Title: PDA system, method and device with automatic next turn page
Abstract: PDA systems, devices and methods are provided for improved navigational route planning. The PDA provides more understandable, accurate and timely information for negotiating a decision point along a route. The PDA includes a processor operable to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying the cartographic data. The PDA processes travel along the route. The PDA recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point.
Patent Number: 6,889,138 Issued on 05/03/2005 to Krull, et al.
| Inventors:
|
Krull; Jay Dee (Olathe, KS);
Tompkins; Mark D. (Overland Park, KS);
Runquist; Shane R. (Austin, TX)
|
| Assignee:
|
Garmin Ltd. (KY)
|
| Appl. No.:
|
270765 |
| Filed:
|
October 15, 2002 |
| Current U.S. Class: |
701/211; 340/995.12; 340/995.15; 701/210; 701/212 |
| Intern'l Class: |
G01C 021/26; G01C021/30 |
| Field of Search: |
701/211,212,201,208
340/995.1,995.12,995.14,995.15,995.17,995.23,995.27
|
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|
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Tan Q.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rolf; Devon A.
Parent Case Text
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/029,917,
filed Dec. 21, 2001, the specification of which is incorporate herein by reference.
This application is related to the following co-pending, commonly assigned U.S.
patent applications: "Navigation System, Method and Device with Voice Guidance,"
Ser. No. 10/029,732, filed Dec. 21, 2001, "Navigation System, Method and Device
with Next Turn Page," Ser. No. 10/029,917, filed Dec. 21, 2001, and is related
to "PDA System, Method and Device with Voice Guidance," Ser. No. 10/273,247, filed
Oct. 17, 2002, and each of which disclosure is herein incorporated by reference.
Claims
1. A personal digital assistant (PDA) with an automatic next turn page, comprising:
a calender function;
an address book function;
a processor operable to communicate to a memory, the memory having cartographic
data and a route to a desired destination stored therein, the cartographic data
including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types;
a display operable to communicate with the processor and the memory and capable
of displaying the cartographic data;
wherein the PDA processes travel along the route;
wherein the PDA recognizes when the PDA is approaching a decision point in the
route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed
screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of the decision point including
a highlighted portion indicating a course to follow through the decision point,
and the overlay screen displays motion of the PDA on the course through the decision
point; and
wherein insignificant detail is removed from the overlay screen at the decision
point based on a set of criteria.
2. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the overlay screen includes cartographic data
accurately depicting a geographic detail of the decision point.
3. The PDA of claim 2, wherein the geographic detail is provided on a magnified
display scale in comparison to a display scale of the presently displayed screen.
4. The PDA of claim 3, wherein the magnified display scale is a dynamic display
scale based on a road classification for a thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently traveling.
5. The PDA of claim 2, wherein the geographic detail includes the highlighted
portion indicating the course to follow through the decision point.
6. The PDA of claim 2, wherein the geographic detail includes a marker centered
at the decision point.
7. The PDA of claim 2, wherein the PDA operates on data indicative of a set of
travel habits for the PDA on each of the plurality of types of thoroughfares and
stores the travel habits in the memory.
8. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the PDA regularly calculates the PDA's current position.
9. The PDA of claim 1, wherein the display continuously displays the PDA's position
and uses audio instructions to navigate along the route as well as through the
course at the decision point.
10. A personal digital assistant (PDA) with an automatic next turn page, comprising:
a calendar function;
an address book function;
a processor operably coupled to a memory, the memory having cartographic data
and a route stored therein to navigate from a beginning position to a desired destination,
the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality
of types, the route including a number of decision points;
a display in communication with the processor and the memory and capable of displaying
the cartographic data, the route to the desired destination, and the PDA's position;
wherein the PDA processes travel along the route and provides location data to
the display;
wherein the PDA recognizes when the PDA is approaching a decision point in the
route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed
screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of the decision point including
a highlighted portion indicating a course to follow through the decision point,
and the overlay screen to display motion of the PDA on the course through the decision
point, and wherein the overlay screen includes cartographic data accurately depicting
a geographic detail of the decision point; and
wherein the PDA is adapted to remove insignificant detail from the geographic
detail at the decision point-based on a set of criteria.
