Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Navigation – Employing position determining equipment
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-04
2001-04-03
Chin, Gary (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Navigation
Employing position determining equipment
C340S990000, C340S995190
Reexamination Certificate
active
06212472
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to techniques for displaying position information in a vehicle navigation system. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and apparatus for displaying the current vehicle position relative to a variety of landmarks such as, for example, the nearest intersection.
Currently available vehicle navigation systems communicate the current vehicle position to users according to a variety of techniques. According to a first technique shown in
FIG. 1
, a vehicle icon
100
is superimposed on a map grid
102
. However, because of its abstract format, and because of screen size and map scale limitations, it is sometimes quite difficult for a user who is unfamiliar with a particular geographic area to synthesize data presented according to this technique. That is, the vehicle icon is typically presented in a scale much larger than that of the map grid while many of the street names are not presented on the map grid to avoid cluttering the display with text. Thus, the user only sees an approximation of the vehicle's position.
Alternatively, as shown in
FIG. 2
, a maneuver icon
200
may be displayed representing a particular type of maneuver (a right turn is shown) along with the names of the street on which the vehicle is proceeding (field
202
) and the street at which the upcoming maneuver is to be executed (field
204
). Unfortunately, even though this technique presents information in a more concrete form than described above with reference to
FIG. 1
, more specific position information is desirable in a variety of situations such as when the vehicle is stopped for a roadside emergency. Important information in such a situation might include, for example, the city in which the vehicle is currently located, the cross streets closest to the current vehicle position (both ahead and behind), and the distance to the next cross street. This type of information is particularly useful in emergency situations because the user must quickly determine and supply location information to, for example, vehicle towing services, paramedics, or police dispatch. These emergency response resources typically require an address or the nearest cross street to ensure a quick response. Unfortunately, the above described techniques do not present position information in a way that is readily useful in such situations. The technique of
FIG. 1
typically does not provide enough detail, while the technique of
FIG. 2
only provides information about an approaching landmark as the vehicle is moving.
It is therefore apparent that there is a need for methods and apparatus in a vehicle navigation system which present vehicle position information to the user in a detailed, concise, and easy-to-understand manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided in a vehicle navigation system which enable the system to display position information in a variety of formats which are useful in roadside emergencies. The system of the present invention employs a number of display modes which present position and/or navigational information to the user according to different formats. These display modes include a map mode in which a vehicle icon is shown superimposed on a map grid as shown in
FIG. 1
, and a route guidance mode in which maneuver icons are presented to the user for each successive maneuver in a predetermined route as shown in FIG.
2
.
According to various embodiments of the invention, other display modes are also provided which present vehicle position information relative to nearby landmarks such as intersections and street addresses. For example, in a first display mode, the displayed position information includes the city and current road on which the vehicle is located, the nearest cross street, and the distance to the cross street. In a second display mode, the displayed position information for a stopped vehicle includes the current (or approximate) street address, the city, and the nearest intersections on either side of the vehicle.
Thus, according to one embodiment a method for displaying information corresponding to a current vehicle position on a display of a vehicle navigation system is provided. The system determines the road on which the vehicle is currently located. The system then refers to a map database to construct a current road database corresponding to the current road. A current road segment corresponding to the current vehicle position is then determined. The system then refers to the current road database to determine a first geographical location based on the current road segment. The system then displays a text representation of the current vehicle position relative to the first geographical location. According to a specific embodiment, the vehicle's position is initially determined using a global positioning satellite (GPS) system.
