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United States Patent5802492
DeLorme , ; et al.September 1, 1998
Title
Computer aided routing and positioning system
Abstract
A Computer Aided Routing and Positioning System (CARPS) determines a route along selected waypoints that include a travel origin and a travel destination and intermediate waypoints therebetween. The selected waypoints may be uploaded to or downloaded from various geocoding devices that utilize the Global Positioning System (GPS). A CARPS database incorporates travel information selected from a range of multimedia sources about the transportation routes, waypoints, and geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) selected by the user along the travel route. The CARPS software permits user selection of specified POI types within a user-defined region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from the selected types within the region of interest. The transportation routes, waypoints, POIs and region of interest are identifiable in the computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system. The CARPS software is constructed to present a user-customized travelog for preview on the computer display of the user-defined travel route. The travel planner can preview on the computer display a multimedia travelog particularly customized for the user-defined travel route including multimedia information on the transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs selected by the user. The user can engage in an iterative trip planning process of revising the route and previewing travelogs of revised travel routes until a satisfactory travel route is determined. Hardcopies of customized travel maps of the user-defined travel route can be used in conjunction with a GPS device which has been uploaded with selected waypoint data.
Inventors:DeLorme; David M. (Yarmouth, ME), Gray; Keith A.  (Dresden, ME)
Assignee:DeLorme Publishing Company, Inc. (Yarmouth, ME)
Appl. No.:661600
Filed:June 11, 1996
Current U.S. Class:455/456.5 701/201 701/208 701/211 701/213 340/990 340/995.23 340/995.24 
Field of Search:364/443,444.1,444.2,449.2,449.3,449.4,449.5,449.6,449.7 340/990,995,991,993 342/357,457
U.S. Patent Documents
5208756May 1993Song
5543789August 1996Behr et al.
5559707September 1996DeLorme et al.
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Tan Q.
Attorney, Agent or Firm:Caseiro; Chris A. Bohan; Thomas L.
Parent Case Text


CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of the David M. DeLorme et al U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/381,214 filed Jan. 31, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,707 for COMPUTER AIDED ROUTING SYSTEM which is a CIP of the David M. DeLorme et al U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/265,327 filed Jun. 24, 1994, now abandoned for COMPUTER AIDED MAP LOCATION SYSTEM and the contents of these related patent applications are incorporated herein by reference.
Claims

We claim:
1. A computer-aided routing and positioning system (CARPS) for use with a device that includes geocoding capability, comprising:
a digital computer having a computer display;
a map database providing a set of electronic maps for presentation on said computer display, wherein said electronic maps have the capability of depicting transportation routes having identifiable waypoints including route intersections at geographical locations along said transportation routes, said identifiable waypoints on said electronic maps being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system;
a CARPS database of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) identifiable by coordinate locations in said geographical coordinate system, said POIs being organized into a plurality of types for user selection of POIs by type, said POI types including overlays of said CARPS database for display over said electronic maps on said computer display;
CARPS software permitting user travel planning using said electronic maps presented on said computer display by providing user selection of selected waypoints that include at least a travel origin and a travel destination and can include intermediate waypoints, wherein said CARPS software is capable of determining an additional group of said intermediate waypoints between said travel origin and said travel destination, and of calculating, delineating, and displaying a travel route between said travel origin and said travel destination via said intermediate waypoints according to user choice of a shortest travel route, quickest travel route, or user-selected preferred travel route;
said CARPS software also permits user selection of a region of interest along said user-defined travel route, said region of interest having user-specified dimensions and permitting user selection of specified P0I types within said region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from said selected types within said region of interest, said region of interest being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of said geographical coordinate system;
wherein said CARPS database include travel information selected from a group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio information, and text information about POIs of said CARPS database and about said transportation routes and said identifiable waypoints of said electronic maps,
wherein said CARPS software is constructed to present a user-customized travelog for preview on said computer display of a user-defined travel route including said travel information in said CARPS database on said selected transportation routes and said selected waypoints of said electronic maps and said selected POIs of said CARPS database in said user-defined region of interest along said travel route, and
wherein said CARPS software permits data transfer between (a) a device that includes geocoding capability and (b) said digital computer.

2. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said user selection of said selected waypoints occurs at a site remote from said digital computer, wherein said selected waypoints are recorded by said user with said geocoding capable device, and wherein
said data transfer selectively includes either (a) downloading to said digital computer from said geocoding capable device of data that includes said selected waypoints so as to provide guidance of said user remote from said digital computer or (b) uploading of data that includes said selected waypoints and selected POIs from said digital computer to said geocoding capable device.

3. The CARPS of claim 2 wherein said CARPS software is constructed to display a user-customized strip map of said user-defined travel route, wherein said digital computer includes a printer, and wherein said CARPS software is constructed for printing hardcopy maps of said user-customized strip maps to be used in conjunction with said geocoding capable device.

4. The CARPS of claim 2 wherein said CARPS software is constructed so at POI types and particular POIs of said first database selected by said user are displayed as overlays on said electronic maps and said user-customized strip maps.

5. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said electronic maps, CARPS database, and CARPS software are stored on a CDROM and said digital computer includes a CDROM drive.

6. The CARPS of claim 5 wherein said CARPS software includes a replace function for updating said electronic maps and CARPS database on said CDROM with replacement or supplemental information from another memory device.

7. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said selected geographical coordinate system is a standard latitude/longitude (lat/long) geographical coordinate system and wherein coordinate locations are stored in said digital computer as lat/long coordinates, and said geocoding-capable device is a global positioning system GPS) receiver.

8. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said CARPS software is constructed to permit initial user browsing of said CARPS database travel information to assist user selection of an initial travel route.

9. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said CARPS software is constructed for incorporating POIs selected by said user in said region of interest as waypoints in said user-defined travel route, said CARPS software also being constructed for recalculating, delineating, and displaying a new user-defined travel route via said selected POIs as waypoints.

10. The CARPS of claim 9 wherein said waypoints of said electronic maps comprise information including said transportation routes entering and leaving said respective nodes.

11. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said POIs are selected from a group consisting of restaurants, hotels/motels, cities, municipalities, settlements, routes, transportation services such as airports, ferries, and railroads, parks, recreation areas, campgrounds, hospitals, zoos, museums, tourist and sightseeing attractions, and other geographical landmarks.

12. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said geocoding-capable device is a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, and said selected waypoints are user-identified locations that are selectively recorded by a GPS receiver remote from said digital computer and downloaded from said GPS receiver to said CARPS software via a GPS/CARPS interface.

13. The CARPS of claim 1 comprising a set of printed maps substantially coinciding with said set of electronic maps for user cross reference, correlation, and coordination among said computer display presented electronic maps, said geocoding-capable device, and said printed maps.

14. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said CARPS software is constructed for incorporating user-selected POIs that are selectively recorded as waypoints by a device that includes geocoding capability operated by said user remote from said digital computer, said CARPS software also being constructed for recalculating, delineating, and displaying a new user-defined travel route via said selected POIs as waypoints.

15. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said geocoding capable device is a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, said CARPS software permitting said user to download data from said GPS receiver which changes one or more of said travel origin, said travel destination, said transportation routes, and said intermediate waypoints, and said CARPS software recalculates, delineates, and displays on said computer display a revised travel route.

16. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said CARPS software includes a routing subsystem, a multimedia subsystem, and an interactive mode for interaction between said two subsystems.

17. The CARPS of claim 16 wherein said routing subsystem performs travel planning and routing functions, calculating and displaying a route according to user choices and constraints, and wherein said multimedia subsystem performs multimedia functions, retrieving and displaying multimedia information about selected POI's, and wherein during said interactive mode, said multimedia subsystem constructs a travelog following said user-defined route calculated by said routing subsystem.

18. The CARPS of claim 1 wherein said digital computer and said geocoding capable device are coupled together, wherein said data transfer is a real-time data transfer of data from said geocoding capable device to said digital computer, and wherein said CARPS software permits tracking and display on said computer display of real-time user locations.

19. A computer-aided routing and positioning system (CARPS) for use with a device that includes geocoding capability, said CARPS comprising:
a digital computer having a computer display;
a map database providing a set of electronic maps for presentation on said computer display, wherein said electronic maps are capable of depicting transportation routes having identifiable waypoints including route intersections at geographical locations along said transportation routes, said identifiable waypoints depictable on said electronic maps being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system;
a CARPS database of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) identifiable by coordinate locations in said geographical coordinate system, said POIs being organized into a plurality of types for user selection of POIs by type, said POI types including overlays of said CARPS database for display over said electronic maps on said computer display;
CARPS software permitting user travel planning using said electronic maps presented on said computer display by providing user selection of selected waypoints that include at least a travel origin and a travel destination and can include intermediate waypoints, wherein said CARPS software is capable of determining intermediate waypoints between said travel origin and said travel destination, calculating, delineating, and displaying a user-defined travel route between said travel origin and said travel destination via said intermediate waypoints according to user choice of shortest travel route, quickest travel route, or user-selected preferred travel route;
wherein said user selection of said selected waypoints occurs remote from said digital computer, wherein said selected waypoints are recorded by said user with a device that includes geocoding capability,
wherein said CARPS software permits downloading from said geocoding capable device to said digital computer of data that includes said selected waypoints, wherein said CARPS software permits user selection of a region of interest along said user-defined travel route, said region of interest having user-specified dimensions, and wherein said CARPS software permits user selection of specified POI types within said region and user selection of particular POIs from a selected type within said region of interest, said region of interest being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of said geographical coordinate system,
wherein said CARPS database includes travel information selected from a group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio information, and text information about POIs of said CARPS database and about waypoints of said electronic maps,
wherein said CARPS software permits uploading from said digital computer to said geocoding-capable device of data that includes said selected waypoints and selected POIs, so as to provide guidance of said user remote from said digital computer,
said CARPS software being constructed to present a user-customized travelog for preview on said computer display of said user-defined travel route including said travel information in said CARPS database on said waypoints of said electronic maps and said selected POIs of said CARPS database in said user-defined region of interest along said user-defined travel route, said CARPS software also being constructed to display a user-customized strip map of said user-defined travel route along said center of said screen, user-selected POIs in said user-defined region of interest being listed along one side of said strip map with pointers to respective POI locations in said user-defined region of interest, and travel directions along said travel route being listed along said other side of said strip map with pointers to respective intersections corresponding to directions along said user-selected travel route, wherein
said user-customized strip map is vertically oriented with said travel origin at said bottom of said strip map and said travel destination toward said top of said strip map.

20. The CARPS of claim 19 comprising:
a set of printed maps used in conjunction with said geocoding capable device, said printed maps substantially coinciding with said set of electronic maps for user cross-reference, correlation, and coordination between said computer display presented electronic maps and said printed maps and between said computer display presentation of user-defined strip maps and said printed maps and
a grid system of grid lines overlaying said electronic maps and said printed maps, said grid lines defining uniquely named grid quadrangles, said uniquely named grid quadrangles of said electronic maps and printed maps substantially coinciding in geographic areas depicted by said grid quadrangles to facilitate cross reference, correlation and coordination between said computer display map presentations and said corresponding printed maps,
wherein said electronic maps and said printed maps are substantially constant-scale maps.

21. The CARPS of claim 20 comprising electronic maps at a plurality of scales, said maps at each scale being substantially constant-scale maps, said grid system including a plurality of sets of grid lines corresponding to said respective scales and defining uniquely named grid quadrangles at each scale.

22. The CARPS of claim 19 wherein said CARPS software is constructed for incorporating POIs selected by said user in said region of interest as waypoints in said user-defined travel route, said CARPS software also being constructed for recalculating, delineating, and displaying a new user-defined travel route via said selected POIs as waypoints.

23. The CARPS of claim 19 wherein said CARPS software is constructed for incorporating user-selected POIs that are selectively recorded as waypoints by a device that includes geocoding capability operated by said user remote from said digital computer, said CARPS software also being constructed for recalculating, delineating, and displaying a new user-defined travel route via said selected POIs as waypoints.

24. The CARPS of claim 19 wherein said CARPS software includes:
a) a routing subsystem that performs travel planning and routing functions, calculating and displaying a route according to user choices and constraints;
b) a multimedia subsystem that performs multimedia functions, retrieving and displaying multimedia information about selected POI's; and
c) an interactive mode, for interaction between said routing subsystem and said multimedia subsystem where said multimedia subsystem, during which said multimedia subsystem constructs a travelog following said user defined route calculated by said routing subsystem.

25. A computer-aided routing and positioning method (CARPM) using a digital computer with computer display, a map database providing electronic maps having transportation routes, route intersections and identifiable waypoints along said transportation routes for presentation on said computer display, computer aided routing and positioning system (CARPS) software constructed for user travel planning, and a device that includes geocoding capability, said CARPM comprising:
presenting said electronic maps on said computer display;
providing an interface between a device that includes geocoding capability and a digital computer for a transfer of data therebetween;
selecting on said electronic maps at least a user travel origin and a travel destination;
determining intermediate waypoints between said travel origin and said travel destination;
calculating, delineating, and displaying on said computer display a travel route between said travel origin and said travel destination via said intermediate waypoints according to user choice of a shortest travel route, quickest travel route, user-selected preferred travel route, or said transferred data;
selecting a region of interest to said user along said user-defined travel route, said region having user-defined dimensions limiting excursions on either side of said user-defined travel route;
providing a CARPS database of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) in said geographical areas of said electronic maps, said POIs being organized into a plurality of types for user selection of POI by types, said POI types including overlays of said CARPS database for display over said electronic maps on said computer display, said CARPS database also including travel information selected from a group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio information and text information about transportation routes and waypoints of said electronic maps and POIs of said CARPS database;
identifying in said digital computer said transportation routes, route intersections, and waypoints of said electronic maps, region of interest selected by said user, and said selected POIs of said CARPS database, by coordinate locations in a common geographical coordinate system;
selecting specified POI types in said user-defined region of interest along said user-defined travel route and selecting particular POIs from said selected types in said region; and
assembling and displaying on said computer display a user-customized travelog for preview of said user-defined travel route, said travelog including travel information in said CARPS database on said transportation routes and waypoints of said electronic maps and selected POIs in said user-defined region of interest along said user-defined travel route.

26. The CARPM of claim 25 comprising said step of assembling and displaying on said computer display a user-customized strip map of said user-defined travel route.

27. The CARPM of claim 26 comprising said step of displaying said user-customized strip map along said center of said computer display, displaying a list of user-selected POIs in said user-defined region of interest along one side of said user-customized strip map with pointers pointing to respective POI locations in said corridor, and displaying travel directions along said travel route along said other side of said strip map with pointers pointing to respective intersections corresponding to directions along said travel route.

28. The CARPM of claim 27 comprising said step of displaying said user-customized strip map in a vertical orientation with said travel origin at said bottom of said strip map and travel destination toward said top of said strip map.

29. The CARPM of claim 28 comprising said step of printing a hardcopy map of said user-customized strip map showing said user-defined travel route, list of user-selected POIs in said region of interest and respective pointers along one side of said strip map, and said list of directions and respective pointers on said other side of said strip map.

30. The CARPM of claim 25 wherein said electronic maps, CARPS database, and CARPS software are stored on a CDROM and said digital computer includes a CDROM drive and further comprising said step of updating said electronic maps and CARPS database with replacement or supplemental information from another memory device selected from a group consisting of GPS receivers, on-line databases, and PCMCIA RAM cards, using a replace function of said routing software.

31. The CARPM of claim 25 wherein said selected geographical coordinate system is a standard latitude/longitude (lat/long) geographical coordinate system, wherein said geocoding-capable device is a global positioning system (GPS) receiver; and wherein said transferred data is lat/long coordinates.

32. The CARPM of claim 25 comprising said steps of incorporating user-selected POIs that are selectively recorded by a device that includes geocoding capability operated by said user as waypoints in said user-defined travel route, and recalculating, delineating, and displaying a new user-defined travel route via said selected POIs as waypoints.

33. The CARPM of claim 25 comprising said steps of providing a set of printed maps substantially coinciding with said set of electronic maps for user cross reference, correlation, and coordination between said computer display presented electronic maps and said printed maps; and
providing a grid system of grid lines overlaying said electronic maps and said printed maps, said grid lines defining uniquely named grid quadrangles, said uniquely named grid quadrangles of said electronic maps and printed maps substantially coinciding in geographic areas depicted by said grid quadrangles to facilitate cross reference, correlation and coordination between said computer display map presentations and said corresponding printed maps.

34. The CARPM of claim 33 comprising said steps of providing electronic maps at a plurality of scales, said maps at each scale being substantially constant-scale maps, said grid system comprising a plurality of sets of grid lines corresponding to said respective scales and defining uniquely named grid quadrangles at each scale; and
scrolling across grid quadrangles at said same scale and zooming between quadrangles at different scales, and displaying said scrolling and zooming steps on said computer display.

35. The CARPM of claim 25 comprising said steps of incorporating user-selected POIs that are selectively recorded by a device that includes geocoding capability operated by said user and entered as waypoints in said user-defined travel route, and recalculating, delineating, and displaying a new user-defined travel route via said selected POIs as waypoints.

36. The CARPM of claim 35 comprising said steps of assembling and displaying on said computer display a new user-customized travelog for previewing said new user-defined travel route via said selected POIs.

37. The CARPM of claim 25 comprising said steps of replacing said user-selected intermediate waypoints of incorporating with selectively recorded waypoints recorded by a device that includes geocoding capability, recalculating, delineating, and displaying on said computer display a revised travel route, and assembling and displaying on said computer display a revised user-customized travelog for previewing said revised travel route.

38. The CARPM of claim 37 comprising repeating said steps of claim 37 in an iterative process until said user arrives at a satisfactory user-defined travel route.

39. A user-customized travelog assembled by said method of claim 38.

40. A user-customized multimedia travelog constructed according to said method of claim 25.

41. A computer aided routing and positioning system (CARPS) for use with a device that includes geocoding capability comprising:
a digital computer having a computer display;
a map database providing a set of electronic maps for presentation on said computer display, said electronic maps depicting transportation routes having identifiable waypoints including route intersections at geographical locations along said transportation routes, said identifiable waypoints depicted on said electronic maps being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system;
a CARPS database of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) identifiable by coordinate locations in said geographical coordinate system, said POIs being organized into a plurality of types for user selection of POIs by type, said POI types including overlays of said CARPS database for display over said electronic maps on said computer display;
CARPS software constructed for user travel planning using said electronic maps presented on said computer display, said CARPS software permitting user selection of selected waypoints that include a travel origin, a travel destination, and intermediate waypoints between said travel origin and said travel destination, said CARPS software calculating, delineating, and displaying a travel route between said travel origin and said travel destination via said intermediate waypoints according to user choice of a shortest travel route, quickest travel route, or user-selected preferred travel route, said CARPS software also permitting user selection of a region of interest along said user-defined travel route, said region of interest having user-specified dimensions and permitting user selection of specified POI types within said region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from said selected types within said region of interest, said region of interest being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations of said geographical coordinate system; and
wherein said CARPS database includes travel information selected from a group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio information, and text information about POIs of said CARPS database and about said transportation routes and said identifiable waypoints of said electronic maps,
wherein said CARPS software permits data transfer between (a) a device that includes geocoding capability and (b) said digital computer.

42. The CARPS of claim 41 wherein said user selection of said selected waypoints occurs remote from said digital computer where said selected waypoints are recorded by said user with said geocoding capable device, and wherein
said data transfer selectively includes either downloading of data that includes said selected waypoints from said geocoding capable device to said digital computer to provide guidance of said user remote from said digital computer or uploading of data that includes said selected waypoints and selected POIs from said digital computer to said geocoding capable device.

43. The CARPS of claim 41 wherein said digital computer and said geocoding capable device are coupled together, wherein
said data transfer is a real-time data transfer of data from said geocoding capable device to said digital computer, and wherein
said CARPS software permits tracking and display on said computer display of real-time user locations.

44. The CARPS of claim 43 wherein said digital computer and said geocoding capable device are hard-wired together.

45. The CARPS of claim 43 wherein said digital computer and said geocoding capable device are coupled together through a wireless coupling.

46. A computer aided routing and positioning system (CARPS) for use with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver comprising:
a digital computer having a computer display;
a map database providing a set of electronic maps for presentation on said computer display, wherein said electronic maps depicts transportation routes having identifiable waypoints being identifiable in said digital computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system;
a CARPS database of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) identifiable by coordinate locations in said geographical coordinate system, said POIs being organized into a plurality of types for user selection of POIs by type, said POI types including overlays of said CARPS database for display over said electronic maps on said computer display;
CARPS software permitting user selection of selected waypoints that include at least a travel origin and a travel destination and can include intermediate waypoints, said CARPS software capable of determining intermediate waypoints between said travel origin and said travel destination, and of calculating, delineating, and displaying an optimized travel route between said travel origin and said travel destination via said intermediate waypoints according to user choice of (a) a shortest travel route, (b) a quickest travel route, or (c) a user-selected preferred travel route, said CARPS software also permitting user selection of a region of interest along said user-defined travel route, said region of interest having user-specified dimensions and permitting user selection of specified POI types selected from geographical landmarks within said region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from said selected types within said region of interest, said region of interest being identifiable in said computer by coordinate locations, of said geographical coordinate system, said CARPS software assembling routing data that includes said travel destination, said intermediate waypoints, said POIs, and said travel destination, said CARPS software permitting transfer of said routing data between a GPS device and said digital computer.

47. The CARPS for use with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver as claimed in claim 46 wherein said GPS device is removably coupled to said digital computer.

48. The CARPS for use with a GPS receiver as claimed in claim 47 wherein said routing data is uploaded from said digital computer to said GPS device and provides remote guidance to a user of said GPS device independent of said digital computer.

49. The CARPS for use with a GPS receiver as claimed in claim 47 wherein said routing data is uploaded from said digital computer to said GPS device and provides user guidance,
said GPS device determining real-time data that includes real-time user location coordinates and downloading said real-time data to said digital computer,
said CARPS software permitting a reiteratively updated display of said real-time data on said computer display in the form of indicators overlayed on said optimized travel route.

50. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instruction executable by said machine to perform in association with a device that includes geocoding capability method steps for computer-aided routing, said method steps comprising:
recording a first series of waypoints on a GPS receiver;
presenting electronic maps on a computer display;
downloading said first series of waypoints from said GPS receiver to a computer aided routing and positioning system (CARPS);
converting said first series of waypoints field to a user travel origin, intermediate waypoints, and a travel destination;
calculating, delineating, and displaying on said computer display a travel route between said user travel origin and travel destination via said intermediate waypoints according to user choice of a shortest travel route, a quickest travel route, or a user-selected preferred travel route;
selecting a region of interest to said user along route of said user-chosen travel route, said region having user-defined dimensions limiting excursions on either side of said user-defined travel route;
providing a CARPS database of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) in said geographical areas of said electronic maps, said POIs being organized into a plurality of type for user selection of POIs by type, said POI types including overlays of said CARPS database for display over said electronic maps on said computer display, said CARPS database also including travel information selected from a group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio information and text information about transportation routes and waypoints of said electronic maps and POIs of said CARPS database;
identifying in said digital computer said transportation routes, route intersections, and waypoints of said electronic maps, region of interest selected by said user, and said selected POIs of said CARPS database, by coordinate locations in a common geographical coordinate system;
selecting specified POI types in said user-defined region of interest along said user-defined travel route and selecting particular POIs from said selected types in said region;
assembling and displaying on said computer display a user-customized travelog for preview of said user-defined travel route, said travelog including travel information in said CARPS database on said transportation routes and waypoints of said electronic maps and selected POIs in said user-defined region of interest along said user-defined travel route;
converting said user-defined travel route to a second series of waypoints;
uploading said second series of waypoints to said GPS receiver for remote guidance of said user along said user-defined travel route.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a new Computer Aided Routing and Positioning System (CARPS) for travel planning, travel guidance, and recording travel locations and paths during business or recreational use. The invention provides an interactive computer travel planning guide for determining a route between a user selected travel origin and travel destination following user selected intermediate waypoints along the way. CARPS software determines the preferred travel route within user selected constraints. The user can also select among a plurality of types of geographically locatable points of interest (POIs) within a user-defined region of interest along the travel route. A CARPS database incorporates travel information such as graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio and text information about the user selectable POIs along the way as well as about transportation routes and waypoints. From the user selected and user-defined transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs along the travel route, the CARPS software constructs a user customized multimedia travelog for preview on a computer display of the user-defined travel route. Based on the user customized previews, the travel route including transportation routes, waypoints, and points of interest can be updated or changed according to the user preferences and choices. Modified travel routes can be previewed with further multimedia travelogs until a satisfactory travel route is achieved. The CARPS software user can then output a travel plan, i.e, downloading waypoints electronically and/or printing out maps with route indications and text travel directions.

The CARPS is also applicable for use with the Global Positioning System (GPS), radio location systems, dead reckoning location systems, and hybrid location systems. For example, the GPS satellite system is used with a GPS receiver for displaying waypoint data and limited routing data of the CARPS user on the computer display for correlation of location with surface features or mappable features. Data generated by the GPS receiver may be used for "real time position updates" in the CARPS computer display or may be recorded by the GPS receiver in the field for subsequent downloading to CARPS software and CARPS computer display. As well, CARPS-generated data may be used within the GPS receiver by a CARPS user for guidance in the field apart from a desktop CARPS platform. The user can follow the CARPS generated route using just a GPS device alone, or with the further aid of other CARPS output such as printed maps. This can be accomplished visually and intuitively between human readable forms of a map without the necessity of a users physical determination of latitude and longitude and without requiring any mathematical calculations by the user. Text and voice or audio outputs can be provided to facilitate use and reading of the printed maps and/or GPS devices. The invention also adds a communications dimension to the maps for adding and updating the latest spatially related data, for providing software tools for map analysis and reading, and generally for communications between computer systems and devices and between users in a variety of combinations.

BACKGROUND ART

A variety of computer hardware and software travel planning aids are currently available on the market primarily for vacation and recreational travel planning. A number of the travel guide software packages focus on National Parks of the United States or recreational tours and activities with prepared travelogs or prepared assemblages of multimedia travel information on the different recreational geographical locations or recreational activities. Such travel software programs are exemplified for example by the America NavigaTour (TM) MediAlive (TM) multimedia travel guide produced by CD Technology, Inc.; the Great Vacations (TM) Family Travel Guide by Positive Software Solutions; the Adventures (TM) CDROM Program for worldwide adventure travel by Deep River Publishing, Inc.; and National Parks of America, a CDROM product of Multicom Publishing, Inc. which contains a directory of all National Parks in the United States.

Rand McNally produces a software travel planning product under the trademark TRIPMAKER (TM) for planning a trip by car in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Rand McNally Tripmaker (TM) software also calculates quickest, shortest, and preferred scenic routes for the trip planner. While the Rand McNally product incorporates a database of many points of interest, the multimedia travelog information appears limited to preplanned scenic tours.

Similarly the American Automobile Association in cooperation with Compton's NewMedia also provides travel planning from starting point to destination point with stopping points in between. The CDROM product contains a database of travel information. However the multimedia information available from the database appears limited to "suggested routes of travel" again limiting user choice.

In each case it appears that travel information from multimedia sources is preassembled by editors so that the user or trip planner is limited to "canned" or prepared multimedia travelogs of prescribed, suggested, or preplanned tours. Or the user is limited to information fragments about this or that particular object of interest or this or that particular place. There is no opportunity or user capability and selectivity in constructing a user customized travelog of assembled multimedia information for previewing a particular user determined route of travel. The user is relegated to travelogs and multimedia assemblages prepared for routes and tours; proposed by other editors. The first release in July 1994 of Map'n'Go (TM) Atlas of North America on CD-ROM by DeLorme Mapping Freeport ME 04032 includes a version of CARPS that limits the nodes or routable waypoints to specified intersections of selected roads and highways, and car ferry terminals.

Relatedly, there are a variety of mapping and positioning systems. One such system is a hand-held personal GPS navigation tool that has been developed by the Garmin Corporation of Lenexa, Kans. under the tradename Garmin GPS 45. The Garmin navigation tool incorporates a GPS receiver and a limited character display screen for displaying position information in alphanumeric and graphic characters. Another such system is a hand-held personal GPS navigation tool that has been developed by Trimble Navigation of Austin, Tex., under the trademark Scout GPS (TM). The Trimble navigation tool incorporates a GPS receiver and a four-line character display for displaying position information in alphanumeric characters. This hand-held GPS system can apparently display alphanumeric position information in a latitude/longitude coordinate system or a Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinate system. The Trimble navigation tool can apparently also display proprietary coordinate system information for locating the position of a user on a standard topographic map. The Trimble GPS navigation tool displays in alphanumeric characters the horizontal and vertical coordinate distances of the user from the southeast corner or southeast reference point of any standard topographic map.

A disadvantage of the Trimble GPS navigation tool is that it provides a display of coordinate system data only in alphanumeric characters on a multiline LCD display. The user must then perform mathematical measurements and operations to determine the user location on a particular topographic map. While the incorporation of GPS technology provides an improvement over dead reckoning and position estimation from topography, it necessarily requires user reference to quantitative measurements and calculations. Furthermore, the Trimble navigation device does not provide communications access to other geographical information databases for updated information on geographical objects in the spatial area of interest or communications access to other software tools for map analysis and reading. More generally, the Trimble navigation device does not provide a communications dimension for the map reading system.

Silva Sweden AB and Rockwell International USA have developed a hand-held GPS compass navigator for use on any standard map. The GPS compass navigator incorporates a GPS receiver for locating the user on any standard map. A built-in "compass" gives range and bearing from the known user position to a specified destination. This information is updated on the GPS compass navigator as the user progresses toward the destination. The GPS compass navigator is described as being in the form of a guiding "puck" that apparently rides or is moved over the standard map at the user location. It therefore cannot display multiple geographical objects at the same time and cannot communicate with other sources of spatially related map information.