11. The PDA of claim 10, wherein the PDA dynamically provides the overlay screen
to the display in advance of the decision point based on a set of criteria.
12. The PDA of claim 11, wherein the set of criteria includes any one or any
combination of the following:
a classification of the thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently travelling;
a speed classification of the thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently travelling;
and
a speed at which the PDA is currently travelling.
13. The PDA of claim 10, wherein the geographic detail includes geographic detail
not shown on the presently displayed screen.
14. The PDA of claim 10, wherein the PDA dynamically provides the overlay screen
to the display when the PDA is at the decision point.
15. The PDA of claim 14, wherein the geographic date in the overlay screen is
static with the decision point centered in the overlay screen and the PDA dynamically
displays a movement of the PDA on the course through the decision point.
16. The PDA of claim 10, wherein the PDA provides the overlay screen to the display
for a fixed amount of time.
17. The PDA of claim 10, wherein the PDA is operable to provide in an overlay
screen, the geographic detail of any decision point along the route upon receiving
a preview request signal regardless of a content of the presently displayed screen.
18. The PDA of claim 10, wherein the set of criteria includes any one or any
combination of the following:
whether a cartographic detail is a thoroughfare; and
whether a nearby thoroughfare in the cartographic data intersects with a thoroughfare
an which the PDA is currently traveling.
19. A navigation aid method for negotiating decision points along a route, comprising:
detecting when a personal digital assistant (PDA) is approaching a decision point
in a route;
calculating the PDA's current travel speed and position;
on the PDA, providing to a display an overlay screen on top of any presently
displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of the decision
point including a highlighted portion indicating a course to follow through the
decision point, and the overlay screen to display motion of the PDA on the course
through the decision point; and
wherein insignificant detail is removed from the overlay screen at the decision
point based on a set of criteria.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein providing the overlay screen includes providing
in the overlay screen cartographic data accurately depicting a geographic detail
of the decision point.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein providing the geographic detail includes
providing the geographic detail in a dynamic magnified display scale in comparison
to a display scale of the presently displayed screen based on a road classification
for a thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently traveling.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein providing the geographic detail includes
providing the geographic detail with the highlighted portion indicating the course
to follow through the decision point.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the providing the geographic detail includes
providing a marker centered at the decision point.
24. The method of claim 19, wherein calculating the PDA's current travel speed
and position includes using a global positioning system.
25. The method of claim 19, wherein the display continuously displays the PDA's
position and uses audio instructions to navigate along the route as well as through
the course at the decision point.
26. The method of claim 19, wherein the method includes using a computer accessible
medium having a set of computer executable instructions operable to perform the method.
27. A personal digital assistant (PDA) system for negotiating a decision point
along a route, comprising:
a server having a processor and memory, the memory having cartographic data and
a route stored therein to navigate from a beginning position to a desired destination,
the cartographic data including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality
of types, the route including a number of decision points; and
wherein the server includes executable instructions stored thereon, the processor
operable on the executable instructions to—
process travel along the route and provide location data,
recognize an approaching decision point in the route, and provide an overlay
screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point including a highlighted
portion indicating a course to follow through the decision point, and the overlay
screen to display motion of the PDA on the course through the decision point, and
wherein the overlay screen includes cartographic data accurately depicting a geographic
detail of the decision point; and
wherein insignificant detail is removed from the geographic detail at the decision
point based on a set of criteria.
28. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the system further includes:
a server display in communication with the processor and capable of displaying
the cartographic data, the route to the desired destination, a PDA's position,
and the overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen; and
a PDA operable to communicate with and retrieve navigation data from the server
via a communication channel, wherein the PDA includes a display operable to display
the overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen.
29. The PDA system of claim 28, wherein the communication channel includes a
wireless channel.
30. The PDA system of claim 29, wherein the system further includes a data storage
adapted to store navigation data.
31. The PDA system of claim 28, wherein the server includes a processor operable
to respond to a request from the PDA by performing calculations on the navigation
data and transmitting results to the PDA.
32. The PDA system of claim 28, wherein the PDA is operable to communicate with
and retrieve navigation data from the server using a Bluetooth technology.
33. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for:
determining data indicative of a set of travel habits for the PDA on each of
the plurality of types of thoroughfares; and
storing the travel habit data in the memory.
34. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for regularly calculating a PDA's current position.
35. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for dynamically providing the overlay screen in advance of
the decision point based on a set of criteria, wherein the set of criteria includes
any one or any combination of the following:
a classification of the thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently traveling;
a speed classification of the thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently traveling;
and
a speed at which the PDA is currently traveling.
36. The PDA system of claim 35, wherein the geographic detail includes geographic
detail not shown on the presently displayed screen.
37. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for dynamically providing the overlay screen when a PDA is
at the decision point.
38. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for:
dynamically providing the overlay screen wherein the geographic data in the overlay
screen is static with the decision point centered in the overlay screen; and
dynamically displaying in the overlay screen a movement of a navigation PDA on
a course through the decision point.
39. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for dynamically providing the overlay screen for a fixed amount
of time.
40. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for dynamically providing an overlay screen containing geographic
detail of any decision point along the mute upon receiving a preview request signal.
41. The PDA system of claim 27, wherein the set of executable instructions further
include instructions for dynamically removing insignificant detail from the geographic
detail at the decision point based on a set of criteria, wherein the set of criteria
includes any one or any combination of the following:
whether a cartographic detail is a thoroughfare; and
whether a nearby thoroughfare in the cartographic data intersects with a thoroughfare
on which the PDA is currently traveling.
42. An personal digital assistant (PDA) with an automatic next turn page, comprising:
a calendar function;
an address book function;
a processor;
a memory adapted to communicate to the processor, the memory having cartographic
data and a route to a desired destination stored therein, the cartographic data
including data indicative of thoroughfares of a plurality of types;
a display adapted to communicate with the processor and the memory and capable
of displaying the cartographic data;
wherein the PDA processes travel along the route;
wherein the PDA provides to the display a presently displayed screen adapted
to highlight at least a portion of the route and display motion of the PDA on the
route;
wherein the PDA recognizes when the PDA is approaching a decision point in the
route and provides to the display an overlay screen on top of the presently displayed
screen, such that at least a portion of the presently displayed screen remains
visible, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of the decision point,
including a highlighted portion indicating a course to follow through the decision
point, and the overlay screen displays motion of the PDA on the course through
the decision point; and
wherein the PDA is adapted to remove insignificant detail from the geographic
detail at the decision point based on whether a nearby thoroughfare intersects
with a thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently traveling.
43. The PDA of claim 42, wherein the overlay screen is provided at a magnified
display scale in comparison to a display scale of the presently displayed screen,
with the magnified display scale being dependent on a road classification for a
thoroughfare on which the PDA is currently traveling.
44. The PDA of claim 42, wherein the PDA dynamically provides the overlay screen
to the display in advance of the decision point based at least in part on a speed
at which the PDA is currently traveling.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to navigational devices, and in particular
to a PDA with an automatic next turn page.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Route planning devices are well known in the field of navigational instruments.
The method of route planning implemented by known prior art systems depends on
the capabilities of system resources, such as processor speed and the amount and
speed of memory. As increased system capability also increases system cost, the
method of route planning implemented by a navigation device is a function of overall
system cost.
One feature of increased system capability cost involves the amount of assistance
provided at decision points. Many conventional navigational devices simply do not
incorporate added assistance at decision points. Thus, as a user of such a device
may often get turned around or confused in unfamiliar territory. This is complicated
by the fact that the circumstances such as traffic conditions, such as highway
or inner city traffic conditions, often do not allow a user to pause and carefully
consider a course of action at the decision point.
Conventionally, commercial auto clubs such a AAA® provide instructions
for a course of action at various decision points, but without any real time added
guidance or assistance for the same. Typically, the recipient of these services
is provided with a set of paper maps, some even highlighting the route. However,
the individual navigating the route must repeatedly flip through and study these
maps before their travel and again in route. Extra attention must be given to these
maps when the traveler reaches decision points in their journey. This places the
user back in a compromising position when in heavy traffic conditions, as mentioned
above. Even more, without self initiated independent study, the user is not provided
with any sort of advance notice or warning for when these decision points are approaching.
Thus, without careful planning the user can easily miss the decision point or not
afford themselves with enough advance notice to be in the right position to navigate
a course through the decision point.
On line map services such as MapQuest® provide similar sets of instructions
for a course of action at decision points along a route, but again without any
real time added guided or assistance for the same. The users of these systems also
print out paper maps which they must flip through and in a self initiated independent
fashion negotiate.
Finally, some navigation devices may attempt to provide a user with navigational
aids for decision points while traversing a planned route. However, these systems,
particularly low cost free standing navigation systems, limit such assistance to
precanned bitmaps of symbols. For example, these systems may provide a turn arrow
symbol indicating a direction to take at a decision point. While precanned bitmap
navigational aids may be helpful in some instances, they generally do not provide
enough instructional aid to a user in unfamiliar surroundings, particularly in
a congested network of thoroughfares. Moreover, these devices do not provide any
added assistance to negotiate among the many courses of action which match the
instruction of the precanned bitmap symbol in a crowded network of thoroughfares.
In other words, a left turn arrow symbol does not assist a user to understand which
of several immediately approaching left turns to take.
In summary, existing navigation devices do not provide user intuitive assistance
at decision points along a route. Thus, a user of these navigational aids may frequently
find themselves missing decision points altogether, or not being in a correct position
to navigate a course through an upcoming decision point. As such a user who is
unsure about an upcoming decision may have to halt their travel to decipher the
ambiguity. Clearly, in many cases halting travel is not a viable alternative. For
example, when the user is traveling on an interstate it is entirely impossible
to simply stop. The alternative of pulling off on the shoulder is undesirable and
can be dangerous. Pulling off on an exit is equally undesirable since doing so
increases travel time and provides an added inconvenience to the user. In other
instances, such as navigating downtown city streets, the traffic issues alone may
prevent the user from stopping their vehicle during the recalculation process.
Even if the user has the ability to safely stop their vehicle, such as when traveling
in a neighborhood, the inconvenience factor is present. Moreover, when the user
entirely misses the decision point the headache and frustration of navigating their
route is compounded, leaving the user to further resolve how to back track and
again attempt to negotiate the missed decision point.
Current prior art systems have created a spectrum of products in which the
degree of navigational accuracy is dictated primarily by the cost of the system.
The lower cost systems currently offer a low degree of accuracy that is often inadequate
for users. Therefore, there exists a need for a navigational route planning device
which is more efficient and accurate than current low cost systems, without requiring
more expensive system resources. In addition, there is also a need for a navigational
route planning device which provides more understandable, accurate and timely assistance
for negotiating decision points along a route.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above mentioned problems of navigational devices are addressed by the present
invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification.
Systems and methods are provided for a navigational route planning device which
is more efficient and accurate than current low cost systems, without requiring
the more expensive system resources. The systems and methods of the present invention
offer an improved navigational route planning device which provides more understandable,
accurate and timely assistance for negotiating decision points along a route.
In one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic navigational aid device
with a next turn page is provided. The navigational aid device includes a processor
adapted to communicate with a memory. The memory has cartographic data and a route
to a desired destination stored therein. The cartographic data includes data indicative
of thoroughfares of a plurality of types. A display is provided which is adapted
to communicate with the processor and the memory and which is capable of displaying
the cartographic data. The device processes travel along the route. The device
recognizes when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and provides
to the display an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen, the
overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point with accurate geographic
detail and other cues.
These and other embodiments, aspects, advantages, and features of the present
invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part
will become apparent to those skilled in the art by reference to the following
description of the invention and referenced drawings or by practice of the invention.
The aspects, advantages, and features of the invention are realized and attained
by means of the instrumentalities, procedures, and combinations particularly pointed
out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a representative view of a Global Positioning System (GPS);
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate views for one embodiment of an electronic navigational
device according to the teachings of the present invention;
FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate views for another embodiment of an electronic navigational
device according to the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 4A is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electronic components within
the hardware of FIGS. 2A-2B according to the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 4B is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electronic components within
the hardware of FIGS. 3A-3C according to the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a navigation system according to the teachings
of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a navigation aid method according
to the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of another embodiment of a navigation aid method according
to the teachings of the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an overlay screen, on a display of cartographic
data, providing a select set of geographic detail for negotiating a course through
a decision point in a route according to one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the following detailed description of the invention, reference is made to
the
accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown, by way of
illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. The
embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail
to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments
may be utilized and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be
taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only
by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such
claims are entitled.
The present invention is drawn to navigational systems and devices having automated
next turn page capabilities. One type of navigational system includes Global Positioning
Systems (GPS). Such systems are known and have a variety of uses. In general, GPS
is a satellite-based radio navigation system capable of determining continuous
position, velocity, time, and in some instances direction information for an unlimited
number of users. Formally known as NAVSTAR, the GPS incorporates a plurality of
satellites which orbit the earth in extremely precise orbits. Based on these precise
orbits, GPS satellites can relay their location to any number of receiving units.
The GPS system is implemented when a device specially equipped to receive GPS
data begins scanning radio frequencies for GPS satellite signals. Upon receiving
a radio signal from a GPS satellite, the device can determine the precise location
of that satellite via one of different conventional methods. The device will continue
scanning for signals until it has acquired at least three different satellite signals.
Implementing geometric triangulation, the receiver utilizes the three known positions
to determine its own two-dimensional position relative to the satellites. Additionally,
acquiring a fourth satellite signal will allow the receiving device to calculate
its three-dimensional position by the same geometrical calculation. The positioning
and velocity data can be updated in real time on a continuous basis by an unlimited
number of users.
FIG. 1 is representative of a GPS denoted generally by reference numeral
100.
A plurality of satellites
120 are in orbit about the Earth
124. The
orbit of each satellite
120 is not necessarily synchronous with the orbits
of other satellites
120 and, in fact, is likely asynchronous. A GPS receiver
device
140 of the present invention is shown receiving spread spectrum GPS
satellite signals
160 from the various satellites
120.
The spread spectrum signals
160 continuously transmitted from each satellite
120 utilize a highly accurate frequency standard accomplished with an extremely
accurate atomic clock. Each satellite
120, as part of its data signal transmission
160, transmits a data stream indicative of that particular satellite
120.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that the GPS receiver
device
140 must acquire spread spectrum GPS satellite signals
160
from at least three satellites
120 for the GPS receiver device
140
to calculate its two-dimensional position by triangulation. Acquisition of an additional
signal
160, resulting in signals
160 from a total of four satellites
120, permits GPS receiver device
140 to calculate its three-dimensional position.
FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate views for one embodiment of an electronic navigational
device
230 according to the teachings of the present invention. As one of
ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading this disclosure, the device
can be portable and can be utilized in any number of implementations such as automobile,
personal marine craft, and avionic navigation. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A a front
view of the navigational device
230 is provided showing the navigational
device has a generally rectangular housing
232. The housing
232 is
constructed of resilient material and has been rounded for aesthetic and ergonomic
purposes. As shown in FIG. 2A, the control face
234 has access slots for
an input key pad
238, other individual keys
239, and a display screen
236. In one embodiment, the display screen
236 is a LCD display which
is capable of displaying both text and graphical information. The invention, however,
is not so limited. Audio information can likewise be provided in one embodiment.
In FIG. 2B, a side view of the navigational device
230 is provided. FIG.
2B illustrates that the device's housing
232 is defined by an outer front
case
240 and a rear case
242. As shown in FIG. 2B, the outer front
case
240 is defined by the control face
234. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 2B, the outer front case
240 and the rear case
242 are made
of one molded piece to form the device housing
232 and support input key
pad
238, other individual keys
239, and display screen
236
in respective access slots shown in the control face
234 of FIG.
2A.
FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate views for another embodiment of an electronic navigational
device
310 according to the teachings of the present invention. The navigational
device
310 shown in FIGS. 3A-3C includes a personal digital assistant (PDA)
with integrated GPS receiver and cellular transceiver according to the teachings
of the present invention. The GPS integrated PDA operates with an operating system
(OS) such as, for example, the well-known Palm or Pocket PC operating systems,
or the lesser-used Linux OS. As shown in the top view of FIG. 3A, the GPS integrated
PDA
310 includes an internal integrated GPS patch antenna
314 and
a cellular transceiver
316 contained in a housing
318. The housing
318 is generally rectangular with a low profile and has a front face
320
extending from a top end
322 to a bottom end
324. Mounted on front
face
320 is a display screen
326, which is touch sensitive and responsive
to a stylus
330 (shown stored in the side view of FIG. 3B) or a finger touch.
FIGS. 3A-3C illustrate the stylus
330 nested within housing
318 for
storage and convenient access in a conventional manner. The embodiment shown in
FIG. 3A illustrates a number of control buttons, or input keys
328 positioned
toward the bottom end
324. The invention, however, is not so limited and
one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the input keys
328
can be positioned toward the top end
322 or at any other suitable location.
The end view of FIG. 3C illustrates a map data cartridge bay slot
332 and
headphone jack
334 provided at the top end
322 of the housing
318.
Again, the invention is not so limited and one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that a map data cartridge bay slot
332 and headphone jack
334
can be provided at the bottom end
324, separately at opposite ends, or at
any other suitable location.
According to embodiments of the invention, the GPS integrated PDA
310
includes a calendar function and an address book function. In some embodiments
the GPS integrated PDA
310 includes a to-do list function. In some embodiments
the GPS integrated PDA
310 includes a graffiti function. In some embodiments
the GPS integrated PDA
310 includes a date book function. In some embodiments
the GPS integrated PDA
310 includes a calculator function. In some embodiments
the GPS integrated PDA
310 includes a memo pad or note pad function.
It should be understood that the structure of GPS integrated PDA
310 is
shown as illustrative of one type of integrated PDA navigation device. Other physical
structures, such as a cellular telephone and a vehicle-mounted unit are contemplated
within the scope of this invention.
FIGS. 2A-2B and
3A-
3C are provided as illustrative examples of
hardware components for a navigational device according to the teachings of the
present invention. However, the invention is not limited to the configuration shown
in FIGS. 2A-2B and
3A-
3C. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate
other suitable designs for a hardware device which can accommodate the present invention.
FIG. 4A is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electronic components within
the hardware of FIGS. 2A-2B, such as within housing
232 and utilized by
the electronic navigational device. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, the electronic
components include a processor
410 which is connected to an input
420,
such as keypad via line
425. It will be understood that input
420
may alternatively be a microphone for receiving voice commands. Processor
410
communicates with memory
430 via line
435. Processor
410 also
communicates with display screen
440 via line
445. An antenna/receiver
450, such as a GPS antenna/receiver is connected to processor
410
via line
455. It will be understood that the antenna and receiver, designated
by reference numeral
450, are combined schematically for illustration, but
that the antenna and receiver may be separately located components, and that the
antenna may be a GPS patch antenna or a helical antenna. The electronic components
further include I/O ports
470 connected to processor
410 via line
475.
FIG. 4B is a block diagram of one embodiment for the electronic components within
the hardware of FIGS. 3A-3C and utilized by the GPS integrated PDA
310 according
to the teachings of the present invention. The electronic components shown in FIG.
4B include a processor
436 which is connected to the GPS antenna
414
through GPS receiver
438 via line
441. The processor
436 interacts
with an operating system (such as PalmOS; Pocket PC) that runs selected software
depending on the intended use of the PDA
310. Processor
436 is coupled
with memory
442 such as RAM via line
444, and power source
446
for powering the electronic components of PDA
310. The processor
436
communicates with touch sensitive display screen
426 via data line
448.
The electronic components further include two other input sources that are connected
to the processor
436. Control buttons
428 are connected to processor
436 via line
451 and a map data cartridge
433 inserted into
cartridge bay
432 is connected via line
452. A conventional serial
I/O port
454 is connected to the processor
436 via line
456.
Cellular antenna
416 is connected to cellular transceiver
458, which
is connected to the processor
436 via line
466. Processor
436
is connected to the speaker/headphone jack
434 via line
462. The
PDA
310 may also include an infrared port (not shown) coupled to the processor
436 that may be used to beam information from one PDA to another.
