US6253151B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Navigation system with feature for reporting errors
Assignee: Here Global BV
•
Filing: 2000-06-23
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Granted: 2001-06-26
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Expires: 2020-06-23
Abstract
Abstract A feature whereby an end user of a navigation system that uses geographic data can easily report perceived errors or inaccuracies in the geographic data or other problems such as poor quality route calculation or guidance. The end user uses a user interface of the navigation system to indicate the perceived error, inaccuracy, or other problem. The navigation system includes a report program that operates in response to the end user's indication. The report program collects information indicating the error, inaccuracy, or other problem and sends a report including the collected information to a geographic database developer. The geographic database developer can use the information in the report to update a geographic database.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean Ohler
- 👤 Mark Barton
- 👤 Roy Casino
- 👤 Lawrence M. Kaplan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 21:47
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/38; G01C21/3804; G01C21/3833; G01C21/3856
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A navigation system that uses geographic data to provide navigation-related functions to an end user, the navigation system comprising: a user interface into which the end user can input requests for navigation-related functions and from which the end user is provided responses to the requests; a geographic database; navigation programming that processes the requests input by the end user into the user interface and uses the geographic database to determine said responses; and error report programming responsive to an indication by the end user into said user interface about an error, said error report programming including a routine that collects data indicating the error and sends a report including said data indicating the error.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
114 words
A navigation system that uses geographic data to provide navigation-related functions to an end user, the navigation system comprising: a user interface into which the end user can input requests for navigation-related functions and from which the end user is provided responses to the requests; a geographic database; navigation programming that processes the requests input by the end user into the user interface and uses the geographic database to determine said responses; and error report programming responsive to an indication by the end user into said user interface about an error, said error report programming including a routine that collects data indicating the error and sends a report including said data indicating the error.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The navigation system of claim 1 wherein the report also includes input from the end user about the error.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The navigation system of claim 1 wherein the report also includes an identification of the geographic database.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The navigation system of claim 1 wherein said error report programming comprises: a monitoring component that monitors the responses and stores data indicating the responses in a log.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The navigation system of claim 4 wherein said error report programming comprises: a reporting component that sends data from said log upon said indication by the end user.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The navigation system of claim 1 wherein said error report programming comprises: a reporting component that prompts the end user for input about the error, obtains a reply from the end user in response thereto, and includes the reply in the report.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The navigation system of claim 1 wherein said user interface further comprises: a dedicated error reporting button that the end user uses to make said indication.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of obtaining reports from end users about perceived errors in geographic data used in navigation systems installed in vehicles, the method comprising: providing error reporting programs included with said navigation systems; and receiving reports about perceived errors from said reporting programs.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
43 words
A method of obtaining reports from end users about perceived errors in geographic data used in navigation systems installed in vehicles, the method comprising: providing error reporting programs included with said navigation systems; and receiving reports about perceived errors from said reporting programs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said reports are received via wireless communications from said vehicles.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said reports are in XML format.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said reports are received by a database developer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising: analyzing said reports statistically to identify significant errors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 8 further comprising: using said reports about perceived errors to update a master copy of a geographic database.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of operation for a vehicle navigation system, the method comprising: running a monitoring component program that monitors navigation-related information provided to a user of the vehicle navigation system and stores data in a log indicating the navigation-related information provided to the user; and upon receiving an indication from the user about an error, sending a report about said error, wherein the report includes data from said log.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
69 words
A method of operation for a vehicle navigation system, the method comprising: running a monitoring component program that monitors navigation-related information provided to a user of the vehicle navigation system and stores data in a log indicating the navigation-related information provided to the user; and upon receiving an indication from the user about an error, sending a report about said error, wherein the report includes data from said log.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising: requesting input from the end user about the error; and including said input in said report.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising: providing the end user with information from the log about the navigation-related information that had been provided to the user; obtaining input from the end user about the error; and including said input in said report.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising: prior to the step of sending a report, storing data about the error in a data storage medium in the vehicle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising: including data indicating a database version in said report.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising: providing the user with recently provided navigation-related information; allowing the user to indicate which item of recently provided navigation-related information contains the error; and including data in the report that identifies the item of navigation-related information indicated by the user as containing the error.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising: providing multiple windows on a display screen of the vehicle navigation system, wherein one of said multiple windows includes navigation-related information that guides the user for following a route to a destination and wherein another of said multiple windows includes information requesting the user to indicate the error.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6021371A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-25 | 2004-12-25 | 2005-06-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-25 | 2008-12-25 | 2009-06-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-25 | 2012-12-25 | 2013-06-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |