US6826472B1 — Method and apparatus to generate driving guides

Claim 1

Independent Claim 43 words

A method, comprising the steps of: receiving information indicating an origin; determining a set of at least one general destination without receiving an indication of a specific destination; computing directional information between said origin and each general destination; and reporting said directional information.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 43 words

A method, comprising the steps of: receiving information indicating an origin; determining a set of at least one general destination without receiving an indication of a specific destination; computing directional information between said origin and each general destination; and reporting said directional information.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said general destinations are at least one of cities, waypoints, waypaths, and other general destinations.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 61 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one general destination comprises: accessing a set of general destinations from a database; prioritizing the accessed general destinations based on data making it more probable or less probable that each accessed general destination is a destination or waypoint of a user of said method.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 105 words

The method according to claim 3 , wherein said step of prioritizing includes prioritizing the accessed general destinations based on priority criteria, including at least one of: landmark filters that assign a value to landmarks based on predetermined criteria; distance of said user from a general destination; metrics, including at least one of capacity of the general destination, popularity of the general destination, size of the general destination, and other metrics describing the general destinations; history of past travels of said user to the same or similar types of general destinations; and contact listings and other data stored connecting said user to each general destination.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 4 , wherein said step of prioritizing, includes the step of retrieving at least part of said priority criteria from an external data source.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method according to claim 5 , wherein said external data source comprises at least one of a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a data source attached to a device performing said method via an Internet or other data communications channel.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: selecting driving information corresponding to the computed directional information; wherein said step of reporting includes reporting the selected driving information.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the step of: dividing said directional information into regions each corresponding to a decision point; and reporting said directional information by region, when said origin is within a predetermined radius of a corresponding decision point.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method according to claim 8 , wherein said step of reporting directional information by region comprises the steps of: determining a decision point closest to said origin; and reporting parts of said directional information needed for navigation when said origin is within a close proximity of said closest decision point.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the step of: displaying said directional information in a basic highway sign format.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 10 , wherein said highway sign format only includes at least one destination and a mileage designation to at least one of said destinations.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 10 , wherein said highway sign format only includes at least one destination and at least one directional indication associated with at least one of said destinations.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method according to claim 12 , wherein said highway sign format further includes a mileage designation to at least one of said destinations.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method according to claim 10 , wherein said step of displaying includes the step of: displaying icons associated with a destination in close proximity to the associated destination, said icons identifying services, attributes, or features of the associated destination.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the steps of: displaying at least one destination in a selectable format; receiving a destination selected by a user; and displaying detailed directional information corresponding to the selected destination.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method according to claim 15 , wherein said selectable format includes at least one of: a touch selectable format, a voice selectable format, a web browser selectable format, and any of pushbutton, trackball, mouse, and keyboard selectable formats.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 50 words

The method according to claim 15 , wherein said step of receiving a destination comprises the step of: receiving at least one of an audible selection, a touch selection, a dialog box selection, a pushbutton, trackball, mouse, and keyboard selection elicited by said step of displaying at least one destination.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the steps of: displaying a map of an area within a predetermined proximity of said origin; and placing directional indicators on said map indicating any of routes and partial routes to each of said destinations.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method according to claim 18 , wherein said step of reporting further comprises the step of: identifying a location and current travel direction of said origin.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method according to claim 18 , wherein said step of reporting further comprises the step of: identifying a location and current travel direction of said origin; wherein said origin represents a location of a vehicle.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method according to claim 18 , wherein said step of displaying a map comprises the step of: displaying said map at a level at or above a level of a road currently being traveled at said origin.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the steps of: formatting an audio file having said directional information; and playing said audio file to a user.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 22 , wherein said audio file is in at least one of .WAV, Microsoft® sound file, MP3, real audio, a streaming audio format, and other audio formats.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method according to claim 22 , wherein said audio file is prepared using a text-to-speech generator.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the steps of: performing a text-to-speech conversion of the directional information computed; and playing the converted speech.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the step of: writing said directional information to a file.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 26 , wherein said file is at least one of ASCII, HTML, VRML, Excel®, Quattro Pro®, Microsoft Word®, WordPerfect®, and other application readable formats.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method according to claim 26 , wherein said step of reporting further comprises the step of: sending said file over a network to a client device.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method according to claim 28 , wherein said network comprises at least one of an intranet, LAN, WAN, a telephony based communication medium, a satellite based communications medium, the Internet, and World Wide Web.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 37 words

The method according to claim 28 , wherein said client device comprises at least one of a portable computing device, including any of notebook or palm pilot type computing devices, a cellular phone, and a navigation device.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the step of displaying said directional information on a display of a device.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method according to claim 31 , wherein said device is one of a computer, a notebook computer, a palm pilot type device, a cellular phone, a hand-held navigation device, and a vehicle mounted navigation device.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting includes the step of sending audio information representing said directional information to one of a cellular phone, a computer, a notebook computer, a palm pilot type device, a hand-held navigation device, and a vehicle mounted navigation device.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the step of: reporting said directional information continuously.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of computing directional information comprises at least one of: applying a route determination method to data corresponding to at least said origin and each of said destinations; and formatting results of said route determination method as said directional information.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 35 , wherein said route determination method is at least one of pathfinding, an application of Dijkstra's algorithm, and other route determination methods applied to said data.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method according to claim 35 , wherein said data is a directed graph having nodes and links representing each of streets, highways, and other navigable roads within a predetermined radius of said origin.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method according to claim 37 , wherein said data is stored in a database and then loaded into a memory for application of said route determination method.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 35 , further comprising the steps of: determining decision points associated with said directional information; and displaying said directional information in close proximity to said decision points.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: determining decision points associated with said directional information.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of computing directional information comprises the steps of: identifying an origin tile associated with said origin and a set of at least one destination tiles associated with each of said destinations; and performing a route determination method between said origin and each of said destinations located in a same tile as said origin tile.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method according to claim 41 , wherein said step of computing directional information further comprises the step of: formatting results of said route determination method as said directional information.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method according to claim 41 , wherein said route determination method comprises at least one of pathfinding, an application of Dikjstra's algorithm, and other route determination methods.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 129 words

The method according to claim 41 , wherein said step of computing directional information further comprises the steps of: performing an origin/exit point route determination method between said origin and each exit point located in a same tile as said origin tile; looking up routing information between the origin tile and a tile associated with each destination not in the same tile as said origin tile; and performing an entrance point/destination route determination method between entrance points of each destination tile and each destination in the destination tiles; selecting a best route or partial route from results of each of said origin/exit point route determination, said routing information looked up, and said entrance point/destination route determination; and formatting the selected best route or partial route as said directional information.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 31 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination comprises the step of: retrieving at least one destination from a database.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method according to claim 45 , wherein said step of retrieving at least one destination comprises the step of: retrieving destinations from said database that are within a predetermined cost of said origin.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method according to claim 45 , wherein said step of retrieving at least one destination comprises the step of: retrieving destinations from said database having a predetermined amount of importance relative to other destinations in said database.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 66 words

The method according to claim 47 , wherein importance of the determined destinations is based on at least one of yearly traffic volume, seasonal traffic volume, daily traffic volume, traffic volume during a same time frame that said method is being performed, radius from said origin, population of a city, value of a landmark, capacity of routes to the retrieved destinations, and any available traffic information.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 48 , wherein said daily traffic volume corresponds to a similar day of the week that said method is being performed.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method according to claim 45 , further comprising the step of: excluding destinations having less than a predetermined historical traffic volume on a same day, time, or season as at least one of a day, time, or season that said method is being performed, or is indicated by a user of said method.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 46 , wherein said predetermined cost is at least one of estimated travel time, distance, travel expenses, or a level corresponding to said origin.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 48 words

