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US6351709B2
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US
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Vehicle navigation system with route updating feature
Assignee: Lear Corp EEDS and Interiors
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Filing: 1998-12-02
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Granted: 2002-02-26
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Expires: 2018-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle navigation system includes an update module that provides travel advisory information on a real time basis. The update module receives traffic advisory signals such as intelligent highway system signals, safety warning system signals and specially encoded traffic reports from radio stations. The travel advisory signals are utilized by the navigation system to provide a route guidance strategy to a driver that is not limited by the information from a prestored map database. While travelling, the update module continues to provide information that is utilized to generate an updated route as appropriate. Additionally, the vehicle navigation system preferably includes the ability to generate a beacon signal indicating that the vehicle is in a position or condition that presents a potential traffic hazard to other drivers. The beacon signal from the navigation system of this invention is one example of the kind of travel advisory signal that the inventive navigation system uses to generate an updated route guidance strategy.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph D. King
- 👤 Stephen J. Learman
- 👤 Steven R. Keyes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:50
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0968; G08G1/096805; G08G1/096827; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/3453; G01C21/3492; G08G1/096833; G08G1/096838; G08G1/096844; G08G1/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A vehicle navigation system mountable on a first vehicle that is to be navigated, comprising: an input module that allows a vehicle operator to input a desired destination location; a receiver supported on the vehicle that receives signals indicative of a current position of the first vehicle; a memory module that contains a prestored map database that includes a plurality of known location reference points; an update module that receives a travel advisory signal indicative of a current traffic situation that is not contained in the prestored map data base; an electronic controller that communicates with the update module, the input module, the receiver and the memory module and automatically generates a route guidance strategy to guide the operator from the current position to the desired location taking the travel advisory signal into consideration; and a transmitter supported on the first vehicle that transmits a beacon signal adapted to be automatically received by another vehicle for updating a route guidance strategy of the other vehicle, said beacon signal indicating to the other vehicle that the first vehicle represents a potential traffic hazard at the current position by including information identifying an abnormal vehicle condition of the first vehicle.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A vehicle navigation system mountable on a first vehicle that is to be navigated, comprising: an input module that allows a vehicle operator to input a desired destination location; a receiver supported on the vehicle that receives signals indicative of a current position of the first vehicle; a memory module that contains a prestored map database that includes a plurality of known location reference points; an update module that receives a travel advisory signal indicative of a current traffic situation that is not contained in the prestored map data base; an electronic controller that communicates with the update module, the input module, the receiver and the memory module and automatically generates a route guidance strategy to guide the operator from the current position to the desired location taking the travel advisory signal into consideration; and a transmitter supported on the first vehicle that transmits a beacon signal adapted to be automatically received by another vehicle for updating a route guidance strategy of the other vehicle, said beacon signal indicating to the other vehicle that the first vehicle represents a potential traffic hazard at the current position by including information identifying an abnormal vehicle condition of the first vehicle.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the travel advisory signal comprises at least one of the group consisting of a beacon signal from another vehicle, a safety warning signal, an intelligent highway signal, a collision avoidance signal and an encoded radio signal indicating a traffic condition.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the electronic controller periodically communicates with the update module and wherein the electronic controller generates an updated route guidance strategy responsive to another travel advisory signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 3 , wherein the electronic controller continuously communicates with the update module and generates another route guidance strategy responsive to another travel advisory signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 3 , further comprising a display that provides a visible display indicating the route guidance strategy and information representing the current situation corresponding to the travel advisory signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 5 , further comprising a speaker that provides an audible indication of selected portions of the route guidance strategy and audible information representing the current situation corresponding to the travel advisory signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the beacon signal includes information indicative of the position of the first vehicle relative to the prestored map database.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 1 , further comprising a switch that is selectively activated to activate the transmitter to generate the beacon signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 8 , wherein the first vehicle includes hazard lights and the switch is automatically activated when the hazard lights are activated.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein when the electronic controller automatically determines that the first vehicle presents a potential current traffic situation, the electronic controller automatically activates the transmitter to transmit the beacon signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle navigation system mountable on a first vehicle, comprising: a receiver that receives signals generated remotely from the first vehicle which are indicative of a current position of the first vehicle relative to preestablished reference points; an electronic controller that communicates with the receiver and determines the current position of the first vehicle; and a transmitter that selectively transmits a beacon signal adapted to be automatically received by another vehicle, said beacon signal indicating to the other vehicle that the first vehicle represents a potential traffic hazard at the current position by including information identifying an abnormal vehicle condition of the first vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
A vehicle navigation system mountable on a first vehicle, comprising: a receiver that receives signals generated remotely from the first vehicle which are indicative of a current position of the first vehicle relative to preestablished reference points; an electronic controller that communicates with the receiver and determines the current position of the first vehicle; and a transmitter that selectively transmits a beacon signal adapted to be automatically received by another vehicle, said beacon signal indicating to the other vehicle that the first vehicle represents a potential traffic hazard at the current position by including information identifying an abnormal vehicle condition of the first vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein the beacon signal includes information of the position of the first vehicle relative to the reference points.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 11 , further comprising a switch that is manually activated to activate the transmitter to generate the beacon signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 13 , wherein the first vehicle includes hazard lights and the switch is simultaneously activated when an operator of the first vehicle activates the hazard lights.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein when the electronic controller automatically determines that the first vehicle presents a potential current traffic hazard, the electronic controller automatically activates the transmitter to transmit the beacon signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of operating a vehicle navigation system having a receiver that receives signals indicative of a current position of the vehicle relative to established reference points on a prestored map database, the vehicle navigation system being mountable on a first vehicle that is to be navigated, said method comprising the steps of: (A) determining a current position of the first vehicle from the received signals; (B) determining a desired destination position for the first vehicle; (C) determining a current traffic situation that is not stored on the map database based upon a received traffic advisory signal; (D) determining a route guidance strategy using the current position of the vehicle from step (A), the desired destination from step (B), the map database and the current traffic situation from step (C); and (E) when the first vehicle presents a potential traffic hazard, transmitting a beacon signal adapted to be automatically received by another vehicle, said beacon signal indicating to the other vehicle that the first vehicle represents a potential traffic hazard at the current position by including information identifying an abnormal vehicle condition of the first vehicle.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
186 words
A method of operating a vehicle navigation system having a receiver that receives signals indicative of a current position of the vehicle relative to established reference points on a prestored map database, the vehicle navigation system being mountable on a first vehicle that is to be navigated, said method comprising the steps of: (A) determining a current position of the first vehicle from the received signals; (B) determining a desired destination position for the first vehicle; (C) determining a current traffic situation that is not stored on the map database based upon a received traffic advisory signal; (D) determining a route guidance strategy using the current position of the vehicle from step (A), the desired destination from step (B), the map database and the current traffic situation from step (C); and (E) when the first vehicle presents a potential traffic hazard, transmitting a beacon signal adapted to be automatically received by another vehicle, said beacon signal indicating to the other vehicle that the first vehicle represents a potential traffic hazard at the current position by including information identifying an abnormal vehicle condition of the first vehicle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein steps (C) and (D) are performed repeatedly and the method includes determining an updated route guidance strategy responsive to another current traffic situation from step (C).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-08-27 | 2006-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-25 | 2009-08-27 | 2010-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-25 | 2013-08-27 | 2014-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |