US6317684B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device
Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
•
Filing: 1999-12-22
•
Granted: 2001-11-13
•
Expires: 2019-12-22
Abstract
Abstract The invention provides an apparatus and method for route planning and navigation using a portable communication device. A route planning and navigation unit receives a route request from a caller. The route planning and navigation unit checks the latest traffic/road condition data, long term map database, knowledge database, Internet resources, if necessary, and then determines the best route for the driver to reach the destination. The caller may also enter general destination information and be prompted to may a selection from the possible choices. The route planning and navigation unit may also provide exact location information to police officers and emergency personnel, if necessary. During the navigation phase, the caller may receive turn-by-turn navigation and reminders to change lanes in preparation for turns, etc. The route planning and navigation unit may monitor the caller's location, speed, and direction, and provide the caller with updates based on new traffic or road condition changes affecting the caller's route.
Inventors
- 👤 Armin Roeseler
- 👤 Yuming Huang
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01C; G01C21/00; G01C21/26; G01C21/34; G01C21/3407; G01C21/3415; G08; G08G; G08G1/00; G08G1/09; G08G1/0962; G08G1/0968; G08G1/0969
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination; and prompting the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, changing the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination; and prompting the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, changing the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the portable communication device is one of a cellular telephone, a wireless satellite phone, a pager, a portable computer, or a facsimile machine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the outputting step outputs the planned route by at least one of an audible output or by a text output.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 , further comprising: assigning a route ID to the caller's planned route; and storing the caller's planned route according to the route ID in a memory.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the caller's current position is determined by using one of a GPS satellite receiver located in the caller's portable communication device or a network triangulation technique.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the outputting step provides navigation instructions by one of a turn-by-turn basis or at the caller's request.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, wherein the receiving route data inputs step receives the caller's route data inputs via one of DTMF codes or speech recognition; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; and outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, wherein the receiving route data inputs step receives the caller's route data inputs via one of DTMF codes or speech recognition; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; and outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination; prompting the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, changing the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change; continuously monitoring traffic and road condition data from the real-time traffic data source; and providing the caller with updated traffic information based on information received from the real-time traffic source.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
167 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination; prompting the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, changing the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change; continuously monitoring traffic and road condition data from the real-time traffic data source; and providing the caller with updated traffic information based on information received from the real-time traffic source.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 8 , further comprising: changing the caller's planned route based on the updated traffic and road condition data; and notifying the caller that the caller's planned route has been changed.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; and outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, wherein the outputting step provides the caller with a warning prior to a planned turn in the route and the warning includes traffic lane information.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; and outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, wherein the outputting step provides the caller with a warning prior to a planned turn in the route and the warning includes traffic lane information.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination; providing a direct link to 911 emergency system; and providing the caller's positional information to emergency personnel in the 911 emergency system upon the caller's request.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
125 words
A method for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: receiving a route planning request from a caller; receiving the caller's current position from the portable communication device; receiving route data inputs including a route destination from the caller; checking dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source; determining the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs; outputting the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination; providing a direct link to 911 emergency system; and providing the caller's positional information to emergency personnel in the 911 emergency system upon the caller's request.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, wherein the controller prompts the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, the controller changes the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
155 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, wherein the controller prompts the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, the controller changes the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the portable communication device is one of a cellular telephone, a wireless satellite phone, a pager, a portable computer, and a facsimile machine.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the controller outputs the planned route by at least one of an audible output or by a text output.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the controller receives the caller's route data inputs via one of DTMF codes or speech recognition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the controller assigns a route ID to the caller's planned route, and stores the caller's planned route according to the route ID in the memory.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the controller changing the caller's planned route based on the updated traffic and road condition data, and notifies the caller that the caller's planned route has been changed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the controller determines the caller's current position using one of a GPS satellite receiver located in the caller's portable communication device or a network triangulation technique.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the controller outputs navigation instructions by one of a turn-by-turn basis or at the caller's request.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, wherein the controller prompts the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, the controller changes the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change, and wherein the controller continuously monitors traffic and road condition data from the real-time traffic data source, and provides the caller with updated traffic information based on information received from the real-time traffic source.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
189 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, wherein the controller prompts the caller to confirm if the planned route is acceptable, and if the caller indicates that the planned route is unacceptable, the controller changes the planned route by one of an automatic change or using the caller's inputted change, and wherein the controller continuously monitors traffic and road condition data from the real-time traffic data source, and provides the caller with updated traffic information based on information received from the real-time traffic source.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, and wherein the controller provides the caller with a warning prior to a planned turn in the route and the warning includes traffic lane information.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, and wherein the controller provides the caller with a warning prior to a planned turn in the route and the warning includes traffic lane information.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, and wherein the controller provides a direct link to 911 emergency system, and provides the caller's positional information to emergency personnel in the 911 emergency system upon the caller's request.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
142 words
An apparatus for navigation using a portable communication device in a communication network, comprising: a memory for storing map and route date; and a controller that receives a route planning request from a caller, receives the caller's current position from the portable communication device, receives route data inputs including a route destination from the caller, checks dynamic traffic and road condition data from a real-time traffic data source, determines the caller's planned route based on the received caller's current position, traffic and road condition data and the caller's route data inputs, and outputs the planned route to the caller through the portable communication device while the caller is enroute to the destination, and wherein the controller provides a direct link to 911 emergency system, and provides the caller's positional information to emergency personnel in the 911 emergency system upon the caller's request.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5845227A
Cited
US5919246A
Cited
US6128571A
Cited
US5835881A
Cited
US5906654A
Cited
US5905451A
Cited
US6151505A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-05-14 | 2005-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-12 | 2009-05-14 | 2009-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-12 | 2013-05-14 | 2013-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |