Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Directive – Including a satellite
Patent
1997-04-07
2000-09-26
Issing, Gregory C.
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Directive
Including a satellite
34235713, 340995, G01S 302
Patent
active
061248266
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a navigation device for people, such a device includes a navigation unit, which has a receiver device for the wireless transmission of information to identify the current geographic position of the person, a communication unit, which comprises an input unit, especially for the input of a target position, and an output unit, especially for the output of path guiding information, and a computer, especially for route planning. The computer has a memory with at least one digitalized road map and can be connected for data transmission to the navigation unit via the communication unit.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
From DE 34 45 668, a generic navigation device for a vehicle is known, which has a portable control device. The control device, which is designed as a transportable handheld device, has its own display for the output of route planning tips. The control device also has operating devices, especially for the input of a desired target position. A route computer integrated into the handheld device has access to a stored digital road network map and, starting from a predetermined starting position, determines a route to a predetermined target position. This allows route planning to be carried out even before a trip begins. The route determined by the route computer can be manually adjusted to match the individual driver's wishes, taking into account traffic conditions, insofar as these are known. For the purpose of navigation, the control device in the form of a handheld device is connected via an interface to other devices of the navigation system, particularly to a navigation unit for detecting the current geographical position. Based on the current geographical position of the vehicle as well as on its route, appropriate travel tips are output on the display to guide the vehicle to its target.
In the known generic device, it is disadvantageous that the navigation device is only fully functional in those motor vehicles in which supplementary components (e.g., navigation computer, display devices) that can be connected to the control device are preinstalled; i.e., the navigation device cannot be taken along on trains or other means of public transportation or carried by pedestrians for navigational assistance. Outside of a vehicle, the known navigation device permits only route planning and/or route optimization. Using the known navigation device, it is not possible to switch to another form of transportation without interrupting the navigational assistance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a convenient and portable navigation device for people, which makes it is possible to switch at any time to other means of transportation, particularly public transportation, trains, rental vehicles and the like, without interrupting the navigational assistance. A further object of the invention is to provide a device that can be used in a geographical area of almost any desired size without requiring extensive geographical information stored on memory media, especially local maps and street directories, to be taken along.
According to the invention, the navigation device for people has a navigation unit, a communication unit and a computer, particularly for route determination. The computer has a memory with at least one digitized road map and can be connected for data transmission to the navigation unit via the communication unit. The navigation unit has a receiver device for the wireless transmission of data to identify the current geographical position. The communication unit has an input unit, particularly for the input of a target position, and an output unit, particularly for the output of routing information. The navigation unit, the communication unit, the input unit and the output unit form a portable hardware unit that has its own power supply and transmitter/receiver. The computer that calculates essential portions of the route plan is disposed in a stationary manner outside of the port
REFERENCES:
patent: 4819174 (1989-04-01), Furuno et al.
patent: 4954959 (1990-09-01), Moroto et al.
patent: 5289378 (1994-02-01), Miller et al.
patent: 5522089 (1996-05-01), Kikinis et al.
patent: 5543789 (1996-08-01), Behr et al.
patent: 5625668 (1997-04-01), Loomis et al.
patent: 5712899 (1998-01-01), Pace, II
patent: 5745865 (1998-04-01), Rostoker et al.
patent: 5794164 (1998-08-01), Beckert et al.
patent: 5859628 (1999-01-01), Ross et al.
Heti et al, "Travelguide: Ontario's Route Guidance System", IEE Vehicle Navigation & Information Systems Conf, Ottawa-VNIS, 1993.
Marchent, "Concepts for Vehicle Route Guidance", Second Int'l Conf. on Road Traffic Monitoring, 1989, p. 176-181.
Garthwaite Paul
Waizmann Gerd
Issing Gregory C.
Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
LandOfFree
Navigation device for people does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Navigation device for people, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Navigation device for people will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2103779