As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the electronic components
shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are powered by a power source in a conventional manner.
As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, different configurations
of the components shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B are considered within the scope of the
present invention. For example, in one embodiment, the components shown in FIGS.
4A and 4B are in communication with one another via wireless connections and the
like. Thus, the scope of the navigation device of the present invention includes
a portable electronic navigational aid device.
Using the processing algorithms of the present invention, the device processes
travel along the route. Using the processing algorithms and the cartographic data
and planned route stored in memory, the device recognizes when the device is approaching
a decision point in the route and provides to the display an overlay screen on
top of any presently displayed screen. The overlay screen is adapted to display
a preview of a decision point with accurate geographic detail and other cues. According
to the teachings of the present invention, the device incorporates these and other
functions as will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 6-8.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a navigation system which can
be adapted to the teachings of the present invention. The navigation system includes
a server
502. According to one embodiment, the server
502 includes
a processor
504 operably coupled to memory
506, and further includes
a transmitter
508 and a receiver
510 to send and receive data, communication,
and/or other propagated signals. The transmitter
508 and receiver
510
are selected or designed according to the communication requirements and the communication
technology used in the communication design for the navigation system. The functions
of the transmitter
508 and the receiver
510 may be combined into
a single transceiver.
The navigation system further includes a mass data storage
512 coupled
to the server
502 via communication link
514. The mass data storage
512 contains a store of navigation data. One of ordinary skill in the art
will understand, upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, that the mass
data storage
512 can be separate device from the server
502 or can
be incorporated into the server
502.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the navigation system further includes
a navigation device
516 adapted to communicate with the server
502
through the communication channel
518. According to one embodiment, the
navigation device
516 includes a processor and memory, as previously shown
and described with respect to the block diagram of FIG.
4. Furthermore,
the navigation device
516 includes a transmitter
520 and receiver
522 to send and receive communication signals through the communication
channel
518. The transmitter
520 and receiver
522 are selected
or designed according to the communication requirements and the communication technology
used in the communication design for the navigation system. The functions of the
transmitter
520 and receiver
522 may be combined into a single transceiver.
Software stored in the server memory
506 provides instructions for
the processor
504 and allows the server
502 to provide services to
the navigation device
516. One service provided by the server
502
involves processing requests from the navigation device
516 and transmitting
navigation data from the mass data storage
512 to the navigation device
516. According to one embodiment, another service provided by the server
502 includes processing the navigation data using various algorithms for
a desired application, and sending the results of these calculations to the navigation
device
516.
The communication channel
518 is the propagating medium or path that connects
the navigation device
516 and the server
502. According to one embodiment,
both the server
502 and the navigation device
516 include a transmitter
for transmitting data through the communication channel and a receiver for receiving
data that has been transmitted through the communication channel.
The communication channel
518 is not limited to a particular communication
technology. Additionally, the communication channel
518 is not limited to
a single communication technology; that is, the channel
518 may include
several communication links that use a variety of technology. For example, according
to various embodiments, the communication channel is adapted to provide a path
for electrical, optical, and/or electromagnetic communications. As such, the communication
channel includes, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the following:
electrical circuits, electrical conductors such as wires and coaxial cables, fiber
optic cables, converters, radio-frequency (RF) waveguides, the atmosphere, and
empty space. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the communication channel
includes intermediate devices such as routers, repeaters, buffers, transmitters,
and receivers, for example.
In one embodiment, for example, the communication channel
518 includes
telephone and computer networks. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the communication
channel
516 is capable of accommodating wireless communication such as radio
frequency, microwave frequency and infrared communication, and the like. Additionally,
according to various embodiments, the communication channel
516 accommodates
satellite communication.
The communication signals transmitted through the communication channel
518
include such signals as may be required or desired for a given communication technology.
For example, the signals may be adapted to be used in cellular communication technology,
such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access
(FDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), global system for mobile communications
(GSM), and the like. Both digital and analog signals may be transmitted through
the communication channel
518. According to various embodiments, these signals
are modulated, encrypted and/or compressed signals as may be desirable for the
communication technology.
The mass data storage includes sufficient memory for the desired navigation application.
