Automatic origin determination for faster route request initiation and resulting system response time
US8744762B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 8, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jun 3, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 8, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG08G1/096866
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
When a user enters, initializes, or otherwise starts using a navigation function, such as a navigation function on a mobile phone or a stand-alone device, a current location is automatically estimated, prior to or in the absence of a GPS fix, for use as an origin in route determination. The estimation of current location is performed using a database of GPS fixes that are mapped to cell tower identifiers. For example, the database can include one or more fixes associated with each cell tower that the mobile device has used. Thus, when navigation on the device is begun, one or more cell towers to which the device can communicate are identified. If any has a GPS fix in the database, then a location derived from such GPS fix(es) can be used as an origin for navigation functions. Such navigation functions can include estimating a time of arrival at a destination, producing a route to the destination, and checking for traffic updates.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.