The method according to claim 45 , wherein said destinations are at least one of routes intersecting a route being traversed by a user at said origin, and entrance points and exit points selected from a pre-calculated set of entrance points and exit points stored in said database.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said destinations include at least one of freeways, highways, streets, and other routes.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of: prioritizing each destination based on an evaluation criteria.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method according to claim 54 , wherein said evaluation criteria comprises at least one of a traffic volume associated with each destination, and a number or volume of connections that can be made by a route intersecting a route being traversed by said origin.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination comprises the step of: calculating at least one entrance point or one exit point from data contained in a database.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method according to claim 45 , wherein said step of retrieving destinations, comprises the step of: retrieving an identification of tiles within a predetermined cost of a tile containing said origin.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method according to claim 57 , further comprising the step of: selecting retrieved tiles as destinations based on at least one of average yearly travel volumes, seasonal travel volumes, and weekday/weekend travel volumes associated with the retrieved tiles.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the steps of: prioritizing the determined destinations; and eliminating destinations not reaching a predetermined prioritization level.

Claim 61

Dependent Claim 52 words

The method according to claim 59 , wherein said step of prioritizing includes the step of: reading a user profile that identifies a priority of types of destinations; and prioritizing the determined destinations based on a type of each destination and a priority level of each destination type in said user profile.

Claim 62

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method according to claim 59 , further comprising the steps of: displaying a user profile in a user modifiable interface; and storing priorities of destination types based on user inputs to the user-modifiable interface.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method according to claim 45 , further comprising the steps of: prioritizing the retrieved destinations; and eliminating destinations not reaching a predetermined prioritization level.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method according to claim 45 , further comprising the steps of: receiving a selection of at least one of said destinations retrieved; and reporting specific directional information corresponding to each of the selected destinations.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method according to claim 63 , further comprising the step of repeating said steps of receiving and reporting after said origin changes position.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method according to claim 63 , wherein said step of receiving a selection comprises the steps of: reporting a set of at least one of said destinations; and receiving an indication from a user of the selected destinations.

Claim 67

Dependent Claim 53 words

The method according to claim 65 , wherein said step of reporting a set of at least one of said destinations comprises: sending at least one of a web based communication to a client web browser, a computer readable communication to a client computer, and a transmission readable by a remote wireless device.

Claim 68

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination comprises the steps of: locating a tile corresponding to said origin; and retrieving exit points and destinations associated with said tile corresponding to said origin.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 51 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination comprises the steps of: receiving a user communication identifying at least one class of destinations; and retrieving exit points, entrance points, and destinations associated with said at least one class of destinations.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 77 words

The method according to claim 68 , wherein said at least one class of destinations is chosen from a list including any of gas stations, repair facilities, hospitals, banks, ATM machines, shopping malls, grocery stores, convenience stores, other store types, restaurants, highway entrances and exits, cities, parking lots, mass transit stations, campgrounds, public restrooms, government buildings, police stations, call boxes, public telephones, schools, libraries, points of interest, tourist attractions, stadiums, or any other type of classifiable location.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method according to claim 69 , further comprising the steps of: prioritizing said class of destinations; and eliminating destinations not reaching a predetermined prioritization level.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of receiving information comprises the step of: receiving data from a position locating device indicating a location of said origin.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method according to claim 71 , wherein said step of receiving data is performed at any one of a predetermined interval and after the location of said origin changes.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of receiving information comprises the step of: reading a file having information identifying a location of said origin stored therein.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of receiving information comprises the step of: receiving a communication from a user containing a location of said origin.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of receiving information comprises the steps of: sending a query to one of a user and a position-locating device; and receiving a response to said query having information indicating a location of said origin.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 49 words

The method according to claim 75 , wherein: said step of sending a query to a user comprises the step of sending an Internet communication to said user; and said step of receiving a response to said query comprises the step of receiving an Internet communication from said user.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method according to claim 76 , wherein said Internet communication sent to said user comprises at least one of an HTML formatted document, a Java® language applet, or other Internet browser compatible communication.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 33 words

The method according to claim 77 , wherein said Internet communication includes data for placing one of a dialog box, question line, and other query mechanism at a display screen of said user.

Claim 80

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method according to claim 76 , wherein said step of receiving a response comprises the step of: receiving a response formatted according to information included in said Internet communication sent to said user.

Claim 81

Dependent Claim 30 words

The method according to claim 75 , wherein said step of receiving a response comprises the step of: receiving an audible response from said user having information indicating said origin.

Claim 82

Dependent Claim 23 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method is performed by a one of a navigation device and a position-locating device.

Claim 83

Dependent Claim 40 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said method is performed on at least one of a computing device, a portable computing device, a hand-held computing device, a palm pilot type device, a navigation device, and a cellular phone.

Claim 84

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one general destination includes identifying roads in proximity to a city center.

Claim 85

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one general destination includes the steps of: identifying a map record that includes a city center and does not include a current location; identifying roads in said map record that cross a boundary of said map record; and reporting said roads as destinations.

Claim 86

Dependent Claim 174 words

The method according to claim 1 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one general destination includes the steps of: set a generalization level as a top level; acquiring position of an auto and of a city center; acquiring a first map record ID for said auto; acquiring a second map record ID for said city center; determining whether said first map record ID is identical to said second map record ID; reporting said city center as a destination if said first map record ID is identical to said second map record ID said generalization level is a lowest level; decreasing said generalization level if said first map record ID is identical to said second map record ID and said generalization level is not a lowest level; retrieving a map record for said city center if said first map record ID is not identical to said second map record ID; identifying roads in said map record that cross a boundary of said map record; and reporting said roads as destinations.

Claim 87

Dependent Claim 69 words

One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming a processor to perform a method comprising the steps of: receiving information indicating an origin; determining a set of at least one destination without receiving an indication of a specific destination; computing directional information between said origin and each destination; and reporting said directional information.

Claim 88

Dependent Claim 69 words

One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming a processor to perform a method comprising the steps of: receiving information indicating an origin; determining a set of at least one destination without receiving an indication of a specific destination; computing directional information between said origin and each destination; and reporting said directional information.

Claim 89

Dependent Claim 65 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one general destination includes the steps of: identifying a map record that includes a city center and does not include a current location; identifying roads in said map record that cross a boundary of said map record; and reporting said roads as destinations.

Claim 90

Dependent Claim 32 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said set of at least one destination includes one of a final destination and a waypoint to a destination.

Claim 91

Dependent Claim 56 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of reporting directional information by region comprises the steps of: determining a decision point closest to said origin; and reporting parts of said directional information needed for navigation when said origin is within a close proximity of said closest decision point.

Claim 92

Dependent Claim 49 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of reporting directional information by region comprises the steps of: determining a decision point closest to said origin; and continuously reporting directional information needed for navigation from said origin to said closest decision point.

Claim 93

Dependent Claim 31 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the step of: displaying said directional information in a basic highway sign format.

Claim 94

Dependent Claim 37 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 91 , wherein said highway sign format only includes at least one destination and at least one directional indication associated with at least one of said destinations.

Claim 95

Dependent Claim 46 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the steps of: displaying at least one destination in a selectable format; receiving a destination selected by amuser; and displaying detailed directional information corresponding to the selected destination.

Claim 96

Dependent Claim 53 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of reporting comprises the steps of: displaying a map of an area within a predetermined proximity of said origin; and placing directional indicators on said map indicating any of routes and partial routes to each of said destinations.

Claim 97

Dependent Claim 35 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 94 , wherein said step of reporting further comprises the step of: identifying a location and current travel direction of said origin on said map.

Claim 98

Dependent Claim 34 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said computer is one of a portable computer, a laptop computer, a palm computer, a cellular phone, and a navigation device.

Claim 99

Dependent Claim 55 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of computing directional information comprises at least one step of: applying a route determination method to data corresponding to at least said origin and each of said destinations; and formatting results of said route determination method as said directional information.

Claim 100

Dependent Claim 31 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said destinations are any one of a final destinations and waypoints between said origin and said final destination.

Claim 101

Dependent Claim 37 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 98 , wherein said route determination method is at least one of pathfinding, an application of Dikjstra's algorithm, and other route determination methods applied to said data.

