
cell phone.
[0037] In the FIG. 3 example local system, the vehicle's local controller 44
establishes
calls to the call center 30 by sending a STARTCALL through, for example, the
depicted Bluetooth connection 60 to the user's cell phone 12. The STARTCALL
may
include the CCNUMBER or, if the CCNUMBER is stored in the cell phone, an
identifier for the CCNUMBER. The cell phone 12, in response, dials the
CCNUMBER
and connects the driver to the call center 30.
38837510 13
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
[0038] FIG. 4 shows an example hardware architecture for the local controller
44
function of the FIG. 3 example vehicle local subsystem 40. The FIG. 4 example
hardware architecture includes a GPS receiver 62 such as, for example, a
Magellan"'
NAV750 Board, or equivalent. The FIG. 4 example further includes a controller
board
64 having a microcontroller 66, a voice recognition unit 68 a PCM codec 70,
and a
Bluetooth transceiver 78. The microcontroller 64 has a port (not labeled)
connected to
the vehicle data bus VDB. Example vehicle data bus formats are "DCX" and "GM
1850", which are known in the automotive arts. A NaVOXTM board 72 includes
codecs
74 and 76.
[00391 FIG. 5 shows a high level flow chart of an example method of off-board
navigation, which may be carried out on the FIG. 1 system. Referring to FIG.
5,
method begins with the On-Board Request Initiation block 100, which initiates
a
wireless communication from the user's vehicle to the call center 30. The
communication can be done, for example, using the cell phone 12 shown in FIG.
1,
either by the user directly dialing the phone or by the user employing a
vehicle local
controller, such as the local controller 44 of FIG. 3, linked to the cell
phone, such as the
FIG. 3 example Bluetooth link 60. Next, at the Greeting and Choice Selection
block
102 the call center 30 acknowledges or confirms receipt of the call from the
user's
vehicle, and queries the user to identify which navigation service the user
requests. An
example is the operator stating "Hello Mr. Smith, this is Alice at Acme
Telematics.
How can I assist you today?", to which Mr. Smith replies "Hello Alice. I need
directions." The block 102 communications between the user and the call center
30 are
carried out over, for example, the cellular network example of FIG. 3.
[00401 Next, at the Determining the Geographical Context block 104 the call
center 30
identifies the user's specific geographical location. Example operations for
block 104
are the user transmitting his or her location data to the call center, the
call center
receiving the location data and, depending on the data format, translating it
into a street
location. It is contemplated that the call center 30, if using a human
operator, would
3883751v1 14
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
retrieve a map from its roadmap database corresponding to the location data
and
display this on an operator video screen. It is further contemplated that the
call center
would send a verification statement to the user after identifying the street
location from
which the user was calling. Referring to the FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, an example
illustrative
sequence for carrying out block 104 is the local controller 44 sending the GPS
POS(t)
data to the call center. The transmission may be done concurrently with
operation of
blocks 100 and 102.
[0041] Assuming, for purposes of this example, a human operator at the call
center 30,
the operator either manually enters the POS(t) into the call center's
computing resource
31, or the POS(t) can be automatically stripped out of the communications
received
from the user and input to the computer resource 31. The operator, after
seeing the
street address and/or a map display showing the user's vehicle, queries the
user with a
statement, for example: "I see that you are in Smallville, at the corner of
1st and Main.
Would you like a destination in Smallville, or are you going somewhere else?"
An
example user reply is: "I am going to Metropolis." If the vehicle 10 includes
a
compass-heading unit generating VDIR(t), the operator is enabled to state "I
see that
you are on Smallville, at the corner of 1st and Main, heading north. Would you
like a
destination in Smallville, or are you going somewhere else?"
10042] After identifying the geographical context, the Specify the Destination
block
106 specifies the user's destination. Continuing with the example query-
response
content, an example for carrying out block 106 is a statement from the call
center 30 of
"What can I find for you in Metropolis?" with an example reply from the user
of "I
would like to go to 123 Market Street." Next, Confirm the Destination block
108
confirms or verifies the destination specified by the user. The confirmed
destination is
referenced as DEST. An example for carrying out block 108 is that call center
operator
enters "123 Market Street, Metropolis" into the ROADMAP database to identify
if, in
fact, such an address exists. If the address exists, an example statement
confirming
query from the call center 30 is "I found 123 Market. It is in the Downtown
section of
Metropolis. I will transmit the directions in a moment." Another example
response
3883751v1 15
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
from the call center 30 includes a request for final confirmation from the
user such as,
for example, "Does this sound right to you?", to which the user responds with
a "yes"
or a "no". Another example response from the call center 30 includes a query
for any
additional requests from the user." An example of such a query is: "Is there
anything
else that I can help you with?"
[0043] With respect to a query from the call center 30 of: "Is there anything
else that I
can help you with?", the types of replying requests from the user include, for
example,
"How far is it?" and "Is there a gas station along the way?" The first could
be
answered, or estimated, prior to the call center 30 initiating the block 110
calculations
of the ROUTE data described below. The call center 30's answer to a question
such as
the first could be the prompting factor for the second question of "Is there a
gas station
along the way?" Embodiments of the ROADMAP database are contemplated which
=
have entries for business establishments such as, for example gas stations and
restaurants, thereby enabling answers to such user questions. It is further
contemplated
that the block 110 calculations, or selection of routes, i.e., ROUTE data,
includes
accommodating user needs such as gas stations and restaurants.
[0044] The above description references blocks 104 and 106 as separate. It is
contemplated, though, that blocks 104 and 106 may be merged, wherein the
operator at
the call center 30 states a single query of, for example: "I see that you are
on Smith
Avenue, near the intersection with fd Street, in Smallville. Where would you
like to
go?" The user would reply, for example, with: "I would like to go to 123
Market Street
in Metropolis."
[0045] It will be further understood that the functions represented by blocks
106 and
108 are not necessarily completed through a single query/reply. Instead, the
functions
represented by block 106 and 108 entail a substantially open-ended dialogue
such as,
for example, a typical "411" information dialogue. As an illustrative example,
the call
center's ROADMAP database may show no entry for "123 Market Street," and,
instead, show a "132 Market Street." The specific forms of a typical
continuing
3883751v1 16
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
dialogue between the call center 30 and a user depends, in part, on the amount
of
descriptive information in the ROADMAP database associated with individual
addresses. For example, it is contemplated that the ROADMAP database would
include public records associated with individual addresses. One example would
be the
name of the property owners. Depending on privacy concerns, an example query
by
the user, continuing with example above, using such information would be "The
132
Market Street address, is Mr. Adams the listed owner?" The call center would,
for
example, answer the user's question with a "yes" or a "no", whereupon the
dialogue
would end or continue. Other example information that could be included in the
call
center's ROADMAP database are the phone numbers, if any, associated with an
address.
100461 It is still further contemplated that the dialogue in a typical
performance of the
block 106 and 108 functions includes provisions for user questions such as
"Well Tom
said that his place, which is 123 Market Street, is about four miles north of
East High
School. How does this match the 132 Market Street that you found?" The call
center
30 would respond by entering the "East High School" name into its ROADMAP
database, and calculating the distance.
[00471 With continuing reference to FIG. 5, after the destination is confirmed
by block
108, and the dialogue or communications between the call center 30 and the
user
establish that there are no further requests from the user, block 110
calculates the
ROUTE data, which describes a route from the user's position POS(t) to the
location
represented by the DEST data. The route calculation is performed by, for
example, any
of the known route calculation methods known to persons skilled in the arts
pertaining
to road navigation systems. Typical methods assign fixed weights to road
sections or
segments. Typical weighting factors include, for example, speed limits, the
number of
traffic lights, average traffic load conditions. Block 110 is contemplated as
further
including variable weight assignment to road sections and segments.
Contemplated
examples are predetermined time dependence, such as certain roads having
traffic
congestion at certain times of the day, or roads having lane assignments that
vary on
38837510 17
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
weekends and/or the time of day. Such data is detected and collected, in many
municipalities, from traffic cameras and police reports, and is made available
on, for
example, a subscription basis.
[0048] The route calculation 110 then selects a route, represented by ROUTE,
having
the lowest estimated time of travel from the user's present location POS(t) to
the
destination DEST. The route calculation 110 preferably receives regularly
updated
POS(t) data from the user's vehicle, as shown by the arrow labeled "Updated
POS(t)
data". One reason for sending updated POS(t) data is that, depending on the
speed and
direction of the vehicle, the user's vehicle may pass intersections that
change the
calculations for the ROUTE data.
[0049] The ROUTE data may further include data describing landmarks and
desirable
points of interest. Such landmarks and desirable points of interest, in
addition to
assisting in the block 104, 106 and 108 queries, can make the ROUTE
instructions
more interesting and reassuring when presented to the user. For example, if a
ROUTE
data is presented to the user in a form such as "We see that you are still
heading north
on Richmond Avenue. To get to 1367 Westview Street turn left at Avon St, which
is
about a half-mile ahead of you, at a traffic light. There will be an Exxon
station at the
intersection. Then go about a mile, until you get to Adams St. It is directly
before a
Texaco station." One or more of such landmarks, typically for each major
intersection,
are readily incorporable into the ROADMAP database.
[0050] The ROUTE data is then, at block 112, transmitted from the call center
30 to the
vehicle for audio and/or visual presentation to the user. An example audio
presentation
is by the speaker 48 shown in FIG. 3, under the control of the local
controller 44. The
block 112 transmission and presentation are contemplated as being concurrent
or
overlapping, due to the anticipated need for the user to receive the first
instruction of
the turn-by-turn instructions before the time delay required for transmitting
the entire
ROUTE data.
3883751v1 18
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
[00511 FIG. 6 shows another example flow chart for an example method, using
the
described and depicted off-board navigation system of FIG. 1-4. It will be
understood
that the term "user" in the FIG. 6 example flow chart may be the driver or a
passenger
of the vehicle, or both.
[00521 Referring to FIG. 6, the example method begins at block 200 where the
user
initiates a call to the call center 30 by, for example, pressing the call
request switch 54
or by speaking an appropriate voice command such as, for example, "DIRECTIONS
PLEASE" into the microphone 46 which is detected by the voice recognition
feature
68. In response the local controller 44 analyzes the switch signal or the
voice
command. To analyze if the switch signal is valid, the local controller can de-
bounce
the switch signal. Following a defined de-bounce period, if the switch signal
is still
present, the system will accept the signal as being valid. If the local
controller 44
determines the switch signal or voice command valid then, at block 202, the
local
controller 44 sends a message through, for example, the Bluetooth connection
60 to the
Bluetooth enabled cell phone 12. The cell phone 12 then, at block 204, sends a
call to
the call center 30 by way of the cell tower. 20. The cell phone system, such
as, for
example, the FIG. 1 system 22, routes the call to the call center 30, using
wireless and
landline links as known in the art. The local controller 44 waits, at block
206, for
establishment of the call. If the call is established it proceeds to block 208
whereupon
it sends the current POS(t) position data, e.g., the GPS position at time t,
to the call
center 30. Also, if the FIG. 3 example audio presentation feature of using a
vehicle
entertainment speaker is used, the local controller 44 sends a speaker source
switch 52,
which makes the local controller 44 the source of audio for the entertainment
speaker
implementation of item 48.
100531 As described above, the call center 30 can be implemented with a human
operator and/or an automated operator. To facilitate a ready understanding of
the
method, the FIG. 6 flow chart will be first described using a human operator.
Preferably, as will be understood from this description, the human operator is
not
required to make substantive judgments querying or providing directions and
other
3883751v1 19
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
described information to the user. Instead, the human operator simply carries
out query
driven actions and responses, which are based on predetermined logic rules
that will be
understood upon reading this description.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 6, when the POS(t) data is received at the call
center it is
displayed on a video display in front of the human operator. The display
operation uses
the POS(t) data to retrieve a road map data from the ROADMAP database of the
call
center 30. Since the human operator at the call center 30 may perform better
with a
visible map showing the location of the user, the ROADMAP database stores
information from which a visible road map can be generated for all areas
covered by
the FIG. 1. The video display shows, preferably, a zoom-in/zoom-out road map
of an
area local to the position of the vehicle, which is represented by the POS(t)
data. The
position of the vehicle is shown by, for example, a flashing "X". If the
vehicle includes
the compass-heading unit for generating the VDIR(t), identifying the compass
heading
of the vehicle, the VDIR(t) is included in the transmission from the vehicle
10.
Information such as, for example, a rotating compass arrow cursor, would be
displayed
to the call center operator. Still further, if the ROADMAP data includes road
condition
data, this may be presented to the call center operator as, for example, an
overlay.
[0055] With continuing reference to FIGS. 3 and 6, at the completion of step
208 the
operator at the call center 30 sees on his or her video display a road map of
an area
local to the POS(t) position of the vehicle with, for example, a flashing "X"
representing the vehicle. The user then, at block 210, states a desired
destination to the
call center 30 operator. A typical example operation of block 210 is the call
operator
stating "I see you on the screen, you are heading north on Richmond Avenue,
between
First Street and Second Street. Where would you like to go?" The operator
query
would be transmitted from the call center 30, through the wireless link 18 of
FIG. 1, to
the cell phone 12, then over the FIG. 3 Bluetooth link 60, to the local
controller 44 and
then presented, for example, through the audio speaker 48 to the user. The
user replies
by stating, for example, "1 would like to go to 1367 Westview Street." If the
user did
not know the street address of the desired destination then he or she could
state, for
3883751v1 20
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
example, "I would like to go to Saint Lutheran's Church, I think it's
somewhere near
Fairview Hospital."
[0056] At the flow block labeled 212 the call center operator identifies the
desired
destination using the ROADMAP database and enters it, or its co-ordinates,
into the
computing resources 31 of the call center 30. The format of the co-ordinates
is a design
choice. The format and sequence by which the call center operator finds the
desired
destination is a design choice, based in part on the types of information that
can be
received from the user. For example, a simple system would accommodate only
specific street addresses, such as the "1367 Westview Street" of the above
example.
An example format and sequence for function block 212 is for the operator to
type the
street address provided by the user, such as "1367 Westview Street" into a
data-entry
field appearing on the video display. Design of such data entry fields, for
concurrent
display with the visual road map of the area surrounding the vehicle position
POS(t), is
well known in the computer arts. The computer resource 31 would then search
the
ROADMAP database and retrieve the location, DEST, corresponding to the entered
destination address. Searches of this type are well known and, therefore,
detailed
description is not necessary.
[0057] The format of the DEST data is a design choice, depending in part on
the format
required for input into route calculation block 216 described below. For
example, if the
block 216 route calculation accepts street addresses, such as, for example,
"1367
Westview Street," then the DEST data could be only a verification indicator,
whereupon the call center operator would enter the street address into the
computing
resource 31 for route calculation.
[0058] A contemplated further feature of block 212 is that the operator, after
obtaining
the DEST data corresponding to the destination descriptor provided by the user
at block
210, will transmit a verifying query to the user. An example verifying query
is "I found
1367 Westview Street, it is about 15 miles north of you, in a residential
area. Does this
sound correct?" The user would respond with either a confirmation, such as
"Yes," or
38837511,1 21
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
a non-confirmation such as "That sounds too far to me, and I thought it was
south of
here." If the latter occurred, further queries could be used to correct, for
example, a
spelling error. To accommodate spelling issues, the method contemplates a
natural
language based search which locates a predetermined number of hits that
correspond to
the street address provided by the user. Truncated word and other search
methods such
as this are known in the general art of database queries.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 6, at function block 214 the call center operator
enters the
location data DEST, either the data obtained from the ROADMAP database or the
street address as described above, into the computer resource 31. Then, at
block 216,
the computing resource 31 calculates the ROUTE data, which describes a route
from
the user's position POS(t) to the location represented by the DEST data. As
described
above in reference to FIG. 5, the route calculation is performed by, for
example, any of
the known route calculation methods known to persons skilled in the arts
pertaining to
road navigation systems. Typical methods assign fixed weights to road sections
or
segments, the weighting factors including, for example, speed limits, the
number of
traffic lights, average traffic load conditions, as well as variable
weightings such as
traffic conditions. The route calculation of step 216 then selects a route,
represented by
ROUTE, having the lowest estimated time of travel from the user's present
location
POS(t) to the destination DEST.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, block 216 preferably receives regularly
updated
POS(t) data from the user's vehicle 10, as shown by the arrow labeled "Updated
POS(t)
data". The local controller 44 carries out the regular updates. One reason for
sending
updated POS(t) data is that, depending on the speed and direction of the
vehicle 10, and
the processing time required for block 216, the user's vehicle may pass
intersections
that change the calculations for the ROUTE data.
[0061] At the completion of block 216 the ROUTE data is ready for transmission
from
the call center 30 to the local controller 44 in user's vehicle. The ROUTE
data
preferably includes turn-by-turn instructions and, optionally, data for visual
display of
3883751v1 22
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
the route to the user. As described above the ROUTE data may further include
data
describing landmarks and points of interest.
100621 Referring to FIGs. 1 and 6, the call center operator at block 218
transmits the
ROUTE data to the vehicle's local controller 44 by, for example, pressing a
button or
clicking on a screen icon on the video display (not labeled) of the computing
resource
31. The ROUTE data is then transmitted over, for example, the landline
connection 24
from the cell phone service provider, through the cell phone network 22 over
the last
wireless link 18 from the cell tower 20 closest to the user, to the user's
cell phone 12.
By sending the ROUTE data over the voice channel established by the cell phone
connection the need for expensive wireless connections such as, for example
GPRS or
3G, is eliminated. As the ROUTE data is received by the local=controller 44 it
proceeds
to carry out the presentation of the ROUTE data to the user at block 120. It
will be
understood that blocks 218 and 220 may overlap, i.e., early-received ROUTE
data may
be presented to the user while further ROUTE data is being received.
100631 A contemplated further feature of blocks 218 and 220 is for one or both
of the
local controller 44 and the call center computing resource 31 to monitor the
integrity of
the ROUTE data received by the local controller and/or the integrity of the
voice/data
channel established by the cell phone 12 between the controller 44 and the
computing
resource 31. An example of such monitoring is to embed parity, or other error-
detection code bits into the ROUTE data and program a parity or error
correction
operation into the local controller 44. Depending on design choice, the local
controller
44 may be programmed to send an error detection signal back to the call center
upon
detecting an error in, or interruption of, the ROUTE data. Alternatively, the
local
controller 44 may send a periodic signal verification data in the absence of
detecting an
error in the ROUTE data. Then, upon detecting an error, the call center and/or
the local
controller 44 may initiate a resend. Error detection and resend schemes
suitable for
these purposes are well known in the communication arts and, therefore,
further
detailed description is not necessary.
3883751v1 23 =
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
100641 As described above, the ROUTE data preferably includes turn-by-turn
instructions and, optionally, data for visual display of the route to the
user. This
enables the local controller 44 to quickly begin presenting audible
instructions to the
user, through the speaker 48, or a visible portion of a map, for display on
the video
display 50, representing the ROUTE data. The driver can then start on the
route
represented by ROUTE while the remainder of the data is still being sent. This
feature
is particularly important if the voice channel of the cell phone 12, which
typically has a
relatively small bandwidth, is used for transmitting the ROUTE from the call
center 30
to the user at block 218. A design consideration for this feature is that
ROUTE data not
be so large that it cannot be completely downloaded before the user gets to
his or her
destination. Further to this consideration is that each turn-by-turn
instruction must be
presented to the vehicle user before the turn arrives.
100651 The local controller 44 preferably performs the following operations
and
functions during the information presentation block 220:
= integration of the visual map information contained in the ROUTE into
a\ contiguous map;
= regular comparison of the updated POS(t) data from, for example, the
GPS receiver 42 with the positions represented by the ROUTE data.
This done for two reasons, one being to alert the driver if he or she is
off-course, the other being to align the marker on the vehicle's visual
display representing the vehicle with the visual representation of the
road. The latter is typically required due to inaccuracies in the GPS data
and discrepancies between the actual physical location of roads and their
location as represented by the data in the ROADMAP database.
= Timed presentations of the turn-by-turn directions to the user, either by
voice or other audio command through the speaker 48 or via the video
display 50, or both, by comparing the vehicle's POS(t) location with the
location of the next turn to be instructed by the turn-by-turn instructions.
A contemplated further feature of the block 220 instruction presentation
is a countdown timer, or distance indicator to show an upcoming turn.
3883751vi 24
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
= = Notification to the driver that the destination has been
reached, which
may include a countdown timer or distance indicator.
[0066] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the above-described methods are not limited
to
using cell phones for the wireless link 18 between the vehicle 10 and the call
center 30.
Other technologies may substitute for, or supplement, the cell phone
implementation.
One example is a satellite phone system, using either geostationary or low
earth
orbiting satellites such as, for example, Iridium. Advantages of satellite
phone systems
are coverage area and bandwidth.
100671 Another is cellular data. In addition to using the voice channel of the
cell
phone, there are dedicated services that transmit data over the wireless
network. These
services include GPRS and 1XRTT. Navox technology is used to transmit data
over
the voice channel of the cellular network. Still another technology to
substitute for, or
supplement using the voice channel of standard cellular network telephone
links is
802.11. The 802.11 wireless standard is used widely in local area networks,
typically
for wireless connection of PCs to networks.
[00681 Advantages of the above-described method include elimination of a map
database in the vehicle, with commensurate reduction in cost and increase in
reliability.
A further benefit is the vehicle has continuous access to optimized routes
based on up-
to-date information in the ROADMAP database accessible by the call center 30.
100691 While utilizing a call center aids users of the vehicle navigation
system, it is
anticipated that contacting the call center and speaking with someone at the
call center
is to cost a fee. In most cases, users of the vehicle navigation system are
expected to be
accepting of the fee. However, in driving certain repeated routes that the
user
frequently travels, such as between home and work location, the user may be
reluctant
in contacting the call center and paying a standard fee due to being familiar
with the
route and understanding traffic patterns. However, a user may be less
reluctant in
contacting the call center to determine traffic problems if the fee were to be
reduced
388375M 25
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
and/or the user is able to obtain traffic and other route information without
having to
speak to an operator at the call center.
100701 One embodiment for enabling a user of the vehicle navigation system to
access
traffic information and routing information includes providing the user with
the ability
to establish or set first and second repeat destination locations on the
vehicle navigation
system. For example, a commuter driving between home and office may set the
repeat
destination locations as his or her home and office. Alternatively, a truck
driver
making repeat deliveries may set the repeat destination locations as two
buildings
located in different town that he or she makes frequent deliveries, for
example.
100711 FIG. 7 is an illustration of an exemplary screen shot 700 having map
information 702 and selection options 704a-704d (collectively 704). The
selection
options 704 may include a set home option 704a, set office option 704b, route
to home
option 704c, and route to office option 704d. In an alternative embodiment,
the
selection options may be limited to two and a separate "save" button may be
available
to enable the user to press and then press the selection option for setting
the selection
option. It should be understood that the particular destination locations
(e.g., home and
office) may be set by the user of the vehicle navigation system or programmed
by the
manufacturer and selected by the user. In one embodiment, the selection
options may
be soft-buttons that are selectable on a touchscreen or using a pointer or
selection
control device as understood in the art. In one embodiment, the selection
options are
displayed on the screen and selectable by a hard-button located on the vehicle
navigation system.
[0072] A controller of the vehicle navigation system may execute a program or
otherwise be configured to enable the user to set or record each of the
selection options.
In one embodiment, the user may press the selection option while located at a
destination location. If located at the destination location, then the
controller may
query a position detection unit (e.g., GPS module) in the navigation system.
The
controller may store the location (e.g., coordinates) of the destination
location.
3883751v1 26
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
Alternatively, the user may type in or request the call center to set a
location of the first
selection option (e.g., home) and a second selection option (e.g., office). It
should be
understood that two or more sets of repeat destination locations may be set
and stored
in memory of the vehicle navigation system and selectively utilized by the
user.
100731 After two repeat destination locations are set in the vehicle
navigation system,
the controller may request map information and route instruction information
from the
call center. However, rather than having to contact an individual, the call
center may
be set up to enable repeat destination location information to be generated
and
downloaded to the vehicle navigation system. By providing direct access to the
systems at the call center and avoiding the human operators, the cost for
making such
requests may be reduced accordingly. The map information requested may include
the
first and second repeat destination locations and the map information between
the two
locations. The map information may include street and other information (e.g.,
landmarks) as understood in the art.
[0074] The map information is sent from the call center to the vehicle
navigation
system. Because the map information is to be repeatedly used, the map
information
may be stored in memory by the controller. By storing the map information in
memory, the map information may be loaded and used each time the user selects
to
travel from one repeat destination location to another without having to
download the
map information from the call center again, thereby saving up to several
minutes of
look up and communication time.
[0075] Continuing with FIG. 7, in operation, the user may press the "route to
office"
selection option 704d while the user is located at home and the controller
sends a
request to the call center to provide a route to the office. While the user is
located at
the office, the user may press the "route to home" selection option 704c and
the
controller sends a request to the call center to provide a route to home.
