Siemens Vdo Automotive Corporation

Continental Automotive Systems US, Inc.

Melvin A Rode

Ronald P Knockeart

Harry Asher

Bob Drury

Steven Brown

Paul A Jozefowicz

Gregory Delgiudice

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 combination of manual and voice input for a telematics system reduces visual distraction, works reliably, and is low cost. The telematics system uses a menu-based interface to communicate with the driver. This menu-based interface is accessible to the driver using both manual interactions and by voice. A reliable manual input mechanism is available using turn or push buttons in addition to voice recognition, which may not be accurate in all operating conditions. Voice recognition inputs can be limited to small numbers of words or phrases that can be more easily distinguished by a voice recognizer. Furthermore, voice outputs of the system are tailored to that they are readily recognizable to the driver. Manual input is optionally rejected in operating conditions in which such input is dangerous or prohibited.

User interface for telematics systems

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 for installing an interactive driver information system into an existing vehicle is disclosed. An off-the-shelf driver-to-vehicle interface device such as a PDA is received in a corresponding docking station. A custom adapter device mechanically and electrically receives the PDA components and enables a mechanical and electrical connection from the PDA components to the vehicle. The custom adapter device is configured in a variety of embodiments to interfit with a pre-existing cavity in the vehicle such as a cup holder, ashtray cavity, coin holder, or seam in the dashboard. The custom adapter device further provides an electrical connection from the PDA components to the power system of the vehicle and to an electronic on board controller. The PDA docking station may be structurally integrated with a microphone, a speaker, and a control panel of manually operable elements to be manipulated by a driver.

System for adapting driver information systems to existing vehicles

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.

Growing community of inventors

Orion, MI, United States of America

Melvin A Rode