Claim 102

Dependent Claim 69 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of computing directional information comprises the steps of: identifying a origin tile associated with said origin and a set of at least one destination tiles associated with each of said destinations; and performing a route determination method between said origin and each of said destinations located in a same tile as said origin tile.

Claim 103

Dependent Claim 128 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 100 , wherein said step of computing directional information further comprises the steps of: performing an origin/exit point route determination method between said origin and each of exit points located in a same tile as said origin tile; looking up routing information between the origin tile and a tile associated with each destination not in the same tile as said origin tile; and performing a entrance point/destination route determination method between entrance points of each destination tile and each destination in the destination tiles; selecting a best route from results of each of said origin/exit point route determination, said routing information looked up, and said entrance point/destination route determination; and formatting the selected route as said directional information.

Claim 104

Dependent Claim 42 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination comprises the step of: retrieving destinations from a database that are within a predetermined cost of said origin.

Claim 105

Dependent Claim 56 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 102 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination further comprises the steps of: reading a user profile providing importance data regarding said destinations; and modulating the retrieved destinations by any of at least ranking elimination based on the user profile.

Claim 106

Dependent Claim 59 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 102 , further comprising the step of: excluding destinations having less than a predetermined historical traffic volume on a same day, time, or season as at least one of a day, time, or season that said method is being performed, or is indicated by a user of said method.

Claim 107

Dependent Claim 49 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination comprises the steps of: locating a tile corresponding to said origin; and retrieving exit points and destinations associated with said tile corresponding to said origin.

Claim 108

Dependent Claim 56 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of determining a set of at least one destination comprises the steps of: receiving a user communication identifying at least one class of destinations; and retrieving exit points, entrance points, and destinations associated with said at least one class of destinations.

Claim 109

Dependent Claim 82 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 106 , wherein said at least one class of destinations is chosen from a list including any of gas stations, repair facilities, hospitals, banks, ATM machines, shopping malls, grocery stores, convenience stores, other store types, restaurants, highway entrances and exits, cities, parking lots, mass transit stations, campgrounds, public restrooms, government buildings, police stations, call boxes, public telephones, schools, libraries, points of interest, tourist attractions, stadiums, or any other type of classifiable location.

Claim 110

Dependent Claim 32 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 107 , further comprising the step of ranking each destination at least in part based on a rank of each destination class.

Claim 111

Dependent Claim 35 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of receiving information comprises the step of: receiving data from a position locating device indicating a location of said origin.

Claim 112

Dependent Claim 34 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of receiving information comprises the step of: receiving a communication from a user containing a location of said origin.

Claim 113

Dependent Claim 46 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 86 , wherein said step of receiving information comprises the steps of: sending a query to a user; and receiving a response to said query from said user having information indicating a location of said origin.

Claim 114

Dependent Claim 54 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 111 , wherein: said step of sending a query to a user comprises the step of sending an Internet communication to said user; and said step of receiving a response to said query comprises the step of receiving an Internet communication from said user.

Claim 115

Dependent Claim 39 words

One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 112 , wherein said Internet communication sent to said user comprises at least one of an HTML formatted document, a Java® language applet, or other Internet browser compatible communication.

Claim 116

Independent Claim 65 words

An apparatus for providing direction information, comprising: an origin locator configured to determine a location of an origin; a destination mechanism configured to determine a set of at least one destination without information regarding any specific destination; a directions finding device configured to compute directional information from said origin to each of said destinations; and a report mechanism configured to report the directional information computed.

Claim 117

Independent Claim 65 words

An apparatus for providing direction information, comprising: an origin locator configured to determine a location of an origin; a destination mechanism configured to determine a set of at least one destination without information regarding any specific destination; a directions finding device configured to compute directional information from said origin to each of said destinations; and a report mechanism configured to report the directional information computed.

Claim 118

Dependent Claim 56 words

The device according to claim 114 , further comprising: a decision point mechanism configured to determine at least one decision point closest to said origin; wherein said report mechanism is further configured to report only parts of said directional information needed for navigation when said origin is within a close proximity of said closest decision point.

