(12) United States Patent
`Durocher et al.
`
`USOO6381535B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,381,535 B1
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`(54) INTERACTIVE PROCESS FOR USE ASA
`NAVIGATIONAL AID AND DEVICE FOR ITS
`IMPLEMENTATION
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`AM
`(75) Inventors: St. Michel purcher, Sophie
`Ommelet, both o
`Saint-Germain-en-Laye (FR)
`(73) Assignee: Webraska Mobile Technologies, Poissy
`(FR)
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`(21) Appl. No.:
`09/402,588
`(22) PCT Filed:
`Mar. 20, 1998
`(86) PCT No.:
`PCT/FR98/00557
`S371 Date:
`Sep. 8, 2000
`S 102(e) Date: Sep. 8, 2000
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: WO98/45823
`PCT Pub. Date: Oct. 15, 1998
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Apr. 8, 1997
`(FR) ............................................ 97 O4259
`(51) Int. Cl................................................. G08G 1/127
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................
`701/202; 701/207; 701/208
`(58) Field of Search ...
`
`- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 701/201, 202,
`
`701/205, 207, 208, 209, 211
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4.954,958 A * 9/1990 Savage et al. .............. 364/444
`
`
`
`5/1994 Tamai ........................ 364/449
`5,311,434. A
`5,508.917 A * 4/1996 Siegle et al. ........... 364/424.02
`5,543,789 A * 8/1996 Behr et al................... 340/995
`5,839,086 A 11/1998 Hirano ....................... 701/201
`5,926,118 A * 7/1999 Hayashida et al. ......... 340/995
`5,928.307 A * 7/1999 Oshizawa et al. .......... 701/210
`6,199,045 B1 * 3/2001 Giniger et al. ................. 705/1
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Michael J. Zanelli
`ASSistant Examiner Eric M Gibson
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Pennie & Edmonds LLP
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`The invention relates to a System to be used as an aid in
`navigation comprising a mobile terminal (1, 2) connected to
`a centralized server (5), and more specifically to the
`improvements required to convert a portable radiotelephone
`(1) into a complete and precise navigational aid System. The
`invention is characterized by the fact that the itinerary
`requests of the mobile terminal (1, 2) are transmitted to a
`centralized server (5) by a radio relay link, and by the fact
`that the server (5), which contains the necessary carto
`graphic and program data, calculates the itinerary requested
`and transmits to the mobile terminal (1,2) the data concern
`ing the Straight line and arc Segments that constitute the
`itinerary, thereby permitting real-time guidance. The inven
`tion is further characterized by the fact that the server (5)
`evaluates the possibility of the craft deviating from its
`course, as well as by the fact that the server (5) also
`calculates and transmits the data concerning the Segments of
`possible deviation itineraries in an area of proximity to the
`main itinerary. The invention can be applied in particular to
`automotive vehicles.
`
`18 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`Instacart, Ex. 1041
`
`1
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`
`
`Apr.30, 2002
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`US 6,381,535 B1
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`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of 4
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`US 6,381,535 B1
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`F.G. 1
`FIG. 1
`
`2
`
`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 6,381,535 B1
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`17
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`y
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`17
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`FLASH-EPROM
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`MICROCONTR
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`16
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`13
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`14
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`15
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`POWER
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`SENSOR
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`DIRECTION
`SENSOR
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`A fo
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`Df A
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`PROCESSING
`UNIT
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`FG. 2
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`3
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 6,381,535 B1
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`Mobile terminal: Enter request with
`destination and optimization method
`
`Obtain positi
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`Transmit request and position
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`28
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`29
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`25
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`26
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`Server: calculate optimal itinerary and
`identify itinerary segments according
`to the request and position
`
`Determine roads intersecting with
`1 itinerary and identify those a vehicle is
`likely to take
`
`
`
`
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`Starting from each identified route,
`calculate a proximity area including
`30 -1 the segments of the new itinerary to
`take in order to reach destination
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`31
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`32
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`proximity area
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`N tore segments of the itinerary and
`l
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`
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`Transmit answer containing segments
`of itinerary and of itineraries of the
`proximity area
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`-
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`
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`Mobile Terminal: store segments
`and continue with the processing
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`33
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`FIG. 3
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`4
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 6,381,535 B1
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`Obtain position
`
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`Position
`on segments of
`the itinerary
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`YES
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`34
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`Position
`on segments of
`proximity area
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`35
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`36
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`Transmit position to
`server and obtain new
`itinerary
`
`Read itinerary from
`proximity area
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`Use new itinerary
`
`
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`Display position on graphic
`representation of segments of the
`itinerary and update length of
`journey
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`
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`Position
`close to a change
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`41
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`YES
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`- 42
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`Display f transmit guidance
`message
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`FIG. 4
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`5
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`US 6,381.535 B1
`
`1
`INTERACTIVE PROCESS FOR USE ASA
`NAVIGATIONAL AID AND DEVICE FOR ITS
`IMPLEMENTATION
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to a navigational System connected
`to a centralized Server and, more specifically, to the improve
`ments required to convert a terminal (for instance a radio
`telephone or an electronic organizer) into a navigational aid
`System, particularly for automotive vehicles.
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`2
`CD-ROM, with the disadvantages of a difficult updating and
`an increase in the cost, Size and manageability of the
`navigational System.
`To offset Such disadvantages, earlier State-of-the-art has
`Systems describing the partial use of a central cartographic
`data base linked by radio to the vehicle.
`Some Systems advocate complete transmittance of the
`cartographic data, which requires a very wide band or else
`imposes very long transmittance periods, given that data
`transfer on the GSM network is presently done at 9.6 kbits/s.
`Other Systems propose transferring part of the data at the
`beginning, then on a regular basis according to the position
`of the terminal. This limits real-time usage of the data
`(calculating the length of the journey, the distance to be
`covered, complete visual display of the itinerary).
`Other partial Systems propose transmitting only the itin
`erary and the length of the journey, calculated by the central
`with eventual graphic elements for the display of interSec
`tions. Such Systems are of little value in real-time, and the
`guidance is inadequate, particularly because diversions
`(blocked roads, missed exits, etc.), Some of the most stress
`ful events for a driver, are impossible to manage.
`To allow for real in-car guidance, in particular with the aid
`of a portable telephone, Systems using a central data carto
`graphic base are therefore lacking in the means by which the
`navigational System could guide the driver even if he
`deviated from the route as first planned, for instance in the
`case of road works, blocked Streets, traffic Slowdowns or any
`other hitches or errors due to absent-mindedness. So, in the
`present State-of-the-art, either the complete data of the areas
`through which the driver journeys are transmitted to the
`terminal for local calculation, or the driver has to query the
`Server again, with all the ensuing delays, if only for the
`initial time required to establish a new connection.
`Also missing in the Systems using a centralized database
`described above are the means by which the driver could
`Visualize his position in connection with general geographic
`landmarks without, in the process, overloading transmit
`tance by Sending details irrelevant to his itinerary.
`Also missing are the means which would provide the
`driver, in real-time, in text, graphic or Voice form, with the
`directions to follow at every crossroads, the means allowing
`the driver to give his order Verbally without a voice recog
`nition System; the means allowing the navigational System to
`calculate locally and in real-time the estimated length of the
`journey and time of arrival; the means to obtain the exact
`position of the vehicle without using additional radio receiv
`erS or Satellites for the pick-up of the differential signals, the
`means to optimize the itinerary in real-time without using
`any additional radio receivers or Satellites for the pick-up of
`traffic data.
`Finally, earlier State-of-the-art navigational Systems are
`lacking in the devices required for converting a portable
`telephone or an electronic organizer into a real and complete
`navigational System.
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Over the years, different types of navigational aid Systems
`and of data access have been developed particularly for
`automotive vehicles. These systems make the driver's work
`easier by calculating the best itinerary (the shortest, fastest,
`Simplest, or least expensive, etc.) to reach his destination and
`thereby spare him the trouble of reading a map while
`driving. These Systems are particularly useful when driving
`in unfamiliar areas or for choosing the shortest course
`considering real-time road conditions (road works, traffic,
`demonstrations, weather, etc.).
`Earlier State-of-the-art includes Systems with integrated
`large Screens which make it easier to read maps in vehicle
`integrated terminals dedicated to automotive navigation.
`These expensive devices have the capability to calculate
`the position of the vehicle So as to display it on a road map.
`The position of the vehicle can be determined with the aid
`of satellite signals receivers (the GPS, for example) or
`inertial or else by triangulation of the Signals emanating
`from ground Stations (for example the base stations of a
`mobile telephone system such as GSM).
`Calculation of the position of a GPS receiver for example,
`is based on the position data provided by three or more
`Satellites and the delay of transmittance of these signals to
`the receiver. However, the accuracy of Such Systems is
`limited to about 100 meters, due partly to natural causes
`(weather variations, changes in the ionosphere, reflection on
`obstacles, etc.), and partly to deviations introduced deliber
`ately on the Signals for the civil use of Systems. Such as the
`GPS managed by the US Defense Department. To make up
`for this lack of accuracy, earlier State-of-the-art describes the
`use of differential GPS receivers, expensive devices that
`include an extra decoder, of the radio or Satellite type, to pick
`up signals providing corrective values, measured by a fixed
`Station that compares the real position of the Station to the
`position obtained from the Satellite Signals. In order to
`optimize real-time calculation of the itineraries, these navi
`gational Systems are Sometimes equipped with receivers
`picking up information on traffic conditions, for example the
`RDS system. These receivers further increase the cost of the
`in-car terminal.
`To make driving easier and Safe for the driver, the Systems
`are Sometimes fitted out with Voice recognition Systems
`and/or with a voice Synthesis System which further com
`plexify the navigational Systems since a microphone, a
`loudspeaker and at least one processor need to be added to
`carry out Voice recognition or Synthesis or both. In all cases,
`real-time Voice recognition and Synthesis are carried out
`locally. Most often, the processing capability and limited
`memory of the in-car Systems allow for the recognition of
`isolated words only.
`Finally, the cartographic data, which are essential for
`calculating itineraries and for displaying the position of the
`vehicle, are generally Stored locally, for example on
`
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to a navigational System to be
`applied to automotive vehicles for example, including a
`terminal equipped with the means of communication giving
`it access to a centralized Server through radio relay, Satellite
`or ground link, for example GSM, PCS, CDPD, SMS, PHS,
`CDMA, GMPCS. The server contains cartographic data and
`is capable of calculating itineraries. The Server does not
`necessarily possess itself the means of communication but
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`3
`can be linked, for example through Internet, to a gateway
`towards the radio relay network.
`The mobile terminal includes the means to choose start
`and destination points, to transmit a request including these
`points, and to ask the centralized Server to calculate the best
`itinerary according to criteria Selected by the user (the
`fastest, Simplest, least expensive, Shortest, with or without
`highways, the most pleasant, going through Such or Such
`intermediary points, by foot, on a bicycle, by metro, in a bus,
`etc).
`The terminal also includes the means to determine auto
`matically the position of the vehicle, either by using a
`Satellite locating System of the GPS type or an equivalent, or
`by using the base Station triangulation System of a cellular
`telephony network, or through any other method.
`The Start position which is part of the itinerary request is
`preferably that of the vehicle as determined in an automatic
`manner, entering the Start address by hand is thus bypassed.
`The invention is characterized by the fact that the cen
`tralized Server transmits the itinerary in vector form, that is,
`Straight line and arc Segments, including, for each Segment,
`at least the latitude and longitude coordinates of its extremi
`ties (or of at least one, since the other one can be determined
`by checking where begins the next segment), thereby allow
`ing a local graphic yield and the positioning of the terminal
`on the itinerary and eventually the type of road (Street,
`boulevard, national, highway, etc), which in turn makes the
`transmission of messages easier. The Server also transmits
`typical information for that type of road, the average speed
`expected on the road, if different from the normalized speed
`for that type of road, thereby allowing the mobile terminal
`to estimate in real-time the length of the rest of the journey,
`and the name of the road, thus making it possible to transmit
`Suitable messages. Other information may also be
`transmitted, Such as which way the Street runs, the height
`allowable on the Streets, etc.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`navigational System includes in the vehicle itself the means
`by which to pick up this information and to Store it, the
`means to obtain on a regular basis the position of the vehicle,
`to display the position of the vehicle on a map, on the base
`of the received Segments, to calculate in real-time the
`estimated time of arrival, to transmit guidance or informa
`tion messages relevant to the position, in text, graphic or
`Sound form. Thus, a few Seconds before a change of direc
`tion (according to a programmable delay), the mobile ter
`minal can transmit messages Such as: “take the Second to the
`right, Montrouge street”, “in 2 km, take exit 106, towards
`Eastman', etc.
`The invention is also characterized by the fact that in
`addition to the itinerary, the Server transmits to the terminal
`the route Segments crossing the itinerary, as well as, if
`possible, the type of priority of each of the crossroads (stop,
`lights, priority to the right, etc.) plus, if possible and when
`required, data allowing identification of the destination to
`which the intersection leads (for instance, the name of the
`main towns/cities to which the road leads).