Assuming the
user is located on a stored route between home and the office, the user may
press either
of the repeat destination location selection options 704a and 704b and a route
request
3883751v1 27
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
may be sent to the call center to provide route information without having the
vehicle
navigation system to download new map information. The map information may
include a graphical representation of streets 706 and a vehicle 708 in which
the vehicle
navigation system resides.
[0076] FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary map 800 having a first repeat
destination
location (e.g., home) 802 and second repeat destination location (e.g.,
office) 804. The
user may be located at home (first destination location) 802 on his or her way
to the
office 804. The user may select selection option 704d to request route
information
between the home and office. The controller may receive the notification by
the user
selecting. the "route to office" selection option 704d. The controller, in
response, may
communicate a request to a system at the call center to utilize the ROADMAP
database
to look up route information. The call center may further look up traffic
information.
If there are no traffic problems, the fastest, most direct, most use of
highways, or other
route preference resulting in a primary route 806 may be determined. Route
instruction
information describing the primary route 806 may be communicated to the
vehicle
navigation system. As shown, the map 800 is labeled showing roadway speeds
(e.g.,
25, 35, and 45 miles per hour (MPH)), which enables the ROADMAP database to
select the shortest route using the fastest roadways.
= 100771 The vehicle navigation system may receive and store the route
instruction
information in memory as base or primary route instruction information. An
alphanumeric identifier, such as route "A," may be associated with the stored
primary
route instruction information for later retrieval. When the user makes a
future, similar
request to travel from the home 802 to the office 804, if there are no traffic
problems
along the route as determined by the call center and communicated to the
vehicle
navigation system, then the vehicle navigation system may simply reload the
primary
route instruction information from the memory. In one embodiment, the call
center
may communicate an identifier, such as an alphanumeric value, to the vehicle
navigation system to direct the vehicle navigation system to load the
previously stored,
primary route instruction information.
3883751v1 28
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
[0078] FIG. 8B illustrates the map 800 having the first repeat destination
location 802
and second repeat destination location 804 as being the home 802 and office
804. This
is an example of a traffic accident 808 being located along the primary route
from the
home 802 to office 804. In this case, the call center identifies the traffic
accident and
sends route instruction information to the vehicle navigation system. The
route
instruction information may be stored in the memory of the vehicle navigation
system
for future look up. An alphanumeric identifier, such as route or bypass
segment "B,"
may be associated with the stored secondary route instruction information for
later
retrieval. In one embodiment, route instruction information for the secondary
route 810
that is different from the primary route 806 may be communicated from the call
center
to the vehicle navigation system to minimize the amount of information having
to be
communicated and stored. The next time the route "B" maneuvers are selected by
the
call center due to a traffic problem, the call center may communicate
instructions to the
vehicle navigation system to use the stored route instruction infonnation for
the bypass
segment "B" maneuvers with the primary route instruction information, thereby
not
having to download the entire map information or route instruction
information.
100791 FIG. 8C illustrates the map 800 having the first repeat destination
location 802
and second repeat destination location 804 as being the home and office. This
is
another example of another route with a traffic incident 812. The call center
in this
case determines another secondary route 814 around the traffic incident 812
and sends
the route instruction information for the new maneuvers. The new maneuvers
replace
the affected primary route 806 and secondary route 810 instruction information
and are
saved in the memory of the vehicle navigation system. An alphanumeric
identifier,
such as route or bypass segment "C," may be associated with this stored
secondary
route instruction information for later retrieval. The next time this route is
selected due
to a traffic incident, the call center communicates instructions to the
vehicle navigation
system to use bypass segment "C" with the primary route instruction
information stored
in memory. Over time, many possible bypass routes may be stored in the vehicle
navigation system to reduce the amount of map information and route
instruction
388375k1 29
CA 02556640 2006-08-21
information having to be downloaded from the call center to the vehicle
navigation
system, thereby saving the user time and money.
[0080] Those skilled in the arts pertaining to the above-described navigation
systems
and methods understand that the preferred embodiments described above may be
modified, without departing from the true scope and spirit of the description
and
claims, and that the particular embodiments shown in the drawings and
described
within this specification are for purposes of example and should not be
construed to
limit the claims below.
=
3883751%1 30