Claim 119

Dependent Claim 27 words

The device according to claim 115 , wherein said close proximity is determined based on any of distance to and estimated time to said closest decision point.

Claim 120

Dependent Claim 25 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein: said report mechanism is further configured to report said directional information in a basic highway sign format.

Claim 121

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device according to claim 117 , wherein: said highway sign format only includes at least one destination and at least one directional indication associated with at least one of said destinations.

Claim 122

Dependent Claim 59 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein: said report mechanism includes, a display device configured to display at least one destination in a selectable format, a selection mechanism configured to receive a destination selected by a user, and said report mechanism is further configured to display detailed directional information corresponding to the selected destination on said display device.

Claim 123

Dependent Claim 38 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein: said reporting mechanism is further configured to report a map of an area within a predetermined proximity of said origin having directional indicators indicating routes to each of said destinations.

Claim 124

Dependent Claim 44 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein said direction finding device includes a direction component that performs at least one of pathfinding, an application of Dikjstra's algorithm, and other route determination methods applied to said origin and at least one of said destinations.

Claim 125

Dependent Claim 50 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein: said destination mechanism includes, a reception device configured to receive a user communication identifying at least one class of destinations, and a destination identifier configured to retrieve exit points, entrance points, and destinations associated with said at least one class of destinations.

Claim 126

Dependent Claim 77 words

The device according to claim 122 , wherein said at least one class of destinations is chosen from a list including any of gas stations, repair facilities, hospitals, banks, ATM machines, shopping malls, grocery stores, convenience stores, other store types, restaurants, highway entrances and exits, cities, parking lots, mass transit stations, campgrounds, public restrooms, government buildings, police stations, call boxes, public telephones, schools, libraries, points of interest, tourist attractions, stadiums, or any other type of classifiable location.

Claim 127

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein said origin locator comprises at least one of a Global Position System, Satellite Navigation System, Loran, Automatic Direction Finder, Radio Direction Finder, or other position finding mechanism.

Claim 128

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein: said origin locator includes a reception device configured to receive a communication from a user containing a location of said origin.

Claim 129

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein: said origin locator comprises a server configured to send a query to a user and receive a response to said query from said user.

Claim 130

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device according to claim 126 , wherein said query and said response are Internet communications comprising at least one of an HTML formatted document, a Java language applet, or other Internet browser compatible communication.

Claim 131

Dependent Claim 29 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein said computer is one of a portable computer, a laptop computer, a palm computer, a cellular phone, and a navigation device.

Claim 132

Dependent Claim 54 words

The device according to claim 114 , wherein said destination mechanism performs a method comprising the steps of: identifying a map record that includes a city center and does not include a current location; identifying roads in said map record that cross a boundary of said map record; and reporting said roads as destinations.

Claim 133

Independent Claim 43 words

A method, comprising the steps of: receiving information indicating a destination; determining a set of two or more possible origins without receiving an indication of a specific origin; computing directional information between said destination and each possible origin; and reporting said directional information.

Claim 134

Independent Claim 43 words

A method, comprising the steps of: receiving information indicating a destination; determining a set of two or more possible origins without receiving an indication of a specific origin; computing directional information between said destination and each possible origin; and reporting said directional information.

Claim 135

Dependent Claim 46 words

A method according to claim 130 , wherein: said step of determining a set of two or more possible origins includes comparing a current location to a set of potential origins and selecting a subset of said potential origins which are closest to said current location.

Claim 136

Dependent Claim 18 words

A method according to claim 130 , wherein: said step of computing takes into account current traffic information.

Claim 137

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method according to claim 130 , wherein: said set of two or more possible origins includes a plurality of cities.

Claim 138

Dependent Claim 21 words

A method according to claim 130 , wherein: said set of two or more possible origins includes a plurality of roads.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2007-11-30	2008-05-31	2008-11-30	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2011-11-30	2012-05-31	2012-11-30	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2015-11-30	2016-05-31	2016-11-30	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus to generate driving guides

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