`The invention is also characterized by the fact that the
`centralized Service estimates the possibility of the vehicle
`deviating from its course and taking one or the other of the
`crossroads. For one, Several or each of the possible
`deviations, the centralized Service calculates and also trans
`mits to the terminal the best alternative itinerary for the
`driver to follow in order to reach his destination, thus
`establishing an area of proximity information around the
`itinerary. According to a programmable parameter, the pro
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`US 6,381.535 B1
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`4
`ceSS can be repeated So as to provide a third, fourth, etc level
`of itinerary in case the vehicle deviates from one of the
`recommendations of the preceding level.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`navigational System includes, inside the vehicle, the means
`required to verify the position of the vehicle compared to the
`planned itinerary, to determine if the vehicle has taken one
`of the interSections instead of the recommended course and,
`in that case, to advise the driver that the precalculated
`Secondary route is now used, if one is available, and to give
`instructions based on this Secondary route.
`If a Secondary itinerary is not available, or if the vehicle
`deviates from the new recommended itinerary, or for each
`level of pre-stored itinerary, one of the third (or umpteenth)
`levels of transmitted itineraries, then the mobile terminal,
`after informing the driver, contacts the centralized Server
`automatically and transmits the position, asking the Server
`for a new itinerary to reach the original destination.
`There are multiple advantages to the transfer of informa
`tion on which crossroads and itineraries to follow in case of
`deviations or driving errors. Among other things, no pro
`gram of local calculation of itinerary is required, thereby
`Simplifying the in-car guidance program; also, the degree of
`capability required for processing and memory is lower, plus
`it reduces the cost of the mobile terminal. This allows an
`enriched Visual display by indicating crossroads and nearby
`roads, it makes it possible to recommend immediately and
`without delay a new itinerary in the case of deviations, to
`display at all times a graphic representation of alternative
`routes according to the position of the terminal, thereby
`making it possible to estimate autonomously and rapidly the
`impact of detouring, for instance to drive by an incident
`(slowdown, accident, blocked road, etc).
`The invention is also characterized by the fact that the
`Server can save the information (itinerary, proximity area,
`etc) transmitted to the mobile terminal, that it can obtain
`information regularly on road conditions (traffic,
`demonstrations, road works) and/or weather conditions, that
`it can verify regularly if the information affects the itinerary
`or its proximity area and, if it does, to transmit this infor
`mation to the mobile terminal and, if useful, for instance
`when a traffic jam can be bypassed, it can also transmit a
`new itinerary to the mobile terminal, which then informs the
`driver of the change and guides him through the deviation.
`The advantage is that no additional receiver for the
`pick-up of traffic information is required in the vehicle,
`thereby reducing the cost of the in-car system. If the mobile
`terminal transmits its position to the Server at regular
`intervals, the server will take this into account to verify if a
`traffic or weather incident is really relevant before advising
`the mobile terminal. The server can also consult the mobile
`terminal on its position So as to Verify if the changes are
`important before transmitting this new information.
`The mobile terminal can also be equipped with traffic data
`receivers and, on its own, make the necessary adjustments to
`allow a new estimation of the length of the journey and also
`Verify if any of the deviations of its proximity area are more
`advantageous. It can also ask the Server if there is a new and
`more advantageous itinerary given these new real-time
`weather conditions.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`server can have in stock or be linked to other servers which
`have in Stock, display data, for instance Stills or video
`images of crossroads, or information allowing the tridimen
`Sional projection of the View a driver following the indicated
`itinerary would have of a crossroads, by the fact that the
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`S
`Server transmits the information to the terminal, where they
`are Stored, and by the fact that the mobile terminal can
`present the displays at the appropriate time according to its
`position. This is particularly useful in case of doubt, or of
`errors in estimating the position and, in particular, at croSS
`roads or traffic circles where, 3, 4 or 5 roads croSS each other.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`Server can have a database or be connected to other Servers
`with a database holding general information relevant to the
`itinerary, Such as gas Stations, restaurants, hotels, tourist,
`historical or geographic information. The Server can trans
`mit this information to the mobile terminal when the itin
`erary is requested or on request during the journey.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`driver's real-time information or guidance messages can be
`done in audio form. The advantage is that it makes the
`driver's work easier, thus making navigation Safer because
`the driver is not required to keep a constant eye on the
`terminal Screen. It also allows the use of a terminal with
`limited display capacities, for example a GSM phone with a
`4 line Screen or even an accessory without any display
`function, for example a telephone accessory Such as a
`hands-free kit for mobile telephones, the processing being
`done not in the telephone itself but in the accessory to which
`the telephone is grafted, the telephone then being used Solely
`as a communication module.
