Automobile navigation system
US5844505A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 1, 1997 |
| Grant date | Dec 1, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 1, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08G1/096872
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Automobile navigation system utilizes a wide angle CCD camera that is coupled to the vehicle to receive video images of signs being approached by the vehicle. The user (e.g., the driver) of the system supplies via an input keyboard the desired destination of the vehicle and by using, e.g., a digital compass, the current direction of travel of the vehicle is ascertained. Then, by utilizing a computer system having therein a road database and optical character recognition software, the system converts the video images to road data that identifies the current location of the vehicle, and determines from the current location of the vehicle and the desired destination a desired route of travel. Specific audio directions then are supplied to the driver depending on the vehicle's current location and desired route of travel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.