Mobile navigation system

MOBILE NAVIGATION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL WEIGHT

The present invention relates to a method for continuously updating location data and data relating to information objects related to a geographical area of ​​interest from a service server in a wireless communication system. Preferably, the location data and information objects are displayed on a map on a mobile terminal display device.

In addition to the geocodes for the navigation points, which indicate where the object is to be displayed on the map, these information objects also contain information about a formalized image (icon) that must symbolize the information object and be displayed on the map. If you need to obtain this icon from a computer network, the address of the icon is specified. The information object may also contain a reference to additional information about this information point.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are web-based navigation services where the user enters, for example, two addresses into the system and receives a table containing navigation points or other coordinates with written instructions. The table with instructions shows the recommended route between the given addresses.

The following table shows an example of a navigation service showing the recommended route from Arlanda Airport to Östgötagatan in Stockholm.

In the Södermalm district.

Table 1

<td>At a distance (km)</td><td>Rotate</td><td>The destination is</td>

<td> 0,0</td><td>V</td><td>UTFART (EXIT)</td>

<td> 0,6</td><td>P</td><td>Arlandaleden (Route 273) (Expressway)</td>

<td> 4,5</td><td>V</td><td>Päfart (Exit onto E4&gt; Stokholm)</td>

<td> 5,3</td><td></td><td>E4 (Uppsala Force) (Tea)</td>

<td> 37,2</td><td></td><td>E4 (Eugeniakopplet)</td>

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<td> 38,0</td><td></td><td>E4 (Norway west) (Haru)</td>

<td> 38,4</td><td></td><td>Avfart (Exit Intersection) -&gt; Center</td>

<td> 38,9</td><td></td><td>Klarastrandsleden (Motorway)</td>

<td> 40,8</td><td></td><td>Blekholmstaret (Metro)</td>

<td> 41,2</td><td>V</td><td>Centralbron (Bridge)</td>

<td> 42,7</td><td></td><td>Söderledstunneln (Tunnel)</td>

<td> 43,2</td><td></td><td>Avfart (Exit Intersection) - » MEDBORGARPLATSEN</td>

<td> 43,5</td><td>V</td><td>Folkungagatan (Street)</td>

<td> 43,6</td><td>P</td><td>Götgatan (Street)</td>

<td> 44,3</td><td>V</td><td>Ölandsgatan (Street)</td>

<td> 44,4</td><td>V</td><td>Östgötagatan (Street)</td>

There are also navigation aids in the form of discs or floppy disks that can be used, for example, in vehicles, but there is no public mobile service that can facilitate user navigation while traveling via a mobile terminal.

There is also no service or technology that can provide graphical and location-based navigation support to mobile customers through a cellular network.

EP-A2-0 829 704 discloses a navigation system comprising an information display device that delivers information received through a communication system, the information device receiving information from the information server through the Internet and transmitting the information received to the information display device and communication devices. The navigation system detects and updates the recommended route, which is shown on the map in the information display device. Icons are displayed along with the map and route in places where information provided by the information device is stored.

WO 97 07467 A1 describes a computer system for the Internet that identifies local resources that use a computer to access a map server and an information server to display the location of a point of interest. Fun

EE 05115 ΒΙ The map of the place is requested from the map server and information about the place of interest is requested from the information server by the computer.

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

Navigation tools designed to help you navigate efficiently provide much better support than they can be used while traveling. Accessing navigation support while traveling can be useful, for example, if you need to re-plan your route or if it becomes clear during your travel that another route is of interest. In such situations, the mobility of the navigation support is important. With the navigation aids currently available, the passenger must interrupt their journey in order to get the navigation aid they need elsewhere.

In addition to location information, map information is often needed to plan a route15. One problem in this case is linking the location information to the map when the location information is only available in the form of a list.

Along with geographic location information, information about phenomena along the route, such as road conditions, gas stations, restaurants, etc., may also be required. per page.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

To solve the above-mentioned problems, a mobile navigation system according to claim 1 has been developed.