Prior-art attempts at combining a GPS device with electronic maps exist, but these attempts have not been able to provide GPS devices with optimized routing data used independent from the electronic maps. Accordingly, there is a need to link GPS devices with travel planning, map display, and customization of routes so that GPS devices may provide remote guidance along optimized routes. On-site locational information which may be recorded or tracked by the GPS device in the field should be transferrable to a routing and positioning system. As well, a routing and positioning system should be able to generate information that is transferrable to a GPS device. Such objects will become apparent with reference to the present invention as described below.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new computer aided routing and positioning system (CARPS) capable of determining a travel route between a user-selected travel origin and travel destination following user-selected waypoints of interest along the way. A feature of the invention is that the user can construct a highly selective travel route incorporating waypoints selected by the user.

Another object of the invention is to provide a database of geographically locatable objects or points of interest (POIs) organized into a plurality of types for selection by the user. The database also incorporates travel information selected from a range of multimedia sources about the transportation routes, waypoints, and geographically locatable objects of interest along the travel route. A feature of the invention is that the objects of interest are encompassed within a user-defined region of interest of user specified dimensions along the travel route.

Still another object of the invention is to provide CARPS software capable of presenting a user customized travelog or sequential assemblage of multimedia information for preview on the computer display about the user-defined travel route. The travelog includes multimedia information about the transportation route, waypoints, and selected POIs in the user-defined region of interest along the travel route.

A further object of the invention is to provide a CARPS for use with radio location systems, dead reckoning location systems, and hybrid location systems for displaying user location. For example, the GPS satellite system can be used for displaying the location, direction of travel, route, speed, and other travel data of a CARPS user on a generalized grid quadrangle for correlation of user location on a coinciding printed map. Such is accomplished by direct sensory, visual, and intuitive methods. As well, the GPS satellite system may be used in the field for recording waypoint data and limited routing data of a CARPS user for later data transfer and CARPS computer display. Additionally, the GPS satellite system may be used in the field for updating waypoint data and limited routing data of a CARPS user for immediate data transfer via wireless data communications and remote CARPS computer display at a CARPS desktop platform.

A feature of the invention is that the trip planner is no longer relegated to the prescribed or suggested routes and tours of other editors for previewing travel routes. Nor is the trip planner limited to adhoc or fragmented multimedia information about this or that object of interest. Rather, the user constructs a user-defined travel route including transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs within a region of interest along the travel route. The CARPS software responds by assembling a user customized travelog or sequential assemblage of multimedia information for previewing the entire trip. The travel route including transportation routes, waypoints, and objects or points of interest can then be changed if necessary to suit the user preferences and choices.

An advantage of the invention is that travel planning can be optimized in an iterative process. The user constructs a travel route and at the same time the user constructs a customized travelog for previewing the initial travel route. On the basis of the multimedia preview of the initial travel route the trip planner undertakes revision of the travel route, e.g. by changes in the selected transportation routes, waypoints, and selected POIs. The travel route is recalculated by the CARPS software and the user customized travelog is also reconstructed for further preview. Further refinements can follow in subsequent iterations until a satisfactory travel route is achieved.

Another advantage is that CARPS users in the field may simultaneously navigate a travel route generated by CARPS software while recording or tracking locations or sequences of locations. Such locations may be designated by the user as new POI's and sequences of locations may be transferred from the GPS receiver to the CARPS desktop platform as an ordered waypoint list that designates a new travel route. Further, fast and accurate surveying is enabled from GPS receiver location recording data made by the user in the field when transferred to the CARPS desktop platform for computerized data mapping by the CARPS software.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In order to accomplish these results the present invention provides CARPS for use with a digital computer, digital computer display, and a detachable handheld GPS device such as a Garmin GPS 45 Personal Navigator (TM) which provides waypoint list management tools and compass bearing, distance, speed of travel, estimated time until arrival, and other information in relation to the next waypoint on an overall route. A variety of other peripheral equipment is also provided as hereafter described. A set of electronic maps is provided for presentation on the computer display. The electronic maps depict transportation routes having route intersections and identified waypoints at geographical locations along the transportation routes. The route intersections and identified waypoints depicted on the electronic maps are identified in the computer by coordinate locations of a selected geographical coordinate system.

A CARPS database contains geographically locatable objects (loc/objects) also referred to as points of interest (POIs) identified by coordinate locations in the geographical coordinate system. The POIs are organized into a plurality of types for user selection of loc/objects or POIs individually and by type. The loc/object or POI types constitute electronic overlays of the database for display over the electronic maps on the computer display. As used in this specification and claims, the phrase points of interest or POI's is generally used to refer to loc/objects for which multimedia information is available for describing the POI's and presenting the points of interest in a multimedia travelog as hereafter described.

Typically, the CARPS database is a geographical information system or GIS. Such a GIS manages data in the GIS database in relation to the geographical coordinate locations of the selected geographical coordinate system. Thus, the CARPS database manager relates points of interest and any other loc/objects of the database with particular locations on or near the surface of the earth in terms of coordinate locations such as latitude and longitude. The multimedia information hereafter described is similarly identified with the coordinate location of the subject POIs.

The computer aided routing and positioning system incorporates (CARPS) software constructed for user travel planning using the electronic maps presented on the computer display. The CARPS software permits user selection of a travel origin, travel destination, and desired waypoints between the travel origin and travel destination. The CARPS software calculates, delineates and displays a travel route between the travel origin and the travel destination via the selected waypoints. The travel route is calculated according to user choice of the shortest travel route, quickest travel route, or user determined preferred travel route. As used in the specification and claims, waypoints refers to the origin and destination of a possible route and intermediate points or places along the way including major road and highway intersections, joints or turning points at connected short line segments of major roads and highways, place names situated on major roads and highways, and as hereafter described, POIs near the major roads and highways.

The CARPS software permits user selection of an area or region of interest along the user-defined travel route. The area or region of interest is defined by user specified dimensions and may be for example a corridor of specified width along the travel route, circles of specified diameter at locations along the travel route, or regular and irregular polygons, etc. The CARPS software permits user selection of specified POI types within the user-defined region of interest and user selection of particular POIs from the selected types within the region of interest. The region of interest is identified in the computer by coordinate locations of the geographical coordinate system.

The CARPS database also incorporates travel information about the POIs identified in the database and about selected transportation routes and waypoints of the electronic maps. The travel information may be from a variety of multimedia sources and is for example selected from the group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio and text information, etc. As hereafter described the multimedia travel information is subject to a high degree of user selectivity in composing customized multimedia travel information packages.

The CARPS software is also constructed to present a user customized travelog for preview on the computer display of the user-defined travel route. Thus multimedia travel information is assembled from the CARPS database on the transportation routes and waypoints of-the electronic maps and the selected POIs of the database in the user-defined region of interest along the travel route.

A feature and advantage of CARPS is that the travel planner can preview on the computer display a travelog particularly customized for the user-defined travel route including multimedia information on the transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs selected by the user. The trip planner is not constrained to viewing "canned" or preselected multimedia assemblages and travelogs for suggested routes planned by other editors. Rather CARPS delivers a user customized travelog or multimedia information assemblage directed specifically to the user-defined travel route including the user-selected transportation routes, waypoints and POIs.

As a result of this preview, the trip planner can revise the travel route including transportation routes, waypoints, and POIs. The CARPS software then recalculates the travel route affording further opportunity for selecting new or different POIs in the newly defined region of interest along the new travel route. A new multimedia travelog preview is assembled corresponding to the new travel route and the process is repeated until the user achieves a satisfactory travel route based on the iterative trip planning process and multimedia previews made available by the invention.

A feature of the invention is that one or more points of interest in the user-defined region of interest along a travel route can be converted by the user to waypoints on a new travel route. The POI status therefore changes from a possible side excursion off the main travel route to an actual waypoint on the new or revised travel route. The user therefore has available a wide selection of possible sites for defining a travel route including route intersections, named places on the electronic map, and the array of geographically locatable objects about which there is multimedia information and therefore referred to as points of interest of the CARPS database.

In the preferred example the CARPS software is constructed to display a user customized strip map of the user-defined travel route. The user customized strip map is typically displayed along the center of the computer display. User-selected POIs in the user-defined region of interest are listed along one side of the strip map with pointers to respective POI locations in the region of interest. Travel directions for the travel route are listed along the other side of the strip map with pointers to respective intersections corresponding to directions along the travel route.

Preferably the strip map is vertically oriented with the travel origin at the bottom of the strip map and travel destination toward the top of the strip map. An advantage of this arrangement is that the strip map and travel route are always oriented in the direction of travel and the right and left directions coincide with actual right and left directions.

In the preferred example the digital computer also incorporates a printer and the CARPS software is constructed for printing hardcopy maps of the user customized strip maps. The hardcopy maps of the user customized strip maps show the travel route, list of POIs and pointers along one side of the strip map, and list of directions and pointers along the other side of the strip map. The printed hardcopy map is preferably vertically oriented also with the travel origin at the bottom of the strip map and travel destination toward the top of the strip map.

The electronic maps, CARPS database, and CARPS software are typically stored on a CDROM and the digital computer incorporates a CDROM drive. The CARPS software may include a replace function for updating the electronic maps and CARPS database on the CDROM with replacement or supplemental information from another memory device.

CARPS works with a geographic information system or GIS managing data in relation to specific geographic coordinates. The GIS enables display of electronic maps which function as a user interface as well as a system for display of geographic data. The GIS and the mapping interface coordinate two broad types of data: (1) transportation routes or networks and nodes or waypoints subject to routing computations; and (2) POIs or loc/objects related to information about travel and locations in various media.

Transportation routes depicted on the electronic maps may include all forms of transportation routes for example selected from the group consisting of vehicle routes, ferry routes, air travel routes, bicycle routes, and hiking trails. Such routes are typically represented as line segments, vectors or networks appropriate to the modes of transportation involved. The GIS and the user manage and manipulate such routing data in terms of geographic points including intersections, terminals, junctions and connections, generally labelled "nodes". Particular travel plans or itineraries along available transportation routes entail specific selections and arrangements of nodes called "waypoints". Users enter or list waypoints in the order of an intended journey including a point of departure, optionally intermediate stops or places to pass through on the journey, plus a final destination. In summary, nodes comprise the possible waypoints from which the user composes waypoint lists or input for routing.

Nodes and waypoints for routing, as well as POIs associated with multimedia information, are all related in the GIS database to geographical coordinates corresponding to particular locations on or adjacent to the earth's surface. The selected geographic coordinate system may be for example the latitude/longitude (lat/long) geographical coordinate system. Coordinate locations which correspond to specific nodes, waypoints or POIs are then stored in the digital computer as lat/long coordinates. In some cases, POIs and nodes coincide or share a particular location or set of geographic coordinates. POIs relate to multimedia information on locations, however, while nodes and waypoints relate to routing.

CARPS permits the user to locate, click on or otherwise choose such nodes or possible waypoints and POIs in order to develop his or her individual travel plan. The CARPS software is also constructed for incorporating POIs selected by the user, while playing related multimedia in the region of interest, as new waypoints in the user-defined travel route. The CARPS software can then recalculate, delineate and display a new user-defined travel route via the selected loc/objects or points of interest treated as added waypoints. The CARPS database or GIS also stores information about the transportation routes entering and leaving the respective waypoints as well as the identity of immediately adjacent nodes.

According to the invention POI types of the CARPS database may be selected for example from the group consisting of restaurants, hotels/motels, cities, municipalities, settlements, routes, transportation services such as airports, ferries, and railroads, parks, recreation areas, campgrounds, hospitals, zoos, museums, tourist and sightseeing attractions, other geographical landmarks, etc. In a simplified example, the POI types can be limited to hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and selected tourist attractions.

Data items of the various types of POIs are stored, managed and manipulated within the CARPS database or GIS in relation to one or more media from the group of alphanumeric text, still or moving graphics and audio including voice, natural and artificial sound. For an example, a typical hotel POI item includes information of interest to travelers about the accommodations, room prices, other facilities and nearby recreational and cultural attractions in a variety of selectable text, audio and pictorial media.

The invention also provides a set of printed maps substantially coinciding with the set of electronic maps for user cross reference, correlation and coordination between the computer display presented electronic maps and the printed maps. A grid system of grid lines preferably overlays the electronic maps and the printed maps. The grid lines define uniquely named grid quadrangles. The uniquely named grid quadrangles of the electronic maps and printed maps substantially coincide in geographic areas depicted by the grid quadrangles to facilitate cross reference, correlation and coordination between the computer display map presentations and the corresponding printed maps, as set forth in further detail in the related patent application cross referenced above.

The electronic maps and printed maps are constructed to be substantially constant-scale maps. The electronic maps may be at a plurality of scales, each scale level incorporating substantially constant-scale maps. In that case the grid system also incorporates a plurality of sets of grid lines corresponding to the respective scales and defining uniquely named grid quadrangles at each scale. The CARPS software is constructed to permit user scrolling across grid quadrangles at the same scale and to permit zooming between grid quadrangles at different scales. The scrolling and zooming steps are displayed on the computer display. Further details on the scrolling and zooming capabilities of the mapping database manager are set forth in the David M. DeLorme U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,319 issued Nov. 20, 1990 for ELECTRONIC GLOBAL MAP GENERATING SYSTEM and the David M. DeLorme U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,117 issued Jul. 9, 1991 for DIGITAL GLOBAL MAP GENERATING SYSTEM. The digital computer may be selected from a range of hardware either portable or stationary including PDA's, notebooks, portable computers, GPS receivers, desktop computers, workstations, and mainframes.

Generally the CARPS software of the invention is constructed so that the trip planner can easily change any of the user-selected parameters such as user-selected travel origin, travel destination, transportation routes, and waypoints. POI's can also be incorporated as waypoints along the route. The CARPS software recalculates, delineates, and displays on the computer display the revised travel route. It also assembles and displays a revised user customized multimedia travelog for previewing the revised travel route. Waypoints may be selectively uploaded or downloaded between GPS receivers and CARPS software. These steps can be repeated in an iterative trip planning process until the user arrives at a satisfactory user-defined travel route.

In the preferred example, the CARPS software is composed of a routing subsystem, a multimedia subsystem, and an interactive mode for interaction between the two subsystems. The routing subsystem performs the travel planning and routing functions, calculating and displaying a route according to user specified choices and constraints. The multimedia subsystem performs multimedia functions, retrieving and displaying multimedia information about selected POI's. In the interactive mode, the multimedia subsystem constructs a travelog following the user-defined route calculated by the routing subsystem.

Alternatively or in addition, a radio location receiver such as a GPS receiver is coupled to the CARPS software. The CARPS software can be programmed to display the location of a user based on signals from the GPS receiver or other radio location receiver in a selected grid quadrangle image. A full screen can be constituted to be the selected grid quadrangle. Or, multiple grid quadrangles may be displayed. The GPS receiver can also be used in conjunction with CARPS map displays and printed maps without grid quadrangles. The user correlates and coordinates locations on the grid quadrangle computer display with locations on a corresponding grid quadrangle of a printed map. Additional travel data can also be displayed including user direction of travel, velocity, altitude, and route traveled, all derived from the GPS receiver or other radio location receiver. In addition to radio location, other user location systems may also be incorporated into the CARPS such as dead reckoning location systems that measure user location from a known origin. Hybrid location systems are also available combining radio location and dead reckoning.

The CARPS user can be provided with communications links for on-line communication and transfer of spatially related data and software tools for map reading between computers and between users. For example a CARPS user may communicate with another CARPS system or user for transfer of user location data and any other spatially related data. The CARPS user can communicate with external databases, a central communications service bureau, and on-line mapping services for latest information relating to loc/objects, routes, and map modifications, priority messages, etc.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the CARPS software is coupled to a radio location receiver such as a loran receiver or a GPS receiver for generating signals corresponding to the geographical coordinate location and direction of travel of a CARPS user. Dead reckoning location systems and hybrid location systems may also be used. The database manager is constructed for displaying on the CARPS computer display the location, direction of travel, speed and traveling route of the CARPS user. The displayed location and route can be correlated with locations on the printed map coinciding in geographic area with the selected grid quadrangle. The GPS receiver loaded with CARPS data can be used in a separate and independent CARPS system without any databases of loc/objects as a stand-alone system or in combination with the second database and other available internal and external databases for display of selected loc/objects from such databases. CARPS and users can exchange data for display or other use such as user location information as well as other spatially related data. This is accomplished over a variety of communications links, wired or wireless, adding a communications dimension to the CARPS.

While the description of the present invention is primarily directed to the applications of the invention for computer-aided map reading, analysis and interpretation and for supplementing the maps with spatially related data from databases derived from memory devices and communications links, the invention is also applicable for map making and map creation. A detachable, portable GPS receiver can be used to record waypoints in the field for later downloading into CARPS for display and processing. Thus, the GPS receiver may communicate GPS location data from on-site geocoding to a home office CARPS system for accumulation and assembly of mapping data. At the same time the invention can provide on-line mapping information services to other CARPS systems and users.

The invention also provides a new Computer Aided Routing and Positioning Method (CARPM) using a digital computer with computer display and electronic maps in combination with a GPS receiver for portable waypoint guidance, updating, and recording. As noted above, the electronic maps include transportation routes, route intersections and identified waypoints along the transportation routes. The method also uses CARPS software for user travel planning.

The method steps of the invention include presenting the electronic maps on the computer display, selecting waypoints by using the electronic maps, or by list-based sources for locating by place names, zip codes or telephone exchange data etc., or by responding to related multimedia about proximate points of interest, or by recordation via a geocoding device. The waypoints include a user travel origin and travel destination, and intermediate waypoints of interest at geographical locations between the travel origin and travel destination. The method steps further include calculating, delineating, and displaying on the computer display a travel route between the user travel origin and travel destination via the user-selected waypoints of interest according to user choice of the shortest travel route, quickest travel route, or user-selected preferred travel route.

The method proceeds by selecting a region of interest to the user along the user-defined travel route, and defining the region of interest by user-defined dimensions limiting excursions on either side of the user-defined travel route. The method uses a database of geographically locatable points of interest in the geographical areas of the electronic maps. The POIs are organized into a plurality of types for user selection of POIs by type. The POI types provide overlays of the CARPS database for display over the electronic maps on the computer display. The database also includes the travel information selected from the group consisting of graphics, photos, videos, animations, audio information and text information about transportation routes and waypoints of the electronic maps and points of interest of the CARPS database.

According to the method, further steps include identifying in the digital computer the transportation routes, route intersections, and waypoints of the electronic maps, corridor of interest selected by the user, and the POIs of the first database, by coordinate locations in a common geographical coordinate system; selecting specified POI types in the user-defined corridor of interest along the user-defined travel route and selecting particular points of interest from the selected types in the corridor; and assembling and displaying on the computer display a user customized travelog for preview of the user-defined travel route, said travelog including travel information in the database on the transportation routes and waypoints of the electronic maps and selected POIs in the user-defined corridor of interest along the user-defined travel route.

The invention also contemplates steps of changing the user-selected travel origin, travel destination, transportation routes, or intermediate waypoints; recalculating, delineating, and displaying on the computer display a revised travel route; and assembling and displaying on the computer display a revised user customized travelog for previewing the revised travel route.

According to another feature of the system and method, points of interest selected by the user within the user-defined region of interest along a user determined travel route can be converted to waypoints. This may be accomplished via a GPS receiver by which a user records waypoint data in the field for subsequent downloading to the CARPS desktop platform. The travel route is then modified to incorporate the selected points of interest as actual waypoints in a new or revised travel route. The selected POIs then have a new status in the proposed travel plan. Rather than merely possible destinations reached by side excursions from the designated travel route, they actually become waypoints on the travel route. The routing algorithm or routing procedure of the CARPS software therefore determines the shortest route, quickest route, or user-defined preferred route through the selected POIs as waypoints on the travel route.

An advantage of CARPS is the availability of an array of multimedia information for points of interest and places in an area of interest. A user can therefore initially browse through the available information before even attempting an initial route. The array of multimedia information can then provide a basis for selecting an initial route with destination and waypoints. Once establishing an initial route the user can then follow the interactive and iterative procedures of CARPS.

