Patent ID: 7151997
Filing Date: 2006-12-19
Classification: B61L,G01C,G08G,H04N

Abstract:
1. A navigation system comprising: a communication port positioned in an interior portion of a vehicle, said communication port allowing wireless communication between a non-portable onboard vehicle-based navigation system and a hand-held portable device that is removably positioned in the interior portion of the vehicle; said communication port adapted for wirelessly coupling with said hand-held portable device to allow said wireless communication between said hand-held portable device and said non-portable onboard vehicle-based navigation system when said hand-held portable device is positioned in the interior portion of the vehicle; said wireless coupling of said communication port with said hand-held portable device when positioned in the interior of the vehicle being via at least one wireless communication link selected from a radio-frequency link, an infra-red link, a radio link, and a satellite link, and wherein said hand-held portable device may communicate with said vehicle-based navigation system through said communication port when wirelessly coupled with said communication port; said hand-held portable device having a position locator establishing a position of said hand-held portable device; an information display at an interior portion of the vehicle visible to a driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle; and said information display operable to display navigation information to the driver of the vehicle when the driver is normally operating the vehicle, said navigation information derived at least in part from said wireless communication between said hand-held portable device and said non-portable onboard vehicle-based navigation system when said hand-held portable device is positioned in the interior of the vehicle.