IP Library Granted Patent US 9,170,120
Granted Patent B2
US 9,170,120 · App. 12/075,978 · Granted Oct 27, 2015

Vehicle navigation playback method

Inventor: Kazuoki Otani (Yokohama, JP)
Assignee: Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America
G01C21/3629G10L13/00G01C21/365G01C21/3632G08G1/096855G08G1/096872
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,170,120
App. No.
12/075,978
Granted
Oct 27, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

An automotive vehicle navigation method includes obtaining electronic textual navigation information and converting the textual navigation information into audio data. The audio data is stored within the vehicle and is played back within the vehicle in sequential increments that correspond to respective legs of a trip being made by the vehicle.

Claims (21)

1. An automotive vehicle navigation method, said method comprising the steps of:

obtaining electronic textual navigation information;

converting the textual navigation information into audio data;

storing the audio data within the vehicle;

playing back the audio data within the vehicle in sequential increments that correspond to respective legs of a trip being made by the vehicle;

storing the electronic textual navigation information within the vehicle;

playing back the electronic textual navigation information within the vehicle in sequential increments that correspond to the respective legs of the trip being made by the vehicle, wherein the audio data and the electronic textual navigation information are stored and played back together in a sequential tracks corresponding to the respective legs of the trip;

obtaining electronic graphical navigation information;

storing the electronic graphical navigation information within the vehicle;

playing back the electronic graphical navigation information within the vehicle in sequential increments that correspond to the respective legs of the trip being made by the vehicle; and

selectively switching between the playing back of the electronic textual navigation information and the playing back of the electronic graphical navigation information.

2. An automotive vehicle navigation method, said method comprising the steps of:

storing within the vehicle at least one of audio navigation data and textual navigation data;

receiving direction from a wheel sensor, the direction data specifying a directing in which wheels of the vehicle are turned;

receiving speed data from a speed sensor, the speed data specifying a speed of the vehicle while the wheels of the vehicle are turned in the specified direction;

analyzing the direction data and the speed data to thereby determine a change in heading direction of the vehicle;

receiving vehicle location data in real time from a GPS;

using the vehicle location data to determine the vehicle's progress in a trip being made by the vehicle;

playing back the at least one of the audio navigation data and textual navigation data on a head unit within the vehicle in sequential increments that correspond to the vehicle's progress in the trip;

calculating a positional relationship between a current location of the vehicle and a destination of the vehicle; and

using a navigation system to textually and/or audibly stat a distance and relative direction of the destination relative to the changed heading direction of the vehicle, the relative direction being stated in terms of cardinal directions.

Assignments (3)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SUPPORTIVE DOCUMENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 72222 FRAME 267. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC.
Reel/Frame 072930/0871 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 31, 2025
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION OF NORTH AMERICA
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS AMERICA, LLC
Reel/Frame 072222/0267 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 14, 2008
From: OTANI, KAZUOKI
To: PANASONIC AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS CO. OF AMERICA
Reel/Frame 020719/0945 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 60919357 · Mar 22, 2007
Related Publication 20080234934A1 · Sep 25, 2008