Patent US6401035B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6401035B2
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Method and system for a real-time distributed navigation system
Assignee: Televigation Inc
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Filing: 2001-07-23
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Granted: 2002-06-04
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Expires: 2021-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An Interactive Real-Time Distributed Navigation system is disclosed. In the present invention a user's location is determined by generating a position signal at the user's location. Through wireless communication between the user and distributed navigation servers, the user is presented with a list of candidate locations. The user's choice from the candidate list are then used by the navigation servers to obtain an accurate measurement of the user's location. Having established a user's location, the system proceeds to provide navigational prompts to the user to reach a final destination.
Inventors
- 👤 HaiPing Jin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:13
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0968; G08G1/096855; G08G1/096861; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/3453; G01C21/3484; G08G1/005; G08G1/096877; G08G1/096883
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for determining a user's location, comprising: receiving a position signal; determining a first approximation of the user's location using the position signal; generating a first set of candidates corresponding to locations in close proximity to the first approximation of the user's location; prompting the user to perceive a vicinity of the user; receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of locations according to a predetermined criteria; and determining a second approximation of the user's location based upon the at least one selected candidate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for determining a user's location, comprising: receiving a position signal; determining a first approximation of the user's location using the position signal; generating a first set of candidates corresponding to locations in close proximity to the first approximation of the user's location; prompting the user to perceive a vicinity of the user; receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of locations according to a predetermined criteria; and determining a second approximation of the user's location based upon the at least one selected candidate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the second approximation is a starting point and further comprising: determining a path from the starting point to a destination; presenting navigational directions to the user leading the user from the starting point to the destination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising: determining a user's intermediate locations along the path from the starting point to the destination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 2 wherein a first intermediate location from the user's intermediate locations is ambiguous.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 4 wherein ambiguity in the first intermediate location is removed through steps comprising: determining a first approximation of the first intermediate location; generating a first set of candidates corresponding to locations in close proximity to the first approximation of the first intermediate location; prompting the user to perceive a first intermediate vicinity of the user; receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of candidates according to a predetermined criteria; and determining a second approximation of the first intermediate location based upon the at least one selected candidate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the user's intermediate location are not ambiguous.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 2 wherein presenting navigational directions to the user is paused.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising: determining the user's paused location, wherein the paused location is not ambiguous.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 8 wherein presenting navigational directions to the user is resumed from the paused location to the destination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of candidates are described as streets, intersections, buildings, points of interest or landmarks.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of candidates includes one candidate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the one candidate is automatically assigned as the selected candidate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of candidates is presented textually to the user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of candidates is presented graphically to the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first set of candidates is presented audibly to the user.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 15 , wherein the first set of candidates is presented by a person.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for determining a user's location comprising the steps of: receiving a position signal; determining a first approximation of the user's location using said position signal; querying a database of location information based upon said first approximation; generating a first set of candidates corresponding to locations in close proximity to the first approximation of a user's location; prompting the user to perceive a vicinity of the user; receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of locations according to a predetermined criteria; determining a second approximation of the user's location based upon said at least one selected candidate, wherein said second approximation is more accurate than said first approximation.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for determining a user's location comprising the steps of: receiving a position signal; determining a first approximation of the user's location using said position signal; querying a database of location information based upon said first approximation; generating a first set of candidates corresponding to locations in close proximity to the first approximation of a user's location; prompting the user to perceive a vicinity of the user; receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of locations according to a predetermined criteria; determining a second approximation of the user's location based upon said at least one selected candidate, wherein said second approximation is more accurate than said first approximation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said predetermined criteria is said selected candidate being closest to the user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said predetermined criteria is said selected candidate being in front of the user.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of receiving a position signal uses a satellite based system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 20 , wherein said satellite based system is a global positioning system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of generating a position signal uses a ground based system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 , wherein said satellite based system is a cellular system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein the steps are distributed among a client and a server.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of receiving a position signal uses a wireless client.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said step of generating a first set of candidates further involves the step of ranking the first set of candidates locations based upon a second criteria.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of providing navigational prompts to a user comprising the steps of: receiving a destination; receiving a position signal; determining a first approximation of a user's location using said position signal; querying a database of location information based upon said first approximation; generating a first set of candidates corresponding to locations in close proximity to the first approximation of a user's location; prompting the user to perceive a vicinity of the user; receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of locations according to a first predetermined criteria; determining a second approximation of the user's location based upon said selected candidate, wherein said second approximation is more accurate than said first approximation; determining a path from the second approximation to the destination according to a second predetermined criteria; providing prompts to the user describing said path.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
140 words
A method of providing navigational prompts to a user comprising the steps of: receiving a destination; receiving a position signal; determining a first approximation of a user's location using said position signal; querying a database of location information based upon said first approximation; generating a first set of candidates corresponding to locations in close proximity to the first approximation of a user's location; prompting the user to perceive a vicinity of the user; receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of locations according to a first predetermined criteria; determining a second approximation of the user's location based upon said selected candidate, wherein said second approximation is more accurate than said first approximation; determining a path from the second approximation to the destination according to a second predetermined criteria; providing prompts to the user describing said path.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said first predetermined criteria is said selected candidate being closest to the user.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said first predetermined criteria is said selected candidate being in front of the user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of receiving a position signal uses a satellite based system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 30 , wherein said satellite based system is a global positioning system.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of receiving a position signal uses a ground based system.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 32 , wherein said satellite based system is a cellular system.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein the steps are distributed among a client and a server.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of generating a position signal uses a wireless client.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said step of generating a first set of candidates further involves the step of ranking set of candidates locations based upon a second criteria.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said navigational prompts are descriptive relative to a reference location.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said navigational prompts are relative to a user's direction.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said navigational prompts are provided audibly.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said navigational prompts are provided graphically.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said first predetermined criteria is candidates surrounding the user.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 27 , wherein said steps of receiving a destination, receiving at least one selected candidate from among the first set of locations according to a first predetermined criteria, or providing prompts to the user describing said path are performed audibly.
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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) | 2005-06-03 | 2005-12-03 | 2006-06-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-06-03 | 2009-12-03 | 2010-06-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-06-03 | 2013-12-03 | 2014-06-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |