Patent ID: 8396665
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: G01C,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A personal navigation device (PND) comprising: a processor; a graphical display; memory including map data stored in the memory; user-input device; and signal reception device to receive one or more wireless signals by which a present location of the PND is determinable by the processor, in conjunction with user input, desired destination information is determinable by the processor, the processor being further capable of performing route calculation and subsequent navigation functions, wherein the location determination, route calculation and navigation functions are performed by software installed on the PND; and one or more connectors by which said PND is physically connectable to third party devices or systems, said PND being adapted to establish a communication, via said physical connection, with a vehicle controller area network and thus becoming a node on the vehicle controller area network and being capable of communicating with other nodes having functionality represented by one or more signals distributed around said controller area network and received by said PND, said PND further including a first software translation layer enabling the communication between PND and one or more nodes, and a second software routine layer including one or more routines specific to the functionality of one or more of said other nodes so as to effectively communicate therewith and utilize their functionality, wherein said one or more routines, depending on user profile information available within said PND, is capable of causing a change in the current state of one or more of the nodes on said vehicle controller area network or a vehicle subsystem controlled thereby.