Subject application this according to 35U.S.C. § 119 to following every part of UK Patent Application case CLAIM OF PRIORITY: on March 8th, 2006 application No. 0604709.6; No. 0604708.8 that applies on March 8th, 2006; No. 0604710.4 that applies on March 8th, 2006; No. 0604704.7 that applies on March 8th, 2006; With No. 0604706.2 of application on March 8th, 2006, the whole content of each of described patent application case is incorporated herein by reference at this.
Embodiment
Term used herein just for the purposes describing specific embodiment, and is not intended to limit the present invention.According to usage herein, singulative " " and " described " intention also comprise plural form, unless separately there is clear instruction in context.To understand further, the feature of specifying existence to state when term " comprises " use in this application, integer, step, operation, element and/or assembly, but do not get rid of existence or add one or more further features, integer, step, operation, element, assembly and/or its group.
When describing the example embodiment of graphic middle explanation, for the sake of clarity have employed particular term.But the disclosure of patent specification is not intended to be limited to the particular term so selected, and should be appreciated that, each particular element comprises all technical equivalents with similar fashion operation.
Referring to graphic, wherein identical reference numbers refers to identical or corresponding part all the time in some figure, describes the example embodiment of present application for patent hereinafter.Similar numeral refers to similar components all the time.According to usage herein, term "and/or" comprises one or more any one in the listed project be associated and all combinations.
Fig. 1 illustrates the example views of the GPS (GPS) that can be used by guider (comprising the guider of the embodiment of subject application).This type systematic is known, and for various uses.In general, GPS is a kind of navigational system based on satelline radio, and it can determine the continuous position of the user of infinite number, speed, time, and can determine its directional information in some example.
The formal name of GPS is NAVSTAR, and it has been incorporated to multiple satellite, and described multiple satellite cooperates with the earth in extremely accurate track.Based on these accurate tracks, its position can be relayed to the receiving element of any number by gps satellite.When starting with the device receiving gps data the radio frequency scanning gps satellite signal through special equipment, implement gps system.Upon receiving a radio signal from a gps satellite, described device determines the exact position of described satellite via one of multiple different conventional method.Device in most of example by continuation scanning to find signal, until till it has obtained at least three different satellite-signals (although note that uncommon, other triangulation technique can be used only to determine described position with two signals).By implementing geometric triangulation, receiver utilizes three known positions to determine himself two-dimensional position relative to satellite.This can carry out in a known manner.In addition, obtain the 4th satellite-signal and permission receiving trap is calculated its three-dimensional position by the calculating of identical geometry in a known manner.Position and speed data can be upgraded in real time in continuous foundation by the user of infinite number.
As shown in Figure 1, gps system is indicated by reference number 100 substantially.Multiple satellite 120 is in around in the track of the earth 124.The track of each satellite 120 may not be synchronous with the track of other satellite 120, and in fact may be asynchronous.Gps receiver 140 useful in the embodiment of the guider of subject application is illustrated as and receives spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 160 from each satellite 120.
The spread-spectrum signal 160 transmitted continuously from each satellite 120 utilizes the frequency standard very accurately using atomic clock extremely accurately to realize.Each satellite 120 is as the data stream of the described particular satellite 120 of part transmission instruction of its data-signal transmission 160.Those skilled in the relevant art should understand, gps receiver device 140 General Requirements calculates its two-dimensional position from the spread spectrum GPS satellite signal 160 of at least three satellites 120 for gps receiver device 140 by triangulation.Obtain extra thus cause permitting gps receiver device 140 from the signal 160 of four satellites 120 altogether and calculate its three-dimensional position in a known manner.
The example block diagram of the electronic package of the guider 200 of subject application one embodiment that Fig. 2 explanation represents with frame Element format.It should be noted that the block diagram of guider 200 does not comprise all component of guider, but only represent many example components.
Guider 200 is positioned at shell (not shown).Shell comprises processor 210, and processor 210 is connected to input media 220 and display screen 240.Input media 220 can comprise the input media of key board unit, speech input device and/or other known input information that is used for any; And display screen 240 such as can comprise the display screen of any type, such as LCD display.In at least one embodiment of subject application, input media 220 and display screen 240 are integrated into integrated input and display device, comprise keypad or touch-screen input, wherein user only needs a part for touch display screen 240 one of to select multiple display to select or to activate one of multiple virtual push button.
In addition, the output unit 250 of other type also can comprise (including but not limited to) can output unit be listened.Although output unit 250 user of navigation device 200 can produce audible information, should be appreciated that equally, input media 240 also can comprise microphone for receiving input voice command and software.
In guider 200, processor 210 be operably connected and through arrange to receive input information via connection 225 from input media 240, and at least one be operationally connected to via output connection 245 in display screen 240 and output unit 250, to its output information.In addition, processor 210 is operationally connected to storer 230 via connection 235, and be suitable for further receiving information via connection 275 from I/O (I/O) port 270 and sending information to I/O (I/O) port 270, wherein I/O port 270 can be connected to the I/O device 280 of guider 200 outside.Exterior I/O device 270 can including (but not limited to) outside listening devices such as such as such as earphones.Can be wired or wireless connection the with other external device (ED) any (such as hands-free operation and/or for the car stereo unit of the operation of voice activation) further with the connection of I/O device 280, such as being connected to earphone or headphone and/or for being connected to mobile phone, wherein mobile phone connect such as can be used to guider 200 with set up TCP/IP between the Internet or other network any and be connected, and/or such as set up the connection with server via the Internet or other certain network.
Fig. 2 further illustrates and is connected via the operability of connection 255 between processor 210 with antenna/receiver 250, and wherein antenna/receiver 250 can be such as gps antenna/receiver.To understand, the antenna indicated by reference number 250 and receiver schematically combine to illustrate, but antenna and receiver can be the assemblies of location separately, and antenna can be such as GPS patch antenna or helical antenna.
In addition, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and the electronic package shown in Fig. 2 is powered with usual manner by power supply (not shown).One of ordinary skill in the art will understand, and the difference of the assembly shown in Fig. 2 is configured in the interior consideration of scope of subject application.For example, in one embodiment, the assembly shown in Fig. 2 can communicate with one another via wired and/or wireless connections etc.Therefore, the scope of the guider 200 of subject application comprises portable or handheld navigation device 200.
In addition, the portable or handheld navigation device 200 of Fig. 2 such as can be connected or " docked " in a known manner to automotive, such as car or ship.This guider 200 then can remove, for portable or handheld navigation use from the position of docking.
Fig. 3 illustrates the example block diagram of the General Purpose Communication Channel 318 of the server 302 of subject application and the embodiment via subject application of guider 200.(please noting via during being connected to and setting up between server 302 and guider 200 of communication channel 318, this connection may be via the data cube computation of mobile device, via the direct connection etc. of personal computer via the Internet), the server 302 of subject application can communicate with guider 200.
In at least one embodiment, guider 200 can be set up via mobile device 400 (such as mobile phone, PDA and/or any device with mobile phone telephony) and be connected with " movement " network of server 302, thus sets up numeral connection (such as such as connecting via the numeral of known Bluetooth technology).After this, by its Internet Service Provider, mobile device 400 can be set up and be connected with the network of server 302 (such as passing through the Internet).Thus, at guider 200 (when advancing separately at it and/or be in the vehicles, its can and be often mobile) with set up " movement " network between server 302 and be connected, to be provided for the gateway of " in real time " or at least very " up-to-date " of information.Can such as use in a known manner the Internet 410 mobile device 400 (via service provider) with such as set up network between another device such as server 302 grade and be connected.This can comprise such as use TCP/IP layered protocol.Mobile device 400 can utilize the communication standard of any number, such as CDMA, GSM, WAN etc.Thus, can utilize Internet connection, it is such as via data cube computation, realizes via the mobile phone in guider 200 or mobile phone telephony.Connect for this, between server 302 and guider 200, set up Internet connection.This is such as connected with GPRS (general packet radio service) by mobile phone or other mobile device, and (it is connect for the high-speed data provided by telecom operators of mobile device that GPRS connects; GPRS is the method being connected to the Internet) carry out.
Guider 200 such as can complete the data cube computation with mobile device 400 via existing Bluetooth technology further in a known manner, and the data cube computation finally completed with the Internet 410 and server 302, wherein data protocol can utilize the standard of any number, such as the data protocol standard of such as GSRM, GSM standard.
Guider 200 can comprise the mobile phone telephony of himself be positioned in guider 200 self (comprise such as antenna, wherein alternatively can use the inside antenna of guider 200 further).Mobile phone telephony in guider 200 can comprise the intraware of specifying above, and/or can comprise insertable card, and it has such as come with necessary mobile phone telephony and/or antenna.Thus, the mobile phone telephony in guider 200 can be set up network via the Internet 410 similarly and be connected between guider 200 with server 302, such as, set up by the mode of the mode being similar to any mobile device 400.
Arrange for GPRS phone, the device with Bluetooth function can be used to come correctly to cooperate with the mobile phone model, manufacturer etc. of the scope constantly changed, and model/manufacturer specifically arranges and can such as be stored on guider 200.The data stored for this information can be upgraded by the mode discussed in any embodiment before and subsequently.
Server 302 may also comprise processor 304 except unaccounted assembly except other, and processor 304 is operably connected to storer 306, and is operationally connected to bulk data storage device 312 via wired or wireless connection 314 further.Processor 304 is operably connected to transmitter 308 and receiver 310 further, in order to transmit via communication channel 318 navigation device 200 and to send data, and transmits from guider 200 and sends data.The signal sending and receive can comprise data, communication and/or other signal propagated.Can select according to the communication technology used in communicating requirement and the communication scheme for navigational system 200 or design transmitter 308 and receiver 310.In addition, it should be noted that and the function of transmitter 308 and receiver 310 can be combined into a signal transceiver.
Server 302 is connected to further (or comprising) mass storage device 312, note that mass storage device 312 can be coupled to server 302 via communication link 314.Mass storage device 312 containing a large amount of navigation datas and cartographic information, and can be the device be separated with server 302 equally, or can be incorporated in server 302.
Guider 200 is adapted to pass through communication channel 318 and communicates with server 302, and with describe relative to Fig. 2 before equally comprise processor, storer etc., and also comprise transmitter 320 and receiver 322, in order to be sent and Received signal strength and/or data by communication channel 318, note that these devices can be used for communicating with the device except server 302 further.In addition, transmitter 320 and receiver 322 are selected according to the communication technology used in communicating requirement and the communication scheme for guider 200 or design, and the function of transmitter 320 and receiver 322 can be combined into single transceiver.
Being stored in software in server memory 306 for processor 304 provides instruction, and allows server 302 navigation device 200 to provide service.The service provided by server 302 relates to process from the request of guider 200 with transmit navigation data from bulk data storage device 312 navigation device 200.According at least one embodiment of subject application, another services package provided by server 302 contains the various algorithms of use for required application to process navigation data, and these results calculated are sent to guider 200.
Communication channel 318 general proxy connects communication media or the path of guider 200 and server 302.According at least one embodiment of subject application, server 302 and guider 200 all comprise for the transmitter by traffic channel data with for receiving by the receiver of the data of traffic channel.
Communication channel 318 is not limited to the specific communication technology.In addition, communication channel 318 is not limited to the single communication technology; That is, channel 318 can comprise the some communication links using various technology.For example, according at least one embodiment, communication channel 318 can be well-suited for electricity, light and/or electromagnetic communication etc. and provide path.Thus, communication channel 318 is including (but not limited to) the one in following or its combination: electric circuits, electric conductor (such as electric wire and concentric cable), fiber optic cables, converter, radio frequency (rf) ripple, air, vacuum etc.In addition, according at least one various embodiment, communication channel 318 can comprise such as middle device, such as router, repeater, impact damper, transmitter and receiver.
For example, at least one embodiment of subject application, communication channel 318 comprises phone and computer network.In addition, at least one embodiment, communication channel 318 may can hold radio communication, such as radio frequency, microwave frequency, infrared communication etc.In addition, according at least one embodiment, communication channel 318 can hold satellite communication.
The signal that the signal of communication transmitted by communication channel 318 may be required including (but not limited to) the given communication technology or need.For example, described signal can be suitable for cellular communication technology, such as time division multiple access (TDMA) (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), CDMA (CDMA), global system for mobile communications (GSM) etc.Both digital and analog signalings all transmit by communication channel 318.According at least one embodiment, the signal that these signals may be through modulation, encryption according to the needs that the communication technology is possible and/or compress.
Bulk data storage device 312 comprises the enough storeies for required navigation application.The example of bulk data storage device 312 can comprise charged data storage medium, the molecular memories etc. such as the optic storage mediums such as the magnetic data storage media such as such as such as hard drives, such as such as CD-Rom, such as such as flash memory.
According at least one embodiment of subject application, server 302 comprises the remote server that can be accessed via wireless channel by guider 200.According at least one other embodiment of subject application, server 302 can comprise the webserver be positioned on LAN (Local Area Network) (LAN), wide area network (WAN), virtual private network (VPN) etc.
According at least one embodiment of subject application, server 302 can comprise the personal computers such as such as desk-top or laptop computer, and communication channel 318 can be connected to the cable between personal computer and guider 200.Or personal computer can be connected between guider 200 and server 302, to set up Internet connection between server 302 and guider 200.Or mobile phone or other handheld apparatus can set up the wireless connections with the Internet, for guider 200 being connected to server 302 via the Internet.
The information that guider 200 can be downloaded via information and possess from server 302, can after guider 200 is connected to server 302 by user periodically lastest imformation download, and/or can such as via wireless mobile coupling arrangement and TCP/IP is connected and carries out more constant or the basis that connects frequently be that information is downloaded more dynamically between server 302 with guider 200.For much dynamic calculating, the processor 304 in server 302 can be used to process process needs in batch, but the processor 210 of guider 200 also often can process independent of the connection with server 302 and processes and calculate in a large number.
The mass storage device 312 being connected to server 302 can comprise than oneself maintaining much more drawing and the route data of (comprising map etc.) with it at guider 200.Server 302 can use one group of Processing Algorithm to carry out the most of devices of along route advancing of processing example as guider 200.In addition, drawing in storer 312 is stored in and route data can operate the signal originally received by guider 200 (such as gps signal).
Fig. 4 provides the explanation of the example embodiment of the display screen of subject application.Fig. 4 illustrates the display of the display screen 240 of guider 200.Display screen 240 comprises the multiple locations of points of interest marks selected for user.Can set up can measure focus from it to the selection of the arbitrary mark in these marks, carry out the relative position of relative classification according to such as distance etc.As shown in Figure 4, display screen 240 is pointed out and is selected locations of points of interest mark on guider 200.Example markers shown in Fig. 4 can comprise " POI near you " 410 (current location such as based on guider 200 sets up relative index), (relative index is set up in the position such as based on the mark of the current city at your place to " POI in city " 420, such as in Empire State Building, incity, New York), " POI near family " 430 (relative index is set up in the position of the family of such as registering based on the user of guider 200) and (if selected route) " POI on the way " 440 (such as setting up relative index based on the point along selected route) and " POI near destination " 450 (relative index is set up in the stroke destination such as based on input).Should be appreciated that and understand, the mark shown in Fig. 4 is example, and does not comprise all possible mark, and note that the restriction of word shown by the specific markers that the embodiment of subject application should not be subject to for describing in Fig. 4.
Therefore, as shown in Figure 4, on guider 200, locations of points of interest mark (such as, multiple locations of points of interest mark) is selected in prompting.As shown in Figure 4, optional locations of points of interest mark can comprise multiple position mark, wherein comprise in such as following mark at least both: the selectable marker of the position of guider, the selectable marker of the position of the family of the user of guider, and the selectable marker of the position of input route destination.Once have selected specific point of interest marker, then just on the guider 200 shown in Fig. 5, show multiple optional point of interest entries.
These optional point of interest entries of display on guider 200 shown in Fig. 5 mark relevant with selected locations of points of interest, and to show with a certain order based on the relative position marking each of relevant position and optional point of interest entries with selected locations of points of interest and (or show its part, please note and can such as scroll through other entry, and/or such as can comprise restriction not show all so that display is restricted to, such as show front ten).For example, if having selected mark " POI near you " (410 of Fig. 4), so based on the relative position of the current location relative to guider self, optional point of interest entries is shown with a certain order.Described order can be such as ascending order and/or descending.
Should be appreciated that and understand, locations of points of interest is pre-stored in the storer 230 of guider 200, or can download and be stored in subsequently in the storer 230 of guider 200.In addition, easily retrieve the position of guider 200 via GPS position location, and other mark of the position of such as family, route destination etc. can pre-stored or inputted in a known manner by the user of guider/is selected and be also stored in subsequently in storer 230.Therefore, storing/input/have selected focus and mark position after, processor 200 easily such as can carry out distance or other calculates, or other calculating for relative classification/display any, wherein including (but not limited to) arrive POI journey time, always detour the time, show the need of less detour or POI really along the mark etc. of route, together with by processor 200 and display 420 by descending/ascending order of adjusting the distance or/and show it and organize.
In any one situation, method and the guider 200 of subject application embodiment provide following ability to user: watch multiple optional point of interest entries based on the appreciable position relationship between selected locations of points of interest mark and optional point of interest entries self.Therefore, if user is searching the focus of current position near guider 200, so user can find after have selected " POI near you " position mark relatively near guider 200 with relative from guider 200 focus farthest.After this, by the relative position based on the current GPS location of guider 200 and each of optional point of interest entries, optional point of interest entries is shown with a certain order.In a similar manner, if have selected position mark " POI near family " (430 of Fig. 4), so the relative position of each of the position of the family based on user (such as, when guider 200 is registered input or determine) and optional point of interest entries is shown optional entry with a certain order.
In addition, in a similar manner, if have selected position mark " POI near destination " (450 of Fig. 4), so by based on user selected/relative position of each of input travel destination (such as, input for route calculation before/select) and optional point of interest entries shows optional entry with a certain order.It should be noted that the selection generation similar operations based on marking any locations of points of interest, described locations of points of interest mark is including (but not limited to) those position marks shown in Fig. 4.As shown in Figure 5, also Binding distance information can show optional entry, the distance between the position of each of the position that described range information instruction is relevant with selected point of interest marker and optional entry.Therefore, suppose such as to have selected mark " POI near family " 430, so " Bulldog " is shown as relatively near the user/possessory family (position based on the family of registration) of guider 200, such as from user/45 meters, the possessory family of the position of guider 200, carry out display distance information relative to selected specific locations of points of interest mark.Be similar to the display of 45 meters of distances of the Bulldog for Fig. 5, described optional point of interest entries can be shown relative to the distance of selection marquee according to each of optional point of interest entries on the display 240 of guider 200.This display can adopt increase progressively distance, successively decrease the order such as distance, so thus make the user of guider 200 can watch relative to each in multiple point of interest entries of selectable marker position.
Therefore, such as shown in Figure 4, prompting can comprise one of multiple locations of points of interest mark of prompting, and prompting can comprise the multiple locations of points of interest mark of display.Have selected after the locations of points of interest relevant with current navigation device 200 position mark, based on the current GPS position location of guider 200 and the relative position of optional point of interest entries, show optional entry with a certain order.Have selected after the locations of points of interest relevant with the position of the family of the user of guider 200 mark, based on the position stored of the family of the user of guider 200 and the position at least partially of optional entry, show optional entry with a certain order.Similarly, have selected after the locations of points of interest relevant with inputting (via inputting/select/etc.) to the route destination of guider 200 mark, based on the position stored of route destination and the position at least partially of optional entry, show optional entry with a certain order.Based on the selection generation similar operations marked any locations of points of interest, described locations of points of interest mark is including (but not limited to) those position marks shown in Fig. 4.
Should be appreciated that, the embodiment of subject application can contain and method is implemented in guider itself.In addition, the embodiment of subject application also comprises guider 200, it comprises integrated input and display device, locations of points of interest mark is selected in order to point out on a navigation device, and based on marking the relative position of each of relevant position and optional point of interest entries with selected locations of points of interest, show optional point of interest entries with a certain order.
In addition, should understand further and understand, before the embodiment of subject application can be included in the display of Fig. 4, prompting and/or display select general concern classification from general menu.For example, on a general menu display, the prompting to " focus " 600 can be shown on display 240, such as shown in Figure 6.In addition, should understand further and understand, prompting and/or the selection of display to focus classification after the embodiment of subject application can be included in and have selected locations of points of interest mark, wherein comprise display multiple different classes of, described classification, including (but not limited to) restaurant, city sites, museum, sports center etc., wherein then can mark relative to selected locations of points of interest the focus relatively shown in these classifications.
The method of at least one embodiment stated above can be embodied as the computer data signal implemented in the signal of carrier wave or propagation representing instruction sequence, described instruction sequence is by processor (such as, the processor 304 of such as server 302 and/or the processor 210 of guider 200) perform time, cause processor to perform corresponding method.In at least one other embodiment, at least one method provided above can be embodied as computer-readable or computing machine hereinbefore and can to access on media (such as, such as one of aforementioned memory device) one group of instruction containing, to perform corresponding method when being performed by processor or other computer installation.In various embodiments, described media can be magnetic medium, electronic medium, optical media etc.
Further, the form of the equal available programs of arbitrary preceding method is implemented.Described program can be stored on computer-readable media, and when being suitable for performing arbitrary preceding method when the upper operation of computer installation (comprising the device of processor).Therefore, medium or computer-readable media are suitable for storage information, and are suitable for data processing facility or computer installation mutual, to perform the method for arbitrary embodiment mentioned above.
Medium can be built-in medium, and it is inner that it is arranged on computer installation main body or removable media, described removable media be arranged to make its can with computer installation body portion from.The example of built-in medium including (but not limited to) rewritable nonvolatile memory, such as ROM and flash memory and hard disk.The example of removable media is including (but not limited to) optic storage mediums such as such as CD-ROM and DVD; Magnetic-the optic storage mediums such as such as MO; Magnetic storage media, including (but not limited to) floppy disk (trade mark), magnetic tape cassette and removable hard disk; There are the media of built-in rewriteable nonvolatile memory, including (but not limited to) storage card; And there are the media of in-building type ROM, including (but not limited to) ROM box etc.In addition, store with image-related available other form any of various information (such as entitlement information) stored, or it can otherwise provide.
One of ordinary skill in the art will understand after having read disclosure, and the electronic package of guider 200 and/or the assembly of server 302 can be embodied as hardware circuitry or be embodied as computer-readable program or be embodied as both combination.
The system and method for the embodiment of subject application comprises the software of at least one method that can operate the teaching performed according to subject application on a processor.One of ordinary skill in the art, in reading with after understanding of this disclosure, can start software program to perform the mode of the function set up in software program from the computer-readable media computer based system by understanding.One of ordinary skill in the art can be used to create through designing to implement and the various programming languages of the software program of at least one method of execution subject application by understanding further.
The language of Object Oriented OO can be used with Object Oriented OO constructor, the language pack of described Object Oriented OO is containing (but being not limited to) JAVA, Smalltalk, C++ etc., and can service routine language with procedural guide formation program, described procedural is including (but not limited to) COBAL, C etc.Component software can communicate by the mode of the well-known any number of one of ordinary skill in the art, described mode is including (but not limited to) passing through application programming interfaces (API), inter-process communication techniques, and it calls (RPC), common object request broker structure (CORBA), the Component Object Model (COM), Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) (DCOM), Distributed System Object Model (DSOM) and remote method invocation (RMI) (RMI) including (but not limited to) report program.But one of ordinary skill in the art will understand after having read present application disclosure, the teaching of subject application will be not limited to certain programmed language or environment.
By way of example and unrestriced mode describes above system, apparatus and method relative to the easness etc. improving accuracy, processor speed and user and guider 200 mutual.In addition, in the scope of this disclosure and following claims, the element of different instances embodiment and/or feature can combinations with one another and/or replace each other.
Further again, of the present inventionly arbitraryly above-mentionedly to implement with the form of other example aspects available devices, method, system, computer program and computer program.For example, the form of available system or device implements preceding method, and described system or device are including (but not limited to) the structure of any method for performing graphic middle explanation.
By so describing example embodiment, it is evident that, identical content can be changed by many modes.This kind of change should not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and these type of amendments all that it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that all are intended to be included in the scope of following claims.