A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3845289 (1974-10-01), French
patent: 4570227 (1986-02-01), Tachi et al.
patent: 4608656 (1986-08-01), Tanaka et al.
patent: 4611293 (1986-09-01), Hatch et al.
patent: 4672565 (1987-06-01), Kuno et al.
patent: 4673878 (1987-06-01), Tsushima et al.
patent: 4723218 (1988-02-01), Hasebe et al.
patent: 4734863 (1988-03-01), Honey et al.
patent: 4751512 (1988-06-01), Longaker
patent: 4782447 (1988-11-01), Ueno et al.
patent: 4796191 (1989-01-01), Honey et al.
patent: 4797841 (1989-01-01), Hatch
patent: 4831563 (1989-05-01), Ando et al.
patent: 4862398 (1989-08-01), Shimizu et al.
patent: 4914605 (1990-04-01), Loughmiller, Jr. et al.
patent: 4918609 (1990-04-01), Yamawaki
patent: 4926336 (1990-05-01), Yamada
patent: 4937753 (1990-06-01), Yamada
patent: 4964052 (1990-10-01), Ohe
patent: 4970652 (1990-11-01), Nagashima
patent: 4982332 (1991-01-01), Saito et al.
patent: 4984168 (1991-01-01), Neukrichner et al.
patent: 4989151 (1991-01-01), Nuimura
patent: 4992947 (1991-02-01), Nimura et al.
patent: 4996645 (1991-02-01), Schneyderberg Van DerZon
patent: 4999783 (1991-03-01), Tenmoku et al.
patent: 5040122 (1991-08-01), Neukirchner et al.
patent: 5046011 (1991-09-01), Kakihara et al.
patent: 5060162 (1991-10-01), Ueyama et al.
patent: 5177685 (1993-01-01), Davis et al.
patent: 5272638 (1993-12-01), Martin et al.
patent: 5283743 (1994-02-01), Odagawa
patent: 5287297 (1994-02-01), Ihara et al.
patent: 5297050 (1994-03-01), Ichimura et al.
patent: 5323321 (1994-06-01), Smith, Jr.
patent: 5369588 (1994-11-01), Hayami et al.
patent: 5410485 (1995-04-01), Ichikawa
patent: 5412573 (1995-05-01), Barnea et al.
patent: 5444629 (1995-08-01), Kishi et al.
patent: 5452212 (1995-09-01), Yokoyama et al.
patent: 5463554 (1995-10-01), Araki et al.
patent: 5486822 (1996-01-01), Tenmoku et al.
patent: 5506774 (1996-04-01), Nobe et al.
patent: 5513110 (1996-04-01), Fujita et al.
patent: 5519619 (1996-05-01), Seda
patent: 5521826 (1996-05-01), Matsumoto
patent: 5729109 (1998-03-01), Kaneko et al.
patent: 5739772 (1998-04-01), Nanba et al.
patent: 5832406 (1998-11-01), Iwami et al.
patent: 5839088 (1998-11-01), Hancock et al.
patent: 5845226 (1998-12-01), Ajima
patent: 5874905 (1999-02-01), Nanba et al.
patent: 5890088 (1999-03-01), Nimura et al.
patent: 5908465 (1999-06-01), Ito et al.
patent: 0 434 122 A1 (1991-06-01), None
patent: 0 485 120 A2 (1992-05-01), None
patent: 0 575 943 1 (1993-12-01), None
patent: 0 636 863 A1 (1994-07-01), None
patent: 2 271 423 (1994-04-01), None
patent: 6-222125 (1994-08-01), None
patent: 6-331379 (1994-12-01), None
patent: 7-294273 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 9-33268 (1997-02-01), None
French,MAP matching Origins Approaches and Applications, Rober L. French & Associates, 3815 Lisbon St., Suite 201, Fort Worth, Texas 76107, USA, pp. 91-116.
Dingus, T. et al,Human Factors Engineering the TravTek Driver Interface, Oct. 1, 1999, Proceedings of the Vehicle Navigation and Information Systems Conference, pp. 749-755.
Kirson, A M,A Compa
Lin Lihung
Nonaka Hiroshi
Beyer Weaver & Thomas LLP
Chin Gary
Visteon Technologies, LLC
LandOfFree
Method and apparatus for displaying current vehicle position does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and apparatus for displaying current vehicle position, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and apparatus for displaying current vehicle position will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2472481