초록 ▼

An information system for providing services including traffic and navigation services, as well as other information services to a driver. One versions of the system makes use of existing components of a wireless telephone system, for example, by using the input and output capabilities of a telephon

An information system for providing services including traffic and navigation services, as well as other information services to a driver. One versions of the system makes use of existing components of a wireless telephone system, for example, by using the input and output capabilities of a telephone handset. Another version is a portable system that includes multiple switches for initiating access to a remote server in one of a number of operating modes. For instance the system has switches for initiating traffic information, roadside assistance, personal information, or emergency modes. The system includes a positioning system for generating position data related to a geographic location of the system, and a wireless communication device. The system also includes an audio output device, such as a speaker for presenting the received information. The system can also include a storage for a unique identification of the information system. This identification is passed to the remote server through the wireless communication device. Another version of the system provides both autonomous and client-server based navigation services in which a removable database supports route planning in a limited area and a remote server supports route planning outside that area.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for guidance of a vehicle comprising:enabling multiple modes of vehicle guidance, including enabling an autonomous mode and a server mode;wherein in the autonomous mode, vehicle guidance includes planning a route using data and computation resources available in the vehicle, including ac

1. A method for guidance of a vehicle comprising:enabling multiple modes of vehicle guidance, including enabling an autonomous mode and a server mode;wherein in the autonomous mode, vehicle guidance includes planning a route using data and computation resources available in the vehicle, including accessing a map of a road network stored at the vehicle and computing the route using the using the stored map; andwherein in the server mode, vehicle guidance includes retrieving a planned route from a server, including transmitting a specification of a desired route from the vehicle to a server, and receiving the planned route from the server. 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing the stored map to the vehicle on a computer-readable medium. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving data for the stored map from the server. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:retrieving a planned route from a starting location to a destination location in the server mode;on at least some part of the path from the starting location to the destination location, guiding the vehicle in the autonomous mode; andon at least some other part of the path, guiding the vehicle along the planned route retrieved in the server mode. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein guiding the vehicle in the autonomous mode includes guiding the vehicle from the starting location to the planned route. 6. The method of claim 4 wherein guiding the vehicle in the autonomous mode includes guiding the vehicle from the planned route to the destination location. 7. The method of claim 4 wherein guiding the vehicle in the autonomous mode includes guiding the vehicle to the planned route after the vehicle deviates from the planned route. 8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:providing the stored map, including providing data characterizing a road network in a first geographic area;determining a starting location and a destination location;if the starting location and the destination location are in the first geographic area, guiding the vehicle from the starting location to the destination location in the autonomous mode; andif neither the starting location nor the destination location are in the first geographic area, guiding the vehicle along at least some of a path between the starting location and the destination location in the server mode. 9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:if the starting location is in the first geographic area and the destination location is not in the first geographic area, guiding the vehicle from the starting location to an intermediate location in the autonomous mode and guiding the vehicle from the intermediate location to the destination location in the server mode. 10. The method of claim 1 wherein providing the stored map includes providing said map on a computer-readable medium. 11. Software stored on computer readable media comprising instructions for causing a computer system to:enable multiple modes of vehicle guidance, including an autonomous mode and a server mode;plan a route in the autonomous mode using data and computation resources available in the vehicle by accessing a map of a road network stored at the vehicle and computing the route using the using the stored map; andretrieve a planned route from a server in the server mode by transmitting a specification of a desired route from the vehicle to a server, and receiving the planned route from the server. 12. An in-vehicle navigation system for providing route information through a road network comprising:a first stored database including information related to roads in the road network within a first geographic area; andan onboard computer programmed to perform the functions including(a) accepting a specification of a starting and an ending location in the road network,(b) if the starting and the ending locations are within the first geographic area, planning a route through the road network from the starting to the ending locations, and(c) if th e starting of the ending locations are not within the first geographic area, communicating with a remote server computer to retrieve a information related to a route through the road network from the starting to the ending locations. 13. The in-vehicle navigation system of claim 12 wherein the first stored database is stored on a removable storage medium.