Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.

Harry Asher

Ronald P Knockeart

Melvin A Rode

Steven Brown

Bob Drury

Paul A Jozefowicz

Robert L Drury

A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle systemand a centralized server system. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server systemat the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route. If the in-vehicle system detects that the vehicle as deviated from the planned route, it re-plans a new route to the destination using an in-vehicle map database.

Vehicle information system

A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system and a centralized server system. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link. The vehicle receives a reference signal from a positioning system, computes position data related to the location of the vehicle using the received reference signal, and transmits the position data to the server. The vehicle receives from the server position correction data and determines estimated coordinates of the vehicle, including combining data computed from the received reference signal and the position correction data. Computing the position data and determining the estimated coordinates are performed repeatedly for an interval of time using the same received position correction data, and subsequent to the interval of time, are performed repeatedly without using the received correction data.

A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle systemand a centralized server system. The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link, such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites, provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server systemat the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route. If the in-vehicle system detects that the vehicle has deviated from the planned route, it replans a new route to the destination using an in-vehicle map database.

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.

Driver information system

A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system and a centralized server system . The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link , such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites , provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route. If the in-vehicle system detects that the vehicle has deviated from the planned route, it replans a new route to the destination using an in-vehicle map database.

A vehicle information system which includes an in-vehicle system and a centralized server system The in-vehicle system communicates with the server system using a wireless communication link such as over a cellular telephone system. A position system, such as a set of GPS satellites provides positioning signals that are used by the in-vehicle systems, and optionally by the centralized server system to increase the accuracy of position estimates. In one version of the system, an operator specifies a destination to an in-vehicle system which validates the destination. The in-vehicle system transmits specification of the destination to a server system at the centralized server. The server system computes a route to the destination and transmits the computed route to the in-vehicle system. The in-vehicle system guides the operator along the route. If the in-vehicle system detects that the vehicle has deviated from the planned route, it replans a new route to the destination using an in-vehicle map database.

A system and method for making use of a removable device, such as a PDA, cellphone or similar device, in conjunction with a driver information system. The removable device is brought to a vehicle and data in the removable device is transferred to the vehicle. This data can be data that is normally stored in the removable device, such as contact data, or it can be data that the operator has selected and loaded into the removable device for transport to the vehicle, for instance to update the vehicle information system. Data can also be transferred from the vehicle to external systems by transporting it in the removable device.

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Garden City, MI, United States of America

Harry Asher