Data processing: vehicles – navigation – and relative location – Navigation
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-06
2001-02-06
Louis-Jacques, Jacques H. (Department: 3661)
Data processing: vehicles, navigation, and relative location
Navigation
C701S207000, C701S024000, C320S109000, C235S384000, C340S870030, C340S870030, C340S438000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185501
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for updating navigation information in a vehicle while dispensing a consumable energy source to the vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
U.S. Pat. No.: 5,327,066 discloses methods and apparatus for transferring information between a vehicle, and a station during a battery recharging operation (for an electrically powered vehicle) and during a refueling operation (for a vehicle having an internal combustion engine). The transferred information can be accounting-related so as to properly charge for the dispensed electrical power or fuel. The transferred information may also represent messages, advertisements, inquiries and the like.
It has been realized that a vehicle having a navigation unit may require periodic navigation-information related updating so as to accommodate changes in the local navigation situation, such as road closures, detours, etc., and possibly also to recalibrate or reset the navigation unit for accumulated errors.
A number of presently available vehicle navigation systems use a multi-disk CD player and a display. CD-ROM disks having navigation data are accessed and read by the CD player. The CD player may also be used to play music for the stereo system of the vehicle. As used herein, the term “primary navigation data” is intended to mean the navigation data stored in the CD-ROM disk or other suitable storage medium which has information similar to a road map. Because the locations of roads do not change very often, the CD-ROM can be used, and the recorded information may remain valid, for a long period of time. However, although the locations of roads do not often change, other navigation or locational information does change, such as temporary road or lane closures for repairs, fees for tolls, locations of restaurants, motels, retail facilities, etc.
A need thus exists for a low cost and simple mechanism to provide navigation data that supplements the primary navigation data that is stored within the vehicle.
Also, for some vehicular navigation systems it may be desirable to periodically update an assumed present position of the vehicle so as to compensate and eliminate erroneous navigation information. The recalibration could be accomplished through the use of a positioning system, such as one based on the constellation of Global Positioning Satellites (GPS). However, this approach would require providing the vehicle with a suitable receiver for receiving and processing the GPS information. This approach would thus increase the complexity and cost of the vehicle.
Thus, a need also exists for a low cost and simple mechanism to input very accurate position information into a navigation system of a vehicle, such as an automobile.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of this invention to provide a low cost and simple mechanism to input navigation-related information into a navigation system of a vehicle.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a vehicle battery charging system that also enables the inputting of navigation-related information into a navigation system of the vehicle.
It is another object of this invention to provide a vehicle refueling system that also enables the inputting of navigation-related information into a navigation system of the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing and other problems are overcome and the objects of the invention are realized by methods and apparatus for inputting navigation-related information to a vehicle while the vehicle is coupled to a local station, such as a recharging station or a refueling station.
More particularly, this invention relates to updating primary navigation data or supplementing primary navigation data in a vehicle navigation system.
In a first aspect this invention provides supplementary navigation data to be used with a vehicular navigation system. The supplementary navigation data can be superimposed over the primary navigation data on the navigation system display or, can be presented as a split-screen display. The supplementary navigation data may contain information such as locations of local facilities, local road information, types of local facilities. “Local facilities” is intended to means police stations, hospitals, motels, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, vehicles repair shops, recreational locations, movie theaters, parks, etc. “Local road information” is intended to mean road construction, alternate routes, toll fees, traffic conditions, etc.
The supplementary navigation data is received by the vehicle when the vehicle is coupled to a station, such as a battery recharging station or a refueling station, and is transmitted to the navigation system. An on-board controller can store the data and/or display the data. The navigation system could use the supplementary data to determine routes or locations for specific local facilities selected by the user. In an interactive or two-way communications system, the user can select predetermined types of supplementary data to be received. The supplementary navigation data is preferably transmitted to the navigation system at a local vehicle station, such as a refueling station, a vehicle rest stop, a vehicle tourist center, etc. The supplementary data could also include information specific to local facilities such as phone number, prices, specials or discounts, etc. The display of the supplementary data is preferably selectively actuated by the user. However, specific types of data, such as road closures, could be automatically displayed by the controller.
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Harrington Mark F.
Smith Harry F.
Intellectual Property Development Associates of Connecticut, Inc
Louis-Jacques Jacques H.
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