WO2024047416A1

WO2024047416A1 - Vehicle navigation system

Info

Publication number: WO2024047416A1
Application number: PCT/IB2023/057248
Authority: WO
Inventors: Prabaharan Palanivelu; Umasankar RAGOTHAMAN; Sujith SIMON; Balamurugan Krishnan; Kandhasamy Karthikeyan VANJIAPPAN
Original assignee: Mahindra And Mahindra Limited
Priority date: 2022-09-01
Filing date: 2023-07-15
Publication date: 2024-03-07

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle navigation system (100). The system (100) includes a computing device (108) having a vehicle-connect application (114) configured to establish a connection with a vehicle connectivity interface, The vehicle-connect application (114) includes a connection status module (114-2) to determine a connection status of the computing device (108) with the vehicle connectivity interface, upon receiving a navigation request from a cloud server (106); a verification module (114-3) to determine whether the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with a pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application (114); and a navigation activation module (114-4) to activate a default map application (118) on the computing device (108) to project the navigation to a destination location on the head unit (102) of the in-vehicle infotainment unit (104), when the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application (114).

Description

VEHICLE NAVIGATION SYSTEM

FIELD

This application generally relates to a field of vehicle navigation systems and, in particular, to a vehicle navigation system for automatic routing of geo-location request to a default map application running on a computing device and a method for operating the same.

DEFINITIONS

As used in the present disclosure, the following terms are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.

“Cloud environment” may represent a single place of a cloud server used for all connectivity data and infotainment system software algorithms.

“Head Unit (HU)” may represent a component providing a user interface for a vehicle infotainment system, including a display screen, buttons and system control buttons for numerous integrated information and entertainment functions.

“IVI” may represent an in-vehicle infotainment system or an infotainment system.

“Mobile-connect application” may represent a mobile application (AdrenoX Connect) for connectivity application in smart phone operating system devices

“Unique ID” may represent a unique identifier of the infotainment system.

“VIN” may represent a vehicle identification number

“DIN” may represent a device identification number. In an example, the device identification number may be an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number of a computing device.

BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art. Vehicle manufacturers generally provide an in-vehicle navigation system. Typically, the in- vehicle navigation system receives the current position coordinates from GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites via a vehicle built-in GPS antenna. Then, the in-vehicle navigation system matches the received current position coordinates with a pre-stored electronic offline map to determine a current location of the vehicle and to generate a route on the offline map for vehicle navigation from the current location to a destination location. The offline map does not require any internet access to display the navigation. However, the offline map is required to be updated periodically to accommodate the continuous improvement of infrastructures including roads and buildings. Also, the offline map presents static data which does not capture real-time traffic information.

To resolve the issues of the offline map, users of the vehicles start using default map application installed on their mobile device. In some cases, the users may also connect their mobile devices with an in-vehicle infotainment system through a vehicle connectivity interface to display the navigation of the map application on a head unit of the in-vehicle infotainment system. In order to avail the navigation through the vehicle connectivity interface, the mobile device has to be connected to the in-vehicle infotainment system and a destination location name has to be manually typed on a search bar of an interface of the map application. This manual typing leads to distraction of the user while driving the vehicle, which may result to a vehicle accident.

There is, therefore, felt a need for a vehicle navigation system that eliminates the above- mentioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle navigation system that does not require manual typing for receiving a destination location name.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle navigation system that enables navigation using a voice assistant engine through a vehicle infotainment system. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle navigation system that facilitates voice-based navigation.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle navigation system for automatic routing of geo-location request to a default map application of a mobile device.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure envisages a vehicle navigation system. The vehicle navigation system includes a head unit, an in-vehicle infotainment system, a cloud server, and a computing device.

The heat unit includes an input device, and a voice assistant engine. In an example, the input device can be a microphone or a touch pad. The input device is configured to receive a user input from a user of a vehicle. The voice assistant engine is configured to receive the current position coordinates from a global positioning system (GPS) antenna of the vehicle based on the user input, wherein the user input includes destination location information.

The head unit is configured to transmit the current position coordinates and the destination location information along with a unique ID of the head unit, to the in-vehicle infotainment system.

The in-vehicle infotainment system is configured to cooperate with the head unit to receive the current position coordinates, the destination location information, and the unique ID of the head unit, and further configured to transmit a navigation request generated based on the current position coordinates, the destination location information, and the unique ID of the head unit, to the cloud server.

The cloud server is configured to receive the navigation request from the in-vehicle infotainment system for decoding the navigation request and transmitting the navigation request to a vehicle-connect application associated with the head unit.

In an aspect, the navigation request may include a vehicle identification number and a device identification number for verification of the navigation request. The vehicle-connect application executing on the computing device is configured to establish a connection with a vehicle connectivity interface. The vehicle-connect application includes a receiving module, a connection status module, a verification module, and a navigation activation module. In an aspect, the receiving module, the connection status module, the verification module, and the navigation activation module are implemented by one or more processors ().

The receiving module is configured to receive the navigation request from the cloud server, wherein the navigation request includes the unique ID of the head unit, the current position coordinates determined by the GPS antenna, and the destination location information received as the user input from the user of the vehicle.

The connection status module is configured to cooperate with the request receiving module to determine a connection status of the computing device with the vehicle connectivity interface, upon receiving the navigation request from the cloud server.

The verification module is configured to cooperate with the connection status module to determine whether the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with a pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application, when the computing device is determined to be connected with the vehicle connectivity interface.

The navigation activation module is configured to cooperate with the verification module to activate a default map application on the computing device to project the navigation to a destination location on the head unit of the in-vehicle infotainment unit based on the current position coordinates and the destination location information, when the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application.

The present disclosure further envisages a method for operating a vehicle navigation system. The method comprising:

• receiving, at a vehicle-connect application of a computing device (), a navigation request from a cloud server, wherein the navigation request includes a unique ID of a head unit of an in-vehicle infotainment unit of a vehicle, current position coordinates determined by a global positioning system (GPA) antenna of the vehicle, and the destination location information received as a user input from the user of the vehicle; • determining, by the vehicle-connect application, a connection status of the computing device with the vehicle connectivity interface, upon receiving the navigation request from the cloud server;

• determining, by the vehicle-connect application, whether the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with a pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application, when the computing device is determined to be connected with the vehicle connectivity interface; and

• activating, by the vehicle-connect application, a default map application on the computing device to project the navigation to a destination location on the head unit of the in-vehicle infotainment unit based on the current position coordinates and the destination location information, when the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWING

The present disclosure, of a vehicle navigation system and a method for operating the same, will now are described with the help of the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary vehicle navigation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a high level architecture of the vehicle navigation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for operating the vehicle navigation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

100 - System

102 - Heat unit

104 - In-vehicle infotainment system

106 - Cloud server

108 - Computing device

110 - User

112 - GPS antenna 114 - Vehicle -connect application

114-1 - Receiving module

114-2 - Connection status module

114-3 - Verification module

114-4 - Navigation activation module

116 - Processors

118 - Default map application

300- Method

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments, of the present disclosure, will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Embodiments are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art. Numerous details, are set forth, relating to specific components, and methods, to provide a complete understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the details provided in the embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, well-known processes, well-known apparatus structures, and well-known techniques are not described in detail.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open-ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. Users of vehicles start using default map application installed on their computing device to navigate the vehicles using the real-time traffic information. In some cases, the users may also connect their computing devices with an in-vehicle infotainment system through a vehicle connectivity interface to display the navigation of the default map application on a head unit of the in-vehicle infotainment system. In order to avail the navigation through the vehicle connectivity interface, the computing device has to be connected to the in-vehicle infotainment system and a destination location name has to be manually typed on a search bar of an interface of the map application. This manual typing leads to distraction of the user while driving the vehicle, which may result to a vehicle accident.

To solve this mentioned problem, the present disclosure proposes a vehicle navigation system for automatic routing of geo-location request to a default map application running on a computing device and a method for operating the same. Also, the vehicle navigation system proposed herein is a voice based navigation system. Navigation through voice helps to eliminate a driver’s distraction while driving. Further, the proposed vehicle navigation system reduces the dependency of in-built navigation system of the vehicle and makes use of smart phone map application. This saves annual updating/renewal/license fees for offline maps of the in-built navigation system.

The present disclosure envisages a vehicle navigation system (hereinafter referred to as “system 100”) and a method (hereinafter referred to as “method 300”) for operating the vehicle navigation system. The system 100 and the method 300 are now being described with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary vehicle navigation system 100 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; while FIG. 2 illustrates a high level architecture of the vehicle navigation system 100, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The vehicle navigation system 100 includes a head unit 102, an in-vehicle infotainment system 104, a cloud server 106, and a computing device 108.

A user 110 of the vehicle can interact with the vehicle navigation system 100 through the head unit 102. The head unit 102 may be a component providing a user interface for the in- vehicle infotainment system 104, including a display screen, buttons and system control buttons for numerous integrated information and entertainment functions. The heat unit 102 includes an input device 102-1 and a voice assistant engine 102-2. The input device 102-1 can be a microphone or a touch pad. The input device 102-1 is configured to receive a user input, say, Navigate to Chennai, from the user 110 of the vehicle. In an example, the user input can be voice or text based/touch based. Once the user input is received, the voice assistant engine 102-2 coupled with the input device 102-1 is activated to receive the current position coordinates from a global positioning system (GPS) antenna 112 of the vehicle based on the user input, wherein the user input includes destination location information. In an aspect, the current position coordinates includes information about latitude & longitude of a current geo location of the vehicle.

Thereafter, the head unit 102 transmits the current position coordinates and the destination location information along with a unique ID of the head unit 102, to the in-vehicle infotainment system 104.

The in-vehicle infotainment system 104 is configured to cooperate with the head unit 102 to receive the current position coordinates, the destination location information, and the unique ID of the head unit 102, and is further configured to transmit a navigation request generated based on the current position coordinates, the destination location information, and the unique ID of the head unit 102, to the cloud server 106.

The cloud server 106 is implemented in a cloud. As used herein, the term “cloud” or “cloud server” are defined as including, but not necessarily limited to, computing, resources (hardware, software, and firmware) that are delivered as a service over a network (such as the internet).

To enhance privacy, the real time location, i.e., the current position coordinates, of the vehicle is not stored any-where in cloud or cloud server 106.

The cloud server 106 is configured to receive the navigation request from the in-vehicle infotainment system 104 for decoding the navigation request and transmitting the navigation request to a vehicle-connect application 114 associated with the head unit 102. In an aspect, the vehicle -connect application 114 is an application executing on the computing device 108 of the user 110.

In an aspect, the navigation request may include a vehicle identification number and a device identification number for verification of the navigation request. The vehicle -connect application 114 executing on the computing device 108 is configured to establish a connection with a vehicle connectivity interface. The vehicle-connect application 114 includes a receiving module 114-1, a connection status module 114-2, a verification module 114-3, and a navigation activation module 114-4. In an aspect, the receiving module 114-1, the connection status module 114-2, the verification module 114-3, and the navigation activation module 114-4 are implemented by one or more processors 116.

The receiving module 114-1 is configured to receive the navigation request from the cloud server 106, wherein the navigation request includes the unique ID of the head unit 102, the current position coordinates determined by the GPS antenna 112, and the destination location information received as the user input from the user of the vehicle.

The connection status module 114-2 is configured to cooperate with the request receiving module 114-1 to determine a connection status of the computing device 108 with the vehicle connectivity interface (Step 202), upon receiving the navigation request from the cloud server 106.

The verification module 114-3 is configured to cooperate with the connection status module 114-2 to determine whether the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with a pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle -connect application 114 (Step 204), when the computing device 108 is determined to be connected with the vehicle connectivity interface.

The navigation activation module 114-4 is configured to cooperate with the verification module to activate a default map application 118 on the computing device to project the navigation to a destination location on the head unit 102 of the in-vehicle infotainment unit 104 based on the current position coordinates and the destination location information (Step 206), when the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application (114).

In case the unique ID received in the navigation request fails to match with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application (114), the navigation activation module 114-4 is configured to execute the navigation through multimedia interface (Step 208).

The vehicle navigation system 100 proposed herein will become steppingstone to go further on feature enhancement and social media platform integration into the in-vehicle infotainment system. Also, the customization of the vehicle navigation system 100 will be easier since in-vehicle infotainment system are now are days packed with android automotive operating system.

FIG. 3 illustrates the method 300 for operating a vehicle navigation system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The order in which the method 300 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any appropriate order to carry out the method 300 or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 300 without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein.

In block 302, the method 300 includes receiving, at a vehicle-connect application 114 of a computing device 108, a navigation request from a cloud server 106, wherein the navigation request includes a unique ID of a head unit 102 of an in-vehicle infotainment unit 104 of a vehicle, current position coordinates determined by a global positioning system (GPA) antenna 112 of the vehicle, and the destination location information received as a user input from the user 110 of the vehicle.

In block 304, the method 300 includes determining, by the vehicle-connect application 114, a connection status of the computing device 108 with the vehicle connectivity interface, upon receiving the navigation request from the cloud server 106.

In block 306, the method 300 includes determining, by the vehicle-connect application 114, whether the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with a pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle -connect application 114, when the computing device 108 is determined to be connected with the vehicle connectivity interface.

In step 308, the method 300 includes activating, by the vehicle -connect application 114, a default map application 118 on the computing device 108 to project the navigation to a destination location on the head unit 102 of the in-vehicle infotainment unit 104 based on the current position coordinates and the destination location information, when the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicleconnect application 114. TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a vehicle navigation system and a method for operating the same, that:

• saves infotainment system software integration cost,

• saves yearly basis license cost of offline maps,

• saves hardware storage cost for offline maps, and

• saves after sales service cost required for updating map data,

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveals the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results. Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles, or the like that has been included in this specification is solely to provide a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions, or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary. While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment, as well as other embodiments of the disclosure, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A vehicle navigation system (100), comprising: a computing device (108) having a vehicle -connect application (114) configured to establish a connection with a vehicle connectivity interface, the vehicle -connect application (114) comprises:

- a receiving module (114-1) configured to receive a navigation request from a cloud server (106), wherein the navigation request includes a unique ID of a head unit (102) of an in-vehicle infotainment unit (104) of a vehicle, current position coordinates determined by a global positioning system (GPS) antenna (112) of the vehicle, and a destination location information received as an user input from a user (110) of the vehicle;

- a connection status module (114-2) configured to cooperate with the request receiving module (114-1) to determine a connection status of the computing device (108) with the vehicle connectivity interface, upon receiving the navigation request from the cloud server (106);

- a verification module (114-3) configured to cooperate with the connection status module (114-2) to determine whether the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with a pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application (114), when the computing device (108) is determined to be connected with the vehicle connectivity interface; and

- a navigation activation module (114-4) configured to cooperate with the verification module (114-3) to activate a default map application (118) on the device (108) to project the navigation to a destination location on the head unit (102) of the in-vehicle infotainment unit (104) based on the current position coordinates and the destination location information, when the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle -connect application (114).

2. The vehicle navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the receiving module (114-1), the connection status module (114-2), the verification module (114- 3), and the navigation activation module (114-4) are implemented by one or more processors (116).

3. The vehicle navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigation system (100) further comprises: an input device (102-1), embedded within the head unit (102), to receive the user input from the user (110) of the vehicle, wherein the input device (102-1) is one of microphone or touch pad; and a voice assistant engine (102-2), configured to cooperate with the input device (102-1) and embedded within the head unit (102) to receive the user input from the user (110), and further configured to receive the current position coordinates from the GPS antenna (112) of the vehicle based on the user input, wherein the user input includes destination location information, wherein the head unit (102) is configured to transmit the current position coordinates, the destination location information, and a unique ID of the head unit (102), to the in-vehicle infotainment system (104).

4. The vehicle navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the in-vehicle infotainment system (104) is configured to cooperate with the head unit (102) to receive the current position coordinates, and the destination location information, and the unique ID of the head unit (102), and further configured to transmit the navigation request generated based on the current position coordinates, the destination location information, and the unique ID of the head unit (102), to the cloud server (106).

5. The vehicle navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cloud server (106) is configured to receive the navigation request from the in-vehicle infotainment system (104) for decoding the navigation request and transmitting the navigation request to the vehicle-connect application (114) associated with the head unit (102).

6. The vehicle navigation system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the navigation request includes a vehicle identification number and a device identification number for verification of the navigation request.

7. A method for operating a vehicle navigation system (100), the method comprising: receiving, at a vehicle-connect application (114) of a computing device (108), a navigation request from a cloud server (106), wherein the navigation request includes a unique ID of a head unit (102) of an in-vehicle infotainment unit (104) of a vehicle, current position coordinates determined by a global positioning system (GPA) antenna (112) of the vehicle, and a destination location information received as a user input from a user (110) of the vehicle; determining, by the vehicle-connect application (114), a connection status of the computing device (108) with the vehicle connectivity interface, upon receiving the navigation request from the cloud server (106); determining, by the vehicle -connect application (114), whether the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with a pre-stored unique ID in the vehicleconnect application (114), when the computing device (108) is determined to be connected with the vehicle connectivity interface; and activating, by the vehicle-connect application (114), a default map application

(118) on the computing device (108) to project the navigation to a destination location on the head unit (102) of the in-vehicle infotainment unit (104) based on the current position coordinates and the destination location information, when the unique ID received in the navigation request matches with the pre-stored unique ID in the vehicle-connect application (114).