`These Sound messages can be generated by the Server
`according to the itinerary or the position of the terminal, be
`transmitted to the mobile terminal, either at the time of the
`initial request or during the journey, be Stored by the latter
`and, as is or in a combination, be played back at the
`appropriate time by the mobile terminal according to its
`position. The advantage is that it reduces the complexity and
`cost of the mobile terminal and also that the choice of
`language and the ergonomics of the dialogue are not frozen
`within the mobile terminal.
`These messages can also originate locally from a speech
`Synthesis System, at the appropriate time according to its
`position. This has the advantage of reducing the amount of
`information the Server transmits, but a voice Synthesis
`System is required.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`requests can be done in Voice form. The advantage is that it
`allows a Safer interface because it is less dangerous for the
`drivers who need to focus their attention on driving and keep
`their eyes on the road. This also makes it possible to control
`or consult the navigational System without having to Stop the
`vehicle. Thus, while driving, information Such as the
`remaining distance or time, the distance to the nearest gas
`Stations, hotels or restaurants, or a description of the Sur
`rounding tourist area (Such as “what is that castle on the
`right?”) etc, can be obtained.
`So, the mobile terminal digitizes voice and extracts
`parameters from it for analysis, after which the mobile
`terminal transmits the parameters to the Server, in general
`along with its position. The Server then proceeds with the
`recognition, Searching with the aid of a word list or pho
`nemes bank, determines the object of the consultation and
`then transmits its answer to the mobile terminal.
`Local digitization and extraction of the analysis of param
`eters provide a Sampling covering an important part of the
`frequencies of the human Voice (a Sampling at the Nyquist
`frequency of 44 kHz for example). By analyzing and extract
`ing the parameters before transmittance to the Server, one
`avoids Speech distortions caused by the reduced bandwidth
`of the telephone channels (generally limited to 4 kHz) and
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`6
`by the Speech compressions effective in digital telephony
`(the Full Rate or Enhanced Full Rate coding, for example),
`distortions which make centralized voice recognition diffi
`cult to execute.
`So, Speaker-independent recognition of natural language
`becomes possible (rather than the recognition of isolated
`words from a speaker-dependent), the size of the vocabulary
`can also be larger and the centralized recognition System can
`possess a level of memory and a calculation capability that
`would be too prohibitive for installation in a vehicle. This is
`particularly important for automotive navigation where the
`number of cities, Streets, etc is generally higher than the size
`of the vocabularies that can be processed locally. Multilin
`gual and Speaker-independent recognition then becomes
`feasible.
`The advantage of transmitting all at once the analysis of
`the parameters and the position of the mobile terminal is that
`it totally frees the navigational System user (the driver) and
`makes his or her task easier. The risks of errors in the Voice
`recognition System are also lower Since only one request can
`be made at a time, thereby reducing the risks of StreSS and
`danger for the user at the wheel and allowing the Supply of
`information related to the immediate position.
`Of course, Voice recognition can also be done locally, with
`the advantage that it limits the amount of information
`eXchanged between the Server and the mobile terminal, but
`a more complex mobile terminal is required and limits are
`imposed on the performance of the Voice recognition Sys
`tem.
`The mobile terminal can use a SatelliteS positioning
`system, of the GPS type, for example.
`The accuracy of the position measured locally by the
`mobile terminal with the aid of Signals picked-up Simulta
`neously from the Satellites of a positioning System by
`satellites of the GPS type can be improved by using differ
`ential information, obtained from one or Several fixed
`Stations, whose position is known, picking-up Simulta
`neously the Signals of the Same Satellites. Generally, differ
`ential information comprise the distance measured (called
`pseudo-range) between the receiver of the fixed Station and
`each of the Satellites, and the real distance calculated from
`the known position of the fixed Station. The increased
`precision is due to the fact that over a distance of about 500
`km, the errors of a positioning System of the GPS type are
`very similar.
`The invention is characterized by the fact that differential
`information is transmitted by using the same radio relay
`network used for itinerary requests and answers. That way,
`there is no need to use another receiver (satellites, RDSIFM,
`etc) to pick-up differential information, thereby reducing the
`complexity and cost of the mobile terminal.
`The network is preferably of the GSM type, or of the
`GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communications by
`Satellite) and, preferably, Supports the transmittance of short
`messages of the SMS type.
`The invention is also characterized by the fact that dif
`ferential information can be transmitted by SMS from the
`Server to the mobile terminal, at regular intervals, for
`instance every 10 or 30 S. The advantage of using short
`messages of the SMS type is that they can be transmitted
`even when the radio link is being used during a
`telecommunication, which makes it easier to use the same
`network for the transmittance of differential requests,
`answers, corrections and avoids the use of a device dedi
`cated to the Sole reception of differential information.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`Server can be an Internet Server which makes its use possible
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`7
`on a World-wide basis, Since access to Internet is available
`throughout the world. The mode of connection being
`Standardized, the use of Several types of terminal is also
`possible. Furthermore, one can take advantage of the fact
`that Several Services which can be useful for people on the
`go are or will be available on Internet, of the fact that the
`Server will be able to access them after an agreement with
`the supplier of this information, and that it will be possible
`to Select the data while considering the position of the
`terminal. That way, all the data are not necessarily managed
`nor stored by the server.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`vehicle can transfer its position to the Server on a regular
`basis, that these positions can be Stored by the Server, and
`that the Server can provide one or Several third party
`terminals, including mobile ones, and in particular through
`Internet, with information on the position of the mobile
`terminal, at all times. This is particularly useful for locating
`the vehicle and for fleet management, making it possible to
`offer both navigational aid and fleet management Services, to
`offer the Services by Sharing cartographic data with Several
`companies which then do not need to each have their own
`complete System of fleet follow-up and management. Other
`information can be exchanged, Such as messages, the con
`dition of the vehicle, the length of the journey, Speed,
`weather, the number of turns per minute, the distance
`already traveled, etc.
`Preferably, the information supplied by the server to the
`third party terminal contains cartographic data in vectorial
`form corresponding to at least one position of the mobile
`terminal and includes a program for the display of this
`information by the third party terminal (a Java program, for
`example).
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`Server can receive requests for calculating itineraries from
`another terminal (mobile or not) and transfer the itineraries
`requested to the mobile terminal (and eventual further
`messages). This allows Several alternative ways of imple
`menting the Service. For instance, a perSon can make a
`connection through Internet or Minitel from his or her house
`or any other place, request an itinerary, provide the number
`of his or her portable telephone; the server will then transfer
`the appropriate itinerary and data to the telephone. Requests
`can also be made by telephone to an operator who consults
`the Server and transferS the itinerary to a mobile terminal, for
`example a terminal installed in a vehicle. Among other
`things, this makes it possible to use as a mobile terminal a
`portable telephone with a limited keyboard, on which enter
`ing an address would be rather fastidious. It also makes it
`possible to make Voice requests about itineraries while at the
`wheel of a car and allows usage even while driving, which
`is Safer and does not require a voice recognition System.
`The invention is further characterized by the fact that the
`programs of the mobile terminal (extraction of parameters
`for analysis, real-time guidance, graphic display, etc.) can be
`telecharged from the Server to be Stored and executed
`locally. This offers the advantage of a quick update of the
`programs when new functionalities become available or to
`correct errors. Another advantage is that it makes it possible
`for Several types of terminals to act as navigational aid
`Systems. It also allows the use of terminals with more
`limited Storage capacities, the programs being transferred
`only when required.
`The invention is characterized by the fact that a mobile
`telephone or an electronic organizer can function as mobile
`terminal for the navigational aid System. Using a telephone
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`US 6,381.535 B1
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`8
`or an electronic organizer has the advantage of limiting the
`number of devices in a vehicle and also of using a device that
`can be carried everywhere and employed for other functions,
`rather than a single device dedicated to automotive naviga
`tion. Its modulability makes it possible to Separate it from
`other components, for instance, analog-to-digital converter,
`Voice recognition, Synthesis, loudspeaker, remote
`microphone, etc. For instance, the map display function
`could prove very useful for pedestrians, with or without
`integrating the Sensor of a positioning System of the GPS
`type. The other interesting aspect of using a telephone or an
`electronic organizer detachable from the other components,
`including eventually the receiver of the GPS type, is that it
`is then possible for the driver to consult the server and to
`plan his trip from outside his vehicle, and eventually to
`inquire about road conditions before actually sitting behind
`the wheel. Once connected to a positioning receiver by
`Satellite in the vehicle, the telephone and electronic orga
`nizer can guide the driver during the complete itinerary.
`Moreover, using a portable telephone is an advantage
`because the owner of the telephone will be likely to buy a
`hands-free kit with an integrated receiver of the GPS type.
`Another advantage of using a portable telephone is that it
`comes with an integrated Screen and