Mobile navigation system operating with a remote server

Abstract

A client navigation system establishes a wireless connection to a navigation server on a computer network. The client requests a route by uploading start and destination specifications. The server calculates an optimal route based on real-time data available on the network. A generic natural language description is used to specify the optimal route downloaded to the client. The natural language description is a plain text description for each link using pre-defined generic terms. The client interprets the route, interfaces with the local mapping data and reconstructs the optimal route. The route is subsequently displayed and highlighted on the client.

1 . A method for navigation in a mobile device integrated with phone functions so that the mobile device makes or receives calls via a cellular telephonic network, the method comprising:
 displaying on an electronic map a current location of the mobile device determined from wireless signals, the electronic map being locally generated in the mobile device;   accepting at a speech interface of the mobile device a verbal inquiry from a user, wherein the verbal inquiry includes a specified destination;   communicating with a server over a wireless data network;   sending a request to the server, wherein the request includes a start location and the destination, the server is caused to calculate a route from the start location to the destination;   receiving routing data from the server, wherein the routing data includes a plain text description for each link in the route using pre-defined generic terms;   reconstructing the route with a local mapping database in accordance with the routing data; and   displaying on a display screen the route from the start location to the destination, wherein the route is highlighted on the electronic map, the electronic map is automatically scrolled to accommodate an indication to show how the mobile device has been travelling from the start location towards the destination when the start location is the current location.   
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the speech interface is a microphone on the mobile device to receive the verbal inquiry. 
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising auto-completing the destination to anticipate data being entered by the user. 
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the local mapping database is pre-installed. 
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the local mapping database is operationally independent from the server. 
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the portion of the local mapping database is pre-installed by a manufacturer of the mobile device. 
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the local mapping database is updated with data from the server. 
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the pre-defined generic terms are acceptable to a plurality of mobile devices from different vendors. 
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said displaying on a display screen the route from the current location to the destination comprises:
 displaying a current time in accordance with a time zone being displayed in the map.   
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the route is determined in accordance with real-time data available at the time the route is generated. 
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the real-time data includes current traffic or road conditions relevant to the route being determined. 
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the route is determined in accordance with personal setting in the mobile device. 
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the start location is one of the current location, a specific input specified by the user, and a preprogrammed location. 
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said displaying on a display screen the route from the current location to the destination comprises displaying and route-track a progression of the mobile device along the route. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 14 , further comprising issuing guidance instructions to the user at appropriate. 
     
     
         16 . A mobile device integrated with phone functions so that the mobile device makes or receives calls via a cellular telephonic network, the mobile device comprising:
 a GPS device detecting a current location of the mobile device from wireless signals;   a display screen provided to display an electronic map to indicate where the current location is in the map;   a speech interface receiving a verbal inquiry from a user, wherein the verbal inquiry includes a specified destination;   a memory space for mapping database;   a computing unit interpreting the verbal inquiry by voice recognition to extract the destination in text and performing operations of:
 communicating with a server over a wireless data network; 
 sending a request to the server, wherein the request includes a start location and the destination, the server is caused to calculate a route from the start location to the destination; 
 receiving routing data from the server, wherein the routing data includes a plain text description for each link in the route using pre-defined generic terms; 
 reconstructing the route with the mapping database in accordance with the routing data; and 
 displaying on the display screen the route from the start location to the destination, wherein the route is highlighted on the electronic map, the electronic map is automatically scrolled to accommodate an indication to show how the mobile device has been travelling from the start location towards the destination when the start location is the current location. 
   
     
     
         17 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the mapping database is loaded in the memory space, and is operationally independent from the server. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the portion of the local mapping database is provided by a manufacturer of the mobile device. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the local mapping database is updated with data from the server. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the pre-defined generic terms are acceptable to a plurality of mobile devices from different vendors. 
     
     
         21 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the route is determined in accordance with real-time data available at the time the route is generated. 
     
     
         22 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the real-time data includes current traffic or road conditions relevant to the route being determined. 
     
     
         23 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the route is determined in accordance with personal setting in the mobile device. 
     
     
         24 . The mobile device as recited in  claim 16 , wherein the start location is one of the current location, a specific input specified by the user, and a preprogrammed location.