Patent ID: 7493210
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: G01C

Abstract:
1. A method for vehicle navigation comprising the steps of: accessing a publicly accessible Web site using a computing device that is remote from a vehicle; identifying within said Web site at least one destination in response to a user input specifying a trip itinerary, the at least one destination corresponding to at least one of a lodging, dining establishment, and predetermined sightseeing attraction each identified within said Web site in response to and based upon the specified trip itinerary; automatically determining navigation information for said itinerary, wherein at least a portion of said navigation information includes geographic coordinates for said identified destination as well as trip information indicating locations of and information pertaining to other dining establishments, other sightseeing attractions, other lodging accommodations, road hazards, and detours corresponding to the user-specified trip itinerary; uploading said navigation information to a network via a communications link and storing said navigation information in a memory in the network, wherein said memory is remote from said vehicle; connecting an in-vehicle navigation device to the network via an upload link and a download link; identifying the in-vehicle navigation device by the network via the upload link; upon identification of the in-vehicle navigation device, transferring said navigation information stored in the memory in the network to said in-vehicle navigation device via the download link; determining whether a data format of said navigation information conforms to data requirements of said in-vehicle navigation device prior to transferring said navigation information; and converting said data format of said navigation information to an alternate data format prior to transferring said navigation information if said data format does not conform to data requirements of said in-vehicle navigation device.