Other features of the system and method are set forth in further detail in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a diagrammatic perspective view of an operating system and system user showing CARPS according to the present invention.

FIGS. 1B-1M, 1O and 1P illustrate example screen displays and user interfaces for CARPS while FIG. 1N illustrates an example hard copy printout of a travel plan prepared by CARPS.

FIG. 2 is an overall block diagram of the interactive CARPS system combining routing and travel operations with multimedia information operations.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the operational steps and user options available to multimedia users of CARPS.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are assembled to form a flow chart showing the operational steps and user options available to travel planning and routing users of CARPS. The flow chart assembled by FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C is referred to in the specification as FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 is an example of a map display presented to the user on a monitor display by CARPS.

FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C are simplified screen displays showing alternative strategies and methodologies for circumscribing points of interest within respective defined areas of a selected travel route.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are assembled to form a flow chart showing the operational steps of CARPS for transforming a routing waypoint list or list of nodes of a selected route into a list of points of interest within defined areas along the selected route.

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are assembled to form the flow chart referred to in the specification as FIG. 7 showing the user controls and commands made available to the multimedia user of CARPS.

FIGS. 8A-8E further illustrate the flexible user controls and commands for multimedia related operations of CARPS.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS AND BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

CARPS 100 according to the present invention is illustrated by way of example in FIG. 1A. A user 103 operates the software system 100, provided on CD-ROM, utilizing a desktop personal computer equipped for multimedia. In the preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 1A, the personal computer system 105 includes a 286, 386, 486, or Pentium (TM) Intel (TM) processor or equivalent, with typical memory devices, associated circuitry and peripheral devices including a monitor or cathode ray tube (CRT) 117, a speaker or audio system 107, a printer 125, a CD-ROM player 112, a mouse 115 or similar pointing device, and keyboard 110. Alternatively, the software system 100 can be provided on diskette, run from a hard drive or central server (e.g. a local area network internally linked to a mainframe or externally linked to the Internet).

Included for use with CARPS 100, a GPS (or similar geocoding) device is shown. An GPS/CARPS interface 105 between the GPS device and CARPS is provided to allow data transfer between CARPS and the GPS device. The GPS/CARPS interface 105 is preferably plug-in wiring. However, GPS/CARPS interface 105 may be any type of hardware that allows data transfer may also be used including wireless infrared data transfer devices, modem type of data transfer devices, and data transfer by intermediate memory storage devices (e.g. diskettes, tapes, . . . etc.). The inclusion of the GPS/CARPS interface for use with the GPS device makes it possible for the CARPS user to record data with the GPS device at a location remote from the CARPS desktop embodiment for later download of the recorded data to CARPS. As well, data generated by the user with CARPS can be uploaded to a GPS device through the GPS/CARPS interface. Such uploaded data may be used for GPS guidance of the user along a CARPS-generated route. As well, the GPS receiver can upload real-time information on its current location for processing and display in CARPS.

Alternative embodiments could include other input devices e.g. voice recognition system, joystick, touch-screen, scanner for printed map input, simplified keypad, etc., not represented here. FIG. 1A discloses CARPS 100 implemented on a single, stand-alone, desktop style, personal computer. The software technology, which facilitates interactivity between routing and multimedia, also works on a more portable laptop or notebook computer, a handheld personal digital assistant (PDA), embedded in a travel planning appliance or an in-vehicle navigation system, as well as on mainframes of various kinds, distributed work stations, or networked systems. Alternatively, users can also operate CARPS 100 from a remote interface through wireless or hard-wire links connecting with a distant computer system or a central service bureau.

FIG. 1A shows a map book or set of printed maps typically on paper media 128 corresponding to the electronic or digital map 122 displayed on the screen or monitor 117. The printed maps 128 can be consulted as an aid in using the corresponding electronic or digital maps 122 displayed on screen, and the hardcopy travel plan printouts 126 derived from interactivity between the routing and multimedia elements of the invention. It is expected that users will printout such hardcopy travel plans
126 to guide and direct their journeys on foot, in vehicles, or by other means of travel.

The hardcopy travel plan 126 illustrated in FIG. 1A consists of a strip map noting points of interest, travel directions and critical turning points along the recommended route, described in more detail hereafter. Such hardcopy travel plans, typically printed on paper, comprise a portable and compact form of output from the system, useful and easily read in field situations, without the expense or burden of carrying even a small computer device. A variety of other forms of digital and printed media output can result from the combination of the software routing and multimedia processes, as described hereafter.

The user 103, in FIG. 1A, is operating both the routing and related multimedia elements of the invention. The monitor 117 screen is filled with an electronic analog map (or digital map) display 122 on which departure points, destinations and other waypoints can be entered or deleted and the shortest, fastest or otherwise optimized routes calculated, as described in more detail below. At the same time, in a multimedia window 120 superimposed upon the map display, the user 103 is engaged in viewing, hearing, or responding to a selectable, multimedia presentation related to points of interest and locations displayed on the underlying map screen 122.

For purposes of this specification the term multimedia embraces all manner of graphics, text, alphanumeric data, video, moving or animated images, as well as still images, photographs and other audio or visual information in digital or analog formats. Multimedia also includes audio output options, voice, music, natural and artificial sound, conveyed to users through a speaker system 107 or earphones 108. As detailed hereafter, the invention stores, manages and retrieves a database of multimedia information in relation to specific places on or near the surface of the earth, referred to herein as points of interest (POIs), or geographical sites or locations. These are geographically locatable objects (loc/objects) for which multimedia information is available in the CARPS database. Generally, POI's can be represented in both digital and print media cartography and are situated or described by standard geographic coordinates such as latitude and longitude, UTM, State Plane, or equivalent map location systems.

From the digital map and routing function shown in FIG. 1A at 122, the user 103 can select one or more particular geographic locations, or points of interest (POIs), in order to view, hear or manipulate related information in the multimedia dimension of the invention. FIG. 1A shows the multimedia element of the invention as an episode in a multimedia presentation comprised of graphics or text, shown in an on screen window 120, or audio output conveyed to the user 103 via a speaker 107 or earphones 108. For example, in the multimedia window 120, the user 103 can view and selectively respond to color photographic or video images or related textual information about a specific location, or group of locations. Locations are chosen by the user working within the underlying digital map and routing dimension of invention, illustrated at 122.

More specifically, FIG. 1A shows a scenario in which the user 103 has selected a particular lakeside location 124 on the underlying digital map, or in conjunction with a route or a waypoint along a route. The specific lakeside location 124 is shown as an "X" in a circle 124 on the simplified drawing of a typical digital map screen 122. The user 103 picked this point of interest located by a lake by means such as a mouse clicking operation at the location or placename as depicted on the digital map 122. The location can also be identified by words or symbols along a displayed route on the underlying digital map screen 122, by selection from a list of place names or from a list of types of locations, or by other routine or state of the art inputs.

The user's choice of a particular location prompts a multimedia presentation 120 of information related to the selected place e.g. stills or video pictures of the lake, local events, places to stay or eat, attractions and recreational opportunities, related text or audio narrative, local history, lore, even complex or extensive data on topographic, environmental, demographic, real estate or marketing information, etc. The multimedia presentation is illustrated by the graphic image of a view of the lake, sailboat and mountains on the far shore, in the window 120, accompanied by related audio output 107 or 108. CARPS 100 enables a user to prompt a multimedia presentation 120 on a location 124, or group of locations, selected from within a digital or electronic mapping system 122, equipped to do routing functions and displays 123.

FIG. 1A additionally illustrates procedures whereby users can modify waypoints and other route parameters from within the multimedia element of the software invention. Typically, routes or waypoints are displayed as highlighted line segments or points 123 on the digital or electronic map 122. Routes and waypoints may also take the form of map symbols and annotations, or of ordered lists of place names, travel directions, geographic coordinates or various other location identifiers, as described hereinafter. CARPS 100 combines routing and multimedia elements by enabling the user 103, to add, delete or insert one or more particular geographic locations or points of interest. This is achieved based upon the presentation of multimedia information about those locations, as new or modified input for additional processing of the route.

For example, in FIG. 1A, mouse manipulable buttons along the bottom of the multimedia window 120 enable the user 103 to command CARPS 100 to include the lakeside location 124, based on the multimedia presentation 120, as new input for routing. CARPS 100 facilitates entry or deletion of locations, reviewed in multimedia subject matter, as new starting places, destinations, intermediate waypoints, or points of interest along the way as part of the user-selected route. FIG. 1A represents how user interactions with multimedia about locations can be used to change the route. FIG. 1A further illustrates output from CARPS 100, a hardcopy printout 126, typically a customized or individualized travel plan in the shape of a strip map annotated with travel directions and related information. Output from CARPS 100 is produced by combined interaction between the routing functions and user responses to the multimedia information about particular geographic locations. Thus, for one example, the hardcopy travel plan 126 exhibits attached points of interest, typically in the form of annotations connected with graphic arrows or pointers to particular geographic locations which fall within a predetermined distance from a displayed route. The user attaches such points of interest to a digital map route display from a multimedia presentation on those locations. Alternative forms of digital, audio, text, graphical, hardcopy or multimedia output from CARPS 100 are detailed later in this disclosure.

Output from the invention can result from a single, simple interaction between routing and multimedia elements. FIG. 1A illustrates a scenario whereby the user-selected only one point of interest, a place by a lake 124, close to a route 123
highlighted upon an electronic or digital map display 122. Next the user prompted the presentation of multimedia information in a window 120 concerning the lakeside point of interest. Prompted by the multimedia presentation, the user then pushed the "Attach" button in the command bar across the window bottom, or otherwise prompted CARPS to include the lakeside location as an annotated point of interest within a specified distance from the highlighted route displayed upon the map screen or printed on a hardcopy travel plan.