Examples of mass data storage include magnetic data storage media such as hard
drives, optical data storage media such as CD ROMs, charge storing data storage
media such as Flash memory, and molecular memory, such as now known or hereinafter developed.
According to one embodiment of the navigation system, the
502 server
includes a remote server accessed by the navigation device
516 through a
wireless channel. According to other embodiments of the navigation system, the
server
502 includes a network server located on a local area network (LAN),
wide area network (WAN), a virtual private network (VPN) and server farms.
According to another embodiment of the navigation system, the server
502
includes a personal computer such as a desktop or laptop computer. In one embodiment,
the communication channel
518 is a cable connected between the personal
computer and the navigation device. According to one embodiment, the communication
channel
518 is a wireless connection between the personal computer and the
navigation device
516.
FIG. 5 presents yet another embodiment for a collective set of electronic components
adapted to the present invention. As one of ordinary skill in the art will understand
upon reading and comprehending this disclosure, the navigation system of FIG. 5
is adapted to the present invention in a manner distinguishable from that described
and explained in detail in connection with FIG.
4.
That is, the navigational system
500 of FIG. 5 is likewise adapted to
provide an electronic navigational aid device
516 with instructional aids
to assist in negotiating a course through a decision point in a route. In this
embodiment, the processor
504 in the server
502 is used to handle
the bulk of the system's processing needs. The mass storage device
512 connected
to the server can include volumes more cartographic and route data than that which
is able to be maintained on the navigational device
516 itself. In this
embodiment, the server
502 processes the majority of a device's travel along
the route using a set of processing algorithms and the cartographic and route data
stored in memory
512 and can operate on signals, e.g. GPS signals, originally
received by the navigational device
516. Similar to the navigational device
of FIG. 4, the navigation device
516 in system
500 is outfitted with
a display
524 and GPS capabilities
526.
As described and explained in detail in connection with FIG. 4, the navigation
system of FIG. 5 uses processing algorithms to process travel along a route. The
processor
504 operates on algorithms and the cartographic data and planned
route stored in memory
506. Using the novel processing algorithms and the
cartographic data and planned route stored in memory
506, the device recognizes
when the device is approaching a decision point in the route and creates an overlay
screen which can be provided to the display on top of any presently displayed screen.
The overlay screen created by the servers is adapted to display a preview of a
decision point with accurate geographic detail and other cues. According to the
teachings of the present invention, the device incorporates these and other functions
as will be explained in more detail below in connection with FIGS. 6-8. As one
of ordinary skill in the art will understand upon reading and comprehending this
disclosure, a user of the navigation device
516 can be proximate to or accompanying
the navigation device
516. The invention however, is not so limited. The
navigation device
516 of the present invention includes a portable electronic
navigational aid device.
The features and functionality explained and described in detail above in connection
with the device of FIG. 4 are likewise available in the system
500 of FIG.
5. That is, as will be explained in more detail below, in one embodiment
the navigation device
516 further provides audio and visual cues to aid
the navigation along the route.
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of one embodiment of a navigation aid method according
to the teachings of the present invention. The navigation aid method includes a
method for providing an overlay screen on top of any presently displayed screen,
the overlay screen adapted to display a preview of a decision point with accurate
geographic detail and other cues within a navigation device or navigation system
as described and explained in detail above in connection with FIGS. 4 and 5. And,
as described above, a processor is used for processing signals which include input
data from input devices, e.g. keypads or other input keys, GPS signals from GPS
components, and data received from I/O ports in order to perform the methods described
herein. As shown in FIG. 6, the navigation aid method for providing a preview of
a decision point with accurate geographic detail includes detecting when a navigation
device is approaching a decision point in a route as shown in block
610.
The method includes calculating the device's current travel speed and position
at block
620. In one embodiment, calculating the device's current travel
speed and position includes using a global positioning system. At block
630,
the method further includes providing to a display an overlay screen on top of
any presently displayed screen, the overlay screen adapted to display a preview
of a decision point. According to the teachings of the present invention, providing
the overlay screen includes providing in the overlay screen cartographic data accurately
depicting a geographic detail of the decision point. In one embodiment of the invention,
the display continuously displays the device's position and uses audio instructions
to navigate along the route as well as t