The invention describes a navigation list, i. a table with navigation instructions. A table is generated which, in addition to the columns of information directly intended for navigation, also contains columns containing geocoded information objects for each navigation instruction. These information objects contain the geocodes of the navigation points and a symbol, an icon. The navigation list can be used with a device that displays a map in the client device; in this case, these icons will be shown on the map. The icons can be clicked and refer to web pages on the Internet or elsewhere

EE 05115 B1 connected in a communication network. When using the Internet, the content of this page is retrieved using the standard HTTP protocol.

To limit the need for storage and transmission, the icon is not transmitted, but the address of its storage location on a computer network, such as the Internet address of the location where the icon is available. Therefore, icons can be located anywhere - on a local system or on a computer network - and belong to anyone (for example, a restaurant, a bank, an individual, etc.).

The information transmitted may also include an address indicating the location where the information concerning the navigation points is available. In this way, the icon can form the cursor of a pointing device, for example, when using the Internet, icons can be clicked and they can point to web pages. The content of this page is then retrieved using the standard HTTP protocol.

The generated table is sent to the client, which stores information and displays navigation points or icons on the client display device. The display device can conveniently display information with the card, with new cards being downloaded to the client as the user moves.

One technical embodiment of the system utilizing the invention includes a terminal / client (33) and a service node (34), which is a database server. The terminal includes data communication capabilities (possibly mobile) and a display device. If the display device is to display a map and a point of interest there, the terminal should also be equipped with a positioning system (such as GPS). Icons for information objects (32) are available in a communication network, such as the Internet. Information relating to information objects (35) may also be obtained from the same or another communication network.

ADVANTAGES

The point information can be kept up-to-date so that the database contains only one link to the actual information stored, for example, on a web page. These references are centrally managed by the service provider and contain a small amount of data

EE 05115 B so that the sign can be maintained quickly and very reliably, as only one party takes care of this information.

The info page !, referenced by links and provided by your service provider, can be kept up to date with a central update. The reference may also refer to information sites that are not provided by the service provider but by someone else. In such cases, the information may be expected to be updated by the originator; the information provider is interested in disseminating the correct information.

ίο Sending to customers does not require a lot of bandwidth because initially a limited amount of data is transmitted by sending only links, such as web addresses. The customer can then selectively select what information to download. Therefore, it is possible to use narrowband communications, such as mobile communications and, for example, mobile telephony, for transmission.

The solution according to the invention is technically easy to handle because:

- only common components are needed for the user equipment: communication via cable or mobile phone (e.g. GSM), simple computer and access to the Internet or the corresponding communication network;

- the service is easy to use - the program has to be downloaded and the service is available;

- all devices communicate over an open communication network, such as the Internet, using a common protocol (such as TCP / IP) 25, which makes the system easy to distribute;

- the use of an open computer network will allow the system to be easily scaled to a larger or smaller number of users as the market and needs change, and extend the system to other geographical areas;

- service, maintenance and development is facilitated by updating, upgrading and other changes in one place.

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LIST OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a scarce database optimized for mobile information services.

Figure 2 shows how a map with icons is presented to the user.

Figure 3 illustrates one technical embodiment of a system using the invention.

EXPLANATION OF TERMS auto-active geocode icon

An icon organized so that the client automatically receives information related to this icon when certain criteria are met, for example when the client reaches a certain distance from the object.

Coordinate representation of objects on the map.

GPS System GPS ("Global Positioning System").

GSM Cellular System GSM ("Global System for Mobile Communications").

HTTP Protocol HTTP ("Hypertext Transfer Protocol").

information object An object to which information is handled, which is handled in an information database. Examples of information objects: restaurants, road works, navigation information, cash machines, etc.

IP Protocol IP ("Internet Protocol"). Internet Protocol.

TCP Protocol TCP ("Transmission Control Protocol").

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description refers to the accompanying drawings.

Preferred embodiment

The navigation list is a table with navigation instructions, ie. with instructions on how to select a route to all the selected points. This list shows you how to choose the route options that are most convenient for you to get to your destination. The invention described herein encompasses the improvement of such a navigation list by supplementing that list with information objects, i. objects that may be of interest to the passenger using the navigation list. Examples of navigational objects include restaurants, road works, navigation information, ATMs, department stores, landmarks, express roads, etc.

In addition to columns specifically for navigation, this table also generates columns for information objects. Information objects contain not only information about their geographical coordinates (ie geocodes), but also a symbol (icon) that must be presented with the information object. This way navigation information and information objects can be displayed on the map at the same time.