In FIG. 1A, the hardcopy travel plan 126 output actually contains arrows or pointers from three annotation boxes to three corresponding points of interest attached to the strip route map output. Moreover, the highlighted route running up the center of the strip map format may reflect waypoints added or deleted over the course of a sequence of interactions between the multimedia and routing elements of the invention. Users can utilize the invention to attach multiple points of interest, or make many modifications of actual waypoints and highlighted routes, working interactively between the multimedia database and the routing function. The system, as described hereafter, is flexible, selective and capable of series of multiple interactions and repeated iterations in order for the user to develop, alter and refine an individualized or customized travel plan through varied operational cycles, combining routing and utilization of the multimedia database on locations.

FIG. 1A therefore illustrates but one episode in a potential series of interactions between the routing and multimedia sides of the system, for producing a customized travel plan output, as exemplified by the annotated hardcopy travel plan 126
and further detailed in FIG. 1N. Such a travel plan, and alternative forms of output can result from attaching multiple points of interest, waypoints, and route modifications based upon a succession of multimedia presentations of information on many locations to generate a custom travel plan tailored to the user's personal preferences, as expressed throughout the whole sequence of interactions.

FIGS. 1B-1P

FIGS. 1B through 1P are screen captures from MAP'N'GO (TM) 1.0 by DeLorme Mapping, Freeport, Me. 04032. MAP'N'GO 1.0 includes an auto road atlas of North America both on CD-ROM and printed in a companion paper map book. The MAP'N'GO 1.0 CD-ROM contains a travel planning software utility embodiment of the present CARPS invention. This utility enables users to generate digital or hardcopy travel plans from routing operations and selected audio, text and pictorial information on hotels, restaurants, campgrounds and tourist attractions.

FIG. 1B reveals the basic user interface, including a map display, and diverse user options for manipulating the electronic maps. Three buttons with diagonal arrows in a row at 130 enable the user to zoom in or out among map scales. Nine buttons in the form of a compass rose at 131 cause the electronic map display to shift or pan to center on a new latitude and longitude. At 134, an overview screen shows the area depicted on the main map in a rectangle in relation to surrounding geography. Mouse clicks in the rectangle further enable the user to shift or pan the center of the map to a different location on the earth's surface. Page numbers and grid identifiers are indicated at 132 for coordinated use of companion paper maps. At 133, the main map scale is shown in terms of "mag" or "magnitude" such that mag 10 offers a closer typically more detailed view than mag 8 or 6, which each present increasingly distant perspectives or map coverage of larger parts of the earth's surface.

FIG. 1C also reveals the basic user interface, including a higher magnitude or closer scale map, as shown at 135. Compared to FIG. 1B, FIG. 1C offers a main electronic map display with more detail including geometric symbols in small rectangles under "Seattle" for example. These symbols represent the availability of supplemental travel information on specific types of locations e.g. Hotels, Campgrounds, Restaurants and Points of Interest. One such symbol indicating a real-time or recorded location as sensed by a GPS receiver interfacing with CARPS is shown at 136a. As disclosed hereafter, the user can access and manipulate the added multimedia travel information by various mouse or keyed commands.

FIGS. 1D, 1E and 1F illustrate assorted locating tools for finding geographic locations, recentering the electronic maps, and selecting specific places or geographic loci as input for routing or multimedia operations. Three buttons in the row at
136 prompt the dialog boxes for "Locate Place Name" at 137, "Locate Zip Code" in FIG. 1E and "Locate Area Code and Exchange" in FIG. 1F. This suite of locating tools facilitates searching lists by the names of places or cities and respective states or provinces as well as locating specified places by recentering the map display upon the identified location.

FIGS. 1G, 1H, and 1I express the interface for routing and related operations. The user can access the Manage Route menu or dialog box at 138 by depressing the Route button at 140. A quick pull-down menu at 139 also makes routing or related options available. The user can enter a starting place, e.g., Montpelier, Vt., and a final destination, e.g., Plattsburgh, N.Y., plus intermediate, optional waypoints in between if desired. A suite of buttons at 141 enable the user to add, insert, delete, etc. items to or from the waypoint input list by routine text and graphic input means. Entered waypoints are symbolized on the map interface by numbered inverted triangles as shown at 147. The user prompts calculation of optimal routes by selecting between Quickest, Shortest or Preferred options at 143 or the 139 quick menu. The resulting route is displayed by highlighting the recommended roads on the map display as shown at 146 from Montpelier through Burlington to Plattsburgh. Added control over routing parameters or variables is provided by depressing Speed 144 and Prefers 145 buttons which access dialog boxes for adjusting the routing computation. The FIG. 11 dialog box allows the user to modify estimated or anticipated speed, or rate of travel, in miles or kilometers per hour for various road classifications. The FIG. 1H dialog box enables the user to calibrate the routing computation module to favor or avoid specified types of roads.

FIGS. 1J and 1K further depict routing functionality plus introduce multimedia capabilities. Accessed for example through the 139 quick menu in FIG. 1G, the Points of Interest Along the Way dialog box at 148 in FIG. 1J exhibits a list of three items termed POIs for points of interest in this disclosure. By prompting the Along the Way command, after inputting an ordered list of waypoint input, the user has caused the software to seek and find POIs within a specified distance from the computed route for which further information is available in the form of audio, pictures or text. By depressing either the Show/Tell All or the Show/Tell One buttons on the right in the 148 Along the Way dialog box, the user can prompt a multimedia presentation or series of presentations as shown at 151 in FIG. 1K. Controls along the bottom of the 151 picture display window on Burlington facilitate user control and selection of multimedia content and form, as described hereafter. In FIG. 1J, the Attach button on the right in the 148 dialog box enables the user to pick, fix and include selections of information with travel plan output, as disclosed further hereafter. Travel Plan dialog or list boxes are shown at 149 in FIG. 1J and 152 in FIG. 1K. Travel Plan list boxes are a form of routing computation output including a list of waypoints, routes, compass directions, nearby town, time and distance estimates for route segments and the overall route.

FIG. 1L and 1M further depict information resources about specific types of places. As disclosed hereafter in relation to FIG. 1-0 and quick menu 161, the user can access information on specific types of POIs such as hotels or restaurants. List boxes for local hotels and restaurants appear at 154 and 156 in FIG. 1L and for campgrounds at 158 in FIG. 1M. These listboxes all have a button to Attach information on chosen accommodations to emerging travel plan output. These listboxes also allow the user to call for more detailed information or Full Info on selected locations of the respective types. Such information availability is indicated on the mapping interface by colored symbols within a small rectangle under or adjacent to the relevant place name, as shown for Shelburne at 157. The Campground information box at 159 shows a typical display of Full Info requested by the user concerning the Shelburne Camping Area.

FIG. 1N illustrates a typical, moderately complex MAP'N'GO (TM) 1.0 hardcopy travel plan output, as developed in FIGS. 1G, 1J and 1K. Note the heading up orientation of the travel plan, with point of departure at the bottom and destination at the top of a strip map format, as compared with the conventional North is Up and South is Down orientation of the map display in FIG. 1G. The heading up strip map format of the FIG. 1N travel plan has the advantage of a mapping representation in which a route change involving a righthand turn e.g. in Burlington appears intuitively as a righthand turn on the travel plan map. The FIG. 1N travel plan illustrates text travel directions and travel time estimates in hours and minutes along the right margin. Pictorial and text attachments plus estimated miles of travel are presented in the left margin and border of the FIG. 1N strip map.

FIGS. 1-0 and 1P illustrate advanced capabilities to do routing or multimedia and combined operations. In the absence of any prior routing input, the user can click on a location, like Seattle at 160, for which multimedia is available. The user can then select various operations or types of information from the quick menu at 161. Selection of Points of Interest, for example, brings up a list box for tourist attractions situated in Seattle as shown towards the bottom of the Points of Interest window for Seattle at 162. As shown in the middle of the window at 162, the user can scroll through text information concerning selected attractions, such as the Museum of Flight. The user can prompt pictorial and audio information using the Show/Tell button at 164. The Show/Tell command results in a selectable audio or pictorial presentation at 165 and 168 subject to a flexible set of user controls at 166.

As shown in FIG. 1P, flexible control over multimedia form and content enables the user of an in-vehicle embodiment of the invention, for example, to maintain an output of audio 169 travel directions for the driver to hear. Meanwhile, the passenger can monitor the visual route map at 170 and, at the same time, browse through information about places to eat in Seattle using the restaurant list box 171. For in-vehicle use, alternatively or in addition, a GPS receiver linked to CARPS can provide a display of the vehicle's current position as shown as a "blinking" dot at 173.

FIG. 2

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an interactive system 200 which combines computer software processes for routing and travel directions with presentations of multimedia information related to locations. CARPS works with one or more geographic information systems (GIS) 201 for storage, retrieval, manipulation, mapping, correlation and computation of spatial data related to geographic coordinates corresponding to locations on, above or beneath the surface of the earth within the realm of human activity. The David M. DeLorme U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,972,319 and 5,030,117, exemplify such geographic information systems for generating the map displays and output, as well as management of the geographic databases. Other GIS, or other database systems which relate data with geographic coordinates, e.g., latitude and longitude, also suffice for use with the present invention.

On the left in FIG. 2, block 205 comprises the subsystem for routing. Block 209, on the far right, relates to one or more databases of multimedia information concerning places or objects identified by geographic coordinates. In the middle, block 207 illustrates the data transfer processes and operational pathways facilitating interactivity, or combined operations, between the multimedia 209 and routing 205 subsystems.

Processing starts either with routing 203 or multimedia 204. For example, as a leading step within the routing subsystem 205, a typical application, or episode of use, proceeds with waypoint input 231, typically selected by the user, including a starting place, a final destination and optionally one or more mid-points or intermediate locations where the user may stop or pass through in his or her travels. Waypoints include departure points and destinations as well as intermediate or mid-route waypoints. Waypoints are listed in the users intended order of travel. The system 200 facilitates waypoint input for routing functions by a variety of means, including database searches, as disclosed for input of points of interest (POIs) within the multimedia block 209. Waypoint input can also be derived from a GPS receiver interfacing with CARPS, for example, to download the current position of the GPS receiver and input it as a starting point.

Next, in the course of a typical operation performed within the routing subsystem 205, the user prompts the computation of an initial route, or optimal travel path, between entered waypoints at step 245. Such software routing computations generally entail known methodologies for the manipulation and calculation of data comprised of vectors, line segments or sets of geographically located points or line intersections sequenced in temporal order or order of the occurrence of events related to travel or motion in geographic space. The user can calibrate or tune routing functions in order to compute either the shortest, quickest, or preferred route, among other parameters, as disclosed hereafter.

Based on user-optimized route computations, step 259 next expedites one or more computer displays, graphics, hardcopy, text, audio or other output, representing the initial route as computed along the waypoints input by the user. Such routes are represented as various forms of itinerary including: (1) annotated maps upon which the optimal routes are graphically marked, accentuated or highlighted; (2) lists of waypoints, or place names or geographic coordinates typically arranged in the order encountered along the route; (3) point to point directions how to take the optimal computed route indicating turning points, landmarks, navigation aids, signposts etc. along the computed route also typically arranged in temporal order of travel; (4) one or more POIs or preferably one or more ordered sets of waypoints or route nodes electronically uploaded into a compatible GPS receiver (interfacing with CARPS as detailed relative to FIG. 1A) for route guidance in the field; (5) various combinations of the four forms of route output or itinerary just listed.

As pictured in FIG. 1N, the preferred route output includes map displays or map hardcopy with the optimal route highlighted, marginal travel directions in an easy to follow format with the point of departure consistently at the map bottom, and the destination near the top of the strip map format. Alternative embodiments express such route information output in pure form at step 259 in FIG. 2, by employing other graphics or map formats, images, text and numbers, or sound/voice output to convey the recommended or optimal itinerary or route.

On the other hand, a typical operation or program can begin on the multimedia side 209 with user entry of one or more points of interest (POIs) selected by the user inputting individual POIs or by database searches, sorting for specific predefined types of POI, related characteristics, or linked data or information using the underlying GIS 201. In FIG. 2, to set up a presentation of multimedia place information, the user can perform individual or manual POI input at step 243. For example, a vacation traveler can request multimedia information on two or three popular resort locations recommended by friends, ads or travel articles by using well known data entry methods such as keying in the resort names, or nearest place name, or geographic coordinates. The system 200 is further able to locate individual POIs for input by enabling a user to select from lists of place names, or through linked phone exchange, zip code or geographic coordinate data. The user can engage in manual input of individual POIs by clicking at points, symbols or place names on the map display.

In fully developed embodiments of CARPS 200, steps 243 and 255 work together within the multimedia subsystem 209 to enable the user to execute database searches for desired multimedia input. Step 255 enables and manages automated POI sorts or searches in order to generate, among other tasks, one or more lists of locations or POIs, about which information is available in the underlying database system 201 as potential content for multimedia presentation in step 273. For example, step 255
facilitates user searching for resorts of a predefined type e.g. skiing, tennis club, theme park, etc.; or for a list of resorts with specific characteristics including low cost, desired climate, nearby attractions or transport, etc.; or for a list of resorts linked to certain data or data types e.g. graphic images, hotel reservation access, or banquet or conference facilities information, etc. In step 243, the user can then either edit the results of such database sorts, or input the entire list of resort locations produced by such a database search. Whether manually entered by the user or taken from a user designed database search, POI input at step 243 calls forth multimedia information presentations concerning the resort location inputs.

As already noted, step 231 waypoint input within the routing subsystem 205 can involve identical database searching processes, as well as manual input of individual locations. This specification uses the term selected waypoint to refer to a routing input item at step 231 in the routing subsystem 205. POI for point of interest is the term generally reserved for an item of multimedia input at step 243 in the multimedia subsystem 209. Terms such as place, location or geographic object refer to definite points, loci or sites on or proximate to the surface of the earth. Such loci, points or sites are associated in the GIS 201 with particular or ascertainable geographical coordinates e.g. latitude.backslash.longitude, plus an index of elevation, altitude or depth as appropriate. A single unique place, location or geographic object could be both a waypoint, i.e., a routing input item and a POI, i.e., a multimedia input item. Outputs and inputs are transferred between routing and multimedia as part and parcel of important applications of the system technology.

Within the multimedia subsystem 209, step 273 facilitates diverse multimedia information presentations or output on places, locations or geographic objects listed as POI or multimedia input in step 243. The step 273 output or multimedia presentations are subject to flexible user control, inviting further user response and interaction. The invention 200 facilitates user participation in, and user control of, both the form and content of ongoing multimedia presentations. The multimedia subsystem 209 provides access to commands or user options for making further manual selections of individual POIs, or further database POI searches, even in the middle of an ongoing multimedia presentation. In step 273, as detailed hereafter, the user can elect to repeat or skip parts of a multimedia presentation, pick among or combine forms of media such as audio, text or graphics, alter the current POI list governing the order and geographical focus of the unfolding ongoing multimedia experience, or prompt alternative or more detailed multimedia presentations about the places of interest to the user.

Pure routing is accomplished entirely in the routing block or subsystem 205. Block 205 generally illustrates a software process for routing which computes the temporal arrangement, sequencing and linear structure of travel or movement, between two or more places or waypoint locations, following specified transportation routes such as vehicular roads, hiking trails, shipping channels or flight paths, etc. Such routing computations are subject to adjustable parameters. For example, users can opt to compute the shortest route in terms of the absolute travel distance, or in the alternative, the quickest route in terms of the predicted, elapsed time it will take to travel the route. Routing output from such computations can also report estimated distances and expected time frames for an overall journey as well as discrete parts or segments of an optimal computed route. The users can engage exclusively in routing functions, absent any intervening multimedia operations, starting at 203
and stopping at 275, all within the routing subsystem 205.

Similarly, pure multimedia can commence at 204 and stop at 279, unfolding entirely within block 209, without reference to or interaction with the routing subsystem 205. The term multimedia in this context refers to a broad range of audible, visible, legible, or otherwise humanly perceptible data or information as stored, processed, output and transmitted within and between computer systems. The GIS at 201, underlying the invention 200, stores, retrieves, manipulates and manages discrete units or items of information in various media in relation to geographic coordinates. Block 209 in FIG. 2 illustrates a multimedia database subsystem for flexible, user controlled, processing and presentation of located information in various media and formats including alphanumeric data, text, graphics, still or moving imagery, and sound, etc. which can be separate from routing.

The overall system 200, however, enables transfers of intermediate and final outputs between the independent routing 205 and multimedia 209 processes or subsystems. Multimedia and pure routing functions, as just discussed, are blended or integrated essentially by sequencing multimedia and routing operations under user control. Routing 205 plus multimedia 209 subsystem operations, performed sequentially, produce combined or interactive output at step 265. The combined or interactive output typically includes a unique, customized or personalized travel plan provided in the form of map displays or hardcopy maps annotated with information about places, and travel directions, with the optimal computed route highlighted, labelled or otherwise marked. Users can opt to further embellish combined, interactive travel plan output with selected multimedia graphic images, videos, animations, sound or voice output as well as text, documents, numeric or tabular data about locations, POIs or points of interest or other geographic objects along the way, i.e., on or near the computed optimal route. One preferred form of such combined travel plan output is illustrated in FIG. 1N.

Combined interactive output 265, typically an ordered set of waypoints related to an optimum route and limited POI information, can be uploaded into a compatible GPS receiver interfacing with CARPS. User interaction with routing and multimedia, as illustrated at step 265, gives a combined interactive output that reflects choices made by the user. Step 265 output integrates the user's decisions about waypoint input or routing calculation parameters, plus the user's selection of individual POIs or multimedia inputs derived from database searches, along with the user's interaction with and responses to multimedia presentations. For example, in order to revise or refine his or her emerging itinerary, the user can modify an initial route by altering the current waypoint list adding places he or she really desires to visit, or excluding places from the itinerary, in response to selected multimedia information about the locations found along the initial route. The system 200 further enables users to attach or include multimedia selections to or with travel plan output, i.e., printouts, audio, screen displays, etc. As shown at 265 in FIG. 2, combined output incorporates the user's choices and interests as exercised through one or more interactions with and between the routing 205 and multimedia 209 subsystems.

FIG. 2 illustrates the invention's capability for combined interactive routing and multimedia about locations, in the middle block 207, and related lines portraying operational flows between the routing block 205 and the multimedia 209 block. Pathways for transfers of intermediate or final input/output among the routing 205 and multimedia 209 subsystems coinciding with pathways for sequencing combinations of multimedia and routing operations are illustrated by solid lines with one-way arrows symbolizing a single direction of flow e.g. 233, 235, 241, 247, 251, 261 & 269.

As disclosed in detail hereafter, various input/output transfers and combined routing/multimedia operational sequences take place through the interaction bus 237. Within the middle block 207, the interaction bus 237 facilitates repetitive, looped or iterative operations as well as user interactions producing combined output at step 265 by sequencing multimedia and routing operations. For example, the system 200 enables users to blend pure routing output generated at 259 with subsequent multimedia operations by transferring data via path 261, the interaction bus 237, and path 241 to the multimedia input step 243. In this manner, users can prompt a multimedia experience of information focused upon places found along the way, i.e., within a preset distance of, or in a user-defined region around, an initial route or set of waypoints. Thus in typical operations, the invention 200 sequences prior routing and subsequent multimedia operations to generate route based multimedia information presentations on locations or points of interest along an initial route. Output 259 from prior route computations gets transferred from block 205, the routing subsystem, through the interaction bus 237, over into the multimedia subsystem 209
which then absorbs the route data as, multimedia input at step 243. The user can then pick and play one or more multimedia presentations about points of interest or geographic locations found in the vicinity of the current optimal route highlighted on the map display.

In the examples just cited, the geographic content of the subsequent multimedia presentation is circumscribed by the prior routing operation. As detailed hereafter, location data from the routing subsystem 205 focuses or sets the overall agenda for the following multimedia show about places nearby the computed route. This location data comes to step 243, to become multimedia input, through the interaction bus 237, via procedural and data transfer pathways at 261 and 241. Any resulting multimedia presentations are no longer pure, in the language of this disclosure. Rather the multimedia has been combined with, and derives its geographic context or structure from, the prior routing operation. Routing operations are also preceded by multimedi