To limit the need for storage and transmission, the icon of the information object is sent, not the icon associated with the information object, such as the web address of the place where the icon is available. Therefore, icons can be located anywhere and belong to anyone (for example, a restaurant, an ATM, a private person, etc.). The table can also display the address of the location of the information related to the navigation point. If this information is to be obtained via the Internet, this address information is the web address at which one of the interested parties has stored information about the information object, such as information about the restaurant, shop or alternative route.

The information object may also be associated with, for example, a power carrier; in this case, the information may include road conditions, traffic warnings, or city government hours. Alternatively, individuals may be given the opportunity to provide information through information objects. Moreover, if the information object can be selectively presented to certain individuals or groups, it can strongly help to disseminate local and time-related information regarding meetings and other larger or smaller events.

Generated table, ie. a navigation list containing geocoded objects is sent directly to the client, which stores the received data. This information is then displayed on the client display device.

The following example gives a picture of the table to be sent to the customer.

Table 2

<td>Distance</td><td>Direction</td><td>Routes name</td><td>Geocode</td><td>Icon type</td><td>Information address</td>

<td> 0,0</td><td>On the left</td><td>THE EXIT</td><td>X = 654 ... Y = 715 ...</td><td>ICON 2</td><td>http: //www.nav. telia.se/x654 ...</td>

<td> 0,6</td><td>On the right</td><td>Arlanda road 273</td><td>X = 653 ... Y = 714 ...</td><td>ICON 4</td><td>http: //www.nav. telia.se/x654 ...</td>

A navigation list of geocoded information objects sent to a client consists of only one text string that indicates which icon to use, where to retrieve that icon (from the local client internal library or computer network such as the Internet HTTP address) and where to display the icon. Due to the limited amount of data that can be sent, the transmission time is also very short for media with limited bandwidth, such as mobile communications.

Activation of auto-active icons (i.e., icons that, under certain conditions, cause the client to retrieve certain information) allows the client display device to automatically display information about the navigation point. This information is obtained from the address in the navigation list.

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Database

In order to create a navigation service according to the invention, a scant database is created with the service provider, which contains only the geocode of the information object, the addresses of the sides of content providers page 5 and related icons, and the name and type of the information object. Icons obtained through a computer network show the types and physical locations of content providers on a map with a customer. See. FIG. 1 showing a database (12), an example of a row in the navigation table (11), and information to be stored (13). Table 3 gives an example of the data stored as a single row in the navigation table.

Table 3

<td>Field</td><td>Recorded data</td>

<td>X coordinate</td><td> 6580837</td>

<td>Y coordinates</td><td> 1628671</td>

<td>Icon address</td><td>http://www.sterikssjukhus.se/ sjukhusjcon.jpg</td>

<td>Address of information about the information object</td><td>http://www.sterikssjukhus.se/ S: t_Erik Jndex.html</td>

<td>Descriptive text</td><td>S: t Eriks Sjukhus (Hospital)</td>

<td>Type</td><td>Sjukhus (Hospital)</td>

The figure shows an example of an information object of the type "Hospital" (Sjukhus) (S: t Eriks sjukhus / Saint Erik Hospital). The X and Y coordinates represent the physical location of this information object, ie. the geographical location of the hospital. The information object icon address and the information page address are specified as web addresses.

Therefore, the information database is easy to operate because the amount of data pertaining to the information object is very small, since most of the information is retrieved from the content provider's server via the stored address.

As for the content provider, who is often the owner of the information being submitted, it is very easy for them to deal with security EE 05115 B1 when handling critical (sensitive) information. The Service Provider does not have to handle any sensitive information, but the owner of the information is responsible for its accuracy.

The information database is scarce, ie. it only contains geocodes for the information objects and the associated content provider addresses. This means that the data to be sent to the customer takes up little space so that it is optimally matched to information networks with low bandwidth, such as cellular networks.

The establishment and operation of such an information database is inexpensive and easy. Commonly available database programs can be used to operate the database.

The database always contains up-to-date current information because it is updated centrally, has small data fields (references) and is therefore fast; it can be trusted because it is maintained by a single party and contains frequently updated addresses.

The information can be kept up-to-date because the database contains only a reference to the actual information stored so that it can be accessed through computer networks.

Play on the map

The information the customer requested for a certain area is geographically coded. The customer uses this information to place icons on the map representing various objects (hotels, hospitals, etc.) in the area. The client is not sent the icons themselves, but only links to geocoded information objects (their addresses) in a computer network, such as the Internet, where the client can obtain the icons. The client then retrieves icons from the network. In this procedure, the client need only deal with coordinates and address.

When information is retrieved over the Internet, the link is a web address and the icon can be retrieved via HTTP.

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The geocoded pointer also contains information that indicates what type of object (hotel, restaurant, etc.) the icon should represent. If a customer experiences that it takes too long to retrieve an icon from the network, a type icon is used for that type, which can be stored locally in the customer.

Information based on navigation list data would best be displayed on a map on a client display device, with the location (22), navigation points, and navigation object icons (21) appearing on the map as the user navigates (see Figure 2). This provides the user with a graphical navigation tool that can be used for mobile communication throughout the drive.

The user can obtain additional information about information objects through the associated address information contained in the navigation list.

The location of the user is indicated by a symbol on the map. The user can very easily determine the degree of reliability of the information in this location, for example by the shape or color of the sign. The map also displays the icons referenced in the list. These icons also include the address of the information that can be retrieved through the computer network.

When using the Internet, the user may click on the icon so that the web address associated with that icon is used to retrieve such stored information

HTTP. When a user reaches the geocode of the icon, such stored information is automatically displayed.

User perspective

The user launches a client application in his terminal so that the client is loaded with a local area map. The map shows the user's location and geocoded information objects, which are placed on the map as icons. These icons can be clicked to represent the information objects referenced by the icons; these information objects may instead or additionally be automatically displayed, depending on the user's distance to their virtual objects. Examples of information objects include restaurants, road works, navigation information, cash machines, etc.

Client application

The user is provided with a terminal (a client computer, such as a conventional portable computer), which should ideally be equipped with positioning functions (e.g., GPS) and access to the Internet, e.g. via telephone, preferably via a mobile telephone (e.g. GSM).

The user can manage portions of his or her personal profile directly through the client application, then the profile is transmitted and stored in the service logic. The advantage over the local storage of the ίο profile is that the user can use any mobile terminal with a client application installed and still have access to his or her personal profile.

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Computer networks and positioning

Various parts of the user environment are interchangeable. The user equipment and the programs and systems used are adapted to the environment and infrastructure used. For example, computer networks other than the Internet may be used, and there are several options for handling a user's location, such as other positioning systems or manually registering a location.

Matching

The invention describes a method that is very flexible: icons and positioning follow the actual route of the user's movement. By manually entering your location and movements, it is possible to plan a route and receive information to be displayed.

In addition, displaying the route and related information on the display device means presenting the actual route and, if the actual route differs from the intended route, information can be provided.

With regard to the possibility of choosing one of the alternative routes, the method may include instructions for selecting the route.

Marine Navigation

The navigation tool can be used not only for traveling by car but also for other navigation. Maritime navigation support can guide the seafarer through the best shipping lane. If the navigation tool uses additional information, such as draft, mast height, bridge opening momentum, passage of locks, and weather reports, you may receive good support for efficient route selection.

The navigation tool can also be used as an autopilot.

SCENARIOS

A shipping company can take on the task of delivering goods to various locations where it may be difficult to find a way even knowing the area. It would be very useful to show the customer address in a simple way and include a route description in the form of a navigation list. The purpose of the shipping company is to deliver the goods quickly and in this case it is important to have access to an up-to-date route description.

Keeping the navigation device up-to-date can also provide good support for transport operations in road and traffic conditions, even in areas where the driver knows the road network well.

Because the map image can be constantly updated, it is possible that this tool will also be used by the Police and the Road Administration to disseminate current information about traffic and road conditions, closed roads and other conditions affecting access and risks. This can be particularly valuable for heavy trucks in areas where road conditions may change, such as soil melting.

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Traffic enforcement organizations can disseminate information about and provide instant traffic information that streamlines traffic. In this case, this navigation tool is a much better medium than the current traffic information provided by radio.

The invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but may additionally be modified within the scope of the following claims and the idea of ​​the invention.